Chapter 370: Chapter 370: Seen Through
With that scene over, the open house finally came to an end. The many talented disciples and Martial Artists still in the main hall were all asked to leave the Artifact Refining Workshop.
’It seems that kid from the Luo family is quite familiar with that guy from earlier. In that case, I might as well start with the Luo family. If that kid doesn’t get killed by the Artifact Refining Workshop, it won’t be too late to teach him a lesson after he gets out.’
Unable to teach Ye Xuan a lesson, Qin Yu was extremely displeased. His gloomy gaze fell upon Luo Cheng.
Besides him, Zhou Qingwei was also glaring at Luo Cheng with an ugly expression on her face.
Evidently, because of what had happened earlier, she too had come to hate Luo Cheng for his association with Ye Xuan.
’The Luo family is in for it.’
When Zhou Chengping and the others saw this, they were all terrified.
It was a good thing they had no connection to Ye Xuan; otherwise, they would probably be the unlucky ones.
As for what background Ye Xuan might have, they didn’t care at all.
As the saying goes, ’Even a mighty dragon can’t crush a local snake.’ In the Sky Empire, even if Ye Xuan really was a disciple from some great power, being so arrogant meant he was bound to be taught a lesson. Besides, whether he could even walk out of the Artifact Refining Workshop was still an unknown.
"Kid, what’s the background of that guy from earlier? Out with it."
Outside the Artifact Refining Workshop, Qin Yu approached Luo Cheng with a cold sneer, his face filled with killing intent as he spoke.
"Young Master Qin Yu, I... I don’t know Young Master Ye’s background," Luo Cheng said, looking at Qin Yu in terror.
SMACK!
The moment he finished speaking, Qin Yu had already slapped Luo Cheng hard across the face, sending him flying. He spat out a mouthful of blood, and a few of his teeth were knocked out.
"You don’t know? Do you take me for a fool? You were with that guy at the city gates earlier, and you were talking to him in the main hall just now. If you don’t know, who does? If you don’t tell me his background today, then don’t even think about going back."
Qin Yu was now certain that Luo Cheng knew Ye Xuan.
It was no wonder he thought so. Luo Cheng had been sticking close to Ye Xuan the entire time and had even spoken up for him. If they weren’t well acquainted, he would never have done that.
Seeing Luo Cheng being beaten, everyone wore different expressions. Some gloated over his misfortune, while others pitied him, but not a single person stepped forward.
Luo Cheng gritted his teeth, struggled to his feet, and said, "Young Master Qin Yu, I really don’t know Young Master Ye’s background. Even if you beat me to death, the answer will be the same."
’It wasn’t just that he truly didn’t know Ye Xuan’s background; even if he did, he wouldn’t say a word. If it weren’t for Ye Xuan, he would have died at Qu Rufeng’s hands long ago. He would never be alive today. Betraying Ye Xuan was something he could never do.’
"Heh, still playing tough, are you? Do you really think I wouldn’t dare to kill you right here in the Imperial Capital?"
Qin Yu viciously kicked Luo Cheng in the chest. "You’re just a disciple from some minor noble family. Let me tell you something. Even if I killed you today, no one would dare speak up for the Luo family."
Luo Cheng gritted his teeth and remained silent, looking toward Murong Yunyi, who stood to the side.
But Murong Yunyi’s gaze was cold, as if he didn’t recognize Luo Cheng at all.
Luo Cheng’s defiance of his orders back in the Artifact Refining Workshop was a great humiliation to him. Besides, he had already declared inside the workshop that the Luo family was no longer a vassal of the Murong family.
"That’s enough." Just as Qin Yu was viciously beating Luo Cheng, Murong Yunxiao could no longer bear to watch and finally stepped forward. "Qin Yu, the Luo family is a vassal of my Murong family. Don’t you think you’re going too far?"
"Heh heh, if it isn’t Miss Murong Yunxiao. However, back in the Artifact Refining Workshop, I believe I heard Brother Yunyi say that the Luo family is no longer a vassal of your Murong family. Did I hear wrong, or was Brother Yunyi deceiving Master Li Xu?"
"You didn’t hear wrong," Murong Yunxiao said with a frown. "But regardless, the Luo family was once a vassal of my Murong family. By doing this, you’re showing my Murong family a great deal of disrespect."
Qin Yu laughed loudly and shot Luo Cheng a cold glance. "Since Miss Murong Yunxiao has spoken, I, Qin Yu, will give you face. However, I can only promise not to deal with this guy right now. I can’t guarantee I won’t do something to the Luo family later. At that time, Miss Murong Yunxiao, you won’t have anything more to say, will you?"
Murong Yunxiao snorted coldly. "What your Qin family does is your Qin family’s business. It has nothing to do with my Murong family."
"Heh heh, your words are enough for me, Miss Murong Yunxiao." Qin Yu gave Luo Cheng a cold look. "Kid, consider yourself lucky today. But don’t think this is some great fortune. Trust me, before long, you’ll realize that being alive is more painful than being dead."
With a vicious sneer, Qin Yu turned and left the alley.
"I thank you for intervening, Miss Murong Yunxiao," Luo Cheng said in a low voice as he struggled to his feet.
