Chapter 223: Bandit Zhou Yi 

"Robbery?"

"Men to the left, women to the right."

"And those who are neither, stand in the middle?"

A voice, both wild and devilishly charming, rang out, stirring an uproar in Beiliang City.

"My heavens, did I mishear? Someone's actually robbing the Northern Liang Palace? Isn't this like an old man hanging himself—courting death?"

"This must be a dream!"

"Who in their right mind would dare to stir trouble at the Northern Liang Palace? Is this sheer ignorance or audacity?"

The crowd was both shocked and dumbfounded.

The Northern Liang Palace was the undisputed authority in Beiliang City, akin to an emperor ruling over his territory. Its majesty was unchallenged, its might unshaken. No one dared provoke its tiger's roar.

And yet, here was someone openly issuing a challenge.

Who was this person?

What kind of ability did they possess?

"Yuwei, look! It's a handsome young man! So dashing!"

"He really is! I'm smitten. But alas, he's clearly not very bright. What a shame!"

"Indeed! To offend the Northern Liang Palace, this young man is doomed!"

Not far from the Northern Liang Palace stood a grand and opulent pavilion called Zijin Tower. Exquisitely lavish and breathtakingly beautiful, it was frequented by nobles clad in luxurious robes.

Inside, a myriad of stunning women—seductive, innocent, mature, youthful—displayed a variety of charms, each more captivating than the last.

Many of these young and beautiful women stretched their necks curiously, gazing at the young man hovering in the air above the Northern Liang Palace. Their eyes sparkled with interest, their expressions filled with wonder.

One extraordinary beauty, holding a large, plump cat in her arms, looked up instinctively when called by the others. Her eyes fell upon Zhou Yi, and her gaze trembled involuntarily.

Zhou Yi stood tall and graceful, exuding an aura of dashing elegance and unrestrained charm. Hovering in the air as if descended from the heavens, he possessed an unmatched poise and charisma.

This woman was Yu Yuwei, originally from Western Chu. Her father had been a scholar of the Shangyin Academy, and her mother, the leader of the emperor's three thousand sword attendants, was a master of the Gongsun Sword Dance and one of Western Chu's Eight Prodigies.

However, when Great Chu fell to Xu Xiao's forces, her mother perished along with Divine Phoenix City, and her father, burdened by grief, returned to Shangyin Academy with Yu Yuwei, where he passed away in despair.

To seek vengeance, Yu Yuwei had come to Beiliang City and become the courtesan queen of Zijin Tower.

Throughout her life, she had encountered countless graceful gentlemen and talented elites.

But she had never seen, nor imagined, someone who could be so utterly perfect.

His face was sculpted like a masterpiece, handsome and resolute, with sharp, distinct features. His tall and imposing figure resembled towering mountains, exuding a majestic presence that could hold up the heavens.

His flawless visage was so extraordinary that it seemed almost unworldly, like an ancient god descended to earth.

Those dark, penetrating eyes were as vast and mysterious as the starry night, carrying a regal, commanding aura that looked down upon all.

For any woman, his presence was utterly devastating.

Yu Yuwei froze in place, unable to utter a word. Her bright eyes sparkled, rippling with emotion, as a peculiar thought arose in her mind:

Perhaps this young man could actually make the Northern Liang Palace suffer a loss?

Sensing her gaze, Zhou Yi turned his eyes toward the tower, spotting Yu Yuwei—a singular beauty among the gathered crowd.

Yu Yuwei, with her classical elegance, resembled a figure from an intricately painted scroll. Her features were delicate as if crafted by an artist, her eyebrows naturally arched, her lips a soft red without paint, her cloud-like hair adorned with golden hairpins, and her skin as fair as snow.

Her voluptuous figure was perfectly proportioned, with every curve in just the right place, neither too much nor too little. She was the epitome of perfection.

But what drew the most attention was her strikingly ample chest.

Her graceful posture made it impossible to see her feet when she looked down—a true beauty of the mortal realm.

