What a sin 02

Seeing the palm strike's gale surge forward like a torrential flood, Yi Feng remained standing quietly, gazing into the distance. It was as if he were completely oblivious to the impending danger, his arrogance knowing no bounds...

A haughty glint flashed in Chen Cangyun's eyes as he sneered inwardly.

"Too overconfident..."

"Even if you are a mighty Martial Emperor, failing to put up the slightest defense against a strike containing thirty percent of my power means injury is inevitable! With such blatant disregard for me, you can't blame me for abandoning martial honor!"

"So be it. The moment you are wounded, I will unleash my trump cards and seize the opportunity to defeat someone above my own realm. From this day forth, my name will echo across the world, and my path to supremacy will be forged!"

Chen Cangyun's eyes shone with piercing intensity, his mind consumed by a burning battle lust!

Obviously, as a city lord, he possessed quite a few trump cards. Otherwise, a mere Peak Martial King like him wouldn't be foolish enough to punch above his weight and offend a Martial Emperor.

Under normal circumstances, relying on his own cultivation base combined with his numerous trump cards, he absolutely had the power to fight a Martial Emperor. Even if he couldn't win, he could easily retreat unscathed.

However.

When his seemingly invincible palm strike reached Yi Feng's back, it didn't cause the slightest ripple. The spiritual energy that had been terrifyingly oppressive just a moment ago vanished without a trace in the blink of an eye.

Leaving behind only a gentle breeze sweeping past, it was as weak and powerless as a baby's breath.

"Whoosh..."

The breeze blew past. That jade-like figure remained standing as quietly as before, not even a corner of his clothes lifted, as if nothing had happened at all...

How is this possible?!

Chen Cangyun's eyes widened in sheer shock, a sudden chill howling down his spine!

"Whoosh!!!"

The successive sounds of the wind were only a breath apart, yet the difference was like heaven and earth!

In an instant!

A cold sensation shot from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head, causing goosebumps to erupt all over his body. His previous scheming completely dissipated, leaving only a pale, trembling face!

"This..."

"This!"

That was a palm strike containing thirty percent of his power!

Even if it was just a probing attack, it was a move from a Peak Martial King that could not be underestimated. Yet, in front of this person, it had no effect whatsoever. The other party didn't even make a move; the strike was reduced to nothingness by sheer aura alone!

Just what kind of terrifying cultivation was this?

Was the gap between them truly this massive?

This dreadful aura was definitely not something an early-stage Martial Emperor could possess. He had to be a high-level Martial Emperor, or perhaps even at a stronger realm!

Chen Cangyun's heart was already churning like stormy seas, and his entire body began to tremble involuntarily!

At this very moment.

He dared not make a single move, completely frozen in the small courtyard. All his past sense of superiority and pride were tossed out the window, leaving only panic and fear to consume his mind.

Stealing another glance, his eyes were filled with absolute dread!

Though he stood frozen for merely a few breaths, it felt longer than his hundreds of years of bitter cultivation. The immense torment left him drenched in a cold sweat!

Under his cautious gaze.

Yi Feng slowly turned around, still not uttering a single word. However, a gleam surfaced in his clear eyes, as sharp and piercing as a falling star!

Under that gaze.

Chen Cangyun's proud Martial King realm, and even all the dark thoughts hidden in his heart, seemed to be seen through like a blank sheet of paper, completely exposed.

Just one glance.

Chen Cangyun's pupils trembled violently in shock, feeling a suffocating pressure crashing down on him from all directions!

This person was at least a high-level Martial Emperor!

"Gah!"

Chen Cangyun was so terrified and filled with immense regret that his jaw dropped wide enough to fit a duck egg!

It's over, it's all over...

Having lived a life of forbearance and steadiness, had a momentary impulse led him straight to his doom?

What a sin...

He had brought this upon himself!

Sensing the aura of death drawing ever closer.

He threw all caution to the wind and hastily bowed in terror, kowtowing as fast as a pounding pestle!

"Please forgive me, sir! Please forgive me!"

"I was momentarily confused and impulsively offended you, sir! I beg for your mercy, please be merciful!"

The previously smug and confident big shot was now bowing in panic like a lowly minion. In his humble and terrified state, he wasn't even worth being called an ant. Begging for his life, he was on the verge of breaking down in tears and snot.

At this moment.

Chen Cangyun's guts twisted with absolute regret!

For so many years, he believed he deeply understood human nature, relying on his schemes to win much favor without ever making a mistake. He never expected to suffer such a massive fall today!

There was clearly such a supreme expert here; if he could have enlisted his help, he could have ascended to the heavens in a single bound. Yet, due to his momentary lack of judgment, he had brought things to this state. He had truly lived his whole life in vain!

The more he thought about it, the more remorseful and terrified he became.

