Though Zhang Qingyao’s situation wasn’t as dire as Wang Quan’s, who had been blasted all the way to the tavern’s front gate, she still hadn’t fared well—being knocked back five meters and crashing hard onto the ground.
Zhang Yuge was momentarily stunned.
He had only glanced at Wang Quan, never expecting that the elder of the Five-Spirit Sect would resort to an underhanded sneak attack, violating martial ethics.
“Since you have no intention of cultivating Immortality, then don’t waste my time! I’ll make you understand the consequences of offending an Immortal cultivator.”
Wu De did not miss the hint in Zhang Yuge’s expression.
Seeing that his full-powered palm strike was caught by another, he slapped the cloth pouch at his waist with his left hand.
A small but exquisite Phantom Gauntlet rose into the air and slipped onto his hand.
“Five-Spirit Palm!”
A dazzling multicolored palm, condensed from spiritual energy, suddenly shot out from Wu De’s hand, crashing toward Zhang Yuge.
The many nobles and dignitaries present all assumed Zhang Yuge was a dead man, beyond rescue.
“BOOM!!!”
A thunderous roar swept through as the dust settled.
Zhang Yuge did not die from the palm strike as everyone had expected.
Instead, he met the attack head-on with his fist, his stance unmoving.
Surprise flashed in Wu De’s eyes.
He immediately retreated two steps, warily eyeing Zhang Yuge.
Zhang Yuge found it strange as well.
Before Yun Lan fell into slumber, she had lent him cultivation power comparable to Foundation Establishment.
Yet, in this face-to-face confrontation with Wu De, he hadn’t gained the upper hand.
If this man truly possessed only the Qi Refinement stage’s tenth level, he would have been blasted away by my punch just now.
Instead, he only held me at a standstill—no disadvantage.
Their stalemate astonished everyone else.
Zhang Yuge felt a headache coming on.
The safest move now was to find an excuse and leave Jinyi Tavern before the situation escalated.
“Fellow cultivator, you clearly have cultivation on par with mine, yet you pretend to be a mortal to test me. Is this some kind of joke at my expense?”
Wu De’s face darkened as he pressed Zhang Yuge.
Zhang Yuge bowed to Wu De and smiled apologetically.
“This matter is indeed my fault. I hope Elder can forgive me.”
“Hmph, with such behavior, do you not regard the Five-Spirit Sect at all? If you don’t give me an explanation today, the Five-Spirit Sect will not let this matter drop.”
Seeing Wu De pressing further, Zhang Yuge countered,
“Then what kind of explanation does Elder want?”
Wu De glanced over Zhang Yuge’s clothes and attire with a sneer.
“I’m not a narrow-minded person. You must be a scion of some powerful family. Have your clan’s patriarch come here to apologize to me personally, and I’ll let this matter go.”
Wu De’s words were deliberately meant to shame Zhang Yuge and the Zhang family in public.
Wu De was certain no family dared defy his sect.
“No problem. My father and I will personally come to offer our apologies another day,”
Zhang Yuge replied with a respectful smile that others interpreted as deference and reverence.
“Then I won’t bother the elder’s recruitment any longer. Allow me to take my leave.”
With that, Zhang Yuge turned and lifted Zhang Qingyao with one hand, letting her lean on him as he helped her away.
From behind came Wu De’s shout.
“Within three days, if I don’t see you come to the Five-Spirit Sect, you will bear the consequences. There’s one more thing—this maid beside you is also a cultivator. I see she has good potential. If she stays, I can accept her into the Five-Spirit Sect.”
Wu De’s move seemed outrageously oppressive to the onlookers, who sympathized even more for this unknown young master.
“Elder Xie’s kindness will be appreciated. I will bring her to the Five-Spirit Sect another day.”
Zhang Yuge didn’t look back, replying with these words as he supported Zhang Qingyao and left Jinyi Tavern.
Watching Zhang Yuge’s departing figure, Wu De revealed a pleased smile.
He never intended to keep Zhang Qingyao—his words were only meant to provoke and disgust Zhang Yuge.
“Next.”
Wu De resumed his seat at the main stage.
Outside the tavern, Zhang Yuge met up with Lv Zhu and other household servants waiting for him.
“Young master, you all… what happened?”
“I’m fine. But Qingyao might be injured. Follow me to a nearby apothecary.”
Zhang Qingyao was supported by Zhang Yuge all the way, sneaking glances at him, hesitating to speak.
“Do you have something to say to me? Or is it because I’m too handsome, so you can’t help but steal glances?”
“W-who’s stealing glances at you? I’m just… just…”
Like a girl caught writing in her diary, Zhang Qingyao stammered.
“Just what?”
The girl turned her head and asked,
“Are you really going to the Five-Spirit Sect to apologize?”
“Hehe, so you’re worried about that. You know it’s impossible, right?”
The dark shadow on Zhang Yuge’s face vanished, replaced by a radiant smile.
“Then why… why are you afraid of that bastard? Don’t you still have a master?”
When mentioning his master, Zhang Qingyao deliberately lowered her voice so only the two of them could hear.
“My master is asleep—he’ll be out for quite a while and can’t help me.”
“Ah? Then… should we leave the city now? Though the Five-Spirit Sect is the top sect in the Great Zhou, the Zhang family won’t really make you apologize to that guy just for face.”
“I know.”
Zhang Yuge nodded.
“Then let’s hurry and leave the city.”
“No rush. Let’s get some medicine first. You were just hurt. My master left me Foundation Establishment cultivation. That Five-Spirit Sect elder won’t be able to harm me.”
“I’m not talking about that guy. I mean the Ye family… Without your master protecting you, if they find out your strength has weakened, it’ll be bad.”
Really, the emperor isn’t anxious, but the eunuch is.
Zhang Qingyao was about to be exasperated to death by Zhang Yuge.
“Then all the more reason not to leave the capital. Without your master’s protection, if the Ye family ambushes us halfway, we’ll die without witnesses.”
“You… you really are…”
Seeing the girl’s angry face, Zhang Yuge couldn’t help but poke her cheek.
But Zhang Qingyao promptly threw a tantrum, breaking free of his support and walking on her own.
At a nearby apothecary, a doctor examined Zhang Qingyao while the other servants waited outside.
Zhang Yuge sat nearby, lost in thought.
Glancing at the servants outside, Zhang Yuge shook his head.
These servants had strength but no combat skill.
Sending them to ambush Wu De would only be sending them to their deaths.
What he needed were capable fighters.
During a pause while the doctor wrote a prescription, Zhang Qingyao sneaked a look at Zhang Yuge.
She felt that the Zhang Yuge who left the tavern was unlike himself but couldn’t pinpoint why.
Moreover, she heard that familiar tapping sound.
Zhang Qingyao knew Zhang Yuge had a habit.
Whenever he planned something mischievous, his left index finger would unconsciously tap on the table or chair, producing a rhythmic “da-da” sound.
Sure enough, she saw Zhang Yuge sitting expressionless, lost in thought, his index finger lightly tapping the counter.
Yes, he was plotting something deadly.
At the same time, Wang Quan showed up, followed by two unfamiliar wealthy young men.
“Brother Zhang, I’ve finally found you!”