When Qin Feng saw Su Yiâs silence, he couldnât help but smile. âYoung Lord, the ignorant are free of sin. I naturally wonât pursue that minor unpleasantness just now.â He paused, and a grin tugged at his lips. There was now a thread of arrogance mixed with his reserved politeness. âBut now you know who I am, so you ought to realize that I truly do admire your skill. I hope you wonât disappoint my good intentions.â
When Huang Qianjun saw this, he couldnât help but lose his temper. âQin Feng, if Uncle knew you were behaving this impudently, heâd be sure to blow his top!â
âImpudent? Me?â Qin Fengâs expression soured. âI gave you face earlier because I couldnât be bothered to pursue things any further. Donât tell me you really think youâre someone special?
âIâll give you one last chance. Get out of my sight this instant. Or else, donât blame me for humiliating you in front of the crowd.â Qin Feng's words were flat and indifferent, but they were rife with unconcealed disdain.
âYouâŚ.â Huang Qianjunâs face was ashen.
âScram!â shouted Qin Feng.
Two of his attendants stepped forward, looking unfriendly. It seemed that if Huang Qianjun dared say so much as another word, theyâd strike.
Su Yuâs brow furrowed. He glanced at Huang Qianjun. âYouâve followed me for so long,â he said, sounding a bit displeased. âWhy is it that all you can do now is endure? Is it because youâre relatives? Or because you donât think I can resolve this situation?â
Huang Qianjun went rigid, and his expression changed dramatically.
Qin Feng couldnât help but be surprised too. His expression darkened. âWhatâs with that tone of voice? You donât take us seriously at all, do you?â
Huang Qianjun couldnât take it anymore. He exploded without any further reservations, âYouâre nothing but hot air! You think your daddyâs prestige means you can do whatever the hell you want without fear, but youâre just a brain dead pig!â
Heâd already been repressing a bellyful of fire, and more importantly, he sensed that his earlier performance had displeased Su Yi!
Qin Fengâs expression instantly frosted over.
âYouâre seeking death!â The two attendants who stepped forward earlier shouted and attacked. One swung his fist right at Huang Qianjunâs face, while the other crouched, at the ready to prevent Huang Qianjun from fleeing.
The two of them were the Qin Fengâs personal guards, and he was the son of the prefectural governor. They themselves were early-stage Qi Accumulation Realm experts.
Now that they took action, their coordination was seamless.
But Huang Qianjun was giving this everything he had. How could he possibly shrink back? He roared, then swung his fist to meet the guardâs.
Bang!
Although he met the attack head-on, Huang Qianjun staggered back. He was in so much pain, he almost hacked up blood.
But before he could respond, someone kicked him in the knees, and he fell back onto the ground.
He was just about to struggle to his feet when one of the guards, the gaunt, capable-looking man in black whoâd just punched him, pressed down on his forehead. âIf you keep struggling, Iâll wring your neck!â
The entire venue fell silent.
Many people watched from a distance. When they saw this, they couldnât help but shake their heads.
Offending the prefectural governorâs son was courting death!
Qin Feng gazed down at Huang Qianjun with an air of superiority. âThat all you got?â
Against all expectations, despite being suppressed, Huang Qianjun seemed unable to accept his defeat. He roared, his eyes practically popping out of their sockets, âIf youâve got the balls, just kill me! If you donât, Iâll make you live a life worse than death!â
When they heard this vicious threat, the crowdâs expressions shifted. Then, they couldnât help but titter; they didnât take his words the least bit seriously.
âShut your mouth!â said Qin Feng coldly.
The black-clothed guard smiled hideously. One hand pressed Huang Qianjunâs head against the floor, while the other rose, then swung ruthlessly at his face.
But before the slap landed, the guard saw sparks. He felt a sharp pain in his face; someone had just backhanded him instead.
Whap!
The sound of the slap echoed through his ears. The guard staggered backward. His cheek was red, bleeding, and swollen.
