Chapter 16: Uproot the Weeds

"Not convinced?"

Cheng Jie mocked with a sneer. His talent in energy refining was mediocre, so he usually relied on elixirs to bolster himself, rendering his perception abilities weaker than those of cultivators at the same level. Moreover, Qin Jun and the others possessed higher realms than his, which is why he was unaware of their terrifying capabilities.

"Young master... it seems they are not to be trifled with..." a servant cautiously reminded in a low voice, but alas, he too could not see through Qin Jun and the others' cultivation levels, only feeling a sense of oppression emanating from them.

"Not to be trifled with? Is there anyone in Qingtan City that I, Cheng Jie, cannot provoke?" Cheng Jie said with contempt, not out of mindlessness, but stating the situation as it truly was!

In the current Qingtan City, the Cheng Family reigned supreme, with even the Chen Family, representing the city lord, having to swallow their pride. Not to mention the other smaller clans.

And now, his every action represented the stance of the Cheng Family. Cheng Zhan hoped to use his son's arrogance to propagate the dominance of the Cheng Family in Qingtan City.

In the Qianyue Kingdom, unlike Earth, democracy was hardly a concern, and those in power seldom considered the thoughts of the common people.

"What lofty arrogance!"

Chang Hao laughed. To the Xuanling Sect, Qingtan City was as insignificant as ants, and yet the insignificant Cheng Family dared to be so rampant. Though Chang Hao was downtrodden at the moment, within the Xuanling Sect, he was highly esteemed.

Immediately, he approached Cheng Jie with the intent to vent the oppression he had faced from Qin Jun these past days.

"Courting death!"

When Cheng Jie saw Chang Hao daring to take action, murderous intent flashed in his eyes, and his right fist furiously lashed out towards Chang Hao's face.

A seemingly ordinary punch, yet its speed was remarkably fast, too quick for an ordinary person to dodge.

Chang Hao responded with a derisive smile, raising his own fist to meet Cheng Jie's head on.

Crack—

The fists collided, and the sound of breaking bones followed, which sent shivers down the spine.

"Ah—"

Cheng Jie screamed in pain, staggering back under the incredulous gazes of all the customers and staff in the inn, while Chang Hao stood, his face filled with disdain.

"So weak and yet so arrogant!"

Chang Hao spat contemptuously, earning the applause of the other customers.

"Well done!"

"Haha, I've had enough of the Cheng Family long ago!"

"Shh, keep it down, don't get marked by the Cheng Family!"

"Right, the Cheng Family is capable of anything!"

The words of the customers, as sharp as knives, stabbed into Cheng Jie's heart, adding insult to his injuries, causing him to vomit blood.

Sitting in the corner, a young man in white marveled as he observed Chang Hao, murmuring to himself, "Energy refining realm level nine, interesting."

Qin Jun continued to eat his meal, ignoring the scuffle between Chang Hao and Cheng Jie.

"Big brother, well done!"

Chang Qianqian cheered, at this moment, the image of her "big brother" growing even taller in her heart.

Daji propped her cheek with her hand and giggled, "Chang Hao, you also have such a heroic side."

Qin Jun couldn't help but give her a glance. This woman always had a seductive tone to her voice, criminally alluring!

"All of you, attack! Beat him to death!"

Cheng Jie roared furiously. His right arm was broken and in excruciating pain, causing his face to be covered in cold sweat, and the visage of hatred in his eyes could chill one to the bone.

At his command, his servants rushed towards Chang Hao.

These servants were generally at the third level of the energy refining realm, totaling twelve men. Chang Hao, carrying injuries, could at most exert the power equal to the sixth level of the energy refining realm, but even so, he managed without trouble.

"Eat quickly. We still have a journey ahead of us!"

Qin Jun gave Chang Qianqian a stern look and chided. To this, Chang Qianqian just rolled her eyes and did not retort.

In less than a minute, Chang Hao easily took down all of Cheng Jie's servants, his displayed strength earning the admiration of the inn's customers.

"This young hero is so strong, he must have the backing of a sect!"

"Now they've really made an enemy of the Cheng Family."

"They don't seem to be from Qingtan City, do they?"

"Impressive! Cheng Jie's subordinates are all energy refining cultivators, but they couldn't match this young hero!"

Hearing himself called a young hero, Chang Hao laughed with pride, his calm and confident demeanor winning admiring glances from many female customers.

"Come eat!" Qin Jun's voice suddenly penetrated Chang Hao's ears, making Chang Hao's face turn unnatural, but he returned obediently to the table to sit down.

"You'll pay for this!"

Cheng Jie gritted his teeth and cursed. After speaking, he walked away without caring about his servants lying on the ground.

"Ding! Side quest triggered—Root Out the Problem!"

"Quest details: Kill Cheng Jie, reward 500 experience points; kill Cheng Zhan, reward 800 experience points; destroy the Cheng Family, reward 2000 experience points, and obtain a chance for skill inheritance!"

The system's prompt suddenly rang out, catching Qin Jun off guard. Could a side quest be triggered just like that?

In his view, although Cheng Jie was arrogant and asking for trouble, he didn't seem worthy of a death sentence.

And to even implicate the entire Cheng Family!

Considering this, Qin Jun felt suddenly uneasy; he did not want to be turned into a homicidal maniac by the mythology system.

"The system's tasks all revolve around the host's growth. The first main quest is to make the host become the emperor of the Qianyue Kingdom. Therefore, Qingtan City has been designated by the system as within the host's sphere of influence. According to the system's assessment, the Cheng Family has behaved atrociously in Qingtan City, leaving the people resentful and fearful."

"Cheng Jie already holds a grudge against the host and will surely bring back stronger subordinates to hunt down the host after he returns, and might even force the Cheng Family's patriarch to take action."

"Whether for the people or for your own sake, you must eliminate them!"

The system's voice was exceedingly cold, yet it somehow comforted Qin Jun. Soon after, he curled his lips into a mocking smile, "Cheng Family, oh Cheng Family, actions are watched by the heavens. Don't think just because you act like Qingtan City's Overlord, you can act recklessly..."

After the system's explanation, Qin Jun no longer had any misgivings. From the surrounding customers' discussions during Chang Hao's battle with Cheng Jie, it was evident how notorious the Cheng Family was in Qingtan City.

If that's the case, then it's time to root out the problem!

Seeing Qin Jun suddenly smile, Chang Qianqian couldn't help but pout, "What exactly did you do to offend him?"

Daji and Chang Hao were also curious, although they weren't concerned about Cheng Jie's threats.

Qin Jun briefly recounted the previous night's events, inciting Chang Qianqian to say indignantly, "A bully fearful of the strong, he deserves a beating!"

"I should have crippled his arms!" Chang Hao said with a cold laugh.

Show off much?

Qin Jun criticized internally, but he did not voice it aloud.

Soon, they finished their breakfast. Chang Hao paid the bill, and they left the inn.

To Qin Jun's annoyance, the white-robed young man also left the inn, following them. Although he went in a different direction, Qin Jun couldn't shake the feeling that he was being targeted.

"The city gate is that way!"

Chang Qianqian grasped Qin Jun's sleeve to point him in the right direction, to which Qin Jun shook his head with a smile, "Not in a rush to leave the city, I still have things to do."

"What things?"

Daji and Chang Hao looked at Qin Jun with curiosity.

"Kill Cheng Jie, uproot the Cheng Family!"

Qin Jun said coldly, as he also contemplated his strategy. With Daji and the Roaring Sky Dog by his side, he could certainly act with impunity. However, his goal was the throne, and he intended to use the Cheng Family to increase his fame!