Great Xia's Imperial Princes

"How dare you hit my Brother Long?"

Suddenly, a shout like a thunderclap erupted, making everyone's ears ring. A fist glowing with blood-red light, carrying immense power, smashed towards the scarred man.

The man felt a chill run through his bones, as if he had been targeted by a primordial beast.

Without a second thought, the scarred man changed the direction of his punch, which was originally aimed at Long Chen, to meet the fist that was larger than a dinner plate.

"Bang!"

With an explosion, the entire restaurant shook. Everyone's hearts trembled. A massive figure appeared, blocking in front of Long Chen. It was Ah Man.

At this moment, Ah Man was like a colossal war god. His eyes blazed like fire, and a strange red hue appeared on his skin. He had actually blocked the scarred man's punch with his bare body.

The scarred man was shocked. He never dreamed that the big guy could block his punch solely with physical strength.

Although he blocked the scarred man's punch, Ah Man was still pushed back several steps, almost falling to the ground. Long Chen quickly supported him.

The scarred man's expression flickered. Long Chen and Ah Man, both with inconspicuous cultivation, had managed to stop him, a strong cultivator at the Blood Condensation Realm. Shocked, his eyes filled with killing intent.

Seeing the killing intent on the scarred man's face, Long Chen knew he intended to kill. He was alarmed, as his Wind Mansion Star was not yet perfected, and he couldn't deal with him.

Most importantly, although the scarred man was enraged, he was also cunning and hadn't used any combat skills, clearly not revealing his true strength.

Now, Ah Man had suddenly become much stronger for some unknown reason, but even if they teamed up, they definitely couldn't withstand the scarred man's killing blow.

Long Chen subtly rubbed his ring, and a fiery red pill slowly appeared in his hand. He coldly stared at the scarred man.

"Stop!"

Just as the scarred man was about to make a move, a cold shout echoed, and a group of people appeared in the restaurant.

There were over a dozen people, all dressed in guard uniforms. However, the two men at the front wore luxurious yellow robes.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

Upon seeing the person, everyone was greatly startled and quickly knelt to pay their respects.

The person was none other than the current Crown Prince, Chu Yang. He looked about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a straight nose and square mouth, exuding an air of authority.

Beside him stood a man who looked slightly younger than Chu Yang. He had fair skin and handsome features, but he gave off a somewhat effeminate vibe.

"Brother Chu Yang, is this how your Phoenix Cry Empire treats guests?" the man said with a hint of effeminacy.

At this moment, Chu Yang's expression was grim. Looking at the eight-character-browed man lying on the ground, he angrily shouted, "What's going on? Are you blind? Don't you know they are distinguished guests from Great Xia?"

Chu Yang's gaze swept over everyone. Yu Fatty and the others broke out in a cold sweat, their hearts pounding.

They could tell that the person speaking to the Crown Prince with such familiarity, and seeing his distinctive hairstyle, they immediately realized that this person was likely a prince from the Great Xia Empire.

The Great Xia Empire and the Phoenix Cry Empire had comparable national strength and were once bitter enemies. However, in recent decades, relations had eased, and friendly diplomatic ties had been established.

But unlike the Emperor of the Phoenix Cry Empire, the Great Xia Empire had only two princes. They didn't know if this person was the First Prince or the Second Prince.

"It's not that I'm blind, it's that this eight-character-browed fellow is blind as a dog, so I had to teach him a lesson on behalf of my master."

Long Chen stepped forward and said nonchalantly to Chu Yang, "Who are you?" The Crown Prince Chu Yang was angered by the young man's tone, but he remained calm and didn't order his subordinates to seize him immediately.

"Long Chen."

Chu Yang was taken aback. If he hadn't known the name Long Chen before, then in the current aristocratic circles of the imperial capital, not many people were unfamiliar with this name.

Once a waste, he had defeated a Qi Gathering Realm expert twice in a row on the arena. Later, by some strange twist of fate, he became a Pill Apprentice, which suddenly shrouded Long Chen in a veil of mystery.

"Why did you beat up Crown Prince Changfeng's guard?" Chu Yang's heart skipped a beat. The matter involved the Alchemist Guild, and even as Crown Prince, he found it extremely troublesome.

"No reason, I just felt it was his fate today to be taught a lesson by heaven," Long Chen said, shrugging.

"You..." Chu Yang was choked with anger. He had originally hoped that Long Chen would give a reason, allowing him to mediate and then mention the Alchemist Guild behind Long Chen to resolve the matter easily.

But Long Chen seemed not to understand his intentions and uttered such a sentence, making his face turn green with anger.

"You're called Long Chen? I think I've heard of you. Aren't you quite impressive lately?" The Great Xia prince, Xia Changfeng, suddenly interjected.

"Heh heh, impressive, yes, a little. But compared to people from your Great Xia, it's like a tiny spark next to a raging bonfire."

Long Chen pointed at the eight-character-browed man lying on the ground with a mocking expression. "Using demonic beasts to pull carriages, crashing through crowded streets, disregarding human life – how incredibly impressive is that?

If a dog is so impressive, I can't even imagine how impressive its owner must be!"

Xia Changfeng's expression darkened slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "Is this true?"

