"Sir Chengban, please calm down!" the staff of the Redstone Restaurant desperately tried to appease the young man. "Someone like that is not worth getting angry about!"
Chengban's earlier punch on Bocheng had already damaged their restaurant and alarmed every customer on this level.
If a fight broke out on top of that, who knew how much worse the situation would become?
"Stop bothering me, I will pay for all the damages later!" Chengban waved him away in irritation.
The helpless staff could only take a step back, fearing that he might end up being implicated as well if he continued to pester Chengban.
All this while, Chengban's eyes had remained locked onto Lu Tianzi, as well as Nanlan Qianxue who was hiding behind him ever so naturally.
So this was the reason why she rejected me…
"It would do you good to stop resisting. Otherwise, don't blame me if I accidentally go too far!" Chengban sneered.
"Leave first," Lu Tianzi sent a voice conveyance to Nanlan Qianxue. "I will be right behind."
"Be careful," Nanlan Qianxue nodded before turning to leave.
"Don't even think of it!" Chengban yelled in rage, and he released his Origin Force straight towards Lu Tianzi.
This time, he no longer held back.
After the previous exchange, he felt like his ego had been bruised a little. Because of that, he was determined to utterly crush Lu Tianzi as payback!
Lu Tianzi's face warped in horror as he saw the sheer magnitude of Chengban's Origin Force. He simply stood there blankly, not even defending himself with his own Origin Force.
The people watching the situation gasped in shock.
It seemed like Lu Tianzi had frozen up from witnessing the might of his opponent, no longer able to put up even an ounce of defence. At this rate, he could end up being severely injured!
However, right before Chengban's Origin Force connected, another surge of Origin Force came from the side, clashing directly against Chengban's.
No moves were exchanged, but just the collision of the two surges of Origin Force was enough to stir up a whirlwind of energy within the restaurant, tearing the curtains and rattling the walls.
Thankfully, everyone dining there was a martial artist, and they were able to defend themselves from the aftershock of the impact to a certain degree.
Otherwise, they could easily have been injured from that!
"What is the meaning of this?" Chengban's cold voice sounded out before the storm of energy had even died down.
When the storm of energy finally dissipated, everyone present immediately looked in the direction from which the other surge of Origin Force had originated.
They were all curious as to who was actually daring enough to go against Chengban of the Divine Storm Sect, and their answers were answered immediately.
There stood a young lady with a high ponytail that reached down to her back. She was definitely a beautiful lady, but her looks were the last thing on everyone's mind right now.
After all, everyone who had been in Divine Storm City for long enough would surely know of her identity.
Divine Storm Sect core disciple – Mengxi!
On top of that, she was even a Sixth Cycle Origin Core realm martial artist, one boundary above Chengban!
"Are you intending to gang up with outsiders against your own sect members?" Chengban glared at the young lady. "If that's the case, I will make sure to report this matter to the elders!"
"I am actually doing you a favour this time, but sure, go ahead and report the matter to the elders," Mengxi replied while nonchalantly standing up from her seat. "And when the elders ask the reason for my actions, I will just let them know that their beloved Chengban is still trying to force himself on girls even though everyone has been told to stay out of trouble until the wedding is over."
Beside her, the plates on her table were still resting neatly despite the storm of energy earlier. In fact, her female companion was even taking her time to savour the food, not showing the slightest bit of worry about Mengxi whatsoever.
"Tch!" Chengban clicked his tongue in irritation. "Let's go!"
He stomped towards the exit with his two companions hurrying after him.
Lu Tianzi might have told Nanlan Qianxue to leave first earlier, but she had remained after seeing that the situation had changed.
Seeing that Chengban was walking towards them, Lu Tianzi and Nanlan Qianxue cautiously stepped aside to open up the way.
But Chengban did not just walk past them.
Just as he was about to pass them, Chengban stopped in his tracks and glared at Nanlan Qianxue who was standing safely behind Lu Tianzi.
"Damn bitch, you will regret not listening to me today," Chengban sneered. "Believe me, I will make you mine no matter what. Since you don't want to take the easy way out, I shall not give you a status either. I will make you a lowly servant, keeping you around purely to satisfy my physical needs!"
Nanlan Qianxue frowned in disgust, while Lu Tianzi gave this Chengban another lookover.
Who would have thought that a core disciple of the Divine Storm Sect, one who looked as suave and decent as Chengban, would actually be capable of spouting such crude words?
However, Lu Tianzi did not retort.
No matter what, this was still the territory of the Divine Storm Sect.
Without any proper understanding or knowledge of the sect, going against a core disciple could end up being extremely disadvantageous to them.
It was one thing if Chengban had acted on his words.
But since he was just making empty threats for now, Lu Tianzi decided to just let it slide.
That was also the reason why he had gladly accepted the aid from Mengxi earlier, even going as far as acting weak and helpless just to lower everyone's wariness towards him.
After leaving his words of warning, Chengban left along with his two companions, leaving the Redstone Restaurant in a complete mess.
