Qin Xue stood at the entrance of Zichen Garden, hesitating. Should she go inform the lady? An image of Qin Li's confident gaze flashed through her mind, and she decided against it. 'Though the young master is still just a boy, his words carry the swagger of a grown man. I don't want my good intentions to end up earning his resentment.'
Qin Xue didn't even realize it herself, but she had gone from her initial reluctance to wholeheartedly considering things from Qin Li's perspective.
Lightly biting her lip, a resolute glint flashed in Qin Xue's eyes. She turned toward the direction Qin Li and the others had gone, her body transforming into a wisp of green smoke as she gave chase. She just couldn't rest easy leaving Qin Li alone. The brothers Qin Hu and Qin Feng had been spoiled rotten in the Qin Family since childhood and didn't know how to hold back. If Qin Li was seriously injured, it would end badly for everyone. Qin Xue recalled the Patriarch's instructions to her and understood in her heart: Qin Li was no longer the boy from the past who anyone could bully!
Three carriages galloped recklessly through the streets, sending pedestrians scattering from a distance. Though Qin Li sat inside the carriage with his eyes closed in rest, he could still sense the chaos—the clamor of chickens and dogs—left in their wake. A cold, disdainful sneer touched his lips. 'Such an upbringing is truly pathetic. If Qin Hu and Qin Feng are considered the most outstanding disciples of the Qin Family's generation, then they're nothing special!'
The carriages sped westward, soon pulling to a stop before a large martial arts hall in the western part of the city. The driver steadied the carriage, and Qin Li alighted, raising his head to size up the hall named "Fangzheng."
The martial arts hall was three stories tall, with intricately carved beams and painted rafters giving it a magnificent air. Not a single brick was visible in the entire structure; it was built completely of wood, creating a breathtakingly beautiful sight. For a moment, Qin Li almost felt as if he had traveled back to ancient times.
He then looked at the name "Fangzheng." The calligraphy was simple yet elegant, exuding a powerful aura that washed over him. It was clearly the work of a master. It seemed the owner of this martial arts hall was no ordinary person.
Just then, Qin Feng's mocking voice sounded in his ear. "Let's go, Basic Master. You're not scared, are you?"
"Scared, my ass!"
Qin Li tossed out the retort casually, then ignored Qin Feng and strode inside. A few of Qin Hu's guards couldn't stifle their laughter and only straightened up after their young master shot them a glare, their faces still twitching with suppressed amusement.
Qin Feng stood behind, his face flushed red with anger. Qin Hu clapped his younger brother on the shoulder and said, "Why waste your anger on someone like him? In a little while, I guarantee you'll be able to vent every last bit of it."
Qin Feng nodded heavily, resolving in his heart that even if it meant getting punished by their grandfather again, he was going to make Qin Li pay today. He wouldn't stop until he had broken one of his arms or legs!
Qin Li pushed the door open and found himself in a large hall, over thirty meters square. It was filled with various kinds of training equipment but was completely empty and deserted. Qin Hu and the others had clearly made arrangements beforehand. Regardless, this was an internal matter of the Qin Family. If word got out, it wouldn't reflect well on Qin Hu and Qin Feng either.
Moreover, news of the impending marriage alliance between the Qin Family and the Shangguan Family had already spread among the Qin Family's upper echelons. Qin Hu and Qin Feng were aware of this, so despite their extreme contempt for Qin Li, they didn't dare let the situation escalate too much. As for the consequences of beating Qin Li up, that was simple. Qin Hu had plenty of ways to make sure Qin Li wouldn't dare publicize it.
As everyone filed in, Qin Hu's and Qin Feng's guards stationed themselves at the entrance to the martial arts hall. On one hand, it was to prevent outsiders from coming in; on the other, it was to make sure Qin Li didn't run away.
At that moment, a small door in the corner of the hall opened, and a tall young man emerged. He was powerfully built, wearing nothing but a pair of knee-length training shorts. His eyes were sharp. He looked at Qin Hu and Qin Feng, smiled, and said simply, "You're here?" His gaze then shifted to Qin Li, and he frowned slightly. 'He looks like a sharp kid,' he thought. 'How did he dare to offend these two great young masters of the Qin Family?'
