Chen Feng had no way of knowing what excuse he was creating for demanding the coachman's fare on the street, nor what price he might pay when the Tony Empire eventually made its move on Luoti. However, even if he had known, he likely would have acted the same way. The struggle for dominance among princes and generals had nothing to do with him; let them fight and scheme as they wished. He was just a minor figure concerned only with cultivation.

Sidney remained rooted to the spot, clutching the place where his arm had been severed. The searing pain and deep-seated terror made him tremble uncontrollably.

Seeing that the coachman had received compensation and the matter was settled, Chen Feng ceased speaking. He clapped the coachman on the shoulder: “Let’s go!”

The coachman was still caught up in disbelief and joy, his expression utterly bizarre. Hearing Chen Feng speak, he couldn't help but shudder. “Yes, yes!”

He never imagined that the quiet young man he had driven all morning was such a formidable character, capable of cleaving off an arm of the Tony Empire's Rookie Champion with a single strike. Fear coiled in his stomach, and he instinctively took two steps back.

Chen Feng understood that this coachman was timid as a mouse, and his reaction was normal. He continued walking down the street. After a few steps, he heard a voice from behind grit its teeth and demand, “You… are you a contestant from the Finlay Empire or the Luochi Empire?”

In Sidney’s mind, to achieve such a feat—severing an arm in one move while so young—the person must be a champion from one of the Four Great Empires. He had met Caspar from the Kote Empire before, but he hadn't yet seen the champions from the Finlay or Luochi Empires.

Suddenly, a realization struck him, and his face paled dramatically. His voice wavered slightly: “You are Iori Yagami of the Luochi Empire… the champion of the Luochi Empire’s Rookie Tournament!”

The Four Great Empires all maintained spies, and naturally, information regarding the competing nation’s contestants was gathered before the matches. Chen Feng’s victory in the Luochi Empire was indeed known to the Tony Empire, but his name had not appeared on the reported roster of participants. Why was he here now?

Moreover, he was even more formidable than the legends suggested. What was going on?

Sidney trembled all over, as if he had just made a world-altering discovery.

Hearing Sidney’s declaration, Landiruf’s expression shifted to one of wary confusion, panic creeping into his heart. If the contestant from the Luochi Empire was this powerful, was there any suspense left for the tournament championship? The purpose of the Four Great Empires’ Rookie Selection Tournament was to compare the strength of each nation’s rising talent and maintain the balance and stability among the four states. If one empire suddenly became dominant, wouldn't it threaten to consume the others?

Chen Feng offered no explanation and had no intention of doing so. He continued walking forward. The surrounding crowd instinctively parted to create a path as he approached. The coachman, being a nobody, had never experienced such treatment; his face flushed crimson. He stole a sideways glance at Chen Feng, only to see his expression completely unchanged, which earned him a secret surge of admiration.

Having stepped clear of the crowd’s scrutiny, Chen Feng shook his head. It seemed that participating in this Rookie Selection Tournament had been a mistake; now, everyone seemed to recognize him wherever he went, which was tiresome.

He and the coachman purchased new transport and continued onward. Chen Feng’s original plan was to reach the magic circle on the other side of the city by nightfall, but it seemed too ambitious. Both he and the coachman were starting to feel weary, so he decided to find lodgings for the night.

Spotting a luxurious inn in the distance, Chen Feng instructed the coachman to drive toward it.

“This…” the coachman hesitated.

“What is it?” Chen Feng asked.

“This is an expensive establishment, sir. I heard it costs two gold coins just to stay one night. Perhaps we should…”

Chen Feng smiled. “No need. Let’s go over there!”

The coachman instinctively touched the remaining money he had after buying the conveyance. After a moment, he said, “I’ll drop you off here for your stay, and I’ll come back tomorrow morning to pick you up.”

Chen Feng knew the man was anxious about his meager funds. Smiling, he shook his head. “No trouble at all. Come in with me; I’ll cover the room charges.”

The coachman was deeply moved by this offer. In this world, very few people would ever show concern for a lower-class person like himself. Not only had this young man helped him retrieve his lost fare without complaint, but he also didn't scorn his lowly status by offering him a room in a fine establishment. This gratitude was unparalleled for him.

Quietly wiping away a tear that had escaped his eye, the coachman sighed inwardly, “This young man truly is good. I wonder which noble family he hails from, as he possesses none of the arrogance of the aristocracy…”

If anyone told the coachman now that Chen Feng was a bloodthirsty thug, he probably wouldn't believe it even if threatened with death. How could such a polite and kind young man be a brute?

People possess dual natures. Although Chen Feng could be savagely violent, it was only directed toward those who sought to kill or frame him. Toward these ordinary people at the lowest rungs of society, he remained remarkably cordial.

The carriage pulled smoothly to a stop outside the inn. Chen Feng arranged for the horses to be cared for and led the coachman inside.

“I apologize, Young Master, but this inn is fully booked. We have no vacant rooms at the moment!”

A girl of about seventeen or eighteen stood at the door. She bowed respectfully to Chen Feng and apologized.

“Full?” Chen Feng frowned slightly.

“Yes, sir. Because the Rookie Selection Tournament of the Four Great Empires is underway, our establishment has been fully booked for a week now!” the girl explained.

“I see,” Chen Feng murmured.

