Chapter 55: The Profligate Young Master

Since he was about to take something from others, he naturally had to prove his worth. Otherwise, if you can't bring others any benefit, why would they give you a compass for no reason? There is no such thing as love without cause in this world, and Bai Feiyu understood this well.

Bai Feiyu swiftly walked out of the inn and dashed toward the marketplace. Inside the inn, Liu Guang poked his head out from another room, frowned, and muttered to himself, “This kid, just a few days of peace and he can’t sit still again? I really wonder if the sect’s huge investment in him is worth it.”

Though dissatisfied, he ultimately acknowledged it was Bai Feiyu’s freedom. Liu Guang couldn't interfere any further.

...

At the marketplace.

A disciple of the Radiant Gold Sect was grabbing a small merchant by the collar, cursing loudly. Around him, a group of small merchants lay on the ground, crying out repeatedly. Two other Radiant Gold Sect disciples stood nearby, faces full of helplessness.

At that moment, a group of guards rushed over, surrounding the three disciples, while the old city lord followed close behind, striding toward them.

“Young man, may I ask what reason you have for beating the people of my city?” the city lord said sternly. “As cultivators, do you have no morals at all? Attacking ordinary people without cultivation so casually? What did your elders teach you?”

Though the city lord’s cultivation was not particularly high, standing there he seemed like an imposing mountain, his presence strong.

“You’re the city lord? Good. Then let me tell you—scram!” the fat disciple shouted. “Morals? What nonsense. We’re strong, so we bully you ants—what’s wrong with that? If you don’t like it, beat my two senior brothers first, then come settle accounts with me. Listen up, my father is an elder of the Radiant Gold Sect. My life is worth more than you lowly worms.”

The fat disciple was arrogant and overbearing. The other two disciples, initially helpless, now guarded him like mother hens upon seeing the city lord arrive. No matter what, this was the elder’s son—they had to protect him, not letting a single hair come to harm.

After all, as disciples under the elder, if they failed to protect him, their futures would suffer. Besides, though the fat one’s words were excessive, the logic was sound. People simply couldn’t be compared—these ants truly couldn’t match the precious young lord before them.

The city lord frowned. A wastrel was not frightening, but the background behind one was. And this particular wastrel was backed by a sect elder. In his youth, the city lord had been part of a cultivation sect himself; he knew well how troublesome the sons of elders could be.

“Young man, may I ask what exactly my city’s residents have done to provoke you?” The city lord took a deep breath and questioned carefully. The situation was grave, and even he had to tread cautiously. Should the other side be angered, they might massacre even more citizens. By then, he wouldn’t be able to stop them, even if he reported it up the chain—the elder might receive some punishment, but those slaughtered would be lost forever.

“Hmph, I took a fancy to this young lady and wanted to show her the world outside. But she refused. Damn it! I’m offering you a great opportunity, and you dare turn it down!” The fat disciple continued, “And those blind fools around her—none of them recognized my noble status and even tried to help her. So, I had to teach them a lesson.”

He spoke as if daring the city lord to stop him.

The city lord drew another deep breath and declared sternly, “Young lord, let this matter end here. Your sect is not the only one in town; others are present as well. All are righteous sects. If you insist on harming our citizens, we will report this to disciples from other sects. Their cultivations are not weaker than yours, and many detest evil. If you insist on troubling our people, I will not let you get away with it today.”

With that, the city lord released the pressure of his eighth-tier Vast Qi Realm cultivation, seeking to intimidate the wastrel.

The two Radiant Gold Sect disciples’ faces changed dramatically. They stepped forward and released their own pressures to shield the fat disciple. One was ninth-tier, the other eighth-tier Vast Qi Realm—both quite accomplished.

“City lord, I advise you not to act rashly, lest you endanger your own life. As long as our young lord takes the girl and leaves, all will be well. If you insist on being blind, then don’t blame us for being merciless!” the ninth-tier disciple threatened.

The fat disciple was here at his father’s behest for amusement, but his combat prowess was mediocre. If the city lord attacked unexpectedly, the fat one might genuinely die on the spot.

The elder doted on his son, fulfilling his every whim. If they failed to protect him and he complained to his father, they would suffer dearly.

The city lord’s beard bristled in anger. Since taking office, he had never encountered such people—speaking to him like this, and he could do nothing about it. He wondered whether the young man who had promised him last time would truly keep his word.

“This matter, I will not agree to!” the city lord declared. “With so many citizens watching, if you dare act, we will report you to the other sects!”

He would not budge.

“Heh, what’s all this commotion? The Radiant Gold Sect disciples are throwing their weight around, bullying others!” At this moment, a white-robed youth walked into the crowd, observing the situation before turning to the two disciples. “You two are spineless. Is being lapdogs for others really so enjoyable?”

“You’re courting death!” Enraged by Bai Feiyu’s insult, the two disciples seethed. Even if being the elder’s lackeys, it had cost them dearly to earn the position. Who was this guy, so brazenly arrogant? They wanted to strike, but held back.

...