Return of the Celestial King

Zheng Guoping walked up to Qin Tuo. Looking down on him, he said in a cold voice:

"You little bastard, I didn’t expect to see you here!"

Qin Tuo merely shot Zheng Guoping a cold glance and said nothing.

He didn’t want to complicate matters right now. ’Otherwise,’ Qin Tuo thought, ’if this guy really pisses me off, I wouldn’t mind teaching him a lesson he’ll never forget right here and now!’

When Qin Tuo remained silent, Zheng Guoping grew even more arrogant and smug.

He said tauntingly,

"Kid, how about this? Just submit to me, become my lackey, and I’ll take you up the mountain to see how things really work. What do you say?"

Upon hearing this, the nearby members of the Xue Family grew even more tense.

But Qin Tuo just scoffed and said,

"Heh, and who do you think you are? What makes you think you’re worthy of my allegiance?"

This utterly dismissive tone made Zheng Guoping’s face turn ashen with rage.

In front of the other families, Zheng Guoping decided to make an example of him to intimidate everyone else.

He raised his voice and snarled,

"You damn brat, I gave you a chance and you didn’t take it. Are you looking to die?!"

As he spoke, a fierce killing intent flared in his eyes.

The two lackeys behind him played their part, glaring and staring daggers at Qin Tuo.

At the slightest provocation, the two of them would attack together and teach Qin Tuo a harsh lesson.

However, Qin Tuo appeared completely calm and collected, not the least bit afraid.

He shook his head, gave him the middle finger, and said coldly,

"I’m warning you, Zheng. Don’t mess with me. Otherwise, you’ll be the one with a death wish!"

"What!"

Zheng Guoping’s eyebrows twitched violently.

He never imagined Qin Tuo would disrespect him so openly in front of so many people.

He had been put in an impossible position and couldn’t back down. He had no choice but to make an example of Qin Tuo.

Enraged, Zheng Guoping waved his hand and ordered,

"You two, beat this brat up and teach him a lesson!"

"Yes, President Zheng!"

The two lackeys rolled up their sleeves, menacing grins spreading across their faces as they advanced on Qin Tuo.

Seeing this, Xue Qingqing panicked and quickly tugged on Xue Chengdong’s arm.

"Dad, you have to save Qin Tuo!"

However, Xue Chengdong merely frowned, clearly reluctant to intervene.

They hadn’t even set out yet, and he didn’t want to start a conflict with the Zheng Family prematurely.

’If they wasted too much of the family’s strength now, it would be disastrous once they were on the mountain!’

While Xue Chengdong was still hesitating, Xue Qingqing couldn’t stand it any longer.

She ran over, grabbed Qin Tuo’s arm, and tried to pull him away to safety.

The two Zheng Family lackeys sneered, preparing to take down Xue Qingqing as well.

"You damn girl, you’re just asking for it!"

One of the lackeys swung his fist right at Xue Qingqing’s back.

At that, the expressions of everyone in the Xue Family changed instantly!

But Ma Youcai’s eyes lit up. He knew his chance had come.

He seized the opportunity, lunged forward, and sent the man flying with a single slap!

Ma Youcai was a Grandmaster-level expert; sending a mere lackey flying was child’s play for him.

He shook his head with a cold smile and said,

"Just a couple of guys who’ve mastered their Inner Strength, and you dare act so presumptuously toward Miss Xue? I’d say you’re the ones with a death wish!"

As he finished speaking, he easily took down the other lackey in a few swift moves, then dusted off his hands with a look of pure arrogance.

Seeing Ma Youcai take down his two personal lackeys, Zheng Guoping’s eyes went wide, and he trembled with rage.

But Ma Youcai acted as if he hadn’t noticed, instead turning to fawn over Xue Qingqing and profess his loyalty.

"Miss Xue, don’t you worry. As long as I’m here, no one can harm you!"

Faced with Ma Youcai’s intense gaze, Xue Qingqing just lowered her head and said softly,

"Thank you..."

However, that simple word of thanks was enough to make Ma Youcai ecstatic.

After all, it was the first thing Xue Qingqing had ever said to him, and Ma Youcai couldn’t help but let his imagination run wild.

Zheng Guoping finally lost his patience. He glared viciously at Xue Chengdong and demanded in a cold voice,

"Xue, are you trying to pick a fight?"

Xue Chengdong could only reply with resignation,

"This Brother Qin is the one who saved my daughter. Let’s just let this matter drop!"

Xue Qingqing also found her courage and said,

"You were the one who ordered your men to attack Qin Tuo, and now you have the nerve to say we’re picking a fight? That’s ridiculous!"

But Zheng Guoping didn’t care about any of that, and he certainly wasn’t willing to let it go so easily.

Zheng Guoping thought for a moment, then said with a frown,

"Xue, two of my men are seriously injured, and your man did it. If you think you can just let this go, you’re dreaming!"

Even someone as patient as Xue Chengdong was starting to get annoyed. He couldn’t help but ask,

"Then what do you want to do?"

A cruel smile spread across Zheng Guoping’s face as he said,

"You have to give me a proper explanation today. Otherwise, none of you from the Xue Family are leaving this place!"

Seeing the two sides reach an impasse, Patriarch Wu Taiqi of the Wu Family couldn’t help but step forward to mediate.

He smiled and said,

"Gentlemen, I saw what just happened. It was just a trivial squabble. There’s no need to take things this far."

However, both Xue Chengdong and Zheng Guoping simply turned their heads away, their expressions cold and indifferent.

Wu Taiqi continued to persuade them with a smile,

"Our main purpose today is to go up the mountain and find the entrance to the ore vein. That’s the top priority. Can’t we settle any other business after we’ve found it? It won’t be too late then, will it?"

At these words, the brows of both men gradually relaxed.

They both realized he was right; compared to a new ore vein, everything else was insignificant.

So, Zheng Guoping gritted his teeth and said furiously,

"After I find the new ore vein and claim it, I’ll be back to settle today’s score with you!"

After spitting out his threat, Zheng Guoping led his men away.

Seeing the Zheng Family preparing to head up the mountain first, Wu Taiqi dared not linger. After a few brief words, he led the Wu Family to follow close behind.

Xue Chengdong, however, remained where he was, pondering the strength the other two families had just displayed.

After a moment’s thought, Xue Chengdong called Jin Hongtao over and asked,

"Master Jin, what’s your assessment of the strength of the men these two families have brought?"

Jin Hongtao thought for a moment before speaking slowly,

"I got a clear look just now. The Zheng Family has a full five Grandmasters. As for that old Taoist with the goatee, however... I don’t know what his level of strength is. I can’t seem to get a read on him."

Hearing this, Xue Chengdong nodded silently in agreement.