Zhanxi Pavilion

Nightfall descended upon the bustling streets, yet the surroundings remained unchanged by the arrival of the night. Huge crystal lamps lit up at the street corners, and even under the dim lights, the place was still abuzz with people. After a slow walk, Li Yi finally sighed and said, "Well, Han Zhu's death is his own doing, but after all, Grandpa Han had been kind to us. Weren't you a bit too harsh?"

"What? Can't I defend myself?" Gong Wushuang glanced at Li Yi, replying indifferently, "Don't worry, I didn't go too far. I just noticed that Grandpa Han had some internal injuries, damaging his meridians. I forcibly cleared his blocked meridians, allowing him to spit out a mouthful of congested blood, which should extend his life by at least ten years... Han Zhu was crippled by me, and that surely caused him some trouble. Consider that my compensation."

Li Yi was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and chuckled bitterly. This woman, really, left him speechless! They continued their walk along the street. Despite the dusky light making the surroundings somewhat darker, Gong Wushuang's stunning beauty still caught the eyes of many. Although she was just walking slowly, she attracted countless gazes. If not for the cold, unwelcoming aura she was emitting, probably many would have come up to flirt with her.

After a few more steps, Li Yi, fearing trouble, could only sigh and say, "Sister Gong, I know you're beautiful, but could you use that face-changing technique you mentioned before... Change your appearance to avoid some trouble?"

"What? You don't like how I look now?" Gong Wushuang smiled charmingly, making the passersby who were secretly watching gulp down their saliva.

Li Yi touched his nose and chuckled bitterly, "Who doesn't like a beauty?... But considering how things are now, how long do you think it'll be before someone comes looking for trouble again? I, Li Yi, am not afraid of trouble, but too much of it isn't good either... It's better to keep a low profile."

"I would also like to keep a low profile, but to use my face-changing technique requires a lot of materials, which I don't have on hand. What can I do?" Gong Wushuang replied lightly.

Li Yi chuckled bitterly again, only to buy two black robes from a stall after a few turns. They slipped into an alley, put on the robes, and reappeared, almost resolving the situation of being watched by everyone. Li Yi looked around leisurely for a moment, then said, "These past days, we've been working ourselves to death. How about we find an inn to rest first? As for the Nalan family, it's not too late to deal with them after we've rested. After all, Nalan Ba's big birthday is still a few days away. We just need to finish our business within that time..."

"What if the Nalan family is unwilling?" Gong Wushuang asked lightly.

Li Yi sneered, "If it comes to that, I wouldn't mind turning their happy occasion into a funeral!"

Gong Wushuang was speechless. She had been with Li Yi for some days and understood the ruthless side of his character well. He was definitely someone who meant what he said. If the Nalan family refused their request for annulment, it might indeed end badly...

Rubbing her forehead with a hint of pain, Gong Wushuang felt somewhat sad for her destiny as a professional fighter. She sighed lightly, somewhat helplessly saying, "Alright, let's talk about these matters tomorrow. For now, let's find a place to rest."

Hearing Gong Wushuang say this, Li Yi nodded slightly. Then, they stopped a passerby to ask for the location of the most luxurious and comfortable inn in Yunshui City before heading in that direction with ease. Along the way, Gong Wushuang appeared somewhat speechless, but Li Yi seemed extremely relaxed. He stopped from time to time to buy various trinkets, stuffing them into his Storage Ring. Many of the items seemed pointless, but for the young master who had just looted a Martial Emperor's tomb, these small expenses were trivial.

Finally, they reached the most bustling street in Yunshui City. With countless carriages on the street, the two in black robes walking along seemed somewhat out of place. However, many people on the Martial Deity Continent preferred this kind of mysterious attire, so it wasn't too strange. Upon reaching the middle of the street, they arrived in front of a luxurious inn named Zhanxi Pavilion and exchanged glances before walking in.

The inn was tranquil and luxurious, a stark contrast to the bustling street outside. Li Yi glanced around the lobby for a moment, then couldn't help but smirk; it was almost full, and the aura of the people there was not weak. Listening in, Li Yi realized most were here to celebrate Nalan Ba's birthday, mostly influential or powerful figures from the northwest.

