Chapter 0023: You Are Quite Arrogant

However, when the others heard the name Xuan Yuan Wuqing, their expressions all changed! Xuan Yuan Wuqing—a name that still struck terror into the hearts of those who heard it! If the Four Great Kings and the Two War Generals were figures to be feared and respected, then the name Xuan Yuan Wuqing was enough to make one’s blood run cold.

The sole “Heavenly King,” Xuan Yuan Wuqing, had begun his legendary ascent in his first year of high school, continually challenging and defeating the Four Great Kings and the Two War Generals, his momentum unstoppable. He even bested the previous Heavenly King to ascend the throne himself, and had held that seat for six years now!

Now, Xuan Yuan Wuqing was a senior in university, about to graduate.

“Heh, you don’t even know who Xuan Yuan Wuqing is? Well, never mind. The girl who spoke to you at the school gates just now—you must at least know who she is,” Nangong Haotian’s smile grew even brighter.

“I honestly don’t know her name,” Zhang Xiaofan replied, growing impatient. Who the hell was this guy, chattering on and on?

“Her name is Yue Hen. She’s the woman whom Wuqing has his eye on. I’m here today to deliver a message: Wuqing wants you to stay away from her,” Nangong Haotian said with a smile.

Now Zhang Xiaofan understood—he was being treated as a rival in love, and this was a warning. The feeling was distinctly unpleasant. Even though he had no designs on the sword-wielding beauty, being provoked like this, his personality wouldn’t allow him to simply let it go.

“Heh…” Zhang Xiaofan chuckled softly. “So that’s how it is… I’m a timid guy, so don’t go scaring me.”

“Look, you go back and tell this Xuan Yuan Wuqing of yours that I still intend to pursue her. If he’s unhappy about it, he can come talk to me himself.”

Zhang Xiaofan’s words left Nangong Haotian momentarily stunned, then he seemed to recall that this kid probably didn’t know who Xuan Yuan Wuqing really was.

“Heh, perhaps you’re the only one who dares speak so disdainfully of the Heavenly King, Xuan Yuan Wuqing. I hope you can keep up that tough talk when the time comes,” Nangong Haotian replied with a soft laugh.

He was only here to deliver a message. Zhang Xiaofan had managed to defeat Bai Qi, so he clearly had some ability; it wasn’t yet time to burn bridges with him.

“Heavenly King?” Zhang Xiaofan was momentarily taken aback, but then relaxed. “I don’t care much for titles, but if someone comes looking for trouble, I don’t mind letting them taste defeat.”

“You’re arrogant,” Nangong Haotian sneered.

“Not as much as you lot,” Zhang Xiaofan sneered back. Who was afraid of whom?

“Let’s go.”

He’d come, hoping to give Zhang Xiaofan a scare, but in the end, he was the one left frustrated. Nangong Haotian was annoyed. Still, he was just a messenger; there was no need to risk open conflict with Zhang Xiaofan.

Both were smart men. For Zhang Xiaofan to speak so confidently, he either had no brains and was putting on a show, or he really did have the strength to back it up. Judging by his past exploits, it was clearly the latter.

“Young master, that kid is just too arrogant,” Nangong Haotian’s lackey grumbled as they left.

“Arrogance has its reasons,” Nangong Haotian’s eyes gleamed with calculation, though his thoughts remained private. After a long moment, he whispered, “Look into that kid’s background thoroughly. If he’s got real ability, he might be worth bringing into the family.”

The day’s classes passed quickly. At the end of school, a beautiful young woman dressed in pure white appeared at the door of Class 2, Senior Three.

“Wow, isn’t that Ye Qingcheng, the freshman beauty queen?”

“I remember now—she must be here for Zhang Xiaofan.”

“Brother Fan, there’s a beauty looking for you!”

Amused voices quickly called out to Zhang Xiaofan.

“Uh…” Zhang Xiaofan had already noticed Ye Qingcheng at the door and wondered what she was doing here.

“Are you free tonight?” Ye Qingcheng batted her beautiful eyes and slipped her arm through Zhang Xiaofan’s, ignoring the astonished looks of those around them. In fact, after the incident at the dueling arena, when Ye Qingcheng had embraced Zhang Xiaofan in front of so many people, everyone knew there was definitely something going on between the gorgeous freshman and him.

“If you keep this up, people will think there’s something between us,” Zhang Xiaofan said, glancing at her delicate, fair arm linked with his.

“What does it matter? If need be, I’ll just be your girlfriend,” Ye Qingcheng replied carelessly, her big eyes sparkling as she leaned softly against his arm, extremely close.

“Come with me to a ball tonight, will you?”

“What’s in it for me?” Zhang Xiaofan asked.

With a peck on his cheek, Ye Qingcheng smiled, “Mwah~”

“All right, then. Since you’ve given me a kiss, I’ll accompany you,” Zhang Xiaofan agreed. How could he refuse after that?

“Yay! Brother Fan, you’re the best!” Ye Qingcheng was overjoyed. She’d worried he might refuse. In her eyes, Zhang Xiaofan was not only a master of medicine and martial arts, but also young and outstanding. Even though she was the treasured daughter of the Ye family, in front of him she felt just like an ordinary girl.

“My grandfather will pick us up soon. Let’s go outside and wait,” Ye Qingcheng said, holding tightly to his arm, unwilling to let go.

Zhang Xiaofan nodded and naturally put his arm around her, walking out together like a young couple.

Only a fool would let such an opportunity slip by.

As for Wang Yuqing, Zhang Xiaofan told her to go home on her own. In his words, “Brother’s going to chase girls tonight, not suitable for little girls—better go home and do your homework.”

Outside the school gates, Zhang Xiaofan and Ye Qingcheng waited quietly to the side. Passing students cast them astonished glances—could it be that the freshman beauty queen really was together with this senior?

Zhang Xiaofan was strikingly handsome, with a masculine charm; together, they looked every bit the golden couple.

Plenty of boys who secretly liked Ye Qingcheng could only nurse their heartbreak in silence.

Before long, a stretch Hummer pulled up at the gate.

“Master!”

Ye Zhantian stepped out and opened the door, his manner deeply respectful. There were few in Jinghai City whom the old Ye patriarch would treat with such deference.

“Hello, Elder Ye. You can just call me Xiaofan,” Zhang Xiaofan replied politely. Respect is mutual—since Elder Ye respected him, he would naturally return it.

Nor did Zhang Xiaofan let his title as “master” go to his head just because he’d cured Elder Ye’s poison. As Old Qinyun used to say, “There’s always someone better out there; the world is vast and full of wonders.”

There were those of great power who could live a thousand years, move mountains and seas with a wave of the hand, capable of anything.

Compared to that, what did his current strength amount to?

Even Jing’an City itself was nothing but a speck of dust in the grand scheme of things.

“Look—isn’t that Elder Ye from the Ye Group? Who would’ve thought Zhang Xiaofan actually knows him? Just who is this Zhang Xiaofan, anyway?”

“Did you see? Elder Ye just bowed to Zhang Xiaofan! This guy must have quite the background.”

“I told you, he acts so brazenly at school—he must have some incredible connections.”

…

“How intriguing—just what is his true background?” Not far away, Nangong Haotian’s eyes glinted with wicked curiosity, though it lasted only a moment before he climbed into his luxury car and drove off.

Meanwhile, by the wall nearby, several thugs who’d been staking out the school all day saw that Zhang Xiaofan actually knew the Ye family’s old patriarch. They immediately reported in to see what their next move should be.

“Heh, in that case, I’ll act my age and call you Xiaofan,” Ye Zhantian smiled, then made a welcoming gesture for Zhang Xiaofan to get in.

Ye Qingcheng grinned and followed Zhang Xiaofan into the car, still holding his arm.

Elder Ye simply smiled—he’d be more than happy for his granddaughter and Zhang Xiaofan to grow closer.

In Jinghai’s high society, lavish balls and banquets were held regularly, places where the elite mingled and networked.

Tonight’s ball, which Zhang Xiaofan was accompanying Ye Qingcheng to, was undoubtedly a grand affair, attended only by the nobility and the powerful.

The venue was a huge, European-style building, its entrance lined with twelve massive stone pillars that would require two people to encircle. It looked every bit a palace, surrounded by lush flowerbeds, the entire hall exuding grandeur, wealth, and a touch of poetic elegance.

At the entrance, eight beautiful women in cheongsams stood in welcome for the ball’s guests. There were also layers of black-clad bodyguards to prevent disturbances, and in the center, a man in a suit checked the guests’ invitations.

No invitation, no entry.

The men who came wore luxury suits that cost hundreds of thousands, at the very least tens of thousands, while the women were in evening gowns and expensive jewelry.

Zhang Xiaofan, by contrast, wore a Nike tracksuit, looking completely out of place—and the target of many sneering glances.

“Invitation, please.”

As Zhang Xiaofan stepped up the stairs, the man in the suit stopped him. At that moment, Elder Ye and Ye Qingcheng were still below, greeting acquaintances.

“I don’t have one,” Zhang Xiaofan replied bluntly.

“Wherever you came from, go back there. The farther, the better,” the suited man sneered, immediately assuming Zhang Xiaofan was a gatecrasher. Every event had people like this, hoping to mingle with the upper crust and strike it lucky.

“Slap yourself. Don’t make me do it,” Zhang Xiaofan retorted, a little surprised at the man’s arrogance.

“And who do you think you are?” the suited man snorted. “Get him out of here—don’t let him spoil the ball.”

The bodyguards stepped forward, but just then, a group of people walked up.

“Hold it.”

“Ah, Young Master Liu, you’re here!” The doorman’s expression changed instantly, becoming obsequious.

“What’s going on?” asked the newcomer—Liu Zifeng. The Liu and Ye families were equals in status; naturally, the Liu family would be present at such an event.

“It’s like this, Young Master Liu—this bumpkin here doesn’t have an invitation but tried to sneak in,” the doorman explained.

Liu Zifeng glanced at Zhang Xiaofan and sneered, “Oh, isn’t this our schoolmate Zhang Xiaofan? This isn’t a place for you, country boy. Run on home and do your homework.”

Now, Liu Zifeng truly wasn’t afraid of Zhang Xiaofan at all. In his eyes, Zhang Xiaofan would soon be dead anyway—so why not take this chance to humiliate him a little and savor the moment?