"How can you be this strong?"
Luo Changqing did not reply. He slowly stepped forward, and amidst the stunned gazes of everyone present, brought his foot down on Lin Wenbin's leg.
"Ah!"
A blood-curdling scream pierced the air, instantly alerting the nobles gathered throughout the courtyard. Many of them crowded around, watching the scene unfold with curious eyes.
"Luo Changqing? You actually dare to lay a hand on the Lin family's young master? Trash remains trash! Did you really think you were still the young master of the Luo Family?"
Chu Tingting and Duan Wenting stepped out from the crowd, their eyes unable to conceal their excitement.
"You're done for this time. Not only did you beat and cripple the Lin family's young master, but you did it right here at the Su Family's chamber of commerce, offending two of the four major families at once. You are truly seeking your own death!"
Even as she gloated, Chu Tingting motioned for the maid who had accompanied her to go find a Su family steward.
Noticing the commotion, the crowd parted for the servants as an elderly man resembling a steward approached slowly under their protection.
"They actually managed to alert Steward Ding! Luo Changqing is dead for sure now!"
"Steward Ding! It's him! He dared to commit violence in broad daylight right here and crippled the young master of the Lin family!" Chu Tingting said in great agitation, pointing straight at Luo Changqing to lodge her complaint.
"That's right! We can all testify to it!" Duan Wenting nodded with a smile beside her.
Steward Ding frowned, ignoring Chu Tingting entirely. Fixing his gaze on Luo Changqing, he strode over and came to a halt right in front of him.
Startled, Ye Wanling stepped directly in front of Steward Ding. "Steward Ding! It was they who wanted to make a move against my Brother Changqing! I can apologize to Young Master Lin on my brother's behalf, so please spare him!"
Seeing Ye Wanling stand up for Luo Changqing, Chu Tingting fiercely fought down the jealousy raging in her heart!
Whether it was temperament, appearance, or talent, Ye Wanling had always overshadowed her. For so many years, it had remained a thorn in her side. Now, seeing this woman lower herself and plead before her, Chu Tingting naturally felt an intoxicating rush of secret glee.
"Ha! So now you know what regret feels like? Where's that arrogance from just a moment ago? Hiding behind a woman and begging for mercy—Luo Changqing, you really are an absolute coward!" Chu Tingting sneered as she gloated over Luo Changqing.
Given their past relationship, she wished nothing more than for him to vanish from her sight this very instant and never appear again.
"The Luo Family is truly finished this time. Their very last chance at a comeback has been ruined by this brat!"
The crowd buzzed with discussion, many shaking their heads and sighing. It looked like, after tomorrow, Cangyang would no longer have a Luo Family!
However, what happened next caused everyone's jaws to drop in utter disbelief!
Steward Ding respectfully bowed low and saluted Luo Changqing. "Young Master Luo, please step into the reception hall. The Saintess has been waiting for you there for quite some time."
"Gasp!"
Everyone was dumbfounded!
They never in their wildest dreams expected to witness a scene like this.
Steward Ding was actually treating Luo Changqing—a piece of trash—with such profound respect!
Chu Tingting froze in place. Duan Wenting beside her was struck dumb, and even Lin Wenbin, who had been lying on the ground wailing in agony, instantly forgot the pain of his broken leg and stiffened in shock!
"What is going on here?" Duan Wenting frowned.
Everyone found it utterly incomprehensible.
Why on earth would Steward Ding show such a respectful attitude toward Luo Changqing?
"Let's go! Lead the way!" Luo Changqing said with calm composure.
Ye Wanling wanted to accompany Luo Changqing, but Steward Ding stopped her, his manner extremely deferential.
"Pardon me, Miss Ye. The Saintess and Young Master Luo have important matters to discuss. We have prepared tea and refreshments for you; please this way, Miss."
Luo Changqing frowned slightly. "Take good care of Lingling, and don't let anyone disturb her!"
"Understood!" Steward Ding replied respectfully, signaling the servants to part the crowd. He bowed as he invited Luo Changqing toward the banquet hall, while leaving trusted men behind to look after Ye Wanling.
"Lingling, I'll be right back. Rest for a little while and be a good girl waiting for my return," Luo Changqing gently reassured Ye Wanling.
Ye Wanling nodded helplessly, her eyes filled with worry as she watched Luo Changqing leave.
"Brother Changqing has been away from the mortal world for three years. Who knows if he can handle this? If he offends the Saintess again, the Luo Family will truly be beyond saving!"
While waiting anxiously, Ye Wanling secretly regretted not insisting on following him.
The guests who had witnessed everything muttered amongst themselves before scattering in all directions.
Glowering at Luo Changqing's retreating back with bitter hatred, Lin Wenbin summoned Black Nine. "First set my broken bone and splint it. I'm staying right here to see just what kind of tricks this Luo Changqing has up his sleeve, and whether he can actually get the Saintess to stick up for him!"
Inside the reception hall.
Su Yanran was still dressed in a long red gown, holding a white jade teacup. Simply sitting quietly there, she exuded an inexpressible air of cold, haughty nobility.
"Saintess, Young Master Luo has arrived!"
"Understood, you may withdraw." Su Yanran set down her teacup and said coolly.
"Yes!" Steward Ding respectfully backed out of the room and took up a guard position by the door.
Luo Changqing stepped into the reception hall, seated himself in the grand armchair beside Su Yanran, picked up a teacup from the table where the tea was at the perfect temperature, and took a sip.
"Barely passable. Still far worse than what my Immortal Maiden sisters brew by hand!"
"This is specially supplied by the imperial court! You couldn't buy this outside for all the money in the world!" Su Yanran said, speechless. This Sect Master Luo really made himself right at home.
"So what?" Luo Changqing sipped the tea in his cup with casual indifference.
Su Yanran had come to understand Luo Changqing to some extent, and she managed to adapt to his attitude. Ever since they first met, it had always been her who needed something from him.
"Sect Master Luo, is there anything you need me to do?" Su Yanran knew that, given her understanding of Luo Changqing, he would never have appeared at the Su Family unless he had business with her.
"You've been targeted by the Demon Race, haven't you? And by a powerful expert among them, at that. That kind of demonic poison isn't something just anyone carries!" Instead of answering, Luo Changqing countered with a question, fixing a cold stare on Su Yanran.
A sudden realization dawned on Su Yanran. "Sect Master Luo is truly formidable! Do you have a way to help me resolve this?"
If the other party could help her solve this problem, it would be a massive favor, and any demand he made wouldn't be too much!
"It's very simple. I want you to step forward: all the partnerships at today's Su Family chamber of commerce will belong to my Luo Family!"
Luo Changqing spoke with absolute finality, adopting an attitude that brooked no argument.
Su Yanran froze. "Are you that short on money? Just name your price, and I can give it to you!"
"Do you take me for someone who lacks money? Or do you think you have more money than I do?" Luo Changqing cast a look of disdain at Su Yanran, instantly rendering her speechless.
As the master of the Immortal Maiden Sect—the top power among humanity—whose businesses spanned the entire Xuanwu Continent, who would ever dare claim to be richer than him?
"What I want is the resurgence of the Luo Family! For the current Luo Family, the Su Family makes a fine partner."
"As for your current trouble, I can solve it for you once and for all, and guarantee they will never bother you again!"
Luo Changqing stood tall and upright, a natural aura of dominance radiating from his entire being, inspiring reverence in all who beheld him.
"Why should I believe you can pull this off?"