Chapter 54: Shocking Strength

  "Anyone who dares to harm Ding Heng will die!" Huang Fu Yan slowly pulled her hand out of the black-robed man's chest and wiped it on his body, saying coldly. Just then, an object flew down from the sky and split into two as soon as it hit the ground. One flew off at an angle and landed safely, while the other crashed heavily onto the icy ground. With a deafening crash, smoke and dust filled the air.

  "Yanran, you've come?" The trembling voice of Ding Heng couldn't hide his surprise.

  "Sorry, Dingheng, I'm late!" Huáng Fù Yǎn Rán hastily rushed over with deep apologies and helped up her loved one. At this time, the black strange bracelet on Xiao Chen's right wrist finally stopped emitting its eerie glow. Xiao Chen suddenly felt dizzy, his energy draining away like a receding tide, and he fell to the ground with a thud.

  "Huh, where did this little fool come from?" Next to a huge pit that had just appeared, the cold wind whizzed out. Huangfu Jian couldn't help but curl his lip, just now, he actually felt a dangerous aura on this kid's body. And this dangerous aura actually made him, a majestic Yaoke Emperor, feel afraid!

  What a joke! How is that possible? My clan, the Huangfu, are the favored sons of heaven. What in the world could make me feel afraid? Just now was definitely an illusion, must have been an illusion, it can't be anything else.

  "Who knows!" Huang Fu Jie also curled his lips. Why? Why did I feel a sudden palpitation when I just saw this kid? My clan, the Huang Fu, are the favored sons of heaven, how could I have such feelings?

  "Is this kid who fainted on the ground Xiao Chen? But why did my heart skip a beat when I first saw him just now?" Huangfu Yan also looked thoughtful as she helped Ding Heng up.

  Just thinking about it, he was actually intimidated in front of a foolish kid, and the proud Huang Fu's face flushed with anger. "I think this kid is suspicious, probably one of those two bastards' accomplices, can't let him off lightly!"

  "That's right, I think this kid is not a good guy either. This kind of person doesn't deserve to stay in this world!" Huang Fu Jie also nodded heavily. The two brothers' thoughts about this guy who made them lose face were surprisingly consistent.

  "Impossible!" Ding Heng exclaimed, "Two elder brothers, this Xiao Chen is a great hero who saved the lives of tens of thousands of people in Jiayuan County. Just now, he risked his own life to block the fatal blow from those two masked men for me. How can we repay such kindness and yet do something like that?"

  "Is this the great hero who saved the lives of tens of thousands of people in Jiayuan County? What a foolish and stupid guy!" As expected, Huangfu Jun was indeed arrogant and proud. Once he made up his mind, it was difficult for anyone to change his mind.

  "I'm telling you, Ding Heng, you're too embarrassing! You can't even handle these two useless killers. If we hadn't shown up in time, I'd probably be burning incense for your soul by this time next year!" Huang Fu Jie also sneered. Regardless of whether this kid is a hero who saved the lives of tens of thousands of people in Jiayuan County, just because he made me lose face so badly, he can't stay alive in this world.

  Ding Heng's face suddenly turned red. "You two scoundrels, if you have the energy to talk nonsense, why don't you come and lend a hand? Can't you see that Ding Heng is seriously injured? And that young man named Xiao Chen is indeed a great hero who saved the lives of tens of thousands of people in Jiayuan County. Don't try to play tricks on me, thinking I don't know what you're thinking. I'm telling you, if you dare to harm Xiao Chen, I'll tell Grandfather and let him deal with you!" Facing Huangfu Jun and Huangfu Jie, Huangfu Yanran was not as cautious as Ding Heng.

  Huangfu Jun, Huangfu Jie, and Huangfu Yanran are three siblings who are genuine and authentic, but they have completely different personalities.

  "Alas!" Even the proud and arrogant Huang Fu Jian and Huang Fu Jie had to swallow their pride when faced with their spoiled little sister. After all, she was her grandfather's most beloved granddaughter.

  "Yanran, how can you speak to your two elder brothers like this?"

  "Ding Heng, stop pretending. You're heavily injured, so it's best for you to shut up quietly! If you provoke Little Sister, we'll be the ones who suffer!" Huangfu Jun and Huangfu Jie each grabbed one of Ding Heng's arms and sped away at an astonishing speed that left people speechless.

  "Wouldn't they be calling me a big girl to support this little kid?" Looking at the two brothers who had rushed away, Ding Heng and Xiao Chen, Huang Fu was stunned. But fortunately, her troubles didn't last long.

