The emergence of an expert who could defeat the City Lord when they needed him the most was too coincidental. Yan Hao couldn’t believe a pie would fall in their lap from the sky.

Even though he was convinced of Hu Bei’s ability, he was suspicious of his allegiance.

“Clan Master Hu, if your First Seat had participated in the Tribute Tournament, there was no way the City Lord could’ve secured victory. And your Third Seat might be alive as well.”

Sect Master Yan probed, hoping to get more background information about this mysterious guy.

“There is no need to ask in a roundabout way. I failed to return in time because I was trapped in an ancient vault of a declined Sect. My absence has caused much grief to the Clan. So, it would be better if you don’t mention our late brother.”

Hu Bei answered, his eyes glaring fiercely at the nosy Sect Master.

With an explanation for his absence and his furious attitude when defending his Clan, Sect Master Yan was convinced of his origins. He only had one question left.

“His aura may be powerful, but is he capable of defeating Feng Yan or the City Lord?”

Sect Master turned to question his peer, ignoring the rough man as a junior. The Clan Master understood that if they wanted to use the Monstrous Flame Sect, they had to convince them with strength. He spoke to his adopted Son.

“Give them a glimpse of your gains, Hu Bei.”

The rough man obeyed and went to the open area away from their seats. In a gruff tone, he instructed the visitors, “Watch carefully for I will demonstrate my high-grade Battle Technique just once.”

He took out a Saber and began to slowly and gracefully swing it. With every slash, the blade glinted and the watchers felt like they were the ones being cut.

After performing Six slashes, his last move was a powerful swing aimed at the neck of an imaginary enemy. A beheading slash. Once he had beheaded his imaginary opponent, he slowly sheathed the curved blade.

His performance not only impressed the Sect Master of a Third Tier Sect, but it also gained appreciation from the Deacon of a First Tier Sect. But he did not express it.

“This is the heritage of the Seventh Saber Sect, The Seven Strikes of Saber Demon.”

Clan Master Qing explained, expecting their questions. However, he did not furnish more information.

Hearing the explanation, Sect Master Yan’s eyes were drawn to the Dragon Blood Saber hanging from the Clan Master’s waist. He understood the source of the Hu Clan’s rise.

Before Sect Master Yan could dig further into the secrets of Hu Clan, Clan Master Qing interrupted his thoughts.

“Now that you know our capabilities, shall we discuss our attack plan?”

——-

For most of the shops on Manuals’ street, the traffic for the Ikasa’s manuals had brought them a good deal of customers. Today was no different. Until a few masked men showed up.

In unison, they began to smash the shops they passed by. May it be the shop selling fruits and vegetables or a shop selling pottery, they smashed them all.

Their indiscriminate swings of staffs did not differentiate between humans or objects. Shops yet to be affected, closed their doors for fear of being implicated.

Still, it did not save them. The assailants kicked the doors until they broke and ruined the interior furniture of the Shop. Even the Blacksmith Gu Dan’s shop was broken into in his absence.

They continued their rampage until they reached the Ikasa’s Manuals.

The shopkeeper appointed by Chu Kuang had panicked and escaped to the backside with all the customers before the masked men arrived at the store. Seeing the empty store, the assailants turned to the people outside.

“Tell that Bastard City Lord that if he can’t protect his Citizens, he does not deserve their taxes!”

As a warning, one of the masked men threw a lit torch on the counter of Ikasa’s shop. The fire rapidly spread on the counter, but none of the manuals were harmed.

Without knowing this, the assailants swaggered down the street, looking down on the bloodied and bruised shopkeepers wailing on the ground. The ordinary people trembled as these fearsome figures passed by their side.

Not one person dared to obstruct them as the examples of those who did lay before their eyes. Fear set in the populace and their resentment towards the City Guards grew.

The masked men had a point. If the City Guards could not provide them protection, what was the point of paying taxes?

Seeing the doubt and rage on the faces of shopkeepers, a smile appeared under the masks of the assailants. Their purpose was achieved.

By the time the City guards arrived, these people had long disappeared.

——

The City Hall of any city could be said to be the most secure location. Even more secure than the Manors of City Lords or any other powerful family.

Why? Because the majority of the City Guards would be training in the grounds nearby.

Thus when a few masked assailants appeared and started to indiscriminately attack the employees, panic spread. An arsonist even set some documents on fire.

Hearing the commotion, Commander Lu Shao rushed to the rescue. He was stopped by a masked assailant. Thinking of making a quick example of him, Commander Lu Shao executed his most powerful Battle Technique, the Hundred illusions Fist.

To his surprise, the Masked assailant accurately perceived it and avoided it. That’s when Lu Shao realized he was dealing with an expert. A Sense Realm Expert.

“Who are you? Which Sense Trainer would lose his honor by doing this?”

“An incompetent City Lord and his imbecile subordinates dare talk about honor?” The masked assailant sneered under the mask. He turned to the people gathered and shouted.

“This is someone who cannot protect the heart of the City, how can he protect you, the citizens?”

Commander Lu was enraged by his opponent who disrespected him by diverting his attention. His attacks grew fiercer as he hoped to subdue the assailant quickly and reveal his identity.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep