In an instant, the expressions of everyone present darkened.
Lin Mochen, Yu Sixian, Gong Cheng, Li Bufan—all of them seemed to have heard of "Liu Fanyu" before, their faces turning grim.
As for Ling Feng, he had no idea who Liu Fanyu was. But even if he had known, it wouldn’t have changed anything.
"Brother Feng, this Liu Fanyu was the captain of the Central Court Sword Team six years ago. He’s already graduated from Tianwei Academy but joined the Royal Sword Team as one of their core members," Yu Sixian whispered into Ling Feng’s ear.
Ling Feng finally understood. No wonder this man was so powerful—and why he referred to himself as their "senior."
By now, the commotion in the tavern had drawn the attention of countless onlookers.
"Those are people from Tianwei Academy! Tsk tsk, who would dare pick a fight with them?"
"Are you deaf? Didn’t you hear him say his name is Liu Fanyu? A core member of the Royal Sword Team—who wouldn’t be afraid of him?"
"A core member of the Royal Sword Team? Damn! This is gonna be good!"
"Whoever backs down is a coward!"
The crowd loved nothing more than watching a spectacle, but the owner of the Drunken Pavilion was pacing like an ant on a hot pan. If a fight broke out, his establishment would suffer the most damage.
Yet, faced with such a situation, he didn’t dare intervene.
Inside the private room on the second floor.
Gu Tengfeng clenched his fists, glaring at Liu Fanyu. "Since you call yourself our senior, that means you still acknowledge having once been a student of Tianwei Academy. If so, why come here to provoke us without reason?"
"You think you’re worthy of my attention?" Liu Fanyu sneered, his arrogance boundless. "I merely overheard your ridiculous boasting about defeating my Royal Sword Team and found it amusing. A bunch of trash like you, daring to dream so big?"
His gaze swept over Gu Tengfeng. "Wait, wasn’t the captain of the Central Court Sword Team that Li Yunting? Don’t tell me they actually lost to you this year?"
"That’s right," Gu Tengfeng said coldly.
"Hehe, the Central Court Sword Team actually lost to you? What a bunch of useless garbage. Tianwei Academy truly has no hope left."
Liu Fanyu shook his head, his disdain palpable.
"How dare you call Brother Li and the others trash!" Gu Tengfeng’s brows furrowed, his teeth clenched. "No matter what, you were once a student of Tianwei Academy! To slander the academy —don’t you feel any gratitude? Have you forgotten the mentors who guided and supported you?"
"Hahaha, Tianwei Academy?" Liu Fanyu scoffed, laughing mockingly. "It was just a stepping stone. Don’t try to disgust me with your sentimental nonsense!"
Instantly, the faces of everyone present turned icy. This man was utterly shameless.
"Shameless and worse than beasts."
Ling Feng chuckled coldly, his expression eerily calm. "Captain, why waste words on a beast? As the saying goes, when paths are different, there's no way to work together. Beast, this is a place for humans. Did your master forget to leash you?"
"That’s right! This place isn’t for animals like you!" Lin Mochen added with a snort.
Ye Nanfeng was his sworn brother, and Liu Fanyu had crippled his wrist without mercy. He had long since lost patience with this man.
So what if he was a member of the Royal Sword Team?
Even if the sky fell, Brother Feng was here to hold it up!
In an instant, anger flared in Liu Fanyu's eyes as he coldly stared at Ling Feng. This kid actually dared to insult him as a beast!
Seeing the conflict between Liu Fanyu and Ling Feng escalate, Yan Shuying finally stepped forward, a faint smile playing on her lips. She gently tugged Liu Fanyu’s sleeve.
"Senior Brother Liu, calm down. I still need that boy Ling Feng’s help with something. For my sake, spare them for now."
Her sweet tone made Liu Fanyu’s heart itch with desire. He quickly nodded. "Hehe, why would I waste my anger on mere ants? Miss Shuying, your wish is my command."
Then, he turned back to the group, his voice icy. "You heard her. For Miss Shuying’s sake, I’ll let you off this time. Who’s Ling Feng? Step forward and do as she says, and you might even get some benefits!"
"The biggest difference between humans and dogs is that dogs will wag their tails for a scrap of food, while humans have dignity." Ling Feng smiled faintly, glancing back at Gu Tengfeng and the others. "But then again, some creatures probably wouldn’t understand—after all, they’re worse than pigs and dogs!"
"Brat, who are you calling worse than pigs and dogs?!" Liu Fanyu’s rage erupted again.
"Oh? Did I name anyone? Ah, my mistake—beasts don’t have names, do they? Just things like ‘Woof Woof’ or ‘Piggy-piggy’ or... what was it again? ‘Liu’? ‘Fanyu’? Something like that."
Ling Feng’s words echoed through the entire tavern, reaching every ear without exception. He hadn’t left Liu Fanyu even a shred of dignity.
For a moment, Liu Fanyu was so furious he nearly spat blood. He flicked his sleeve, forcibly suppressing his anger. Just wait until you’re no longer useful to Miss Shuying. I’ll make sure you die screaming.
Ling Feng smirked and stepped forward, locking eyes with Yan Shuying. "What's wrong? Didn't get enough humiliation last time, so you came back for more?"
Yan Shuying glared at him, her venomous gaze flickering toward Tuoba Yan. She hadn’t forgotten the three slaps from last time—she would repay them tenfold.
But first, she needed those Youth-Preserving Pills.
Suppressing her fury, she said coldly, "Ling Feng, don’t get cocky. I’m here to make a bet with you. If I win, you’ll refine Youth-Preserving Pills for me!"
"Not interested," Ling Feng replied without hesitation.
"Oh? You won’t even hear the terms before refusing?"
"Not interested means not interested."
"You—!" Yan Shuying’s eyes flashed with malice before she suddenly smiled. "Don’t forget, our Yan family has something you desperately want. What if I offered you a clue? Would that pique your interest?"
At this, Ling Feng hesitated for a brief moment. His eyes locked onto hers. "Fine. What’s your bet?"
"Simple! Anyone among you can challenge Senior Brother Liu here. If even one of you can land a single hit on him, I’ll admit defeat and give you the clue. But if none of you can defeat him, you’ll refine Youth-Preserving Pills for me. Not only that—from then on, every time you see me, you’ll kneel, bow, and call me ‘master’ three times!"
She sneered, her gaze sharp. "So, Ling Feng, do you have the guts to take this bet?"