Chapter 14: The Arrogance of Tianyang Prefecture

"Hmm? Shaoan, what are you talking about?"

A teenager next to Yang Shaoan asked curiously.

"I bumped into a countryman," Yang Shaoan said, gnashing his teeth.

"Countryman?"

A clear voice came from the very front. A youth in white turned around, a smile playing on his lips. "Shaoan, which countryman has made you so resentful?"

Hearing the question from the youth in white, Yang Shaoan quickly lowered his head and said with a flattering smile, "Thank you for your concern, Young Master Zhao Qian. In fact, it's nothing too serious. It was just a countryman who hit me at my mansion."

"What? So arrogant?"

The youth in white frowned, displeasure flashing across his face. Yang Shaoan was from his circle, and for him to be hit by a countryman felt like an insult to their status.

"Is that the b*stard who dared to hit you?"

"I heard two people went to the Yang family to cause trouble and hit Shaoan for no reason."

"They're from Yunhai City? How does a countryman from such a small city have the guts to cause trouble here?"

Nearby, people began chattering with disdain.

One of the young men beside Yang Shaoan smirked. "Hah, they're just causing trouble because they have a bit of strength. But this is Tianyang Prefecture City, not their backwater countryside!"

The man then looked at Zhao Qian with a solemn expression. "Young Master Zhao Qian, we can't let them get away with this so easily. Although he hit Shaoan, it's as if he slapped all of us in the face."

"If we let him remain so arrogant, he might think there's no one in Tianyang Prefecture City who can put him in his place!"

Zhao Qian muttered to himself for a moment before his expression turned cold. "You're right. This is Tianyang Prefecture City, not a place where countrymen can act as they please. Let's go meet this so-called 'countryman.'"

He then turned to Yang Shaoan. "Don't worry, Shaoan. I'll stand up for you today."

"Thank you, Young Master Zhao Qian!" Yang Shaoan quickly responded, his face lighting up with happiness.

Zhao Qian was the young master of the Zhao family, one of the Seven Greatest Households. His cultivation was terrifying, having reached the peak of level four in the Spirit Incarnation Realm. Among the younger generation, few could compete with him.

With someone like Zhao Qian standing up for him, Xiao Chen was bound to suffer.

---

"Xiao Chen, would you like to eat this?" Meng Ye asked, holding a pear in her hand.

Before Xiao Chen could respond, his expression grew cold. He suddenly looked up, noticing the crowd ahead parting down the middle. Over a dozen figures strode toward them, their expressions haughty and disdainful.

It was as if giants were looking down at ants.

"Hmm? Zhao Qian? What is he doing here?" Meng Ye muttered in confusion.

"You know him?" Xiao Chen asked calmly.

Meng Ye nodded. "Yes. The leader is Zhao Qian, the young master of the Zhao family. The Zhao family is one of the Seven Greatest Households, and he's incredibly powerful. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like he has good intentions."

Xiao Chen smiled faintly. "It doesn't matter."

As Zhao Qian approached, the surrounding crowd erupted into whispers.

"Young Master Zhao Qian!"

"Hello, Young Master Zhao Qian!"

"I didn't expect him to come here!"

No one felt it was inappropriate to flatter him. Zhao Qian was considered a peerless genius and a future leader of Tianyang Prefecture. His strength and status commanded respect.

Zhao Qian ignored the praise, his face remaining indifferent.

Meng Ye stood up, her voice sharp. "Zhao Qian, what are you doing here?"

"What do you think?" Zhao Qian sneered, his gaze shifting to Xiao Chen. "So, you're Xiao Chen? The one who dared to hit Shaoan? How bold of you! Don't you know Yang Shaoan is one of mine?"

The crowd erupted in gasps.

"Who is this guy? How could he offend Young Master Zhao Qian?"

"He must not know how powerful Zhao Qian is."

"What a fool. People like him are destined to die young."

Disdain filled their voices as they turned to look at Xiao Chen, their tones mocking and condescending.

Meng Ye stepped forward, her eyes blazing. "Zhao Qian, you're not allowed to bully people!"

Her bold stance immediately drew everyone's attention. Someone in the crowd recognized her and whispered, "That's Meng Ye, the little princess of the Meng family! She's here too?"

"The Meng family is also one of the Seven Greatest Households."

The crowd murmured in shock, their gazes shifting to Xiao Chen with even greater contempt.

"So that's his trump card. No wonder he dared to offend Zhao Qian."

"But relying on a woman? Pathetic."

Zhao Qian smirked and said lightly, "Meng Ye, mind your own business. I'm not interested in fighting you today." He then turned to Xiao Chen, his expression cold. "Xiao Chen, know your place. Leave now. You don't belong here."

Xiao Chen chuckled softly, his eyes narrowing. "Leave? Who do you think you are, Zhao Qian? To yell at me as if I'm beneath you?"

Zhao Qian's face darkened. "You're courting death!"

Before Zhao Qian could make a move, one of his lackeys, a tall young man, stepped forward, his fists glowing with blue energy. "Hey, countryman! I'll handle you!"

He struck out with all his strength.

BAM!

The ground of the restaurant shook violently under the impact. However, Xiao Chen remained unmoved, brushing off the attack as if sweeping away dust.

"Get lost," Xiao Chen said coldly.

The tall young man was sent flying before he could react.

Please support with power stones.