Chen Zheng frowned slightly.

"Silence! This is Young Master Chen!" the man in the bronze mask suddenly commanded.

Young Master Chen? The guards were all startled. The man in the bronze mask… he's the eldest young master of the Zhao family! The Emperor's most beloved prince! But who is this Young Master Chen? How could he possibly have any connection to the eldest young master of the Zhao family? In the imperial city, the eldest young master is a supreme figure! People like us have no right to even be in his presence. So how could someone from the Zhao family possibly know this Young Master Chen?

"Young Master Chen," the man in the bronze mask said, giving a slight bow to Chen Zheng before stepping aside.

Chen Zheng scanned the crowd.

A group of guards, and all of them are Transformation Realm Martial Artists! Incredible. The background of these people is likely far more formidable than Zhao Yumei's.

"Young Master Chen… this…" Seeing Chen Zheng, the guards all fell deathly silent.

"I've come to ask if any Artifact Refiners will be competing in this year's Refining Craft Festival," Chen Zheng asked indifferently, his gaze sweeping over them.

Hearing Chen Zheng's question, a wave of relief washed over the guards.

So this Young Master Chen isn't Zhao Yumei's backer after all! He's just here for the weapon crafting, or he wouldn't be asking such a mundane question. Zhao Yumei's brother is the family's eldest young master, but what is this guy? Just a good-for-nothing commoner from the countryside! A mere farmer!

"Young Master Chen, many Artifact Refiners are participating in this year's Refining Craft Festival, including the Grand Imperial Princess and the Third Prince!" Zhao Yumei eagerly piped up.

"Oh," Chen Zheng nodded.

I'm just attending this Refining Craft Festival for fun, anyway. I'm not a real Artifact Refiner. Even they disdain participating in this event, so what would I be doing here refining things? Chen Zheng adopted a casual attitude toward it.

"By the way, I heard this year's Artifact Refiner competition is being organized by an Artifact Refiner named Chen Xiaoer!" Zhao Yumei said, suddenly remembering something else.

Chen Xiaoer?

"Oh?" Chen Zheng raised an eyebrow.

A friend of his? Now this is getting interesting.

"Young Master Chen, he is a very formidable Artifact Refiner! He has already reached the peak of the Transformation Realm!" As she spoke, Zhao Yumei took out a jade token and handed it to Chen Zheng.

"A peak Transformation Realm Artifact Refiner… interesting," Chen Zheng said with a smile. He took the jade token and casually tossed it aside. His own cultivation was also at the peak of the Transformation Realm, so another one didn't impress him.

"By the way, Young Master Chen, I have a bold request! I hope you can help me!" Zhao Yumei said suddenly.

"You want me to be a judge?" Chen Zheng asked with a smile.

"Yes! That would show your deep relationship with our Zhao family!" Zhao Yumei nodded. She wanted Chen Zheng to be a judge because only then could she have more influence within the imperial palace. After all, her brother was the eldest young master of the Zhao family.

Chen Zheng was momentarily stunned. "Your Zhao family thinks a little too highly of itself. You want me to be a judge? And what makes you think I'd help you win?"

Zhao Yumei was taken aback.

After speaking, Chen Zheng turned and walked toward the courtyard exit.

As soon as he left, the guards erupted.

"What kind of attitude was that? Doesn't he know he's speaking to the Zhao family?"

"That kid is so arrogant! Who does he think he is?"

"Who is this Chen Zheng? Our Zhao family is renowned throughout the Southern Domain! What kind of lowly cur is this brat to show such disrespect? He's practically asking for death!"

"This time, Chen Zheng will undoubtedly be defeated!" the guards sneered among themselves.

"Wait!" Zhao Yumei suddenly called out to Chen Zheng. A cunning glint appeared in her eyes as she revealed a flirtatious smile. "Young Master Chen! This year's Artifact Refiner competition is hosted by our Zhao family!"

"The Zhao family!"

"The Zhao family!"

"The Zhao family!"

Hearing Zhao Yumei's words, the guards were first startled, then their faces lit up with excitement. The Zhao family! That was a first-rate power in the Southern Domain! And they, though mere guards, were servants of the Zhao family. Being a guard for the Zhao family was the pride of their lifetime.

"Oh," Chen Zheng nodded, showing little interest.

This is all just Zhao Yumei's delusion.

"Young Master Chen! Young Master Chen! You must visit the Zhao family! Their art of artifact refining is terrifyingly powerful!" Seeing his disinterest, Zhao Yumei hurriedly chased after him.

"My brother is the eldest young master of the Zhao family!" Zhao Yumei continued.

The Zhao family! A first-rate family in the Southern Domain! If Chen Zheng became a guest official of the Zhao family, his status would surely soar!

"Oh," Chen Zheng responded indifferently, continuing to walk deeper into the courtyard.

"Young Master Chen! Please! My brother is very strong! If you become my brother's guest official, there will definitely be benefits for you!" Zhao Yumei grew desperate.

Why isn't he showing any interest at all?

This scene left the guards completely dumbfounded.

This time, Zhao Yumei has really overplayed her hand and ended up losing on all fronts.

"Young Master Chen!"

Just then, a young woman ran out from the Zhao residence.

"Miss, who are you? Aren't you one of the Zhao family's servant girls?" the guards frowned as she approached.

"I am Young Master Chen's fiancée! My name is Lin Yiyi!" the young woman said with a sweet smile directed at Zhao Yumei and the others.

Fiancée!

Hearing this, the faces of Zhao Yumei and the guards were instantly filled with astonishment. The guards immediately surrounded Lin Yiyi.

"Young Master Zhao!"

"Young Master Zhao, what's with this woman?"

"Who does she think Young Master Chen is? What right does she have to be his fiancée?"

"I really, truly, truly like Young Master Chen!" Lin Yiyi hastily explained, but the guards didn't believe her for a second.

How can someone so naive and clueless exist in this world? She's practically begging to be killed.

"Lin Yiyi! You wench! How dare you steal my sister's betrothed! Today, I will break your legs!" At that moment, an extremely arrogant voice rang out as a middle-aged man strode over.

"Who are you?" the guards roared.

"Who am I? Hmph! You're not qualified to know," the middle-aged man sneered. His gaze fell on Zhao Yumei as he chuckled, "Miss Zhao, what are you doing? Don't tell me you're trying to seduce this country bumpkin. He is not worthy of you!"

Contempt dripped from the man's voice.

"Who the hell are you?" Zhao Yumei glared at him.

"Are you looking for death?" The middle-aged man's gaze turned fierce.

Zhao Yumei was startled.

"Young Master Chen! Save me! I beg you, please save me!" Seeing that Chen Zheng was still offering no reaction, Zhao Yumei's face became a pitiful mask as she threw herself toward him, attempting to grab his clothes and beg for help.

Chen Zheng's brow furrowed.

"Scram!"

Zhao Yumei's body trembled.

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