“Is that why you came, to exchange for the three-hundred-year lingzhi?” Qing Xiangming felt as though he had heard the biggest joke in the world. He could not help repeating the question, wondering if his ears had failed him. The notorious scum of Yao City, the bastard he hated to the bone, had actually come to him asking for an exchange. Was this some kind of play?
“Of course.” Ye Chu seemed oblivious to the crowd’s ridicule. He smiled at Qing Xiangming. “As long as you are willing, I can offer something of equal value to your three-hundred-year lingzhi.”
Ye Chu had no money, but he possessed items beyond mere gold coins. For instance, the pill condensed from evil qi was one such treasure.
“How amusing. Truly amusing.” Qing Xiangming burst into laughter. “If you break both your own legs, I might consider it.”
Ye Chu remained calm, a lazy smile on his face. “If you have the ability, come and break them yourself.”
A collective gasp swept through the hall. Everyone turned their eyes sharply to Ye Chu. Was he provoking Qing Xiangming? A waste daring to challenge one of Yao City’s outstanding talents. Truly ignorant of the heights of heaven and depths of earth.
Ye Chao’s gaze also fixed on Ye Chu. Seeing him stand neither humbly nor arrogantly, doubt flickered in his eyes. Without the protection of his status as Ye family heir, what gave him such arrogance?
Su Rong’s beautiful eyes shifted, settling on Ye Chu. Surrounded by so many hostile stares, he still maintained that lazy, dissolute posture. It gave the illusion he looked down on Qing Xiangming and the others. Su Rong could no longer read him. Since returning to Yao City, Ye Chu had indeed changed, but that did not mean he could confront Qing Xiangming head-on.
“I will grant your wish.” Qing Xiangming’s anger flared. To act so arrogantly on his own territory. Where did that leave his dignity?
Just as he prepared to strike, several companions held him back. “Brother Qing. Such scum is not worth dirtying your hands. Leave him to us.”
They encircled Ye Chu, cold light gleaming in their eyes. Scum deserved punishment from all. Today was the perfect chance to teach him a thorough lesson.
Watching Ye Chu surrounded at the centre, Liang Shan stamped his feet in anxiety. Yet he had no way to help. Though he had cultivated these three years, his achievements were modest.
“Ye Chu. Today I will show you. Yao City is no place for you.” The leading youth glared at Ye Chu, rolled up his sleeves, and swung a fist straight at him.
“Wait.” Seeing them about to attack, Ye Chu quickly raised a hand to stop them.
“Scared now? Too late. Today you leave horizontally.” They sneered, eyes full of contempt.
“Not scared.” Ye Chu shook his head. “I have always been low-key by nature. I dislike violence. So let us avoid fists and feet. This is a new era. We should promote civility and foster new trends. Fighting and brawling are not for people like us.”
“Haha. You, a notorious scum, dare speak of civility.” The attackers laughed loudly, finding it the greatest joke. “Brothers. Settle old scores. A rare chance to deal with scum. Do not miss it.”
“Are you certain you want to fight?” Ye Chu said helplessly. “Would it not be better to keep a low profile?”
But they paid him no heed. Fists swung towards him.
Ye Chao watched the scene with a complicated expression. His fists clenched, then relaxed. He absolutely could not intervene. To do so would mean acknowledging Ye Chu as still part of the Ye family. All Grandfather’s efforts would be wasted. The imperial Ye family would suppress the Weiyuan Marquis Mansion again. The Ye family would become Yao City’s public enemy.
The group swung fists at Ye Chu. Everyone grew excited, already imagining his screams.
As they expected, screams did ring out. But they were not Ye Chu’s.
The scene before them left Liang Shan staring wide-eyed in disbelief. The youths who had just swung at Ye Chu flew backwards one by one, crashing into tables and shattering the banquet setups across the hall.
At the centre, Ye Chu wore a lazy smile. With each casual palm strike, a youth was sent flying. Ye Chu was like a fierce tiger. They were mere sheep. His light, almost careless sweeps tossed them away like stones.
This outcome stunned everyone, Su Rong included. Though she knew Ye Chu was no longer frail, seeing him this dominant still made her cover her delicate red lips in shock. The contrast was too great. In her memory, Ye Chu only committed evil and harassed beauties. But now…
His forceful counterattack made those who had intended to punish him retreat frantically, faces filled with terror. Some even muttered incoherently in panic. “Impossible. Impossible.”
As they retreated in fear, Ye Chu pressed forward. Palm after palm slapped out. The sound of slaps echoed endlessly. He toppled the group one by one. “What if I threw you into the cesspit? What if I peeped on your sister bathing? What if I smashed your house… I did those things because I thought highly of you. Just playing with you. Adding some fun to your lives, lest they be too dull and boring.”
They wanted to cry. Inwardly they cursed. Please do not think highly of us. We do not need fun. We prefer boredom.
Slap after slap continued until they were utterly cowed. They begged repeatedly. “Spare us. We will not fight anymore. Ye Chu, you said you liked low-key. Low-key is good.”
These young masters were flowers raised in greenhouses. How could they withstand Ye Chu’s slaps? They knelt, pleading, tears and snot streaming, terrified to the extreme.
“Low-key was the old me. Now I prefer wild.” Ye Chu said earnestly to the group. “Either low-key or wild. I have my own style.”
Zhang Su’er, usually carefree, could not help laughing at this. She thought the line rather domineering.
“Stop.” Qing Xiangming had not expected this outcome. Reacting, he stepped in front of Ye Chu.
After slapping away the last one nearby, Ye Chu clapped his hands as if nothing had happened. He looked at Qing Xiangming with a smile. “Now can we discuss the exchange?”
“Ye Chu. You truly make me see you in a new light.” Qing Xiangming stared at Ye Chu. To dispatch these people so easily meant Ye Chu had trained hard these three years. “However, today you disrupted my brother’s birthday banquet. Your crime is compounded.”
Seeing Qing Xiangming act, the group Ye Chu had slapped shouted. “Big Brother Qing. Avenge us.”
“Break his legs.”
“Cut off his hands.”
“Do not let him leave alive.”
“…”
The crowd shouted, hating Ye Chu to the core.
“You truly wish to fight.” Ye Chu looked at Qing Xiangming. “Are you not afraid of following their fate? You are different from them. You have prestige, reputation. If a scum like me sends you flying too, you would lose all face.”
Before Qing Xiangming could reply, others cursed. “What are you? Big Brother Qing can handle you with ease.”
“Yes. Who are you scaring? Big Brother, deal with him quickly.”
“Brother Qing is about to enter Yao City’s top ten young talents. What are you, scum?”
“…”
Liang Shan watched Qing Xiangming face Ye Chu. His heart pounded. Qing Xiangming had reached the sixth level of True Fire Realm, terrifyingly strong. Though Ye Chu had seemed powerful just now, how could he compare to such a figure?
Ye Chu had vanished for three years. Even at full count, he had only cultivated three years. Reaching the ninth stage peak would be impressive. Qing Xiangming had cultivated over ten years and entered true martial cultivation, reaching the terrifying sixth level of True Qi Realm. Such a level rivalled some older generation figures.
“Ye Chu. Do not be stubborn. Leave first.” Liang Shan could not hold back. He shouted to Ye Chu.
