Chapter 40 - 35: Toying With

Seemingly noticing everyone’s gazes, Shen Jianfeng tossed his cup onto the table, grabbed a wine jug, and headed for the door.

As he walked, he slurred, "Whether I lost or not is none of your damn business. A word of advice: stop throwing the word ’trash’ around, or you might end up even worse off than trash... HIC... and regret it for the rest of your lives."

"Hahaha, look at Shen Jianfeng! The rumors must be true. In that case, congratulations are in order for the Shen Family. You’ve produced another piece of trash... oh, my mistake, I meant a *genius*..." Xu Ping roared with laughter.

"Xu Ping, don’t get too arrogant!" Shen Fengyun raged. "Whether Shen Jianfeng fell for a sneak attack by that piece of trash is still up for debate. The Shen Family has never even acknowledged him, so stop bringing him up all the time!"

"Did you all invite me here just to listen to this nonsense? If so, I’ll be taking my leave." A cold female voice cut Shen Fengyun off. The speaker was a young woman with an indifferent expression, yet she was stunningly beautiful. It was Chu Xiuxiu, cousin to the Chu Family’s Chu Qingcheng.

"Hehehe, Miss Xiuxiu still has quite a temper," a luxuriously dressed young man, who had been smiling silently until now, chuckled. "It was my father’s idea for us all to gather here. He wanted me to share some news. In one month, my City Lord’s Mansion will hold a martial competition. In addition to the disciples from the City Lord’s Mansion and the four great families of Celestial Phoenix City, disciples from other families and influences can also sign up. We’ve held competitions like this before, but this one will be vastly different from those in the past... As for how it’s different, well, it’s not for me to say."

"How is it different? Young Master Tian, stop keeping us in suspense! Your esteemed father is the City Lord’s most capable subordinate; you must know all the inside details. Here, let me offer you a toast!" Xiao Qiyun said, his eyes gleaming.

"That’s right, Young Master Tian! We brothers are counting on you to look out for us. If you have any inside information, you have to give us a hint!" Xu Ping said with a sycophantic grin.

This young man, known to all as "Young Master Tian," was named Tang Chaotian. His father was the Guard Commander of the City Lord’s Mansion, which was considered a position of great power and influence in a place like Celestial Phoenix City.

Tang Chaotian grinned smugly. "In past years, the martial competition was mainly for the City Lord’s Mansion to recruit promising young talents. This time, it’s vastly different. A Major Sect is coming to Celestial Phoenix City to accept disciples. You understand now, don’t you?"

"Wow, something so amazing is happening!"

The entire second floor of the Celestial Phoenix Tavern erupted into a frenzy.

The City Lord’s Mansion was considered a Cyan Wood Level influence. For Tang Chaotian to call it a Major Sect, it had to be at least a Profound Iron Level influence.

"So, will it be the Golden Embryo Sect, the Evil Wind Valley, or the Mahayana Sect? Or could it be the Holy Light Sect from even farther away?" Shen Fengyun asked, his voice tinged with excitement.

Tang Chaotian basked in the attention and flattery for a long moment before drawling, "None of them. Hehe, you’re all just frogs in a well... In any case, you’ll find out when the time comes. For now... it’s a secret."

"Hehe, this competition is bound to be spectacular... Speaking of the Shen Family’s trash, Shen Lang, suddenly having a burst of power and defeating Shen Jianfeng, I wonder if the Shen Family will let that piece of trash participate?" In just two sentences, Xu Ping had steered the conversation right back to Shen Lang.

"Xu Ping, what are you implying! That trash Shen Lang may share our surname, but he is not a member of my Shen Family! The Shen Family has countless elite disciples; why would we ever let a piece of trash take the stage for us!" Shen Fengyun spat through gritted teeth.

Ever since the Shen Family had produced such a worthless member, they had been the laughingstock of the other families, enduring mockery at nearly every public gathering.

Xu Ping’s words were clearly mocking the Shen Family for having no talented successors, implying they would need that piece of trash to save face for them.

"Now, now. He’s just a piece of trash at the Power Martial Realm Second Heaven. Why let someone like that ruin the mood? I’ve heard the rumor about him defeating Shen Jianfeng, but it’s hardly credible. Rumors get passed around and exaggerated until they’re a thousand miles from the truth," Tang Chaotian said nonchalantly.

