Zhang Yang led Mi Xue, Qu Meilan, and the three spirit beasts—Lightning, Shadowless, and Wind Chaser—driving the lead Hummer. Behind him, Yan Yefei, Li Juan, Qiao Yihong, along with Zhang Yunan, followed in a second Hummer. The two large Hummers slowly departed Zhang Yang’s villa, heading out of Changjing.

This trip to Kunlun was planned as a long road trip for the entire family. Zhang Yang intended for them to stop along the way, explore interesting landscapes, and gain experience. This sightseeing and minor tempering would greatly benefit the cultivation of their mental states, especially for Qiao Yihong and Yan Yefei. The first planned stop, according to Zhang Yang’s itinerary, was Changzhou, where he intended to show Mi Xue and the others the Leshan Giant Buddha. Leaving Changjing, the two Hummers immediately hit the national highway. This time, their pace was significantly faster than when they had returned with Long Feng previously. Not long after noon, they exited the highway and entered Gaocheng County. The only similarity to their last visit was that as soon as they entered Gaocheng County, a fine drizzle began to fall. Soon, the heavens opened, and a torrential downpour began, rapidly reducing visibility on the road.

“It’s raining. We might as well find a place to eat and rest until the storm subsides a bit before moving on,” Zhang Yang observed. Seeing the poor visibility caused by the heavy rain, which demanded extreme caution even within the small county, he instructed Mi Xue to call Yan Yefei and the others, telling them to stop here for a meal first. They casually picked a restaurant that looked decent, parking the Hummers near the entrance. Because Wind Chaser drew too much attention, Zhang Yang kept him inside the vehicle rather than bringing him into the restaurant. After that, the group rushed inside.

Among them, only Yan Yefei and Li Juan were novices in cultivation, barely at the initial stage of the first layer. Consequently, they got slightly soaked by the rain when they dashed in. As for the others, they managed to get from the vehicles into the restaurant without a single drop of water touching them, looking completely untouched by the downpour. With the rain so heavy, the noise within the restaurant seemed muffled. Apart from three other tables, the hall was almost empty. Since the place was quiet, there was no need for a private room. Zhang Yang selected a clean table for Mi Xue and the others and immediately ordered the proprietor to bring the food. The owner, having already noticed this group emerging from the imposing Hummers, immediately recognized them as people of significant wealth or status and served Zhang Yang’s party with great attention. Soon, a table laden with dishes that looked, smelled, and sounded tempting was placed before them.

Since they had more driving to do in the afternoon, drinking alcohol was out of the question. Zhang Yang ordered no wine. Shadowless and Lightning, the two little ones, didn't eat such fare anyway, so they were left to frolic nearby. Inside the restaurant, apart from Zhang Yang’s group, there were only three other occupied tables. The one closest to the entrance was occupied by a group of young, affluent-looking men. They seemed to be travelers like Zhang Yang’s party, passing through Gaocheng County, using the sudden bad weather as an excuse to stop for a meal. Their table was littered with empty liquor bottles; clearly, these men had been drinking heavily, their faces flushed and slightly tipsy.

“Hey, Boss, check out that chick—she’s stunning!” “Which one?” “The one next to that young man!” “Whoa, you’re right, she’s gorgeous. And the one next to her is pretty too!” “Boss, Boss, look! That one must be a married lady from the Southern Territories—she’s wearing a veil. Look at that waist, look at that figure—perfectly ripe!”

Several of them, well into their cups, had become brazen, their conversation loud enough that the nearest patrons in the restaurant heard every word clearly. That nearby table shot the rowdy group looks of disgust, shook their heads, and returned to eating their food in silence. What the young men were discussing, naturally, concerned Mi Xue, Qu Meilan, and Li Juan—the three women in Zhang Yang’s party. Their coarse comments did not escape the notice of Zhang Yang and the others, all of whom possessed internal energy.

Yan Yefei’s face instantly clouded with anger, but his good breeding kept him from rising to confront the youngsters. Zhang Yang narrowed his eyes and let out a cold snort. This sound, laced with inner strength, shot directly toward the table of young gallants. The already inebriated men were immediately hit with dizziness, a sudden tightness in their chests, and an inability to speak further. After a while, they managed to regain their composure, gasping for breath. Assuming it was the alcohol, one of them furiously slammed the table and began yelling at the restaurant staff, “Are you selling us the best wine you have? How dare you trick us! Believe it or not, I’ll have someone shut down your establishment!” “Exactly! Do you know who this is? He’s the son of the County Magistrate of Gaocheng! You dare sell fake liquor? We’ll have the police shut you down immediately!” Another man pointed at a slightly chubby young man seated at their table and shouted loudly. The neighboring table couldn't help but shake their heads, exchanging glances, already planning a discreet exit.

