Nangong Tianwang sneered, shaking his head, "Apology or not, first hand over the murderer before we discuss anything else!" Wang Yuanchu smiled faintly: "That’s easily managed. Send the corpse over in a few days. As for settling a life for a life, the Ancestor has already executed the family law and taken his life!"

"Oh?" Nangong Wuwang stared intently at Wang Yuanchu's face, as if trying to discern the truth behind his words.

Li Muchan sighed inwardly, shaking his head. This offered a path forward. Regardless, the Wang family would not surrender the person, and the Nangong Clan surely understood this; they did not wish to create an enemy and would likely concede. But alas, they had encountered this Third Young Master.

"Do you take me for a three-year-old child, so easily fooled!?" Nangong Wuwang eyed Wang Yuanchu a few times. Suddenly, he let out two cold laughs, snorting: "You brought a corpse from elsewhere to impersonate that fellow. Such a clumsy trick, truly laughable!" Little Wang Yuanchu remained smiling gently, "It is indeed that person. Third Young Master need not doubt."

"Lying to the ghosts!" Nangong Wuwang gave a cold laugh and waved his hand dismissively: "Get out, scram now! Hmph. The gates of my Nangong family are not open to just anyone!" Li Muchan frowned slightly, saying nothing. He observed with cold eyes.

Wang Shuangfeng’s expression remained unmoved, but Wang Yingjie could no longer contain himself. He jumped forward, pointing his finger and shouting: "Nangong Wuwang, we came here showing respect to your Nangong Clan. Who do you think you are, speaking so rudely, utterly ignorant of heaven and earth! How dare you treat the Eldest Young Master so disrespectfully! You are the one who should get out!"

"And who are you?" Nangong Wuwang's handsome face darkened, his teeth clenched as he asked coldly.

Wang Yingjie snorted proudly: "I do not change my name nor alter my surname. I am Wang Yingjie!"

"Never heard of him," Nangong Wuwang shook his head. He sneered: "An insignificant nobody, blabbering nonsense. Uncle Zhang, teach him a lesson!"

"Yes, Third Young Master!" A middle-aged man bowed in assent. He was of medium build, with an ordinary appearance. His face was dull, looking like an honest, simple man—the kind who inspires trust, a good person perhaps. His figure flashed, and he suddenly appeared before Wang Yingjie, throwing out his palm, aiming to strike Wang Yingjie across the face. His movement was too swift; though Wang Yingjie reacted, he could not evade.

Li Muchan shook his head, flicking his sleeve. The middle-aged man's palm stopped three inches from Wang Yingjie's cheek, meeting an invisible wall with a dull thump. He leaned back, then retreated a step.

"Eh?" he let out a small sound, turning to look at Li Muchan. Li Muchan nodded and smiled, saying nothing. The middle-aged man frowned, staring intensely at Li Muchan. His eyes were like needles, trying to pierce Li Muchan’s gaze to discern his true capabilities.

"Uncle Zhang?" Nangong Wuwang called out. The middle-aged man flashed back to Nangong Wuwang's side, shaking his head and sighing: "Third Young Master, they have a master. I am incompetent; I cannot defeat him."

"Who is it?!" Nangong Wuwang looked up. The middle-aged man glanced towards Li Muchan, and Nangong Wuwang followed his gaze, surprised to see Li Muchan’s youthful face. He thought to himself: Uncle Zhang is a top expert in the manor, even Father praises him highly, which is why he felt safe letting me come out to play. Father often lamented that Uncle Zhang was wasted here. With his skill, establishing his own sect outside the Nangong Clan would not be difficult; he is capable of dominating the martial world. To think that he would encounter a master superior to Uncle Zhang here, and this master is nearly his own age—it must be the work of the devil!

Nangong Wuwang pointed a finger at Li Muchan and demanded: "Who are you?"

Li Muchan smiled, cupped his hands: "I am an honored guest of the Wang family. My name is not worth mentioning."

Nangong Wuwang shouted: "Good, the Wang family does indeed have talent! Very well, you step out and fight me. If you win, I will report to my elder brother; otherwise, don't even think about entering the manor."

Li Muchan nodded: "That would be best."

Nangong Wuwang pointed towards a martial arts hall diagonally across the way: "Let's go, fight there!" Li Muchan smiled and nodded, looking towards Wang Yuanchu: "Eldest Young Master,?"

Wang Yuanchu chuckled: "Since that is the case, let us have a sparring match." Ever since meeting Nangong Wuwang, he had maintained a cheerful demeanor, showing no temper whatsoever—a master of playing the supplicant. Li Muchan secretly admired him. Such a forbearing person was certainly not to be underestimated. With him managing the Wang family affairs, they could rest assured. No wonder Wang Xiue was confident sending him here.

The group proceeded to the martial arts hall ahead. The horizontal plaque bore four characters radiating an aura of soaring ambition: Da Dao Martial Hall. The hall occupied a vast area. Four large men stood guard at the entrance, robust and imposing, with faint glints of sharpness in their eyes. All were masters who had reached high proficiency. Having such experts on guard seemed almost a waste of talent, but it certainly added to the prestige; standing there, their bearing was naturally different.

Seeing them approach, the four simultaneously cupped their fists and saluted: "Third Young Master!"

"Second Brother Zhao, is Grandfather Zhao here?" Nangong Wuwang returned the salute with cupped fists, asking with a cheerful, guileless expression.

One of the strong men replied respectfully: "Replying to Third Young Master, the Master is present."

Nangong Wuwang laughed: "Good, good. It’s good that Grandfather Zhao is here. Let us enter."

