Are You the Protagonist, or Am I

Second Master Xing's mentality had completely collapsed.

If heaven gave him another chance to start over, he would definitely replace this old bastard guard who dared to betray his master!

Watching Yin Zheng, shrouded in crimson flames, stride towards him, An Yi's eyes gradually took on a strange look. He quickly said, "Hey, hey, what are you doing! I'll kill him, I'll really kill him, I swear I'll really kill him, I—"

At that moment, Yin Zheng had already arrived before An Yi and swung his blade down.

How boring!

An Yi seemed not to have expected that his infallible tactic of taking a hostage would actually fail.

So, he casually kicked Second Master Xing down and raised his sword to meet Yin Zheng.

Kill him?

No, no. According to Shangguan Qianqian, this pig-headed fool still had great use.

Yin Zheng's single blade swept horizontally, his momentum like a rainbow.

An Yi no longer wished to prolong the fight. Flames swirled around his feet as he used his Flame Step, leaping to the rooftop.

"Let's see where you can run now!"

Yin Zheng revealed a cold smile and charged after him.

"Save me!"

Second Master Xing wailed miserably as he fell from the second floor.

Cheng Yuanfeng narrowed his eyes, seized the precise moment, and unleashed a blast of astral energy!

A sharp, azure astral wind shot straight towards Second Master Xing's neck.

However, a golden light flickered over Second Master Xing's body, actually neutralizing Cheng Yuanfeng's attack.

Noticing this, Cheng Yuanfeng's expression changed.

At this moment, Second Master Xing's gaze was no longer lecherous but instead radiated a sharp, fierce energy!

Though still utterly ridiculous paired with his balding hairstyle, he now exuded an aura of considerable power.

Cheng Yuanfeng's face darkened.

This Xing Yunhai was not simple. All these years, he had been disguising his true self!

"You forced me to do this!"

Xing Yunhai wiped the snot from his face that had come from crying, shed his foolish demeanor, and his eyes turned icy cold.

The two men's gazes locked in confrontation!

Cheng Yuanfeng sent a slash of astral energy from his hand.

Xing Yunhai raised his hand, a brilliant golden light erupting. With just one hand, he actually blocked Cheng Yuanfeng's azure astral wind.

"The Astral Qi Sect is nothing more than this," Xing Yunhai said leisurely.

With a wave of his hand, the golden light intensified!

Several beams of golden radiance, as solid as spears, shot forth.

Cheng Yuanfeng hastily erected a wall of qi in defense.

Rip!

Before the golden light, the qi wall was as fragile as paper, instantly pierced.

Pfft!

Cheng Yuanfeng retreated two steps, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Xing Yunhai strode forward, his palm shimmering with golden light.

Wiping the blood from his mouth, Cheng Yuanfeng sneered, "The Heavenly Palace's secret technique, Golden Soul Art! Impressive!"

"Now that you know my secret, you won't escape today!"

Xing Yunhai advanced, golden spiritual energy slowly coalescing into a terrifying great blade!

However, at that very moment, a heavy thud sounded, and Xing Yunhai was forced back two steps.

Thump!

Yin Zheng's body crashed down heavily from above, his heavy armor piercing straight through the floorboards.

His crescent-moon blade was also sent flying, skewing into the wooden floor at an angle.

Everyone stared blankly at Yin Zheng lying on the ground, his spirit utterly depleted.

Had Yin Zheng, one of the Heavenly Palace's Four Great Protectors, been defeated just like that?

Looking up, the masked kid from before had long since vanished.

"Retreat!"

Seizing the opportunity, Cheng Yuanfeng acted decisively. With one hand, he summoned a whirlwind to obscure everyone's vision and swiftly made his escape.

On the rooftop of the brothel.

An Yi, holding his demon sword, was breathing slightly heavily as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"That old geezer did have some skill!"

It had taken a long, drawn-out fight to barely defeat him.

Looking down at the growing number of armored soldiers now completely surrounding the brothel,

An Yi hesitated.

It seemed... his subordinates were still inside the brothel.

