Nanshan City, also known as Great Yu City or Divine Axe City.

When Duanmu Yu unified the realm, he established Nanshan City as the imperial capital, making it the foremost metropolis on the Duanmu Continent.

Around noon the following day, Teng Qingshan and his entourage arrived at Nanshan City.

Along the main thoroughfare of Nanshan City, a lavish carriage, pulled by two Scarlet Wind War Hounds, advanced slowly.

“Wow, Nanshan City is truly immense,” Li Jun praised, peering out through the carriage curtain.

Old Wang, driving the carriage, chuckled.

“Nanshan City is divided into Inner and Outer Cities.

When the Thunder Blade Celestial God unified the realm, he expanded Nanshan City.

Originally, the Inner City was equivalent to a regular major city, but with the addition of the Outer City, it can accommodate four to five million people.

It’s the largest city in the world!” “Big enough!” Teng Qingshan also marveled.

Such a vast city could rival Yu Wang City, even when compared to the Nine Provinces.

“So many people,” Xiao Ping exclaimed, her eyes shining as she looked out.

“As expected of the continent’s largest city, there are countless martial artists,” Teng Qingshan observed, noting warriors everywhere, some wearing padded jackets carrying long blades, others hoisting huge axes.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Swift hoofbeats sounded as several quick-moving beasts galloped down the center of the street, forcing the pedestrians to scatter.

“Riding that fast, aren’t they afraid of hitting someone!” Li Jun huffed.

“No matter the place, there are always those with power and arrogance,” Old Wang said with a chuckle.

“Fortunately, this street is a full ten zhang wide.

If we keep to the side… as long as it’s not a large procession, we won't be affected.” “Divine Axe Mountain is northwest of Nanshan City.” Teng Qingshan looked up at the sky.

“Hmm, it’s getting late.

How about this: we’ll head to the Rising Sun Tavern for lunch first, and after we eat, we’ll proceed to Divine Axe Mountain.” “Yes, Master,” Old Wang responded respectfully.

After tasting the cuisine at Rising Sun Tavern in Danyang City once, Teng Qingshan had to admit its quality was quite high.

Therefore, unless he was in a hurry, Teng Qingshan usually chose to dine there! …… Since the streets were crowded, Teng Qingshan and his group preferred not to charge through the center, resulting in a slower pace.

“Giddy up! Giddy up! Giddy up!” Suddenly, a string of shouts echoed, causing the street pavement to tremble slightly.

A procession appeared, mostly mounted on Green-furred, Single-horned War Hounds, with the leader riding a Cloud-Treading Golden-Lined Hound.

This group sped down the middle of the street, dozens of riders with three or four hounds abreast, nearly occupying four to five zhang of the roadway.

“Clear the way!” “Watch out!” The street instantly erupted into chaos as martial artists, wandering heroes, and young women scrambled to the sides.

“Moving that fast, it’s easy to kill someone by accident,” Teng Qingshan frowned.

“The riders are on War Hounds; this isn't just any ordinary contingent,” Old Wang remarked.

As they spoke, because the crowd on the street was dodging frantically to the sides, a young maidservant was accidentally brushed aside and even stepped on by someone rushing to get clear.

“Giddy up! Giddy up! Giddy up!” The War Hound cavalry swept past the opening they created, leaving the maidservant lying on the ground.

The cavalry unit did not even slow down, and the girl’s eyes showed sheer terror.

“Brother Teng!” Li Jun cried out urgently from the roadside upon witnessing the scene.

Whoosh! Teng Qingshan’s figure vanished from before the carriage, leaving an afterimage hanging in the air, and he materialized instantly in the center of the street.

Teng Qingshan extended his right hand, supporting the maidservant by her waist, spun around, and swiftly scooped her up, shielding her with his body.

Simultaneously, his free left arm thrust out horizontally, acting like a barrier before the leading Cloud-Treading Golden-Lined Hound.

Boom! The War Hound slammed into Teng Qingshan’s arm.

His arm did not shift an inch, only radiating a faint, powerful aura.

“Awoooo~~~” The Golden-Lined Hound let out a low roar, forced back several steps by the recoil of the impact.

“Stop!” the warrior in robes atop the hound commanded.

With a series of low growls, the dozens of War Hounds immediately halted, their riders staring at the white-robed figure protecting the maidservant.

“Well done!” “What a man!” Immediately, shouts of approval rose from the crowds lining the street.

This caused the face of the robed man on the Golden-Lined Hound to darken.

He held high status, but being caught rushing and nearly trampling people on the street, especially being stopped, felt deeply humiliating.

“Isn't that Young Master Murong the Second from the Murong family?” “Yes, it’s Young Master Murong the Second.” “That young man is in deep trouble for provoking Young Master Murong the Second! In Nanshan City, he’s practically a tyrant.” …… Young Master Murong the Second, seated high on his hound, heard this.

He swept his gaze across the surroundings, and the chatter on the street instantly died down.

“Who are you?” Young Master Murong the Second demanded imperiously from above.

“Just a passerby,” Teng Qingshan replied, sparing him a glance.