"Third Young Master, please come in," the four strong men bowed deeply, urging them forward.

Nangong Wuwang turned and smiled: "Let's go." Li Muchan and the others nodded, following him into the martial arts hall. Upon entry, they found a dark corridor. From a distance came shouts and cries, indicating lively activity.

The group passed through the corridor, and their vision suddenly brightened upon entering a vast, level practice ground paved with red clay. Li Muchan swept his gaze across the area and noted nearly two hundred people on the field. Seeing the newcomers, several people greeted Nangong Wuwang; he responded with a smiling nod, his expression innocent and sweet, like a well-behaved child. Li Muchan reflected inwardly: everyone has multiple facets. Nangong Wuwang seemed highly popular and kind to his friends, his heart not bad, but now he was his opponent.

In the center of the training ground, there was a raised platform, about ten meters square, upon which sat a Grand Master’s chair. A burly old man sat there like a general planted on his horse, his back ramrod straight as a spear. His face was square, his eyebrows a straight line, his nose prominent, and his entire bearing exuded an aura of unyielding rigidity. His eyes shone brightly, sharp as a falcon’s, marking a will that would never bend. Seeing Li Muchan and his group, he beckoned: "Wuwang, come here." His voice was not loud, yet it carried clearly through the din of the crowd to their ears.

"Grandfather Zhao!" Nangong Wuwang displayed his innocent smile and cheerfully ascended the high platform after a leap. The others followed him onto the platform.

The old man, surnamed Zhao, cast a glance over them, finally resting his eyes on Li Muchan. Wang Yuanchu whispered almost inaudibly: "This man is Zhao Shuqi, the Tablet-Smashing Hand. He is one of the world’s top masters and is on excellent terms with Nangong Sidao."

Li Muchan nodded, taking in Zhao Shuqi’s appearance. This man’s internal energy was profound, unfathomable. He was far superior to Li Muchan; in a fight, he knew he would be defeated.

"Wuwang, are these your friends?" Zhao Shuqi asked sternly.

Nangong Wuwang shook his head: "They are from the Penglai Wang family; they came to offer apologies!"

"Hmm," Zhao Shuqi nodded once, asking, "You are managing affairs now?"

"Hehe, I don't manage anything. It’s thankless work. No one is smarter than Big Brother; I certainly won't bring trouble upon myself," Nangong Wuwang chuckled merrily. "I just can't stand them! The Penglai Wang family is one of the preeminent families in the world, and they do indeed have masters. I called them here because I want to spar with him!" As he spoke, Nangong Wuwang pointed at Li Muchan.

"Greetings, Senior Zhao," Li Muchan inclined his head with a smile, feeling a stirring of eagerness; he also wished to witness the martial arts of the Nangong Clan and broaden his horizons.

Zhao Shuqi nodded: "Indeed, to possess such skill at such a young age is rare! Let the sparring take place here then."

Wang Yuanchu cupped his hands and smiled faintly: "Senior Zhao, I am Wang Yuanchu, a disciple of the Penglai Wang family. I have long admired the great reputation of the Tablet-Smashing Hand!"

Zhao Shuqi waved his hand, smiling faintly: "This old body is no longer capable of muscle and bone competition. I am old, just a useless old man, not deserving of such high praise." Wang Yuanchu shook his head, sighing: "Senior, you are vigorous in old age! Wiping out the Eighteen Forts of Lianyun in a single day—your might is peerless; this junior admires you greatly."

Zhao Shuqi stroked his beard and laughed heartily, appearing quite pleased. "It's nothing worth mentioning. Now, let us begin. Sparring matches should be limited to a touch; do not use heavy hands."

Nangong Wuwang laughed: "Grandfather Zhao, rest assured, I will be careful!"

Li Muchan and Nangong Wuwang each took their positions, separated by about two zhang. Nangong Wuwang laughed: "I still don't know your respected name and surname."

Li Muchan smiled faintly: "Li San."

Nangong Wuwang pouted. He knew this was a false name; this fellow was truly secretive! Feeling a surge of annoyance, his handsome face darkened, and he snorted: "Good, Li San, you shall taste my Qiankun Palm!" With that, he lunged forward, striking out with a palm strike as light as brushing against a fresh flower.

Li Muchan employed the Nine Palms of the Vast Sea, and the two engaged in combat. Li Muchan inwardly marveled; this lineage was truly profound. Although the Qiankun Palm shared a name with his own Qiankun Sword Technique, they were entirely different. He named his sword technique that because it involved one offensive stance and one defensive stance. Nangong Wuwang’s Qiankun Palm, however, was more subtle, living up to the name Qiankun: one palm represented Yin, the other Yang; one was Qian, the other Kun, with Man in the middle, forming the Three Powers. The two palms, Yin and Yang, could transform into each other at will, allowing for seamless changes. His technique could project both soft, yielding strength and hard, rigid force simultaneously, capable of neutralizing his opponent's palm energy. Even if one possessed deeper internal energy, having an edge over him, they would still find it hard to do anything against him.

Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, Wang Yingjie whispered: "Uncle, is Master Uncle about to lose?"

Wang Yuanchu shook his head, his eyes fixed on the center of the field, snorting: "Stop your crow’s talk! How could Brother Li possibly lose? Watch closely; this is the Nangong Clan's Qiankun Palm!" The Qiankun Palm was created by Nangong Sidao; its power was peerless and known throughout the martial world.

Li Muchan felt a strong desire to learn the technique; he entangled Nangong Wuwang neither too slowly nor too quickly, focusing his mind to capture every subtle movement.

(To be continued)