Chapter Thirty-Three: Frenzied Barking

Facing such provocation, Lu Qingyun saw through his intentions at a glance. He had no desire to waste his three days on someone like him.

There was a chance he could gain significant advantages during these three days; after all, unexpected things always seemed to happen to him, and he seemed to have grown accustomed to it.

Unwilling to engage with him, Lu Qingyun spoke with cold seriousness:

"I have never met anyone as annoying as you. You buzz around people endlessly like a fly every single day. Aren't you afraid that one day someone will just swat you dead?"

"Don't think others don't know what you're up to. As long as things happen outside the City Lord's Mansion, the City Lord never intervenes. That has always been the rule!"

"It's a pity, though; it seems your information isn't reliable. We are still working for the City Lord, and these people are my companions who will be leaving with me. Even if you were given Meng Li, you would have to obediently return her!"

In truth, Zhao Tuo had been coached by an expert; under normal circumstances, he would never have thought of this. Relying on his own intellect, it would have been impossible for him to manipulate the rules to his advantage.

After speaking, Lu Qingyun prepared to leave with his people, as he was now also playing by the rules. Lu Qingyun had always been remarkably clever, so whenever he made an unexpected move, others were quick to understand. His intelligence allowed him to resolve any problem with ease; that was what made him stand out.

Lu Qingyun's affairs had long since spread throughout the city. Having caused so much trouble for the Zhao family, he had already made quite a name for himself. Just as he was about to depart, Zhao Tuo blocked his path, speaking coldly.

"Lu Qingyun, don't think that just because you're playing the City Lord's dog, you can bite whoever you want. Our Zhao family has many allies throughout Bixiao City. Even if you escape me, you won't escape others."

"The moment you step foot outside the City Lord's Mansion, you will be attacked by our people. I can't guarantee what kind of injuries you'll sustain by then."

By issuing such a threat, Zhao Tuo showed they had already made preparations. In reality, this was a taunt intended to goad Lu Qingyun into walking the streets with his companions. Once there, they would likely encounter the men already lying in ambush, intending to inflict harm under the guise of an accidental conflict—that was their ultimate goal. If Lu Qingyun were to turn back now, they would view it as cowardice.

However, Lu Qingyun’s thoughts always exceeded others' expectations. Seeing Zhao Tuo’s cunning look, he replied indifferently:

"Zhao Tuo, aside from these friends of mine, I have known you the longest. I truly don't understand how such a large family could produce someone as bizarre as you."

"We didn't have any major conflict to begin with. Everything was brought upon yourselves, yet now you blame me and insist on using these tactics to deal with me."

"If I were to turn back now, would your plan fall through? Would you be disappointed? I, for one, hate disappointing others. I must go for a stroll in the city today; are you satisfied now?"

After Lu Qingyun finished, Zhao Tuo could no longer suppress the corners of his mouth. Seeing that look of a scheme fulfilled, Lu Qingyun found it truly laughable. Zhao Tuo, however, feigned great indignation and snarled:

"Heh, I never said I was going to deal with you. That’s all in your own imagination; it has nothing to do with me. Whatever happens, you cannot blame it on me."

Before he could finish, Lu Qingyun cut him off with a cold sneer.

"Heh, next time we meet, I hope you are better prepared. Don't be like this, incoherent and full of holes."

"Just now you said you had many allies and that someone would deal with me, and now you say it has nothing to do with you. How should I characterize you?"

"I can't think of any words. Regardless, I am not under the jurisdiction of the City Lord's Mansion. Use whatever means you have; are you satisfied now?"

With that, Lu Qingyun led his group toward the streets. Since crossing over, he had never stayed in any city; after leaving his family, he had been wandering. He was a lover of fine food, a bit of a glutton, but had never had the chance to taste the delicacies of this world. Since the City Lord was footing the bill, Lu Qingyun saw no need to be frugal. Soon, they arrived in front of a grand restaurant.

Li Changfeng was somewhat familiar with the place, though as a sect leader, he had never visited this particular establishment. Xu Feng remarked earnestly from the side:

"Brother Lu, should we consider somewhere else? This place is far too expensive. We seem to..."

Fatty Wang and Han Man had never been to such a grand restaurant. They spent their days sleeping in the wild, and any spirit jade they acquired was spent on pills to improve their cultivation or to replenish their gear so they could gain more in their next hunt. They were trapped in a cycle; they had neither the time nor the money to enjoy themselves.

This restaurant was famous throughout the continent, especially in Bixiao City. As the exchange hub for alchemy, many appeared here carrying vast treasures, and spirit jade was never in short supply. People often conducted business here, as a single meal could lead to a successful partnership. That was how things worked in any world.

Lu Qingyun was about to face unknown dangers, and he couldn't predict the outcome. So, on the way, he had decided to treat everyone to a good meal; he couldn't control what dangers they might encounter later.

As Xu Feng was about to discuss it with him, a group of people appeared behind them, and a mocking voice rang out:

"Hey, hey, hey! Is this a place just anyone can enter? Get out of the way! Can't you see Young Master Chu is arriving?"

