Chapter 961: Chapter 961

Witnessing Li Lin being brutally beaten by Nalan Tianyu, the other young masters watched in fear and trepidation.

In truth, these young men did not fully understand who Nalan Tianyu was. They only knew that he was part of the Capital's Nalan Family. However, as to who exactly the Nalan Family consisted of and what their true status was, no one had a clear answer. Nevertheless, the Nalan Family's standing in the Capital was undeniably high. Even their family elders often reminded them not to provoke or get entangled with the Nalan Family under any circumstances.

Adding to that, Nalan Tianyu himself was highly skilled and well-known in the Capital for his fighting prowess. Thus, even these wealthy young masters were reluctant to cross paths with him.

However, Li Lin was an exception. He was an arrogant good-for-nothing, always strutting around with his family's power backing him, believing himself to be unmatched in the world. He had no respect for anyone and often provoked those he shouldn't. He had suffered multiple humiliating losses in the Capital, yet instead of learning his lesson, he stubbornly kept making the same mistakes. He was the kind of person who would ram his head into a wall until he broke through it. This time, not only did he try to provoke Huangfu Ziyu, but he even dared to challenge Nalan Tianyu. Wasn't he just asking for trouble?

Nalan Tianyu easily dealt with Li Lin. At first, Li Lin shouted about seeking revenge, but in the end, he was beaten so badly that he begged for mercy. Only then did Nalan Tianyu stop. Glancing at Li Lin's lackeys, he said coldly, "Take him away and get as far away as possible. If I see him again, I'll beat him again!"

Li Lin's lackeys, who had been standing on the sidelines watching but didn't dare step in to help, quickly ran over upon hearing this, supporting the battered Li Lin as they fled like stray dogs.

The other young masters, witnessing the scene, instinctively took a few steps back. They knew that with Nalan Tianyu here, there was no point in sticking around. First of all, they dared not compete with him. Secondly, Nalan Tianyu, with his dashing looks and reputation as the most handsome man in the Capital, was notorious for his womanizing ways. None of them could compare with him in the art of seduction. Staying here would only make them feel humiliated.

But Nalan Tianyu paid no attention to these people. His focus had long been entirely on Huangfu Ziyu. Tidying his clothes and donning his signature smile, he approached Huangfu Ziyu and smiled, "Miss Huangfu, hello, it's an honor to meet you!"

Nalan Tianyu's looks, combined with his charming smile, were irresistible to most women. Unfortunately for him, he was dealing with none other than Huangfu Ziyu. To her, men like Nalan Tianyu were exactly the kind she detested the most, primarily because her previous senior martial brother had a personality very similar to Nalan Tianyu's. Such men ignited a natural aversion in Huangfu Ziyu.

"Do I know you?" Huangfu Ziyu shot a cold glance at Nalan Tianyu and said, "There's no need for you to feel honored—I'm not interested in getting to know you."

These words left Nalan Tianyu momentarily stunned. For someone who had roamed so freely among women all these years, he had never encountered such a reaction. Any girl who saw his smile was usually smitten without fail. But Huangfu Ziyu was a complete exception—her reaction was not just indifferent, but also carried a hint of hostility. This startled Nalan Tianyu but also intrigued him, sparking a sense of excitement from being challenged.

After all, he had won over countless women with ease. Now, finally encountering someone as stunning as Huangfu Ziyu who also presented a challenge, how could he not feel thrilled?

"Miss Huangfu, it doesn't matter if we're not acquainted. We're all people of the Jianghu. A simple self-introduction can fix that," Nalan Tianyu said with a light laugh, extending his hand. "Hello, my name is Nalan Tianyu!"

Huangfu Ziyu coldly glanced at him, completely ignoring the outstretched hand, let alone intending to shake it.

This left Nalan Tianyu slightly embarrassed, but he remained patient. Smiling faintly, he clasped his hands behind his back and said softly, "I've heard Miss Huangfu's Wing Chun is taught by the Southern Fist King Shen Tianjun. I, though unworthy, have also learned a bit of Wing Chun. I wonder if I could have the honor of exchanging some pointers with Miss Huangfu?"

Nalan Tianyu knew Huangfu Ziyu was highly skilled in martial arts, so he decided to approach her through this angle. Confident in his own martial abilities, he believed that if he could conquer such a strong-willed woman on the battlefield of Wugong Mountain, it would be a simple matter to win her affections.

Huangfu Ziyu had already been profoundly annoyed by Nalan Tianyu's persistence. When she heard his offer, she immediately replied, "Fine! Today, I'll teach you a lesson!"

Hearing this, Nalan Tianyu couldn't help but smile slightly, feeling as if Huangfu Ziyu had walked straight into his trap.

Seeing Huangfu Ziyu agree, Ye Qing quickly stepped forward and gently grabbed her arm, whispering, "Ziyu, you can't cultivate right now."

