Terry stared in disbelief at Yani kneeling on the ground, and at Chen, standing calmly beside her with an impassive expression.

No one knew the extent of the Dance Immortal Yani’s fame in the Imperial Capital better than he did; the citizens of the capital prided themselves on merely catching a glimpse of her dance. He himself had seen it six months prior through a fortunate chance encounter, an event he had boasted about for days afterward.

The Yani, whom the Empire’s four princes were all pursuing, actually wished to take this cold, killing-only Iori Yagami as her master?

“Miss Yani… are you perhaps… mistaken…” Judy stammered, pointing at Chen Feng. “He is Iori Yagami. He doesn’t know how to dance…”

Yani smiled faintly at Chen Feng. “Only now do I realize you are Iori Yagami. Please accept me as your apprentice.”

Chen Feng shook his head. “I won’t take you as a student, but I can teach you that dance from last night.”

Yani’s face instantly lit up with joy. She stood up, looking at Chen Feng with excitement. “When will you teach me?”

“Now!” Chen Feng wasted no words, turning and walking toward the small building where the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group was housed. Teaching someone to dance required a room, after all.

As if afraid Chen Feng would change his mind, Yani hurried to follow, leaving only Judy standing frozen in astonishment.

“I… I’m not dreaming, am I!” Judy murmured to herself.

“Of course not,” Brent said from the side, his eyes sparkling like stars. “Big Brother is truly Big Brother. He’s simply too powerful; he can even conquer the Dance Immortal Yani. Damn, the word ‘cool’ cannot begin to describe his greatness. My admiration for him flows like a ceaseless, surging river, like the uncontrollable flood of the Yellow River… Big Brother, you will forever be my Big Brother…”

“…” Judy.

…………

Boarding the carriage, Chen Feng and Judy sped toward the teleportation array.

The teleportation array for Kuta Town was not located within the town itself, but in a flat area more than ten li away from the settlement. Because of the array, this location had already developed into a bustling trade center.

Yani’s talent for dance was unparalleled, a fact that greatly astonished Chen Feng. Chen Feng had demonstrated steps like the Moonwalk only twice, yet she had already grasped most of it, executing the moves far more gracefully than he did.

It seemed the title of Dance Immortal was well-earned. If he could teach her all of modern dance, would it spark another revolution in the world of dance here in this other realm?

However, Chen Feng would not teach her everything about modern dance; he had neither the obligation nor the necessity. If she hadn't relentlessly pursued him to become his student, he probably wouldn't have taught her anything at all.

This wasn't stinginess. In any endeavor, one should never carelessly reveal all their trump cards; otherwise, the only one left regretting it would be oneself.

It was like his cultivation level. Hidden beneath the guise of the Black Gold Iron, the cultivation he displayed was that of a Fourth-Rank Fighter, when in reality, he was an Eighth-Rank master. If combined with the abnormal techniques of the King of Fighters, the use of Baqi (Burst Energy), the Frenzy Blood, and other factors, even a master at the level of a First-Rank Fighter Master would meet a dead end before him.

This wasn't about playing the pig to eat the tiger; it was about appropriate concealment of strength. Only by keeping his brilliance hidden, like a pearl covered in dust or jade veiled in ash, could he avoid unwanted attention and trouble.

Yet, even as Chen Feng thought this, he forgot how easily his own temperament and appearance tended to attract needless conflict…

“Clip-clop…” A crisp sound of hooves interrupted Chen Feng’s thoughts.

“Whoa…” The rider on horseback sharply pulled the reins, stopping directly in front of the carriage.

“Big Brother, take me with you! You haven’t even taught me how to look cool yet…” Brent’s half-dead voice sounded from outside the carriage.

Chen Feng opened the door and indeed saw Brent’s handsome and dashing face looking at him with earnest pleading.

“You are the Young City Lord of Kuta Town…” Judy exclaimed in surprise. She had been so shocked by Yani’s request to become a student that she hadn't paid attention to Brent when he spoke earlier. Seeing him now, she suddenly remembered.

Brent looked at Judy’s beautiful features and sighed inwardly, Big Brother truly is Big Brother; every woman he finds is a peerless beauty… Although he thought this, he still responded verbally.

“The Young City Lord recognizes you as Big Brother, and the Dance Immortal Yani wants to be your apprentice… What kind of monster are you?”

Whether it was Brent or the Dance Immortal Yani, these were figures held in high esteem in Judy’s mind. Logically, they should have no connection with a solitary and cold figure like Iori Yagami. But now, one claimed him as a sworn brother, and the other as a master. Heavens, had the world gone upside down? This Iori Yagami had arrived in Kuta Town with her less than a day ago…

Chen Feng glanced at Brent, said nothing, and commanded the coachman, “Continue moving!” With a sharp cry, the coachman urged the carriage forward.

Chen Feng coldly stated, “If he wants to follow, let him. If not, he can leave.”

“…” Judy was instantly exasperated. Talking to this Iori Yagami was only asking for frustration. The man seemed to disregard her completely, speaking in a flat, lifeless tone that was enough to drive anyone mad.

