Too Weak

As the morning mist had yet to dissipate, Qin Jue pushed open the courtyard gate and inhaled the crisp, cool air. The Cold Iron Sword on his back sent a chill through him, invigorating his spirit.

"It's about time. Mo Xingkong must be getting impatient."

Qin Jue straightened his collar and headed down the mountain. The journey to Qingqiu was long, and he still needed to rent two Black Scale Horses.

He hadn't walked far when, at the mandatory intersection leading down the mountain, several figures blocked the path.

A crowd of Outer Prefecture Disciples had already gathered, standing at a distance and pointing, their expressions strange as they waited to watch the show.

Qin Jue's footsteps didn't falter as his gaze swept over the group blocking his way.

There were five people in total. The burly man at the forefront wore Outer Prefecture disciple attire, with a small "Li" character embroidered in gold thread on his sleeve cuffs. His face was a mass of flesh, and with his arms crossed, he looked at Qin Jue with a mocking expression.

"Qin Jue, right? We've been waiting for you."

The burly man took a step forward, completely blocking the path. His four followers behind him immediately spread out, subtly forming a circle, their faces wearing ill-intentioned smiles.

Qin Jue stopped and frowned.

He didn't recognize these people, but judging by their posture, they were clearly here for him.

"Is there something you need?" Qin Jue asked calmly.

"Something I need? Of course, and it's something important."

The burly man chuckled, the flesh on his face quivering. He sized Qin Jue up and down with his small eyes, as if appraising a piece of merchandise.

"I'm Zhao Kui. In this Outer Prefecture, no one dares to disrespect me. But I'm not here to cause trouble for you today; I'm here on behalf of Inner Prefecture Senior Brother Li Changfeng to show you the way."

Upon hearing Li Changfeng's name, a collective gasp arose from the surrounding onlookers.

"It really is someone from Senior Brother Li Changfeng's faction! I knew Zhao Kui wouldn't do anything without a reason. Why else would he be blocking Qin Jue?"

"Ning Zhiyuan lost to Qin Jue, so Senior Brother Li Changfeng is here to seek retribution."

"An Inner Prefecture disciple... that's someone we can only look up to. Qin Jue is in trouble this time; even if he's powerful, he can't possibly fight against the Inner Prefecture, right?"

Listening to the discussions around him, Zhao Kui's smug expression intensified. He reveled in the feeling of borrowing power from a greater authority. As long as he invoked Li Changfeng's name, he could pretty much do as he pleased in the Outer Prefecture.

He cleared his throat, adopted an arrogant demeanor, and pointed at Qin Jue.

"Qin Jue, don't play dumb. Ning Zhiyuan might be useless, but he was still a dog favored by Senior Brother Li. You killed him, and that's slapping Senior Brother Li's face."

Zhao Kui sneered, a hint of jealousy and hatred in his tone. "Don't think a little talent in swordsmanship will let you run wild in the Outer Prefecture. Ning Zhiyuan was also hailed as a genius, but what happened? Dead people are worthless. Senior Brother Li is very angry, and the consequences are severe."

Zhao Kui paused and dangled two thick, short fingers in front of Qin Jue.

"You have two paths before you. First, obediently come with me to Senior Brother Li's manor, kowtow and admit your mistake, and then become his subordinate, a loyal dog. Senior Brother Li is magnanimous; perhaps he'll even toss you a few bones to eat."

"The second path..."

A fierce glint flashed in Zhao Kui's eyes, and his voice suddenly turned chilling. "We'll settle this score with Ning Zhiyuan properly. If you refuse to cooperate, hmph, as long as no one dies, I don't think the Law Enforcement Hall will interfere too much."

As soon as he finished speaking, the four disciples behind him spread out with understanding. Their Qi and Blood subtly surged, and four distinct auras instantly locked onto Qin Jue.

Qin Jue looked at Zhao Kui's arrogant demeanor and found it somewhat amusing.

