Immortal Martial Emperor

Outside the Void Spirit Pavilion.

Tang Wei and four other young hooligans lay on stretchers, their bodies covered in healing herbs.

In reality, Hong Yu hadn’t struck them very hard. They had already taken Pills and were mostly recovered. This whole getup was just an act to garner sympathy and incite the anger of their elders back home.

Tang Wei’s head was wrapped in a large bandage, and his arms and legs were covered in herbs.

It was with this pitiful act that he had successfully tricked his father, City Defense General Tang Long, into giving him a Command Token. He had then called upon five hundred soldiers of the City Defense Army and thirty Golden Spear Guards, bringing them to the Void Spirit Pavilion to menacingly seek revenge against Hong Yu.

Along the way, Tang Wei had been full of confidence.

With the help of the City Defense Army and the Golden Spear Guard, he was certain he could avenge his humiliation.

"Young Master Wei, when we catch that bastard Hong, don’t kill him right away," one of the hooligans said viciously.

Tang Wei nodded, a savage grin on his face. "Don’t worry, even if you wanted to kill him immediately, I wouldn’t allow it! That bastard dared to ruin my fun and beat me to this state. I’ll cripple his cultivation, strip him naked, tie him to a prison chariot, and parade him once around the city moat!"

"Hahaha, Young Master Wei is truly brilliant and mighty!"

"Stripped naked and paraded around the city moat... Hong Yu would probably die of shame and anger!"

Tang Wei nodded confidently, his eyes filled with excitement and madness. "That bastard surnamed Hong dared to hit me. If I don’t get revenge for this, I’m not worthy of the Tang name! Hmph, hmph. Then, I’ll find a few incredibly hideous hags to humiliate him in public, put on an obscene spectacle, and bring shame to all eighteen generations of his ancestors!"

"Young Master Wei, if you do that, the Imperial Capital will probably gain a new legend!"

The City Defense Army Commander beside Tang Wei laughed.

Tang Wei paused. "What do you mean?"

The City Defense Army Commander chuckled. "Aren’t you going to make that kid surnamed Hong run a lap around the city moat naked? Wouldn’t that make him ’the youth streaking in the sunset’?"

"The youth streaking in the sunset?"

Tang Wei was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter.

He laughed wildly and without restraint.

Then, his gaze swept over the Void Spirit Pavilion, and he couldn’t help but frown. "What’s going on? Why haven’t the City Defense Army soldiers I sent in dragged him out yet?"

"Young Master Wei, don’t be anxious. They’re probably still looking for him!" the Commander said reassuringly.

Tang Wei thought about it and felt that made sense.

The Void Spirit Pavilion wasn’t a Forbidden Land, but it was vast. Finding one person wouldn’t be easy.

However, just as Tang Wei was growing impatient and about to order the Golden Spear Guard to go in and assist in capturing Hong Yu, the sounds of a fight suddenly erupted from within the Void Spirit Pavilion. CRACKLE! POP!

But the sounds of fighting ended just as quickly.

Tang Wei froze, puzzled. "Did they find him? Is that bastard Hong bold enough to openly fight the City Defense Army?"

"That’s... impossible, right?"

"The City Defense Army is the face of the Imperial Family. Who would dare to attack them?"

The men beside him spoke with uncertainty.

A Golden Spear Guard captain narrowed his eyes. He was the commander sent by Tang Wei’s uncle to assist him. He frowned and said, "Young Master Wei, let us Golden Spear Guards go take a look!"

"Alright, I’ll have to trouble you, Captain!"

Tang Wei nodded.

He was much more respectful toward the Golden Spear Guard.

But before the Golden Spear Guard could move, another commotion broke out inside the Void Spirit Pavilion.

"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"

A series of muffled grunts followed.

Then came a series of piercing whooshes through the air, followed by one black figure after another flying backward out of the Void Spirit Pavilion. With a series of thuds, bodies slammed heavily onto the ground, accompanied by endless screams.

Tang Wei and the others were all dumbfounded.

They realized that the dozens of people who had been sent flying out were all experts from the City Defense Army!

"Wh-What’s happening?"

"Someone actually dared to attack the City Defense Army? Is this a rebellion?"

"My heavens, this is serious!"

The City Defense Army and the Golden Spear Guard were stunned, sensing the gravity of the situation.

