Chang Wei

Feng Buyu's gaze fell on Xu Zimo, awaiting his instructions.

"Enough. Why bother with a little girl? Let's find a place to stay first," Xu Zimo said with a faint smile, turning to walk down the street.

"Hey, did I say you could leave?" Zhong Ling'er hurriedly called out as she saw Xu Zimo's group about to depart.

"Little girl, you need to learn when to stop," Xu Zimo said flatly, turning his head. "I'm choosing not to argue with you. Otherwise, it wouldn't matter if your father is the city lord—even if the sovereign of the Ziyang Empire came, it would be useless."

Zhong Ling'er's words caught in her throat. She was actually intimidated by Xu Zimo's words.

She quickly turned to the black-robed elder beside her and said, "Uncle Liang, he's bullying me."

The black-robed elder, however, gave Zhong Ling'er a slight shake of his head, his gaze lingering thoughtfully on Xu Zimo's retreating figure.

At that moment, the squad of guards had already surrounded Xu Zimo and his companions. As Xu Zimo tried to leave, the guards blocked his path.

"Move aside," Xu Zimo said calmly.

The guards remained unmoved, their eyes fixed on Zhong Ling'er. Without the young lady's order, they would not let anyone pass.

Then, a flash of brilliant blade light streaked through the air. Before anyone even saw Xu Zimo draw his weapon, the heads of several guards had already rolled to the ground.

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

Though it was only a Yellow Tier pulse technique, even he hadn't been able to see Xu Zimo's motion of drawing the blade.

Watching Xu Zimo's group disappear into the distance, Zhong Ling'er stomped her foot in frustration and said to the elder, "Uncle Liang, why didn't you let me stop them just now?"

"There are people among them that even I can't see through," the elder called Uncle Liang said thoughtfully. "We don't know their identities yet. It's best not to act rashly. The way that person spoke just now showed a certain disdain for the entire Ziyang Empire. Someone like that is either putting on a front or has a significant background."

"Then what do we do?" Zhong Ling'er asked.

Uncle Liang said to the guards beside him, "You, follow them discreetly and see where they settle down."

Then he said to Zhong Ling'er, "Miss, don't worry. They're still in Tianjian City. They won't be going anywhere for now."

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, the disciples assigned by the True Martial Sacred Sect to various city branch halls were those of low talent.

Guan Zhenhai was over forty years old this year, yet he was still stuck at the peak of the Condensing Pulse Realm, unable to break through.

According to the True Martial Sacred Sect's rules, one must break through to the True Meridian Realm before the age of forty; otherwise, they would be assigned to branch halls in various cities.

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

"A few junior brothers have come from afar, and you didn't think to tell this senior brother in advance," he said to the group with a laugh. "If there's any neglect, I hope you junior brothers will forgive me."

"It's nothing. We were passing through Tianjian City and decided on a whim to look around," Xu Zimo shook his head and replied.

"Then please, everyone, come inside and sit. I'll have someone prepare a meal right away to welcome you junior brothers," Guan Zhenhai said to Xu Zimo with eager hospitality.

Xu Zimo and the others took a stroll around the Branch Hall. Those assigned to branch halls were mostly in a state of semi-abandonment by the sect.

These disciples seemed to be aware of this as well, each one appearing to just coast through their days, completely lacking the vitality and forward-driving sharpness of a martial artist.

Xu Zimo shook his head as he watched. Everyone's innate talent was something that couldn't be chosen.

It depended on the luck you were born with, or on a powerful figure changing your fate against the heavens.

But insufficient talent could be compensated for through hard work later on. Empress Hongtian was a striking example.

However, if a person's attitude toward martial cultivation and their way of thinking were flawed, then they truly could only live a mediocre life.

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

The Bright Moon Tower was exceptionally famous throughout Tianjian City, and it was said that the food there was unparalleled.

The private rooms were all full, so after consulting Xu Zimo's opinion, Guan Zhenhai reserved a seat by the window.

Everyone took their seats. Guan Zhenhai had a way with words that pleased people, and the conversation flowed pleasantly enough.

But before long, a young man walked up to the second floor.

This young man was dressed in brocade robes, with a stunning woman on each arm, and a servant following behind him.

As he came upstairs, paying no attention to the other diners, he shouted at the owner of the Bright Moon Tower, "Boss, I'm taking over the Bright Moon Tower today. Clear everyone out within half an incense stick's time."

"Young Master Chang, please don't make things difficult for me," the owner said. "Some of the people here today, I can't afford to offend either."

"Who? Who dares to disrespect my Chang Family?" the young man said dismissively.

"People from the True Martial Sacred Sect's Branch Hall," the owner said, pointing to Xu Zimo's table.

Only then did the young man notice Guan Zhenhai. He quickly stepped forward with a smile and said, "Uncle Guan, you're here too. A few days ago, my father was saying he wanted to invite you over for a meal."

"Xiao Wei," Guan Zhenhai said with a smile, "I'm here to have a meal with a few senior brothers."

"Uncle Guan, could I discuss something with you?" the young man said in a low voice. "The Third Prince of the Ziyang Empire has just arrived at my Chang Family. I wanted to celebrate for His Highness at Bright Moon Tower today. If it's convenient for you, Uncle Guan, you could go to my home and catch up with my father. Could you let Little Nephew have Bright Moon Tower today?"

The young man kept talking to Guan Zhenhai, never once glancing at Xu Zimo and the others.

In his eyes, someone like Guan Zhenhai, assigned to a Branch Hall, couldn't possibly know any friends of consequence.

They were probably just disciples as talentless as he was.

"Xiao Wei, it won't work today. I also need to welcome my senior brothers," Guan Zhenhai said, frantically signaling the young man with his eyes.

"Damn it, the Xu Zimo in front of me is the son of the Vice Sect Master of the True Martial Sacred Sect, a true Crown Prince. If this kid could latch onto Xu Zimo's line, that Third Prince of the Ziyang Empire would be nothing but trash."

Yet the young man didn't catch Guan Zhenhai's hint. Instead, he smiled at Xu Zimo and the others and said, "Fellow senior brothers of the True Martial Sacred Sect, could you do me a favor? From now on, you'll all be honored guests of my Chang Family."

"Your name is Chang Wei?" Xu Zimo asked with interest.

The young man quickly nodded.

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

"Did you need something from me?" the servant behind Chang Wei asked, puzzled.

Xu Zimo smiled and shook his head.

"So, what do you fellow senior brothers think?" Chang Wei asked.

"You really think you're the Local Emperor," Lin Ruhu replied impatiently from the side. "Get lost."