In his early years, Xie Tieyi and Yang Qianjun shared a renowned reputation.

It was only because later, his thirteenth son, Xie Qingfeng, was so staggeringly talented that as he rose rapidly, defeating over a dozen seasoned experts in Baojiao County, everyone's attention turned to Xie Qingfeng.

Elder Xie Shopkeeper even stepped down to build momentum and make way for his son.

But this by no means implied that Elder Xie Shopkeeper had grown old. His mentor, Yang Luochen, was still in his prime. Elder Xie Shopkeeper, once Yang Luochen's equal, had not broken through to the Fifth Realm to extend his life. However, even in the Fourth Realm, he was one of the few within the city who could stand against Yang Luochen and break his Iron Cloth Shirt—likely no more than three people.

But Chen Ku hadn't expected that the bickering between his Store Manager and this old man would, without warning, shift the topic to him.

He momentarily raised his head.

Suddenly, he met the gazes of Xie Wenyuan and his son, Xie Qingfeng.

He had seen Xie Qingfeng before. At that time, Xie Qingfeng and Qu Feng from his shop stood together. But now, the Qu Feng who had been by his side was dead, killed by Chen Ku's blade.

Thus, the look Xie Qingfeng gave Chen Ku today held an added depth and sharpness.

As for Elder Xie Shopkeeper, his gaze was even deeper, like a profound pool, as if he wanted to scrutinize Chen Ku completely.

An elder and a youth. The scrutiny from these two sect leaders—top-tier martial experts in the city and heads of a rival power—suddenly formed an invisible pressure that bore down on Chen Ku.

Had he not mastered the Ma Mingfeng Transformation and reached Mystic Barrier Peak, Chen Ku's heart would likely have raced when facing the scrutiny from these two sect leaders—an elder and a youth who were among the top four figures in town.

But at this moment…

Facing the gazes of Xie Wenyuan and his son Xie Qingfeng, not only did Chen Ku's expression remain unchanged, but his eyes were also as clear as water. Beneath their stares, he was neither servile nor arrogant. He gave a slight bow, saying, "Indeed, that is I. Greetings to Elder Xie Shopkeeper and the Thirteenth Young Master."

His posture was erect, showing no hint of fear.

The instant the elder and youth spoke and exerted pressure on Chen Ku, both Qin Sifan and Yang Luochen frowned. Yang Luochen, fiercely protective of his disciples, was about to snort coldly and step in front of Chen Ku to confront them.

After all, what did Xie Wenyuan and Xie Qingfeng amount to? Even if they had once been his equals in their early years, they were now merely in the Fourth Realm. It should be them, the father and son, who feared him, Old Yang, not his disciple fearing these two from the Firewood Iron Shop who were only in the Fourth Realm.

Unexpectedly, Chen Ku delivered such a respectful yet dignified response before Yang Luochen could even act, fully demonstrating the confidence that came with being Yang Luochen's disciple.

No, perhaps it demonstrated this disciple's confidence in himself. Even when facing the county's powerful father-son duo, he could speak to them unaffected by their imposing presence, fully displaying the spirited mettle of a young man.

"Hmm?"

Xie Qingfeng was also taken aback by Chen Ku's reaction.

Then, he sighed internally: Hong Yin, Qu Feng… their deaths at this young man's hands were truly not unjust.

In that brief exchange of glances, he had already subtly perceived it: Chen Ku's gaze was bright yet restrained, a clear indication that both his spiritual temperament and his physical Qi Power had fully reached the hallmark of Mystic Barrier Peak.

Seventeen years old, initiated for half a year, and already at Mystic Barrier Peak. Even during his own period of meteoric rise, he had never achieved such astonishing speed in martial cultivation.

His father, Xie Wenyuan, narrowed his eyes slightly. Then, with a smile that was more a smirk than genuine, he looked up at Yang Luochen and said, "Luchan, you've accepted a good disciple. Seeing him today, I dare say he will surely surpass you in the future... But you'd better protect him well."

Listening to the veiled threat in the latter half of the Firewood Iron Shop's Elder Shopkeeper's words…

[Xie Wenyuan harbors malicious intentions towards the Diagram Master…]

Chen Ku saw the notification on the Transformation Diagram. It wasn't surprising. This old man had harbored such malice from ten Li away a month ago, so this notification from the Transformation Diagram was essentially a second warning.

"Each generation produces new talents; it's inevitable that my disciple will surpass me," Yang Luochen said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "As for protecting him, that is naturally my responsibility. If you, Old Xie, don't believe it, I'll stand right here today. Let's see if you can even touch a hair on his head."

"There will always be times when you're not by his side," Xie Wenyuan said with a smile.

"Then I'm afraid you'll die before my disciple does," Yang Luochen retorted coldly.