Thinking this, An Yi felt like slapping himself.

What nonsense was he thinking!

As the Boss, he had to have faith in his subordinates!

They would definitely be able to fight their way out relying on their own strength!

Thinking this, An Yi's feet became wreathed in flames. He stepped onto the air and swiftly left the brothel behind.

"Boss, what should we do next?"

Ning Er followed behind Lin Chen, grinning cheekily as he asked.

Lin Chen stopped walking and looked at him coldly. "You've mistaken me for someone else."

"Boss, you don't know this, but I never forget a face. I'm best at recognizing people. Although you've changed your appearance, I won't mistake you," Ning Er said proudly.

Lin Chen tightened his grip on the Cloud-Splitting Staff.

This annoyingly familiar idiot! He had been pestering him for two days. He couldn't take it anymore!

Thud!

At that moment, a faint sound was heard.

Then, a clattering troop of armored guards rushed past on the street.

"Something's happening?"

Ning Er flicked his imaginary bangs, revealing a smile, and drew his long blade.

Immediately, Lin Chen's expression turned icy. He grabbed Ning Er by the collar and dragged him into a narrow alley.

Those were the Heavenly Palace's armored guards. Was this idiot kicked in the head by a donkey?

Waiting for the armored guards to leave, Lin Chen looked towards the alley entrance.

The person those armored guards were looking for was probably right here.

But, this had nothing to do with him. Less trouble was better than more.

Best not to meddle in matters that weren't his concern!

"Boss, who is this uncle?"

By then, Ning Er had already dragged the unconscious person out from the corner of the alley.

Lin Chen: "..."

By the sparse light from outside, Lin Chen could see the unconscious man's face clearly. He was instantly shocked.

"Master!"

Early the next morning.

The Heavenly Palace Lord's marriage contest continued as before.

In the inn.

Seeing An Yi come out of his room, Han Liang couldn't help but express his admiration, "As expected of the Boss, truly awesome! The Heavenly Palace Protectors and such are all weaklings, not even fit to polish your shoes! I knew they were no match for you!"

Looking at Han Liang, completely unscathed, An Yi also offered slight praise, "You all performed quite well too. I knew I could believe in you."

"Not at all, we didn't really do anyth—"

Arriving at the training grounds, An Yi once again transformed into the minotaur form.

No particular reason, just wanted to annoy the Heavenly Palace Lord a bit!

Now, only seventy martial artists remained. The entire arena felt much emptier.

Over thirty arena matches proceeded simultaneously.

An Yi walked with heavy steps onto his assigned arena in the training grounds.

His opponent was a short guy.

Truly inconspicuous!

But his eyes were bright and shining with intensity.

"I, Wang Lu, will definitely defeat you and become the one to marry the Palace Lord!"

The short guy looked up at An Yi and said solemnly.

An Yi glanced at this Wang Lu and strode over. "Little guy, you're dreaming!"

"You have no idea how much effort I've put in. For today, I've staked my life on this duel with you. Come on!"

Wang Lu's body trembled as he stared at An Yi with gritted teeth, a look of grim determination in his eyes. From excitement, it seemed like flames were blazing in his gaze.

An Yi was slightly taken aback.

This speech...

"Living in this world has no inherent meaning. It's ideals, it's dreams, that give me the courage to live on!"

"A person should strive for their ideals! I trained my skills bitterly for this very day! If I can't live as the self I want to be, what difference is there from death!"

Getting more and more worked up, Wang Lu's whole body shook. He looked at An Yi and shouted, spreading his arms, revealing an unyielding expression. "If you want to win this match, you'll have to step over my corpse—"

Thump!

A huge foot stomped heavily on Wang Lu's face.

Two lines of nosebleed flowed from Wang Lu's nose as his body went limp and collapsed. His eyes rolled back, and he fell unconscious directly!

"Are you the protagonist or am I?"

An Yi said disdainfully, digging his nostril with a finger as thick as a carrot.

Such boring monologuing...

"Just fight already, damn it!"