Qi Zhentian, attired in a black brocade robe, was personally accompanying a young man in a white robe toward the Qi Family's main hall. The young man, about thirty-two or thirty-three years old, was clad in a simple white robe with a longsword strapped to his back. His hair was neatly tied high, and his black cloth shoes made no sound as he walked.

He stood tall and straight, his face sharp as a blade, with handsome features. The aura lingering around him was thick and profound, and he possessed an otherworldly quality. Despite his youth, he exuded a certain sage-like, immortal air.

Zeng Renwang!

One of the two Protectors of the Martial Association and the Chief Disciple of Ye Nantian, he was also the cream of the crop among the entire Martial Association's younger generation!

He entered the third rank at eighteen, advanced to the fifth rank at twenty-five, and was now at the seventh rank. He was a top-tier expert, just a hair's breadth away from the eighth rank.

Most importantly, he was a Sword Cultivator.

When he executed the Thunder Sword Skill with full power, even a true eighth-rank master would have to retreat, not daring to confront him head-on.

While wandering the world in search of an opportunity to break through to the eighth rank, he learned that his junior brother, Han Shaobai, had been slaughtered, his corpse found floating in the Lingjin River!

Thus, he had rushed to Lingjin City at the first opportunity.

Qi Zhentian always stayed half a step behind him, his posture deferential and his words filled with flattery as he recounted the recent events in detail.

"So, you're saying that all the recent deaths in our Martial Association have been at the hands of this one man?" Zeng Renwang asked, his face devoid of expression.

Qi Zhentian nodded. "According to the information I have, it's undoubtedly him!"

"Interesting." A faint smile played on Zeng Renwang's lips. "In all these years, no one has ever dared to challenge the Martial Association like this."

"Sir, this fellow's strength is not to be underestimated. Please be careful," Qi Zhentian advised.

Zeng Renwang just laughed. "For the last few months, I've roamed far and wide in search of a chance to break through my bottleneck, but I couldn't find it. My master often said that breaking through via combat is the swiftest way."

"So, he'd better be strong. Otherwise, I will be very disappointed."

Qi Zhentian's mouth twitched, his heart filled with admiration. This young prodigy is on another level, so domineering!

Upon arriving at the Qi Family's main hall, Qi Zhentian arranged for Zeng Renwang to sit in the seat of honor. He attended to him at his side, personally serving tea before speaking. "Sir, I've heard that an Elder is coming as well?"

"He has already arrived. He's preparing to establish a branch in Lingjin City," Zeng Renwang replied.

Qi Zhentian immediately broke into a smile. Given his relationship with the Martial Association, he was naturally one of those who most hoped it would establish a branch in Lingjin City. This would further solidify the Qi Family's status in the city. As the saying goes, it's good to have a big tree for shade.

"Sir, why don't you rest here for the night? You can take care of that little brat tomorrow," Qi Zhentian said through gritted teeth.

Zeng Renwang took a quiet sip of his tea and said softly, "The stars are brilliant tonight. Why wait for tomorrow?"

Qi Zhentian was speechless.

"Call him. Right now."

GULP.

Qi Zhentian swallowed hard, completely overawed by Zeng Renwang's domineering presence, and nodded repeatedly. "Alright! I'll call that little brat right now!"

Zeng Renwang fell silent, waiting quietly as Qi Zhentian dialed Chen Yang's number.

「On the other side.」

Chen Yang had just finished soaking Qin Qiu's feet and was now sitting at the edge of the bed, massaging her neck.

"Honey, does it feel good?" Chen Yang asked cheerfully.

Qin Qiu clutched the bedsheet and nodded. "A little lighter, please. It hurts a bit."

"That's because your meridians are blocked. Without some force, I can't clear them. Honey, just try to bear with it for a moment," Chen Yang said, though he still eased up on the pressure.

Just then, the phone in his pocket rang. Seeing it was an unknown number, he rejected the call outright. But a moment later, the phone rang again.

Chen Yang was getting annoyed and was about to turn his phone off when Qin Qiu said, "Answer it. What if it's an emergency?"

"Fine." Reluctantly, Chen Yang pulled his hand away from Qin Qiu's delicate, fair neck and bellowed into the phone, "Who is this? Don't you sleep at night?"

He had worked so hard to get the opportunity to give Qin Qiu a massage, only to be interrupted by a phone call. He was fuming.

Qin Qiu rolled her eyes. Does this guy have to be so insolent?

「At the Qi Family residence.」

Qi Zhentian had put the phone on speaker. Just as he set it on the table, Chen Yang's angry roar echoed out.

Rage surged in Qi Zhentian's heart, but before he could speak, Zeng Renwang addressed the phone. "Are you the one who said that as long as you're in Lingjin City, my Martial Association is forbidden from establishing a branch here?"

Chen Yang was audibly stunned for a moment. He then stepped out of Qin Qiu's room and said coldly, "So, it's the Martial Association? That's right. I said it."

"You're arrogant," Zeng Renwang stated indifferently.

Chen Yang laughed. "That's right, I am. If you have the guts, come and deal with me. By the way, if you're already in Lingjin City, you'd better leave within twenty-four hours. Otherwise, you'll regret it!"

Zeng Renwang was taken aback, and Qi Zhentian was completely dumbfounded.

Isn't this guy a little too arrogant? They had intended to threaten Chen Yang and make him rush over to the Qi Family estate, but now the tables had turned, and he was threatening them.

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP…

Just as they were about to say something else, the line went dead. When they tried calling again, the phone was already switched off.

Qi Zhentian gritted his teeth. "You see, Sir? The guy is just that brazen!"

"Heh," Zeng Renwang chuckled instead. "I'm actually looking forward to this. I hope his abilities are as great as his temper."

"Shall we go to his place now, then?"

Zeng Renwang scoffed, "He's not worthy of me paying him a personal visit."

"Didn't he say that as long as he's around, the Martial Association is not allowed to establish a branch in Lingjin City?" Zeng Renwang said faintly. "In less than two days, the Martial Association's branch will stand tall in Lingjin City. I'd like to see what he can do to stop me."

Qi Zhentian gave a thumbs-up, his face full of flattery. "Sir, that's a brilliant move! When he dares to show up, you can kill him in front of everyone in Lingjin City!"

"He killed my junior brother and insulted my Martial Association." Zeng Renwang held his teacup, a cruel smile tugging at his lips. "Do you think I would let him die so easily?"

An inexplicable chill ran down Qi Zhentian's spine. Then, he too revealed a fierce grin. For him, the more miserable Chen Yang's end, the better.

***

After hanging up, Chen Yang discovered that Qin Qiu's bedroom door had been locked from the inside.

He pushed a few times before Qin Qiu's voice came from within. "It's very late. You should go to sleep. We have a lot to do tomorrow."

"Okay, honey!"

After replying, Chen Yang's face turned grim. He had been fantasizing about staying in Qin Qiu's room tonight.

"It's all because of this damned phone call!" Chen Yang cursed angrily before unwillingly returning to his own room.

「The next day.」

News that the Martial Association was officially establishing a branch in Lingjin City swept through the city like a wildfire. This time, the Martial Association not only provided a rational explanation for the previous incidents but also made it clear that everything was ready for an unveiling today. They sent out invitations far and wide, calling for everyone to attend the opening ceremony of the Martial Association's Lingjin City branch.

Suddenly, the entire city was buzzing with excitement.

"I told you the Martial Association wouldn't let go of a juicy morsel like Lingjin City!"

"Tsk, tsk, the Martial Association is so overbearing! I just wonder if that big shot will show up and cause trouble again."

"Let's wait and see!"

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