Chapter 419: Chapter 146: The Might of Thunder, Awing the Masters with One Punch and One Saber; Fusion, Nine Tribulations Blood Prison Saber, Twelve True Forms Fist!

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Qing Province City, Zhang Residence.

The courtyard was exquisite and elegant, dotted with rare flowers and exotic plants. Water trickled melodiously beside a rockery.

The eldest young master, Zhang Tianyu, sat quietly in a pavilion, holding an ancient, faintly glowing booklet, his expression focused.

He had a tall, straight posture and a handsome face. Even sitting still, he exuded an undeniable air of authority.

A saber-wielding guard with a reserved aura stood beside him like a statue, perfectly motionless.

Suddenly, a flurry of quick, light footsteps broke the courtyard’s tranquility.

A young woman burst in like a red whirlwind, her face alight with smugness and a desire to show off.

"Brother!"

Zhang Ling’Er’s voice arrived before she did.

She bounded over in a few steps, plopped down on the stone stool across from Zhang Tianyu, and poured herself a cup of Spirit Tea, downing it in one gulp. "I just did something fun!"

Zhang Tianyu didn’t even lift his gaze, his eyes still fixed on the booklet. He simply let out a faint "hmph" in response.

Zhang Ling’Er didn’t mind his coldness and said excitedly, "You know that arrogant brat from Cyan Yang City, Chu Fan? I pulled a few strings and put some pressure on those third-rate gangs in South City, the Celestial Wolf Gang and the Celestial Blade Pavilion. I had them go ’spar’ with Chu Fan to put him in his place!"

"I’ll make him understand that after offending my Zhang Family, he won’t be able to take a single step in Qing Province City!"

Hearing the name "Chu Fan," Zhang Tianyu finally furrowed his brow slightly.

He closed the booklet and looked at his spoiled sister, his tone tinged with disapproval. "A brat in the Spirit Awakening Realm from some backwater town is worth all this trouble? Ling’Er, this little stunt is beneath the Zhang Family’s dignity."

He paused, his tone indifferent yet filled with condescension. "You must remember: if an ant tries to trip an elephant, the elephant loses the moment it even deigns to look at the ant."

Zhang Ling’Er pouted, dissatisfied. "I’m just annoyed... I don’t give a damn whether he killed Zhang Yunpeng or not. I couldn’t care less if someone from a collateral branch like Zhang Yunpeng lives or dies."

Her tone shifted, and anger flared on her face. "But now, all of Qing Province City is talking about Chu Fan!"

"And as the rumors spread, it’s become about how Chu Fan slapped our Zhang Family in the face! They’re saying the Zhang Family can’t even protect a member of its collateral branch and that we were humiliated by a Demon Suppression Guard from a tiny border city!"

"It’s absolutely intolerable!"

She shook Zhang Tianyu’s arm, whining playfully, "You said it yourself, Brother, he’s just an ant... You’re used to not even looking before you stomp them flat."

"But I want to treat it like a game and have some fun. Let’s see how long this ant can struggle!"

Zhang Tianyu’s frown deepened. "The day before yesterday, Father specifically warned us not to bother with that person surnamed Chu... The Demon Suppression Bureau sent him here with unclear intentions. He’s likely bait. We shouldn’t act rashly."

"Alright, alright, stop using Father’s words to shut me down!" Zhang Ling’Er let go of his arm and pursed her lips, unconcerned. "He’s just a lowly Demon Suppression Guard. If I end up playing him to death, then so be it."

’The Demon Suppression Bureau today isn’t what it used to be. It’s not like they’d fall out with our Zhang Family over some minor character in the Spirit Awakening Realm...’

"Silence!" Seeing his sister’s reckless words, Zhang Tianyu’s expression changed abruptly, and he barked a sharp command to stop her.

His gaze was as sharp as a falcon’s. He scanned their surroundings, then lowered his voice, his tone sterner than ever. "How can you say something like that so casually?! ’Walls have ears,’ and ’loose lips sink ships.’ How many times do I have to teach you that lesson?!"

Zhang Ling’Er was startled by her brother’s sudden severity.

She shrank back, a look of grievance mixed with fear on her face, and mumbled, not daring to speak further.

Seeing her reaction, the anger in Zhang Tianyu’s chest subsided slightly.

He rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed helplessly. "Fine. Play your games if you must. Just remember to know your limits. Don’t make a mess you can’t clean up, leaving me to deal with the aftermath."

The moment Zhang Ling’Er heard her brother relent, her eyes lit up, and all her earlier grievance was instantly forgotten.

She lifted her chin, brimming with confidence. "Are you afraid I’ll mess up while playing with a tiny ant? Brother, you underestimate me! I don’t even have to lift a finger myself. I just have to point, and someone will be more than willing to crush him for me..."

Before she could finish her sentence, a maid in a pale green dress hurried in through the courtyard’s moon gate.

Upon seeing Zhang Tianyu in the pavilion, a trace of fear immediately appeared on the maid’s face. She quickly stopped and bowed respectfully. "This servant greets the Young Master."

Zhang Tianyu merely gave a faint nod.

Only then did the maid turn to Zhang Ling’Er, her face anxious, and report in a low voice, "Miss, news has arrived from South City... Ling Ruoshui of the Celestial Wolf Gang and Zhan Fei of the Celestial Blade Pavilion... they’ve both been defeated."

"Defeated?" The smug smile on Zhang Ling’Er’s face froze instantly. "Defeated by whom? Don’t tell me Li Qingxue or Cao Yan from the Seven Stars Gang made a move?"

’In her opinion, among the younger generation of the Seven Stars Gang, only the two long-famous Hall Masters, Li Qingxue and Cao Yan, could defeat Ling Ruoshui and Zhan Fei so quickly.’

’If a Hall Master takes the field against an ordinary disciple, the Seven Stars Gang will lose a great deal of face.’

The maid shook her head cautiously, her voice even lower. "N-no... It wasn’t Li Qingxue or Cao Yan. The one who fought... was that Chu Fan. He was alone."

"What?!" Zhang Ling’Er shot to her feet, her face a mask of disbelief. "How is that possible?! Ling Ruoshui is one thing, but Zhan Fei’s fast saber has earned him some renown among his peers. How could he..."

Not daring to hide anything, the maid concisely relayed the details of the matches she had heard about.

She recounted everything, especially how Chu Fan had crushed Ling Ruoshui with a single punch and then, in a single move, shattered Zhan Fei’s fast saber technique with inconceivable speed, even showing mercy by only injuring his wrist.

"...Now, the members of those South City gangs have all slunk back in defeat. As for the Seven Stars Gang, their morale is soaring," the maid added at the end.