Chapter 0007 Just a Move of the Finger

"Getting a bit rusty, aren't we?" Zhang Xiao's words rang clear in everyone's ears. Jiang Yan and Jiang Kongqing, seeing Zhang Xiao unharmed, finally let go of their worry. It seemed Zhang Xiao was even more formidable than they'd imagined; after taking such a heavy blow from Chen Wei, he was still joking as if nothing had happened.

But judging by the circumstances, was Zhang Xiao simply putting on a brave face? After all, he hadn't even tried to dodge Chen Wei's punch.

On the other side, Zheng Shaowen and Master Zhang wore grave expressions. They had originally thought Zhang Xiao would be instantly defeated by Chen Wei's fist, yet aside from some dust on his clothes, the man seemed untouched.

Even Chen Wei now showed a rare look of seriousness. That punch just now had been his full strength—he had held nothing back. Since he'd accepted Zheng Shaowen's payment, he was committed to carrying out Zheng's wishes. The order was to kill Zhang Xiao, and so he hadn't pulled any punches.

Yet now, this man stood completely unscathed, even joking at his expense.

Even if they were both fourth-tier martial artists, anyone else would have been seriously injured, if not killed, by such an attack. Was this man merely bluffing, feigning strength?

But so what if you can still stand? Since I've been paid to take your life, I won't show any mercy!

With this thought, Chen Wei moved again. His feet slammed down, and the marble floor cracked under the force, shards flying outward from the energy he unleashed.

This time, Chen Wei was even faster than before!

What astonishing strength!

Everyone present—except for Zhang Xiao—felt the same shock. Even Zheng Shaowen pondered whether he should officially bring Chen Wei into his fold. With such a powerful bodyguard at his side, what would there be to fear in Tianhe City?

Watching Chen Wei's display, they were convinced: even if Zhang Xiao had survived the first punch, he wouldn't get another chance. Chen Wei would not give him any opening.

Zhang Xiao was doomed!

Bang!

Another dull thud resounded. It seemed Chen Wei had struck Zhang Xiao again, and a fierce wave of energy exploded outward, dust and debris radiating from the two men at the center.

Jiang Yan and the others had to shield their eyes with their arms to keep out the dust.

Moments later, as the dust settled, everyone wore a look of shock and confusion.

Zhang Xiao was still standing in his original spot, while Chen Wei had stopped in front of him, his extended right fist gripped tightly in Zhang Xiao's palm.

Veins bulged on Chen Wei's forehead as he stared in disbelief. His full-force punch had been caught effortlessly, and now his right hand felt trapped as if caught in an iron vise; he couldn't budge it at all.

Zheng Shaowen and Master Zhang stared wide-eyed—Chen Wei's attack had been blocked!?

Jiang Kongqing and Jiang Yan were equally incredulous. They knew little of martial arts, but judging by Chen Wei's displays of strength, they could scarcely believe Zhang Xiao had blocked him so easily.

Butler Zhao was even more shaken. As a martial artist himself, he understood what that punch represented. And yet Zhang Xiao had stopped it—seemingly without effort.

Zhang Xiao tilted his head toward the stunned Chen Wei, grinned, and said, "Did you really think I was only fourth-tier?"

At those words, everyone present felt as if struck by lightning.

Did this mean Zhang Xiao's strength surpassed the fourth tier!?

"How could that be?" Almost simultaneously, Chen Wei, Butler Zhao, and Master Zhang cried out in disbelief.

They knew all too well how difficult it was to reach the fourth tier of martial arts. Zhang Xiao was so young—could he already be above that?

The fifth tier!?

Though shocked, Chen Wei's years of battlefield experience quickly steadied him. His voice was low: "Stop trying to scare me! So you blocked one punch—pure luck, nothing more!"

Zhang Xiao chuckled, unconcerned. "Oh? Is that so? Then let me show you whether I'm bluffing."

With that, Zhang Xiao quietly raised his left hand and flicked his finger toward Chen Wei's forehead.

Swoosh!

A sharp crack split the air. Chen Wei's eyes widened in rage as his head snapped back and he flew backward at a speed several times faster than when he'd hit Zhang Xiao before. So fast, in fact, that no one else saw the motion clearly—he crashed directly into the wall.

Throughout, Zhang Xiao's finger had never touched Chen Wei; it was merely a flick, sending him flying through the air.

At that moment, Master Zhang and Butler Zhao were too stunned to speak. How could such a terrifying prodigy exist in someone so young?

Jiang Kongqing, Jiang Yan, and Zheng Shaowen—all ordinary people—gaped in shock, Zheng Shaowen's mind going completely blank.

Seeing the damaged wall, Zhang Xiao exclaimed, then laughed. "I really am out of practice—couldn't control my strength and broke such a nice wall."

