Shen Xiang had disguised himself simply, appearing as a downtrodden young man in his twenties. The guards, having sensed his impressive strength from his earlier shout, hesitated to attack.
"Are you the manager here?" Shen Xiang asked.
Upon hearing this, the guards burst into laughter, as did the onlookers outside.
"You don't even recognize the manager here and dare to cause trouble?" one guard laughed.
"Have you not heard of Manager Hua? He is the third son of the city lord! You're looking for trouble with him; that's simply seeking death!" another guard sneered.
The elegantly dressed man, Hua Xin, felt a swell of pride at the mention of his name and nodded, "I am the manager here, Hua Xin. What do you want?"
Shen Xiang spat and laughed, "What a joke! If you really had the ability, you wouldn't be sent here to manage a shop. Being here means you have no future in your father's eyes!"
This statement stunned everyone; they hadn't expected Shen Xiang to say that to Hua Xin's face. Hua Xin's expression turned ugly, as Shen Xiang spoke the truth: as the son of a prominent figure, managing a small shop like this signified a lack of prospects.
"I'll ask you again: did you lead the attack on that shop?" Shen Xiang's expression darkened.
"Yes, so what?!" one guard yelled angrily, "We did it on Manager Hua's orders!"
Hua Xin's face twisted, "So it was revenge! I did lead the attack on that shop."
The guards behind Hua Xin started boasting about how they had vandalized the place.
Shen Xiang's voice turned cold, "You're all nothing but dogs. If needed, your master would sell you off without hesitation. Why are you so pleased with yourself for serving a good master?"
"You bastard, are you looking for death?" a guard roared, charging forward. Suddenly, a wave of searing heat burst forth from Shen Xiang's palm.
With a loud crack, a scream of pain followed.
Shen Xiang manifested a fiery whip of true energy, striking the guard's face and sending him flying. The guard's face bore a charred scar.
The other guards, though shocked, still charged forward, outnumbering Shen Xiang, who stood alone.
"Since you all admit to it, I won't spare you!" Shen Xiang declared, his demeanor chilling.
Suddenly, a scorching wave of heat erupted from him. With a swift motion, he swung the fire whip, unle
ashing a barrage of strikes so fast that they left countless afterimages. It appeared as though many hands wielding fire whips were striking out at once.
Countless fiery whips soared through the air like snakes, mercilessly striking the rushing guards. Hua Xin and his men could hardly evade; in an instant, they were engulfed by a rain of whips! The fiery lashes burned into their skin, leaving searing marks that caused anguished cries.
Within mere moments, each guard bore at least three whip marks.
True energy manifested, taking form!
It was evident he had reached the sixth level of the Martial Realm! Furthermore, Shen Xiang's true energy was exceedingly formidable. The heat emanating from him was laced with an invisible pressure. Shen Xiang's flames were cultivated from the Phoenix Divine Technique, and as a beast of the realm, anyone facing such an invisible pressure would be filled with dread.
Hua Xin realized he had kicked a metal plate, provoking a formidable adversary at the sixth level of the Martial Realm. Yet, he remembered the shopkeeper of that vandalized store was merely an unremarkable old man.
"The Danxiang Medicine House won't let this go! Our owner is very powerful," Hua Xin gritted his teeth, just as a fiery whip struck his mouth.
At this moment, Hua Xin had to concede that Shen Xiang was extraordinarily powerful; in just a few moments, he had rendered them incapable of retaliation, with residual flames still lingering in their bodies. If not expelled quickly, it would have significant consequences for their future.
"Tell your owner, if he wants to seek retribution, he can come find me at that shop. I'll be waiting for him."
After throwing down this ultimatum, Shen Xiang left without any hindrance, even as more guards loomed outside.
Once Shen Xiang departed, the onlookers buzzed with excitement, eager to spread the news of what they had just witnessed.
In the back yard of the shop, Shen Luzong chuckled, "Kid, you've not only offended the Danxiang Medicine House but also the city lord. If I were you, I'd have run away by now."
Shen Xiang shot him a disdainful look. "Uncle, did you already know that the manager is the son of the city lord? You sure got out of the way quickly."
Shen Luzong laughed, "This old bone of mine isn't as youthful as you. I can't take too much turmoil. As for the following matters, you handle them yourself! I'm just in charge of some minor affairs."
Having traveled for several days, Shen Xiang felt weary and needed rest, as he would soon confront the owner of the Danxiang Medicine House and the city lord.
Shen Xiang had long devised a plan to deal with the situation, allowing him the confidence to strike against the city lord's son. In this world, wealth held immense power, but strength remained paramount.
"Shen Xiang, the Danxiang Medicine House is likely a branch of a major sect stationed here!" Su Meiyao emerged from her ring, speaking to Shen Xiang.
Shen Xiang, soaking in a large wooden tub, exclaimed, "Sister Meiyao, why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Looking at Shen Xiang's well-toned muscles, Su Meiyao smiled playfully, "Don't worry, the Danxiang Medicine House is a friendly sect, and they can discern right from wrong. I believe their owner won't cause you trouble."
Shen Xiang breathed a sigh of relief and laughed, "Sister Meiyao, the water is still warm. Why don't you join me?"
"I'll have my senior sister accompany you! Though she's cold and aloof, she enjoys soaking in hot baths," Su Meiyao giggled.
Shen Xiang cleared his throat and asked, "Is Danxiang Medicine House the name of a sect?"
He was very much looking forward to joining major sects.
Su Meiyao approached the large tub, explaining, "Among the Eight Major Sects, Danxiang Medicine House is unrivaled in alchemy, making the other sects envious."
Shen Xiang said, "So entering Danxiang Medicine House would be a great opportunity for me, considering it's an alchemy sect!"
Su Meiyao shook her head, "Not quite. In terms of alchemy, I can teach you everything you need! You should aim for entering the Taiwu Sect; it's the most powerful of the Eight Major Sects and was founded during the Taigu era, with the first Taiwu Patriarch being a legend."
To quickly enter those martial arts sects, Shen Xiang trained even harder, knowing he must reach at least the ninth level of the Martial Realm to qualify for entrance.