  "Hmm! What just happened?" A low hum later, Xiao Chen slowly got up from the ground. At this time, his head was splitting and all his bones seemed to be falling apart.

  "Alright! Xiao Chen, since you're already awake, let's go with me!" Huang Fu Yanran let out a sigh of relief.

  "Where are you going?"

  "Of course, we're going back to Jiayuan County Town. Xiao Chen, you came here just to ask Ding Heng for benefits, didn't you? What's with the pretence?" Huang Fu Yan rolled her eyes, her face full of disgust.

  Xiao Chen's mind gradually cleared up and he was about to explain, but Huang Fu Yan had already turned her back on him.

  "If you're coming, then hurry up!" By the time the words floated into Xiao Chen's ears, Huangfu Yan's figure was already several zhang away.

  Helpless Xiao Chen could only shake his head and follow. But suddenly he felt like he had forgotten something. Xiao Chen gently patted his own head, then walked to the side and picked up Xiang Yu's little girl who was already unconscious on the ground.

  Although it was extremely dangerous and had many twists and turns, fortunately, neither Ding Heng nor Xiao Chen, nor even the little girl Xiuyuan, were hurt. Rushing back to the county city of Jiayuan after their ordeal, the first decision made by Huangfu Yanran was to help Ding Heng get some good rest. However, her kind intention was rejected by Ding Heng. Despite his severe injuries, Ding Heng had not forgotten Xiao Chen and had not forgotten what he had promised him.

  At this time, back in his own home, he sat alone for several hours, quietly reminiscing about his late grandfather. Liu Lan finally bid farewell to sadness! After many twists and turns, he finally found Xiao Chen in Ding Heng's camp. And upon learning that during his absence, Xiao Chen had experienced a perilous event, he was shocked beyond words. Of course, amidst this great shock, there was also a hint of self-reproach.

  "National Master, this young brother is called Xiao Chen. He came to Jiayuan County this time to find me, it's because..." Ding Heng endured the piercing pain and told Huang Fu Yan about the whole story.

  "It turned out to be like this!" After understanding the ins and outs of the matter, Huangfu Yan was also secretly curious. As is well known, due to the violent and tyrannical temperament of the Huayang Sect, they only act on personal preferences, so as long as it's a normal person, when facing matters related to the Huayang Sect, they all try to avoid them. But this young man in front of him was an exception, and instead provoked the Huayang Sect.

  "Xiao Chen, little brother, how much do you know about the Huayang Sect? Do you know that the people of the Huayang Sect are extremely protective of their own kind? If you provoke them, it will bring unnecessary trouble to yourself at best, and disaster at worst?" Huang Fu Yan was very curious. The Huayang Sect was the number one sect in the Great Yan Kingdom, with power and influence that rivaled the heavens. From the sect leader, Shangguan Yunlong, down to the ordinary disciples, each and every one of them looked down on others, considering themselves above the law, even looking down on the laws of the Great Yan Kingdom's imperial court.

  Towards a Huayang Sect like this, without certain strength and confidence, no one is willing to provoke the Huayang Sect. But the young man in front of him, if he hasn't misjudged, should be an ordinary person who doesn't even have a spirit stone, let alone awakened to the Illusory Sea. Looking at his attire and demeanor, he shouldn't be someone of high status either. So what gave him such great courage that he dared to provoke the Huayang Sect?

  "Listen up, young one. I'm telling you the truth - this time, you might be in big trouble. Here's a piece of advice: if you want to live long enough, find a place to hide quickly and make sure no one from Huayang Sect finds out."

  "This old man, I also know that this time I've gotten myself into a huge mess. I even more so know that my best choice right now is to hide. But you should know, if I hide, there's nothing much to it, but what if the people from Huayang Sect can't find me and vent their anger on those ordinary commoners? Letting those innocent commoners suffer unprovoked disasters because of one person like me would make my heart uneasy." Xiao Chen said with a bitter smile, "So, old man, please tell me where Huayang Sect is. I want to go to Huayang Sect and tell them that Huang Shan's and Huang Liang's deaths were solely caused by me. If they want revenge, find just one person - me! Don't implicate innocent people."

  "Xiao Chen, the one standing in front of you is the revered State Master of Great Yan, respected by millions. How can you call him 'old master'? You should address him as 'State Master'!" Liu Lan pulled Xiao Chen's sleeve, her expression extremely agitated. This was the State Master of Great Yan, the kind and approachable State Master, revered by millions.

