Chapter 190: Clash in Qingmu City
After leaving the territory of the Sun and Moon Empire, Xiao Qiang and his companions traveled swiftly for an entire day. As dusk settled over the land, they arrived in Qingmu City and selected the best hotel available. Seeking a brief respite from their journey, Xiao Qiang, Mu Qingxue, Nana, and Xiao Lan sat down at a scenic spot in the restaurant to enjoy a peaceful meal.
However, just as they began to relax, an unwelcome gaze intruded.
"Heh heh, Boss Lu, those two women are real beauties. Look at their figures—tut tut—it must be incredible to have them in bed. And the younger one… She doesn't have those curves yet, but that face? She'll fetch dozens of gold soul coins in a few years," said a plump young man with a pair of lecherous eyes glued to Mu Qingxue and Nana. He occasionally glanced at Xiao Lan as well, but clearly, his focus remained on the elder two.
The man beside him, addressed as Boss Lu, followed his gaze and sized up the group. After confirming that no intimidating elders accompanied them, he smirked and nodded in agreement. "Not bad. Wait here."
Boss Lu picked up a bottle of wine and swaggered toward Xiao Qiang's table.
"You two," he said to Mu Qingxue and Nana, "come drink with us. If we're happy, we'll reward you well."
"Get lost." Mu Qingxue didn't spare him a second glance. With a casual wave of her hand, a trace of soul power surged out, sending Boss Lu sprawling to the floor. The wine bottle shattered, soaking his clothes.
To the others' surprise, Boss Lu wasn't enraged—instead, he looked shocked.
This was Lu Qi, heir of the Lu Family in Qingmu City and a student of Shrek Academy's outer school. At 18, he had already reached the fourth ring. Though unlikely to enter the inner school, his talent was impressive for an average soul master. In any other city, a level 45 Soul Sect was noteworthy.
But he'd just been knocked down without his opponent even releasing her martial spirit. That meant her spirit power exceeded his by at least 15 levels. Forty-five plus fifteen… that was level 60. A Soul Emperor!
Mu Qingxue didn't appear older than him. Even factoring in special martial spirits that delayed aging, she couldn't be over thirty. While Lu Qi's family might not fear a Soul Emperor under thirty, he knew he was no match. He was only a four-ringed Soul Sect, and his so-called subordinates were even worse, most of them mere Soul Masters. The strongest among them was barely level 37.
Lu Qi had hoped for an easy night of pleasure, mistaking Xiao Qiang's group for nobodies. Who would've thought they were traveling with a young Six-Ringed Soul Emperor?
He prepared to apologize, to backpedal with all his might, but then—
"What are you doing?! My boss was kind enough to offer you a drink!" the fat youth from earlier burst in, puffing up self-righteously. "You push him down? Do you think there's no law? No justice?"
The rest of Lu Qi's entourage joined in with hoots and jeers.
"That's right! Apologize, then accompany our boss tonight—or this won't end well!"
"And us too! After Boss Lu's done, it's our turn! If we're not satisfied, you'll regret it!"
Lu Qi wanted to disappear on the spot. Why did I ever bring these idiots along?
He knew trouble when he saw it. The killing intent radiating from Mu Qingxue and Nana was suffocating—and clearly aimed at him. He wanted to flee, but his legs wouldn't move under the weight of that intent.
Xiao Qiang's eyes were calm as he regarded Lu Qi. "If a fight breaks out, someone will die. If someone dies, someone will grieve. If someone grieves, someone will start begging. So, before you die, you get three things to say."
Lu Qi swallowed. "My father is City Lord Lu."
"That's one."
"My grandfather is an Eight-Ringed Soul Douluo. My sister went missing three years ago—I'm his only grandson. If you kill me, he'll come for you."
Xiao Qiang sipped his tea. "That's two."
"I'm a student of Shrek Academy. Only Shrek can judge me. If you kill me, it's a slap in Shrek's face. They'll invoke the Title Ban. A Titled Douluo will hunt you down!"
"Very good. That's three." Xiao Qiang set down his teacup and turned to Nana. "Start. Kill them all. Make it slow. Use the Eight Spider Lances."
"Yes, Master," Nana responded, her voice as cold as the executioner's blade.
The moment of reckoning had arrived.