Xiahou Lie's pupils contracted. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, asking, "Who are you?"
"Hurt the young, and naturally, the elder will come out."
As the black light gradually dissipated, a middle-aged man's face was revealed, his entire body draped in a black cloak. His eyes shone brightly with an innate authority, radiating a commanding presence without showing anger.
A human emperor expert was truly extraordinary.
Upon seeing this person, Jiang Biyi bounced forward with excitement, showing an intimate demeanor.
"Steward Wei," Ye Xingnan also hurriedly stepped forward to pay his respects.
Ling Feng rubbed his nose. This man was none other than the mysterious figure in black whom he had encountered outside Hanwu County, the one who had taken Jiang Biyi away. He was Steward[1] Wei, and judging by his status within The Shadow, his position must be significant.
However, Ling Feng had not realized at that time that Steward Wei was a human emperor!
Just how immense was the power behind the mysterious Shadow Organization? They even had human emperors, and it seemed that there was an even more formidable Master above him.
"You troublesome girl, always causing trouble wherever you go!" Steward Wei rebutted as he glared at Jiang Biyi, though his eyes held no true anger, only an immense fondness.
"Hehe, Uncle Wei will always come to save me anyway!" Jiang Biyi smiled cheekily.
"You!" Steward Wei lightly tapped her on the forehead. "If I hadn't sensed the Master's presence earlier, how could I have found you so quickly!"
As he spoke, Steward Wei's gaze turned cold and settled on General Xiahou, his voice deepening as he asked, "So, it was you who dared to lay hands on Little Yi Yi?"
Xiahou Lie's forehead broke out in cold sweat. "Your Excellency, this girl... She attacked the disciples of the Tianyang Empire first. I was merely seeking justice."
In the presence of a human emperor, Xiahou Lie's earlier arrogance vanished completely.
Though he was a peak king-tier, in front of a Human Emperor, he was little more than a slightly stronger ant.
Human emperors were a whole different level, a transformative stage that marked ones standing among the elite experts of the Dongling Region.
"Justice?" Steward Wei sneered. "How much is that worth?"
Ling Feng rubbed his nose, amused by how domineering Steward Wei had become. Usually smiling and polite, but once angered, he was truly overbearing.
"No... it's worthless," Xiahou Lie clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. "Your Excellency, you may take the girl, but that boy... surely he has nothing to do with you?"
"You think you're in a position to negotiate with me?" Steward Wei shot Xiahou Lie a glare, his voice cold. "You attacked Little Yi Yi, being several realms stronger than her. Isn't that bullying the weak?"
"Your Excellency, I..."
"Just answer. Is it or is it not?"
"Gulp..." Xiahou Lie swallowed hard. "It is—"
"Good. At least you admit your actions!" Steward Wei nodded. "In that case, I will bully the weak too. You will take a strike from me!"
"Uh... Your Excellency, you..."
Xiahou Lie was so terrified that his soul nearly left his body. If this old man really meant it, a single palm strike could kill him!
Ling Feng couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Given the plan he had for tomorrow, his trump card despicable donkey, the demon emperor, had already been released. Without Steward Wei's timely arrival, he would have found it hard to escape this situation.
"Relax. When I retired and washed my hands of the world, I swore not to kill easily," Steward Wei said calmly as black energy swirled around his hand. "Take my strike openly, or die!"
Wen Tingguang observed the mysterious Steward Wei and murmured to himself, “A man named Wei, a human emperor, and he doesn't look too old...”
Wen Tingguang's pupils contracted as he seemed to realize something. The answer was now clear to him.
He is someone from the sacred land. That kid Ling Feng is truly blessed, even knowing someone from the sacred land, and he seems to have a good relationship with that mysterious woman as well.
Wen Tingguang stroked his long beard with a faint smile. This time, the Tianyang Empire had provoked a force far beyond their reckoning, one with no connection to the Tianbai Empire. All he needed to do was watch from the sidelines.
Xiahou Lie, drenched in cold sweat, finally mustered the courage to grit his teeth and said, "Do it!"
Without any warning, Steward Wei's palm struck out, sending Xiahou Lie flying across the room. He crashed heavily against the wall before falling to the ground like a dead dog.
Xiahou Lie coughed up a mouthful of blood, his body trembling uncontrollably.
That single strike had shattered many of his internal tendons. He had originally been confident of reaching the human emperor level within twenty years, but now, even fifty years might not be enough.
Realizing this, Xiahou Lie spat out another mouthful of blood. Who could have imagined that the young girl's backing would be such a powerful human emperor?
Just then, a soft blue light enveloped his body, and a cooling sensation swept over him.
He turned around and saw that the woman in purple, the one who had always been by the Eleventh Prince's side, was healing him!
As for this woman's identity, even Xiahou Lie knew little. Her name, her strength, and even her origins were all unknown. She had always stayed close to the Eleventh Prince, seemingly assisting him in his cultivation.
Xiahou Lie wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and realized that the woman in purple was indeed treating his injuries.
The woman in purple nodded slightly at him before gracefully walking to the center of the hall.
This woman didn't appear to be young, but she wasn't like Jiang Biyi, a youthful girl either. Her aura was faint, as if she had no cultivation at all, yet she could stand on equal footing with a human emperor like Steward Wei.
"So, there's another expert here."
Steward Wei narrowed his eyes and said coolly, "Miss, are you here to seek justice for General Xiahou?"
The woman in purple smiled gently, "In the presence of a human emperor, how could I dare to talk of seeking justice?"
"Oh? Then what do you want, Miss?" Steward Wei remained cautious, not daring to let his guard down.
"Hehe..." The woman chuckled softly. "I am just a weak woman without strength to even bind a chicken. The Eleventh Prince merely asked me to come and take a look. I hope Your Excellency will show some mercy on behalf of the Tianyang Empire and not go too far."
"Since General Xiahou has already taken a strike from me, we are even now," Steward Wei laughed. "Miss, I take my leave."
With that, he grabbed Jiang Biyi and cast a glance at Ling Feng. "Young friend, come along."
Ling Feng was stunned but quickly nodded, "Oh, okay."
In the next moment, led by Steward Wei, Ling Feng, Jiang Biyi, and the quiet Ye Xingnan left the hall under everyone's watchful eyes, gradually disappearing from sight.
"General Xiahou, the Eleventh Prince wanted me to remind you to be cautious. Don't ruin the bigger plans."
The woman in purple glanced at Xiahou Lie before smoothing her skirt and returning to the east wing where the Eleventh Prince resided.
Xiahou Lie wiped the sweat from his forehead. Thanks to the woman's healing, his injuries were about sixty percent better, but it would still take some time before full recovery.
Only now did he realize that among them hid such a formidable expert!
1. The raw text is 总管Zǒngguǎn, it means something like manager, however another term is being translated into manager 管事Guǎnshì, hence the use of steward. May refer to C494 for context. ☜