  During the time when Emperor Murong Yan of Great Yan was indulging in pleasure and neglecting state affairs, all state matters were shouldered by the State Preceptor. Fortunately, thanks to the State Preceptor, the state affairs of Great Yan did not become too messy. To put it bluntly, the State Preceptor is the pillar that holds up the sky for Great Yan. You are being extremely rude to the State Preceptor, Xiao Chen. You... you... you are really too presumptuous.

  "It doesn't matter, a name is just a title. Since Xiao Chen little brother wants to call me old master, then let him be." In contrast to Liu Lan's terror and unease, Huang Pu Yan was magnanimously smiling.

  "National Master, please help Xiao Chen, you should know that Xiao Chen is a kind and honest person, he has done great favors for me and Jiayuan County. Not long ago, the bandits from Panlong Mountain slaughtered the city of Jiayuan..." Ding Heng's eyes were filled with pleading as he looked at Huangfu Yan. He knew that in the Great Yan Kingdom, those who could make the powerful Huayang Sect take heed were few and far between, and the National Master before him was one of them.

  "What? You're telling me that a single person, alone and unaided, can take on hundreds of the most evil people and still manage to kill two bandit leaders who possess the power of the Star Stones?" After hearing Ding Heng's account, Huang Fu Yan became even more curious.

  "Two insignificant Jade Stone Warriors, in my eyes, are nothing. But Ting Heng, it's not that I'm saying you're wrong, but if you want to save face for this little kid, you'll have to come up with a convincing reason. Can killing Jade Stone Warriors really be justified by just this one kid who doesn't even have a Jade Stone and hasn't even awakened his Fantasy Sea? Previously, the Huangfu brothers, who had been watching with amusement, finally couldn't bear it anymore."

  "You two bastards, are you looking for a fight? Would Ding Heng deceive you over such a trivial matter?" Huang Fu Yan became enraged. No one can doubt Ding Heng, not even you two idiots.

  "Little sister, after all we are your elder brothers, you should at least give us the respect we deserve!" Helpless, Huangfu Jun let out a sigh and withdrew his neck.

  "Could there be such a thing?" After hearing Ding Heng's words, Huang Fu Yan was also secretly shocked. Indeed, in his own eyes, a mere Star Stone warrior didn't even have the qualifications to make him look directly at them. But to say that someone without a Star Stone, who hadn't even awakened to the Fantasy Sea, could kill two Star Stone warriors... this... this might be the most ridiculous joke he had ever heard in his life.

  Although he found it amusing, Huang Fu Yan understood that Ding Heng would never deceive him. "Xiao Chen, little brother, can you show me your skills in front of me?" After a moment's thought, Huang Fu Yan finally spoke up. Facing such an ordinary young man, the National Master, who had experienced countless storms and had seen numerous heroes, felt uncertain for the first time.

  "Show off my skills?"

  "Alright, use all your might to attack me!" Huang Pu Yan nodded.

  "How can that be?" Xiao Chen urged, "Old master, you're at an advanced age, what if I accidentally..."

  "What if I accidentally hurt you?" Huang Fu Yan was stunned.

  "Hahaha!" Huangfu Jun, Huangfu Jie burst out laughing, even Ding Heng, Liu Lan, and Huangfu Yanran couldn't help but cover their mouths to stifle a smile. How ridiculous! Worried about hurting the National Master? Please, the National Master is the ultimate strongman of humanity, Yao Shi Wu Sheng. Wanting to hurt him, I'm afraid there are only a few people in the world who can do that.

  "Xiao Chen, don't hold back, use as much power as you have!" Huang Pu Yan burst out laughing, this kid is really interesting!

  "But..." Although Huang Fu Yan repeatedly said it was okay, Xiao Chen still refused to make a move. After all, in his own mind, taking action against an elderly person went against his conscience. As for this, Huang Fu Yan could only shake his head and sigh.

  Fine! Since you won't take the initiative to attack, I'll do it myself. A strong and suffocating aura burst forth from Huang PuYan's body, enveloping Xiao Chen in its grasp.

  Xiao Chen's face slowly turned pale, although the other person didn't do anything, but Xiao Chen felt a kind of inexplicable pressure, an unspeakable fear. To put it in a way, at this moment, Xiao Chen felt like he was on a small, broken sailboat in the middle of an endless ocean, so tiny, so helpless. And at this moment, a fierce storm suddenly rose up. His small, broken sailboat could be swallowed up by the waves at any time.

  Xiao Chen's legs were trembling and cold sweat was dripping from his forehead. "Xiao Chen!" Liu Lan urged.

  "Liu Niang, don't panic, Master Guo will not harm him!" Ding Heng hastily comforted.