Fists whizzed through the air.
Like a small mountain, it struck towards Ning Beichen's subordinate. This punch carried at least ten years of cultivation.
Although Ning Beichen's subordinate was skilled in martial arts, he was definitely no match for this man.
If he were to be hit by this punch, Ning Beichen's subordinate would likely die or be crippled.
"Scram! Since Han Xin won't handle this, I'll discipline this mad dog on his behalf!" The sound of a violent roar erupted from Ning Beichen, the rolling sound waves bombarding the man's ears, making them feel like thunder. A sharp pain struck his chest, and his body bent backward like a drawn bow, flying out.
"Bang!"
With a loud crash, the man fell to the ground, continuing to slide backward for seven or eight meters before stopping.
No one saw how Ning Beichen made his move; they only saw the man suddenly fly backward.
Han Xin's butler's pupils constricted.
Zhong Beichuan was one of the great generals under Lord Liu. Although not the most powerful, he ranked among the top ten great generals under Lord Liu. Yet, just now, even he hadn't seen clearly how Zhong Beichuan had flown out.
As the butler was contemplating how to proceed, Han Xin's voice reached his ears.
"Invite them in."
"Yes, Lord Liu."
The butler walked up to Ning Beichen and said respectfully, "Master Ning, Lord Liu invites you."
"Lead the way."
Ning Beichen didn't want to bother with trivial matters with a butler, stating it concisely.
Han Xin was merely trying to assert his dominance, a situation Ning Beichen had long been accustomed to.
Soon, they arrived in the main hall, and Ning Beichen finally saw Han Xin himself.
However, Han Xin seemed indifferent to Ning Beichen's arrival.
From the moment Ning Beichen entered the hall, he remained seated, not even shifting his body, let alone making any move to welcome him.
This was a show of power. If Ning Beichen were just a novice, he would likely have been suppressed by Han Xin's aura upon entering.
But for Ning Beichen, the King of Darkness, this display of power was but a minor inconvenience.
Although Han Xin's aura couldn't suppress Ning Beichen, it had a stifling effect on Ning Beichen's subordinates.
His accompanying subordinates felt a sudden heaviness, as if a great mountain was pressing down on them, making it difficult even to move their feet.
Ning Beichen's eyes narrowed slightly, and Han Xin's oppressive aura on his subordinates vanished instantly.
Han Xin, still seated, looked at Ning Beichen with a hint of surprise.
He hadn't expected this young man to not only withstand his aura but also to diffuse it with such ease. This piqued his interest in the young man before him.
"You sent a visiting card to see me. What is the matter?" Han Xin asked.
"I'm here today for two reasons. The first is that five of my subordinates were severely injured by your men. I'm here today to demand an explanation."
"The second reason is that a girl named Liu Yixin has gone missing in the West Market. I'm here to ask if you know her whereabouts."
Ning Beichen wasted no time and got straight to the point.
"Oh, your subordinates were injured by my men?" Han Xin feigned ignorance, as such trivial matters were not typically brought to his attention.
"My Lord, a few days ago, a group of people came to see you, but they were disrespectful and were beaten away by Ma Chong. I thought it was a minor issue and didn't report it to you. Please punish me, my Lord," the butler whispered to Han Xin.
"They were just some ignorant people. If they were beaten, so be it," Han Xin said, waving his hand dismissively, without any intention of blaming the butler. He then turned to Ning Beichen and said,
"So, you've come to demand accountability?"
"Yes."
Ning Beichen's reply was concise, devoid of any unnecessary words.
In this world, no one had ever injured someone under Ning Beichen's protection and gotten away with it. If he didn't stand up for them, how could he be the King of Darkness?
Ning Beichen had no intention of settling for a peaceful resolution today.
He acknowledged that his subordinates might have been outmatched, but crippling them was a grave offense.
"Do you know who I am?" Han Xin asked, a hint of amusement in his voice. He was like a local emperor in the West Market, and someone dared to come and demand an explanation from him. He wondered if they were naive or fearlessly ignorant.
"I don't care who you are. I'm here only for a result," Ning Beichen replied calmly, his emotions unreadable.
"Oh? And what if I don't give you that result?" Han Xin was curious to see how this impudent young man would respond.
"Death!"
Ning Beichen's answer remained brief.
"Audacious!"
Han Xin's butler let out a sharp reprimand towards Ning Beichen.
The several experts standing beside Han Xin also fixed their gaze on Ning Beichen like sharp knives, their faces contorted with anger.
"Heh heh, young man, do you know what you're saying?" Han Xin didn't take Ning Beichen seriously at all, merely thinking he was being excessively arrogant. If it were his former self, he would have already ordered Ning Beichen killed.
"Of course, I know what I'm saying. However, you seem to dismiss it," Ning Beichen thought disdainfully.
He's just a local emperor, thinking that ruling this small territory means no one dares to touch him. He's the one who's ignorant of the world.
"You have some courage. But I wonder if you're afraid of death. You want me to give you an explanation? No problem. As long as you can defeat him, I will give you an explanation."
"A Qi, test his strength." Han Xin commanded.
"Yes, Lord Liu."
A young man of similar age to Ning Beichen stepped forward and walked directly to Ning Beichen, pointing at his nose arrogantly.
"Don't say I'm bullying you. I'll let you have one hand. As long as you can defeat me, Lord Liu will give you an explanation."
Ning Beichen remained unfazed, but Ning Beichen's subordinates looked at him as if he were an idiot.
"What? Scared? Or do you want to come at me all together?" A Qi taunted, truly not taking Ning Beichen and his men seriously.
"Master Ning, let me teach him a lesson."
This person's repeated provocations enraged Ning Beichen's subordinates, and they all pleaded to fight.
"No need. I don't have that much time to waste with them." Ning Beichen waved off his subordinates, then looked at the man pointing at his nose and suddenly kicked out at him.
Ning Beichen's movement was not fast; in fact, everyone could see it clearly. However, A Qi suddenly broke out in a cold sweat.
Because he discovered that he was completely unable to move, as if he were frozen in place by some force. He could only watch helplessly as Ning Beichen's leg struck him.