Chapter 25: Since he fears my identity, I

“Why are you still following me?”

“Who’s following you? My home is right here too.”

Since leaving Zui Xian Pavilion, Liu Hao and Wu Qi’s already poor relationship had grown even worse.

If they could, both would kill each other.

As they walked, bickering all the way, and with too much alcohol in them, they paid little attention to the path ahead.

They collided head-on with a group of people.

Liu Hao, with his higher cultivation, staggered back a few steps before steadying himself.

Wu Qi, likely drunk, stumbled—he felt as if he’d been struck by a charging bison; the immense force sent him crashing onto his rear.

Seeing the people before them, both sobered up halfway.

The two figures before them stood tall and upright, their every gesture radiating undeniable power and authority, especially the faint but palpable aura of killing intent—the mark of warriors forged on the battlefield.

Their attire wove thick animal hides with precious silk; upon the hides were intricate, mysterious totems—the faith passed down through generations.

At their waists hung elegant sheaths, concealing sharp daggers.

Even though the daggers remained sheathed, everyone nearby could feel the biting chill of their blades.

Seeing the conflict, onlookers halted their steps; even from the second floor of a nearby restaurant, eyes were already scanning down.

Having lived in the imperial capital for years, Liu Hao and Wu Qi recognized these men as from the Northern Wang Fu—and by their attire, nobility.

With so many watching, they had clearly lost face.

Normally, with their tempers, they’d have already struck.

But today’s opponents were different; adhering to the principle of avoiding unnecessary trouble, Liu Hao helped up the resentful Wu Qi and prepared to leave.

The crowd, seeing the two young lords back down, assumed there’d be no show and began to disperse.

But just then, the two Northern Wang Fu nobles surrounded them, refusing to let them go.

“Oh? Are all of you from the Tian Ce Dynasty so ill-mannered? You bump into someone, don’t apologize, and just walk away?”

The lead noble, tall and imposing, wore a brilliant eagle ring on his powerful hand.

The ring’s material was priceless, forged from fine gold; every detail of the eagle—its sharp beak, its piercing talons—was carved with exquisite precision, exuding courage and fearlessness.

It was a symbol of his status.

Even Liu Hao, the more composed of the two, found this hard to swallow.

“Is this road your family’s property? Who the hell are you to lecture me on manners?”

Liu Hao’s ancestors had earned glorious military deeds; since childhood, he’d never held much regard for these foreign tribes.

Now that these outsiders had dared to insult him, how could he swallow it silently?

But his words made the lead noble, Altai, and his younger brother Atade burst into laughter.

Since arriving in the Tian Ce capital, no one—not even a youth—had ever spoken to them like this.

They’d come to buy goods to take home, but nearly every shop had been stripped bare.

Their mood was already sour when they bumped into these two blind fools.

In truth, they’d seen Liu Hao and Wu Qi approaching—but their pride forbade them to step aside.

Back home, only others made way for them.

You could say they’d deliberately knocked into Liu Hao and Wu Qi.

Altai didn’t ask much: just an apology from the two boys. He’d show the dignity of Wang Fu nobility; no need to dwell on such a petty matter—this unpleasantness could be settled right here.

But one of the boys had called him “who the hell are you”? Altai was furious.

This mission to Tian Ce couldn’t end with his clan’s honor tarnished.

“No one taught you manners? Today, I’ll teach you for your father!”

As he spoke, Altai swung his hand forward with crushing force.

Instantly, a powerful shockwave sent bystanders stumbling backward.

Liu Hao and Wu Qi turned pale—they recognized the noble’s strength and immediately activated their meridians, unleashing their full power to break free of Altai’s pressure.

Boom!

A massive handprint cracked the ground; dust scattered, debris flew!

Now fully sober, Liu Hao and Wu Qi stared at the shattered pavement—if they’d been a fraction slower, they’d be dead or crippled.

Altai’s provocation ignited their ferocity.

“You want to die?”

“Why waste words? If we don’t teach him a lesson, how will we ever walk the capital again?”

“Not bad. Some strength. No wonder you dared speak so boldly—but you’re still green!”

“Brother, let me handle this one!”

The two sides erupted into violent conflict, like a sudden storm sweeping through the entire street.

Atade struck first, lunging at the stronger Liu Hao—he preferred fighting the powerful. Liu Hao surged his meridians; pure energy flowed through his body, his aura exploding with terrifying force.

