Chapter 57: Chapter 57: This Is Someone You Can’t Afford to Offend

The Liu Family’s backyard.

Zhao Peng’s roar plunged the area into an icy atmosphere.

Countless eyes focused on Zhao Peng, many filled with cold killing intent.

At that moment, everyone from both the Liu Family and the Fang Family wanted nothing more than to eliminate Zhao Peng.

"That fatty is a dead man."

Fang Li sneered. Although Zhao Peng’s roar was courageous, momentarily stunning even her, what could such a reckless act possibly change?

Could a mere Zhao Peng possibly withstand the wrath of the Liu and Fang Families?

Just as the crowd was waiting for the Liu Family to react, a figure with a cold expression suddenly stepped forward.

"Liu, leave this person to me for now. He and I have a score to settle."

Liu Yang’s gaze was as sharp as a blade. Liu Mi’s words had made him feel utterly humiliated.

Seeing this, the crowd looked on with strange expressions.

The killing intent emanating from Liu Yang was so thick it was almost tangible. What could have possibly angered him this much?

"Brat, you were spouting nonsense and disrespecting me back at the Treasure Auction," Liu Yang said self-righteously. "I let you off once, but now you dare come to my Liu Family and cause trouble. I won’t spare you again."

Hearing the other man’s sanctimonious words, Ning Jiang wasn’t angered. He said coolly, "At the Treasure Auction, you made two bets with me. First, you said you would slap yourself if the Upper Grade Treasure Artifact broke, but you went back on your word. Second, you said you would apologize if I produced a precious Martial Technique, but you reneged on that as well."

"You’re a dishonorable little man who goes back on his word."

Those final words made Liu Yang’s face turn ashen.

"Sharp-tongued, aren’t you? Let’s see if your Martial Arts are as impressive as your mouth."

As his voice fell, Liu Yang’s aura erupted, revealing his Postnatal Peak cultivation for all to see.

"I haven’t fought anyone since I reached the Postnatal Peak. I’ll use you to test my strength."

Feeling the surging power within him, Liu Yang’s confidence soared.

He refused to believe he couldn’t even take a single blow from Ning Jiang.

"Breaking Sky Fist!"

He bent his knees, his feet gripping the ground fiercely, and shot forward, pouncing with the agility of a wolf.

He crossed the distance of several dozen feet in the blink of an eye.

He threw a punch, and the air crackled and popped as if it were exploding. A thin film of air compressed and tightened in front of his fist.

WHOOSH.

A great wind surged around them.

It was as if Liu Yang’s punch had stirred all the wind in the area into a violent gale, making it hard for people to keep their footing.

"Among the younger generation of Luoyang, quite a few practice Fist Techniques. Among the Ten Great candidates, the two most outstanding are Zhang Yao and Huang Qing. The power of Liu Yang’s punch might not match theirs, but it can’t be too far off."

"Actually, if you’re talking about the best Fist Technique, it has to be that guy called the White-haired Ghost. He beat Huang Qing half to death with a single punch. It was terrifying."

"What White-haired Ghost? That’s got to be an exaggeration. I don’t believe anyone is that strong."

The crowd broke into a flurry of discussion.

"What kind of power could someone who hangs out with Zhao Peng have? He’s done for now," Fang Li said, shaking her head decisively.

She found it laughable, remembering what Ning Jiang had said earlier about "not bullying a young man for being poor."

It was questionable whether Ning Jiang could even survive this one punch.

’A bunch of ignorant fools.’

Hearing the surrounding chatter, Liu Mi’s eyes filled with disdain. These people were, after all, from too low a circle to know Ning Jiang’s true identity.

Besides Liu Mi, one other person wore a bitter smile.

Gu Zheng held his forehead, already mourning for Liu Yang in his heart.

Although Liu Yang had invited him this time, they didn’t actually have a deep friendship.

And when Liu Yang had gone out to provoke Ning Jiang, it was already too late for him to stop it.

For now, all he could do was watch and see what happened.

"I hope he doesn’t get beaten too badly," Gu Zheng said helplessly.

"Brother Gu, you’re too kind. But seeing how furious Liu Yang is, he’s probably going to be vicious. That brat will be crippled if not killed..." a woman in yellow robes next to him chuckled.

"AHH!"

Suddenly, a bloodcurdling scream pierced the night sky.

The yellow-robed woman’s gaze followed the sound, and her expression instantly froze.

A figure was sent flying backward like a kite with a broken string, one arm pulverized, fresh blood dyeing half his body red.

It wasn’t Ning Jiang, but Liu Yang!

Liu Yang coughed up mouthfuls of blood, barely breathing and more dead than alive.

And the cause of all this was none other than the white-haired youth.

Everyone had seen it. He had merely clenched his five fingers and thrown a light punch. His fair skin almost made one think it was the fist of a woman, delicate and weak.

Many had even worn scornful expressions.

But no one could have imagined that when this delicate punch exploded with power, it would be so fierce, so appalling, so terrifying!

Just who in the world was this young man?

Everyone’s eyes fell upon Ning Jiang once more, reassessing him. Without a doubt, they had all been mistaken.

This person was far from as simple as he appeared.

"Why do I feel like this situation looks a lot like the rumor about the White-haired Ghost who beat Huang Qing half to death with a single punch?"

Suddenly, a voice reminded everyone.

"This person has white hair, too."

"And his age seems similar to the White-haired Ghost Ning Jiang."