Qin Sifan watched as the atmosphere he had painstakingly managed to keep civil suddenly became charged, the figurative daggers now drawn. He said nothing about it, merely chuckling. "Today is for welcoming Grandmaster Qin. It would be best if we in the Baojiao Martial Forest don't give others a reason to laugh at us. Wouldn't you agree, Elder Xie?"

He understood, and the other party understood as well. The factions, originally on the verge of fighting and annexing one another, were sitting together not to make peace, but because they all intended to use this opportunity to probe the intentions of Grandmaster Qin.

Xie Wenyuan squinted his eyes and said no more.

At that moment, an announcement came: "Fish and Dragon Association Chairman Li Yutang has arrived."

Following this, Yang Luochen, Qin Sifan, and the other leaders from their factions not only didn't stand to welcome the arrival, but instead pulled Chen Ku to sit with them in their respective seats in Hongyan Tower.

Soon after, Li Yutang entered, followed by a Counselor holding a white paper fan.

Medicine King Hall had its great masters with disciples like Chen Ku and Kou Ming, and the Firewood Iron Shop had the father-son duo of Xie Wenyuan and Xie Qingfeng. In stark contrast, Li Yutang was only followed by a Counselor. This immediately gave off an impression of desolation and chill.

And the cause of all this… The eyes of Long Spear Gao Ruohai, Red-Beard Sun Haichuan, and Jade-Faced Tiger Huang Muxia were faintly fixed on Kou Ming and Chen Ku, who stood behind the Medicine King Hall contingent. Their gazes lingered especially on Chen Ku, the Little Fierce Person. This reputation stemmed from the incident where Yang Luochen, using his dragon head stick, had brutally beaten three members of the Fish and Dragon Association to a pulp, an act of extreme, ferocious violence.

Unexpectedly, Li Yutang, the aggrieved party, entered without even glancing towards Medicine King Hall. He simply found his seat and began to wait for the other guests.

For a moment, despite so many people sitting together, their smiles hid their true animosity. If not for the sudden matter of Qin Yuxian's impending visit, they likely would have already started a deadly brawl within Hongyan Tower. The change in the external environment forced them to temporarily band together to ascertain the newcomer's intentions.

Chen Ku was also curiously awaiting the appearance of the legendary Grandmaster Jin Chui.

After the teacups had been refilled three times, finally, a man strode in through the main entrance. He had a dignified appearance and was about forty years old. Upon entering, his gaze swept over the seated crowd. He chuckled, bowed, and said, "Honored masters of Baojiao's Martial Forest, my name is Qin Fang. My teacher, Grandmaster Jin Chui Qin Yuxian, is unable to attend due to important matters and has sent me to participate in this meeting on his behalf."

In an instant, everyone in Baojiao County, from the greatest masters down to the lesser experts, including Chen Ku, turned their eyes to the middle-aged man clad in plain clothes with a mustache.

Huh, he didn't come personally? This Grandmaster Jin Chui…

Just as Chen Ku thought that his master Yang Luochen and the others would be displeased that the guest himself hadn't come and had sent a disciple instead, he saw that everyone at the table, upon hearing Qin Fang announce his name, rose to their feet.

"So it's the 'Divine Fist Guardian,' the leader of the Twelve Guardians under Grandmaster Qin."

Seeing the others stand, Chen Ku had no choice but to rise as well. At the same time, he quietly whispered, "Senior Brother Kou, who is this Divine Fist Guardian?"

Kou Ming replied softly, "Grandmaster Jin Chui, Qin Yuxian, has twelve disciples known as the Twelve Guardians. This Qin Fang is the chief among them. Due to his cultivation of the Ultimate Skill 'Heaven-Piercing Divine Cannon Fist,' which has reached the Perfection Realm, and his Five Internal Strong cultivation, he is nicknamed the 'Divine Fist Guardian' by the people of Qiu Dragon Mansion."

Chen Ku's heart jolted upon hearing this. "Grandmaster Jin Chui's disciples all have Five Realm Cultivation? The same as Master? Then what is Grandmaster Jin Chui's cultivation level?"

"It is said he has reached the Seventh Realm of Gang Control. He is a true great realm Martial Practitioner," Kou Ming remarked.

He then suddenly noticed that the Divine Fist Guardian's gaze had shifted to him, as if he had overheard their conversation. Kou Ming immediately composed himself and offered an apologetic look.

Fortunately, the other party didn't seem to mind. Instead, he looked at everyone present, smiled faintly, and said, "My teacher is spread too thin, so he asked me to attend the banquet in his place. I trust none of you will object?"

"Of course not," Qin Sifan immediately replied, raising his teacup. "The fame of the Divine Fist Guardian is world-surpassing. We have long admired your great name, and seeing you today proves that your reputation is well-deserved."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.