162: Then take my punch!

On the main street of the Outer City District.

"Look quickly! That's Lord Zhou!"

"Where? Where is he?"

"Oh my god! It really is Lord Zhou Yan! We've seen a living Prodigy!"

"Have you ever seen a dead one?"

"I haven't had the chance either."

The crowds surged on the street, rushing toward a single direction.

Only after the crowd had moved far away did a Black-Robed Man peek his head out from the alley.

It was Zhou Yan, the one being chased by the crowd.

He scanned the area with his Divine Sense, and only relaxed after confirming no one was present.

"Sorry, Xiao Yuan, I hope you don't blame me."

After speaking, Zhou Yan even squeezed out a drop of “crocodile tears.”

Of course, those weren't real tears, but were conjured using a Divine Ability to express his emotions.

After all, Yuan Chenling's current predicament was quite pathetic, but Zhou Yan actually wanted to laugh. Being able to hold back his laughter was already considered having a conscience, let alone crying for him.

After symbolically shedding that tear, Zhou Yan straightened his robes and turned to walk towards the Inner City District of Kaifeng Kaifeng.

The whole reason for this was simply that Zhou Yan wanted to go see Mu Qianqiu.

He remembered Li Wenbo once saying that although there was a barrier when Zhou Yan was Undergoing Tribulation, most of the Kaifeng residents noticed the Tribulation Clouds.

A little deduction was enough to know that a Prodigy had successfully completed their Undergoing Tribulation and formed a Golden Core.

Many people in the Kaifeng knew of Zhou Yan's whereabouts, and it was inevitable that this information would spread. Even if they didn't spread it themselves, there would always be someone deliberately spreading his reputation to cause him trouble.

Zhou Yan had originally thought that if he went quickly and returned quickly, nothing would happen.

Who knew that in just one day, Kaifeng Kaifeng would be filled with newspapers featuring Zhou Yan.

That's right, newspapers.

Kaifeng Kaifeng had newspapers, and their style was very Xuanhuan, just like the books he had seen previously in the Qingxu Grotto-Heaven.

Consequently, whether they practiced cultivation or were literate, almost everyone knew that a Prodigy named Zhou Yan had arrived in Kaifeng Kaifeng.

Forming a Core Formation before the age of twenty, and also being a sixth-rank court official, undoubtedly attracted public attention.

Thus, Zhou Yan was recognized as soon as he stepped onto the street.

At first, it wasn't too bad; most people only used Recording Stones to document their encounter with him or ask for cultivation advice.

But as more and more people gathered, Zhou Yan couldn't handle it anymore.

Adhering to the principle of "may the Fellow Daoist die, but not this poor Dao," Zhou Yan grabbed Yuan Chenling beside him, used a spell to transform him into his own likeness, and draped himself in the outer robe that Chen Huai had dropped, concealing his Qi aura.

Finally, he threw Yuan Chenling out like a Hidden Weapon, easily making his escape.

Just like that, Zhou Yan smoothly headed towards the Inner City District.

Because Yuan Chenling had drawn away most of the crowd from the Outer City District, many sections of the road became vacant, making his walk smoother.

Reaching the Inner City District gate, Zhou Yan couldn't help but sigh.

"Xiao Yuan, oh Xiao Yuan, after being a Loose Cultivator for so long, you still don't understand the wickedness of the human heart."

"This is for your own good, helping you gain experience. I hope you don't resent me."

After speaking, he handed over his Identification Credentials and easily entered the Inner City District.

Meanwhile, on Yuan Chenling's side.

"Aaaah!"

"Don't you guys come any closer!"

Yuan Chenling, who had been transformed into "Zhou Yan," was running frantically on his two legs.

Flying was forbidden in the Capital City, so he couldn't fly, but as a Loose Cultivator, his ability to escape was top-notch.

Although he had never been to Kaifeng Kaifeng, relying on his keen senses and years of experience, he was still able to quickly move through the Outer City District.

Furthermore, there weren't many people with high cultivation in the Outer City District, and Cultivators in the Core Formation Stage wouldn't lower themselves to chase him. Thus, relying on the powerful Physical Body of the Yao Race, he quickly shook off the crowd.

Just as Yuan Chenling hid in a corner, wanting to catch his breath, a large hand suddenly covered his mouth and restrained him.

"Boss, I hate you!"

This was the last thing he said before losing consciousness.