In a fit of pique, she stuck her head out the window and saw Brent following them from a distance, possessing the resolve of someone who wouldn't give up until he had secured a follower.

“Hey, that guy is catching up!” Judy called out.

Seeing no reaction from behind, she grew anxious. “Hey, I’m talking to you! I said your little follower caught up…”

“Hoo-hoo…”

A string of snores drifted from behind. Turning back, she saw the infuriating sight: this detestable Iori Yagami had actually fallen asleep…

…………

They arrived at the teleportation array as the sun was setting.

Chen Feng stepped down from the carriage and looked at the magnificent structure before him. It appeared even grander than the People's Great Hall, exuding a strong magical aura.

“A formation this large can probably transport a thousand people at once,” Chen Feng mused inwardly.

“Reservation Card!” a loud voice demanded just as he was thinking.

Chen Feng looked up to see a line of burly men standing on either side of the main entrance.

“What reservation card?”

“Oh, looks like you don’t have a reservation card then. Pay up!” A large man stretched his hand out toward Chen Feng.

“Money?”

“Are you stupid or just pretending? Naturally, you have to pay to use the teleportation array,” the large man barked.

Chen Feng asked, “How much?”

“Ten gold coins!” the large man stated.

“Ten gold coins?” Judy frowned slightly. “When we came last time, wasn’t it only five gold coins?”

The large man’s eyes lit up when he saw Judy beside him, and his tone became suggestive. “Such a beautiful young lady naturally only pays five gold coins.”

“Does using the teleportation array differentiate by gender?” Judy asked, puzzled.

The large man chuckled slyly. “Of course not. But lately, the boys have been a little short on funds, so we have to charge a little extra!”

The large man explained, “You don’t know the rules, do you? The teleportation array has a fixed daily capacity. Those who wish to use it must reserve in advance. For people like you who haven't reserved, you only get in if you pay extra. How much extra, well, that’s controlled by us brothers…”

“So, you’re trying to skim some extra money!” Chen Feng understood immediately.

This sort of thing was common in his past life, especially at concerts or major competitions. If you wanted to attend but lacked a ticket, the gatekeepers might secretly let you in, but only for a fee that would naturally end up in their pockets.

If the teleportation array was a train, the reservation card was the ticket. Without a ticket, you wouldn't board, but if you paid extra, some of the transit police might treat you like a relative and get you aboard…

It seemed the official price for a reservation card should be five gold coins. These men, aiming to earn more, demanded ten. Those who could afford the teleportation array were either rich or mages; five gold coins was nothing to them, and they wouldn't begrudge the expense.

Understanding this, Chen Feng sneered slightly, casually tossed out five gold coins, and started toward the gate.

Giving money to people who arbitrarily raised prices only encouraged their audacity.

“Hey, brat, didn’t you hear me? I said ten gold coins!” The large man grabbed Chen Feng, his expression turning vicious.

Chen Feng twisted his wrist, grasping the hand that held his shoulder.

“Aiya…” The large man cried out in pain; his right hand was already turning blue. “You’re courting death!” He swung his left arm in a punch aimed at Chen Feng’s face.

“Crack, crack…” With a crisp sound, Chen Feng squeezed, shattering the large man’s right arm into pieces. It hung limply. His left fist was crushed by Chen Feng’s grip as well.

“Don’t demand extra money rashly, or you won’t be able to afford the consequences,” Chen Feng’s cold words whispered into the large man’s ear.

“You…” The large man sucked in cold air, trembling violently from the pain. He immediately turned to those behind him and screamed, “What are you all looking at? Hurry up and get him! Tear this kid apart…”

The other large men behind him finally reacted, shouting in unison as they rushed forward.

“What are you doing?” A voice suddenly rang out.

Everyone looked up, their faces breaking into expressions of excitement. “Young City Lord…”

Brent, who had been following Chen Feng’s carriage on horseback, arrived here after arranging some necessary matters.

The large man whose arm Chen Feng had broken rushed to Brent, crying out, “Young City Lord, this guy not only refused to buy a reservation card but also beat your subordinate like this! You must bring justice for me!”

Brent loved to play and show off, and he maintained close relationships with lower-ranking guards and similar personnel. They all knew Brent enjoyed defending his subordinates and loved to step in on such matters, which is why they were excited to see him. Chen Feng had first encountered Brent at the city gate precisely because Brent was defending a city guard.

Just as everyone waited for Brent to roar and discipline this red-haired youth, a sharp slap echoed, landing squarely on the large man’s face.

“You dare extort money from my Big Brother? Do you all wish to stop working?” Brent roared, then immediately switched to a smile toward Chen Feng. “Big Brother, it’s my subordinates who were blind and ignorant. Did they hurt you?”

“…” The gate guards were nearly faint. When did the Young City Lord acquire such a young ‘Big Brother’? And more importantly, who exactly hurt whom… (To be continued. To find out what happens next, please log in to wwwncom, where more chapters are available to support the author and legitimate reading!)