Each grandmaster present felt their breath catch, their eyes filled with shock. The symbolic exchange of blows had completely ceased.
Who was Zhu Yuyan? The leader of the Yinsu Sect, the foremost among the two factions and six paths of the Song Kingdom’s demonic sects. A top-tier powerhouse who had made her name for decades. Among the elite, she was universally acknowledged as belonging to the strongest tier. Commanding the colossal Yinsu Sect of the Song Kingdom, and being a woman, she had truly become renowned across the land. Almost no one in the martial world was unfamiliar with her name. She was even hailed as the strongest female martial artist in the Song Kingdom. Among those present, even the top-tier powerhouse Geshu Tian had to admit his inferiority. Since her rise to fame, had she ever been struck and injured by someone? No. No one would entertain such an almost impossible notion. But now, this very thing had happened before their eyes. Li Daoqiang had struck back Zhu Yuyan with a single palm, injuring her. If they hadn’t witnessed it themselves, they would have doubted its truth. Having seen it now, they all felt a profound shock, staring at Li Daoqiang in disbelief. A peerless powerhouse? How could that be? The wariness among the assembled experts instantly soared to its peak. Even Huang Xuemei was stunned.
The many martial artists around didn’t think deeply, but they could clearly see and understand the surface. The Empress of the Shadows, Zhu Yuyan, seemed, perhaps, to be no match for Li Daoqiang. A dead silence fell, gradually giving way to restlessness.
Zhu Yuyan’s expression had turned icy cold, but no anger was visible. Calming her breath, her gaze locked onto Li Daoqiang like a sword, she said word by word, “How do you know the Heavenly Demon Force Field and Heavenly Demon Blade Technique so well?” Her voice was filled with shock and uncertainty. In her heart, wariness had reached its peak. Even the fury of being humiliated was suppressed. It was simple—that power, though only briefly exchanged, she had already felt. Indescribable, even somewhat irresistible. Strange, unreasonable.
More gazes converged, fixed on Li Daoqiang, awaiting his answer.
Li Daoqiang’s expression remained calm, as if striking back and injuring Zhu Yuyan with a single palm was no big deal. Hearing this, he smiled faintly. “Do you think I, Li Daoqiang, am foolish enough to reveal my secrets?” Though he didn’t mind whether he revealed them or not, and many might have already guessed, He couldn’t just answer because she asked. It wasn’t like he was getting paid.
Zhu Yuyan paused, her eyes narrowing as she hesitated—should she continue fighting? Her jade hand clenched, trembling slightly. In the end, she held back again. Now was not the time to strike.
Soon, everyone could see that Zhu Yuyan had backed down. The many grandmasters remained silent, while the tens of thousands of martial artists couldn’t help but stir restlessly.
“How is Li Daoqiang this strong!” “Is even the Empress of the Shadows, Zhu Yuyan, admitting inferiority?” “Impossible. Who is the Empress? At best, Li Daoqiang is no weaker than her. She’s probably just unwilling to go all out easily.” “It’s only one move. Until the end, we can’t be sure the Empress is weaker than Li Daoqiang.” ······ ······
Amid the heated discussions, Blood Saber Old Man and others had their expressions shift. A few who had harbored ulterior motives instantly had them vanish, replaced by awe.
Taking in all this, Li Daoqiang was quite satisfied. The effect of establishing his authority had been achieved. Now, with the experts deeply wary and unwilling to act, his reputation would inevitably soar—exactly what he wanted. He paid no heed to Zhu Yuyan’s thoughts. After that palm strike, he believed that as long as she wasn’t foolish, she wouldn’t attack again.
Taking a step forward, he moved closer to Huang Xuemei and said with a warm smile, “Miss Huang, let’s continue our transaction.” At his words, the heated murmurs around them immediately quieted. Everyone listened intently, full of curiosity.
Huang Xuemei frowned, still on guard, cold and fierce. For the first time, she spoke coldly, “Chief Li, there’s no need to say more.” Her implication was a clear refusal. Regardless, discussing such matters in public was unacceptable to her.
Li Daoqiang wasn’t bothered at all. He continued smiling, “I said, Miss Huang, don’t rush to answer. First, hear my terms—you can also consider them a betrothal gift.” Before Huang Xuemei could react, he went on directly, “First, I just saved your life. That’s fine, isn’t it?”
Huang Xuemei was taken aback, looking at Li Daoqiang with a strange expression. Countless others did the same. Could a life-saving debt really be used as a betrothal gift? That was too... Well, this was Li Daoqiang. Nothing he did seemed surprising. Some finally understood clearly. Li Daoqiang was an unrepentant bandit, caring nothing for gentlemanly conduct or common sense.
Facing Li Daoqiang’s frank gaze, Huang Xuemei felt a mix of embarrassment and speechlessness. Even in the life-and-death crisis earlier, she had faced it with pride and no fear. But now, she felt awkward, wanting to flee. Yet, for some reason, there was no disgust. This Li Daoqiang, though not a good man—greedy, lustful, and shameless— Seemed genuinely uninterested in the Heavenly Demon Qin. And he was frank enough, not like those hypocrites.
