Feng Baishan’s face changed drastically, and he turned sharply toward Ge Mu Chan, his gaze icy. “Is it because of him?”
He sneered, “Don’t forget, he’s a monk!” Your emperor has an edict; monks cannot renounce their vows. Sister Peiyao, you cannot marry him!”
Fan Peiyao’s cheeks instantly flushed scarlet, and she quickly said, “Brother Feng, what nonsense are you talking about!”
Seeing her reaction, a raging fire of jealousy surged into Feng Baishan’s mind, uncontrollable. He wanted to draw his sword and slay Li Mu Chan, eliminating this romantic rival.
Noticing the murderous intent brimming from him, Fan Peiyao hurriedly pleaded, “Brother Feng… I don’t want to be married; it has nothing to do with anyone else.”
Li Mu Chan shook his head subtly. While Miss Fan was every bit the equal of any man, she was indeed inexperienced in matters of the heart. The more she defended him, the angrier Feng Baishan became; it was completely counterproductive.
Feng Baishan scoffed, “Then why! Am I not handsome enough? Is my family background insufficient?”
Fan Peiyao shook her head. “No, no, neither of those things!” Brother Feng, you and I are too different. If we truly became husband and wife, we would argue every day and eventually turn on each other, becoming enemies. I don't want that!”
“After we marry, I will yield to you,” Feng Baishan grunted.
Fan Peiyao managed a small smile, staring at him as she asked, “Really?”
Feng Baishan nodded without hesitation, his expression resolute. However, Fan Peiyao shook her head. “Brother Feng, even you don't believe that, do you? You are too strong-willed, and so am I. We are truly not suited for each other.”
“Sister Peiyao, after all is said and done, you are simply saying I am not good enough for you!” Feng Baishan’s face turned cold and grim. “Am I truly inferior to this monk?”
He pointed furiously at Li Mu Chan, his eyes spitting fire.
Li Mu Chan’s expression remained composed, tranquil as still water. He watched the argument unfold without offering any mediation.
This Feng Baishan was truly clueless about women. The fact that Miss Fan could think about these things with such composure clearly indicated she was not deeply ensnared in love.
Fan Peiyao furrowed her delicate brows, growing impatient. “Brother Feng, why must you always drag other people into our personal matters?”
“If he didn’t exist, would you marry me?” Feng Baishan insisted stubbornly.
Fan Peiyao shook her head. “No.”
“Why? Tell me, why?!” Feng Baishan roared, his face contorting into a savage mask.
Fan Peiyao sighed. “Brother Feng, your martial arts are superb, your status is high, and you possess handsome features. Furthermore, you are the direct disciple of Thunder Sword Peak—you are truly flawless.”
“Then why don’t you like me?” Feng Baishan was baffled.
Fan Peiyao sighed again. “Brother Feng, none of that matters much to me. I just want a peaceful life, one where we can speak kindly and live happily. Our perspectives and methods are different. If we were together, there would be endless disputes and bickering. That kind of life would be agonizing, and I don’t want it.”
“Sister Peiyao, you are overthinking things!” Feng Baishan frowned.
He was growing impatient. What was the big deal about marriage? Why think so far ahead? It was needless worry—utterly ridiculous!
Seeing his expression, Fan Peiyao shook her head and sighed.
Li Mu Chan’s party of four watched the argument unfold, offering no interruption. Even a wise judge struggles with domestic disputes, let alone something as subtle as romantic compatibility, which outsiders could never truly grasp.
Li Mu Chan smiled. “Miss Fan, please settle your discussion. We shall take our leave for now. Perhaps later, after we have eaten, we can stroll through the night market together?”
“That sounds wonderful!” Fan Peiyao quickly agreed.
Li Mu Chan turned, but suddenly, a sharp sound exploded by his ear: “Stop right there.”
Li Mu Chan turned back to meet two chilling stares. Feng Baishan glared at him darkly, stating coldly, “You keep your distance from Sister Peiyao!”
Fan Peiyao instantly grew anxious and snapped, “Brother Feng, what ridiculous things are you saying!”
Feng Baishan shot back at her, “Sister Peiyao, this monk is no good; ignore him!”
Fan Peiyao frowned, her beautiful face sinking. “Master Ming Kong is my friend. Whether he is a good person or not is not for you to judge.”
Feng Baishan’s face remained grim. “You are my intended wife; you cannot associate with other men.”
Fan Peiyao laughed in sheer exasperation, then her expression snapped suddenly cold. She huffed, “Who is your wife? Give up on that notion; I will never agree!”
She had started politely, trying to refuse him gently, but seeing him act so rudely and try to shame Li Mu Chan, her anger flared up instantly, and she dropped all pretense of courtesy.
Feng Baishan’s expression turned grim as he slowly regarded her. His handsome features twisted, his eyes blazing like torches, radiating a terrifying power.
Fan Peiyao felt a jolt of fear.
She had already witnessed his profound cultivation; he was indeed the worthy direct disciple of Thunder Sword Peak, possessing incredibly deep inner force. His swordplay was like lightning, immense in its might. If she sparred with him seriously, she couldn't last ten moves; at full strength, he could subdue her in two or three.
Feng Baishan said coldly, “The decree of our parents, the word of the matchmaker—Sister Peiyao, you cannot defy this!” My master personally spoke on this matter; how could the elder refuse?”
Fan Peiyao frowned and fell silent, her eyes flickering briefly as she tightly pressed her cherry lips together.
Li Mu Chan sighed. “To use force to coerce someone—how is that different from outright robbery? Young Master Feng, bullying a woman like this is truly an eye-opener for me…”
“Get out of the way!” Feng Baishan snapped coldly.