"You don’t have to thank me." Murong Yunxiao sighed and looked at Luo Cheng. "Luo Cheng, the Luo family was originally a vassal of my Murong family, but since my second brother said what he did in front of Master Li Xu and the others, there’s nothing I can do. The Qin family is ruthless. Your Luo family should find a way to escape as soon as possible."
At this, Murong Yunxiao glanced back at the Artifact Refining Workshop and shook her head. "I don’t know how you got to know that guy, to speak up for him like that. Even if he has some background, he can’t make any waves here in the Sky Imperial Capital. What’s more, he slandered the Artifact Refining Workshop’s reputation so badly, it’s doubtful he’ll even make it out of there alive. By doing this, you’re pushing your Luo family into a pit of fire."
"I thank you for your concern, Miss Murong Yunxiao. I will take my leave now."
After saying this, Luo Cheng staggered away, leaving in a hurry.
He was utterly dejected. He now knew that his actions had brought a great disaster upon his family and that he had to notify them as soon as possible.
"Second Brother, the Luo family was still a vassal of our Murong family, after all. What you did in the Artifact Refining Workshop... it will likely disillusion the other noble families who are our vassals. And if Father finds out, you’ll surely be punished."
After Luo Cheng left, Murong Yunxiao spoke to Murong Yunyi with dissatisfaction.
Murong Yunyi revealed a meaningful smile and said, "Third Sister, rest assured. Father won’t blame me for what happened today; in fact, he will even praise me."
"The Luo family has been faring worse and worse these past few years, and their feud with the Qu family has only deepened. I heard that not long ago, an elder from the Qu family named Qu Rufeng fell just outside the Imperial Capital, and it’s highly likely the Luo family was involved."
"You know the Qu family’s background. They are the Profound Mystery Sect’s foothold in the Imperial Capital. I heard a Supreme Elder from the Profound Mystery Sect recently arrived in the Imperial Capital, and Father has been racking his brains over this very matter. Today’s incident was a perfect opportunity. We can take this chance to kick the Luo family out. That way, if the Profound Mystery Sect truly unleashes its wrath, it won’t involve our Murong family."
"That’s why I can guarantee that when Father learns about today’s events, not only will he not blame me, he will reward me."
After Murong Yunyi finished speaking, a triumphant smile spread across his lips.
Murong Yunxiao sighed silently. She rarely concerned herself with family matters, but this act of casually abandoning a noble family that had followed them for over a hundred years still sent a slight chill through her heart.
But she also knew that everything her father and the others did was for the sake of the family’s prosperity.
Meanwhile, inside the Artifact Refining Workshop, Ye Xuan and Master Lu Li were sitting face-to-face.
"Speak. Which power are you a disciple of? What was your purpose in coming to my Artifact Refining Workshop to cause trouble? If you don’t give this old man a reasonable explanation, I don’t care which power you’re from—be it the Nine Yang Sect or the Profound Mystery Sect—this old man can guarantee you won’t escape with your life today."
As soon as Master Lu Li sat down, his gaze fixed icily on Ye Xuan as he spoke coolly.
Then, before Ye Xuan could speak, Master Lu Li added sharply, "As for that so-called master of yours, there’s no need to bring him up. There isn’t a single famous Artifact Refining Master in the Dream Realm Plain that this old man doesn’t know. And among them, there is absolutely no one capable of refining the throwing knife you produced."
Lu Li’s eyes gleamed sharply, exposing the lie about Ye Xuan’s supposed master. At the same time, a faint trace of killing intent flickered in his gaze.
Ye Xuan smiled calmly, his expression unchanged. "My purpose in coming here was indeed not to seek your guidance on the Dao of Artifact Refining. Rather, I have a few items that I need your help to refine."
"So, you’re saying the purpose of your nonsense in my Artifact Refining Workshop’s main hall was to draw this old man out?" Master Lu Li’s gaze suddenly sharpened.
Ye Xuan said calmly, "You could say that."
"Such audacity."
Master Lu Li flew into a rage. He shot to his feet, and a terrifying pressure, like a great mountain, instantly bore down on Ye Xuan. The frightening aura was like a tidal wave.
"And you still want this old man to refine items for you? Young man, do you have any idea that based on your actions in my Artifact Refining Workshop just now, this old man could kill you on the spot?"
A terrifying killing intent enveloped Ye Xuan, and a grim, murderous air filled the room.
Under Master Lu Li’s sharp gaze, Ye Xuan remained unfazed. He calmly lifted the teacup beside him and took a sip. Closing his eyes as if savoring the tea’s rich aroma, he set the cup down a moment later. "Since I dared to come here, I am not afraid of you making a move. Besides, aren’t you curious about what my reward is?"
Ye Xuan’s casual actions and calm tone completely infuriated Master Lu Li.
’Never before had a young man dared to be so presumptuous in his presence, not only slandering the items from his Artifact Refining Workshop but also acting as if he had him completely under his thumb.’
This had truly stirred Master Lu Li’s anger.
’Did this kid think he could get the better of him just because he had some treasure or a powerful backer? He, Lu Li, had dominated the Dream Realm Plain for so many years; what hadn’t he seen?’
"Guards! Drag this kid out, beat him half to death, and then throw him onto the street."
Master Lu Li waved his hand and barked the order. He despised these kinds of opportunistic young people the most.
"Yes, Master."
Master Li Xu and the others had been waiting outside. Upon hearing Lu Li’s words, they immediately responded and walked in, surrounding Ye Xuan.