Many thoughts flashed through her mind. Her pride wouldn’t let her deny it. She nodded slightly, avoiding his gaze, and said coldly, “A life-saving debt—if there’s a chance, I’ll repay it.” “Good, that’s the first one.” Li Daoqiang nodded in satisfaction, as if ignoring the implication in her words, and continued, “Second, you’ve just seen my strength. If you marry me, I can guarantee your safety. Anyone who dares to touch my wife, Li Daoqiang, will face an unending feud—I’ll kill their entire family.” The last sentence carried a chill.
Zhu Yuyan suddenly understood—Li Daoqiang had deliberately provoked her into attacking earlier. Then he used it to establish his authority. All to prepare for protecting Huang Xuemei. What a scheme. Zhu Yuyan couldn’t help but grit her teeth. Damn bastard.
The other grandmasters remained unmoved, as if they hadn’t heard. Including Sun Lutang. That earlier strike had been too shocking. Until things were settled, there was no need to react.
Huang Xuemei showed no reaction either. She didn’t care at all about being kept safe.
“Miss Huang, don’t be so careless with your life. If those who care about you knew, how heartbroken they’d be,” Li Daoqiang advised kindly, seeing her thoughts. Huang Xuemei’s gaze turned cold, as if reminded of something.
“Third, from what the Empress said earlier—that you haven’t seen your brother Huang Lin’s body—I’ve had some ideas. I’m eighty percent sure I can help you find your brother,” Li Daoqiang said solemnly, dropping a bombshell.
Sure enough, Huang Xuemei’s coldness shattered. A flicker of excitement appeared, and she urged, “Are you certain my brother is still alive?” “Ninety percent sure,” Li Daoqiang affirmed.
Huang Xuemei’s breathing quickened, her body trembling, unable to stay calm. Unlike Zhu Yuyan’s casual remark earlier, this was Li Daoqiang’s near-certain guarantee. For the first time, her heart was thrown into chaos. She immediately asked eagerly, “Where is he?”
“Miss Huang, don’t rush. Listen slowly. The fourth item is also related to the third.” Li Daoqiang spoke calmly, steadily. “You must know that besides Dongfang Bai, the other five who killed your family were just puppets. You don’t know who the real mastermind is. But their strength is absolutely immense—beyond imagination—otherwise, they couldn’t have wiped out the Tianlong Sect overnight. That mastermind hasn’t shown themselves yet, but they’re definitely watching you closely. Miss Huang, even if you find your brother, can you protect him well?”
Huang Xuemei’s face showed a cold killing intent again, not aimed at Li Daoqiang. It was for the mastermind, and even more for the possibility they might target Xiao Lin. She opened her mouth to say, “I can,” but stopped. Back then, the Tianlong Sect was destroyed, and her father died. She could guess how terrifying the forces involved were. She wasn’t sure she could protect her little brother.
Her turbulent emotions forced themselves to calm down a bit. She couldn’t act rashly—absolutely not. At that moment, even her thoughts of revenge receded. Worry for her brother took the most important place.
The many experts’ gazes grew deeper. They knew something of the events back then. Though they didn’t know the specifics, they all agreed on one thing: it was definitely not simple. Even Zhu Yuyan, with her desire for the Heavenly Demon Qin, hadn’t moved against the Tianlong Sect. That alone said something.
Li Daoqiang saw through Huang Xuemei’s concerns and said firmly, “I can.” Huang Xuemei snapped back, her gaze flickering as she looked at Li Daoqiang.
“Miss Huang, I, Li Daoqiang, have the means to protect your brother. If you marry me and become my wife, your brother becomes my brother. Then, even a peerless powerhouse won’t be able to touch him. I swear it.” Li Daoqiang met Huang Xuemei’s eyes, promising calmly. The unspoken dominance in his words made countless people take notice. Even a peerless powerhouse couldn’t touch him. How many in the world dared to say such a thing? Some instinctively wanted to scoff, but the recent palm strike that had injured Zhu Yuyan made them hesitate.
Wuqing and the others were uncertain. Had Li Daoqiang truly reached the level of a peerless powerhouse? The thought arose again. Zhu Yuyan thought so too, but it only deepened her resentment. His words were built on the foundation of his display of power against her.
Huang Xuemei, for the first time, was genuinely tempted. Protecting Xiao Lin, living to see him, taking revenge. After all these years, her heart seemed to truly come alive. Seeing Xiao Lin, keeping him safe— These thoughts grew uncontrollably strong.
“That’s the fourth item—all dangers from those coveting the Heavenly Demon Qin and the mastermind targeting your brother and you, I can block. The fifth is helping you take revenge on Dongfang Bai and the mastermind. I’ll do my utmost to uncover the mastermind’s identity and help you get your revenge. Even if it’s a peerless powerhouse, I will kill them.” Li Daoqiang spoke again, his tone growing heavier, the last sentence utterly resolute.
All around, silence fell once more. Huang Xuemei’s eyes showed a complex expression as she looked at Li Daoqiang.
(Thank you for your support.) ······