chapter 23: "Confrontation at the Government Office"

At dawn, Xiao Chen and his father walked toward the government office.

The government office stood tall and majestic in the heart of Tianyang Prefecture. Among all the surrounding buildings, it was the most revered. No building exceeded the height of the government office.

"This is the feudal official. All the families in Tianyang Prefecture technically fall under their jurisdiction," Xiao Fa explained quietly to Xiao Chen, his gaze fixed on the towering structure.

The feudal official, independent from the families, was directly governed by the palace, the strongest force in the region.

As for the head of the number one family in Tianyang Prefecture, the Zhao family, Master Zhao Qian, he could only rank second in Tianyang Prefecture.

This was because the prefecture master at the government office was dispatched from above, and his cultivation had reached level four of the Xuanwu Realm.

"Let's go in. I hope everything goes smoothly today," Xiao Fa said with a forced smile, though his eyes betrayed his concern.

Although Xiao Chen had assured him that the young master of the Zhao family would support them, Xiao Fa still felt uneasy.

After all, it meant the Zhao family was willing to offend the two major sects for the sake of the Xiao family, a notion that was difficult to believe.

"Mr. Yang, you're here!"

As soon as they entered the government office, a voice laced with flattery echoed through the room. They turned to see a familiar face—Yang Che.

"Hmm? You're quite early," Yang Che remarked with a faint smile, his gaze filled with disdain as he looked at Xiao Fa.

"Mr. Yang, do you know them?"

A servant, who had been watching, asked, his tone eager to please. He looked over Xiao Chen and Xiao Fa carefully, his curiosity piqued. If they really knew Mr. Yang, they must have powerful connections that could resolve the issue.

"I don't know them," Yang Che said coldly, as if issuing a decree. "Also, make sure to conduct a thorough investigation. No one should rely on connections. We work for the palace, and we cannot break the rules."

With that, he glanced at Xiao Fa and smiled arrogantly.

"If you try to challenge me, I'll show you what real power is."

Xiao Fa's face turned pale at the threat.

"Oh?" The servant was shrewd and instantly understood. He turned to Yang Che and grinned maliciously. "Mr. Yang, don't worry. I'll follow your instructions. No one will be allowed to use connections."

"Good!" Yang Che nodded proudly and began to walk away.

Xiao Fa quickly called out, "Yang Che, we have connections with the Zhao family. Don't go too far. Later, Young Master Zhao Qian will be here to help us with the report."

"What? Young Master Zhao Qian?" The servant's expression shifted immediately, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Everyone in Tianyang Prefecture knew the name of Young Master Zhao Qian. Mr. Yang was no match for him. If Zhao Qian came to help them, it would not be easy for Mr. Yang to handle the situation.

"Haha, what did I hear?" Yang Che couldn't stop laughing as though he had heard a hilarious joke.

"Do you think Young Master Zhao Qian will help you? Hahaha, that's a good one."

He then looked at Xiao Chen, who stood beside his father, and chuckled. "It seems you didn't tell your father that you struck Young Master Zhao Qian. I must admire your courage."

"You said Young Master Zhao Qian would help you, yet you injured him? How ridiculous! Go home and keep dreaming."

"Oh, I'm afraid you won't even have time for that. The Zhao family might send someone to deal with you later."

Clearly, Yang Che had been told by Yang Shaoan that Xiao Chen had struck Zhao Qian in the restaurant.

"What?!" Xiao Fa seemed as if he had been struck by lightning. His face drained of color, and he looked at Xiao Chen in disbelief.

This child had actually fought with Young Master Zhao Qian?

Had he lost his mind?

How dare he do something so reckless?

Zhao Qian was the youngest son of the number one family in Tianyang Prefecture!

"You... Is Yang Che telling the truth?" Xiao Fa stammered, his lips trembling uncontrollably.

"That's right." Xiao Chen nodded and confirmed.

Xiao Fa's expression crumpled in despair. Without another word, he grabbed Xiao Chen and started pulling him away. "Let's go. Let's leave now."

