The onlookers were stunned into inaction at that moment, and even the people directly involved were terrified. Especially Fang Shuyue’s son, Fang Lingkai, who was so scared that the churning, agonizing pain in his stomach seemed to sprout wings and vanish instantly.

As for the group of officers, their faces had turned ashen; if they hadn't possessed far greater fortitude than ordinary men, their legs would have turned to jelly, and they’d have been sitting on the ground by now. The Lingxiao Treasure Hall maintained outposts of peripheral disciples throughout the Great Shen Empire, and Fang Shuyue was the most outstanding among all such disciples within hundreds of miles.

Usually, his status in the city was exceptionally high; even the City Governor treated him as a brother. This was precisely why the numerous military officers sought to curry favor with him.

But now, as everyone watched Fang Shuyue prostrate himself on the ground, they instantly grasped the identity of the man before them, and the anxiety in their hearts was beyond verbal description. The officer who had spoken first, in particular, had a complexion that could rival the injured Fang Lingkai.

Jin Zhanyi slowly turned around. His expression was calm and expressionless, yet everyone knew that if he were to unleash his anger, the entire city would be engulfed in a tremendous storm.

“Fang Shuyue, you still remember me.” “Yes, Disciple would never dare forget the countenance of the Ancestral Master,” Fang Shuyue replied respectfully, his forehead pressed to the ground. Jin Zhanyi’s gaze shifted to Fang Lingkai beside him.

Although the young man was still sweating profusely from pain, he gritted his teeth fiercely, daring not to utter a single sound. “Your son attempted to snatch my Big Black.

Do you know this?” Fang Shuyue’s body trembled slightly. Then, he kowtowed severely several times, leaving a patch of bright crimson blood on the ground.

With just one glance, He Yiming could tell that this man’s internal energy cultivation had reached the peak of the Tenth Layer. If he had been protecting himself with internal energy, there was no way he would have been injured over such a trivial matter.

Yet, Fang Shuyue’s forehead was now covered in bloodstains, the crimson trickling down his cheek, making his face look fierce and terrifying. However, in his eyes, there remained an expression of pleading supplication, creating a stark contrast.

A sneer of disdain curled at the corner of Jin Zhanyi’s mouth. At that moment, a chill ran through the hearts of those nearby; their only thought was whether this man’s heart was forged from ice.

“Grand… Grand Ancestral Master. Disciple once heard my father mention that you hold horses in the highest regard, especially fine black steeds, which is why Disciple wished to purchase this one to show my filial respect to you…” Fang Lingkai suddenly forced the words out.

Large beads of sweat streamed down his brow due to the intense pain. His speech was harsh, as if wrenched between clenched teeth.

After rattling off the explanation as quickly as possible, his breathing became exceedingly rapid, and his eyelids even showed a tendency to roll upward. Anyone with a modicum of experience knew that this young man had severely injured his internal organs; if not treated immediately, even if his life was spared, he would certainly face endless complications later.

Fang Shuyue watched his son nervously, glancing at him once before accelerating the force and frequency of his kowtows. He Yiming let out a light sigh and shook his head faintly.

Although the matter had nothing to do with him, the psychological shift he had just witnessed served as a sharp warning bell in his mind. He did not wish to become one of those cold-blooded, emotionless figures—at least, not yet.

“Brother Jin, what this man says is likely the truth. Forgive his transgression.” Jin Zhanyi looked at He Yiming with surprise, clearly not expecting He Yiming to intercede for this stranger.

However, for him, the life or death of these two was entirely contingent on his will. Since He Yiming pleaded on their behalf, he certainly would not dismiss the matter simply to save face over such a trifle.

“Take him away for treatment,” Jin Zhanyi commanded with a wave of his wide sleeve, his gaze never lingering there again. “Brother He, it seems we cannot enjoy ourselves fully today.

How about we continue in the next city?” He Yiming smiled slightly. “Very well.” Jin Zhanyi turned and walked away, his expression serene and unwavering from start to finish, as if the upheaval had never happened.

He Yiming turned his head, and his eyes met Fang Shuyue’s. The middle-aged man’s eyes were filled with extreme gratitude, though tinged with a measure of shock and reverence.

To be able to speak up under such circumstances, and moreover, to be treated as an equal by Jin Zhanyi—such status was far beyond his own aspirations. Carrying Fei Tian Guo and the three fine horses, they departed from the snack street.

Only after they left did the area descend back into chaos. Fang Shuyue immediately caught up his son, forced several elixirs down his throat, and generously poured in his potent internal energy.

After a long while, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. But once he confirmed his son’s life was safe, he immediately ordered his servants to escort the boy back to the manor.