"Fang, sorry to trouble you with today's matter!" Qin Hu came forward, clasped his fist in greeting, and said with a grin.
A helpless smile appeared on the young man's face. "You guys better show some restraint! If my old man finds out about this, I'll definitely be punished!"
"Alright, alright, we're brothers, no need for thanks. Xiangxiu Tower tonight... I'll arrange it!" Qin Hu said with a laugh.
"Fine, do whatever you want." The muscular young man called Fang shook his head and turned back toward the small door. Partway there, as if remembering something, he turned back and said to Qin Li, "Hey, kid. Sometimes a man has to bow his head once in a while. It's nothing to be ashamed of!"
Qin Li looked up at the muscular young man's tattooed back and said softly, "Thank you."
Qin Feng sneered from the side. "No need for thanks! Do you have any idea who Fang is? He's not someone trash like you can talk to. Save your breath, you little mongrel. You should worry about your own... Ugh!"
Before Qin Feng could finish his sentence, he saw Qin Li, who was only a few steps away, suddenly explode into the air and launch a vicious kick at his face!
The muscular young man named Fang, who hadn't even reached the door yet, couldn't help but turn back, staring at the scene in astonishment. He was still thinking: 'Didn't Qin Hu say they were just going to use this illegitimate son of the Qin Family as a human punching bag to let off some steam today? Looking at this situation, this "punching bag"... isn't exactly a pushover!'
Because he had never expected Qin Li to dare to attack—let alone at this moment—Qin Feng had no defense whatsoever. The distance between them was too short; there was no way to dodge.
However, the title of "genius youth" was by no means an empty one. In that instant, Qin Feng focused all the Primordial Power in his body to his face... A muffled THUD was heard as Qin Li's foot slammed viciously into Qin Feng's face. A muddy footprint instantly appeared on his clean, handsome features.
That morning, Qin Li had taken a walk through the dewy Zichen Garden, making a special trip through the woods. He always made it a point to be thoroughly familiar with his living environment.
Even though Qin Feng had circulated his Primordial Power to his face, it was impossible to form a perfect defense in that split second. His fragile nose was crushed flat by Qin Li's kick, and blood immediately began to flow.
"You little mongrel, you dare sneak-attack me! I'll kill you!" Qin Feng was now completely unhinged. He would never have dreamed that Qin Li would dare to strike first, and with such viciousness. In his entire life, he had never suffered such a humiliating blow!
As expected of a Profound Level expert, Qin Feng completely ignored the injury to his face. He channeled his Primordial Power, executed the Transform Palm into Saber technique, and chopped toward Qin Li's neck. His speed was simply incredible! Only the afterimage of his body could be seen in the air.
Qin Li's actions had been completely beyond Qin Hu's expectations. Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, Qin Hu only had time to shout, "Feng, you can't kill him!"
The muscular young man named Fang also cried out in alarm, "Qin Feng... pull back!"
But Qin Feng, his mind clouded by hatred, was in no state to hear what anyone was saying. At that moment, he had only a single thought: 'Kill this little mongrel!'
Just then, a commotion erupted outside the martial arts hall. The next moment, the door was kicked open with tremendous force, the heavy wooden door shattering into pieces. An anxious-looking Qin Xue shouted, "Qin Feng, stop!"
But by then, Qin Feng had already lunged in front of Qin Li, his face twisted and his eyes savage, as he roared, "Die, you bastard!"
BANG!
Qin Feng's body was sent flying like a kite with a snapped string, tumbling through the air...
He crashed violently into a weapons rack by the wall more than ten meters away. The rack toppled backward with a loud CLATTER, followed by a dull thud.
BOOM!
Dust billowed up from the wooden floor. Qin Feng lay there, unmoving.
Qin Li's eyes were filled with killing intent. A trace of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. On his neck, a bloody gash had appeared; he had been a hair's breadth away from having his carotid artery severed.
Looking at the few others in the hall, they were all dumbstruck, utterly petrified on the spot.