"Lady Mengxi, the damages…" a restaurant staff hesitantly approached Mengxi.
"Do you think I am going to pay for him?" Mengxi smiled at the restaurant staff, who immediately froze in fear.
"Don't worry, Chengban will return to pay for it," Mengxi's companion said with a laugh. "That guy cares too much about his pride to risk being labelled as someone who makes empty promises."
"That's good to hear," The staff let out a sigh of relief. "Lady Mengxi, your food must have gotten cold. If you wish, we can get the kitchen to prepare a fresh set of dishes for you."
"There's no need for that," Mengxi waved him away before looking over at Lu Tianzi with a complex look in her eyes.
Lu Tianzi might have appeared to be all weak earlier, but he had still withstood the first wave of pressure from Chengban without any problems.
For a Second Cycle Origin Core realm martial artist, that was already a really impressive feat!
At this point, Bocheng had gotten up from being sent flying by Chengban, and had finally made his way back to Lu Tianzi and Nanlan Qianxue.
"My apologies about just now," Bocheng scratched his cheek in embarrassment. "But Senior Apprentice Chengban is a core disciple of the Divine Storm Sect, so I have no choice but to listen to him…"
"So if your Senior Apprentice Chengban asks you to attack them, you will as well?" Mengxi interrupted from behind.
"Senior Apprentice Mengxi!" Bocheng hurriedly clasped his fists in greetings.
Seeing his swift and natural movements, one might even forget the fact that he should still be hurting from Chengban's earlier punch.
"What kind of an escort are you? Why would you expose your wards to the idiot Chengban?" Mengxi berated him solemnly. "If something really were to happen before the wedding, none of us will be able to bear the consequences!"
"Senior Apprentice Mengxi is right…" Bocheng lowered his head in guilt. "I will bring them away right now."
"Forget it, I will take over this duty of yours. Who knows when Chengban will return for them?" Mengxi replied. "If he does return, you will be helpless yet again."
"But Elder Donghe specifically asked me to-"
"You can go tell Elder Donghe that I forcibly robbed you of your role," Mengxi cut him off. "Or do you want me to tell him myself?"
"N-No, I will do it!" Bocheng quickly agreed.
"What are you waiting for then?" Mengxi signalled to the exit.
"I will get going then!" Bocheng took one last look at Nanlan Qianxue. "I will be leaving for now, Miss Nanlan. See you again soon."
"Farewell," Nanlan Qianxue responded with a smile, and Bocheng left without turning back.
Not bothering about the leaving Bocheng, Mengxi stepped forward towards Lu Tianzi.
"Greetings," Mengxi clasped her fists respectfully. "I am Mengxi of the Divine Storm Sect. May I know sir's name?"
"You can call me Tianzi," Lu Tianzi clasped his fists in return. "Though I am not sure if a nobody like me deserve to be called sir by someone of your status."
Nobody had mentioned it explicitly, but seeing how even a core disciple like Chengban had given in to Mengxi, Lu Tianzi surmised that Mengxi must at least be a core disciple as well!
For someone like that to treat him with respect all of a sudden, Lu Tianzi could not help but feel uncomfortable about the situation.
"Sir Tianzi must be joking," Mengxi smiled. "For someone at the Second Cycle Origin Core realm to withstand Chengban's Origin Force, you must be from one of the other three ancient sects. Let me guess… since it is impossible for you to be from the Sky Sabre Mountain, Sir Tianzi should be from the Timeless Flame Sect?"
"Lady Mengxi is overthinking things," Lu Tianzi shook his head. "I really am just a nobody."
What three ancient sects?
What Sky Sabre Mountain or Timeless Flame Sect?
He had no idea what those were at all!
"Is that so?" Mengxi revealed a look of surprise. "Are you really here just to claim the rewards then?"
"That's right," Lu Tianzi answered frankly. "Sorry to interrupt, but will Chengban be a problem?"
"Don't worry about that guy," Mengxi assured. "As long as I am around, he won't dare to do anything to you. Anyway here's not a place to talk. Come, I will settle you into one of the guest houses back at my residence. We'll talk more there."
"Sir Bocheng actually booked a room at the Cloud Walkers Inn for us," Lu Tianzi said.
"You can proceed to the inn if you want Chengban to come back for you," Mengxi snickered before leading the way out.
Lu Tianzi exchanged glances with Nanlan Qianxue before letting out a helpless sigh.
This was supposed to be a relaxed trip for them, coming over to Divine Storm City to receive their rewards and explore the city.
But now, it seemed like they had no choice but to follow this Mengxi if they wanted to avoid getting into trouble.
Then again, it might not be a bad thing.
If Mengxi really was a core disciple of the Divine Storm Sect, she would surely know a fair bit about the central regions.
This could be a good chance for them to learn more from her about the various powerful influences here!
With that, Lu Tianzi and Nanlan Qianxue followed Mengxi and her female companion as they walked down the street, heading straight towards the beautiful palace that stood in centre of the city.