Urban Carefree Warrior God

"Oh?" Liu Ruyan's interest was piqued. "What kind of master?"

In fact, upon first seeing the heavily injured Chen Ke, Liu Ruyan was somewhat startled. It wasn't because she was horrified by his wounds, but because she was deeply puzzled. In a place as small as Lingjin City, who could possibly have injured him? A Grade 11.5 pure Sword Cultivator—Liu Ruyan understood the terrifying power that entailed all too well. Even she wouldn't dare to underestimate such an expert. And yet, what was the result? He had been in Lingjin City for just one day and was already critically wounded, teetering on the brink of death. It was undeniable that this shook her to the core.

"He... he might be about the same age as you, Miss Ruyan, and he's also a Sword Cultivator!" Chen Ke said, taking a deep breath. He didn't reveal Chen Yang's identity, nor did he mention the Chen Family Ancestral Sword. The Ancestral Sword was a matter of great importance; if someone else were to seize it, it would undoubtedly lead to immense trouble.

"I... I couldn't even withstand a single one of his moves! At a minimum, he has to be Grade 12, or maybe even close to Grade 13!" Chen Ke snarled through gritted teeth, his voice filled with venom and a lingering fear. Hate him as he might, his opponent's strength was simply absurd. If he hadn't decisively used the Chen Family's Forbidden Art, Blood Shadow Escape, he would have certainly died there today.

"Are you saying that there is a Sword Cultivator in Lingjin City, under thirty years old, at the peak of Grade 12?" Liu Ruyan's gaze grew heavy, her entire demeanor turning colder as she asked in a low voice.

Chen Ke nodded. "I know it's hard to believe, but it's the truth!"

"It seems your Chen Family has run into a tough opponent this time," Liu Ruyan said, averting her gaze. She didn't dwell on it. Her own strength was one thing, but more importantly, what did this have to do with her? No matter how powerful he is, we are like two parallel lines, destined never to cross. Her only task in Lingjin City was to deal with Chen Yang, after which she would return to Cangyun City.

"Hmph!" Chen Ke sneered. "His talent is indeed astonishing, but in the eyes of my Chen Family, what does he amount to?"

"That's true," Liu Ruyan nodded slightly.

Chen Ke hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Miss Ruyan, I can offer one billion to hire you and the two Nine-Bag Elders to kill him. Are you interested?" He added, "Furthermore, the Chen Family will owe you a personal favor."

Liu Ruyan turned her head, her tone flat. "A favor from the Chen Family is not something you are in a position to promise."

"This matter is of grave importance. The Chen Family can afford to give you this favor," Chen Ke stated with conviction.

Liu Ruyan fell silent. To be honest, she suspected the Chen Family wouldn't be making such a big move over something trivial. She didn't particularly care about the one billion. But a favor from the Chen Family... frankly, she couldn't refuse it. That was the imperial family of Cangyun City! Most importantly, she was confident in her own strength. With her and two Nine-Bag Elders, they could easily eliminate the man, even if he truly was a peak Grade 12 Sword Cultivator.

Chen Ke remained silent, simply staring at her.

After a moment, Liu Ruyan said, "That will have to wait until I've handled the Martial Association's business."

"I can wait," Chen Ke said, overjoyed.

"Fine. I'll have someone take you to the hospital first," Liu Ruyan agreed, then instructed Wu Lan, "Go call an ambulance."

"Yes, Miss."

「The next day.」

For the past two days, the Feiyang Martial Arts School had been in a state of tense activity. Following the news reports, the once-obscure school was completely thrust into the limelight. After all, the audacity to openly defy and oppose the Martial Association was a reckless act that left many people stunned. Most people were just there for the spectacle; only a handful took advantage of the hype to actually enroll. By today, the large martial arts school was almost completely empty.

Early that morning, Liu Ruyan arrived at the Feiyang Martial Arts School.

"May I ask who you're looking for?" a busy disciple asked upon seeing the stranger enter.

Liu Ruyan said nothing. With her hands clasped behind her back, she scanned her surroundings.

"Tell your master to come out!" Wu Lan barked from beside her.

The disciple frowned. The old woman's attitude was incredibly rude, but he maintained his professional courtesy. "Do you have an appointment?"

