Immortal Martial Emperor

Wang Ze's face was pale, and his words carried a hint of effeminate malice. "Master, I'm certain that Hong Yu is that bastard, Luoo."

"Are you sure?"

Beside him was none other than the former Hall Master of the Earth Spirit Hall, Mo Yun.

However, the Mo Yun of today had lost his former arrogance and flamboyance, replaced by a dejected air. Most notably, his left sleeve was empty.

Outsiders only knew that Mo Yun and Wang Ze had been expelled from the Underground Alliance by Vice Chairman Leng Rubei. What they didn't know was that the two had paid a terrible price just to stay alive: Mo Yun, an arm; Wang Ze, his ability to carry on his family line.

And the one responsible for it all was none other than Shishui City's youngest Silver Hunter—Luoo!

After being expelled from the Underground Alliance, the master and disciple returned to the Wang Family. But with Mo Yun missing an arm and Wang Ze having lost his manhood, their status plummeted. Once their wounds had healed, the two began searching for the enemy who had done this to them.

But it was a pity...

No matter how hard they tried, they could find no trace of Luoo.

It was as if after that day, Luoo had vanished from the face of the earth.

The master and disciple conferred and concluded that someone with Luoo's talent would never miss the clan tournament. Thus, they waited here until they discovered Hong Yu!

Wang Ze's expression was cold and venomous as he nodded heavily. "His back and his voice... I'd recognize them even in death."

"Good. As long as you're sure it's him." Mo Yun stroked his empty left sleeve, a cold light glinting in his eyes. "That bitch Tan Qin turned out to be... Hmph. We can't get revenge on her, but we absolutely cannot let this damn Luoo go."

"That's right. I want to make his life a living hell. I'm going to torture him brutally."

The memory of Hong Yu stomping on and crushing his family jewels twisted Wang Ze's features into a ferocious mask.

Mo Yun frowned. "However, the Hong Yu of today has earned Hong Tianduan's favor. Getting our revenge won't be easy..."

"That bastard! Why is his luck so good? In the Underground Alliance, he had Tan Qin protecting him, and now he has Hong Tianduan..."

The thought of Tan Qin's identity still filled Wang Ze with despair. Suddenly, a sharp glint flashed in his dull eyes. "Right, Master, I just remembered something. Do you recall Hong Luàn?"

"You mean Hong Tiande's grandson? Didn't he die?"

Wang Ze nodded. "I had some dealings with Hong Luàn. Back then, Xue Butong posted a quest in the Alliance for Restoring Yin Grass. The strange thing was, only Luoo accepted it. I didn't think much of it at the time, but when Hong Luàn came to me looking for a quest, I recommended that one to him. I remember very clearly that only Luoo and the Demon Blood Squad took that quest, but not long after, news came that Hong Luàn was dead..."

"Are you saying that Hong Luàn was killed by Hong Yu?" Mo Yun was stunned.

Wang Ze's lips parted in a grating, cold laugh. "While I can't be certain, I'm seventy percent sure. Heh heh... I recall that Hong Tiande is hunting the killer everywhere..."

"Hahaha! Heaven is truly on our side! To avenge his grandson, Hong Tiande would rather kill the wrong person than let the culprit escape. As long as we pass this information to him..."

Mo Yun said, raising a cold eyebrow.

To avenge Hong Luàn, Hong Tiande wouldn't even spare innocent boys of thirteen or fourteen.

If he learned that Hong Yu was very likely the one who killed his grandson, he would surely unleash a brutal and merciless retaliation. When that time comes, Hong Yu would be doomed. Not only would they have their revenge, but they'd be doing it by 'borrowing a knife to kill'—truly killing two birds with one stone.

The master and disciple exchanged a look, then broke into waves of cold, delighted laughter.

But Hong Yu was completely unaware of the venomous 'borrow a knife to kill' plot being hatched by Wang Ze and his master.

「At this very moment…」

He was following Hong Tianduan back to the Hong Family estate.

Hong Tianduan glanced at the dilapidated courtyard where Hong Yu lived, a flash of anger in his eyes. "Absurd! This is simply absurd! To think my Hong Family has become so corrupt as to house a Celestial Pride Son like you in a place like this? Dammit! If it weren't for this inter-clan tournament, you would have continued to be buried away."

