Chapter 4: The Unbeatable Game
Old Qin’s hesitation made Huang Fei anxious. Her once lofty confidence quietly began to shift because of the strength Tang Xuan displayed, even stirring a faint, inexplicable fear within her.
“Unless what? Just say it!” she demanded.
“Unless he’s an innate demigod,” Qin replied, “but that’s extremely unlikely—merely legend, never truly seen.”
Huang Fei’s voice dropped: “What exactly is an innate demigod?”
“Someone born at the Tianqian realm.”
“Impossible,” Huang Fei dismissed firmly. There was no way someone like a Shunzi could be born at Tianqian. The only remaining explanation was that Tang Xuan had encountered a Tianqian expert who opened his martial meridians.
She inhaled deeply without realizing it.
“If he had a Tianqian powerhouse backing him, I—”
Huang Fei dared not think further. There was nothing but resentment mixed with envy.
Qin said, “No, Tianqian masters never become anyone’s patrons.”
“He might have merely crossed paths with one, who helped him out of pity.”
Huang Fei stared at Qin. “Are you sure?”
Qin smiled confidently. “Of course. If he had such a strong patron, would he remain unknown?”
Huang Fei found logic in that: with such backing, he would have long returned to the capital for revenge. The fact that he hadn’t meant he lacked the courage or strength.
“What do you think his current realm is?”
“Late Xunfeng stage. For his age, that’s as high as it gets.”
Huang Fei exhaled in relief. Xunfeng was still within her control.
“You still can’t escape my grasp,” she murmured. “If the Zhou family hunts you, who else but me can save you?”
Leaving the arena, Zhao Ran tightly grasped Tang Xuan’s hand.
“How did you suddenly become so powerful? Even Zhou Zhuoyi was no match for you.”
Watching Zhao Ran’s admiring gaze, Tang Xuan found this newbie village truly amusing.
“I’ve always been hiding my strength. A true gentleman conceals his tools until the time is right. Today was that time.”
“But you killed Zhou Zhuoyi—what about the Zhou family’s revenge? His grandfather is a Zhenlei realm powerhouse.”
Tang Xuan shrugged. “Zhenlei realm strong? They’re just ants.”
Zhao Ran’s jaw nearly dropped.
He actually looked down on the Zhenlei realm.
“Watch your mouth—I can see your tonsils already.”
Zhao Ran quickly covered her mouth to maintain dignity.
“This is great! If my parents knew you were this strong, they’d never oppose us being together.”
Seeing Zhao Ran so happy, Tang Xuan was pleased too. Zhao Auntie had suffered much in love in her past life; now she deserved sweetness.
Back home, Zhao Ran began changing clothes in front of Tang Xuan. As she removed her coat, revealing pink lingerie, Tang Xuan turned his head away.
“No peeking, no peeking.”
She was his aunt—he dared not look carelessly.
“What are you doing?”
“N-nothing.”
“Then why aren’t you looking at me?”
Tang Xuan broke out in cold sweat.
Zhao Ran approached him and forcibly pried his eyelids open.
“What are you doing? If you don’t look at me, I’ll get mad.”
Suddenly, Tang Xuan realized a very serious problem.
He didn’t know how far their relationship had progressed.
If they had to sleep together tonight, he was doomed!
“Quick, open your eyes.”
“Right, I have something very important to do!”
With that, Tang Xuan made a swift escape.
Arriving at his parents’ place, he thought, “I need some money to get my parents a new villa. This place is a dump.”
Climbing the stairs, Tang Xuan knocked on the door.
Tang Qinghua was surprised to see him.
“What are you doing here?”
“Your child is due the day after tomorrow. I came to see if you need help.”
Tang Qinghua replied, “The due date is next week; it’s not time yet.”
“I said it’s the day after tomorrow, so it is. Or shall we bet?”
Tang Qinghua confidently answered, “Sure, what’s the bet?”
“If you lose, you call me ‘brother’ from now on.”
“If I lose, I’ll call you ‘dad.’”
Tang Qinghua agreed eagerly, “Alright, no cheating if you lose.”
Yu Zhen, cooking in the kitchen, glared at Tang Qinghua when she saw them chatting in the doorway.
“Invite him inside first, stop chatting at the door.”
Tang Qinghua smiled, “He insists on betting the baby will be born the day after tomorrow, and if he loses, he has to call me dad.”
Yu Zhen had no interest in interfering in such childish behavior between men.
“The food’s ready, Shi Liu, eat here.”
Tang Xuan didn’t refuse. He hadn’t tasted his mother’s cooking in ages.
Sitting at the table, the first bite brought back all the familiar feelings.
Still awful, but incomparable to any delicacy in the world.
When Yu Zhen returned from the kitchen, Tang Xuan suddenly said loudly, “Awful? How can it be awful?”
“She’s cooking for you with a big belly, and you complain?”
Tang Xuan deliberately spoke loudly.
Tang Qinghua was stunned.
“I... I didn’t say anything!”
Yu Zhen came out of the kitchen, her expression notably colder.
“Honey, I didn’t say anything.”
Tang Xuan buried his head in his bowl, saying no more.
Tang Qinghua gave him a pleading look.
“Help me explain! When did I ever say it was awful?”
Without looking up, Tang Xuan said, “You said it.”
Yu Zhen stood and grabbed the chopsticks and bowls from Tang Qinghua.
“If you don’t like it, don’t eat, and cook for yourself next time!”
Sent away from the table, Tang Qinghua sat on the sofa, looking aggrieved.
Yu Zhen asked, “How’s it going with Ranran? I heard someone is coming to propose—someone very powerful.”
“It’s Zhou Zhuoyi.”
Both Yu Zhen and Tang Qinghua looked shocked.
“Zhou Zhuoyi!”
“How could he suddenly fancy Ranran?”
Tang Qinghua said, “You’re doomed. Zhou Zhuoyi is the strongest Xunfeng realm expert in Jiangcheng. If Zhao Ran has caught his eye, your fate is sealed.”
Yu Zhen said seriously, “What do you plan to do now? Maybe leave Jiangcheng?”
“Zhou Zhuoyi challenged me to a match this morning. Whoever wins gets the right to marry Zhao Ran.”
Tang Qinghua naturally assumed Tang Xuan had avoided the fight—otherwise, he wouldn’t be safe here.
“You did the right thing not going. Zhou Zhuoyi wouldn’t have let you off easily in the arena.”
Though Tang Qinghua had witnessed Tang Xuan’s strength, he didn’t believe Tang Xuan could defeat Zhou Zhuoyi.
Yu Zhen nodded repeatedly, clearly agreeing.