If it weren't for this monk stirring the pot, Sister Peiyao wouldn't have rejected him! He deserved death, but he couldn't kill him while Sister Peiyao was present. Once his master arrived, he would certainly eliminate this troublemaker.
“Young Master Feng has quite the imposing air! This is not Thunder Sword Peak,” Li Mu Chan raised an eyebrow, offering a faint, mocking smile, yet he made no move.
He was inwardly cautious. His psychic sensitivity was sharper than usual, allowing him to clearly perceive Feng Baishan’s turbulent thoughts.
Just as Fan Peiyao was about to speak, Li Mu Chan raised a hand to stop her and mocked, “To bully a woman so thoroughly is truly the shame of all men in this world, Young Master Feng... you are utterly unfit to be a man; why not just take a blade to yourself.”
“You’re looking to die.” Feng Baishan erupted in fury. A flash of lightning, and the tip of his sword was already at Li Mu Chan’s chest.
Li Mu Chan swept his palm out. With a sharp clang, like metal striking metal—
Hiss! The long sword flew from its owner’s grasp, embedding itself into the door, submerged up to the hilt—the silver tassel shaking faintly.
Li Mu Chan slowly drew back his right palm and said calmly, “Young Master Feng, drawing your sword to kill over a mere disagreement—is this the manner of conduct at Thunder Sword Peak?”
Feng Baishan stared at him in astonishment, then slowly looked down at his own right hand, lost in thought.
When he thrust his sword out just now, it felt like hitting solid rock. A tremendous force surged through his arm, one he couldn't resist, and his right hand went instantly numb; the sword was already gone.
Li Mu Chan turned back to Fan Peiyao. “Miss Fan, this man is not a suitable partner—it is indeed wise to reconsider. We shall depart.”
“Master, I...” Fan Peiyao looked apologetic.
She felt terrible, believing she had caused Master Li Mu Chan to suffer humiliation; she would rather have suffered it herself.
Li Mu Chan shook his head and smiled. “It’s nothing. Don’t mind a barking dog. See you later.”
“Yes.” Fan Peiyao nodded and escorted them out.
As Li Mu Chan left, he glanced back at Feng Baishan, who was still staring blankly at his right hand, his expression one of utter confusion.
He understood Feng Baishan’s astonishment: the internal force surging through that single palm strike—the sheer power—was no less than what the Great Ming King Scripture could produce.
His two months of seclusion had yielded astonishing results. From this day forward, he had truly entered the ranks of first-rate masters.
The Cānghǎi Divine Skill and his military inner force had merged. The locus of his accumulated energy was no longer the Dantian, but the Qi Membrane. The Dantian was now like a lake; the Qi Membrane, like the sea—naturally, the difference was profound.
Meridians were like river channels, but their narrowness limited the flow of internal force. Now that he had broken past those constraints, he could move energy freely throughout his entire body, his power exponentially greater—as long as his physical body could withstand it, he could unleash it.
With his Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill, his physique was exceptionally strong, granting him superior tolerance, thus allowing for greater explosive power.
That single palm strike looked light, almost careless, but the force behind it was immense. Feng Baishan was caught completely off guard and naturally suffered the loss.
The four walked out and returned to their private room.
Xiao Yuan poured wine for everyone, giggling, “That Feng Baishan is truly a fool!”
Mei Ruolan lifted her silver cup, frowning slightly. “He really is inadequate. Miss Fan is in trouble.”
“Mhm,” Gong Qingyun agreed.
Feng Baishan certainly possessed the arrogance to be demanding; if his master came to propose marriage in person, despite the Fan Escort Agency’s size, they would have no grounds to refuse and would have to comply obediently.
Li Mu Chan took a small sip from his silver cup, deep in thought.
Xiao Yuan glanced at him and teased, “Ming Kong, are you worried about Sister Fan?”
Li Mu Chan shot her an annoyed look, and Xiao Yuan stuck out her tongue.
Mei Ruolan advised, “Ming Kong, this is a family matter. We can’t help, so it’s best not to interfere.”
Li Mu Chan frowned and shook his head. “This person…”
“Why don’t we just kill him, then,” Xiao Yuan muttered.
Mei Ruolan immediately objected, “Nonsense!”
Gong Qingyun shook his head. “Xiao Yuan, you always come up with the worst ideas!”
Xiao Yuan pouted defiantly. “That guy is a scoundrel—better to kill him than let him stay in this world harming people and helping Sister Fan.”
“If we kill him, we won’t survive either!” Gong Qingyun stated coldly.
Xiao Yuan pouted again. “We can just run back to Mount Cānghǎi; what can they do to us?”
Mei Ruolan countered, “Even if we kill him, we have to wait until Ming Kong returns to Mount Cānghǎi.”
Li Mu Chan smiled. “Don’t worry, I have my own plans. Everyone, let’s start eating before the food gets cold!”
The group picked up their silver chopsticks to begin eating, but suddenly they heard the clash of steel. Li Mu Chan’s expression changed instantly. He flickered and vanished from the private room. The three women exchanged surprised glances, then set down their chopsticks and rushed out.
Li Mu Chan appeared in the room where Fan Peiyao and Feng Baishan were. They were already engaged in combat. Fan Peiyao attacked fiercely, her face stern, her sword light like snow. Feng Baishan parried with a mocking smile, blocking without attacking.
Li Mu Chan frowned, standing with his hands behind his back, not intervening.
When Feng Baishan saw him appear, his smile vanished, replaced by a cold sneer. “Monk, you are meddling too much. Get lost!”
Li Mu Chan didn’t even look at him, asking sternly, “Miss Fan, what is going on?”
Fan Peiyao’s beautiful face flushed crimson; she shook her head without speaking, her sword light like snow, every strike imbued with killing intent.
Feng Baishan parried her blows while sneering coldly, “It seems my guess was right—you two truly are having an illicit affair!”