Chapter 33: Master and Disciple Exchange Blows

The intruder’s hostile intent was unmistakable.

“Flaming Dragon Breaking Fist Technique.”

Without wasting words, Li Ziyuan launched an attack straight away, regardless of the consequences. A yellow dragon, thick as a thigh, surged toward Lord Liu, who was the city’s ruler. Then, gripping his iron sword, he let out a tiger’s roar and leapt, aiming solely at Lord Liu.

Lord Liu was shielded by a shimmering turquoise energy barrier that deftly deflected Li Ziyuan’s relentless strikes.

Knowing he could not win, Li Ziyuan withdrew his blade. The attacks he had just unleashed were his full strength, yet they failed to even graze Lord Liu. The gap in their levels was too vast. Just as Li’s father had said, any random person outside could treat Li Ziyuan as a mere ant.

“What’s all this fighting about? Do you think it’s easy for me to establish a new sect?” Old Chen Xun spoke, observing the situation. “Liu Yun, you brat, what made you suddenly think to come visit your old master?”

Lord Liu respectfully bowed to Old Chen. “Master, it’s been a long time.”

“Thirty years without a word, and now you come cozying up? What have you learned—officialdom, perhaps?” Old Chen scowled.

Lord Liu replied gravely, “Master, you must leave Baidi City. Governor Zhao has set his sights on you because your men killed the Scar-faced Guard.”

“Oh? Who are they? Whoever killed that damn Scar-face, I must raise a toast in celebration,” Old Chen said, surprised but quickly realizing that little Yue’er must have lied to him.

Li Ziyuan stood nearby, utterly bewildered. These two were master and disciple, and since the Scar-faced man was dead, judging by Old Chen’s reaction, he was certainly not the killer.

Li Ziyuan began analyzing the situation:

“Among us, the only person who could have slain the Scar-faced man is Li Yue’er.

Although the original memories held no record of Yue’er’s cultivation, it can be inferred.

First, Yue’er’s lack of demonstrated power in Qingyan Village was simply because she had no chance to fight; if any unexpected event arose, Li’s father always handled it.

Second, it’s highly likely that Yue’er was secretly taught cultivation techniques by Li’s parents without the original host’s knowledge.

Third, Yue’er knocking me unconscious was to protect my pride—she didn’t want me to know she was stronger than me. During my unconsciousness, she defeated the Scar-faced man, who had a second-ring Spirit Transformation Realm strength. So what is Yue’er’s true level?

Fourth, although Master Chen’s strength surpasses the Scar-faced man by three minor realms, he could not have been in Baidi City, since yesterday he said he would be drafting an article to recruit disciples for the sect.

Though many clues point to Yue’er as the one who defeated the Scar-faced man, certainty eludes me. It’s best to test her and see how she responds.”

Old Chen answered, “Liu Yun, what if we refuse to leave?”

Though Lord Liu’s face betrayed no emotion, his eyes revealed his true feelings—he had no choice.

“I’m sorry, but if you don’t leave, I will have to kill you all. Master, I won’t hold back.”

Beside Yue’er, Little Dragon and Little Tiger whispered, “Yue’er, is Lord Liu your opponent?”

Yue’er replied, “I can’t let Ziyuan know the extent of my power. I’ll act according to the situation. If it comes to it, you two run quickly.”

Little Dragon said, “Run? A true man knows when to be resilient. We won’t abandon Yue’er and flee alone. Little Tiger and I will support you in spirit—we’re just cannon fodder anyway.”

Little Tiger added, “Yeah, even though we live in Baidi City, we don’t even know what level Lord Liu has reached.”

“Yue’er, aren’t you going to make a move? Or are you going to waste one of my fourth-grade pills on me again?” Li Ziyuan glanced toward her, probing.

“Ah, Ziyuan, I—” Hearing his question, Yue’er feared her strength was exposed.

“Enough, Yue’er. At a time like this, our fate lies in your hands. Use ‘Thousand Cuts and Slashes’ again—cut that son of a bitch city lord to pieces. That bastard has ruined the lives of our townsfolk; all the money the people earn is wasted by the city lord’s indulgences,” Little Dragon spat.

Hearing this, Li Ziyuan’s suspicions were confirmed: Yue’er was indeed the one who defeated the Scar-faced man.

He approached Yue’er and said, “Don’t think I’m overly prideful. If you’re stronger than me, I won’t take it personally. Just don’t tiptoe around my feelings too much. I dislike being lied to.”

Yue’er, seeing Li Ziyuan’s anger, said, “I didn’t mean to deceive you, Ziyuan. I just care too much about your feelings.”

“What exactly is your cultivation level?” Li Ziyuan pressed, eager to know.

When Yue’er revealed she was at the seventh ring of the Spirit Transformation Realm, a weight lifted from Li Ziyuan’s heart. Lord Liu was at the ninth ring of the same realm.

Facing Little Dragon’s scathing insults toward the city lord, Li Ziyuan had nothing to say.

“What good does explaining do? They can’t help me anyway. I was forced into this—I have no choice. My daughter is in the hands of others. If I don’t obey them, my daughter will die. Is a father wrong to harm others to protect his child? If there is fault, it lies with those who threaten me with my daughter’s life,” Old Chen said bitterly.

Old Chen was the first to attack. “Traitor! Today I will purge this house. I am not afraid of you.”

He launched a palm strike that collided with Lord Liu’s. Yet Lord Liu kept dodging.

“Master, my daughter is with Chancellor Zhao. If I don’t listen to them, my daughter will die. Leave Baidi City. Burn down Fengling Sect so Governor Zhao thinks you’re dead. If you don’t leave, I will unleash a slaughter.”

“I tell you, Liu Yun, even if I die, I won’t step away from Fengling Sect. It is my lifelong devotion. Instead of asking us for solutions, you threaten us to leave? You haven’t changed at all—when faced with difficulties, your mind doesn’t turn.”

Old Chen and Lord Liu grappled, exchanging blows and words.

“Chancellor Zhao’s power is at the ninth ring of the Spirit Transformation Realm. Do you think I don’t want to find another way? I have no choice. Master, forgive me. If you don’t die, my daughter will. You cannot understand a father’s love for his daughter. Even if it means letting my former master die, I, Liu Yun, will not hold back.”

Liu Yun’s spiritual energy surged, vibrant green power enveloping his fist as he struck fiercely at Old Chen. That punch was laced with his torment and helplessness—torment from separation from his daughter, helplessness from the killing that went against his heart.

Though Old Chen’s relationship with Liu Yun was strained, he sympathized with him and felt powerless due to his own weak strength. If only he had the might of a top sect or immortal clan, he wouldn’t fear the powerful elites.

It was precisely because of his weakness that master and disciple had come to blows.