Since Liu Hao was not from any powerful family in Luoyang, Wei Zhongdao felt there was nothing to fear. Seeing the handsome young man step out of the carriage, he immediately began complaining to him.
"He's just a commoner. A worthless nobody. Yet he dares block the carriage of the Wei family. If you know what's good for you, get lost now. Otherwise, killing you would be the least of your worries."
The young man called Wei Bi glanced at Liu Hao.
Although Liu Hao dressed simply, his bearing was extraordinary. A flicker of jealousy flashed through Wei Bi's eyes.
Wei Bi prided himself on being handsome and talented, but compared to Liu Hao, he clearly fell short.
"You're courting death."
Zhan Zhao's eyes burned with anger. Resting his hand on his sword, he sneered coldly.
"If you can survive three moves under my blade today, I'll spare your life."
System Notification:
Talent Insight activated successfully.
Without showing any reaction, Liu Hao casually used his Talent Insight skill.
Wei Bi
Strength: 74
Intelligence: 26
Politics: 12
Leadership: 37
Liu Hao looked at the young man with a strange expression.
No wonder the name sounded familiar.
Wasn't this Wei Bi from the story of Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre?
Yes—he was the same man who had once troubled Zhang Wuji in the Kunlun Mountains.
Without him, Zhang Wuji would never have later obtained the Nine Yang Divine Skill.
Liu Hao couldn't help laughing inwardly.
"Impressive, my system. You even brought Wei Bi here. When are you going to give me the Nine Yang Divine Skill as well?"
Unexpectedly, the system responded with a proud tone.
System Notification:
Congratulations, host. You have triggered the first stage of a hidden chain mission.
Mission: Enemy of the Wei Clan.
Note: By provoking Wei Zhongdao, you have intensified his illness through anger and jealousy. The Wei family of Hedong now regards you as an enemy.
Defeat Wei Bi to receive a mysterious reward.
"A hidden mission?"
Liu Hao's eyes lit up.
"That reward must be worth something."
At that moment, Wei Bi had already leapt down from the tall carriage.
With a loud shout, he soared forward like a bird, lunging directly toward Liu Hao.
Clang!
The sharp sound of a sword leaving its sheath echoed through the street.
Zhan Zhao planted his feet firmly and assumed a classic defensive stance, blocking the path in front of Liu Hao.
In this era, it was not uncommon for wandering swordsmen to draw blades in the street and kill someone in a moment of anger.
The nearby citizens quickly scattered away from Liu Hao.
Only the dirty little girl, Zhao Yu, remained.
She clutched tightly at Liu Hao's clothes and whispered nervously,
"Big brother… hurry and leave… it's dangerous…"
Most children her age would have burst into tears by now.
Yet Zhao Yu showed surprising courage and quick thinking.
Liu Hao gently patted her head and said warmly,
"Don't be afraid, Xiaoyu. Tell me your name and watch how Uncle Zhan defeats him."
The girl leaned timidly against Liu Hao and blinked her bright eyes.
"My surname is Zhao."
"Zhao Yu… that's a good name."
Liu Hao smiled slightly, though a strange feeling suddenly rose in his heart.
Zhao Yu…
Wait.
Cloud and rain… Zhao Yu…
Could it be—
Liu Hao suddenly felt a shock run through his mind.
"Xiaoyu, what is your brother's name?"
"Zhao Yun!"
The girl answered crisply.
Liu Hao immediately lifted Zhao Yu into the air and spun her around several times in excitement.
This little girl was unbelievable.
"That filthy brat is still worrying about this dirty little girl!"
Wei Bi sneered while still midair.
With a flick of his wrist, the cold blade of his sword flashed like a venomous snake striking.
The sword shot straight toward Liu Hao's throat.
If it hit, Liu Hao would die instantly.
Yet Liu Hao remained completely calm, as steady as a mountain collapsing before him.
"A useless side character like this dares show off? He must be tired of living."
He did not even bother to look directly at Wei Bi.
Trash was still trash.
Zhao Yu bit her lip tightly and instinctively stepped in front of Liu Hao, afraid Wei Bi might hurt him.
Liu Hao smiled faintly and made a small gesture toward Zhan Zhao.
Then he gently covered Zhao Yu's eyes.
The next scene would be too violent for a child to see.
He had absolute confidence in Zhan Zhao.
After all, Zhan Zhao was the famous Southern Hero, the imperial "Royal Cat" of legend.
Such a man could defeat ten enemies alone—or even a hundred.
Against someone like Wei Bi, whose strength was twenty points lower, it was complete domination.
As the saying goes: when the lord is insulted, the servant must fight to the death.
Wei Bi had dared insult Liu Hao in front of Zhan Zhao.
No matter how patient Zhan Zhao was, he could not tolerate it any longer.
He unleashed his full strength without holding back.
The aura of a warrior with strength over ninety surged to its peak.
A violent gust swept across the street, sending dust flying everywhere.
How could someone like Wei Bi possibly withstand it?
Zhan Zhao's arm bent slightly.
Then his sword flashed out.
Clang!
The blades collided.
In that instant, Zhan Zhao's right hand pressed firmly against Wei Bi's sword with a metallic crack.
Wei Bi's heart trembled.
He realized he had encountered a true master.
Regret filled him as he tried to retreat.
But before he could pull back, the steel sword in his hand was snapped in half by Zhan Zhao's bare grip.
The outcome was decided instantly.
Wei Bi screamed in terror.
Still suspended in midair with nowhere to gain footing, he became nothing more than a training dummy for Zhan Zhao.
Palms struck again and again, hitting vital joints and pressure points.
Thirteen palm strikes landed in rapid succession.
More than ten blows struck his face alone.
The once handsome young man's head swelled like a pig's.
Crack. Crack. Crack.
The sound of breaking bones echoed repeatedly.
Wei Bi let out a miserable scream as his body flew backward, crashing into the carriage and knocking Wei Zhongdao to the ground.
He lay there unmoving, his fate unknown.