Gulp.

Butler Zhao's swallow sounded loud in the silence that followed.

Couldn't control his strength!?

Was this guy even human?

Next, Zhang Xiao turned to Master Zhang, squinting with a smile. "Well, Master Zhang, your hired thug seems to have passed out. Since you said you wanted to settle things with me, I suppose you'll have to handle it yourself now."

At those words, Master Zhang nearly collapsed.

Me? Handle it myself? Are you kidding me!?

A fourth-tier martial artist like Chen Wei was sent flying by a finger—if I go up, will you flick me all the way out of Tianhe City?

Master Zhang stood there awkwardly, speechless. He'd already decided: today, even if he lost all dignity, he wouldn't be foolish enough to step forward.

At his side, Zheng Shaowen was filled with terror. Who could have imagined Zhang Xiao was this powerful? This was simply inhuman!

Seeing Master Zhang remain silent, Zhang Xiao's smile faded. His voice turned cold: "What? Afraid? If so, why are you still standing there in the way? Get lost!"

At that, Master Zhang shuddered, no longer caring about his reputation. He even abandoned Zheng Shaowen, spinning around and fleeing in haste, afraid Zhang Xiao would send him flying with a finger as well.

When Zheng Shaowen saw Master Zhang running off, he knew he'd lost this round. He'd intended to humiliate Zhang Xiao and give the Jiang family a show of force, but instead, he'd managed only to shoot himself in the foot. Not bothering with any polite farewells, he stormed off in a huff.

Yet Master Zhang hadn't reached the door when Zhang Xiao called out behind him, "Wait, Master Zhang."

At the sound, Master Zhang nearly lost his soul, freezing on the spot as if gripped by an invisible hand.

The next moment, he heard a rush of wind behind him and Zhang Xiao's voice: "Take this fellow with you."

Thud.

Turning, Master Zhang saw the unconscious Chen Wei flying toward him. He had no time to react before Chen Wei crashed into him, knocking him to the ground.

With great effort, Master Zhang managed to push Chen Wei's heavy body off. Remembering Zhang Xiao's command, he dared not disobey. Gritting his teeth, he hauled the man—who weighed nearly twice as much as himself—out of the house as quickly as possible.

Once Zheng Shaowen and the others had left, Zhang Xiao approached Jiang Yan and apologized. "Sorry for breaking two of your walls—I'll make sure to pay you back."

Jiang Yan, of course, didn't care about such a trivial expense and was about to say so when Zhang Xiao added, "But I don't have any money right now, so I'll owe you for the time being."

Jiang Yan couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his mouth. Was this the so-called refined demeanor of a master?

Back in the living room, Zhang Xiao sat down at the table as if nothing had happened and continued his meal. In contrast, Jiang Yan, Jiang Kongqing, and Butler Zhao were still reeling from the shock of what they'd just witnessed. Zhang Xiao's display—sending a man flying with a flick of his finger—was simply too extraordinary.

Finally, Butler Zhao couldn't contain himself. As a martial artist, he spoke up, "Mr. Zhang, I have a question, if you don't mind."

His address for Zhang Xiao had grown much more respectful.

Zhang Xiao smiled, his chopsticks never pausing. "You want to ask about my martial arts level?"

Before Butler Zhao could nod, Zhang Xiao replied, "As you saw, fifth tier for now."

Butler Zhao had guessed as much, but hearing Zhang Xiao confirm it left him deeply shaken. After all, Zhang Xiao was only twenty years old—a twenty-year-old fifth-tier martial artist, just one step away from the highest sixth tier. More than that, Butler Zhao had never actually encountered a martial artist above the fourth tier; such people were the stuff of legend.

Hearing Zhang Xiao admit his level, Jiang Yan and Jiang Kongqing were each lost in thought.

Jiang Kongqing found herself even more intrigued by Zhang Xiao. Someone so formidable could have easily stolen the Goddess's Tear unnoticed or simply taken it by force, yet he remained enigmatic and unpredictable.

Could it be… this man was only causing a stir over the Goddess's Tear as an excuse, and was actually here because he was attracted to her beauty?

At the thought, Jiang Kongqing blushed.

While her mind wandered, Jiang Yan was considering how to win Zhang Xiao over. He didn't dare hope to truly enlist such a figure, but at the very least, he wanted to befriend him. If the Jiang family ever faced hardship, having such a master around would surely make a difference.

But Zhang Xiao had said he came to Tianhe for the Goddess's Tear, and that was his wife's only keepsake for their daughter—he himself couldn't bear to let it go, regardless of Jiang Kongqing's wishes.

And so, the meal ended with each person lost in their own thoughts.