The restaurant owner rushed out upon hearing the commotion, immediately approaching the rowdy group with deep bows and apologies. The chubby young man, seemingly indeed the son of the Gaocheng County Magistrate, was recognized by the owner, who naturally dared not slight him. After a lengthy period of bowing and apologizing, the young men’s expressions softened slightly. One of them beckoned the owner closer and whispered a few words into his ear. Hearing the request, the proprietor’s face immediately became troubled, and he stole a glance toward Zhang Yang’s party. Seeing the owner’s hesitation, the chubby young man immediately slapped the table and sneered, “These guys are all buddies I know from Xizhou. This one here is the son of the Xizhou Mayor, that one is the son of Wu Le, Xizhou’s wealthiest man, and as for Brother Hu here, I hardly need an introduction, do I? My friends need a favor from you now; aren’t you going to hurry up and comply, hmm?”

The restaurant owner’s legs grew weak upon hearing this. Realizing he couldn't escape this situation, he could only nod stiffly before leaving their table. Watching the owner approach Zhang Yang, the latter could only shake his head in weary resignation. He hadn't intended to cause trouble, but inevitably, some arrogant people insisted on provoking him.

“Gentlemen, I sincerely apologize,” the restaurant owner said, approaching with a forced smile, bowing low, and chuckling cordially. “I hope the meal met with your satisfaction?” “It was good. The dishes were quite distinctive,” Zhang Yang replied coolly. Yan Yefei’s expression beside him darkened, as he could tell the owner’s intentions were linked to that table of youngsters. “Sir, the situation is this—those gentlemen over there wish to make your acquaintance, hoping to share a drink and exchange contact information. Would that be acceptable?” The owner looked gratefully at Zhang Yang before explaining his errand, though he was reserved; the young men obviously weren't seeking to socialize with Zhang Yang, Yan Yefei, or Qiao Yihong, but rather wanted to meet Mi Xue, Qu Meilan, and Li Juan, and obtain the contact details of the three women.

“Go tell them they are not worthy,” Zhang Yang said, a slight smile playing on his lips, speaking each word clearly, though his voice was not loud, it carried perfectly to the ears of the young gallants at the other table. The group of young men heard Zhang Yang’s words completely, missing nothing. Clap, clap, clap! Immediately, two of the youngsters—the loudest drinkers—and the one next to them rose simultaneously, glaring menacingly at Zhang Yang’s party and shouting, “You brat! Who are you saying isn’t worthy?” Zhang Yang smiled faintly, his eyes not even registering the opponents. He gave a slight shake of his head, a signal to Qiao Yihong and Yan Yefei not to stoop to the level of these arrogant pups. Engaging with such people would be beneath their station.

The restaurant owner stood awkwardly in the middle, glancing left and right. Zhang Yang’s group arrived in vehicles costing millions, suggesting they were also wealthy and influential. Yet, the other group included the County Magistrate’s son; they were people he couldn't afford to offend either. The owner could only pray that the two factions wouldn't clash, lest he and his restaurant become collateral damage. Seeing that Zhang Yang ignored them, the young men’s arrogance swelled further. They interpreted Zhang Yang’s silence as weakness, believing he was intimidated. All dozen or so of them stood up. A young man, perhaps twenty-seven or twenty-eight, seemingly their leader, strode over aggressively, swaying slightly from drink. “You! I’m talking to you! Who did you just say isn’t worthy?” he demanded arrogantly, pointing at Zhang Yang. “That’s right! You outsiders, swaggering around on our turf!” “You dare offend our Brother Hu? Don’t you know how to write the word ‘death’?” “Kid, don’t forget, this is Gaocheng County!” A chorus of shouts erupted from the young men behind their leader, the entire group clearly holding Zhang Yang’s party in utter contempt. Zhang Yang picked up a piece of food, chewed it slowly, swallowed, and then raised his head to look at the man standing before him, sneering, “It’s you. You aren’t worthy to stand before me.” (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.) to cast your recommendation or monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.) No Pop-up Novel Website