"An appointment?" Wu Lan sneered, her cloudy eyes suddenly turning sharp and icy as she stared him down. "Say that again."

BUZZ!

The moment the disciple met Wu Lan's gaze, his mind reeled as if struck by a thunderclap. An intense chill shot through his body. He stumbled back several steps before collapsing to the ground with a thud, his face as pale as a sheet of paper.

This sudden commotion drew the attention of the others, who all cast questioning looks in their direction before a group began to crowd around them. They're obviously here to cause trouble!

Li Ben stepped forward, signaling for the others to remain calm. "And who might you two be?"

"Bring your master out here at once!" Wu Lan said coldly.

Li Ben's expression darkened. "The master is my father. You can say whatever you need to me."

"And just who do you think you are?" Wu Lan shot him a sidelong glance before lifting her cane and waving it lightly.

BOOM!

A fierce gale erupted, raging violently.

Li Ben was struck as if by a heavy blow. His burly body was lifted off the ground and sent flying five or six meters back like a withered leaf in the wind before crashing heavily to the floor. He wasn't the only one. The other disciples were also swept up like a pile of dry leaves and thrown aside. In an instant, blood sprayed into the air, filling it with a crimson mist.

Wu Lan lowered her cane and scoffed in disdain, "Just a bunch of trash."

Liu Ruyan remained expressionless the entire time, looking on as if she'd seen nothing. Only when someone started walking down from the second floor did she slowly turn her gaze toward them.

"Who are you?"

The newcomer was, of course, the master of the Feiyang Martial Arts School, Li Zhendong. Although he had once held a position in the Martial Association, high-ranking figures like Wu Lan, a Nine-Bag Elder, or Liu Ruyan, the Association President's Chief Disciple, were people he had never been able to meet.

"You are the master of this Feiyang Martial Arts School?" Wu Lan asked.

"I am!"

Wu Lan gave a derisive smile. "I am a Nine-Bag Elder of the Martial Association, and this, beside me, is the Association President's Chief Disciple."

Li Zhendong's heart skipped a beat. He had guessed they were from the Martial Association, but he never imagined such high-ranking figures would arrive. He had heard tales of the Chief Disciple, Liu Ruyan, in particular. Though he'd never met her, rumor had it that her strength was astonishing and that she was nearly unrivaled among her peers.

Li Zhendong took a deep breath to compose himself, his tone neither servile nor overbearing. "May I ask the purpose of your visit?"

"You openly challenge the authority of our Martial Association, and you have the gall to ask us that?" Wu Lan's gaze was piercingly cold as she spoke, her voice laced with menace.

Liu Ruyan stopped her and asked Li Zhendong directly, "Is Chen Yang backing you?"

"That's correct," Li Zhendong replied with a hint of pride, saying nothing more.

"A mere Sixth Grade Military General. Do you really believe you can challenge our Martial Association just by relying on him?" Liu Ruyan stared intently at Li Zhendong, her expression impassive.

Hm? Li Zhendong was visibly taken aback. He hadn't known Chen Yang's actual rank before this. Hearing her say it now, he was stunned, but it also bolstered his confidence.

"My purpose in coming here today is to inform you of one thing: you are not to touch anything in our Martial Association's branch building, not the decorations, not the furnishings. On the day you planned for your grand opening, the Martial Association will be moving back in," Liu Ruyan stated coolly.

Li Zhendong was speechless.

"And as for your Feiyang Martial Arts School... since you've already prepared to leave this location, there's no need for it to exist at all anymore."

Li Zhendong was rendered speechless once more.

*Gulp.* Watching Liu Ruyan's departing figure, Li Zhendong swallowed hard. What did she mean by that? My Feiyang Martial Arts School is having its grand opening, and the Martial Association is moving in? Don't tell me she plans to annihilate my entire school, along with Chen Yang, on opening day just to make a show of the Martial Association's power? This woman is unbelievably domineering!

"Hmph!" Li Zhendong sneered. "So arrogant. In the face of Lord Chen's Ten Thousand Phenomena Senluo, forget you—even your master would have to kneel! Threatening me... I'll be looking forward to seeing what you've got!"