Chen Feng knitted his brows. If this inn was full, others likely were too. The Rookie Selection Tournament, held once every five years, was an unprecedented event for the Four Great Empires. It was much like the Olympics in his past life; during or just before the event, it was hardly surprising that decent inns would be packed.

“Are there truly no rooms available at all?”

“I am truly sorry,” the girl replied evenly.

Chen Feng sighed in resignation. “Very well!” He turned to leave.

Just then, a group of four people approached from outside. Judging by their attire and bearing, they were clearly people of status. The young man leading the group wore a magician’s robe, and the insignia on his chest indicated he was a Rank Nine Mage.

“Are there any rooms available?” the young Mage called out from a distance. His voice was clear and possessed a certain resonance.

Seeing the young man, the girl’s face flushed slightly. “We do have a vacant room, please come in.”

A look of delight spread across the young Mage’s face. He glanced at Chen Feng, a slow smirk curling his lips, and then walked inside with the three figures behind him.

Chen Feng, hearing the girl’s change of tune and catching the Mage’s mocking glance, immediately darkened in expression. He walked up to the girl. “Didn’t you just say there were no rooms? What is going on here?”

The girl replied, “There are indeed no rooms left in the regular section, sir. Our inn is divided into a VIP area and a standard area, and the standard area was fully occupied a week ago.”

“Can’t we stay in the VIP area then?” Chen Feng asked.

The girl bowed apologetically. “The VIP area is reserved exclusively for nobles of the Finlay Empire. The person who just entered is Edrick, the champion of this year’s Rookie Selection Tournament. The Empire has explicit decrees that any contestant participating in the Rookie Selection Tournament is entitled to accommodations in the VIP area. So… I beg your forgiveness!”

The girl spoke softly and very courteously, making it impossible to feel genuine anger. It seemed these regulations were beyond her control, dictated by the Empire. Chen Feng shook his head, abandoning any thought of forceful entry.

“Hooah…”

At that moment, a loud neighing of a warhorse echoed from nearby. A slightly built young man jumped down from his mount, walked directly to Chen Feng without pausing, executed a formal bow, and spoke with eyes full of excitement and tension: “Grass-cutter Lord, is that really you!”

“Austin?” Chen Feng called out the name of the newcomer.

Chen Feng hadn’t expected to run into the Third Prince of the Finlay Empire, Austin, here. But then realization dawned. Back in the Nine Serenity Canyon, when Xiaohu died, Chen Feng’s enraged transformation had been witnessed entirely by Austin, resulting in his current appearance. And having seen him sever Sidney’s arm on the street moments ago, how could a Prince like Austin fail to recognize him? The fact that Austin could arrive and find him in such a short time demonstrated the extent of his control over the Imperial City.

The surprise on Austin’s face seemed entirely genuine. He stared at Chen Feng and said, “Grass-cutter Lord, you came to Maya City and didn't even inform me so I could come and welcome you!”

Chen Feng replied, “I am just passing through. I will be leaving tomorrow morning.”

Austin’s initially excited face fell slightly upon hearing this. “Leaving? My Lord… could you not possibly stay a little longer?”

Chen Feng shook his head. “I have a very important matter to attend to.”

“An important matter?” Austin hurriedly offered, “If you require any assistance, I will spare no effort…”

At this point, the guards and attendants following Austin finally caught up. However, upon seeing their supremely arrogant Third Prince showing such profound respect to someone younger than himself, they exchanged glances, displaying utter disbelief. The girl who had just refused Chen Feng’s entry now wore an expression of startled uncertainty. She recognized His Highness, Prince Austin, having seen him from a distance before. But she could never have imagined that the Third Prince would bow to this red-haired youth… What on earth was happening? Had she just refused a highly influential person lodging? The thought sent a wave of fear through her.

“No need…” Chen Feng replied. Revenge was best carried out personally.

Those unfamiliar with the history between Chen Feng and Austin on Dragon Map Mountain would never believe what they were witnessing now. The scene looked as if Chen Feng were the prince, and Austin was an insignificant figure; their conduct seemed completely reversed.

Austin acknowledged the refusal, understanding that if Chen Feng didn't need his help, he shouldn't press the issue. He quickly changed the subject. “Your status is so distinguished; how could you possibly stay in such a low-class place? Allow me to take you to the Imperial Palace…” As he spoke, he eagerly prepared to leave.

Chen Feng said, “There’s no need. I’ll stay here. It seems, however, that without noble status, I don't qualify to stay at this place…”

Hearing Chen Feng utter these words, Austin looked as if he had been slapped hard. He glanced toward the girl standing by the inn door, his face twisting into a strange expression.

ps: I apologize; it’s quite late today, and I feel I’ve let you down somewhat.

In truth, Old Ya wasn't slacking off; quite the opposite, he sat in front of the computer all day, his mind completely blank, unsure of how or what to write—plainly put, the plot was blocked. There should be one more chapter tonight, where Chen Feng returns to Dragon Map Mountain. But given my current state, I don’t know if I can manage it. If not, please don't strike me, haha. Don’t wait up tonight; otherwise, if you are disappointed, you will hate me.

I originally considered asking for a day off, but requesting leave means losing my full attendance bonus, and Old Ya relies on those few hundred yuan from the bonus to survive. So I had to grit my teeth and push on. (To be continued. To know what happens next, please log in to www**com. More chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)