Immortal Martial Emperor

"Lay a finger on that mother and son, and I’ll break your damn paws!"

The one who spoke was, of course, Hong Yu.

He had a premonition that Zhou Xing and his mother might be in trouble, so he had rushed all the way here, managing to arrive just in time.

He had arrived just in time to see that Young Master Tang about to molest Zhou Xing’s mother, and had immediately spoken out.

It wasn’t that Hong Yu was being a busybody.

It was just that in their brief encounter, Zhou Xing had left a deep impression on him. His eyes, so clear and utterly devoid of any impurity, were what Hong Yu remembered most.

Innocent, pure, and kind-hearted.

That was the feeling Zhou Xing gave off. Anyone with a shred of compassion in their heart would not want to see him come to harm.

So, he had acted.

"Who the fuck is talking shit over there?" one of Young Master Tang’s lackeys snarled, his eyes glaring as he scanned the crowd.

Young Master Tang’s expression was extremely ugly.

His status was nothing to scoff at. Even ordinary members of the imperial family might not be able to do anything to him.

Because of this, Young Master Tang could run rampant in the Outer City, with no one to control him.

And now someone dared to disturb his fun? And even threatened to cut off his hand?

How could a man like Young Master Tang, who was used to doing whatever he pleased, possibly tolerate this?

His icy gaze swept over the crowd, his tone chilling. "Which son of a bitch just spoke? Step out for this young master. I want to see who the fuck dares to cut off my hands!"

"That’s right! If you’ve got the balls, then get the hell out here!"

"I’ll be damned. Someone actually dares to stick their nose in Young Master Tang’s business. You must have a death wish, huh?"

"If he dares to show his face, I’ll teach him a lesson his parents never did! I’ll beat him until he can’t even take care of himself!" one of the ruffians declared.

In the crowd, Hong Yu’s eyes narrowed slightly, a cold light flickering within them. "In my parents’ place? I’m afraid you’re not qualified."

As his calm voice sounded, Hong Yu pushed through the crowd and stepped forward.

"Big Brother?"

Zhou Xing started, his eyes widening in alarm. "Big Brother, run! They’re really strong..."

’What a kind-hearted child!’

Even now, his primary concern was for someone else’s safety.

Hong Yu looked deeply at Zhou Xing and smiled faintly. "Don’t be afraid, Little Star. As long as I’m here, no one will bully you."

"But..."

Zhou Xing’s little face was filled with anxiety and worry.

His mother, Dai Mei, frowned slightly at Hong Yu. She clearly didn’t approve of him putting himself in danger, but she didn’t say anything more.

It seemed she was also a little wary of Hong Yu.

Hong Yu didn’t mind.

He looked coldly at the ruffian who had just spoken, who was still pointing a finger at him. Hong Yu said flatly, "There are two things I hate most in this world. One is people bringing up my parents, and the other is people pointing at me."

Under Hong Yu’s calm gaze, the ruffian’s heart trembled, and his bluster faltered.

That single glance made him feel as if he were facing a towering giant.

The others, however, didn’t feel it and grew furious.

"Fuck!"

"What an arrogant brat."

"I’m pointing at you, so what? What are you gonna do about it?"

Hong Yu narrowed his eyes, looking at the other ruffians who were also pointing at him. A cold smile touched his lips. "You asked for this."

WHOOSH!

His figure suddenly blurred.

It was as if Hong Yu had vanished into thin air.

"What’s happening?"

"Shit, he’s a master!"

The ruffians paled in fright. They were only able to act like tyrants because of their family connections; their own skills were nothing special!

The next moment, the world flickered before the eyes of the ruffian who had first pointed at Hong Yu. He thought he saw Hong Yu’s figure appear, but it was just for an instant before it vanished again.

The same scene played out in front of the others.

They all vaguely sensed Hong Yu appearing before them, but the image was blurry and uncertain. When Hong Yu returned to his original spot a moment later, they all decided it must have been a trick of the eyes.

The first one to point at Hong Yu let out a long sigh of relief and sneered disdainfully, "Hmph, you think you’re so great just because you used some sleight of hand to disappear for a second? Didn’t you say you were going to cut off my finger? Ma Le Gobi, why don’t you go ahead and try it!"

As he spoke, he raised his hand and pointed at Hong Yu again.

He glanced smugly at his companions, as if to say, ’See? This guy’s all talk. I’m pointing at him right now, and what can he do about it?’

But the ruffian soon noticed that the expressions on his companions’ faces were wrong.

They looked alarmed, terrified even.

The ruffian subconsciously glanced down at his own hand. The smug, vicious look on his face crumbled, instantly replaced by terror and pain.

In his eyes, his hand had been perfectly fine.

But...

As he pointed at Hong Yu and raised his arm, a fine line of blood suddenly appeared where his hand met his wrist.

The line was faint, and a trickle of fresh blood slowly oozed out.

Soon, with a SQUIRT, blood gushed out like a spring, and his hand fell from his wrist.

"AHH! My hand! My hand!"

The ruffian clutched his stump, screaming incessantly.

The other ruffians frantically looked at their own hands, only to discover with horror that theirs were also severed! The cut had been so fast that the pain was only just now registering.

In an instant, four ruffians were on the ground, rolling around in agony.

GULP.

Young Master Tang swallowed hard. He saw Hong Yu’s gaze turn to him.