"Trash is trash. A piece of trash with no Martial Soul—how could he suddenly become strong enough to defeat Shen Jianfeng, who’s already at the Qi Martial Realm Third Heaven? It must be just as Young Master Tian said. In a few days, at my Shen Family’s grand competition, I’d love to see how many moves that trash can last against me..." Shen Fengyun trailed off, his gaze shifting to the window.

His seat was right by the window, so he had a clear view of everything on the street below.

Noticing his strange expression, the others stood up to look. They saw the very person they had been discussing—the "trash," Shen Lang—strolling slowly down the street.

In their eyes, Shen Lang looked the same as always, walking at an unhurried pace with his gaze fixed straight ahead.

But since they hadn’t seen him in a while, they did notice a slight difference. The Shen Lang of today had a more defined, mature face. His ink-black eyes were dark and profound, as if they could easily pierce a person’s very soul. Beneath his placid exterior, they could sense an unyielding tenacity...

"Hehe, and I was wondering who that was. Speak of the trash and he appears... Hey, Shen Lang! Come on up for a drink!" Tang Chaotian called down below.

As soon as Tang Chaotian finished speaking, several faces appeared in the second-floor window, many of them familiar to Shen Lang.

Right now, however, they were all staring down at him with mocking expressions.

"Tang Chaotian," Shen Lang murmured.

’His own talent is mediocre, but his old man is thriving in the City Lord’s Mansion and holds considerable power. That’s why, even though this punk is only at the Power Martial Realm Sixth Heaven, all the other families are trying to curry favor with him.’

"Hmph." Shen Fengyun snorted. He didn’t want Shen Lang to come up. He knew Tang Chaotian didn’t have good intentions and was just looking for a chance to mock Shen Lang.

If it were just about mocking Shen Lang, that would be one thing. But the other families would surely use the opportunity to disparage the Shen Family.

But Tang Chaotian had already spoken, and he couldn’t say a thing. He simply couldn’t afford to offend him.

Shen Lang glanced at the faces in the window, a cold smile touching his lips, and walked straight into the Celestial Phoenix Tavern.

’In the past, I would have had no choice but to swallow my anger and walk away.’

’But not anymore. I don’t want to, and I don’t have to.’

’If anyone wants to cause trouble for me, I’ll cause trouble for them!’

’I, Shen Lang, don’t go looking for trouble, but if trouble comes looking for me, I’ll make damn sure it regrets it!’

’I held back before because I wasn’t strong enough. I was afraid of causing trouble for my parents.’

’But now, I am completely confident that I can become much stronger and protect them.’

’At least within Celestial Phoenix City, no one can threaten my family!’

When Shen Lang reached the second floor, his gaze swept across the room, and he smiled.

More than twenty people were seated at the tables on the second floor. Aside from a few who appeared to be attendants, the rest were young disciples of similar ages, a gathering that included nearly every elite disciple from the various families of Celestial Phoenix City.

When these people saw Shen Lang walk in, not a single person acknowledged him. They all remained in their seats, sipping from their cups and chatting cheerfully amongst themselves, completely ignoring his presence.

Tang Chaotian, the one who had just invited him up for a drink, sat there sneering, eyeing Shen Lang contemptuously.

Shen Lang smiled faintly, pulled over a chair, and prepared to sit, only to be blocked by one of the attendants.

"Insolence! Is this a place where you can just sit down? My young master hasn’t given the word. What right do you have to take a seat!" the attendant snarled, planting his foot on the chair.

"Oh? So you invited me up for a drink just to make a fool of me?" Shen Lang asked with a smile. It was a brilliant smile.

Seeing that smile, Tang Chaotian and the others were momentarily stunned. Then, their expressions turned vicious.

"Who the hell do you think you are? What right do you have to sit here? What makes you think you can sit at the same table as me?" Tang Chaotian barked. "Make a fool of you? Are you even fucking worthy of that?"

The attendant with his foot on the chair mockingly patted Shen Lang’s chest with the back of his hand. "Hey kid, are you deaf? My young master is saying you aren’t even worthy of being made a fool of by us. He just wanted a little entertainment for the party. Consider yourself lucky, you piece of trash."

"HAHAHAHA!" The crowd roared with laughter. Some were doubled over, laughing so hard that tears streamed down their faces.