“You are Young Master Murong the Second?” “I am.” Young Master Murong the Second, however, felt a degree of apprehension toward the man before him.

“My Cloud-Treading Golden-Lined Hound is a top-tier War Hound.

At that speed, its impact force must exceed ten thousand jin.

Yet, this mysterious man blocked it with a single arm, preventing my mount from advancing even an inch! This level of strength…” Young Master Murong the Second surmised.

To achieve this with only one arm meant his single-arm strength had to be at least over one hundred thousand jin.

“Definitely a Martial Saint powerhouse!” Young Master Murong the Second muttered with irritation.

“What rotten luck to run into a Martial Saint!” “Young Master Murong the Second, there are many pedestrians on this street.

It would be terrible if someone were killed,” Teng Qingshan finished, then released the maidservant he had protected.

Only then did Teng Qingshan have a chance to examine the girl closely.

She was slender, wearing a small green padded jacket, and possessed remarkably clear eyes.

The tight jacket subtly outlined her figure, showing a hint of fullness in her chest, and as she looked at Teng Qingshan, a unique light flickered in her gaze, mixed with a trace of tears.

“Be more careful on the roads from now on.

Go on back,” Teng Qingshan said, then turned and walked toward the side of the street.

The maidservant watched his retreating back.

“Aren’t you going to move?!” Young Master Murong the Second shouted from his hound.

Though furious, he dared not charge forward.

Offending a Martial Saint was clearly unwise.

The maidservant snapped back to attention and quickly scurried to the side of the road.

With incessant hoofbeats, Young Master Murong the Second’s contingent departed swiftly.

“Just now…” the maidservant watched Teng Qingshan ascend into a carriage.

“He, he really looked, really looked… like my father!” She clearly recalled the moment of despair when a tall figure had embraced and protected her.

That feeling of absolute safety brought back memories of her father saving her when she was a child.

“Ah, my foster father will surely find out I snuck out; I must hurry back.

What rotten luck, nearly being run over by those Hounds,” the maidservant glanced at the sky and dashed into a nearby alley, fleeing quickly.

…… Inside the carriage.

“Brother Teng, a classic case of saving the beauty,” Li Jun teased.

“You’re joking with me,” Teng Qingshan glanced at her with a smile.

Li Jun looked toward the alley across the street with a grin.

“I saw clearly just now.

That little girl kept staring at you until you got into the carriage.” Teng Qingshan shook his head, not wanting to press the matter with Li Jun.

He understood her temperament well.

Toward bandits and cutthroats, Li Jun’s only thought was one word: kill! She was even harsher than Teng Qingshan.

But toward frail young girls or orphans, Li Jun possessed the softest heart.

However… If any young girl showed interest in Teng Qingshan, Li Jun would become a little jealous.

“Old Wang, hurry up, let’s get to the Rising Sun Tavern for lunch quickly,” Teng Qingshan instructed.

“Yes, Master!” * Nanshan City, as the paramount city of the continent, has never been fully conquered by any single family to this day.

However, there are three major families that harbor the greatest ambition to claim Nanshan City! These three families are all deeply rooted in the Nanshan Domain, which gives them the audacity to entertain such designs on Nanshan City.

One of them is the Wang Family! Nanshan City, Inner City, Wang Family Residence.

The maidservant girl was running towards the main gate of the Wang Family Residence, attempting to sneak in through a side entrance.

“Hey, Xiaoyan!” a flirtatious voice called out.

The maidservant looked up to see a young nobleman, clad in luxurious blue fur robes, approaching with several servants.

“Xiaoyan, why are you outside the manor?” “Greetings, Third Young Master,” the maidservant bowed slightly.

“Xiaoyan, why be so formal with me.” As he spoke, the nobleman reached out directly to take the maidservant’s hand.

The girl, named ‘Xiaoyan,’ swiftly dodged away, causing the nobleman to frown in surprise.

“Xiaoyan, why are there footprints on you? What happened? Tell me, and I’ll avenge you!” “No need, I must return; I need to cook for my foster father.” The maidservant bowed slightly again and quickly hurried away.

The nobleman watched her retreating figure, then sniffed his hand.

“Tsk tsk, fragrant!” “Third Young Master,” a youth with sunken eyes, resembling a venomous snake, murmured from behind the nobleman.

“Third Young Master, if you desire Miss Xiaoyan… this subordinate can assist?” “No!” The nobleman shook his head vigorously.

“Don’t mess around.

If we anger her foster father, my own father will surely fly into a rage and break my legs!” Just then, the nobleman spotted several figures approaching and flinched involuntarily.

“Father!” the nobleman greeted respectfully.

The leading figure among the approaching group wore opulent black fur robes; this middle-aged man had a fair, beardless face and frowned sharply.

“Hong’er, what are you doing here?” “Your son was just planning to go out for a stroll,” the nobleman dared not say more.

“For the next few days, don’t cause trouble for your father, understand?” the middle-aged man said with a furrowed brow.

“Alright, I won’t waste time talking.

I must go meet Teacher Fu.” With that, the man led his entourage away.