Lu Qingyun and his group turned around to see seven or eight young men. They were dressed in luxurious robes and wore beautiful jade pendants, each worth a fortune. From their attire, it was obvious they were young masters from some prominent family. A bunch of hangers-on, they clearly weren't capable of any grand achievements; they were just spoiled brats relying on their family's wealth to live extravagantly.

Lu Qingyun didn't want to cause trouble and chose to ignore them, whispering to his companions:

"Ignore them, let's go!"

As the group continued inside, the young master of the Chu family, Chu Feiyang, felt deeply insulted. Being ignored by a group of people dressed in rags made him furious. He gritted his teeth and shouted:

"I told you to stop! Did you hear me?"

Lu Qingyun signaled for his group to keep moving inside. He had heard that you couldn't reserve a table at this restaurant. Once you arrived, you sat wherever you could find a seat; as long as you could pay the spirit jade, it didn't matter. There were often people who tried to "eat without paying," but the consequences were severe: they would be beaten to death!

The restaurant had an old man of immense power who sat there as a guardian. Rumor had it that his strength rivaled, or perhaps even surpassed, that of the City Lord. But he lacked ambition, and the restaurant manager had shown him kindness, which was why he stayed. Another version of the story was that the manager had once saved the dying old man with a simple meal. Regardless of the rumors, the old man was real, and the consequences of dining without paying were equally real.

Lu Qingyun and the others felt that since they finally had time to relax, it would be a shame to leave if there were no seats. They quickened their pace, continuing to ignore Chu Feiyang.

Once they entered, Chu Feiyang and his group followed. Just then, a waiter was greeting Lu Qingyun’s group with great enthusiasm:

"Dear guests, what a coincidence! We have one table left. I’ll take you there right now!"

Just as they were about to follow the waiter, Chu Feiyang and his men rushed in. Chu Feiyang shouted:

"Hey! Do you even have money? You're not here to eat without paying, are you? Li Changfeng, are you sure you want to go against us? Aren't you afraid the Tianling Sect will be destroyed by the Chu family?"

"You'd better be smart. The Chu family isn't like the Zhao family, hesitant and fearful. Apologize to me now and get out of here, and I might spare you!"

"Li Changfeng, your Tianling Sect doesn't have much in reserve, does it? Can you even afford to eat here? Be careful, or the manager will have your lives!"

Seeing the tension rising, the waiter quickly stepped in:

"Dear guests, please, don't be impulsive. We have rules here. Our manager has never said he would stop you from fighting, but after the fight, you must pay for all damages according to the price. You can all see these things, right? A single table is worth thousands of spirit jade..."

It was clear the manager had absolute confidence; otherwise, he wouldn't dare make such a rule. Lu Qingyun pondered for a moment and said slowly:

"If they provoke us, we have no choice but to defend ourselves. Who pays for the damages then?"

The waiter, seemingly unfazed by such matters, replied with a smile:

"Our manager is capable of distinguishing right from wrong; he would never wrongly punish an innocent person..."

He stopped there. Anyone who could work here was a master of his craft, incapable of leaving any openings in their words. Lu Qingyun nodded slowly, looked at Chu Feiyang, and smiled:

"Alright, I was a little worried just now, but now I understand everything. Are you determined to attack us?"

"Don't worry, my friends won't intervene. To deal with trash like you, I alone am enough."

After Lu Qingyun finished speaking, Fatty Wang and the others didn't feel nervous at all. They knew Lu Qingyun’s strength and knew he never fought a battle he hadn't prepared for.

Chu Feiyang finally revealed his ugly true colors. He stepped forward and said disdainfully:

"What are you acting so tough for? You're just a guy at the third level of the Body Tempering Realm. I am at the fifth level; you are no match for me."

"It's fine for a young man to be arrogant, but you should at least look at who your opponent is. My cultivation level is famous throughout Bixiao City!"

Chu Feiyang was young, and his talent was indeed quite high; in the eyes of others, he was a favored son of heaven. At such a young age, reaching the fifth level of the Body Tempering Realm meant most people were indeed no match for him.

Lu Qingyun said in a low voice:

"Is that so? I've never heard of you. My apologies, I am ill-informed. Even if your strength is great, what does it have to do with me?"

"You've been barking at me the whole time. I didn't even want to pay attention to you, but you kept going. What else do you plan to do? I don't understand..."

Lu Qingyun’s calm demeanor made Chu Feiyang feel belittled. He turned to leave again, and Chu Feiyang finally lost control. He drew his long sword and charged forward with a roar:

"Brat, you are too arrogant! If I don't kill you today, I won't be surnamed Chu!"

Feeling the killing intent from behind, Lu Qingyun’s eyes were full of resignation. Why did he always have to waste time on these people?

Lu Qingyun turned around swiftly, extending two fingers to catch the blade of Chu Feiyang’s sword directly. Chu Feiyang stared at him with wide eyes, trying to pull his sword out, but found he couldn't move it at all. He said, filled with shock:

"This..."

"How is this possible?"