âWho did that?â the guard roared in fury.
But everyone elseâs gazes had all turned to look at the same person:
Su Yi!
Qin Feng and the others looked flabbergasted, as if they dared not believe this youth, whoâd just watched coldly from the sidelines this entire time, would intervene out of nowhere.
The people gathered in the workshop were stunned. Doesnât this kid fear death? He actually dared hit one of the governorâs guards!
âBrother Su, I embarrassed you this time.â Huang Qianjun slumped in dejection, looking utterly ashamed.
âAwareness of shame is the first step to courage. Your time following me has been too smooth. You lack polishing,â said Su Yi calmly. âI didnât help you earlier. Do you resent me for it?â
Huang Qianjun shook his head. âI just hate my own patheticness. I lost face for you!â
Su Yi sighed. âItâs my fault too. Iâve never given you any guidance, and as a result, you canât even handle something like this on your own. Quick, get up.â
He then turned to Qin Feng and his cronies. His expression was even more indifferent than before. âNow, letâs settle the score.â
âSettle the score? First, Iâll cut you up!â The black-clad guard heâd just smacked was visibly furious, and when he heard this, he was the first to charge. He swung his fist at Su Yiâs skull.
This was an early-stage QI Accumulation Realm warriorâs full-force, enraged attack. How could it be ordinary?
The onlookers couldnât help but break out in cold sweats on Su Yiâs behalf.
Crunch!
But then, they watched as Su Yi raised his hand and, with a casual squeeze, broke the guardâs wrist. Afterward, the manâs entire right arm distorted, as if it were a piece of twisted fried dough. The muscles and tendons ripped apart, one after another, and the guard hunched over in agony.
Before he could even shriek, a jade-green bamboo staff tapped his throat.
Wham!
The manâs neck caved in as his cervical vertebrae tore as easily as if they were made of tissue paper. His head lolled limply to the side.
Then, this early-stage Qi Accumulation Guard was tossed aside like trash, his eyes still wide with agony and bewilderment.
Just like that, he was dead.
The entire workshop fell silent. Everyone was shocked, and their hair stood on end.
In just a few understated movements, Su Yi snuffed out a Qi Accumulation martial artist as easily as if heâd swatted a fly!
âThisâŚ.â The workshopâs proprietor was scared witless.
And here heâd thought Su Yi was just a talented young weaponsmith. Whoâd have thought he was the type to kill without even blinking?
âIf you hurt the people by my side, thereâs nothing left for you but death,â said Su Yi, his tone flat. He was so composed, it was as if heâd killed a mere insect, something not worth a second thought.
âBastard!â Qin Feng looked agitated, and his expression was extremely unsightly. He roared, âWhat are you all just standing there for? All you, attack at once! Seize that depraved maniac!â
The other five guards all charged, weapons drawn. It was an imposing sight.
They were experienced, and had survived numerous bloody battles and fights to the death. All of them could tell that, young as he looked, Su Yi was utterly ruthless and terrifying. Thus, when they attacked, they held nothing back, nor did they dare get complacent.
âYou outnumber me, but so what? Youâre nothing but eggs flinging yourselves against a rock.â Su Yiâs voice carried a hint of mockery. With a shake of his wrist, his sword flew from its bamboo sheath.
It looked as if someone had cut a ray of light out of the blue skies, then forged it into a sword. It was pure and clear, with a faint blue glow. Wisps of faint, sparkling haze were just barely discernible within the body of the sword.
But its edge was dazzlingly sharp. Just looking at it was enough to sting the eyes.
When Su Yi drew his sword, it hummed, like crashing waves or rumbling thunder, painfully shaking the onlookersâ eardrums and making their hearts quiver.
Whoosh!
He swung his blade.
The sounds of cutting rang out in rapid succession, and the guardsâ weapons split apart as easily as if they were made of tofu.
All of them were caught off guard, and their eyes widened. What a sharp spiritual sword!
