The Iron-Willed Chen Chang'an

"You want both of you to come at me together?"

Nie Pengju and Ye Liuyun could hardly believe their ears. Indeed, this brat's arrogance knew no bounds.

Did he even realize what he was saying?

Challenging two Great Emperors at once?

Who did he think he was—the ancient ancestor of the Gu family?

Not only were the two of them furious, but Nie Haotian and Ye Beiming were even more incensed.

How many times had they been looked down upon now?

They were prodigies, heaven-defying talents!

And yet, they were being dismissed so easily?

"Great-grandfather, no need to be angry. Let me teach him a lesson."

"Don’t worry, I’ll hold back. I won’t take his life."

"Elder Gu, rest assured, I won’t make things difficult for you."

After speaking, Nie Haotian’s expression darkened. In a flash, he lunged straight at Chen Chang'an.

To his credit, Nie Haotian’s strength was nothing to scoff at—his speed was impressive.

Chen Chang'an, lounging in his chair, nodded approvingly, completely unfazed by the incoming attack.

Seeing Chen Chang'an act so carelessly, Nie Pengju and Ye Liuyun sneered. This kid really was…

But in the next moment, just as Nie Haotian reached Chen Chang'an, a figure flashed past, and Nie Haotian was sent flying backward.

Gu Tianyuan had already anticipated this outcome. After all, Gu Xian'er, ranked third on the Human Rankings, was right beside Chen Chang'an.

And as his maidservant, would she just stand by and let anyone attack him?

The Gu family knew exactly how strong Gu Xian'er was—her cultivation was at the Divine Transformation Realm, third layer… Wait, what?

Fourth layer now?

She broke through again?

Nie Pengju and Ye Liuyun fixed their gazes intently on Gu Xian'er.

This woman’s beauty was on par with Gu Fengyao’s, and her talent, her realm, her strength…

"Gu Xian'er?"

"You’re the third-ranked Gu Xian'er from the Human Rankings, aren’t you?"

"Your cultivation has advanced again?"

Nie Pengju and Ye Liuyun were no fools—they quickly deduced her identity.

Gu Xian'er?

Nie Haotian never expected to encounter the Human Rankings’ third-place contender here in the Gu family.

So this was her?

"That was just carelessness on my part!"

"Dare to fight me again?" Nie Haotian said, his face full of defiance.

"Nie Haotian, a loss is a loss. Have you no shame?"

"Step aside. Let me test the strength of the Human Rankings’ third place."

"If you can’t do it, that doesn’t mean I can’t."

Ye Beiming smirked, casting a disdainful glance at Nie Haotian.

"Fine, if you think you’re up to it, go ahead."

Nie Haotian sneered back. He didn’t believe Ye Beiming, ranked below him, stood a chance against Gu Xian'er.

Gu Xian'er calmly met Ye Beiming’s gaze and said indifferently, "You’re no different."

"Don’t look down on me!"

Ye Beiming’s face darkened as he charged at Gu Xian'er.

But the outcome was predictable.

A second later, Ye Beiming was sent flying by a single palm strike from Gu Xian'er, just like Nie Haotian.

"Impossible!"

"This can’t be!"

"How is the gap this huge?"

Ye Beiming was beginning to question his life. They were both prodigies, both in the Divine Transformation Realm.

Even if their cultivation differed by one layer, how could the disparity in strength be so vast?

"As expected of the Human Rankings’ third place."

"Gu Xian'er’s combat power has reached the Void Comprehension Realm. Truly monstrous!"

Nie Pengju saw it clearly—Gu Xian'er’s battle prowess was at the Void Comprehension level.

"The two of you are no match for her." Ye Liuyun’s expression was equally grave.

This was his first encounter with the three freaks of the Human Rankings. He never imagined that just the third-ranked Gu Xian'er would be so terrifying.

What about the first and second?

The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. If such monsters were allowed to grow, the consequences would be dire.

