"Oh, haha, you know what? Look at him! Doesn’t he look like a little sissy when he’s mad?" the young man said with a wild laugh. "I just wonder what’s going to happen when this young master... Ah!"

SLAP! With a crisp smack, the entire tavern fell deathly silent. Not a single sound could be heard. The gawking patrons stared, their mouths hanging slightly open in disbelief. Worry filled the eyes of others. ’It’s obvious these two are outsiders,’ they thought. ’They don’t know how dangerous this young man is. In all of Seven-colored City, forget hitting him—even cursing him or looking at him for too long spells disaster. Everyone practically takes a detour just to avoid him. This young master has a resounding nickname in Seven-colored City, one that can even stop a child from crying!’

"The Great Demon King!"

That’s right. This young master was the sole heir of the third generation of the Zhe Family, the most powerful faction in Seven-colored City! He was the apple of the old master of the Zhe Family’s eye! No matter how absurd or rowdy the young master of the Zhe Family was, no one had ever dared to treat him this way!

So, many people mentally blamed the handsome young gentleman. ’Young people are just too hot-headed,’ they thought. ’They don’t know to rein in their tempers when they’re in a foreign land. A fiery temper like that will get them into huge trouble!’

The young master clutched one side of his face, stunned by Song Mingyue’s vicious slap. Never in his entire life had he been humiliated like this. It was always him bullying others!

The Zhe Family’s young master reached out with long, fair fingers, his eyes cast down as he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. He glanced at the fresh blood on his hand, then suddenly roared at Song Mingyue, "You hit me? You actually dared to hit me? Fine! I’ll make sure you won’t even know what killed you! Dammit... what are you all standing around for? He hit me! Seize him for me!"

The Zhe Family’s lackeys swarmed forward, surrounding Song Mingyue and Ling Xiao. At this point, Song Mingyue felt she had been a bit impulsive. After all, they had come here with a purpose and should have kept a low profile. But just as the Zhe Family’s young master had never been wronged his entire life, she, Song Mingyue, had been treated like a family princess and had never endured such an insult!

Moreover, she was a woman. The mere thought of being insulted so crudely was nauseating. If they weren’t in Seven-colored City, Song Mingyue would have run this foul-mouthed scumbag through with her sword. ’Leaving scum like him alive will only bring harm to others!’

At that moment, Ling Xiao picked up his handkerchief and gently wiped his mouth. He had already figured it out. ’The Zhe Family has probably targeted me already. Even without Gaia, they likely knew the moment Brother Song and I entered the city. If that’s the case, there’s no point in keeping a low profile. I might as well do the opposite and act arrogant and domineering. I absolutely must... act like I have a powerful backer. That will make the Zhe Family hesitate!’

After all, it was unwise to offend a powerful, hidden aristocratic family that likely specialized in Elixirs. Thus, after wiping his mouth, Ling Xiao turned his head, gave the young master a slight smile, and said, "Having only one side of your face slapped must feel pretty uncomfortable, don’t you think?"

The Zhe Family’s young master was no pushover. He sneered at Ling Xiao, "Don’t act tough. Neither of you is getting away! You both have such fair little faces. I wonder if your asses are just as—SLAP! Ah!"

Another crisp smack echoed through the room. The tavern owner fainted on the spot, and the waiter who had taken the money had long since vanished. ’It’s over,’ the staff thought. ’We can’t stay at this tavern anymore. After offending the Zhe Family, how could we possibly survive in Seven-colored City? That’s just a dream!’

Ling Xiao smiled brightly at the young master and said, "Feeling more comfortable now? See, you’re much easier on the eyes this way. Although, it seems I hit a bit too hard! How about I give you another one on the other side, just to even things out?"

SHIING! SHIING! SHIING!

With the sound of blades being drawn, the guards beside the Zhe Family’s young master unsheathed their swords, tightening their circle around Ling Xiao and Song Mingyue. They were only waiting for their young master’s command to chop the pair into a bloody pulp!

Song Mingyue glanced at Ling Xiao, a hint of gratitude in her narrow, almond-shaped eyes. She then turned to the lavishly dressed young master, whose face was now swollen on both sides, and snorted coldly. "Scram! Unless you’re looking to die!"

The Zhe Family’s young master glared viciously at the two of them. He wasn’t a complete idiot; he quickly realized that both of them were extraordinarily powerful! He himself was a Sixth Rank Mad Swordsman, yet each of them had managed to slap him without him even having a chance to dodge!

He knew the guards he’d brought were no match for this pair. ’A wise man knows when to retreat,’ he thought. ’Since these two are in Seven-colored City, and they still don’t know who I am, I’ll go back and get reinforcements for my revenge!’

’Hmph, killing them would be letting them off too easy!’ The Zhe Family’s young master shot the pair a venomous look and said to his men, "Let’s go. We’re heading back!"

His lackeys had already seen how strong the duo was, and their hearts were pounding in their chests. Seeing their master order a retreat, they all breathed an internal sigh of relief. Even if they were punished upon their return, it was far better than losing their lives right here.