But before they could change tactics, Su Yi shook his sword. Countless cold lights seemed to bloom from its edge, and illusory swords filled the air.
Splurt! Splurt! Splurt!
Fresh blood splattered across the ground, like crimson fireworks.
All five Qi Accumulation Guards now had bloody holes in their throats, and all of them staggered, then fell back, eyes still wide with bewilderment.
The dense smell of blood permeated the air.
One attack to kill an entire group of enemies!
This fierce, overbearing display made the onlookersâ scalps tingle, and their hair stood on end.
How terrifying!!
Those were the prefectural governorâs guards. All of them were one in a hundred; they were elite experts. Ordinary Qi Accumulation martial artists would have been no match for them.
Yet now, all five of these elite experts had fallen to a single attack!
Huang Qianjun remained relatively composed, but despite himself, he was transfixed by the spiritual sword in Su Yiâs hands.
Despite having just tasted blood, the blade was perfectly clear, and its edge glinted like lightning!
âYouâŚ.. YouâŚ.â Qin Fengâs legs quivered. The blood drained from his face, and his mind went entirely blank.
He would never have guessed that, even knowing his status, the youth in blue robes would still dare attack.
And he certainly never would have guessed that all of his guards combined couldnât withstand the power of a single sword!
âThat all youâve got?â Su Yi stood not far away, holding his sword, his gaze indifferent.
It was just a few words, but they trampled all over Qin Fengâs dignity.
Qin Feng clenched his fist and foughtback his terror and fury. âI was blind to have offended you, and I hope that out of respect for the prefectural governorâs estate, you can show mercyâŚ.â
As he spoke that last part, even his teeth clattered. He was truly scared out of his wits.
âBut just now, you humiliated one off my followers, without paying me any heed at all,â said Su Yi. He took a step closer.
Qin Feng hurriedly shrunk back in terror, shouting, âIf you kill me, the prefectural governor will get revenge! Arenât you afraid?â
When he saw Su Yi draw ever closer, Qin Feng was on the brink of despair. He screamed, âLittle Cousin! Hurry! Hurry and make him stop! My father is your uncle!â
Huang Qianjun laughed coldly. You refused to recognize me as your cousin earlier, but now that youâre in danger, youâve suddenly changed your mind? How contemptible!
Su Yi suddenly paused, as if heâd changed his mind. âIâll give you a chance. Kneel to him, and slap yourself across the face. If you do, Iâll spare your life just this once.â As he spoke, he pointed to Huang Qianjun.
Thud!
Qin Feng knelt, then smacked himself across the mouth and shouted, âCousin, I was blind and ignorant. I was wrong. I was truly wrong!â
â....â And here Su Yi thought Qin Feng would hesitate or struggle. Whoâd have thought heâd throw himself directly to his knees?
Huang Qianjun was dumbfounded. His gaze was conflicted, and his heart surged with emotion.
He would never have guessed that Qin Feng, his cousin by marriage and the glorious son of the prefectural governor, had so little courage.
Suddenly, it seemed ridiculous that just now, heâd chosen to back down and swallow his pride out of consideration for his cousinâs statusâŚ.
Huang Qianjun felt suddenly enlightened. Status and position were just superficial. It was only after you broke through that superficial outer layer that you could see who a person really was inside.
Take Qin Feng. Without his position as the son of the prefectural governor, he was just a complete wimp, and a coward too!
âIf youâre not satisfied, I can just kill him now,â said Su Yi offhandedly.
Just one sentence, and the atmosphere was suddenly heavy.
The spectatorsâ expressions changed. The son of the prefectural governor might be pathetic, but even if he were much worse, just killing him would be no different from bringing the sky crashing down on their heads!
Seth's Thoughts
The twisty dough in question looks like this. Ouch!
On the off chance reading this chapter made you hungry, the link includes a recipe, so you can make it for yourself and pretend itâs the guardâs arm!