The room instantly fell into a suffocating silence, even his perpetually grim expression tightening, his sharply defined features taking on an unexpectedly cold sharpness.
Hearing Hong Yuting’s words stirred something in Zhong Yun’s heart. He was certainly aware of “Law Power”; it was the ultimate form of a unique ability. Of course, Law Power wasn't a true law of the cosmos, but its might was so astonishing it achieved seemingly supernatural effects. It could overturn certain fundamental rules of nature, which is why it was termed Law Power.
Yet, it didn't truly create its own set of laws. Consider a refrigerator: in a sense, it alters some natural laws. But at best, it merely utilizes specific materials to achieve this effect, without violating the law of conservation of energy.
Law Power operates on the same principle, only its mechanics are far more esoteric, and its results infinitely more incredible.
It is rumored that upon reaching Level Ten, one can command Law Power. Furthermore, a minuscule fraction of individuals are born possessing this inherent Law Power. However, these darlings of fate are exceedingly rare.
Zhong Yun also knew a secret: every possessor of innate Law Power carried some form of corresponding flaw.
What he had just deployed was certainly not any sort of “Time Law.” Given his natural aptitude, without Xiao Ling’s aid, he would never even attain the Yuan realm in this lifetime, let alone the legendary Law Power.
Upon reaching Level Five, he could master many of the Garan Kingdom’s advanced techniques, such as the ‘Flash’ glyph or the ‘Sound’ glyph, both incredibly potent skills.
The Garan Kingdom’s technology might not rank highly among advanced civilizations, but its culture and art were dazzlingly brilliant. Even five millennia after its fall, its influence remained pervasive across the cosmic civilization, truly a unique gem among sophisticated societies.
Aside from culture and art, the Garan Kingdom’s distinctive physical combat techniques were renowned throughout advanced civilizations. In the tri-decennial Grand Universe Federation Martial Arts Competition, they never once slipped out of the top ten.
However, with the demise of Garan civilization and the dwindling of its descendants, these peak techniques had not appeared for millennia. And now, the sole remaining Garan bloodline—the Jinjing family—had, after countless generations, become a pale imitation of its former self.
What Zhong Yun had used just now was the ‘Fix’ glyph, an advanced iteration of the ‘Entangle’ glyph—the ultimate binding spell. In combat, this restraint technique was often impossible to guard against, serving as a decisive trump card.
The observers on site mistook it for “Time Law” because the effects were too similar.
Zhong Yun’s eyes flickered. He found the misunderstanding somewhat amusing, but it benefited him greatly. He certainly wouldn't waste breath explaining; he chose instead to let them assume.
The cold middle-aged man accompanying the Second Miss Qin suddenly let out a low snort and thrust his palm forward. A circle of pale, misty light shot rapidly toward Zhong Yun.
Zhong Yun had maintained his vigilance. The moment the middle-aged man snorted, he moved, lightly evading the white ring.
The white, misty circle struck the sofa behind Zhong Yun, eliciting a faint crackling sound. Immediately, a visible layer of ice formed on the sofa. The frost spread across the floor, causing the genuine leather carpet to rapidly shrink, and the metal flooring beneath became dusted with white rime.
What a terrifying ice mist; in less than a second, the entire room was coated in a layer of frost.
“You can fool others, but you can’t fool me. This is not Time Law in the slightest,” the middle-aged man spoke, his eyes covered with a sheen of white light. Those familiar with him knew he had entered a state of combat readiness.
Zhong Yun curved his lips into a smile. “You speak the truth. I never claimed it was Time Law; you all merely misunderstood.”
His gaze suddenly shifted, looking with a half-smile toward the elder standing near 'Aunt Ling' and Gu Yue. “Are you truly planning to fight?”
He let his gaze linger suggestively between Gu Yuelanling and the Second Miss Qin. “I know my limits. I couldn’t best any of the three of you. But the others…”
The middle-aged man and his companions frowned. If the three of them acted in concert, they could certainly dispatch this man with a single strike. But given their status, joining forces to deal with a young man weaker than them would likely invite ridicule if the story got out.
If only one person acted, they couldn't be one hundred percent certain of slaying him with overwhelming force. If this young man managed to harm their young master or mistress, even tearing him limb from limb afterward would be an irreparable regret.
In the minds of the three retainers, this man’s lowly life was naturally incomparable to the safety of their young master and mistress.
Zhong Yun maintained his smile, but internally, he was stretched taut with tension. He hadn't expected to face three powerhouses capable of threatening him right at the start. If it were just one, he was confident of keeping himself safe, but facing three meant only one option: flight.