Kill her?

Or let her be?

More importantly, what was her relationship with Chen Chang'an? Why did it seem like she was his maidservant?

"I told you, those two aren’t enough."

"If you really want to fight, it has to be the two of you."

"But…"

The moment Chen Chang'an paused, the big yellow dog beside him already understood—this guy was up to no good.

"But what?" Nie Pengju frowned.

"I overheard your earlier conversation."

"You came here to steal my fiancée, didn’t you?"

"In that case, we should have a proper discussion."

"If you win, I’ll withdraw from the Gu family’s marriage arrangement."

"But if you lose… what then?" Chen Chang'an asked with a smile.

Lose?

How could that happen?

Nie Pengju and Ye Liuyun scoffed inwardly, cursing Chen Chang'an for his overconfidence.

Even if they fought one-on-one, either of them could easily crush him, let alone teaming up.

"If we lose, you can demand whatever you want."

"Name your terms." Nie Pengju said coldly.

"You don’t get to decide for me."

Ye Liuyun shot Nie Pengju a disdainful look before turning to Chen Chang'an. "If I lose, you can ask for anything. Name your price."

Huh?

What kind of nonsense was this? Weren’t those the exact same words? Did he really have to repeat them?

"Good!"

"Don’t say I’m bullying you. I’ll give you three chances—go all out."

"If you so much as touch me, I’ll concede defeat."

"But if you lose, from now on, every time you speak to someone, you must begin and end your sentences with a dog’s bark."

"Dare to accept?"

What?

Dog barks?

Great Emperors, forced to bark like dogs before and after speaking?

Outrageous!

Absolutely outrageous!

"Chen Chang'an, do you have a death wish?" Nie Pengju asked icily.

"So, you already know you can’t beat me?" Chen Chang'an replied with a faint smile.

Huh?

Nie Pengju froze. That’s right—since he wouldn’t lose, why bother about the stakes?

"Fine, I accept." Nie Pengju said coldly.

"Idiot."

Ye Liuyun gave Nie Pengju a scornful glance before turning back to Chen Chang'an. "Chen Chang'an, the terms aren’t fair."

"If you lose, all you forfeit is your status as the Gu family’s son-in-law—nothing more."

"How about adding a dog’s bark for you too?"

"Hahaha, fine, I’ll add the dog barks." Chen Chang'an said without hesitation.

"Wait!"

"Chen Chang'an, have you thought this through? If both of them attack, you’ll die for sure."

"Stop fooling around!" Gu Tianyuan said sternly.

Die for sure?

Chen Chang'an gave Gu Tianyuan a puzzled look. Hadn’t Third Elder told him about what happened in Fengtian Imperial City?

Why did it seem like he had the wrong idea about Chen Chang'an’s strength?

"Did Third Elder not tell you anything after he returned?" Chen Chang'an asked curiously.

"Third Elder? What would he tell me? I’ve been in seclusion, cultivating."

Gu Tianyuan was equally confused by the question.

"No wonder."

"Never mind. If I die, so be it."

"You can just find another suitable husband for Fengyao."

"But I, Chen Chang'an, will never back down."

"So what if he's a Great Emperor?"

"Nothing can make me, Chen Chang'an, retreat even half a step."

"I, Chen Chang'an, stand tall and unyielding, a man of iron will. I’d rather die on my feet than live on my knees!"

Chen Chang'an's words brimmed with unshakable resolve, leaving Gu Tianyuan momentarily stunned.

Just moments ago, he had seemed so arrogant and disrespectful—who would have thought he possessed such indomitable spirit?

Had she misjudged him?

If that were truly the case, then she couldn’t let any harm come to him.

"Hahahaha!"

"What a declaration—'rather die on my feet than live on my knees'!"

"Chen Chang'an, I never expected you to have such backbone."

"Rest easy. Out of respect for the Gu family, I’ll spare your life!"