"Heh!"

The leader of the youths seemed amused. He looked at Qin Heng with a cold smirk and said, "Kid, you're tall and skinny. You don't look like you've got much strength, but you sure have guts!"

"Boss, this kid's just trying to look tough in front of his girlfriend," another youth said with disdain. "I've seen plenty of guys like him, always acting tough until I beat them stupid. Kid, wanna have a go?"

"Forget it. Look at how soft and delicate the kid looks, like a girl. He's probably never even been in a fight," said the youth at the back, eyeing Qin Heng. "Kid, we didn't want to mess with you originally, but what you said was too arrogant. Get on your knees and apologize right now, or we'll make sure you don't leave this mountain today!"

The surrounding teachers and students grew somewhat fearful upon seeing the three men's aggressive demeanor.

"Qin Heng, maybe you should apologize first. A wise man knows when to yield. There are more of them."

"Yeah, look at their muscles. It's obvious they're trained. An ordinary person can't beat them. Qin Heng, you should hurry and apologize."

"Damn it! Fuck! Qin Heng, what were you even showing off for? In front of these people, your status means nothing. If you handle this wrong, you'll get beaten up. Just apologize quickly."

These three were extremely arrogant, and their loud voices attracted a crowd of onlookers.

Some Qi Lu locals recognized the trio.

One of them edged up to Qin Heng and whispered a word of advice.

"Young man, take a step back, and you'll find a broader path. These three are from Blue Sea Security Company; they're bad news!"

"Blue Sea Security Company is one of the largest security companies in Qi Lu. You look like an outsider; you definitely shouldn't provoke them!"

"Yeah, Blue Sea can easily summon dozens, even hundreds of men. And they're supposedly backed by the Mo Conglomerate—they have power, influence, money, and manpower. Kid, you'd better swallow your pride."

Hearing the surrounding discussion, the three young men couldn't help but look even more smug.

They swaggered up to Qin Heng.

The leader glanced at Song Ningran, his eyes flickering, then smirked at Qin Heng. "Kid, you can avoid a beating... if you let us have some fun with your girlfriend..."

"You!" Qin Heng's gaze turned icy, his voice chilling. "You really have a death wish, don't you!"

"Hey! You little shit, daring to glare at me? Acting all tough, are you? Stare at me again! Believe it or not, I'll gouge those big eyes of yours out, dumbass!" The youth's arrogance reached its peak, his face filled with a smug grin.

WHOOM!

Suddenly!

The air exploded with a deafening BOOM!

Qin Heng kicked out fiercely!

The surrounding airflow erupted, whipping everything around like a gale, making ordinary people unsteady on their feet, almost sending them sprawling!

The youth didn't even have a chance to react before Qin Heng's kick landed squarely on his chest.

THUD!

A heavy, muffled sound echoed as the youth was sent flying backward. He sailed through the air for seven or eight meters before tumbling down the steps of Mount Tai, finally crashing onto a platform midway down the staircase.

He lay on the ground, clutching his chest, his face as pale as paper. He kept coughing up blood, his features twisted in agony, and his body trembled violently. His vision flickered between darkness and light; he was on the verge of passing out!

"Kid's got guts! How dare you hit our boss!!"

The other two youths roared but didn't dare to actually rush forward and fight.

Seeing Qin Heng kick their companion into such a state, they were scared shitless. They helped the injured youth up and turned to flee.

However, before leaving, they still shot back a harsh threat.

"Kid, just you wait! Unless you never come down from Mount Tai, Blue Sea Security Company will definitely not let you off!!!"

The surrounding crowd was dumbstruck by the scene. To beat up someone from Blue Sea like this!

Such audacity!!

A Qi Lu local kindly warned him, "Young man, hurry up and take your girlfriend away! Leave Qi Lu quickly, otherwise those three won't let you off!"

"That's right! Those three are notorious bullies on Mount Tai. They've harassed many couples the same way and even assaulted some girls!"

"You're not locals. You can't fight them. Leave quickly."

Qin Heng ignored these warnings. His expression was indifferent as he watched the three men's retreating figures. He said lightly, "I seek no conflict with the world, so why do people always come looking for trouble with me? A bunch of ants... why must they all seek their own deaths?"

He took out his cell phone and called Mo Cheng.

He spoke in a deep voice, "Mo Cheng, Blue Sea Security Company belongs to the Mo family, right? Good. Three Blue Sea security guards are coming down Mount Tai right now. I never want to see them again."

Mo Cheng, on the other end of the line, shuddered in fear and hurriedly said, "Yes, I understand! I assure you! Young Master Qin, I guarantee that wherever you are, you will never see those three pieces of trash again!"

Damn it, those Blue Sea bastards are courting death! How dare they offend Qin Heng! If they want to die, they shouldn't drag me down with them!

SMACK!

In a fit of rage, Mo Cheng slammed the cup in his office onto the ground and shouted, "Someone! Get the CEO of Blue Sea in here right now! And prepare a resignation letter for him!!"

「…」

For Qin Heng, what had just happened was merely a minor episode.

As for how Mo Cheng would deal with it and what kind of uproar it might cause, that was no concern of his.

Now, Qin Heng, accompanying Song Ningran and the others, had passed through the Middle Heaven Gate and the Southern Heaven Gate, reaching the summit of Mount Tai, Jade Emperor Peak.

Here stood the Jade Emperor Palace, its exact construction date lost to time.

Song Ningran's group of history professors and students were here to study this very Jade Emperor Palace.

When they arrived, a designated person in charge of the Jade Emperor Palace was already there to greet them. He was a middle-aged Taoist who appeared to be in his forties. He wore a golden Taoist robe and a purple-gold coronet, his face kind, his long beard flowing, embodying the dignified air of an immortal.

Qin Heng's eyes narrowed slightly, his aura subtly contained. This Taoist is rather interesting.

"Immeasurable Fortune and Longevity. It has been a trying journey for you all." The Taoist approached them, made a respectful bow with hands folded, and said with a smile, "This humble Taoist is the custodian of this Jade Emperor Palace. My Taoist name is Xu He. We venerate the Jade Emperor, Supreme Lord of All Creation, Ruler of the Myriad Heavens."

The students looked at him with great curiosity, as it was their first time seeing a real Taoist.

However, the accompanying professors dared not show any neglect. They hurriedly followed suit, bowing respectfully to the Taoist. "With Taoist Priest Xu He present, it is as if an envoy of the Jade Emperor himself graces us! We are unworthy of your salutation, Taoist Priest."

"Hahaha, you flatter me. I am but a simple old Taoist," Xu He chuckled. He turned towards the Jade Emperor Palace. "Please, follow me. We have prepared food inside the Jade Emperor Palace to refresh you after your arduous journey."

"Thank you, Taoist Priest Xu He," the professors said respectfully.

"Professor, why are you so respectful towards this Taoist?" a student couldn't help asking.

Everyone was very curious, and Song Ningran also glanced in his direction.

Theoretically, even if this Taoist was the custodian of the Jade Emperor Palace, their relationship should, at most, be one of cooperation. Such deep reverence didn't seem warranted.

"Why so respectful?" Seeing Xu He had already entered the Jade Emperor Palace, the professors lowered their voices. One whispered, "Do you have any idea how old Taoist Priest Xu He is?"

"How old? He looks to be in his thirties or forties. That's not very old."

"I've heard Taoists have methods for preserving their health. Could he actually be fifty, merely appearing to be in his forties?"

The students began to speculate.

"No, you're all mistaken," one of the professors said, gently shaking their head. "Taoist Priest Xu He was born during the Republican Era. He is now ninety-two years old!"

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