Tang Wei frowned, but then a look of excitement crossed his face. "Hahaha, that bastard Hong dares to attack the City Defense Army? He’s really asking to die!"

The City Defense Army Commander’s brow twitched, a chilling glint in his eyes. "Hmph, how dare he provoke the City Defense Army. No matter who he is, he’s a dead man!" He said this because he had already subtly inquired on the way here and learned from Tang Wei that this "Hong" person was not a disciple of any major power in the Imperial Capital.

In the eyes of the Xiahuang Ancient Kingdom’s City Defense Army, there was truly no one they couldn’t afford to offend, aside from the great families native to the Imperial Capital.

The captain of the Golden Spear Guard also frowned and sneered. "This is a provocation against the dignity of the Ancient Kingdom. My Golden Spear Guard will not let a single one of these madmen go."

"Huh? Young Master Wei, it seems like it’s not just one person. I’m afraid that bastard Hong has helpers!" one of the hooligans suddenly exclaimed.

Tang Wei said arrogantly, "Hmph, so what if he has helpers? I’d like to see who the hell dares to help that bastard Hong!"

"Who is that? Such big talk!"

An angry shout suddenly came from within the Void Spirit Pavilion, and a person walked out.

This person wore a feathered coronet and was dressed in extraordinary attire, clearly not the child of an ordinary family.

"Oh? I was wondering who was so bold as to oppose me. Xiang Cheng, so it’s you!"

Tang Wei recognized the newcomer and wore a disdainful, cold expression. "Xiang Cheng, is your Xiang Family trying to start a war with my Tang Family?"

"Hm? Tang Wei?"

Xiang Cheng was taken aback. A trace of apprehension entered his eyes as he looked at Tang Wei. He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Tang Wei, for the sake of the decent relationship our families usually have, I advise you to take your City Defense Army and Golden Spear Guard and leave at once. Otherwise, you will regret it!"

"Hmph, Xiang Cheng, get the hell out of my way. The Xiang Family isn’t qualified to meddle in the Tang Family’s business," Tang Wei said arrogantly.

The Xiang Family’s status wasn’t low.

Xiang Cheng’s father was even a General in the Xiahuang Ancient Kingdom, but their family was still significantly weaker than the Tang Family.

That was why Tang Wei could be so brazen.

"You..."

Xiang Cheng’s face alternated between pale and ashen.

"Haha, Xiang Cheng, why bother with an ungrateful fellow like him?"

Another young man came out.

This man had a handsome, jade-like face and walked with a Dragon Walk and Tiger Stride. The noble aura he exuded was magnificent; he was the only son of a Grand General, and his status was comparable to Tang Wei’s.

He looked at Tang Wei, neither servile nor overbearing. "Tang Wei, making such a huge fuss... aren’t you afraid of becoming a laughingstock?"

"Hmph, so it’s Tan Lin. No wonder someone dared to strike the City Defense Army."

Tang Wei showed no weakness; the Tan Family and the Tang Family were not on friendly terms. "Even if you, Tan Lin, step forward today, don’t even think about stopping me from getting my revenge on that bastard Hong."

"If Tan Lin isn’t enough, what about me?"

Someone else stepped forward.

This time, it was the grandson of the current Grand General, Siqin Shang. The Siqin family was a cut above the Tang Family.

Tang Wei’s expression changed. "Siqin Shang? You’re going to oppose me too?"

"Young Master Tang, what an imposing display!"

Yet another person emerged.

When this person appeared, Xiang Cheng, Tan Lin, and even Siqin Shang all took a step back to make way for him.

Though a young man, he wore a Python Robe. He was Xiahuang Lie, the Crown Prince of a Prince of the Xiahuang Ancient Kingdom, a man of incomparably noble status.

Beside him was a chubby young man.

This person was gnawing on a leg of lamb he held in his hand. His small eyes glinted with sharp intelligence. His status was equally illustrious; he was Wang Chong, the grandson of the current Prime Minister of the Xiahuang Ancient Kingdom!

One after another, talented young elites walked out.

Besides being Celestial Pride Sons themselves, what was more important were their backgrounds. Each of them belonged to one of the top families in the vast Xiahuang Ancient Kingdom.

Their families were either regional magnates or high-ranking court officials.

