Hm?
Hearing Su Mo’s words, Qingyunzi and Long Chuan both furrowed their brows.
Everyone sitting here was a top expert from the Eighteen Kingdoms. Who would dare claim to be unfathomable in front of them?
The sheer arrogance.
Long Chuan said coldly, "Sir, aren’t your words a bit too full of yourself? Be careful you don’t bite your tongue."
"Am I?"
Su Mo asked, his face full of confusion. He didn’t think he’d said anything wrong.
He was just telling the truth.
Was that wrong?
Daoist Xuanqing was about to die of frustration from these two.
He had invited them to celebrate with Su Mo and, while they were at it, foster a good relationship between them.
He never expected they would be so disrespectful, provoking Su Mo at every turn.
Daoist Xuanqing sputtered in exasperation, "Long Chuan, you two can do whatever you want in front of me, but you cannot be rude to Elder Su! Get on your knees and apologize to Elder Su right now!"
"That’s right! Kneel and apologize to Elder Su."
"You two dogs! Running wild without even looking where you are. Is this a place for you to speak?"
"Kneel!"
Everyone in the great hall couldn’t stand to watch anymore.
You two come to someone’s home, eat their food, drink their wine, and then start trouble in front of everyone.
Utterly impolite.
Hearing the crowd’s indignant rebukes, Qingyunzi and Long Chuan were both stunned.
They never dreamed that so many important figures would speak up for Su Mo, even demanding they kneel and apologize to him.
What in the world was going on?
Although the two of them didn’t understand why, getting them to apologize was impossible.
Let alone kneeling.
Long Chuan said, disgruntled, "Hmph, there’s a limit to all this mystery-mongering! Making us apologize is one thing, but you want us to kneel? Don’t you think you’re bullying us?"
"Exactly! How can you bully people like this? If you make us kneel and apologize, how are we supposed to maintain our standing in the Eighteen Kingdoms?"
Qingyunzi retorted.
Su Mo asked calmly, "Then what do you want?"
Long Chuan stood up. "If you want us to apologize, fine. But only if you spar with us and let us see your true abilities."
Su Mo hesitated.
Today was a celebration held in his honor by the experts of the Eighteen Kingdoms. He really didn’t want to fight and ruin the harmonious atmosphere.
However, that wasn’t how Long Chuan and Qingyunzi saw it.
"Looks like my guess was right. This guy is just bluffing."
"You mean Daoist Brother Xuanqing was fooled?"
"It’s not just Daoist Brother Xuanqing! All the experts of the Eighteen Kingdoms have been fooled. Today, I must expose him."
"Right! Expose him! Let Daoist Brother Xuanqing see this man’s true colors."
Long Chuan and Qingyunzi’s faces were filled with fury.
They had no idea what tricks Su Mo had used to deceive all the experts of the Eighteen Kingdoms, not even sparing Chu Tianxiong.
Long Chuan’s voice boomed, "Since you are so confident in your ’unfathomable’ true abilities, why be so secretive and refuse our challenge?"
"Sigh..."
Su Mo sighed. "Alright. Since you insist on a match, I will satisfy the two of you."
’Forbearance is clearly not an option anymore.’
’I have no choice but to act.’
Otherwise, these two would think he was a pushover and keep finding fault with him.
"Wait!"
Just as Su Mo was about to make a move, Xiao Dong stood up and said, "There’s no need for a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Young Master, let me handle this fight for you."
"Xiao Dong, can you handle it?"
Su Mo asked doubtfully.
’If it were Xiao Lang, it would be no problem. After all, Xiao Lang can even withstand attacks from a Mid Stage Martial Monarch. Beating Qingyunzi and Long Chuan would be as easy as beating dogs for him.’
’But I’m not sure about Xiao Dong.’
However, not to be outdone, Xiao Dong declared, "Young Master, I can do it! I guarantee I’ll stomp them into the ground and make them kneel and apologize to you."
"Fine. You go, then. Don’t hold back, and be careful not to lose."
Su Mo agreed.
Long Chuan and Qingyunzi were not weak; they would serve as excellent whetstones. This was a perfect opportunity to temper the mettle of the family’s disciples.
Su Mo said, "Line up. After Xiao Dong is done, you can all go up and have a try."
Hearing this, the Xiao Family disciples’ faces lit up with excitement, and they all rubbed their hands in anticipation.
Xiao Lang asked, "Can I go too?"
Su Mo refused. "You can’t go."
’Xiao Lang is too strong. He doesn’t have much combat experience and doesn’t know how to hold back. What if he kills Qingyunzi and Long Chuan?’
’Those two are Daoist Xuanqing’s friends, after all.’
’I have to give Daoist Xuanqing some face.’
Xiao Lang said, disappointed, "Alright. I’ll listen to the Young Master."
By this time, Xiao Dong had already walked up to Long Chuan and Qingyunzi. In a childish voice, he announced, "You two, I have come to challenge you on behalf of our Young Master."
"You..."
Long Chuan and Qingyunzi were stunned.
They clearly hadn’t expected Su Mo to send out a child who was barely weaned to fight them.
Qingyunzi asked patiently, "Little one, how old are you?"
"Eight!"
Xiao Dong said in his squeaky voice.
Qingyunzi’s face darkened.
An eight-year-old kid?
How was he supposed to fight this?
Xiao Dong counted on his fingers. "One, two, three... My birthday is in May. In another two months, I’ll be nine."
Qingyunzi said impatiently, "Step aside. This is adult business. Kids shouldn’t interfere."
Whether he was eight or nine, in his eyes, he was just a little brat.
Xiao Dong retorted defiantly, "What’s wrong with being a kid? A kid can still crush you! Hurry up and make your move. I’ll take you both on at once!"
"Damn it, how can a little brat be this arrogant?"
Veins bulged on Qingyunzi’s forehead.
Long Chuan was so angry he started to laugh. "Fine! Since you’re so arrogant, allow me, your elder, to teach you a proper lesson."
With that, Long Chuan attacked, throwing a punch at Xiao Dong.
However, Xiao Dong simply sidestepped and easily dodged the punch.
"Hm?"
Surprise was written all over Long Chuan’s face.
Although he hadn’t used his full strength in that punch, it was more than enough to defeat a Late Stage Grand Martial Artist.
Who would have thought Xiao Dong would deal with it so easily?
Long Chuan knew he had underestimated Xiao Dong. He warned, "Little one, I’m going to use my full strength now. Be careful."
BOOM!
As he spoke, Long Chuan unleashed his full power.
Half-Step Martial Monarch!
Daoist Xuanqing exclaimed in shock, "Long Chuan, when did you..."
"Daoist Brother Xuanqing, I forgot to tell you. During my recent travels through the Eighteen Kingdoms with Daoist Brother Qingyunzi, although we didn’t find a way to break through to the Martial Monarch realm, our strength has reached a new level," Long Chuan said proudly.
Qingyunzi nodded.
’With their current strength, if they joined forces, they could even contend with an Early Stage Martial Monarch.’
Long Chuan tried to persuade Xiao Dong, "Little one, you should stand down. I know you have some skill, but you are no match for me right now. Challenge me again when you’re older. I believe by then, you will have surpassed me."
"A Half-Step Martial Monarch, huh?"
Unexpectedly, not only did Xiao Dong not retreat, but he said with excitement, "Does that mean if I beat you, it’ll prove I have the strength of an Early Stage Martial Monarch?"
"You..."
Long Chuan was so furious his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
’This kid is so infuriating!’
Long Chuan threw a sudden, violent punch at Xiao Dong, roaring, "In that case, go die and get reincarnated!"