"We should take advantage of the fact that no one from the Zhao family has arrived yet and run as far as we can!"

"Haha, you think it's that easy to escape now?" A cold gleam flashed in Yang Che's eyes, and he shouted, "Guard, take them down! Leave them for the Zhao family!"

As his words fell, several figures rushed forward and surrounded Xiao Chen and his father.

"Yang Che, how dare you stop me!" Xiao Fa roared, his body emanating a murderous aura. He took a step forward, exuding the intensity of a sword's edge. "If I had known, I would have killed you in a single strike!"

"I'm afraid you can't do that." Yang Che smirked with arrogance. "You know, this is the government office, the most sacred place in all of Tianyang Prefecture. If you truly dared to act, I would commend your bravery."

The government office was so powerful it boasted several Xuanwu Realm experts.

"How dare you!" Xiao Fa's voice broke as he realized there was nothing he could do.

The Zhao family was enough to crush anyone who dared to defy them.

The very mention of their name made people hold their breath.

Once the Zhao family became enraged, they would annihilate everything in their path.

At that moment, Xiao Chen placed his hand on Xiao Fa's and calmly reassured him, "Don't worry, Father. I'll handle everything."

"You dare be so arrogant after offending Young Master Zhao Qian? You must not fear death!"

The servant laughed wickedly. "Xiao Chen, right? Hurry up and kneel before us! Otherwise, I'll make you regret it!"

"You insignificant pest. How dare you speak to me like that?" Xiao Chen's eyes turned icy as he sneered. Without warning, he launched a punch.

"Get lost!"

Bam!

A gust of wind rushed past. Before the servant could react, he was sent flying.

"You! How dare you!" The servant's face twisted in fury, his eyes burning with hatred. "You hit me when you're about to die for offending Young Master Zhao Qian! Do you have a death wish?"

The onlookers were momentarily stunned, but their rage quickly flared.

"How dare you!"

"How dare you strike anyone in Prefecture City? Do you want to die?"

"Seize them! Take them to Young Master Zhao Qian!"

The guards advanced, their eyes gleaming with anger.

"With me around, who dares to touch my son?" Xiao Fa stepped forward, his aura shifting. He revealed his cultivation at the ninth level of the Spirit Incarnation Realm.

"You reckless country fool. Beat him as well!" Yang Che ordered disdainfully.

"Mr. Yang is right. If they dare to cause trouble in the government office, kill them immediately!"

At that moment, a middle-aged man, dressed in formal attire, suddenly swung his sword.

His cultivation was at the ninth level of the Spirit Incarnation Realm, and the energy around him radiated power.

"How dare you speak so much in front of us. I'll finish you with one swing!" The middle-aged man sneered, clearly underestimating Xiao Fa.

He believed that Xiao Fa, being a countryman, wouldn't be able to withstand his attack.

"Get lost!"

As the sword light approached, Xiao Chen's expression grew cold. He stepped forward, summoning a sword with a flick of his hand.

Clash!

A roar rang through the air. Xiao Chen's strike was so fast that it left no trace of motion.

"What?!" The middle-aged man froze in shock. He had never expected Xiao Chen to be so strong.

His sword was knocked out of his hand, and blood began to pour from his severed arm.

"If you dare to speak again, I will kill you," Xiao Chen said coldly, his hands clasped behind his back.

"How dare you!" The middle-aged man was enraged, pointing at Xiao Fa with fury. "You're too arrogant! You threatened to kill a government official? You're dead now."

Yang Che, too, was stunned. He never expected Xiao Chen to be so powerful, especially after fighting against a level nine Spirit Incarnation Realm expert.

"No wonder he could defeat Zhao Qian! He must have also reached the ninth level of the Spirit Incarnation Realm. How could such a monster come from Baiyun City?"

A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he realized the danger. "We can't let him live."

"Everyone, take action together and kill this monster!" Yang Che shouted coldly.

"I want to see who dares attack

At that moment, a cold snort rang out, and Zhao Qian entered.