In his past and present lives, he had seen too many of these sycophantic fools. Lacking ability themselves, they relied on their masters to bully others, truly believing they were someone important.

"Li Changfeng..."

Qin Jue murmured the name, a playful smile on his lips. "You beat the subordinate, and now the elder comes? This tactic is quite familiar. But this 'elder' puts on too much of a show; he doesn't come himself, just sends a few dogs to bark."

Qin Jue shook his head, his gaze turning cold.

"I'll give you two choices as well."

Qin Jue held up one finger. "First, good dogs don't block the way. Get lost."

Zhao Kui froze for a moment, seemingly not processing what he'd heard.

"Second," Qin Jue lightly tapped the hilt of his sword at his waist, "I will help the Inner Prefecture Senior Brother clean house."

The moment he said this, the entire place fell silent.

Everyone stared with wide eyes, looking at Qin Jue in disbelief.

Was this guy crazy?

That was Li Changfeng's person! How dare he speak like that?

Zhao Kui's face instantly turned the color of liver. Fire seemed to be spewing from his small eyes. He was accustomed to being a tyrant in the Outer Prefecture; when had anyone ever insulted him so directly?

"Good! Good! Good!"

Zhao Kui laughed in his rage, his teeth grinding. "You refuse a toast and insist on a forfeit! Since you're looking for death, I'll grant it! Brothers, attack! As long as you don't kill him, if he loses an arm or a leg, Senior Brother Li will cover it!"

"Attack!"

The four disciples were ready. Upon hearing the command, they moved almost simultaneously.

While these four were not top-tier experts, they all possessed Hundred Refinements Fourth Layer cultivation and moved with considerable coordination. They lunged forward, their four palms carrying gusts of wind, aiming for Qin Jue's shoulders, elbows, and knees, intending to dislocate his joints!

The surrounding disciples closed their eyes, unable to bear watching.

In their eyes, two fists couldn't defeat four hands, especially with Zhao Kui, a Hundred Refinements Fifth Layer cultivator, watching menacingly from the side.

However, Qin Jue, at the center of the storm, showed no change in his expression.

He hadn't even drawn his sword.

"Too slow."

Qin Jue sighed inwardly. In his eyes now, the movements of these people were as slow as a snail crawling.

Just as the four palms were about to touch his clothes, Qin Jue moved.

But he didn't draw his sword.

His left hand remained behind his back, his right hand gripped the middle of the scabbard, and he lightly tapped his foot.

An afterimage appeared out of nowhere.

It was the second level of Startling Swan Flash--Fleeting Shadow!

"Bang bang bang bang!"

Four dull thuds sounded almost simultaneously.

The four disciples who charged forward only saw a blur before their eyes. They hadn't even seen what happened before their chests felt like they had been struck by lightning. An irresistible Bone Penetrating Force instantly surged into their bodies, making their internal organs churn.

"Pfft--"

All four spat out a mouthful of blood, their bodies flying backward like kites with broken strings, crashing heavily onto the ground twenty feet away, groaning and unable to get up.

One breath.

Just one breath's time.

Four disciples at the Hundred Refinements Fourth Layer were instantly incapacitated.

Qin Jue's figure, like a ghost, appeared before Zhao Kui.

Before Zhao Kui could even draw the long saber at his waist, his vision went black, followed by a cold sensation at his throat.

It was Qin Jue's scabbard. The tip of the black scabbard was pressed firmly against his throat.

Zhao Kui's sinister grin froze. Cold sweat instantly trickled down his forehead, flowing down his cheeks and into his neck, making him shiver.

He could clearly feel the extremely condensed power emanating from the scabbard. If Qin Jue applied the slightest pressure, this scabbard could easily pierce his throat.

"You..."

Zhao Kui tried to speak, but his throat was too dry to make a sound. He stared wide-eyed at Qin Jue, his pupils constricting.

Too fast!

So fast that even an afterimage couldn't be seen clearly!

