Chapter 16: Clash at the Liu Residence

A reasonable crowd had gathered at the Liu residence, drawn by the spectacle unfolding before them. The first thing that caught their attention was the bizarre sight of burly men sprawled across the street—completely naked.

A cultivator new to the city stumbled upon the scene, his brow furrowing as he thought, "What kind of festivals do they hold in this place?" the newcomer left the scene with great haste not willing to stick around for the trouble.

Meanwhile, a local cultivator who had lived in the city his entire life had a far different reaction: "Oh no, a big shot has appeared. I'd better leave before I offend him by merely existing."

The bystanders who lingered were far less subtle. Several city dwellers came out from their abodes and pondered the strange scene that welcomed them outside, some of the elder habitants even had to take away their children from the scene that were staring at the naked man. 

"Hey, friend," one concerned cultivator called out, his tone laced with unease, "this is the Liu clan's residence. Causing trouble here? Not the wisest idea." The humble man simply couldn't understand the thoughts or actions of this bombastic youth

An older cultivator, his long beard quivering as he stroked it thoughtfully, scoffed. "No, leave him be. Arrogant brats like him need their horizons broadened. Consider it a valuable lesson." The seasoned resident had grown far too accustomed to travelers coming from all over the place to stir trouble and try to make a name for themselves.

As if on cue, another bystander let out a sharp exclamation. "Wait a minute—aren't those the Black Iron Guards?" The crowd turned their gazes to the distance were a compact group of silhouettes were marching towards the scene with diligence. 

His words ignited a storm of murmurs among the onlookers that were intrigued by the direction of events transpiring as altercations were always entertaining, especially among bigshots that were probably stashing away trump cards.

"Yes, they are!" someone shouted.

The revelation sent shockwaves through the crowd. The Black Iron Guards were infamous for their ruthless efficiency. If they had been defeated, what did that say about their opponents? Could this be a precursor to a clash of titans? The mere thought sent ripples of unease—and excitement—through the crowd.

Some bystanders began slipping away, unwilling to be caught in the crossfire of powerful forces. Others saw a potential opportunity, wondering if they could gain favor by aligning with the victors. In the cutthroat world of cultivation, resources were scarce, and opportunities even scarcer.

Among the growing crowd, Jia Lin, Mei Yu, and Ning Xue exchanged uneasy glances. The trio had been their since the beginning of the commotion and were feeling rather anxious due to being partially involved 

"This arrogant fool might really get us killed," Ning Xue thought, her expression grim. "Does he think he's invincible?"

Even after witnessing the earlier display of Li Wei's—or rather, Leng Yue's—prowess, the three women couldn't shake their apprehension. The Liu clan was no trifling adversary. Their power, their secrets—it was all an enigma, one that could swallow even the boldest challenger whole.

The hostility reached a boiling point as the heavy gates of the Liu residence creaked open. A suffocating aura rolled forth, sending a ripple of fear through the onlookers.

"The patriarch himself…" someone whispered.

All eyes turned to the gates, where not only the patriarch but the entire upper echelon of the Liu clan emerged. Elders with grim expressions, young prodigies brimming with pride—they all appeared, their collective presence a stark reminder of the Liu clan's might.

As Patriarch Liu Feng stepped forward, his sharp gaze swept the scene—only to land on the naked forms of his Black Iron Guards. His stride faltered, and for a brief moment, an uncharacteristic flicker of shock crossed his face.

Li Wei's voice cut through the charged silence like a blade. His stance possessed unfettered courage and a carefree attitude, which suggested that the Liu clan collective were just a bunch of regular civilians that were hardly in his eye.

"Ah, excellent. A proper welcome for someone of my stature." He gestured grandly. "The absence of divine beauties to greet me is… disappointing, but I suppose expecting competence from your lot was too much."

A stunned silence followed, punctuated only by the soft rustle of fabric as the onlookers shifted uneasily. Others were staring around wondering whether the rest of the crowd had heard his words correctly, "T-this man is... shameless." One person in the crows was utterly stunned by the words of the upstart.

"Did he just…" someone whispered, trailing off.

Another bystander let out a high-pitched wheeze, his hand clamped over his mouth as his wide eyes darted between Li Wei and the Liu clan. "Ouuu…"

The younger members of the Liu clan were the first to react. If the Liu clan didn't vent out their anger and show off their true prestige in this moon, every other clan in Crescent Moon City would think they were a bunch of pushovers.

"Who the hell do you think you are?!" one young prodigy bellowed, his face red with fury.

"Father, allow me to cripple this insolent fool!" another demanded, his voice trembling with rage.

As the shouts escalated, the elders' expressions darkened, but the patriarch remained silent. His stern gaze remained fixed on Li Wei, studying him intently.

Those three women… Qi Gathering realm, Liu Feng calculated silently. But the two men— His brow furrowed. I can't discern their cultivation levels. And there's no record of a notable Li Wei in this region. Could he be a traveling cultivator?

The thought sent a chill down his spine. Experience had taught him that true power often hid behind unassuming facades. The fact that he couldn't see through Li Wei or Leng Yue was deeply unsettling.

Standing nearby, Zhou Wen caught the patriarch's pensive expression and felt a pang of frustration. He needed this confrontation to escalate, to squeeze every last advantage out of it. With a disarming smile, he stepped forward.

"Sir Li Wei," Zhou Wen said, his tone laced with feigned politeness, "might I advise tempering your words? If you value your life, it would be wise to beg Patriarch Liu Feng's forgiveness. He has already sworn to pursue you to the ends of the world."

Though phrased as advice, the thinly veiled threat hung heavy in the air.

The patriarch's eyes flicked to Zhou Wen, offering a faintly approving nod.

Ning Xue, watching from the sidelines, felt her frustration boil over. "Curse you, Zhou Wen!" she thought bitterly. "Didn't your mother teach you how to read a situation?"