Zhong Shenxiu smiled, as if he had long anticipated Patrick's range of expressions. Patrick stared, trying to make sense of it, still unable to believe that the boy before him was Zhong Shenxiu.

According to Emperor Alexander the Great, this Zhong Shenxiu was supposed to be an influential figure, a teacher at the "Hermit Martial Arts Academy." But how could this mere boy possibly connect to all that? The discrepancy was far too vast compared to his expectations!

Patrick had previously imagined Zhong Shenxiu to be at least middle-aged, or at the very least, a grown man. Now, faced with a beardless child claiming to be Zhong Shenxiu, he simply didn't know how to reconcile it.

"I detest people playing jokes on me. If you don't show yourselves now, don't blame me for being impolite!" Patrick ignored Zhong Shenxiu and continued shouting into the house.

Little did he know that inside, Lisi and the others heard his shout and couldn't help but sweat profusely for him! "Hey, you don't think you're all that just because you're a Sword God, do you?" Zhong Shenxiu looked at Patrick with genuine interest; with his current ability, he could gauge Patrick's cultivation level with a single glance!

Patrick paused again, startled that this child knew he was a Sword God. Before he could respond, Zhong Shenxiu continued, "I can tell you with absolute certainty, Sword God isn't anything special!" As he said this, Zhong Shenxiu once again sized Patrick up, head to toe.

Patrick was starting to sense something was amiss; the child’s tone carried an air of undeserved seniority. What in the world was going on?

"Who did you say wanted to see me just now?" Zhong Shenxiu asked, feigning innocence. Patrick had completely lost the patience to play games with these two children.

He ignored the question and beckoned backward, whereupon two soldiers respectfully approached. "Go, summon everyone inside!" Patrick commanded.

The two soldiers eagerly accepted the order. Although they noticed Zhong Shenxiu and Robin blocking the doorway, they paid them no mind and proceeded straight toward the entrance.

Patrick was smugly thinking that they couldn't possibly stay hidden now! In that moment of distraction, two black shadows flashed past his eyes.

A slight breeze followed, as if something had just flown by. Thump!

Thump! Two dull sounds erupted behind him, punctuated by the noise of something shattering.

What was that? What happened?

Patrick hastily snapped back to attention and turned to look behind him. The sight that met his eyes sent a jolt of terror through him.

The two soldiers he had summoned lay slumped against the wall like discarded sacks, clearly unconscious! This...

this was impossible? Patrick’s mind went blank.

The soldiers accompanying him this time were all elite, the lowest among them having reached the Great Swordsman level. Yet, they were knocked out in an instant.

How could this not shock him? What on earth had transpired?

What astonished Patrick even more was that even with his own strength, he hadn't registered how those two soldiers were sent flying. Even if he had been momentarily distracted, something like this shouldn't have been possible!

But the reality was laid bare before him, allowing no room for doubt! "Does this surprise you?" At that moment, Zhong Shenxiu suddenly asked.

Patrick remained silent, merely staring at the boy with wide-eyed astonishment. He now realized this child was anything but ordinary!

"You seem to have brought quite a few people. Why don't you send another one to test things out?

Maybe then you'll get your answer!" Zhong Shenxiu smiled, his expression resembling a casual joke, but those who knew him understood that if this offer were taken up, it would cease to be a joke. "Who did it?" Patrick ignored Zhong Shenxiu's suggestion and asked in a low voice.

To dare injure his men right in front of him was an outright challenge to his authority; he absolutely could not let it go! However, Zhong Shenxiu remained silent this time, instead looking at him with an amused expression.

Patrick said no more. He intended to see for himself who possessed such audacity.

He took a step forward, not releasing his battle aura but maintaining heightened vigilance! But all he felt was a brief gust of wind, followed by a crushing blow to his abdomen that nearly made him spit blood.

He was swept away by an inexplicable force, slamming into the wall just like the two soldiers before him, accompanied by another dull thud. It was only due to Patrick's superior resilience, and the protective soft armor beneath his outer coat, that he didn't lose consciousness.

Yet, his insides churned violently, as if something was trying to erupt from his mouth. The sudden turn of events completely stunned the soldiers waiting outside the courtyard!

They could swear on every blade of grass in the vicinity: this was the first time they had ever seen their leader in such a disheveled state. If they hadn't witnessed it with their own eyes, they would never have believed it to be true.

