Chapter Seventy-Eight: Captain Yuan

As the master of the Liu family murmured those words, Su Yi and the others were momentarily taken aback. Battle energy projection? That was a skill only a profound-level practitioner could display. Even those at the first tier, the so-called Douluo, could be considered top experts in the city of Changling. Could it be that a Douluo had intervened from the shadows just now? But who could it have been?

While everyone was still puzzled, a voice accompanied by measured footsteps slowly approached. “Master Liu, I will take your third strike.”

Hearing this, the Liu Patriarch turned toward the voice. A middle-aged man in a gray robe was walking toward them, unremarkable in appearance except for a purple Manluo flower embroidered over his heart. At this sight, the Liu Patriarch’s expression changed, and he blurted out, “Captain Yuan?!”

“That’s right.”

The Liu Patriarch’s face shifted through several emotions. Even he knew that many hidden powers lurked within the auction house, and Yuan was well-known for his frequent appearances. Though only called ‘Captain,’ his strength had already reached that of a third-rank Douluo!

A third-rank Douluo—what did that mean? In all of Changling City, only the Lie family, the Auburn family, the City Lord’s mansion, and the Yousiman Auction House had experts of this level! Even the up-and-coming Qina family, seemingly on the verge of joining the city’s top five factions, could be destroyed by a single Douluo.

The man before him, a third-rank Douluo, could easily wipe out the Liu family.

A cold sweat broke out on the Liu Patriarch’s back. With Yuan stepping forth, it was obvious he intended to protect Su Yi. Forcing a smile, the Liu Patriarch lowered his voice with a hint of respect: “Captain Yuan, I truly didn’t mean to make things difficult for Su Yi. I only sought some measure of justice for my son, whom Su Yi injured...”

In this world, power was supreme. Though he was head of his clan, his strength was nowhere near Yuan’s, and so, however unwilling, he had to be exceedingly polite.

Captain Yuan shook his head. “Su Yi was wrong to injure Liu Xuan without a formal challenge, but even so, is it appropriate to use Dou Practitioners to intimidate him?”

“Uh...” the Liu Patriarch coughed awkwardly. “So... about my son’s matter, should we just let it go?”

“The Martial Trials begin tomorrow,” Yuan said mildly. “Su Yi will be competing. If you have any grievances, settle them then.”

“Oh?” The Liu Patriarch glanced at Su Yi. Had this been suggested earlier, he would have harbored doubts. But after witnessing Su Yi’s bizarre strength, enough to withstand a Dou Practitioner’s attack, he was half-convinced.

“Since Captain Yuan says so, let’s leave it at that for today.” Shooting Su Yi a venomous glare, the Liu Patriarch let out a cold snort, turned, and helped the still-unsteady Qin San to his side. “Let’s go.”

“Yes, sir!”

Qin San, still shaken and wracked with pain from the earlier blow, had lost all his former arrogance. A Douluo’s power was indeed fearsome—just a casual strike had left him in agony. He cast a fearful glance at Captain Yuan and hurried after the Liu Patriarch, his steps trembling.

Once they had departed, Captain Yuan turned to Su Yi, a trace of surprise flickering in his eyes, and smiled faintly. “Are you all right?”

“It’s nothing serious.” Su Yi, having overcome his initial surprise, shook his head and asked, “Captain, why are you here?”

“Miss Meiya asked me to check on you.” Captain Yuan gave Su Yi a meaningful look. “But your display of strength was beyond my expectations. I suppose that, below the level of Dou Practitioner, you have no rivals left?”

“Um... perhaps, but I’m still far from your level, Captain.” Su Yi meant every word. During Yuan’s exchange with the Liu Patriarch, there had been no hint of deference in Yuan’s tone—only coldness—yet the Liu Patriarch had no choice but to be exceedingly polite.

This was the awe inspired by true power, and Su Yi couldn’t help but feel a surge of envy as he spoke.

Yuan chuckled. “To reach such heights at your age, no one could doubt your talent. Perhaps one day you might join our ranks.”

Join their ranks? Su Yi was stunned at first, then quickly realized what Yuan meant. Over the years at the auction house, he had learned some of its secrets. Beyond the visible guard force, there was an even stronger inner guard team—and every member had to be at least a Dou Practitioner. The strength of the inner guards was thus immense.

