Chapter 18: The Ruthless One Appears

“What a banquet—looks like you’ve been prepared for this all along. This is nothing short of a trap.”
Feng Xu’s lips curled into a cold sneer. He kicked the dining table aside, sending it crashing into four or five people. Then, spinning around, he grabbed several chairs and sent them flying with a sweep of his foot.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Chaos erupted instantly. Guests who had just been chastising from afar were caught in the tumult, many ending up sprawled on the floor.
“My God, isn’t this guy supposed to be a scientist? How can he be so fierce and domineering?”
“The worst part is, he’s a hell of a fighter. My own leg’s been broken in the fray.”
“If I’d known, I wouldn’t have come to this banquet. Who’d have thought the Qi family couldn’t even handle a scientist? But is he even a scientist?”
…
Everyone stared at Feng Xu as if a tiger had burst into a flock of sheep, dumbstruck by the spectacle.
Wasn’t he the renowned scholar of Ming? Moreover, a high-ranking official? No one had ever imagined that, when the time came, he could be so ruthlessly swift and decisive.
Even the so-called experts fell under Feng Xu’s hands like limp rags—utterly defenseless.
“Impressive, young man!”
The old master of the Qi family drew in a sharp breath.
So young, yet possessing such skill. If he’s allowed to grow further, wouldn’t that spell doom for the Qi family?
“Master, please, I ask you to intervene.”
He spoke reverently to the figure behind the scenes. He had thought Feng Xu was just an intellectual, a pawn whose life and death lay at his fingertips. But Feng Xu’s display this evening had struck true fear in his heart.
If Feng Xu continued unchecked, the Qi family was doomed. The sense of crisis compelled him to call for action.
“To think I’ve fought across this region with no equal, only to meet you today. You’re worth a challenge.”
A cold, clear voice rang out. A figure emerged, his thin face marked by skin like orange peel.
He resembled an elderly man, but his voice was strong and resonant, betraying the vigor of middle age. He was shorter than the old master of Qi, yet walked out calmly, an icy gleam flashing in his eyes. The veins and muscles on his fists pulsed, and not a soul dared underestimate him.

“That man—he’s wanted! He destroyed a master’s sect! Mu Tielang.”
“Mu Tielang, I can’t believe it’s him! He’s notorious, ruthless, currently a fugitive.”
“Heavens, today’s truly cursed. Even someone as dangerous as Mu Tielang has been summoned!”
…
A flicker of disbelief crossed everyone’s eyes. Who would have thought the Qi family would dare invite such a man? Now, a killer stood among them. Mu Tielang’s lips curled in a cold smile as he stepped forward like a tiger, eyes locked on Feng Xu.
Though he moved as leisurely as an old man strolling through a market, when he raised his head, no one dared meet those vicious eyes.
“What’s this?”
Feng Xu’s gaze held a hint of confusion. Just an old man steeped in martial arts!
After six years away, he hadn’t heard of this Mu Tielang character.
“You’d better leave now. You may be skilled enough for some, but this one is beyond you.”
Huang Yunxuan knew well she had stirred up trouble for Di Xin. Although the man was a traitor, the chaos here began with her, and she hoped Feng Xu would escape while he could.
Better he die elsewhere than at this banquet, for if it happened here, she would be the culprit.
“If you want to leave, go ahead. And stop randomly calling someone your husband—it’s unsettling!”
Feng Xu shot Huang Yunxuan a glance, wishing she’d leave quickly. If things turned violent, no one’s life could be guaranteed.
“You—you are a scoundrel.”
Huang Yunxuan stamped her foot in frustration and hurried away.
Feng Xu dared to reject her, though she was well-known in her circles, called the Lady of Magic.
Her suitors could line the streets, yet Feng Xu found her frightening.
Feng Xu, however, was unconcerned.
“So you’re a wanted man. Tonight, I’ll deal with you. And as for all you in the chess circle, best stay put—otherwise, you won’t just lose your lives.”
Feng Xu’s gaze was icy as he swept over the crowd, as if he were a sovereign issuing a decree. Now, he would claim their souls.

Bang!
The old master of Qi slammed the table fiercely. Who would have thought Feng Xu would dare humiliate him so publicly, shaming him before all these people?
“Boy, do you really think the Qi family is powerless?”
“Master, this man dares storm in, provoking us—please, show him what we’re capable of.”
Mu Tielang smiled and nodded, savoring the title “master.”
“Listen, boy! Since you act so recklessly, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
With that, Mu Tielang vanished from sight. His figure, swift as a ghost, lunged forward with a roar.
Feng Xu had seen true: gaunt, wrinkled, moving like the wind, his silhouette turned to shadow as he stepped from the floor onto the wall.
He shifted left and right, forming two shadows.
“Indeed, two shadows, moving at equal speed.”
“Combat is combat, tricks are tricks—if you don’t focus, you’re already dead.”
Feng Xu’s lips curled into a cold smile. Watching the two shadows, he threw a punch.
Swish!
The shadows didn’t approach Feng Xu, but retreated swiftly like the wind.
Mu Tielang gasped for breath; Feng Xu’s punch had struck his true self, while the other shadow was merely a puppet.
Who could have guessed Feng Xu would see through his trick at once?
“You’ve angered me, boy.”
Mu Tielang’s lips twisted in a cold smile. In an instant, his shadow split into three, the new figure even more agile!
Faster, deadlier!