Coincidentally, because Zhou Yan wanted to verify his previous hypothesis, Sage Xiao and Wang Yao were currently being "free-ranged" outside.

Zhou Yan had instructed them to go out and walk around more often and not stay in one place all the time.

So they happened to witness the crowd surge just now, knew Zhou Yan was in trouble, and wanted to squeeze in to help.

But Yuan Chenling ran too fast and shook them off too.

As the two were thinking that since Zhou Yan had already escaped, they could save some energy, and pondering Zhou Yan's intention for having them stay outside, they coincidentally saw Yuan Chenling, who was hiding in the corner, being knocked out and taken away by a Black-Robed Man.

"Was that Senior Brother Zhou just now?" Wang Yao was still hesitating, but Sage Xiao had already dragged him along to follow.

"Nonsense! That must be Brother Zhou! I recognized him right away. He must have been kidnapped, let's go save him quickly!"

Clearly, Zhou Yan's premonition was correct: nothing good ever came from these two being together.

Unfortunately, Zhou Yan, who was inside the Inner City District, knew nothing about this, nor did he know how great a storm this incident would stir up.

Zhou Yan looked at the guide in his hand, then at the bustling Brothel in front of him.

"It's not that I want to go in; I am a proper gentleman. It's mainly because my good brother is inside, and I'm here to visit him."

He took off his hood and walked in with a smile.

Who knew that as soon as he entered, he saw Mu Qianqiu's large face waiting at the entrance.

"Aiya, Brother Zhou, you finally arrived. I heard you were coming, so I waited at the entrance all day."

Seeing that face, Zhou Yan's expression immediately turned cold. He truly wanted to kick him.

Why did this guy arrive so early!

I rarely visit a Brothel, and I haven't even had a chance to look around!

Just as Zhou Yan was about to complain, he suddenly sensed something, then fell silent, allowing Mu Qianqiu to pull him up to the fifth floor.

On the fifth floor, maidservants had already prepared Spirit Fruits, pastries, and Spirit Wine.

Most of these items were of the Core Formation level, and a few even reached the Nascent Soul level.

This Joyous Union Sect, which had only been here for a few months, already had a deeper foundation than the long-established Hui Butan.

"Brother Zhou, please sit down quickly. I happen to have something I want to discuss with you," Mu Qianqiu greeted with a smile.

Zhou Yan, however, stood rooted to the spot, motionless.

"Brother Mu, you're also here to discuss the Grand Princess, aren't you?"

"Brother Zhou is smart indeed, hitting the nail on the head with one guess."

"Later, we also investigated thoroughly and realized there were so many hidden complications. We were too hasty back then, which is why we pledged allegiance to the Grand Princess so early."

"But don't worry, although she is a bit spoiled and willful, she is not stupid."

"Just like how she cooperates with us in a personal capacity, which has nothing to do with Prince Kang."

"She herself is cautious about this matter. As long as we guide her appropriately later, she will understand what needs to be done."

Mu Qianqiu spoke while brewing tea.

His technique was skilled, and every movement incorporated Magical Power. Whether this technique could enhance the tea's flavor was debatable, but it certainly made the tea appear more valuable.

"It seems you've also realized that the Grand Princess is a trap."

"You guys have tricked me into this trap multiple times. I have a temper too. Let me hit you once."

Zhou Yan walked towards Mu Qianqiu with a mischievous smile, preparing to strike.

"Wait, wait, wait, Brother Zhou, don't joke around. You know I don't have much to do with the various departments of the Joyous Union Sect. If you want to vent your Qi, you should go find the people from the Intelligence Department, or Boss Mei."

Mu Qianqiu quickly stopped his movements, stood up, backed away, and waved his hands repeatedly.

"You're their leader. If the beam is crooked, the pillars will slant. After I hit you, you'll naturally go deal with them. Isn't that more effective for rectification?"

"Just take one punch from me!"

Zhou Yan cracked his knuckles loudly, and the mischievous smile on his face intensified.

"Stop messing around, brother! I'm your brother!"

"Brother?" Zhou Yan paused, showing a look of reminiscence.

Then—

"You still have to take one punch from me!"

Mu Qianqiu originally thought it was just a joke, and taking a hit wouldn't hurt.

But sensing the Power of Thunder attached to Zhou Yan's fist, his expression immediately turned serious.

"You're serious!"