Chang Wei

Feng Buyu looked at Xu Zimo, waiting for his instructions.

"All right, why bother arguing with a little girl? Let's find somewhere to stay first," Xu Zimo said with a smile, turning to leave down one side of the street.

"Hey, did I say you could leave?" Zhong Ling'er hurriedly called out when she saw Xu Zimo and the others preparing to go.

"Little girl, you should know when to stop," Xu Zimo said blandly as he turned back. "I simply don't want to bicker with you. Otherwise, never mind your father being the City Lord—even if the ruler of the Ziyang Empire came, it would be useless."

Zhong Ling'er's words caught in her throat. Xu Zimo's words had actually frightened her.

She quickly turned to the Black-robed Elder beside her and said, "Uncle Liang, that guy is bullying me."

The Black-robed Elder merely shook his head slightly at Zhong Ling'er, gazing thoughtfully at the backs of Xu Zimo and the others as they departed.

At this moment, the guards had already surrounded Xu Zimo's group. As Xu Zimo tried to leave, those guards blocked his path.

"Move," Xu Zimo said flatly.

The guards remained unmoved, merely looking toward Zhong Ling'er. Without their young lady's command, they would not let anyone pass.

Then a dazzling blade-light flashed through the air. Before anyone even saw Xu Zimo draw his weapon, the heads of those guards were already rolling across the ground.

Feng Buyu's pupils contracted. "Drawing Sword Technique."

Though it was merely a Yellow Tier Meridian Technique, even he had failed to see Xu Zimo's movement as he drew his blade.

Watching Xu Zimo and the others leave, Zhong Ling'er stamped her foot in anger and asked the Old Man, "Uncle Liang, why didn't you let me stop them just now?"

"There are several people among them whom even I cannot see through," Uncle Liang said pensively. "Their identities are unknown for the time being, so it is best not to act rashly.

Their tone just now carried a hint of contempt for the entire Ziyang Empire. People like them are either putting on airs or possess an extraordinary background."

"What should we do, then?" Zhong Ling'er asked.

Uncle Liang instructed one of the guards beside him, "Secretly follow them and see where they settle down."

Then he said to Zhong Ling'er, "Do not worry, Miss. They are in Tianjian City anyway; they cannot run away anytime soon."

Xu Zimo's group arrived at the Branch Hall in Tianjian City. The person in charge of this Branch Hall was named Guan Zhenhai.

Generally speaking, disciples assigned by the True Martial Sacred Sect to Branch Halls in various cities were those with poor talent.

Guan Zhenhai was already in his forties, yet he remained stuck at the peak of the Condensing Pulse Realm, unable to break through.

According to the True Martial Sacred Sect's rules, one had to break through to the True Meridian Realm before turning forty. Otherwise, one would be assigned to a Branch Hall in one of the cities.

Upon receiving news of Xu Zimo's group's arrival, Guan Zhenhai hurried out with a smile.

"Junior Brothers, you have come from afar, yet you did not inform your Senior Brother in advance," he said smilingly. "If there has been any neglect, I hope you Junior Brothers will forgive me."

"It is nothing. We were merely passing through Tianjian City and decided on a whim to take a look around," Xu Zimo said, shaking his head.

"Then everyone, please come inside and sit. I will have someone prepare a feast at once, to welcome you Junior Brothers and wash away the dust of your journey," Guan Zhenhai said attentively to Xu Zimo.

Xu Zimo and the others strolled around the Branch Hall. Those assigned to Branch Halls were mostly in a state of being half-abandoned by the sect.

These disciples seemed to know it themselves. Each of them looked as if they were merely muddling through their days, completely lacking the vigor and sharp edge of a warrior pressing ever forward.

Xu Zimo shook his head at the sight. No one could decide their own talent.

That depended on the luck one was born with, or on whether a powerful expert could defy the heavens and change one's fate.

But insufficient talent could be compensated for through acquired effort. Empress Hongtian was a prominent example.

However, if one's attitude and mindset toward martial cultivation went wrong, then one truly could only remain mediocre for life.

Guan Zhenhai quickly arranged the meal at Bright Moon Tower, the finest restaurant in Tianjian City.

Bright Moon Tower was particularly famous throughout Tianjian City. It was said that the dishes there were simply peerless.

The private rooms were already full, so after seeking Xu Zimo's opinion, Guan Zhenhai reserved a window-side table.

After everyone was seated, Guan Zhenhai proved quite adept at speaking in a way that pleased people, and the conversation was fairly enjoyable.

Before long, however, a Young Man walked up to the second floor.

The Young Man wore brocade robes and had two stunningly beautiful women tucked under his arms, with a servant following behind him.

After coming upstairs, the Young Man paid no heed to the other diners and shouted at Bright Moon Tower's owner, "Innkeeper, I am booking out Bright Moon Tower today. Clear everyone out within a quarter of an hour."

"Young Master Chang, please do not make things difficult for me," the innkeeper said. "There are some people here today whom I cannot afford to offend."

"Who is it? Who dares refuse to give the Chang Family face?" the Young Man asked carelessly.

"The people from the True Martial Sacred Sect's Branch Hall," the innkeeper said, pointing at Xu Zimo's table.

Only then did the Young Man notice Guan Zhenhai. He hurried over with a smile and said, "Uncle Guan, you are here too? My father was just mentioning a few days ago that he wanted you to come to our home for a meal!"

"Xiao Wei," Guan Zhenhai said with a smile, "I came here to have a meal with several of my fellow disciples."

"Uncle Guan, may I discuss something with you?" the Young Man asked in a low voice. "The Third Prince of Ziyang Empire recently arrived at my Chang Family. Today, I wish to hold a celebration for Third Prince at Bright Moon Tower.

If it is convenient for you, Uncle Guan, you can go to my Chang Family and catch up with my father. Could you let Little Nephew have Bright Moon Tower for today?"

The Young Man had been speaking only to Guan Zhenhai. From beginning to end, he had not glanced at Xu Zimo and the others even once.

In his eyes, what important friends could someone like Guan Zhenhai, who had been assigned to a Branch Hall, possibly know?

They were probably disciples with poor talent like himself.

"Xiao Wei, I am afraid that will not work today. I must also welcome my fellow disciples and wash away the dust of their journey," Guan Zhenhai said, frantically signaling at the Young Man with his eyes.

Damn it, Xu Zimo standing right before you is the son of the True Martial Sacred Sect's Vice Sect Master—the real Crown Prince. If this Young Man could latch onto Xu Zimo, what would some Third Prince of the Ziyang Empire even amount to? Trash, that's what.

Yet the Young Man failed to understand Guan Zhenhai's looks. Instead, he smiled at Xu Zimo and the others. "Fellow disciples of the True Martial Sacred Sect, could you do me a favor? In the future, everyone will be Honored Guests of my Chang Family."

"You are called Chang Wei?" Xu Zimo asked with interest.

The Young Man hurriedly nodded.

"Then do you know someone named Laifu?" Xu Zimo asked.

"Do you need something from me?" the servant behind Chang Wei asked in confusion.

Xu Zimo smiled and shook his head.

"What do you fellow disciples think?" Chang Wei asked.

"You really take yourself for a local emperor," Lin Ruhu snapped impatiently from the side. "Scram."