Even seeing it now, they struggled to accept the reality! Heavens, what happened?

Their chief was a Sword God! How could he have been sent flying?

Out of sheer shock, the soldiers forgot to help Patrick up, standing there stupidly, no different from wooden statues! Patrick finally understood why his two soldiers had passed out; the impact was something he himself barely withstood, let alone them!

But he still couldn't grasp how he had been thrown back. He clearly saw no one move toward him, nor did he sense any magical fluctuations.

It was as bizarre as if he had exerted force backward himself. Patrick scrambled up from the ground and looked toward the doorway, trying to find a clue.

All he saw, however, was Zhong Shenxiu's mocking smile and Robin's icy glare! It was their misfortune to arrive at such a time.

Robin had been troubled these past two days, so his actions were undoubtedly ruthless! What had just occurred was merely the release of one breath from Robin.

Patrick naturally saw nothing! With Robin's current power, he could certainly kill without leaving a trace.

What he did just now was already holding back; otherwise, Patrick would already be reporting to King Yama! "Now do you believe what I said?

Sword God isn't anything special!" Zhong Shenxiu's voice returned. After a pause, he continued, "Go back and tell your Emperor that if he wishes to see me, he must come personally, and that depends on whether I have time!" That statement was so arrogant it nearly made Patrick choke on his anger!

After a brief silence, Patrick suddenly burst into loud laughter, his expression immediately shifting, becoming sharp. His golden battle aura exploded outward.

He could no longer afford to hold back. He had never suffered such humiliation in his life and needed to reclaim his dignity, or he would never reassert his authority before his subordinates!

The soldiers guarding the courtyard shuddered as Patrick suddenly unleashed his battle aura, quickly retreating several paces. This was no time for games.

They knew their commander was furious, and the consequences would be severe! They were all thinking someone was about to face ruin, never imagining that the one destined for trouble was their beloved commander!

. Inside the Royal Study.

An attendant stepped forward softly and said, "Your Majesty, the Commander of the Imperial Guard, Patrick, requests an audience!" "Oh? Show him in quickly!" Alexander's face lit up, and he quickly put down his brush, thinking to himself that Patrick truly lived up to his reputation; he got results so quickly.

However, the smile vanished from his face the moment he saw Patrick’s state. Although Patrick had received magical treatment, the signs of a recent beating were still clearly visible.

"Patrick, what in the world happened to you?" Alexander was deeply shocked. He hadn't seen Patrick injured in five years, and this was the first time he had ever seen him look so wretched.

Patrick didn't answer immediately, wearing an expression of deep distress. He was so frustrated he didn't know how to articulate it: to suffer so many injuries only to not even know who inflicted them!

If this ever got out, people would laugh him to death! "Did you...

spar with that Zhong Shenxiu?" Alexander seemed to realize something, his look of surprise deepening. To beat Patrick to this extent meant the opponent must be at least a low-tier Sword God!

When did the "Winter Moon Empire" produce another Sword God? This was no small matter; it was a symbol of a nation's defense capability!

Patrick still remained silent, still too vexed. The entire trip had been fruitless.

He'd been beaten up, and he still didn't know who the real Zhong Shenxiu was! "Did this Zhong Shenxiu come with you?" Alexander pressed further.

"No!" Patrick finally spoke. "Your Majesty, I think we should deliberate on this matter further." "Patrick, what exactly happened?

Why is your expression so strange?" Alexander knew there was a hidden story when he saw Patrick hesitating. Patrick paused for a moment before recounting the entire sequence of his visit in detail, though he carefully minimized the parts where he was manhandled.

"You say he wants you to go personally?" Alexander asked abruptly after a moment of silence. "Your Majesty, this must not happen!" Patrick suddenly became tense.

A person who could abuse him, someone capable of such feats—if Alexander went, it would be far too dangerous! Yet, Alexander acted as if he hadn't heard Patrick, sinking into deep thought, a knowing, intriguing smile spreading across his face.

It seemed he truly needed to see for himself what kind of remarkable figure this Zhong Shenxiu was! He hoped the man wouldn't disappoint him!

The more he thought, the wider Alexander's smile grew, a smile that bore a slight, unsettling resemblance to Zhong Shenxiu's.