"Third Elder, there's no need for that. This was inherited from my parents, so I've gotten used to living here," Hong Yu said with a smile.

Along the way, he had only mentioned that he had made such progress with the help of Tiger Instructor, making no mention of the suppression he faced from Hong Tiande.

After all, Hong Tiande's power was immense. Even if he told Hong Tianduan, the matter would most likely be dropped and come to nothing.

Given that, it was better to avoid stirring up more trouble.

Hong Tianduan shook his head, his expression serious. "No. My Hong Family never mistreats any disciple with potential. you can no longer live in this place. I will have someone arrange a new residence for you shortly. Moreover, you are now one of the Ten Great Celestial Prodigies, and every genius is a precious treasure to our Hong Family. From this day forward, you are the Hong Family's Ninth Young Master, and you will enjoy the family's highest welfare stipend."

"Ninth Young Master? The highest welfare stipend?"

Hong Yu blinked, finding it hard to believe.

The highest welfare stipend was something only available to Direct Lineage Disciples!

In all his years in the Hong Family, he had never heard of a disciple from a side branch receiving such treatment.

"There's no need to be surprised. With your strength and talent, you are worthy of this treatment. Alright, go inside and pack your things. I'll send someone to pick you up shortly!" Hong Tianduan instructed before turning to leave.

"..."

Only after Hong Tianduan had left did Hong Yu snap back to his senses.

He rubbed his nose with a strange expression and muttered, 'This truly is a world where strength is respected and the powerful are supreme!'

After standing before the dilapidated courtyard for a long time, Hong Yu finally went back inside.

Yun Mengyao happened to be drawing water in the small yard, her frail body struggling to turn the heavy well windlass. Hong Yu's heart ached at the sight, and he stepped forward to help her pull up the bucket. The little girl froze for a moment, then said in pleasant surprise, "Brother, you're back?"

"You silly girl, didn't I tell you to rest well and not move around?" Hong Yu chided.

The little miss stuck out her tongue and giggled. "I was just thinking of boiling some water and making tea for you when you got back."

"..."

Hong Yu's gaze fell upon the stone table in the yard, where a tea set was neatly arranged. He sighed softly. "Little girl, don't tell me you boil water and wait for me to come back every single day?"

"Um..."

A flicker of panic crossed Yun Mengyao's eyes, and she quickly shook her head. "N-No."

Seeing the faint blush rising on the little girl's cheeks, Hong Yu's heart ached as he pulled her into his arms, gently patting her smooth back. "Silly girl, you blush every time you lie. How could you possibly fool me?"

"Well, I... I'm just idle anyway!" the little girl pouted.

Hong Yu just smiled and said nothing.

'How could he not know? The little girl simply wanted him to have a hot cup of tea the moment he got home, but since she never knew when he would return, she boiled water every day and waited.'

He didn't expose her, but gently tapped her elegant, straight nose and smiled. "Alright, little one, hurry inside and pack your things. From this day forward, I absolutely will not let you suffer any more grievances!"

"Pack our things? Brother, are we moving?" Yun Mengyao asked, her eyes wide.

Hong Yu nodded. "Yes, we're moving!"

At that moment, he felt a little grateful that he hadn't refused Hong Tianduan's reward.

The little girl had suffered enough with him. It was time for her to enjoy a bit of comfort!

The two of them went inside to pack their belongings.

About the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, a clamor suddenly erupted from outside the gate...

"It's... it's them?"

Yun Mengyao, who had just been excited, had her expression change drastically. A look of panic flashed in her clear eyes.

"Yaoyao, what's wrong?" Hong Yu asked with a frown.

Yun Mengyao bit her lip, stubbornly refusing to speak.

"Yun Mengyao, you little bitch, get your ass out here! Dammit, you dare to steal valuables from the Artisan Workshop? You deserve to die a thousand deaths! If you hand over what you stole today, we might spare your life. Otherwise, I'm reporting this to the family..."

Just as Hong Yu was about to press her for an answer, a shrill woman's voice suddenly came from outside the gate.

