LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 96: What gentleman?
Yi Duyi was seething.
Losing to someone in a lower realm was humiliating enough, but to have it happen in front of the woman he admired, and now being forced to pay such a steep price, was unbearable.
Feng Fan noticed the fury in Yi Duyi's expression and added fuel to the fire. "Don't forget the thousand qi stones you owe for losing. Someone as noble as you wouldn't go back on your word in front of so many witnesses, right? Or are your words as worthless as your swordsmanship?"
Yi Duyi glanced around, seeing the crowd that had gathered, all eyes fixed on him with judgment and curiosity. His face turned crimson with shame as he took a sack of middle-grade qi stones from his space ring. Grudgingly, he tossed it at Feng Fan's feet.
"My word is worth far more than this measly sum," Yi Duyi said, trying to maintain a shred of dignity. Yet, internally, he felt as though a knife had been twisted in his pride.
"As for the five thousand qi stones to undo your pitiful technique, forget it!" Yi Duyi sneered, clutching his abdomen, still aching from the sealing strike. "A cultivator from my family will easily undo whatever trick you've pulled."
Feng Fan smirked, his tone dripping with mockery. "Oh, it's five thousand now. But don't worry, when you come crawling back, the price will increase. I'll be here, my dear friend."
Yi Duyi gritted his teeth, refusing to dignify Feng Fan's taunts with a response.
He turned and staggered away.
The crowd watched Feng Fan with curiosity.
Yi Duyi was a well-known figure in the capital, wealthy and powerful, but he had been easily defeated by an unknown cultivator two small realms below him.
As if that weren't shocking enough, this mysterious newcomer boldly declared the emperor's daughter as his woman!
Qian Xiaoli, the emperor's daughter wasn't just famous for her stunning beauty but also for her exceptional talent. At just twenty years old, she had already reached the 9th Foundation Establishment realm—a feat few could achieve at her age.
In the Qian Empire, she stood at the pinnacle: status, talent, wealth, and power.
Many suitors had vied for her hand, drawn by her charm and unparalleled potential. Yet, all had left empty-handed. She never explicitly rejected their advances, but she had never accepted anyone either.
Until now, or so it seemed.
The crowd buzzed with speculation. Whatever the truth, Feng Fan would soon become the center of attention in the capital.
After finishing his business with Yi Duyi, Feng Fan turned to Qian Xiaoli with a grin. "Shall we, my lady? I'm starving!"
Qian Xiaoli raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Since you just got so much money from Yi Duyi, surely you can afford something more extravagant for lunch, right?"
Feng Fan chuckled, feigning innocence. "What money? That was a gift from a dear friend. How could I possibly spend it so carelessly?"
Qian Xiaoli rolled her eyes at his shamelessness. "Let's just go."
Without another word, Feng Fan followed behind her.
—
When Feng Fan and Qian Xiaoli reached the entrance of the restaurant, another man suddenly blocked their path.
"Are you the one who dares to claim himself as Qian Xiaoli's man?!" the newcomer demanded. His handsome appearance was hard to ignore—long red hair flowed in the wind, and his piercing dark red eyes locked onto Feng Fan.
'I don't know why, but I suddenly feel like punching this guy,' Feng Fan thought, his irritation rising instantly.
"Break one of your legs and le—" the man began, but before he could finish, Feng Fan was already in front of him.
Sealing Palm!
The man's eyes widened in shock. He tried to dodge but hadn't expected his opponent to strike so quickly, or without warning!
Feng Fan's palm struck his dantian with precision, sealing his cultivation in an instant.
Feeling his connection to spiritual qi vanish, the man's face twisted in a mix of despair and fury. "You—! You coward! How dare you attack like that?!"
Feng Fan responded with a light kick to the man's chest, sending him sprawling onto the ground.
"Five thousand middle-grade qi stones to restore your cultivation," Feng Fan declared coldly. "Pay up or get lost!"
The red-haired man scrambled to his feet, his pride and spirit both shattered. Before storming off, he threw a glare over his shoulder and spat, "I'll be back!"
Qian Xiaoli approached Feng Fan from behind, her tone laced with feigned concern.
"You're really ruthless. Aren't you worried they'll come after you? You've already made enemies of two heirs from powerful families in the capital."
Feng Fan glanced at her with a calm expression. "Wasn't that your plan all along? If I'm going to be used, I might as well get something out of it. As long as they pay up, I don't care if they hate me a little."
Qian Xiaoli chuckled, her voice light and teasing. "You're no fun. Let's go. Watching them get beaten up has made me hungry."
Feng Fan stared at her, dumbfounded. 'Truly a sadist.'
Without saying another word, he followed her as she led the way into a towering five-story pagoda. From the outside, it looked modest, but once inside, it was like stepping into another world.
The interior was breathtaking. Walls adorned with intricate paintings depicting immortals battling demons and dragons, their vibrant colors seemingly alive.
Curious, Feng Fan activated his spiritual qi vision, and his heart sank. Almost everything inside radiated an intense spiritual qi, from the decor to the very air itself.
'This place screams expensive as hell!' he thought, feeling a headache coming on.
Before he could voice his concerns, Qian Xiaoli was already speaking with a waiter.
The waiter bowed respectfully, his demeanor polished. "Your Highness, would you like your usual table?"
Qian Xiaoli nodded with a small smile. "Yes, please. Also, the gentleman here will be covering the bill today."
Feng Fan's eye twitched and he looked around. "What gentleman? Because I sure as hell don't see one!"