Chen Cangyun acted with the utmost humility, his forehead nearly buried in the dirt!

Catching a glimpse of this display, Yi Feng's eyes showed no change in emotion.

He had finally managed to get a few days of peace, only for it to be disrupted like this. Whether it was the grand spectacle from earlier or the sudden begging for mercy now, they were equally noisy.

With a gentle wave of his hand, he sat quietly to brew some tea, unwilling to say another word.

"Leave. Do not disturb my peace again."

His words were incredibly indifferent.

Yet to Chen Cangyun, it was as if he had received a grand pardon. He looked up, feeling an unbelievable sense of relief. After a few breaths, he was still half-doubting and instinctively wanted to say a few more words in his defense.

Only then did he see...

The gentleman was pouring tea with lowered eyes, looking perfectly content. His eyes held nothing else but the clear tea in his cup.

Instantly.

The thousands of words in Chen Cangyun's heart were choked back into his throat.

He knew very well that the gentleman had absolutely no interest in speaking further. Even after his recent loss of composure, he hadn't lost his ability to read the room.

Even though his heart was intertwined with endless regret and sorrow, he didn't dare make the slightest sound. Given his offense, managing to keep his life was already a massive stroke of luck; how could he dare to ask for anything more?

Chen Cangyun could only quietly bow several times in gratitude before obediently backing out of the small courtyard.

Ignoring everyone's concerned inquiries, he remained completely silent. He then led his entourage and hurriedly departed from Qinghe Town, leaving behind numerous doubts and sighs that spread among the populace, sparking heated discussions along the long streets.

The ordinary, bustling small town seemed to have gained another trendy topic for after-dinner gossip.

Gazing into the distance long after the City Lord had led his people away.

Standing quietly before the town gates, the Town Mayor still wore a look of deep admiration.

"Truly worthy of being the City Lord! What extraordinary humility and unfathomable depth!"

The old Clan Patriarch also wore a look of reverence, though a hint of confusion flashed in his eyes.

"The City Lord is a Martial King realm expert. His thoughts and actions are absolutely beyond our comprehension. Just his demeanor in handling matters and treating others is enough to leave us far behind."

"Even so, I still can't figure out why the City Lord would lower his status to come and visit Mr. Yi. What exactly is so special about Mr. Yi?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the old friends looked at each other with eyes full of confusion.

After pondering bitterly for a long time without finding an answer, they had no choice but to walk towards the schoolhouse at the foot of the mountain under the twilight.

Watching Mr. Yi bid farewell to his students with a peaceful smile, they found him even more baffling. Even though he was somewhat handsome, he still just looked like an ordinary schoolteacher. They really couldn't understand what a big shot like the City Lord could possibly value in such a plain and unremarkable young man.

Could it really be that he valued his scholarship?

A dignified Martial King actually caring so much about worldly knowledge? No matter how they thought about it, it didn't make sense. They had never heard of any cultivator being obsessed with literature or treating reading as a hobby.

Driven by immense curiosity, both the Town Mayor and the old Clan Patriarch couldn't hold back anymore. They stepped forward, clasping their hands in greeting.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the three of them sat down in the courtyard to sip tea and chat.

The Town Mayor then took the opportunity to probe.

"Mr. Yi."

"We are truly curious, what business did the City Lord have with you? Would it be convenient for you, sir, to reveal a thing or two?"

Yi Feng smiled at the words and replied casually.

"The City Lord is completely engrossed in the art of chess. I am not sure what rumors he might have heard, but he learned that I know a little about the Dao of Chess, so he came over to play a match."

The two men paused in surprise upon hearing his words, before realization gradually dawned in their eyes.

"Playing chess?"

"So that is how it is..."

"This old man has also heard of people who are so devoted to the Dao of Chess that they even comprehend the true meaning of cultivation from it, entering the Dao through chess. I never expected the City Lord to be a fellow chess enthusiast. It is understandable why he would travel from afar for this."

"In that case, were you and the City Lord playing chess in the courtyard just now, sir? No wonder you did not want outsiders like us to disturb you..."

Listening to their gossipy questions, Yi Feng smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Yes, we did play a round."

Hearing this, the two old men became even more intrigued.

"To have the fortune of becoming chess friends with the City Lord, sir, you are truly blessed!"

"I wonder who won and who lost?"

Faced with the eager inquiries of the two old men, Yi Feng's smile remained unchanged.

He took a sip of tea and nodded.

It was hard to tell whether he was nodding because the tea tasted good, or as an answer to the outcome of the game...

Seeing this, the two elders felt too embarrassed to press the matter further.

In the courtyard, only the rich fragrance of tea lingered, as peaceful and quiet as before... I just opened a new Douyin account, begging for a follow, Feng Lingbei.