Chapter 18 - Chang Wei

Feng Buyu looked toward Xu Zimo, waiting for his signal.

“It’s fine. Why fuss with a little girl? Let’s go find a place to stay,” Xu Zimo said with a smile, turning and walking toward the side street.

“Hey! Did I say you could leave?” Zhong Ling’er, seeing the group about to walk away, grew anxious.

“Little girl,” Xu Zimo turned back and said calmly, “you should know when to quit. I’m only sparing you because I don’t care to argue. Otherwise, even if your father is the City Lord, or the Emperor of the Violet Sun Empire himself, it wouldn’t make a difference.”

Zhong Ling’er froze. Xu Zimo’s words genuinely startled her.

She quickly turned to the black-robed elder beside her and said, “Uncle Liang, that guy bullied me!”

But the old man simply shook his head slightly and stared thoughtfully at Xu Zimo’s departing figure.

At that moment, the black-armored guards had already surrounded Xu Zimo’s group. As they tried to leave, they were blocked.

“Move,” Xu Zimo said quietly.

The guards didn’t budge. Instead, they looked to Zhong Ling’er, without her command, they wouldn’t let anyone through.

Then, in a flash, a dazzling arc of blade light swept through the air. No one even saw Xu Zimo draw his blade. In the blink of an eye, several guards’ heads rolled to the ground.

Feng Buyu’s pupils shrank. “Sword-Drawing Technique…”

It was just a basic Yellow-tier meridian skill, but even he hadn’t seen Xu Zimo draw the blade. That speed was beyond comprehension.

Watching Xu Zimo’s group walk away, Zhong Ling’er stomped her foot in frustration.

She turned to the elder and said, “Uncle Liang, why didn’t you stop them earlier?”

“There are several among them I can’t see through,” the old man, Uncle Liang, replied thoughtfully. “We don’t know who these people really are, so it’s best not to act rashly.

That one just now, he spoke of the Violet Sun Empire like it was nothing. Someone like that is either bluffing or carries immense backing.”

“Then what do we do?” Zhong Ling’er asked.

Uncle Liang ordered one of the guards, “Follow them quietly. See where they’re staying.”

Then he turned to Zhong Ling’er and said, “No rush, young miss. They’re in Skysword City. They won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.”

Xu Zimo’s group arrived at the True Martial Sacred Ground’s branch hall in Skysword City. The man in charge of the branch was named Guan Zhenhai.

Generally, the sect only assigned disciples with poor potential to manage these branches.

Guan Zhenhai was in his forties, still stuck at the Peak of the Meridian Forging Realm, unable to break through.

According to sect rules, if a disciple couldn’t reach the True Meridian Realm before the age of forty, they were assigned to manage branch halls in cities.

After hearing of Xu Zimo’s group’s arrival, Guan Zhenhai rushed out with a warm smile.

“Junior brothers, you’ve come such a long way! I didn’t know in advance, or I would’ve prepared better,” he said cheerfully. “If there’s any neglect on my part, please forgive me.”

“It’s fine,” Xu Zimo said with a shake of his head. “We’re just passing through Skysword City and felt like stopping by.”

“Then come in, please,” Guan Zhenhai said eagerly. “I’ll have food and drinks prepared right away, give you all a proper welcome.”

Xu Zimo and the others wandered around the branch for a bit.

It was clear that most people assigned here were essentially being sidelined by the sect.

And the disciples here seemed fully aware of that, each of them looked like they were just killing time, completely lacking the spirit and drive of real martial artists.

Xu Zimo shook his head.

Innate talent might be something you’re born with. Maybe you get lucky, or maybe someone powerful changes your fate.

But lacking talent wasn’t the end, hard work could still make the difference. Hong Tian was a prime example.

But if your attitude and mindset toward cultivation are flawed… Then you're doomed to mediocrity, no matter what.

Soon, Guan Zhenhai arranged for a meal at the best restaurant in Skysword City, Bright Moon Tower.

The restaurant had a stellar reputation across the entire city, famous for its exceptional food.

Private rooms were all full, so with Xu Zimo’s approval, they took a window-side table.

After everyone sat down, the conversation was light and pleasant. Guan Zhenhai had a knack for making people feel welcome.

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

He wore luxurious robes and had a beauty in each arm. A servant followed behind him.

The young man ignored all the other diners and shouted at the restaurant owner, “Boss, I’m renting out the whole place today. Clear everyone out within fifteen minutes!”

“Master Chang, please, don’t make this difficult for me,” the boss said nervously. “There are some people here today I can’t afford to offend.”

“Oh?” The young man scoffed. “Who dares not give the Chang Clan face?”

“The True Martial Sacred Ground’s branch people,” the boss said, pointing toward Xu Zimo’s table.

Only then did the young man notice Guan Zhenhai. He smiled and walked over quickly.

“Uncle Guan! You're here too? My father was just talking the other day about inviting you over for dinner.”

“Ah, Wei,” Guan Zhenhai smiled back. “Just having a meal here with a few fellow brothers from the sect.”

“Uncle Guan, could I ask a favor?” the young man said quietly. “The Third Prince of the Violet Sun Empire is visiting our clan right now, and I wanted to treat him here at Bright Moon Tower. If it’s convenient, perhaps you and your friends could dine at my home instead, and leave this place for us?”

The young man kept speaking only to Guan Zhenhai and hadn’t even glanced at Xu Zimo’s group once.

In his eyes, anyone managing a branch hall must have low talent, and so were probably surrounded by similarly unremarkable friends.

“Wei,” Guan Zhenhai replied while throwing frantic glances at him, “I’m afraid that won’t work today, I’m here to host these brothers properly.”

“Damn it,” he thought, That’s Xu Zimo, the Vice-Lord’s only son, a true heir to the Sacred Ground. If this kid could connect with Xu Zimo, even the Third Prince would be irrelevant trash by comparison.

But the young man, Chang Wei, completely missed the hint. He just smiled and looked at Xu Zimo’s group.

“Dear brothers from the True Martial Sacred Ground, could you do me a small favor? You’d always be welcome guests at our Chang Clan estate.”

“You’re Chang Wei?” Xu Zimo asked with interest.

Chang Wei quickly nodded.

“Do you know someone named Laifu?” Xu Zimo asked.

The servant behind Chang Wei blinked in confusion. “Are you looking for me?”

Xu Zimo chuckled and shook his head.

“So, what do you all say?” Chang Wei asked.

“You really think you’re some kind of local emperor, don’t you?” Lin Ruhu said impatiently from the side. “Scram!”