As one voice after another spoke up, the expressions on everyone’s faces slowly changed.

White-haired Ghost Ning Jiang.

This was a figure who had recently caused a huge stir among the younger generation of Luoyang City.

However, more than half of them had doubted the truth of these stories, believing them to be incredible.

"Brother Gu."

At this moment, numerous gazes shifted to Gu Zheng.

Gu Zheng, a candidate for the Ten Great. If anyone could, he should be able to confirm Ning Jiang’s identity, right?

Gu Zheng took a deep breath, a bitter smile on his face. "Everyone, I know you all doubt the identity of the White-haired Ghost Ning Jiang and wonder if this person truly exists."

"At this point, I’m not afraid of losing face."

"Beating Huang Qing half to death with one punch, defeating Gao Jin with one sword strike, severing his tendons and taking his sword, and then sweeping through ten candidates for the Ten Great with just his sword—all of it is true."

"I was one of them. I couldn’t even take a single sword strike from him."

When these rumors, which had been growing wilder by the day, were personally confirmed by Gu Zheng, everyone’s expression instantly turned to one of profound shock.

Rumors could be false. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

But now that one of the people involved had confirmed it with his own mouth, who would dare to doubt it?

"The White-haired Ghost Ning Jiang you’ve all been so curious about, this person..." Gu Zheng’s gaze fell on Ning Jiang, his voice firm and clear with each word, "...is him!"

It was as if a bombshell had been dropped.

A single stone setting off a thousand waves.

A pained smile appeared on Liu Yang’s lips. He finally understood why Liu Mi had said he couldn’t take a single blow.

Zhao Peng was completely astonished. He was also only just learning this news.

So, his friend was the legendary figure of the past few days.

"Brother Gu, I finally understand what you meant when you hoped ’he’ wouldn’t be beaten too badly," the yellow-robed woman said with a bitter smile. She had misunderstood at first; Gu Zheng had clearly been hoping that *Liu Yang* wouldn’t be beaten too badly.

Fang Li’s face turned pale, her heart trembling in shock.

The White-haired Ghost Ning Jiang, a figure among Luoyang City’s younger generation whose fame could rival the Ten Great... and such a person was friends with Zhao Peng?

"I admit, I underestimated you. But the identity of the White-haired Ghost Ning Jiang, while enough to intimidate ninety-nine percent of the younger generation, is not enough to suppress a second-tier family," Fang Li snorted coldly.

"You’re courting death!"

Sure enough, just as the entire younger generation present was reeling from the revelation of Ning Jiang’s identity, a voice filled with extreme rage echoed through the area.

The icy killing intent was so strong it almost solidified the air.

The aura of the Innate Realm erupted completely from Liu Hao.

"I don’t care who you are, some White-haired Ghost Ning Jiang or whatever. You dared to attack and injure someone in my Liu Family, so you will repay it with your blood!"

Liu Hao was consumed by fury. How could the dignity of a second-tier family be challenged?

"Make me repay with my blood? I’m afraid your Liu Family isn’t qualified."

Ning Jiang glanced at the night sky, looking relaxed and carefree.

Anyone could see that he held the Liu Family in complete contempt.

"Ning Jiang, I’m grateful for your help this time, but you should leave, quickly," Zhao Peng urged in a low voice, clenching his jaw.

"Zhao Peng, the tiny Liu Family is nothing to worry about. I said I would help you, and I will. Don’t worry," Ning Jiang said in a steady tone.

"Arrogant brat."

Liu Hao took a step forward, and the ground beneath him shattered. Killing intent surged from his body as he gathered his power, ready to strike.

"Senior Liu Hao, I advise you not to bring trouble upon yourself." Suddenly, a cold voice rang out.

Everyone looked and saw it was Liu Mi.

"What do you mean by that?" Liu Hao frowned. Although Liu Mi was only a junior, she was from the Liu Family, so he had to treat her with caution.

"This is a person you cannot afford to offend."

Those simple words, spoken by Liu Mi, instantly shocked everyone present.

"What? What is his background?" Liu Hao demanded, shocked and angry.

"What’s happening?"

Suddenly, several middle-aged figures rushed into the backyard, alarmed by the sounds of the fight.

"Even the Liu Family’s Clan Leader is here." The crowd was startled to see the man in the lead.

The Liu Family’s Clan Leader, Liu He, an Innate Late Stage expert.

"Hm? Yang’er, my son! Who did this!" a middle-aged man beside Liu He roared in fury.

This was Liu Yang’s father, Liu Chen.

"Father, it was him." Liu Yang’s breathing was faint as he glanced at Ning Jiang.

"You hurt my son! I want you dead!" Liu Chen, enraged, attacked in a fury.

"Get lost."

Suddenly, a large, burly figure made a shocking move, attacking Liu Chen.

This was an Innate Middle Stage expert, while Liu Chen was merely at the Innate Early Stage.

BANG.

There was no suspense. With a loud bang, Liu Chen’s body was sent flying, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"Liu Zhengdong, what is the meaning of this?" Liu Chen thundered, absolutely livid.

The other members of the Liu Family were also bewildered.

But Liu Zhengdong completely ignored Liu Chen. He forced a smile onto his face and sidled up to Ning Jiang.

Then, this major figure—a man of great prestige in Luoyang City, whose stomp could shake numerous powers—spoke to Ning Jiang with the utmost respect, "Liu Zhengdong pays his respects to Mr. Ning!"

The space froze!