Fortunately, Young Master Tang had seen a thing or two. He took a deep breath and forced himself to sound calm. "Who... who are you? To dare to attack and injure people in the Outer City... Don’t you know you’re courting death?"

"Well, I’ve already injured them, so your threats are useless. In fact, I’d like to make a bet with you now."

Hong Yu smiled faintly. "Who do you think will die first? Me, or you?"

"Huh?"

Young Master Tang froze, his expression changing drastically.

He could feel the genuine killing intent radiating from Hong Yu. Looking at the miserable state of his companions, he couldn’t help but swallow again, his voice trembling. "D-don’t be rash. Rashness is the devil. I-I’m telling you, my father is the esteemed City Defense General! He commands an army of a million and is in charge of security in the Outer City. If... if you dare to hurt me, my father will definitely lead his men to annihilate you."

"Oh, so you’re the son of a high-ranking official. No wonder you’re so full of yourself, running wild and trying to abduct a woman in broad daylight!" Hong Yu nodded with an expression of understanding.

Young Master Tang looked both embarrassed and frustrated.

Seeing Hong Yu’s nonchalant expression, he knew that his father’s title wouldn’t be enough to scare him.

Young Master Tang was like an ant on a hot pan, sweating profusely.

He really didn’t want Hong Yu to cut off his hand too!

In his panic, Young Master Tang saw Zhou Xing and his beautiful mother. An idea struck him, and he said with a look of sudden realization, "Friend, this young master’s name is Tang Wei. I love making friends. Consider me blind today for not realizing you also had your eye on this mother and son. How about this? I’ll let you have them, and we’ll call it even. What do you say?"

Hong Yu was speechless.

’What the hell!’

’What does he mean, I *also* had my eye on them?’

’Am I that kind of person?’

Hong Yu’s face darkened, and he said furiously, "Cut the fucking bullshit! Do you think I’m as disgusting as you?"

"So you’re saying you’re just determined to oppose this young master, then?" Tang Wei glared, his eyes wide with anger.

At first, he had thought Hong Yu was also after Zhou Xing and his mother.

If that had been the case, Tang Wei would have decided to back off.

After all...

Although he had a long history of tyranny and abducting women, he was surprisingly magnanimous toward like-minded individuals.

But now that he heard Hong Yu wasn’t interested in Zhou Xing’s mother, he flew into a rage. ’You bastard, if you’re not here to take the woman, then you’re just deliberately making trouble for me! This is a clear provocation against my dignity!’ The son of the great City Defense General, Tang Wei, was furious.

He pointed a finger at Hong Yu and snarled through gritted teeth, "You listen to me! Today, you will kneel and apologize to this young master, then cut off your own hands and feet to atone to my friends. Otherwise, you can just wait to die!"

Hong Yu glanced at him, recognizing him for what he was: a spoiled young master.

He suddenly lashed out with a kick.

BANG!

The black blur of his foot swept through the air with a whistling wind, slamming into Tang Wei and sending him flying. He soared a full hundred meters before crashing heavily to the ground, spitting up blood with several broken bones.

And that was with Hong Yu holding back.

He glanced coolly at the remaining wailing men. "If you don’t leave now, you’ll each get a kick of your own."

"Ah?"

"We’re going, we’re going..."

The men cried out, clutching their bleeding arms as they scrambled away.

Once they were gone, Hong Yu turned to Zhou Xing and his mother. "Little Star, Ma’am, you two should hurry home."

"Big Brother, what about you?" Zhou Xing asked, looking at Hong Yu with concern.

The beautiful woman also frowned. "Tang Wei is the youngest son of the City Defense General. Grand General Tang dotes on him. Now that you’ve injured him, I’m afraid the Grand General will be furious. When that happens..."

"It’s fine."

Hong Yu smiled, then turned to face the departing Tang Wei, who was being supported by others. He called out in a loud voice, "I, Hong, was the one who beat Tang Wei! If you’re a man, Tang Wei, feel free to come find me, Hong, at the Void Spirit Pavilion!"

"Ma Le Gobi! Surnamed Hong, I’ll remember you!"

Tang Wei grimaced in pain and said to his lackeys, "Go to my father’s General’s Mansion! I will have my revenge for this!"

"Yes, revenge! We must have revenge!"

"Ma Le Gobi! A gentleman always gets his revenge!"

The lackeys gritted their teeth.

They were already planning to call in the City Defense Army, or even better, the Golden Spear Guard, to teach Hong Yu a brutal lesson and avenge their humiliation.

But...

Would they really get their wish?

Of course, Hong Yu couldn’t care less about any of that.

He escorted Zhou Xing and his mother to a safe place and let them go on their way. Since it was about time, Hong Yu headed alone toward the Void Spirit Pavilion.

The Void Spirit Pavilion had been cleared out for the day and was not receiving any guests.

Zhu Ling’Er had booked the entire, massive pavilion, announcing publicly that the owner was celebrating a joyous occasion. Thus, aside from those who had received an invitation, very few people knew that the Martial Arts Tea Party was being held here.

Hong Yu had just arrived. Gazing at the magnificent and elegant architecture of the Void Spirit Pavilion, he couldn’t help but marvel at the greatness of human endeavor.

Just as he was about to step inside, a sharp, piercing voice sounded from behind him.

It made Hong Yu pause, and he sighed with a sense of resignation. ’It’s always one thing after another.’