Captain Yuan was often seen in the auction house, and since Su Yi had once been a captain himself, they were somewhat acquainted. When Su Yi became a tenth-level Fighter, he’d planned to attempt joining the inner guards after advancing to Dou Practitioner. But unexpected events derailed those plans.

Now, with his intention to leave Changling City after the Martial Trials, joining the inner guards seemed out of reach.

Glancing at the sky, Captain Yuan turned and slowly walked away. As his figure faded from view, his voice drifted back: “It seems nothing more will happen today. If there’s nothing else, return to the auction house early.”

Su Yi nodded silently, unsure what he was feeling. Though his strength had grown, he still lacked the power to protect himself in Changling City. Returning to the auction house meant, in a sense, hiding under another’s protection.

If he could, he too wished to become a true powerhouse and look down on all beneath him. After all, hadn’t his hard work in cultivating battle energy been for the sake of one day tasting the freedom of flight?

For Su Yi, who had crossed into this world, the allure of soaring freely through the sky was irresistible. Yet now, with not a trace of battle energy within him, all he could do was continue to strengthen his body. But if his physical power reached a certain level, could he fly as well?

He wasn’t sure. The art of physical cultivation had been lost for so long that almost no reliable information remained. People had long since forgotten about specialized body cultivation; now, everyone practiced energy arts, and that was the mainstream.

Shaking his head to dispel such thoughts, Su Yi turned to Lie Feifei before speaking to Kenmu: “Kenmu, I have something to discuss with Miss Lie. Could you go back first?”

Kenmu’s face changed, a trace of fear in his eyes as he looked at Su Yi. He had been sure Su Yi would die, only to have a powerful auction house expert appear at the crucial moment. Though resentment simmered in his heart, he dared neither speak nor act upon it. Not to mention Captain Yuan—even Su Yi himself might now be beyond his ability to handle.

Though unwilling, facts were facts. After a long pause, Kenmu replied, “Captain Lietie ordered me not to leave the young lady’s side. If I return alone, I’ll have nothing to say to him...”

The arrogance Kenmu had shown earlier was gone, thoroughly cowed by Su Yi’s display.

“Oh, Lietie?” Su Yi’s eyes flashed coldly as he smiled at Kenmu. “Don’t worry, I’ll solve that problem for you.”

Kenmu hadn’t yet understood what Su Yi meant when, suddenly, Su Yi’s hand clamped onto his left shoulder. Alarmed, Kenmu shouted, “Su Yi, what are you doing?”

As he called out, his battle energy surged reflexively to his shoulder, trying to shake Su Yi’s grip off. But Su Yi squeezed hard, and a force far beyond Kenmu’s expectations shattered his energy and struck his bones directly.

There was a crisp crack, followed by Kenmu’s cry of pain.

“You—!”

Kenmu’s face twisted in agony, sweat pouring down his cheeks as his body trembled. He glared at Su Yi, fury in his eyes, but could not utter a word.

Lie Feifei was startled and instinctively wanted to confront Su Yi, but then remembered the oath she had sworn. After a long moment, she asked softly, “Su Yi... why did you do that?”

Su Yi looked at Kenmu and said coolly, “Now that you’re injured and can’t protect Miss Lie, you have a reason to go back. Just tell Lietie that I’m here and everything will be fine.”

“Very well... I’ll report everything truthfully!” Kenmu gritted his teeth and left without a backward glance. He knew now that Su Yi was stronger than he, so he dared not seek revenge. But while he was no match for Su Yi, others might be! Wait and see, Su Yi—don’t think surviving Qin San’s attack means you’re safe. If Captain Lietie gets involved, you won’t be so lucky!

“Good, now that the nuisance is gone, let’s go.” Su Yi picked up his bundle and headed off.

Feifei nodded and followed without another word. To her, Kenmu was only a servant of the Lie family, and not even a blood relative. She actually disliked having him trailing after her.

“By the way, Su Yi, where are we going?”

“...Somewhere... where no one else is.”

...

As the others departed, Old Zhang in the market still wore a look of astonishment. He muttered to himself, “What a day... Captain Yuan showed up, and Su Yi’s strength... I’d better report this to the clan leader...”