Chen Chang'an, I Know You

"Stop!"

"This is the Luo Shen Palace. You..."

"Hmm?"

"Vice Palace Master?"

Chen Chang'an and his companions had finally arrived at the Luo Shen Palace. The disciples of the palace grew wary at the sight of men appearing.

They had barely issued a warning when they noticed that Vice Palace Master Hua Wulei was being carried back on a man's back.

Not only that, but Hua Wulei's two attendants were also being dragged along, one in each of the man's hands.

"How audacious!"

"What have you done to our Vice Palace Master?"

"Attack!"

Without another word, the Luo Shen Palace disciples prepared to strike.

Chen Chang'an sighed helplessly. These people from the Luo Shen Palace truly had something wrong with their minds.

Couldn't they even let him speak?

Besides, what level of cultivation did Hua Wulei possess? If even she had been knocked unconscious, did they really think they stood a chance? Were they seeking death?

"Stand down!"

Chen Chang'an's voice boomed, and the Luo Shen Palace disciples were instantly sent flying, their blood churning and their minds thrown into chaos.

"Alright, you three can wake up now."

Chen Chang'an lifted the restraints, and Hua Wulei and her two attendants finally regained consciousness.

Seeing the situation before them, the three of them paled and quickly distanced themselves from Chen Chang'an.

"What did you do to us?" Hua Wulei asked, her expression dark.

"Saved your lives, that's all."

"You’ve already arrived at the Luo Shen Palace. No need to go to the Tu Family anymore."

The Luo Shen Palace?

Only then did Hua Wulei and the others realize they had indeed returned.

"Given the circumstances, I must report this to the Palace Master first."

"Chen Chang'an, I hope next time, you won’t act so recklessly."

Recklessly?

Chen Chang'an smiled and nodded. In his view, there wouldn’t be a next time—after all, he wasn’t planning to stick around with them forever.

"Vice Palace Master, are you alright?"

"This man has the gall to—"

The Luo Shen Palace disciples, having recovered, rushed over, but before they could finish, Hua Wulei raised a hand to silence them.

Hua Wulei could tell that Chen Chang'an had indeed clashed with them, yet they remained unharmed—clearly, he had held back.

Though Chen Chang'an’s cultivation was only at the first level of the Supreme Realm, his ability to subdue her suggested his strength was unfathomable.

"He already showed mercy. Otherwise, do you think you’d still be standing here talking to me?"

"I’m taking them to see the Palace Master. Return to your duties."

"Yes, Vice Palace Master."

After a brief command, Hua Wulei led Chen Chang'an and the others into the depths of the Luo Shen Palace.

Once inside, Xuan Wudao and Da Huang couldn’t stop looking around, their eyes darting left and right, occasionally exchanging glances as if silently debating who had spotted the prettiest disciple.

"Men?"

"A male dog?"

"Why has the Vice Palace Master brought men back?"

"Wait, wasn’t the Vice Palace Master’s mission to retrieve that… Xuan Wudao from the Wuji Sect?"

"Which one of those two is Xuan Wudao?"

"Probably the older one in the back—looks downright sleazy."

"Makes sense. The one in front is so handsome—he doesn’t seem like a bad person. Why’s he here too?"

"Appearances can be deceiving. Proper on the outside, rotten within."

"Hmph, filthy men. The Palace Master will surely punish them. Though it’s a shame—he really is good-looking."

The murmurs spread, and Xuan Wudao was the most aggrieved. Judging a book by its cover? Were all the Luo Shen Palace disciples this shallow?

"Superficial!"

"Utterly superficial!"

"Do I look sleazy?"

"Do I?"

"Where exactly am I sleazy?"

Xuan Wudao was on the verge of an existential crisis. One or two people saying it didn’t bother him, but when everyone agreed, he began to wonder—was he really that repulsive?

"Have you ever looked in a mirror?" Chen Chang'an glanced back at him, disdain evident in his voice.

"Of course! Handsome as ever."

"A real man, brimming with masculinity." Xuan Wudao declared confidently.

"When we first met, I might’ve agreed."

"But do you know what they say about the face reflecting the heart?"

"You’ve spent too much time in brothels. It’s written all over your face."

"You look like a walking red flag."

Written all over his face?

Was that really a thing?

"Like you’re any better. ‘Appearances can be deceiving,’ my foot. You’re just a wolf in sheep’s clothing." Xuan Wudao sneered.

"They just don’t understand my inner virtues, my kindness and beauty."

"I don’t blame them. Youth and inexperience." Chen Chang'an replied airily.

Kindness and beauty?

You shameless bastard!

Pah!

"Do you remember your status here?"

Hua Wulei’s sharp retort shattered Xuan Wudao’s remaining dignity.

Damn it, even if I’m guilty, can’t I at least talk?

Recalling the humiliations he’d endured along the way, the usually unyielding Xuan Wudao felt a pang of bitterness.

If Chen Chang'an hadn’t knocked Hua Wulei unconscious, who knew how much more suffering awaited him?

Hua Wulei said nothing further, leading them straight to the grand hall of the Luo Shen Palace.

Whether she had been expecting them or simply spent all her time there, Palace Master Luo Yiyi sat imposingly on her throne, clad in a blue gown, her demeanor icy and aloof.

Luo Yiyi exuded an aura of frigid elegance, like an unapproachable glacier.

Her presence alone seemed to drop the temperature in the hall, making Xuan Wudao even more nervous.

Good heavens, this is the Palace Master of the Luo Shen Palace?

"Palace Master, I’ve brought them back," Hua Wulei reported respectfully.

"Two?"

"And a dog?" Luo Yiyi frowned slightly, eyeing Hua Wulei in confusion.

After Hua Wulei summarized the events, she pointed at Xuan Wudao. "This is the one who mistook our branch for a brothel."

"And this is Chen Chang'an."

Chen Chang'an?

At the name, Luo Yiyi’s brow arched, a flicker of something passing through her eyes.

Though the change was fleeting, Chen Chang'an caught it.

What’s this about?

Does she know me?

Luo Yiyi studied Chen Chang'an. "So this lecher is your friend?"

"Indeed. He’s here to apologize."

"While Xuan Wudao was in the wrong, his crimes don’t warrant death."

"He has his vices, but he’s not evil."

"Could you spare him this once?"

After Chen Chang'an finished, he shot Xuan Wudao a look. Catching on, Xuan Wudao immediately launched into a groveling apology.

Luo Yiyi paid no attention to Xuan Wudao’s words, as if he didn’t even exist.

From start to finish, her gaze remained fixed on Chen Chang'an.

Da Huang and Xuan Wudao exchanged curious glances.

A secret?

Do these two… have history?

"Chen Chang'an, you may not know me, but I… know of you!"