This intimate address caused Nalan Tianyu's expression to subtly change. He was unsure of Ye Qing's relationship with Huangfu Ziyu, but from the moment he set eyes on her, he had already claimed Huangfu Ziyu as his in his heart. Now, hearing another man address her so closely, his heart burned with jealousy, and his gaze toward Ye Qing turned hostile.

"Ah, I forgot," Huangfu Ziyu suddenly remembered, waving her hand dismissively. "Never mind, let's not fight today."

"Miss Huangfu," Nalan Tianyu said with a faint smile, "since you already agreed to fight, isn't it improper to back out now? Or could it be that Miss Huangfu fears losing to me, tarnishing the great Shen Tianjun's reputation? Rest assured, whatever the outcome of today's bout, I promise not to speak of it to anyone, nor will I let it affect Shen Tianjun's name."

These words infuriated both Ye Qing and Huangfu Ziyu. Huangfu Ziyu glared at Nalan Tianyu angrily and said coldly, "Nalan Tianyu, don't be so arrogant! With your meager skills, how dare you look down on my master? Such overconfidence is laughable!"

"Miss Huangfu, whether or not it's overconfidence, wouldn't we find out after a fight?" Nalan Tianyu continued smiling. "Miss Huangfu, you're not afraid, are you?"

Huangfu Ziyu frowned. Nalan Tianyu was being deliberately provocative, trying to force her into a fight. If it weren't for the Twin Life Gu in her body hindering her, she would have already made her move. But with the Gu inside her, she couldn't cultivate, let alone battle.

At that moment, Ye Qing suddenly said, "If you really want to see Wing Chun, I can spar with you."

Nalan Tianyu glanced at Ye Qing and then back at Huangfu Ziyu, smirking. "Miss Huangfu, is this your servant? Have the rules of the Huangfu Household devolved to the point where the servant can speak before the master gives permission?"

Nalan Tianyu's scorn for Ye Qing was evident in his tone, showing no respect for him whatsoever.

"He's not my servant!" Huangfu Ziyu suddenly smiled charmingly, taking Ye Qing's arm and saying softly, "He's my man!"

Both Ye Qing and Nalan Tianyu were stunned by this declaration. The former was shocked that Huangfu Ziyu would say such a thing, while the latter was furious beyond measure. He had already claimed Huangfu Ziyu as his own, but now she was openly declaring that Ye Qing was her man. How could Nalan Tianyu not be enraged?

Turning to Ye Qing, Nalan Tianyu's contempt turned to outright fury as he stared at him and said coldly, "He's your man? Hmph, Miss Huangfu, your standards for choosing a companion seem pitifully low. What qualifications does this guy have to be your man?"

"Nalan Tianyu, I know you're Prince Nalan's grandson," Huangfu Ziyu said coldly, "but don't get deluded into thinking Prince Nalan can shield you from the world." She added disdainfully, "Ye Qing is the closed-door disciple of Northern Fist King Li Changqing and has also been taught by my master, Southern Fist King Shen Tianjun. By all counts, his status far surpasses yours!"

Nalan Tianyu's face changed dramatically upon hearing this. He hadn't expected this unassuming young man standing beside Huangfu Ziyu to possess such a lineage. To have studied under both Northern Fist King Li Changqing and Southern Fist King Shen Tianjun, two martial artists as renowned as his own grandfather, Prince Nalan—Ye Qing's status was indeed illustrious.

"Huangfu Ziyu, don't lie to me!" Nalan Tianyu gritted his teeth. "The Northern and Southern Fist Kings are mortal enemies. How could they both pass their martial arts to the same person? Besides, the Northern Fist King Li Changqing has been missing for twenty years. This boy looks barely old enough to have learned from him. Hmph, trying to boost his reputation—you should at least come up with a more believable story!"

"Nalan Tianyu," Huangfu Ziyu sighed mockingly, "I've long heard that the eldest grandson of the Nalan Family is a fool. Now that I've met you in person, it seems the rumors are true. Who told you that the Northern and Southern Fist Kings are sworn enemies? Do you really think their duel two decades ago permanently soured their relationship? Such a petty perspective! Honestly, I can't understand how a hero like Prince Nalan could have a useless grandson like you."

Nalan Tianyu's fury erupted as he roared, "Huangfu Ziyu, how dare you insult me!"

"That's not an insult, just the truth," Huangfu Ziyu said with a sly smile. "Though I'll admit, sometimes the truth can sting."

Huangfu Ziyu had no intention of sparing Nalan Tianyu at this point. She was utterly incensed by his condescension toward Ye Qing and made no effort to hold back her contempt.

Nalan Tianyu's rage was palpable, his hair practically standing on end. Pointing directly at Ye Qing, he bellowed, "Fine! If you're really the disciple of both Kings of the Fist, then let's test that here and now. I want to see just how skilled you are!"