"Stealing? What's this all about?" Hong Yu's heart sank as he looked at Yun Mengyao.

Yun Mengyao bit her red lips and, under Hong Yu's questioning, slowly explained everything.

It turned out that the whole mess was caused by the one hundred Gold Coins Hong Yu had given Yun Mengyao before he left.

Yun Mengyao was learning embroidery at the Artisan Workshop. But because she was nimble-fingered and a quick learner, her skills soon surpassed those of the older artisans, which led to her being ostracized. However, the little girl didn't want to worry Hong Yu, so she never told him. A few days ago, Yun Mengyao took the one hundred Gold Coins Hong Yu had given her to go out and buy materials, planning to make a new set of clothes for him.

As a result, she was seen by people from the Artisan Workshop, who then claimed she had stolen from them and tried to extort her.

Yun Mengyao refused to give in, even on pain of death, and fled back home.

But how could those old artisans from the Workshop let it go? They had been coming here almost every day...

"These old hags must have eaten a bear's heart and a leopard's gall," Hong Yu raged, about to storm out.

Yun Mengyao quickly grabbed his arm. "Brother, don't go out! One of them is the wife of Steward Hong Jun. Steward Hong Jun is in charge of punishments for the side branches. We... we shouldn't offend him."

"Hong Jun?"

Hong Yu froze.

He knew this Hong Jun. In fact, he was an old acquaintance.

He was none other than Hongyan's father. Ever since Hongyan had attached himself to Hong Lin, his father's status had risen with the tide, and he became the Steward in charge of punishments for the side branches—a major figure among them.

But would Hong Yu be afraid of him?

"Don't worry. Forget his wife, even if Hong Jun himself came, he couldn't do anything to me," Hong Yu said reassuringly, pushing the door open and stepping out.

In the small courtyard, seven or eight arrogant women were brazenly smashing things.

"Stop."

Fury surged in Hong Yu's heart as he watched.

The scene before him was enough to make him understand what sort of torment Yaoyao had to face from these shrews every day he was gone. How could he not be furious?

"Well, well? Isn't this Hong Yu? You've got some nerve, kid, daring to speak to us like that?" The leader was a middle-aged woman caked in heavy makeup—none other than Hongyan's mother, Zhang Ting. She pointed a furious finger at Hong Yu and snarled, "You little bastard, I still haven't settled the score with you for hurting my son the other day! This is perfect. I'm going to rip your mouth to shreds..."

"Get lost!"

With a cold shout, Hong Yu unleashed his Ninth Layer Qi Force, sending the old hag flying.

"You... you..."

Zhang Ting was thrown into a dizzy stupor, momentarily cowed by Hong Yu's Momentum. But her shrewish nature was bone-deep. Moreover, in her eyes, her husband was a major figure who wielded great power. Emboldened, she shrieked, "You rotten little bastard, you dare to lay a hand on me? You just wait! I'm going back to get people! I'll see you dead!"

"You think you can just smash things and walk away? It's not that easy," Hong Yu snorted coldly.

Terrified by Hong Yu's frigid gaze, Zhang Ting's legs went soft, and she immediately burst into a wail. "Oh, heavens! Everyone, come and look! Hong Yu is bullying a poor woman who can't even truss a chicken! This little bastard is going to kill someone! Everyone, come and get me justice..."

"You little bastard! Your sister is a thief with sticky fingers, and you're just a coward who bullies women..."

"I'm truly ashamed for your parents!"

"You little bastard..."

The other old hags hurriedly chimed in...

For a moment, faced with the accusations of seven or eight women, Hong Yu felt as if a million flies were buzzing in his ears. His head throbbed, and his anger intensified.

"You damn murderer! What kind of man bullies a woman? Shameless..." Zhang Ting, her face a mess of snot and tears, pointed at Hong Yu and continued to curse him.

'This old woman...'

Hong Yu was so angry his teeth were grinding.

Seeing this, Zhang Ting's jeers became even more vicious.

Just as Hong Yu was about to lose control and slap this madwoman to death, a faint voice suddenly drifted in from outside the gate, bringing the wailing women's clamor to an abrupt halt...

"Excuse me, is the Ninth Young Master in?"