He had already resolved that if they dared to attack, he would strike first to severely injure Gu Yue and the other two, creating an opportunity to slip away.
The white light in the middle-aged man’s eyes vanished, though his expression was decidedly grim. He spoke coldly, “I’ll let this pass this time, but I will certainly avenge the injury done to the young master.” Ultimately, he dared not take the risk.
Zhong Yun offered a slight smile, his guard remaining firmly in place.
The middle-aged man noticed his wariness, his brow furrowing momentarily before smoothing out.
The situation had spiraled beyond Hong Yuting’s expectations. He hadn't anticipated that this notoriously vengeful middle-aged man would let Yun Zhongyu go so easily.
In truth, his worry had clouded his judgment; the middle-aged man would never gamble with his young mistress’s safety.
However, he understood clearly that letting Yun Zhongyu go was only temporary. The next time they met, he would show no mercy.
The Second Miss Qin shot Zhong Yun a scathing glare, then turned away in vexation. She feared that one more look at him would compel her to order Uncle Bai to kill him.
Worried about her brother’s fate, yet afraid to approach too closely and disturb the doctor, she couldn't help but ask, “How is my brother?”
“The young master sustained no real injury, merely temporary unconsciousness; he will wake soon,” replied one of the older attendants, wiping sweat from his brow. He felt immense relief; he had checked and rechecked several times before daring to confirm that the young master was completely unharmed.
“Really?” The Second Miss Qin was both startled and overjoyed, still finding it hard to believe.
“Absolutely certain,” the doctor confirmed firmly.
The heavy stone in the Second Miss Qin’s heart finally lifted. It was good that her brother was alright.
Just then, Zhong Yun’s voice cut in, “You didn't actually think I killed him, did you?” His tone suggested a hint of amusement.
All eyes snapped back to him. Gu Yue and Lanling, in particular, held gazes filled with an indescribable emotion—perhaps a touch of disdain. They admired those who defied overt power. But for this man to say such a thing now was clearly an attempt to absolve himself of responsibility. Was it not far too late for that?
Seeing that he had everyone’s attention, Zhong Yun shrugged. “Young Master Hong, what is the deal with these people? I’m quite confused.”
Before Hong Yuting could reply, the Second Miss Qin snapped, “You injured Xiao Xing, and you still dare to play innocent?”
Zhong Yun feigned bewilderment. “I injured Xiao Xing? What kind of interstellar joke is that?”
“Keep pretending,” the Second Miss Qin sneered continuously. Now that her brother was out of mortal danger, she felt steadier and prepared to confront Zhong Yun. She was exceedingly proud and never believed Zhong Yun was capable of harming her. Uncle Bai had been overly cautious.
“Pretending what?” Zhong Yun retorted, both annoyed and amused. “Xiao Xing and I are good friends. How could I possibly hurt him?”
“How dare you even claim that?” The Second Miss Qin looked down at him, her eyes full of scorn and disdain.
The others found the situation somewhat laughable; this man was likely babbling nonsense out of sheer terror. Claiming friendship with Qin Liuxing? He had the audacity.
Only Hong Yuting did not smile. Having spent some time interacting with Yun Zhongyu, he had a degree of understanding of him. He knew Yun Zhongyu would never utter such a flimsy lie.
So what was his motive for saying that? Hong Yuting pondered deeply.
Just then, Qin Liuxing awoke. The moment he opened his eyes, he saw a large man fumbling over him and shoved hard. “Get off me, stop touching me! Touch me again and I’ll chop your claws off!”
The doctor was badly frightened, scrambling backward a great distance. Recalling the rumors about this young master, his face turned ashen.
“Xiao Xing, are you alright?” The Second Miss Qin, thrilled to see her brother awake, rushed over to fuss over him. She cherished her younger brother deeply.
“What could be wrong with me?” Qin Liuxing asked, bewildered. He stood up and, noticing the crowd in the room, exclaimed, “What’s all this commotion? Why so lively?”
“We heard you were injured and came to help,” Gu Yue said.
Qin Liuxing was even more puzzled. “I was injured? I didn’t realize.”
The Second Miss Qin was near tears of frustration and amusement. She wondered if her brother had been knocked foolish. Reassuringly, she said, “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure that villain who hit you gets punished.”
She turned to the middle-aged man and pointed at Zhong Yun. “Uncle Bai, please take one of his hands for me.”