Li Yi sneered, "It seems the Nalan family's influence is indeed vast. The mercenary outside wasn't wrong; the power gained through marrying off a daughter is different."

Gong Wushuang shook her head, "Alright, this isn't the place to talk. Remember your purpose. If something happens now, it probably won't end well."

"Mm." Li Yi nodded slightly, then leisurely walked up to the counter, signaling the maids to arrange two rooms for them. The pretty maids behind the counter exchanged glances, and one of them softly whispered, "Excuse me... sir, do you have an invitation from the Nalan family?"

Li Yi replied indifferently, "Does staying at Zhanxi Pavilion require an invitation from the Nalan family as a guarantee? Are you worried that I can't afford it, or that I might cause trouble here?"

The maid, looking embarrassed, said, "It's not like that, sir... It's just that Zhanxi Pavilion has been reserved by the Nalan family, and only guests of the Nalan family can stay for free... If you don't have an invitation, I'm afraid you'll have to look elsewhere."

"Oh, is that so..." Li Yi smiled lightly, leaned over the counter, and gently lifted the chin of the maid who was speaking, saying indifferently, "It's said that the Nalan family rules Yunshui City, but I've always been skeptical. Only today have I seen it for myself... But, the Nalan family's arrogance has nothing to do with me. Sweetheart, just arrange the two best rooms for me... Otherwise, I might just have to smash this place up today. Believe it or not?"

The expression on the maid's face froze. Zhanxi Pavilion had a strong backing in Yunshui City, and no one dared to cause trouble here. Furthermore, speaking ill of the Nalan family was taboo. She never expected the man in black before her to not only dismiss the Nalan family but also to do so with such arrogance. Working in such a place, her judgment was sharp; she understood that only two kinds of people could act this way. The first kind was young masters who had never seen the world, and the second was those with supreme skills who cared for nothing else. But no matter which type, they were not someone a mere maid could afford to offend. Caught in a dilemma, she stood there, stiff-faced, unable to respond.

The other maids behind her also had peculiar expressions, witnessing such a scene for the first time despite their long service. Gong Wushuang sighed. To her, Li Yi's actions were not unacceptable. In her eyes, Li Yi was a peerless powerhouse, and powerhouses naturally had their own arrogance. Not to mention a Martial Emperor, even a Warrior entering an inn and then being kicked out would be utterly disgraceful.

"Let it go, they're just maids after all, and can't make these decisions, you..."

Just as they were at a standstill, Gong Wushuang was about to say something when suddenly... a "swoosh" sound was heard, followed by a cold laugh, "Who is this bumpkin daring to cause trouble on Nalan territory!? Looking for death!?"

Li Yi's eyebrows slightly furrowed, his right hand, which had been lifting the maid's chin, swiftly retracted, flicking something behind him like lightning. He felt his finger hit something resembling a whip. After this action, he smiled gently at the shocked maid, then slowly turned around, his gaze landing on a group of people not far from him. The group, comprising both men and women, was led by a strikingly beautiful girl in red. The girl had a voluptuous figure, clad in red leather armor that accentuated her vital parts while deliberately exposing her tender flesh, especially her slender waist and long legs, attracting many gazes in the hall.

Holding a whip in her hand, with red martial energy faintly burning and then quickly disappearing from it, it was clear that Li Yi's action had caught the red-dressed girl off guard. She was none other than Nalan Lin, the second daughter of the Nalan family.

Li Yi's gaze lingered on Nalan Lin, unreservedly inspecting her, even more blatantly over her exposed areas. After a while, he sighed slightly, seemingly disdainful, and turned to Gong Wushuang, saying lightly, "Let's go. Now that the Nalan family has shown up, there's no need to offend them further. Leaving now is better for future encounters."

Gong Wushuang nodded slightly, about to speak. However, Nalan Lin was already trembling with rage. Known as a princess in Yunshui City, many young masters had fallen at her feet, yet here was Li Yi, not showing the slightest deference or flattery that she was accustomed to from men, including those from imperial families. His indifferent gaze and tone, utterly disregarding her, left her feeling humiliated and insulted like never before.