"You just wait."

With that parting shot, the Zhe Family’s young master turned and led his group away. The moment he turned, the patrons who had been thoroughly enjoying the spectacle all dropped their heads, pretending to stare intently at the food on their plates. In the massive tavern hall where nearly a hundred people were dining, not a single person dared to meet his gaze!

Just before walking out the door, the Zhe Family’s young master shot Ling Xiao and his companion another vicious glare. He left two men behind to keep watch while the main group headed directly back to the Zhe Mansion.

...

「In a reception room within the main building of the Zhe Mansion compound.」

The room was quaint and dignified, filled with furnishings that exuded an understated luxury. Incense burned in a censer, its smoke curling through the air and releasing a faint, refreshing fragrance that soothed the soul.

The floor was covered with a thick, hand-woven wool carpet from the small western country of Persia. Since ancient times, these carpets had enjoyed a prestigious reputation across the continent, beloved by kings and nobles for their superior texture, elegant yet simple patterns, and exquisite craftsmanship.

According to historical records, the art of weaving and producing them dated back at least 2,500 years. One of the distinguishing features of Persian carpets was their dye, which was extracted from natural plants and minerals, making the colors incredibly long-lasting and resistant to fading. Their designs were composed of abstract floral motifs, various mysterious scripts, and geometric patterns.

Atop the carpet rested a Go board made of precious nanmu wood, with stones carved from valuable jade. It was the very height of extravagance!

A man and a woman were kneeling opposite each other, engrossed in a game.

The woman appeared to be in her twenties. Her beautiful long hair was loosely draped over her shoulders, held back by a satin ribbon. She wore a long black dress that exposed a stretch of her fair, slender neck. Her skin was soft and pale, her temperament noble and serene. Her eyes, however, bore a striking resemblance to Ling Xiao’s. She had gracefully arched brows, a delicate nose, and cherry-red lips. This was Ling Xiao’s sister, whom he had never met: Ling Su.

Opposite Ling Su sat a man who appeared to be over seventy years old. Most of his hair was white, but he possessed a dignified aura. Whenever he lifted his eyes, they flashed with a sharp light that betrayed no sign of old age. The old man had gaunt cheeks, sallow skin, and a long beard that drifted down from his chin. He wore magnificent black robes embroidered with gold thread.

The old man, playing with the black stones, hesitated for a moment before placing one down. "Miss Su," he said lightly, "you are an exceptionally intelligent woman. You must be aware that your younger brother has come to Seven-colored City. Aren’t you worried something might happen to him? You know, he now holds the title of Marquis. Heh heh, quite an achievement! To be ennobled as a Marquis at such a young age! I’d say that old king of your Lanyue Empire must be going senile."

Ling Su lifted her head, her expression perfectly composed as she glanced at the old man. "Lord Zhe, why beat around the bush? It’s so tedious. Aren’t you just plotting to obtain both wealth and beauty?" As she spoke, she placed a white stone on the board.

The old man chuckled, making no attempt to deny it and showing not a shred of shame. "The totem of the Lanyue Empire’s Royal Family is the Blast Flame Lion King," he said. "You should know, then, that every Blast Flame Lion King has dozens of mates. If even a beast king knows to expand his harem, why shouldn’t a man?"

The old man puffed out his chest and spread his arms wide. "With the power of my Zhe Family! With the influence I wield! Tell me, in what way am I unworthy of you?"

Ling Su frowned at the board. A large group of her white stones was surrounded, bringing her to the brink of an unwinnable game. She had to admit, this old man before her was an extremely skilled player!

"You see, you and I are just like this game. In reality, we are nothing more than pieces on a board. But you, Miss Su, are a woman! You have the option to play unfairly. Just throw the stones aside, mess up the board, and declare yourself the winner!" the old man said, his eyes crinkling into a smile.

"Your Ling Family is truly impressive! Your father was quite successful to have raised children like you. To unlock your brother’s Celestial Vein, you were willing to risk your own life, daring to explore the Ancient Ruins with only a few low-level companions. And your brother, he’s quite promising as well. Not only has he found backing from a major aristocratic family, but he has also traveled thousands of miles to walk right into a trap just to save his sister! Such sibling devotion... tsk, tsk. In all my long years, I have never seen its like!"

A hint of derision touched Ling Su’s face. Without looking up, she said, "Weren’t you just boasting about how powerful your family is? What, does the Zhe Family lack this kind of human decency?"

"Hmph! To those destined for greatness, what are mere feelings! If everyone were so sentimental, they would all end up in a dead end sooner or later! Just like... this game!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Ling Su lifted her pale, slender wrist and placed a white stone on the board. With that one move, she sacrificed a large group of her own pieces.

The old man burst out laughing. "Miss Su, surely you haven’t let your anger cloud your judgment? This move... aren’t you just helping me? HAHAHAHA!"

"Take a closer look," Ling Su said, her voice detached and devoid of emotion.