Long Chen snorted, "Don't ask me, ask your dog."

"Lu Luo, is this true?" A fierce glint appeared in Xia Changfeng's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it and said to the eight-character-browed man on the ground.

"My lord, I was in a hurry. Who knew these lowly peasants wouldn't get out of the way? It's not my fault," the eight-character-browed man replied, enduring the intense pain as he slightly recovered.

"Nonsense! This is not Great Xia, who would recognize royal mounts? Take him away!" Xia Changfeng's face darkened, and he cursed. Then, two men dressed in Great Xia attire took the eight-character-browed man away.

Xia Changfeng turned to Chu Yang and said apologetically, "Changfeng's subordinates are undisciplined. I sincerely apologize. I will discipline him properly after returning. Brother Chu Yang must have been amused."

"Not at all, Brother Changfeng, you are too kind. I hope this small matter will not affect the diplomatic relations between our two countries," Chu Yang quickly replied.

"Brother Chu Yang worries too much. Let this matter pass," Xia Changfeng said, then turned to Long Chen and said, "Changfeng's subordinates are undisciplined. Thanks to little brother's reminder, I am grateful."

Everyone was stunned. No one expected a prince of the Great Xia Empire to be so accommodating, even apologizing to Long Chen. Everyone felt admiration; this Great Xia prince had an extraordinary demeanor.

If Long Chen hadn't possessed a powerful soul force and perception, he might have thought the same. However, Xia Changfeng's fleeting killing intent couldn't escape his keen senses.

"Your Highness, you are too kind. Dogs are naturally disobedient; it's normal. You should discipline them often, not letting them open their mouths or extend their claws in front of everyone. It's not proper," Long Chen chuckled, offering his enthusiastic advice.

Hearing this, the scarred man's face darkened. Long Chen's words implied that all his guards were dogs.

Xia Changfeng smiled faintly, as if he hadn't understood the hidden meaning. "Upon arriving in the imperial capital, I've heard nothing but stories about you, little brother. I originally thought you were a noble Pill Master, but it seems everyone was mistaken. It appears you cultivate both pills and martial arts. Such combat prowess is truly admirable. Among the younger generation, Long Chen, you are undoubtedly a top-tier figure."

Long Chen looked at Xia Changfeng, momentarily unsure of his meaning. He merely smiled faintly and offered no reply.

"I wonder if you would do me the honor of joining me and Brother Chu for a few drinks?" Xia Changfeng asked with a smile.

The smile was pleasant, yet Long Chen instinctively felt like he was facing the fangs of a hidden viper, making him deeply uncomfortable.

"My apologies, I've had a bit too much to drink just now and can't hold my liquor. Otherwise, I wouldn't have stooped to arguing with two dogs. I've made you all witness my poor state, so I shall take my leave," Long Chen said with a slight smile, completely ignoring Xia Changfeng's darkening expression and the killing intent deep within the scarred man's eyes. He then left with A'Man.

After Long Chen departed, Shi Feng and the others quickly apologized to Chu Yang and hurried away, truly frightened by the day's events.

"Master, why didn't you let me kill that brat? Lu Luo's lifeblood has been completely destroyed. That brat has gone too far!" the scarred man by the Great Xia prince's side said resentfully, now that the prince had returned to his residence.

"That brat is associated with the Alchemist Guild. Although not with our empire's guild, if you were to kill him, I would have to hand you over to the Alchemist Guild for punishment," Xia Changfeng said calmly, taking a sip of tea.

"But that brat is simply too arrogant! I can't swallow this insult!" Being repeatedly called a dog was something no one could tolerate.

"Killing requires skill. The true way is to kill someone while ensuring your own survival," Xia Changfeng shook his head.

"Could it be, Master... you have a plan?" the scarred man asked, his eyes lighting up.

"Of course. Otherwise, would I have spoken to him so amiably? Everyone who has spoken to me amiably has ended up dead, it seems," Xia Changfeng's lips curved into a smile. The smile was sinister, causing the scarred man to shiver involuntarily.

"Don't forget our purpose for coming here. We cannot afford to lose sight of the bigger picture due to a minor setback. Let that brat live a few more days. Anyway, the Phoenix Cry Empire's biggest festival, the Phoenix Cry Lantern Festival, is fast approaching, and with it, the annual Martial Arts Gathering. Did I praise him today for nothing? Hmph, once his reputation reaches a certain level, then at the lantern festival, you challenge him. Tell me, can he refuse?" Xia Changfeng leaned back in his chair, his eyelids half-closed, a cold smile playing on his lips.

The scarred man suddenly understood. This was a ruthless move. At that time, countless people would be watching, and Long Chen would have no choice but to accept. If he dared to refuse, the sheer torrent of public opinion would drown him, let alone the fact that Long Chen was just a young man full of vigor.

"However, you need to be careful. As my guard, you must not expose too much of your strength. I shouldn't have to remind you again, should I?"

"Yes, Master, rest assured. I haven't revealed my true trump cards all these years," the scarred man quickly replied.

Xia Changfeng nodded, his gaze fixed on the night sky. It was pitch black, just like the depths of his eyes, making him inscrutable.