Volume One, Chapter 16: Inflating One’s Importance
Boom—
The main gate suddenly burst open, and hundreds of people poured into the hall.
“They’re here—the head of the Zhou family, Zhou Tianxiong, and the Zhou family’s top warrior, Li Baiguang!”
“And look—could that be Master Yang? My heavens, he actually came, along with his other three disciples! They all showed up!”
“These are all heavyweights. Even if we wanted to meet them, it would be incredibly difficult. Yet here they all are!”
“Well, it makes sense. People from the Zhou family died at Qi Wuxie’s hands, and Tang Qingyuan was also crushed by a single palm from him. Zhou Tianxiong and Master Yang must come in person to deal with him!”
“Now, there’s no way he can escape. No matter how strong he is, he definitely can’t defeat Master Yang!”
Everyone was certain.
With Zhou Tianxiong and Yang Ming bringing their elite forces personally, even if Qi Wuxie was an internal energy martial artist, escape was impossible!
“Grandpa, save me! Save me!”
Under Qi Wuxie’s foot, Zhou Tianhao had regained consciousness. He had been knocked unconscious by Qi Wuxie’s kick just moments ago, utterly humiliated.
Zhou Tianxiong’s eyes darkened with murderous intent as he saw his beloved grandson crushed beneath Qi Wuxie’s foot.
But after decades, he was a cunning old fox, his emotions contained.
He did not look at Zhou Tianhao, but fixed his gaze on Qi Wuxie.
“Qi Wuxie, release my grandson and the others. I can give you a reasonable explanation about your father’s matter.”
Qi Wuxie sneered at his words.
“Explanation?”
“I didn’t come here to listen to your explanations.”
“Hand over the murderer who killed my father, or I’ll let Zhou Tianhao die right before your eyes!”
As his voice fell, Qi Wuxie pressed his foot down harder on Zhou Tianhao’s shoulder.
The immense force instantly twisted Zhou Tianhao’s face in agony as he let out a piercing scream.
A murderous gleam flashed in Zhou Tianxiong’s eyes as he spoke coldly, “Your father’s death is complicated; it can’t be explained in a moment. Release them first.”
“Release them? Do you take me for a child?”
Qi Wuxie laughed coldly, his gaze flickering to the men beside Zhou Tianxiong.
It landed on Yang Ming and Song Xinghui.
“So these two are the helpers you found. If you won’t hand over the people, then let him die!”
Bang!
Before the words had fully left his mouth, Qi Wuxie’s right foot slammed down with force. Zhou Tianhao’s shoulder shattered instantly.
The excruciating pain flushed Zhou Tianhao’s face red before he fainted again.
“You little bastard, how dare you!”
The others in the Zhou family were enraged, their eyes bloodshot with hatred, as if they wanted to tear Qi Wuxie apart alive!
Zhou Tianxiong’s gaze turned grim as he looked at Yang Ming.
“Master Yang, you or I first?”
—
Yang Ming’s eyes were icy. “I will go first.”
With a step forward, a powerful aura burst forth from him, clearly reaching the level of a half-step Grandmaster.
“Qi Wuxie, did you kill my disciple Tang Qingyuan?” Yang Ming asked.
“Yes.”
Qi Wuxie nodded. “I warned him, but he insisted on courting death. That’s on him, not me.”
“Hmph! You little bastard, Tang Qingyuan was my disciple. Even if he opposed you, you had no right to kill him!”
“Zheng Chong, Qian Yang, Xu Feng! Kill this little bastard and avenge your junior brother!”
Killing intent blazed in Yang Ming’s eyes as he issued the order.
Behind him stood three middle-aged men with piercing gazes.
They were Tang Qingyuan’s three senior brothers!
All three were stronger than Tang Qingyuan, especially the eldest brother, Xu Feng, who had reached the pinnacle of internal energy mastery.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The three charged simultaneously from different directions.
Since their junior brother had died at Qi Wuxie’s hands, they attacked with no hesitation, delivering thunderous strikes, allowing no chance for Qi Wuxie to react.
They almost instantly reached Qi Wuxie.
Qi Wuxie’s eyes were cold. Calmly, he raised his right hand and struck three consecutive palms.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The muffled sounds echoed as Xu Feng and the others were struck as if hit by lightning, flying backward.
“Master…”
Xu Feng and the others lay on the ground, spitting blood. Their heads slumped, and they died on the spot.
From their attack to death, only a few seconds had passed. None of the onlookers had time to react.
Yang Ming’s pupils shrank as he stared at his three disciples killed by a single palm. A furious storm rose within him.
“You little bastard! How dare you kill them!”
Yang Ming roared, his killing intent surging skyward.
All four of his direct disciples had died at Qi Wuxie’s hands!
His heart was filled with grief and rage.
The other named disciples following behind changed their expressions drastically.
In their hearts, the eldest brothers were figures worthy of lifelong reverence!
Yet now, in mere seconds, the young man before them had killed those revered elders with a single palm!
How utterly absurd!
—
“Heh, you old lecher really have no shame.”
“You only allow yourself to kill me but forbid me from killing you? What kind of logic is that?”
“If you want to avenge your disciples, then come try and see if I can kill you with a single palm!”
A faint smile curled at the corner of Qi Wuxie’s lips.
But to the crowd, that smile was chilling, filled with endless coldness and murderous intent, causing their hearts to tremble.
“What kind of person is this guy?”
The guests in the distance swallowed nervously.
That was Grandmaster Yang Ming!
A top figure in Yun City, now humiliated so thoroughly by Qi Wuxie—and yet Yang Ming was powerless to retaliate!
“This little bastard’s strength is terrifying. He’s probably not a full Grandmaster yet, but he’s very close.”
Yang Ming thought to himself.
Only a half-step Grandmaster or above could kill his three disciples so easily!
Qi Wuxie was so young, yet already a half-step Grandmaster!
A trace of apprehension stirred in Yang Ming’s heart.
“What? Afraid to make a move? If you won’t fight, then just stay out of the way!”
Qi Wuxie snorted coldly, turning his gaze to Zhou Tianxiong.
Zhou Tianxiong’s expression was dark and grim.
Qi Wuxie’s strength far exceeded his expectations. Even though the returning reports claimed Qi Wuxie was possibly a Grandmaster, he had refused to believe it.
Grandmasters aren’t as common as cabbages; any random cat or dog can’t just be called a Grandmaster!
Even among the Four Great Families, Grandmasters were rare.
He found it impossible to believe that a little bastard who had disappeared five years ago suddenly returned as a Grandmaster-level fighter!
“Qi Wuxie, if you’re wise, you’ll stop now, release Zhou Tianhao, and apologize to Old Zhou. I can make Old Zhou forgive you!”
At this moment, Song Xinghui stepped forward beside Zhou Tianxiong, addressing Qi Wuxie.
His gaze carried superiority, and even though Qi Wuxie’s power earlier shocked him, he still looked down on him with disdain.
“How interesting, there are really many fools today.”
“And who might you be?”