In total, more than three hundred people walked out of the Void Spirit Pavilion. Although they were outnumbered by the City Defense Army and the Golden Spear Guard, the sheer presence of this group, standing there without saying a word, created an intense, oppressive Momentum. It made the City Defense Army and Golden Spear Guard break out in a cold sweat, not daring to take a single step forward.

The City Defense Army Commander, who had just been vowing to capture Hong Yu, swallowed hard. "Wh-What is going on? Why have all these young masters gathered here?"

The Golden Spear Guard captain cursed Tang Wei endlessly in his mind: ’Fucking hell, how did that moron Tang Wei get us into this? Didn’t he say the guy surnamed Hong was an outsider with no background? For fuck’s sake, all the famous Young Masters of the Imperial Capital are gathered here, and they’re obviously all here to help him. You call that no background? Fuck you, Tang Wei! You’ve doomed me...!’

The four young hooligans who had been following Tang Wei were so scared they nearly fell off their stretchers.

Tang Wei himself wasn’t feeling much better!

He gulped, staring at the more than three hundred people before him. Over half of them had a status equal to or greater than his own.

In fact, many of them held a status far above his.

Even his own father would have to be polite and treat them with respect!

Tang Wei felt his mouth go dry. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, Young Master Wang... W-Why are you all here?"

"Aiyoyo, Eldest Young Master Tang, please don’t address us like that! You already dared to mobilize the City Defense Army and the Golden Spear Guard to arrest Brother Hong. If you keep calling us ’Young Master’ and ’Your Highness,’ we won’t be able to bear it!" Wang Chong said casually, taking a bite of his lamb leg.

Xiahuang Lie also chimed in, "Eldest Young Master Tang is so magnificent and awe-inspiring, we wouldn’t dare accept your courtesy!"

"That’s right, someone just said he was going to treat us all as accomplices for harboring a criminal!"

"Ooh, I’m so scared!"

Tang Wei was on the verge of tears. "Wh-Where is this coming from, everyone..."

His forehead was covered in sweat.

He desperately raised a hand to wipe it away, but he didn’t know how to explain himself.

He had indeed just said that everyone inside the Void Spirit Pavilion would be treated as Hong Yu’s accomplice, and he had even sent people in to arrest them.

But...

Tang Wei really wanted to cry. Who the hell knew that all these high and mighty young masters, who were usually impossible to see, would be having a gathering here?

"A misunderstanding! Everyone, please don’t be angry, this is just a misunderstanding..." Tang Wei could only offer this weak explanation.

The Jin Zhiyong brothers also walked out.

Their status was no less than that of the Crown Prince. They both looked at Tang Wei with cold smiles. "Tang Wei, who was it you were just saying you were going to cripple their cultivation, strip naked, and parade around the city moat for a naked run?"

"Th-That... I-I was here to arrest an arrogant country bumpkin! I absolutely did not intend to offend any of you!" Tang Wei explained, steeling himself.

However.

Upon hearing Tang Wei insult Hong Yu, calling him an "arrogant country bumpkin," the several hundred young masters, who had been relatively calm just a moment ago, all exploded with rage.

Who was Hong Yu?

He was their idol!

He had just personally given them pointers on their cultivation and solved the difficulties they were encountering. This was a favor as great as being reborn, like the grace of a master!

How could they allow anyone to insult him?

"Fuck, Tang Wei, you dare insult my idol?"

"Damn it, you want to strip our idol naked and make him streak around the city moat?"

"Damn it all, this is unforgivable! Brothers, for our idol’s sake, get his ass!"

"You want our idol to streak? Today, we’ll make you, Tang Wei, streak in the sunset instead...!"

Instantly, the three hundred-plus young masters of illustrious status all rushed forward.

The City Defense Army and Golden Spear Guard didn’t dare to stop them. In just a few moments, Tang Wei and the other four hooligans were subdued, stripped naked, and tied to a prison chariot. The Jin Zhiyong brothers then drove the chariot and began to circle the city moat.

On the prison chariot, Tang Wei was completely naked, wanting to cry but having no tears left.

He felt incredibly wronged.

He hadn’t even seen Hong Yu’s face. In the sunset, by the city moat, before a sea of people, Eldest Young Master Tang became that youth streaking in the sunset.

He slowly closed his eyes as a single, remorseful teardrop trickled down...

’There goes my youth!’