Chapter 84: The Wisdom of the Five Star Dou Wang He Qian
"Hiss!"
The crowd gasped in unison, retreating with pale faces and trembling bodies. No one could have imagined that a seemingly casual slap would send someone flying, their eyes rolling back into their head. What terrifying strength was needed to achieve that?
The onlookers hesitated to make a move, and Xiao Tiance sat back down calmly, looking utterly indifferent. For him, it was nothing more than teaching a lesson to an impulsive fool.
"If you're too scared to fight, then scram. Don't embarrass yourselves here," he said nonchalantly, before glancing at the unconscious youth on the floor. "Oh, and take that trash with you. Someone might get frightened seeing it."
His tone was casual, but his words carried a weight that made everyone shudder.
He Kun, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly stood up, his face dark. He glared at Xiao Tiance and said coldly, "Your actions were far too harsh!"
Xiao Tiance glanced up lazily and muttered, "Too noisy."
With that, an overwhelming surge of soul power burst from his body, silencing everyone in the tavern. The oppressive force rolled over them like a tide, and within moments, they all collapsed to the ground like bundles of straw.
Whether it was He Kun, the alchemy apprentices, or the other patrons, everyone was rendered unconscious.
"Sir, this..."
Xiao Huai'en froze mid bite, staring at the scene with his jaw hanging open. The once lively tavern was now eerily silent.
"Nothing to worry about. Keep eating," Xiao Tiance said casually, pouring himself another glass of wine. His tone was calm, as if nothing unusual had happened.
To him, sparing these people was already an act of mercy. In a world where the strong ruled, the weak had no right to provoke the powerful. The fact that he had only used a soul technique to render them unconscious instead of killing them outright was his version of showing restraint.
A few minutes later, Xiao Huai'en finished his meal, wiped his mouth, and stood up respectfully. "Sir, I'm done."
Xiao Tiance nodded, placed a few gold coins on the table, and stood. Together, they left the tavern without another glance.
About ten minutes after they departed, a tall, burly man entered the tavern, flanked by a group of armored guards. His aura was strong and commanding, immediately marking him as someone of importance.
This was He Qian, the patriarch of the He Clan and a five star Dou Wang. His guards were members of the He Clan's private army, well known throughout Black Rock City.
"Hiss!"
He Qian inhaled sharply as he took in the scene. His keen senses told him that everyone in the tavern had been knocked unconscious by a surge of soul power.
Approaching He Kun, who lay on the floor, He Qian slapped him awake with a resounding smack.
"Wake up!"
He Kun groaned, clutching his head as he slowly regained consciousness. A sharp pain throbbed in his soul, leaving him disoriented.
"B Big Brother, why are you here?" he stammered weakly.
He Qian's gaze was sharp, and his voice carried a chill. "If I hadn't come, were you planning to continue embarrassing the He Clan like this? How many times have I told you to keep a low profile? Just because you're a third tier alchemist and a member of the He Clan doesn't mean you can act recklessly.
"You should know, the Jia Ma Empire is full of powerful individuals. Our He Clan may be influential here in Black Rock City, but compared to the truly strong, we're nothing more than slightly larger ants. Do you understand that?"
He Kun felt a lump in his throat and nodded weakly.
"I see you've finally learned your lesson," He Qian said, his tone softening slightly.
But He Kun's eyes flashed with anger as he clenched his fists. "Big Brother, I understand your point, but you must help me get revenge! That man humiliated me humiliated the He Clan! If we let this go, how will we face others in the future?"
"Smack!"
Before he could say another word, He Qian struck him again, sending him crashing into the wall.
He Qian loomed over his fallen brother, his voice cold as ice. "Do you think the He Clan has the strength to provoke someone like that?"
"But... he's just a young man, probably in his twenties or thirties. Even if he's stronger than me, could he possibly be stronger than you?" He Kun said through gritted teeth, clutching his face.
"Fool!" He Qian snapped. "Can't you sense it? Everyone in this tavern was knocked out simultaneously by a burst of soul power. Do you know what that means?
"That level of soul strength belongs to someone of at least a sixth tier alchemist or a Dou Huang. And our He Clan's strongest fighter is me, a mere five star Dou Wang! Tell me, how exactly do you plan to avenge yourself?"
He Kun froze, his anger evaporating as He Qian's words sank in.
He Qian sighed and continued, "You should count yourself lucky that the other party isn't bloodthirsty. Otherwise, every single person in this tavern would be dead by now."
Realizing the truth, He Kun's shoulders slumped. "I was wrong, Big Brother."
He Qian gave him a long look before saying, "From now on, you're under house arrest for three months. Reflect on your actions. And pray that the man you provoked doesn't decide to hold a grudge."
He turned to his guards. "Take everyone here home. Now."
"Yes, Patriarch!"
As the guards began carrying the unconscious patrons out of the tavern, He Qian's gaze fell on the gold coins Xiao Tiance had left behind. His tense expression eased slightly.
"At least he paid for the meal," He Qian murmured to himself. "Such an act suggests he's not one to harbor grudges over trivial matters. Perhaps we're safe... for now."
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