"Young Master Su Ling, I heard you challenged Gao Yang, the eldest son of the Gao Family, a while ago. How did it turn out?" someone asked, unable to contain their curiosity.

"Exactly! I heard you were unhappy with his ranking on the Tianwu List, so you took an iron sword and went straight to the Gao Family. Did you actually defeat him?" others who knew Young Master Su Ling's character chimed in.

The Tianwu List was a strength-ranking leaderboard specifically for the young cultivators of Cangyun City. Only the top fifty were listed, and anyone who made it was an undisputed genius, one of the true prodigies of their generation.

Faced with the questions, Su Ling wasn't angry at all. Instead, he looked intrigued. He slicked back his greased pompadour again, a hint of arrogance appearing on his handsome face. "Gao Yang? How could he possibly be my opponent?"

"Let's just say, my actions speak for themselves! Under the sweep of my iron sword, Gao Yang barely lasted ten rounds before I held my sword to his throat, forcing him to surrender."

"But I heard *you* were the one who didn't last ten rounds," someone interjected from amidst the smirks and snickers, unable to resist revealing the true outcome of the challenge. "If you hadn't surrendered so quickly, you would have gotten a beating from Young Master Gao Yang."

"NONSENSE!" Su Ling's face flushed crimson. He kicked the tip of his sword up into his grasp, holding it with one hand and pointing it at the speaker. "Tell me, who's spreading this despicable lie? I, Su Ling, want to have a nice long talk with him."

The man shrank back and gave a weak smile, saying no more. While Young Master Su Ling had never done anything too outrageous thanks to his family's strict discipline, that iron sword of his was not just for show when he was angry.

"I don't know who it is, but if I did, I'd cut him down where he stands!"

WHOOSH!

Su Ling swung his sword, creating a sharp, tearing sound in the air. Seeing this, many in the crowd began to disperse.

Su Ling grew anxious and quickly shouted, "Where are you all going? A great show is about to start, don't you want to see it? It's a perfect chance to witness my exceptional style!"

With that, Su Ling flicked his wrist, executing several beautiful sword flourishes. The young women passing by were all smitten, their eyes sparkling with admiration. His words indeed convinced quite a few people to stay.

A smug smile curled Su Ling's lips. He said no more, instead planting his iron sword into the ground. With both hands resting on the hilt, he fixed his charming, deep-set eyes on the highway entrance.

About twenty minutes passed.

A commercial van with a Lingjin City license plate slowly pulled up to the toll booth.

Su Ling's expression tensed. He pulled a crumpled slip of paper from his back pocket, on which a time and a license plate number were written. After comparing it with the van before him, he grinned. He crumpled the note into a ball, tossed it aside, and began to walk. With one hand in his pocket and the other dragging his iron sword, he strode toward the lane the van was in.

They're here?

The crowd buzzed with excitement at the sight. All eyes followed Su Ling's steps toward the van, which had just finished paying the toll.

Who on earth could make the great Young Master Su Ling wait here for so long?

Their questions aside, what made them even more curious was what would happen next.

The van started to move, slowly driving past the tollbooth.

"Stop!" Su Ling had just reached the middle of the road. He raised his iron sword, pointing it to one side as he declared with a thrill in his voice.

Who was in that car? None other than the Zhennan Prince, who once roamed the Four Seas and Eight Wastelands, striking fear into the hearts of the barbarians! How could a duel with him not be thrilling?!

Seeing the van come to a halt, Su Ling brandished his longsword and yelled with passionate intensity, "Come out and fight me!"

Inside the vehicle, Yang Hu's face was a mask of confusion. What kind of moron arranged this welcome ceremony? This is absurd. Is this guy a fool?

"Isn't this guy a fool?" Yang Hu couldn't help but mutter, turning to look at Chen Yang.

Chen Yang was just as taken aback. He gestured with his hand. "Ask him how he knew my schedule. Be discreet."

That guy was clearly waiting here for me. Interesting.

"You got it!" Yang Hu flashed a wicked grin as he pushed the door open and stepped out.

"Hmm?" Su Ling frowned slightly. "You must be Yang Hu. I'm not here to challenge you, but the one inside the car! As for you, you're no match for me."

"You've done your research. What's your background?" Yang Hu asked, his eyes narrowing ominously.

Su Ling puffed out his chest with pride. "I am Su Ling! Su Yan, the head of the Discipline Inspection Team, is my grandfather. Surely you've heard of him!"

Yang Hu was stunned.

This kid is Old Yama's grandson?

The Elders' Court oversaw two departments: the Bureau of Secrets and the Discipline Inspection Team. The main task of the Bureau of Secrets was to coordinate all matters within the Martial Department before submitting them to the Elders' Court for final decisions, while also acting as the executive arm for the Elders' Court's directives.

The Discipline Inspection Team, as the name suggested, was responsible for monitoring all civil officials and military generals within the Martial Department. Anyone who violated the rules would be taken away for investigation and summary judgment. However, after years of continuous reforms, the Discipline Inspection Team had started to act independently from the Elders' Court, almost as a third party. This meant that even the Elders' Court and the Bureau of Secrets fell under their surveillance. As a result, the power of the Discipline Inspection Team had been amplified immensely. This was why the seemingly minor Discipline Inspection Team could strike fear into the hearts of all officials in the Martial Department. No one, no matter how powerful their backing, could save someone from the clutches of the Discipline Inspection Team.

And the head of this very team was Su Ling's grandfather, Su Yan, also known as Old Yama!

It was from Su Yan that Su Ling had learned Chen Yang would be arriving today. After confirming the exact time, he had grabbed his iron sword and rushed over. Today, he was determined to have a satisfying, all-out battle.

"Kid, stop fooling around and get out of here," Yang Hu said, dumbfounded and amused. Is this little guy insane? He knows full well who's in the car, yet he still wants to challenge him publicly?

"You talk too much! First, I'll take down your subordinate!" Su Ling declared confidently, gripping his sword with both hands and charging at Yang Hu with an imposing aura.

The onlookers were buzzing with anticipation. They had all heard that despite his youth, Young Master Su Ling was exceptionally strong. Today, they would finally witness his remarkable prowess for themselves.

BOOM!

Yang Hu simply raised his right hand. The charging Su Ling was sent flying. He landed flat on his back, his iron sword clattering to the side.

Su Ling: "..."

Everyone: "..."

This... This was completely unexpected! They expected at least a few exchanges of blows. To be toppled by a single hand like that?

Yang Hu helplessly rubbed his nose. "Just go home."

"You..." Su Ling scrambled to his feet and snatched up his iron sword. His face flushed crimson as he pointed at Yang Hu in shame and anger. "Get out of the way! I didn't come here to fight you!"

"You can't even beat me, and you still want to take him on?" Yang Hu laughed. This kid looks presentable enough, but why is he so reckless?

Su Ling took a few steps forward. "I don't care! I came here for him today. Get out of my way!"

Yang Hu: "..."

BOOM!

A hand emerged from the van, followed by a fierce gust of wind.

THUD.

The force of the impact sent Su Ling sprawling onto his backside. The jarring pain in his tailbone made his face turn pale and his eyes water.

"We're practically acquaintances! Do you really have to treat me like this?" Su Ling struggled to his feet, grimacing as he admonished them. "There are so many people watching! Can't you leave me some face?"

Yang Hu: "..."

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