Chapter 191: Chapter 118: The Origin of the Demon Star Tai Sui, Infinite Growth
Zhong Ming hailed from a minor sect, yet he had instantly defeated Zhu Hao with a single glance. The incident was so utterly unexpected, so dramatic, that news of it spread like wildfire.
In just half a day, more than half of Qinghe Prefecture City had heard the news.
As a result, heated discussions erupted in the streets and alleys of Qinghe Prefecture City.
"He didn’t back down an inch, even when facing a Major Sect. Zhong Ming is far too unyielding!"
"His strength is what’s most incredible. Instantly defeating a disciple from a Major Sect with just a look... and that wasn’t a one-off thing, either. If I had that kind of power, I wouldn’t be afraid of those so-called Renowned and Righteous Sects!"
"If you ask me, the luckiest one in all this has to be Princess Qingyue. She’s always had a reputation for being kind, and she’s been working tirelessly lately, but let’s be honest—before this, her influence in the Prefecture City was practically nonexistent. None of the other three Commandery Princes paid her any mind."
"But now that she has Zhong Ming backing her, her situation is completely different."
"You said it. I’d heard about Princess Qingyue’s kind reputation, and I even thought about joining her faction before. But I was put off by how weak her followers were. People like us would just be pushed to the fringes if we entered the Star Moon Treasure Vault with her. We wouldn’t get a single scrap of the rewards. That’s why I didn’t dare join. But with Zhong Ming around, it’s a different story."
"Count me in..."
Amid the discussions, many people began to consider joining Princess Qingyue’s faction, while others repeatedly remarked on her incredible luck.
No sooner had they said this than someone let out a knowing sneer. "Heh, lucky? I wouldn’t be so sure."
His words left the others puzzled. "If it’s not luck, what is it? Princess Qingyue’s strength is worlds apart from the other three Commandery Princes, isn’t it?"
"Exactly! With his strength, Zhong Ming would be treated as a guest of honor no matter which faction he joined. Plus, if he joined a different camp, he wouldn’t have to fight all by himself. It would have been the obvious choice, so why didn’t he take it?"
"Heh, you’re not wrong. Princess Qingyue’s faction is weak. Zhong Ming would have had a much easier time joining another camp, where he wouldn’t have to face all their enemies alone. But don’t forget, there’s one thing the other three Commandery Princes absolutely lack, something only Princess Qingyue is uniquely blessed with—her unparalleled beauty!"
At these words, a sudden silence fell over the crowd.
After a long moment, a voice finally broke the silence.
"*Hiss*... Are you saying Zhong Ming only joined Princess Qingyue’s faction because he’s infatuated with her beauty? No way, that can’t be it."
"Why not? There’s no denying Princess Qingyue’s beauty. Besides, if that’s not the reason, why would a peerless genius like Zhong Ming join her faction, which has absolutely nothing to offer him?"
"..."
The discussions continued throughout the Prefecture City, with the gossip growing more and more outlandish.
Meanwhile, the old steward and Qin Hongyu had already rushed back to the mansions of the three Commandery Princes to report exactly what they had witnessed.
This meant that the three Commandery Princes, sons of Prince Qinghe, learned the shocking news long before the common folk of the Prefecture City.
Not even enough time to finish a cup of tea had passed since the incident. Inside the Seventh Young Master’s Mansion, Ji Qingkang stared at his two subordinates in disbelief.
"Instantly defeated with a single glance? Are you sure you’re not mistaken?"
Qin Hongyu stepped forward, her expression one of unconcealed shock. "Seventh Young Master, this matter is far too important. We would never dare to deceive you about it."
Ji Qingkang nodded at her reply, but a moment later, a thought occurred to him. He raised an eyebrow and asked, "Is it possible Zhong Ming used some kind of trick or a sneak attack? Maybe Zhu Hao was just caught off guard and fell for it."
Sneak attacks and assassinations have always been the best way for the weak to overcome the strong.
The Sword-Drawing Technique itself was founded on this very principle.
But such techniques are usually only effective the first time. Once an opponent is prepared for them, their flaws become obvious.
Zhong Ming’s own Sword-Drawing Technique suffered from a lack of follow-through.
Therefore, if Zhong Ming had won with a sneak attack, his threat—and his value—would be significantly diminished.
Hearing this, Qin Hongyu shook her head again.
"That’s impossible. After what happened to Zhu Hao, Zhuo Feng from the Star-Picking Tower challenged Zhong Ming to show off his own strength. He personally saw Zhong Ming defeat Zhu Hao with a single glance, so he must have been on high alert. But even so, one look from Zhong Ming and he lost, too. And it was a miserable defeat."
"And right after that crushing defeat, he immediately went and joined Princess Qingyue’s faction."
At this point, Qin Hongyu didn’t need to say another word. Ji Qingkang understood. Zhong Ming’s power was real. He hadn’t used any tricks to defeat Zhu Hao and Zhuo Feng; he had simply crushed them, fair and square.
He had even beaten Zhuo Feng into submission.
"Heh..." Understanding the full story, Ji Qingkang shook his head and gave a wry, self-deprecating laugh. "To think I’d be the one to misjudge someone so badly."
"Young Master, it’s not your fault. You already gave Zhong Ming plenty of consideration. Who could have possibly imagined he would be this strong?"
"Instantly defeating an Inner Sect Disciple from a Major Sect... That’s not the kind of power a minor sect can produce."
Qin Hongyu’s comforting words seemed to ease Ji Qingkang’s mind. He then turned to Autumn Cicada and asked in a low voice, "Are you confident you can deal with Zhong Ming?"
"I am," Autumn Cicada replied, her voice firm and full of confidence.
Her answer surprised Ji Qingkang.
"You’re sure?"
In his opinion, even though Autumn Cicada was powerful, she couldn’t have instantly defeated Zhu Hao with a single glance. The fact that she was completely unafraid of Zhong Ming was something Ji Qingkang found deeply perplexing.