"Impressive assets indeed!"

"A child in her care would never go hungry!"

A fleeting thought crossed Zhou Yi's mind, and he decided he would take her home later.

After all, he and the Desolate Heaven Emperor shared a similar fondness:

They both loved drinking…

Beast milk.

How could he let such a prize slip away?

"Ah…"

When Yu Yuwei met Zhou Yi's gaze, her heart skipped a beat, and she felt a jolt of panic. Her eyes flickered with shyness as she quickly lowered her head.

A blush spread across her pale, flawless cheeks.

"Bold scoundrel! How dare you act recklessly at the Northern Liang Palace? Do you have a death wish?"

Chu Lushan, who had been groveling like a lapdog before Xu Fengnian, instantly transformed into a ferocious beast upon seeing Zhou Yi.

Though he was submissive and loyal to Xu Fengnian, to others, he was a brutal demon.

Cruel, depraved, and merciless.

Drawing his longsword from his waist, Chu Lushan charged at Zhou Yi without hesitation, undeterred by the young man's seemingly formidable aura.

Shing!

A flash of sword intent flickered in Zhou Yi's eyes.

Chu Lushan's massive body collapsed with a thud, his pig-like head rolling to Xu Fengnian's feet, blood splattering across his face.

Xu Fengnian froze, his mind blank.

"Young Master!"

Old Huang, carrying a sword case, quickly stepped in front of Xu Fengnian, his body radiating sword intent, his expression grim.

The pressure Zhou Yi exerted was immense, far greater than even when they had faced Wang Xianzhi of Wudi City.

Who is this person? When did the world produce such a terrifying figure?

Old Huang scrutinized Zhou Yi, unable to think of a single expert capable of matching him.

At that moment, Xu Xiao arrived with the elite warriors of the Northern Liang Palace.

Seeing Chu Lushan's decapitated body, Xu Xiao's brows furrowed.

His icy gaze fell on Zhou Yi, filled with killing intent:

"Who are you? Do you think my Northern Liang Palace has no one to defend it?"

"I am Zhou Yi."

Zhou Yi looked at Xu Xiao, admiring the man who, as a mere captain, had managed to marry the sword immortal Wu Su:

"I've heard that the Northern Liang Palace is home to many stunning beauties, unmatched in grace. I couldn't resist coming to collect them. You, Lord Xu, are a man of refinement—I'm sure you wouldn't let me leave empty-handed."

"Impudent!"

Xu Xiao was furious. Did this man think the Northern Liang Palace was a brothel?

"Kill him!"

The moment Xu Xiao gave the order, a spear-wielding middle-aged man stepped forward, his figure as straight as a divine spear.

He was Xu Yanbing, one of the Northern Liang Palace's greatest trump cards. Known as the "Nuclear Weapon of Northern Liang," Xu Yanbing was unmatched below the celestial level and could trade blows with celestial beings.

But here, the term "celestial" referred to those on the brink of transcendence, not true immortals.

Boom!

Xu Yanbing wasted no time. Merging man and spear into one, he unleashed a dazzling spear strike aimed directly at Zhou Yi's throat.

This extraordinary attack left everyone at the Northern Liang Palace holding their breath.

From atop the Tide Listening Pavilion, the peerless beauty White Fox Face Nangong Pushe watched the battle unfold. Xu Yanbing's spear elicited her admiration, but she was even more curious about Zhou Yi.

Could this audacious man, here to "steal beauties," really withstand Xu Yanbing's strike?

At her side, the palace strategist Li Yishan stared deeply at Zhou Yi, his expression unreadable.

Clang!

A crisp sound echoed through the air, shaking everyone to their core.

Xu Yanbing's figure appeared before Zhou Yi, his spear caught between the young man's two fingers.

The spear trembled violently, but no matter how hard Xu Yanbing tried, he couldn't pull it free.

Shock and disbelief filled Xu Yanbing's eyes.

The entire world seemed to freeze.

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