Wu Qi didn’t lag behind—he swung his fist, unleashing a brilliant punch of light, the wind howling as it targeted Altai’s vital head.

Altai didn’t flinch. He kept one hand behind his back, casually activating his meridians; his other arm’s muscles bulged, his fist descending like a sledgehammer, with even greater force.

The bone-crunching impact sent ripples through the air.

Wu Qi was thrown back several steps; Altai didn’t budge an inch—his mastery was undeniable.

At that moment, Wu Qi realized his opponent had been hiding his true strength.

Since they’d already fought, there was no point holding back. Wu Qi bit his lip, activating his clan’s secret technique to amplify his power.

But soon, he fell into disadvantage—he was a full realm lower.

Altai had deliberately waited for him to ascend, then revealed even greater power, always staying just one step ahead.

Now Altai unleashed his full strength; Wu Qi was beaten back relentlessly, his handsome face already bruised and deformed.

As a powerful shoulder strike knocked Wu Qi aside, Altai prepared to end this one-sided beating—he raised a single hand to crush Wu Qi’s chest.

!

If that palm struck, Wu Qi’s ribs would shatter, leaving a grievous wound in his chest.

But he was off-balance, with no time to dodge—and Liu Hao, locked in his own battle, couldn’t come to his aid.

Wu Qi’s face turned ashen. He never imagined this deceitful foreigner was playing the fool.

If you’d told me you were this strong, I’d never have dared fight you!

I’m done. Even if I survive, I’ll need a year or two to recover.

Just as Wu Qi lost hope, a white robe appeared before him.

The white-robed man reached out with one hand and seized Altai’s wrist, instantly nullifying his power.

As the white-robed man squeezed, a sharp, crisp “crack” echoed across the street.

The once-mighty Wang Fu noble now knelt helplessly, his wrist twisted, screaming in agony.

Like a chick pinned down, he had no way to resist.

All onlookers were stunned by the white-robed man’s power, whispering guesses about his identity.

“What happened?”

A familiar voice reached Wu Qi’s ears.

The man who’d just saved him wasn’t anyone else—it was Li Chen, whom he’d been trying so hard to flatter moments ago.

Li Chen’s perception was extraordinary; any surge of meridian energy or fluctuation, he sensed instantly.

That white-robed figure, standing with his back to the crowd, made Wu Qi stare in awe—as if gazing upon a god.

Whether from drink or something else, a faint flush crept onto his handsome face; his heartbeat quickened, his gaze growing hazy.

He thought: No wonder women adore powerful men.

This unmatched sense of safety—if I were a woman, I’d marry him right now.

Fortunately, Chu Ruoyan, who’d just arrived, didn’t hear this thought—or she’d have killed him.

You stole my dinner spotlight, and now you’re stealing the “hero saves beauty, she pledges herself” script too?

Liu Hao also ceased fighting and stepped beside Li Chen.

He knew: if His Majesty stood here, there was no uncertainty.

This Wang Fu noble, Altai, was at most a Sixth Harmony realm cultivator—just bullying Wu Qi.

Liu Hao even sensed His Majesty had held back; if he’d used even a fraction more force, Altai wouldn’t just have a broken arm.

Liu Hao briefly explained the situation; Li Chen now understood why the two sides had clashed.

As he considered how to handle it, the Wang Fu noble he’d pinned to the ground spoke first.

“Let go! I’m a Wang Fu envoy! Do you know the consequences of attacking me?”

Upon hearing he was an envoy, the white-robed man immediately released him.

Then the white-robed man yawned and said, “See you another day,” before leaving with his party.

Altai’s brother, Atade, mistook Li Chen’s retreat for fear—he moved to block Li Chen’s path.

In his mind, “see you another day” meant “wait till I get you.”

Altai gestured with his unbroken arm, telling Atade not to act rashly.

“That man’s power is terrifying. Don’t provoke him now. If I hadn’t revealed my status as envoy, today might’ve ended badly.”

“So we just let it go?” Atade was unwilling.

Especially with the scornful glances from the crowd—he felt humiliated. If they returned like this, wouldn’t the Khan punish them?

Altai didn’t grow angry—he smiled, cold and cunning: “Hmph. Since he fears my status as envoy, when we meet the Tian Ce Emperor tomorrow, I’m sure His Majesty will deliver justice for me!”

Only after he said this did Atade relent.

Indeed, Brother is smarter—he knows how to exploit the enemy’s weakness and make the TianCe Dynasty turn on itself!

(End of Chapter)