"Hekun, don't be reckless!"
Xue Mei hurriedly tried to stop the handsome young man, but he was already too blinded by rage. Hearing her, he became even more furious and shouted,
"Xue Mei, don't be afraid. I'll kill this guy and avenge you!"
With that, he roared and charged toward Gu Changqing.
However, Gu Changqing simply waited for him to get close before lifting his leg and kicking him away effortlessly.
"Get him! Kill this guy and avenge our young master!"
The guards behind the young man were both shocked and enraged. They drew their weapons and rushed forward, determined to take down Gu Changqing.
"Be careful!"
Still nestled in Gu Changqing's arms, Xue Mei quickly warned him. The He family was not to be trifled with in Black Rock City. The head of the He family, He Qian, was a powerful 1-star Dou King, ranking among the top 100 strongest people in the entire Jia Ma Empire. He Kun, as a direct descendant of the He family, naturally had bodyguards at the Dou Master level. Xue Mei feared Gu Changqing might be at a disadvantage.
However, as Gu Changqing began to fight, her worries vanished.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Gu Changqing sent He Kun's bodyguards flying one after another, as if they were mere sandbags, without moving an inch from his spot. His smooth and effortless moves left Lin Fei, who had just jumped off the back of the Amethyst Winged Lion, wide-eyed in disbelief.
"This shameless scoundrel... He's strong!"
Lin Fei stared at Gu Changqing, astonished. She hadn't expected someone his age to possess such formidable strength, easily overpowering even Dou Master-level experts.
"Impressive!"
Xue Mei's eyes also sparkled with admiration. Gu Changqing not only looked good, but his strength was also undeniable, making him all the more attractive.
"Damn it! You brat, do you even know who I am? I'm a direct heir of the He family. My grandfather is He Qian, the head of the He family and a Dou King! How dare you touch me?!"
Realizing he couldn't win, He Kun resorted to throwing out his family background, hoping to intimidate Gu Changqing.
But Gu Changqing wasn't the least bit fazed.
"Get lost!"
With a shout, Gu Changqing sent a powerful palm strike into the air, sending He Kun flying once again.
Pfft!
Spitting out a mouthful of blood, He Kun shouted weakly, "You'll regret this! My family won't let you off!" Then, he and his bodyguards fled in disarray.
"Tch, coward. All you know how to do is threaten others. Xue Mei, are you alright?"
Lin Fei, unimpressed, glanced at He Kun's retreating figure before hurrying over to Xue Mei, concern evident in her voice.
"Hey! Just how long do you plan on holding onto Xue Mei?" Lin Fei scowled at Gu Changqing, her eyes landing on the hand still wrapped around Xue Mei's slender waist.
"You... can let me go now," Xue Mei, blushing furiously, stammered as she wriggled out of his grasp.
"Oh, sorry. I forgot."
Gu Changqing quickly retracted his hand, but not before giving her waist a playful squeeze.
"Mmm~"
Xue Mei shivered, letting out an involuntary, soft moan. Her body was quite sensitive, and Gu Changqing's teasing touch sent jolts of electricity coursing through her, almost making her lose her balance.
"You... you pervert! Scoundrel! Shameless!"
Lin Fei, her face red with anger, yelled as she glared at Gu Changqing. She then demanded,
"Who are you? And what are you doing in Black Rock City?"
"My name is Gu Changqing, your future boyfriend. Remember that."
Gu Changqing smirked, deliberately provoking Lin Fei, who looked like she was about to explode with anger. Then he added, "I'm here for the Black Rock City Alchemist Association. I've heard there are two 4th-tier alchemists in town. I've come to see if they live up to their reputation."
Gu Changqing was here to challenge them as part of his plan. He wanted to make a name for himself, and when he eventually set foot in the Jia Ma Empire's capital, his goal was to dominate all its powers. Naturally, the Alchemist Association was part of that plan.
"You arrogant jerk! How dare you question our teachers?!"
Lin Fei was livid, glaring at Gu Changqing. She sneered, "Our teachers are two of the finest alchemists in the entire Jia Ma Empire. Who do you think you are?"
"Oh? Your teachers?"
Gu Changqing glanced between Lin Fei and Xue Mei with mock curiosity.
"That's right! My teacher is Vice President Otto, and Xue Mei's teacher is President Frank, the most accomplished alchemists in Black Rock City!" Lin Fei boasted, holding her head high in pride.
"Is that so? Perfect. Lead the way, I'm going to challenge your teachers!" Gu Changqing declared without a hint of modesty.
"Ah?"
Xue Mei's eyes widened in shock, her lips parted slightly in disbelief.
Lin Fei looked at him like he was crazy.
"Did you not hear me? Our teachers are 4th-tier alchemists, the best in the empire! And you, you're just a kid! Do you even know what you're talking about, or have you been training so hard you've gone stupid?" Lin Fei marched up to him, placing her hand on his forehead as if checking for a fever.
Gu Changqing didn't hesitate. He grabbed her, pulling her petite yet curvy frame into his arms. As Lin Fei glared at him in shock and anger, he said, "You confessed to me first, remember? I accepted, so now you're my girlfriend. What's wrong with me holding my girlfriend?"
"I... I didn't agree! And that was a bet with Xue Mei, I..."
Lin Fei was flushed with embarrassment and frustration. This day was an absolute nightmare! First, she had been provoked by Xue Mei, and now this shameless rogue had stolen her first kiss and was holding her like she belonged to him. She was furious!
"No more excuses. Since you're my girlfriend now, you don't get to back out. Otherwise, I'll... spank you until you're sore!"
Smack!
Gu Changqing slapped the ground with such force that the stone-paved road cracked, leaving a deep handprint. The ground trembled from the impact.
Lin Fei shuddered, her eyes wide with fear as she stared at the handprint on the ground. She instinctively clenched her round, perky bottom.
She shot a desperate look at Xue Mei, her voice trembling, "Xue Mei, help me..."
Lin Fei felt trapped, like a mouse caught by a cat. She didn't dare move, terrified that Gu Changqing would actually carry out his threat. Tears welled in her eyes as she pleaded with her friend for help.
"Young Master Gu, could you please let Lin Fei go? She was just joking. We're willing to apologize," Xue Mei intervened, unable to watch her friend suffer any longer. Even though they were rivals, Lin Fei was still her closest friend.