“Wait a moment,” Qin Liuxing quickly stopped her. “The villain you’re talking about—is it this guy?” He pointed directly at Zhong Yun.
The Second Miss Qin genuinely panicked. “Xiao Xing, don’t scare me. He’s the one who knocked you out, don’t you remember?” She spun toward the doctor nearby and hissed, “What’s wrong with Xiao Xing?!”
The two doctors trembled under her wrath, unable to utter a coherent word.
“Sister, stop messing around!” Qin Liuxing shouted. “Xiao Yu is my best friend! I won’t allow you to hurt him!”
The Second Miss Qin was stunned speechless. Not just her, but everyone present felt a wave of dizziness. They had received word that Qin Liuxing was nearly beaten to death and rushed over to rescue him. Instead, the subject of the incident claimed the aggressor was his best friend.
They couldn't help but find the situation ludicrously absurd.
“He… he, he’s your… friend?” the Second Miss Qin stammered.
Qin Liuxing nodded vigorously. “He’s called Xiao Yu, and he’s my good friend.”
“But, you… him…” The Second Miss Qin was utterly confused, stamping her foot. “What exactly happened?”
Qin Liuxing scratched his head. “I don’t know what happened. I was just messing around with Xiao Yu, and when I woke up, you were all here.”
“Messing around?” The Second Miss Qin’s voice rose sharply. “Can ‘messing around’ put you into a coma?”
Qin Liuxing looked displeased. “Who said I was in a coma? I was meditating. I hadn't been meditating long when you all woke me up.”
The Second Miss Qin froze. “Meditating?”
At this point, Zhong Yun interjected, “Xiao Xing, do you know these people?”
Qin Liuxing nodded. “Yeah, that’s my sister. That’s Gu Yue, and that’s Lanling—they’re all decent. And that’s Hong Yuting, he’s acceptable too.” However, he made no move to introduce the middle-aged man, ‘Uncle Bai,’ and his two companions.
“As long as they’re your friends, that’s fine. I thought they were bandits; they all seem to have opinions about me. Especially this Uncle Bai—if you know him well, please ask him not to cause me trouble,” Zhong Yun requested.
Qin Liuxing looked at the middle-aged man with a flicker of apprehension. “Uncle Bai…” He trailed off without finishing the sentence.
The middle-aged man gave Zhong Yun a deep look and nodded once.
The most shocked by the turn of events was Hong Yuting. Since Yun Zhongyu boarded the Freedom, he had remained within Hong Yuting’s scope of surveillance. To his knowledge, Yun Zhongyu had never had any contact with Qin Liuxing.
When had the two of them become best friends? Hong Yuting knew Qin Liuxing’s character well—a total wastrel who stirred up trouble constantly, offending countless people. If it weren't for his good sister and excellent family background, Hong Yuting wouldn't even spare such a person a glance.
Qin Liuxing also carried the common aristocratic flaw of looking down upon those of lower status. Hong Yuting could not comprehend why he would accept a bodyguard like Yun Zhongyu as a friend.
Moreover, there were too many inconsistencies in the entire incident. The message he received stated that Yun Zhongyu had killed three bodyguards and a Vice-Captain. But all four corpses were now gone, without even a trace of blood.
In his mind, Yun Zhongyu’s danger level had instantaneously escalated several tiers.
This man was simply too mysterious, his depths unknowable.
A crisis had thus been defused by Zhong Yun, seemingly vanishing into thin air, and he had even managed to forge a friendship with Qin Liuxing, a young noble from an extraordinary background. If a person like Qin Liuxing was utilized correctly, it could bring immense benefits.
He managed to turn Qin Liuxing from an antagonist into an ally, his best friend, entirely through the use of Mind Control technique. Mind Control was a skill only possessed by the King of Garan—the most sophisticated form of hypnosis.
However, Mind Control had its weaknesses; it was significantly discounted against those with steadfast willpower, let alone forcing an entire memory into another's mind. Only someone like Qin Liuxing, lacking in both strength and mental fortitude, would be so easily controlled by it.
Someone like Hong Yuting would never be susceptible to Mind Control.
After gaining control of Qin Liuxing, Zhong Yun devised this method to turn an enemy into a friend, thus avoiding conflict with the others. As for the three bodyguards, they were dead anyway; Qin Liuxing wouldn't pursue revenge over them.
There was one Vice-Captain who was not dead, and he was still in the room. Once he woke up, as long as the “misunderstanding” was clearly explained, everything would be fine.
First release