Qian Jin merely lifted an eyelid to look at Keller, asking flatly without rising, "Are you here to pay respects? This manner of entry is hardly polite."

Keller was taken aback upon seeing Qian Jin, inwardly shocked: This kid wasn't dead? Didn't Lucas say he dispatched three Ninth-Tier Warriors? Two years with no news, he assumed the kid was dead; unexpectedly, just as those four warriors claimed, Qian Jin was alive.

The dozen or so warriors following behind Keller all paused simultaneously, some unable to believe that the young man before them dared to speak so boldly in front of so many people. Didn't he know what he had done not long ago?

Keller stared at Qian Jin, his face grim, inwardly wondering why he, too, was a Tenth-Tier Warrior. Fortunately, he had brought Demon-Subduing Warriors this time; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to suppress this fellow!

"Qian Jin, so you really are alive." Keller slowly took a step forward, striking an imposing posture and pointing at Qian Jin: "This matter originally had nothing to do with you; it was a business affair between our Kai family and the Luo family. You dare to meddle casually—this is an insult and trampling upon the laws of the True Strategy Dynasty, and a provocation to our Kai family! Today, I have come here..."

Qian Jin, gripping his Zhanmadao, suddenly stood up and walked step by step toward Keller. His cold, stern expression imposed varying degrees of pressure on everyone present.

Fabredis observed Qian Jin with curiosity. Having returned after disappearing for two years, how could he have become so much stronger? He was clearly not on the same level as two years ago. What had he encountered during those two years? Could he have awakened his bloodline—a Bloodline Warrior? Text from Gao Lou Da Sha Ba

The middle-aged man to the right, usually placid, now showed considerable curiosity. When did such a young man appear in Aucklan? As the City Lord, how could I not know?

Qian Jin stopped three meters in front of Keller. The blade of the Zhanmadao in his hand slowly scraped across the ground, the metal emitting a grating, piercing sound against the hard stone slabs, as if this line were not drawn on the floor, but etched into the hearts of everyone present.

Carrying a wine bottle in one hand and the Zhanmadao in the other, Qian Jin leisurely paced the courtyard, the great saber carving a straight line into the ground.

"It's not to pay respects, but for those who come here to cause trouble and step over this line," Qian Jin said softly as he turned toward the hall, not even glancing at the group. "Die."

An arrogant declaration! Domineering words! An act of utter disregard! Ah Gui must fail the exam

Everyone froze. A yellowed parchment scroll floated down from the air toward the middle-aged man on the right.

"Are you Lord Sabonis, the City Lord? In Aucklan City, only the City Lord could possess such grandeur. My apologies, I am keeping vigil for a classmate, so I cannot bow to you. As for whether I have violated the laws of the True Strategy Dynasty, I believe after you read this, you will understand perfectly."

Sabonis accepted Qian Jin’s scroll with a faint smile. His eyes scanned the text, and he felt as if he had been struck by lightning: Luo Family Guardian, Credentials! Qian Jin!

Sabonis hadn't expected that Lin Luo, back when he was just a first-year student, had purchased a Guardian Credential from him with a large sum of money, and that credential was actually kept specifically for Qian Jin! Was this kid’s foresight truly that strong? Two or three years ago, Qian Jin couldn't have been this formidable, could he?

"City Lord, what is that you are holding?" Keller, sensing something was amiss, whispered to Sabonis, "May I take a look?"

Sabonis offered a wry smile and handed the Guardian Credential to Keller. Since this thing truly existed, Qian Jin had sufficient standing to handle the Luo family's affairs.

The "Guardian" held a peculiar status within the True Strategy Dynasty. Whether within a family, a mercantile guild, a city, or even a nation, their standing was no less than that of the current leader of the power structure, yet they typically did not involve themselves in every detail, acting more as spiritual figureheads.

Under normal circumstances, a "Guardian" lacked financial or personnel management authority over the current power structure, but they possessed the authority to resolve specific incidents, especially when the family head was absent, in which case they could handle any matter fully.

Because of this unique relationship, various factions were extremely careful and meticulous when hiring a "Guardian," subjecting them to repeated scrutiny before offering the position.

Powerful factions often appointed their own strong individuals to serve as "Guardians." Some factions even preferred to have no "Guardian" at all, fearing the possibility of a power seizure instigated by one.

The True Strategy Dynasty recognized the legal status of the "Guardian," even providing a corresponding set of laws—known as the Guardian Edicts.

Once someone becomes the Guardian of a faction, if that faction’s interests are infringed upon, the Guardian is permitted to kill, and this action is not considered a violation of national law!

The "Guardian" also possessed the Law of Retribution, sometimes called the Privilege Law that superseded general law. However, very few Guardians actually exacted paternal revenge for a family on the brink of extinction; even the law could not force them to do so.