Was this really the Hundred Refinements Fifth Layer? Even the senior disciples in the top ten of the Outer Prefecture weren't much better than this!

Qin Jue held the scabbard in one hand, his expression still calm, as if he had just casually swatted a few flies.

"Too weak," Qin Jue said with a lack of interest, his voice clearly carrying across the entire area.

"You guys aren't even worthy of making me draw my sword."

Silence fell over the surroundings.

The disciples watching all had their mouths agape, their eyes bulging.

They had guessed Qin Jue was strong, after all, he could kill Ning Zhiyuan by fighting someone of a higher level. But they never dreamed Qin Jue would be this strong!

He didn't even draw his sword!

He used only his scabbard to instantly kill four people in one breath and subdue Zhao Kui!

This gap in strength wasn't a spar; it was a complete and utter crushing defeat!

"Go back and tell Li Changfeng."

Qin Jue looked into Zhao Kui's terrified eyes and said calmly, "If the senior disciples of the Inner Prefecture wish to offer guidance, I, Qin, will accept. But if you're just sending a few rabid dogs to bite people..."

Qin Jue's eyes turned cold, and he forcefully struck Zhao Kui's face with the scabbard. "Don't blame me for beating the dog without looking at the owner."

"Slap!"

Zhao Kui cried out in pain, spun around twice from the blow, and half his face instantly swelled up, with several bloody teeth flying out.

He clutched his face and collapsed onto the ground, trembling. He didn't dare to utter a single harsh word. His arrogant demeanor from before had completely vanished.

Qin Jue retracted his scabbard, casually hung it back at his waist, and without even bothering to look at them again, turned and continued walking down the mountain.

"Excuse me."

The crowd automatically parted, creating a wide path.

Everyone watched the retreating figure of the sword-carrying youth with awe. Only after Qin Jue had walked far away did the crowd erupt in suppressed discussion.

"My god... what was that move just now?"

"I didn't see it! I didn't see it at all! I just saw a shadow flash, and then they all fell!"

"Is this Qin Jue's current strength? It's terrifying! Zhao Kui is at the Hundred Refinements Fifth Layer, and he didn't even have the strength to fight back!"

Outside the South City Gate, under a crooked willow tree.

"What time is it already? Why isn't he here yet?"

Mo Xingkong was muttering when a familiar figure appeared in his sight.

"Brother Qin! Over here!"

Mo Xingkong's eyes lit up, and he waved enthusiastically.

Qin Jue walked closer, patted the Black Scale Horse's neck, and nodded, "Sorry, I'm late."

"Not late, not late, the timing is perfect."

Mo Xingkong chuckled. His eyes swept over Qin Jue a few times before he suddenly lowered his voice, asking with a gossipy expression, "I saw the disciples coming and going just now, and their expressions were strange. They were all discussing how Zhao Kui was dealt with. Was that you?"

Qin Jue mounted the horse with a swift motion. "The news travels quite fast."

"Of course. Something this exciting, it flies faster than wings."

Mo Xingkong clicked his tongue in amazement, a look of schadenfreude on his face. "Good job! That bastard Zhao Kui, relying on Li Changfeng's influence, has done plenty of wicked deeds. I've disliked him for a long time. But Brother Qin, you've completely offended Li Changfeng this time."

"Offended?" Qin Jue smiled faintly. "From the moment I killed Ning Zhiyuan, I was already offending him. Too many fleas don't itch, too many debts don't worry."

"However..." he changed the subject, "the peak of the Blood Melting Realm is indeed very strong. If I were to face him now, my chances of winning would be less than twenty percent."

"Less than twenty percent? And you're still being so high-profile?" Mo Xingkong was startled.

"That's why I have to go to Qingqiu. Pressure brings motivation."

Mo Xingkong was stunned for a moment, then gave a thumbs-up and chuckled, "Brother Qin, I admire your mindset. Alright, let's set off!"

The two spurred their horses, and the two Black Scale Horses neighed, kicking up a cloud of dust as they galloped towards Qingqiu.

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