He himself rushed off, following the direction in which Jin Zhanyi and the others had departed. The officers helped restore order, preventing anyone from disturbing Fang Shuyue, yet their own hearts remained uneasy.

Given Jin Zhanyi’s status, now that he had entered the city, the City Governor would naturally spare no effort to meet him. If Jin Zhanyi so much as twitched a corner of his mouth, the officers knew their fate would be unspeakably grim.

Yet, they never considered that for Jin Zhanyi, this minor incident was already a passing thought, something he didn't care about and wouldn't bring up again. ※※※※ When Jin Zhanyi and his two companions returned to the central thoroughfare, they happened to see the massive carriage procession belonging to Zhang Zhongjin and his entourage.

Although a convoy of over a hundred people was not inherently striking, the group was filled with masters, each possessing an extraordinary bearing. The two luxurious carriages in the center, especially, betrayed their identity without reservation.

This procession of carriages actually traversed the very center of the main avenue. So many people stepping upon it was utterly arrogant, yet looking to the sides, one saw countless gazes filled with reverence and fear.

While some envy might have existed in the hearts of those onlookers, they absolutely dared not harbor any thought of offense. As Jin Zhanyi’s group merged into the procession, Zhang Zhongjin emerged from one of the carriages, smiling.

“Junior Brother Jin, why the swift return this time? Did the local snack street not suit your taste, or perhaps Brother He found no interest?” “Senior Brother Zhang, we encountered something rather discouraging this time, so we returned early,” Jin Zhanyi replied, shaking his head, utterly unwilling to mention the incident.

Zhang Zhongjin turned to look at Fei Tian Guo, who immediately stepped forward and recounted the entire incident involving Fang Shuyue in detail. From beginning to end, he did not embellish or omit anything, merely narrating the events exactly as they transpired.

After hearing the story, Zhang Zhongjin burst into loud laughter. “How utterly amusing!

Trying to present a stolen item to someone only to present it to a Junior Brother. Trying to flatter a steed only to slap its legs.

Truly rare!” The disciples surrounding him, though afraid to laugh as unrestrainedly as he, all displayed expressions of knowing amusement. He Yiming watched coldly.

From beginning to end, the faces of these people only showed mockery and delight. It seemed the entire affair was nothing more than a humorous anecdote to entertain them.

As for the unfortunate Fang Lingkai, not a single person showed an ounce of sympathy, as if the man were a non-entity rather than a living person who had been kicked into injury. A chill began to subtly spread from He Yiming’s heart.

In the minds of these people, the lives of commoners likely held no greater value. The Lingxiao Treasure Hall stood high above the Great Shen Empire.

Anyone originating from that place was inherently superior, possessing a detached attitude toward life itself, inherited from the strong. He let out a soft sigh inwardly, and He Yiming recalled the joyful times of his childhood, playing with his brothers and sisters at the He Family Estate.

Though they were all innocent and unknowing back then, the memory now filled him with warmth. Zhang Zhongjin laughed for a while before finally stopping.

“Brother He, if Junior Brother Jin invites you to accompany him to the next city, you absolutely must decline.” He Yiming paused, slightly taken aback. “Why is that?” “Junior Brother Jin has a peculiar temperament; he dedicates his passion to the Dao of Cuisine, treating it as his martial path and ‘flavor’ as his Way.

This cultivation method is only useful to him and provides no benefit to others. Therefore, Brother He need not waste time accompanying him in the future.” Jin Zhanyi looked at him with dissatisfaction.

“Senior Brother, even if this yields no martial benefit for Brother He, is savoring the world’s delicacies not a good thing in itself?” Zhang Zhongjin offered a wry smile. “It is a good thing, of course, it is a good thing.” As the two sworn brothers were bickering, a flash of inspiration suddenly struck He Yiming’s mind.

He recalled the landscape scroll he had found at Feng Lai Xiang long ago, the one he had ultimately destroyed. In that painting, the artist had poured his entire being into the work.

It was for this reason that He Yiming had entered a state of epiphany while gazing upon the scroll. Thinking back now, the powerful painter must have been devoted to the Dao of Painting, just like Jin Zhanyi, which resulted in such a miraculous piece.

He let out a long breath. A thought surfaced in He Yiming’s mind: perhaps he, too, should dedicate himself to such a path.

However, there was one thing He Yiming was certain of: he would absolutely not choose a niche and obscure path like the Dao of Cuisine, nor would he choose the refined path of painting… The group chatted and laughed, and in moments, they arrived at a massive residence. Someone had long been waiting outside the gate—the man leading the group was wearing official robes; it was none other than the City Governor of this city.

Upon learning the true identity of his guests, He Yiming finally understood that the status of the Lingxiao Treasure Hall within the Great Shen Empire surpassed even his previous estimations.