Provoking Zhao Du, an Open Challenge to Battle!

"You little bastard! This time, you got lucky!"

Having seen the murderer of his son with his own eyes, Zhao Du could no longer suppress his hatred. His expression twisted viciously as he spoke.

"Next time, I don't believe you'll still be this lucky!"

"Hehe!"

Facing Zhao Du's blatant threat, Xu Jie grinned and chuckled, mocking him openly.

"Lucky? I think you're just too useless! That mercenary group and captain you sent were nothing but a pile of trash. Maybe by now, they've already become demon beast shit! Are you standing here specifically to hold their funeral?"

"!!!"

Xu Jie had run into Qin Lie's mercenary group and the personal guards he had sent out?

Then how could Xu Jie possibly still be alive!

Moreover, Zhao Du caught certain implications in Xu Jie's words.

In other words, the captain and the mercenary group were all dead!

Such undisguised provocation was something anyone who was not an idiot could understand.

Zhao Du first revealed a trace of shock, then abruptly looked toward Chu Mingyue, who stood behind Xu Jie.

In his eyes, Xu Jie was merely a student. How could he possibly contend against a captain at the peak of the second rank?

Then there was only one explanation...

Chu Mingyue, likewise at the peak of the second rank, had protected Xu Jie. She might even have killed Zhao Du's trusted subordinates out in the wilderness.

Such acts of vendetta were actually common among martial artists.

So long as no evidence could be found, even if you said it outright or everyone knew perfectly well, there was nothing anyone could do to you!

Just like Xu Jie at this moment—so what if he openly implied that he had killed Zhao Du's captain and mercenary group?

Without concrete evidence, and with the dead unable to testify, no one could accuse Xu Jie of killing members of the Guard Army.

"Chu Mingyue!"

Before Zhao Du could say anything, Xu Bin beside him spoke first, directing his spearhead straight at Chu Mingyue's Lineage as he warned coldly.

"Because of what you did in the past, your Lineage has suffered years of suppression in Central Prefecture. And now, you still refuse to repent! I advise you to think this through. Don't do something you'll regret, or the Chu Family's situation will only grow worse!"

Chu Mingyue: "..."

Xu Jie tilted his head to look at Chu Mingyue, who forced a smile at him, and met her eyes with a meaningful gaze.

The Chu Family was in trouble?

Xu Jie did not concern himself with that for now. He had come to find Zhao Du precisely to provoke him on purpose, lure this Guard Officer out into the wilderness, and kill him there.

As for Xu Bin...

Before long, he too would personally cut down this enemy!

Thus, Xu Jie turned to Zhao Du and sneered provocatively.

"Why spout so much nonsense? Zhao Du, just like your son, you're nothing but trash!"

"Xu Jie!"

Zhao Du could no longer endure it. He strode forward several steps, wishing he could devour Xu Jie alive right there. The killing intent in his eyes had nearly solidified into substance.

The next moment, Xu Bin grabbed Zhao Du's shoulder and reminded him softly.

"Calm down. He's provoking you into attacking!"

"..."

Of course Zhao Du knew that, but he simply could not hold himself back!

After taking a deep breath, Zhao Du no longer wished to remain atop the city wall and turned to leave.

Since the plan had failed and Xu Jie himself had returned, Zhao Du no longer had any chance to kill Xu Jie during this Beast Tide.

"General Zhao!"

Seeing Zhao Du about to leave, Xu Jie suddenly spoke in an indifferent tone, his words carrying hidden meaning.

"I plan to leave the city for a trip. Does the General have any interest in coming along?"

"???"

Zhao Du abruptly turned back and studied Xu Jie's expressionless face.

Xu Jie's words were practically an open declaration of war!

A mere student actually dared to challenge a Guard Officer like him. What gave him the right?

Zhao Du could not help looking toward Chu Mingyue. Seemingly realizing something, he shook his head and sneered.

"Xu Jie, you're quite clever. You know how to use the Chu Family's influence to pressure me. Do you think I'm an idiot who'll fall for your trick?"

Zhao Du did not dare touch Chu Mingyue!

He was not like those mercenaries who knew nothing!

Even in the wilderness, where no one was monitoring them, Zhao Du still did not dare touch Chu Mingyue!

After all, once one's backing was as formidable as the Chu Family's, many restrictions and laws that applied to ordinary martial artists largely became meaningless.

If you truly provoked the Chu Family, they would not need to hide anything if they wanted you dead!

In Zhao Du's view, Xu Jie was merely borrowing the Chu Family's prestige to keep him from daring to attack.

A petty little scheme!

That was all it amounted to!

Hearing Zhao Du say this, Xu Jie smiled faintly. He glanced back at the silent Chu Mingyue and said calmly.

"Instructor Chu will not be leaving the city with me!"

What?

The moment those words fell, not only Zhao Du but even Xu Bin was stunned, both looking at Xu Jie in disbelief.

Was this kid seeking death?

"Hahaha!"

Zhao Du laughed. Once he finished, he said with a savage expression, "Kid, you've really got guts! I'll accompany you out of the city today!"

Xu Bin frowned, sensing that something was off. Xu Jie was acting far too arrogant—arrogant to an abnormal degree.

The instant Zhao Du passed him, Xu Bin gave a soft warning.

"Watch out for an ambush!"

An ambush?

Hehe!

Zhao Du smiled disdainfully. Would a third-rank martial artist who had fought his way out of the Outer Regions fear an ambush from a mere student?

He only needed one strike to kill Xu Jie instantly!

Before absolute strength, what use were ambushes, schemes, and calculations?

Completely blinded by hatred, Zhao Du could not take in a single word of advice.

Afraid Xu Jie might escape, he ignored Xu Bin entirely and quickly followed Xu Jie down from the city wall.

On the city wall.

Chu Mingyue watched Xu Jie and Zhao Du leave one after the other, a faint concern rising in her heart.

Although she already trusted Xu Jie greatly and believed there was nothing he could not accomplish.

After all, Xu Jie had previously created far too many miracles and impossibilities.

Yet this time, Chu Mingyue could not stop herself from worrying!

Zhao Du was no ordinary martial artist. He was a true elite forged through battle, a fourth-layer Bone Forging Realm expert at the Third-Rank Mid Stage!

And Xu Jie...

As far as Chu Mingyue knew, Xu Jie was only at the mid stage of the Pulse Opening Realm. There was an entire major realm between them!

How was he supposed to fight this?

No matter how monstrous a martial artist was, it was impossible to kill an enemy across an entire major realm!

Thus, Chu Mingyue grew somewhat restless. She vaguely wanted to leave the city wall, an urge rising in her heart to leave the city and secretly follow Xu Jie.

Seeing this, Xu Bin silently walked to the stairway on the city wall, blocking the path down. He folded his arms and smiled faintly.

"Miss Chu, you may not know this, but Young Master Jiang will be coming to Jincheng City soon!"

"..."

At those words, Chu Mingyue suddenly raised her head and met Xu Bin's gaze with a complicated, unusual expression.

When Xu Jie had previously asked her about Jiang Yan, she had already felt somewhat suspicious. By all rights, Xu Jie should not have known Jiang Yan.