Chapter 23: Is it truly impossible for us?

This fool was none other than Shi Wansan, the man who had once sought to kill him. Seeing the former young master of the Iron Stone Manor reduced to such a state, Yu Qi felt a strange sense of melancholy.

He stopped the man who was still beating Shi Wansan, reached into his pocket, and handed him some silver. "Let him eat whenever he wants from now on. I will cover the costs."

The man took the money, his face instantly brightening. "Very well, young master! With this much, he can eat for years."

After the man left, Yu Qi crouched down and tugged at his sleeve. "Shi Wansan? Shi Wansan?"

"Hehe..." Shi Wansan giggled as he turned toward Yu Qi, but the moment he saw his face, his expression shifted to one of terror. "You... don't come near me, don't come near me!"

With that, Shi Wansan fled as if he had encountered a demon. Yu Qi watched his retreating figure, shook his head, and turned to leave.

He had been invited to a banquet held by the Infinite Pawnshop. Because the pawnshop’s premises were too cramped, Zhou Changshan had rented out the entire tavern for the occasion. Upon arriving at the entrance, a servant approached him. "Might you be Young Master Yu?"

Yu Qi nodded and was led by the servant into a private room inside the tavern.

The seats were occupied by many familiar faces: Huang Kui, Mo Feng, Wu Kaihe, and Zhou Changshan. What surprised Yu Qi, however, was the presence of Huang Huai, whom he barely knew. After two years, the sharp edge that once defined Huang Huai seemed to have vanished, and he now appeared quite reserved.

Wu Zhirou and Zhou Yuan had grown even more beautiful, carrying themselves with the grace of refined young ladies, while Mo Feng remained as indifferent as ever. At the table sat two young men Yu Qi had never met before. They possessed cold, stern features, and only when Yu Qi looked at them did they meet his gaze with icy intensity.

Seeing Yu Qi enter, the host, Zhou Changshan, smiled hastily. "Young Master Yu, it has been a long time. Please, take a seat."

Once Yu Qi was settled, Zhou Changshan continued, "Let me introduce you. These two gentlemen are experts from the Fenghua City branch of the Infinite Pawnshop. To your left is Meng Po, and to your right is Zheng Zhiyue."

Yu Qi raised his cup in a gesture of greeting. Meng Po and Zheng Zhiyue picked up their own cups and clinked them against his, but they secretly applied extra force, causing the wine in Yu Qi's cup to splash onto his arm.

"It seems he is still quite weak," Meng Po and Zheng Zhiyue thought simultaneously.

The two had come to this town because, two years ago, Zhou Changshan had reported the emergence of a teenage prodigy to his superiors. They had been sent to investigate, though various matters had delayed their arrival until now. In truth, the banquet was merely a facade; their real goal was to recruit Yu Qi. However, both felt disgruntled—after all, this was just a small town. Even if the boy were talented, how strong could he truly be? Being sent here felt like a slight, and they held little regard for Yu Qi, hence the show of force.

Yu Qi paid them no mind. He knew their intent was deliberate, but out of respect for Zhou Changshan, he remained silent.

Zhou Yuan handed a silk cloth to Yu Qi. "Yu Qi, wipe your arm."

"Thank you." Yu Qi accepted it and resumed eating, while the others chatted idly.

Before long, feeling full, Yu Qi rose to bid farewell to Zhou Changshan. Compared to dining on delicacies with so many people, he preferred returning to the manor for a simple, humble meal with Li Changchu and the others.

Just then, Meng Po spoke up, "Wait. I want to spar with you."

"A spar? Is that really necessary?" Yu Qi looked at Meng Po, puzzled.

"What? As the town's renowned prodigy, are you afraid?" Meng Po looked at Yu Qi with a playful sneer, eager to vent his pent-up frustration on him. In his mind, Yu Qi’s strength was at best equal to theirs, if not inferior.

Yu Qi sighed helplessly. "Fine. Let's go outside. I don't want to break anything in the tavern."

***

Outside the tavern, Yu Qi stood quietly, facing Meng Po, while Zhou Changshan and the others looked on. Zhou Yuan felt a prickle of anxiety. As someone from the Infinite Pawnshop, she knew that if Meng Po was an expert from the Fenghua City branch, he was surely far stronger than her father. She feared Yu Qi would get hurt. Two years had passed, and she thought she had moved on, but the moment he appeared, those old feelings surged once more.

"I know you want to join in as well," Yu Qi said to Zheng Zhiyue, who was standing to the side, his face completely calm. "Why don't you both come at me together?"

"Arrogant fool! I alone am enough." Insulted by Yu Qi’s dismissal, Meng Po felt a surge of rage. He was determined to teach Yu Qi an unforgettable lesson.

"Wait," Yu Qi suddenly said. "I have no weapon. How are we to fight?"

Meng Po was about to reach for his hammer, but at Yu Qi's words, he hesitated. Proud and arrogant, he disdained using a weapon against an unarmed man.

"You use a sword, right? Borrow mine." Mo Feng, standing nearby, drew the sword from his back and tossed it to Yu Qi.

Yu Qi caught the blade and weighed it. It was a dark, greenish hue with intricate patterns running along the steel. While not a masterpiece, it was certainly a treasure.

Seeing Yu Qi armed, Meng Po didn't hesitate further. He charged straight at him, raising his massive hammer high before swinging it down with a thunderous roar.

Feeling the rush of wind, Yu Qi remained perfectly calm. He blocked the blow with his sword, then tilted his body backward, suddenly releasing his grip on the hilt. The hammer’s momentum carried the sword downward. Just before the sword hit the ground, Yu Qi’s left hand snatched the hilt, pulling the blade free. He then released it again, caught it with his right hand in one fluid motion, and slashed toward his opponent's throat.

He stopped the blade just inches from Meng Po's neck.

From that single exchange, Yu Qi realized the man was only slightly stronger than Shi Mingfeng. Having reached the Realm of Subtle Perception, he saw Meng Po’s attack as a series of glaring flaws.

He had defeated Meng Po in a single turn.

Zhou Changshan and the others watched in astonishment, sighing inwardly. Two years had passed, and he had already become this strong! Zhou Yuan, who had been worried for him, was left speechless. She recalled her father’s words from two years ago: "Yu Qi lives in a different world than us."

The heart that had just begun to stir with affection was extinguished once more by the scene before her. She watched Yu Qi, who held his sword against Meng Po’s throat, her eyes filled with a deep sense of loneliness. "Is it truly impossible for us?"