Since Family Guardians were more akin to City Guardians, in a sense, they primarily protected family members.

If a family was about to collapse, the Guardian, despite having the full right to avenge, would almost never execute it. In the eyes of the public, it was merely a formal decree, rarely acted upon in reality.

Those qualified to serve as a faction's Guardian usually possessed respectable martial power. The True Strategy Dynasty disliked conflict with these warriors, as their martial strength often proved invaluable in wars against the Demon Race.

Keller looked at the Guardian Credential in his hand, his heart tightening slightly. Even if the Guardian Edicts were largely matters of text, Qian Jin’s previous actions were justified by them. Even if he had summoned City Lord Sabonis to arrest Qian Jin under the laws of the True Strategy Dynasty, it was now impossible without expending considerable effort.

"Kid!" A warrior behind Keller suddenly pushed forward, taking strides toward Qian Jin. The clear scraping sound of his longsword leaving its sheath—Cang Yan—as the blade flashed with cold light. He erupted with battle energy, pushing off the ground with one leg in a thrust, the sword tip directly aimed at Qian Jin's back.

Qian Jin's retreating legs abruptly stopped. He spun around violently and brought down the Zhanmadao with a single hand! A brilliant, dazzling sheen of light mixed with potent killing intent slashed down from above, striking the man’s head, the saber slicing down his body's center line to his lower limbs!

Pfft! Blood spurted high. The warrior’s lunge halted; his body slowly split apart, his eyes filled more with bewilderment than anything else.

The blade was clean of blood! A chilling glint of cold light flowed across the edge like autumn water, faintly reflecting the sunlight, mesmerizingly terrifying.

Thud... thud...

Two impacts as the bodies hit the ground, sending up a small cloud of dust. Qian Jin continued toward the coffin without looking back. Those Keller had brought all stiffened, many feeling their scalps prickle while their limbs grew cold and weak.

"Cross the line without paying respects, you die." The icy words sounded as if they had been frozen for a hundred years, causing many to shiver uncontrollably.

Dead? Just like that? He actually dared to kill? One blow! He split an Eighth-Tier Warrior in half so cleanly?

In the presence of the City Lord, even a family Guardian would usually show some restraint out of respect for the City Lord’s authority when striking. This man showed no such hesitation, raising his hand and cleaving the man down directly?

Sarati, an Eighth-Tier Warrior, hadn't even managed to make a move to dodge before he was cleanly killed?

Keller stared blankly at Qian Jin, watching the corpse of the warrior he brought. His heart hammered violently, and his fat left leg instinctively retreated, only to be blocked by someone’s leg behind him. A broad, powerful hand landed on his shoulder, instantly instilling an infinite sense of confidence.

That’s right! What do I have to fear? Keller glared hatefully at Qian Jin, who had returned to the coffin. Even if you became a Tenth-Tier Warrior two years ago, so what? Even if you’ve reached the peak of Tenth-Tier, so what? I brought Demon-Subduing Warriors this time! If you had remained missing for longer, perhaps you could have become a Demon-Subduing Warrior, and I would still fear you when you returned. Now? It’s the perfect time to eliminate you!

Fabredis’s eyebrows rose uncontrollably. That single blade strike displayed incredible strength and speed—truly impressive! Most praiseworthy was the killing intent; he hadn't used his full power in that strike, but rather used killing intent to intimidate his opponent, shattering the Eighth-Tier Warrior's spirit in an instant to end the fight with ease.

Sabonis frowned deeply. This young man’s ferocity exceeded all expectation. It wasn't just the ferocity of his stance, but more importantly, his mindset! Young as he was, his will was hard as steel, unyielding because of the City Lord’s presence; he showed no reservation when making his move.

Absolutely no reservation! Sabonis glanced at Keller beside him, then at Qian Jin leaning against the coffin, nodding secretly. He became even more certain: this time, he absolutely had to support the Kai family!

This stout fellow, inherently somewhat weak-willed yet overly arrogant due to his Kai family origins, coupled with the Kai family’s desire to extend their influence slightly into Aucklan City—if he monitored the situation closely, he could perfectly control the dynamics, allowing the Kai family to profit without truly becoming dominant in Aucklan.

As for the Luo family? Sabonis shook his head slightly looking at Qian Jin. This young man’s will might even surpass steel; controlling him would likely be far more difficult than controlling Lin Luo. Eliminating this variable was the best course of action!

I don't care if he develops power within Aucklan City to a level where even the City Lord cannot restrain him, forcing the True Strategy Dynasty to replace the City Lord—as long as I am the City Lord of Aucklan, I will absolutely not let such a thing become possible.