At this moment, Xu Ke wasn't trying to court death; he just wanted to unleash his anger.

He was already frustrated at being forced to reveal his strength. Did Xie Jinhua really think he could provoke him repeatedly and even dare to attack? Did he really think Xu Ke was a pushover? As for offending Xie Jinhua and the Xie Family, he couldn't care less. After the incidents with Bai Qian'er and Shan Lan, he knew that even if he didn't hit Xie Jinhua now, the man would still send people to deal with him once he got home.

Since that was the case, it wasn't going too far to strike first, was it? Besides, it would also serve as payback for Qiu Mingli's slight this morning.

"Young Master..."

After a moment of shocked silence, one of the two bodyguards who had been standing behind Xie Jinhua let out a shrill scream. They never expected that Xu Ke would actually dare to hit Xie Jinhua. Now that the young master had been struck right in front of them, how could they possibly explain this when they returned to the Xie Family? They were doomed!

One bodyguard ran desperately toward the flower bushes, trying to help Xie Jinhua up. The other bodyguard turned to Xu Ke with a gloomy expression. "Xu Ke, how dare you lay a hand on the young master?" he snarled. "You're dead! You cannot bear the wrath of the Xie Family! No one can save you."

Xu Ke let out a cold laugh. "That idiot wanted to duel me one-on-one; he was actively seeking death. He asked for it, and I simply obliged. Shouldn't you be thanking me on his behalf?"

His words stunned the onlookers, and a few of them actually felt that Xu Ke had a point.

Bai Qian'er's expression was a mixture of amusement and exasperation. I'd always heard that Xu Ke had a silver tongue. Seeing it for myself today... he really is something else. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"You're courting death!" the bodyguard raged. "The young master challenged you to a duel so you would surrender voluntarily, yet you dared to fight back? You're too arrogant! Now, I order you to return to the Xie Family with me at once and kneel in apology for three days. Otherwise, I will ensure you die a gruesome death."

Xu Ke ignored him, letting out a simple, "Heh."

This disdainful scoff completely infuriated the bodyguard. His body trembled as the Innate Initial Stage aura within him surged like boiling water. Even the age spots on his face seemed to radiate power. In the next instant, the bodyguard's hand formed a claw and shot toward Xu Ke's throat, his killing intent palpable. He was trying to end Xu Ke's life.

Yet, a faint smile played on Bai Qian'er's lips. She recognized this bodyguard. He was an Innate Initial Stage Martial Artist from the Xie Family, considered a veteran. Even if he lacked overwhelming power, his combat experience was far greater than that of many other martial artists at the same level.

Someone like him should be able to force Xu Ke to use his full strength, right? In her heart, Bai Qian'er was certain this bodyguard was no match for Xu Ke. After all, she knew the Qian Jun he had instantly defeated was not a martial artist at Houtian Great Perfection, but one at the Innate Initial Stage.

In that lightning-fast moment, Xu Ke said calmly, "With those old arms and legs... I'd really rather not hit an old man."

"What did you say?" the bodyguard roared. This kid, does he still think he's guaranteed to win?

The True Qi coating his claws grew even sharper, fueled by a mixture of anger and murderous intent. This scene made many of the onlookers tremble.

An Innate Initial Stage Martial Artist is going all out. Even if Xu Ke is a genius, he'll probably be severely injured. He might even be killed instantly if he's not careful!

But the next scene stunned them into speechless horror.

Just as the bodyguard closed in, an aura suddenly erupted from Xu Ke's body, one that made everyone's heart pound in their chests—the aura of Houtian Great Perfection.

Bai Qian'er's eyes lit up with excitement.

The man with the buzz cut turned pale.

The man in the hat gasped for air.

Tang Yingchang, standing closest, watched with his jaw agape. Xu Ke's aura was simply too powerful! It was so powerful that it created an illusion, making everyone feel as if they weren't facing a martial artist at Houtian Great Perfection, but a master at Innate Great Perfection.

The next moment, a loud CRACK echoed through the room.

The bodyguard, who had seemed so formidable just a second ago, was sent flying backward without any suspense. To everyone's surprise, however, even though he was hit, he didn't let out a single cry of pain. They were baffled. Was Xu Ke's attack all thunder and no rain?

THUD.

The bodyguard's body crashed heavily to the ground. A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. They finally understood why the man hadn't screamed. They saw that as he flew through the air, his eyes were shut tight.

In other words, he had been knocked unconscious the very instant Xu Ke's kick had connected. This bodyguard had been taken out by Xu Ke in a single move.

Everyone's perception of Xu Ke changed. If he were just a young Houtian martial artist, they wouldn't need to pay him much mind. But an appallingly young Houtian martial artist with the ability to instantly defeat someone at the Innate Initial Stage... He was someone they could not afford to ignore. A person like that, even if from Tianhai, would certainly encroach on their interests if he continued to develop.

However, the thought that Xu Ke had offended the Xie Family brought a sense of relief to many of them. Good thing this brat has already made an enemy of the Xie Family!

Xu Ke didn't regret revealing his strength. He knew this group could easily investigate the incident in Tianhai where he had instantly defeated Qian Jun, an Innate Initial Stage martial artist. When they did, they would treat him as an Innate Initial Stage martial artist anyway. Since his power would be exposed sooner or later, he figured he might as well reveal it now, take out Xie Jinhua's bodyguard, and vent some frustration.

Just then, the younger bodyguard who had gone to help the mud-eating Xie Jinhua saw Elder Xu get defeated. His face paled, and he cried out in alarm, "Ah, Elder Xu..."

His gaze, when he turned it back to Xu Ke, was filled with terror. "You... you... why are you hitting people for no reason?!"

Normally, he would have arrogantly ordered Xu Ke to the Xie Family estate to kneel, just as Elder Xu had. But how could he act arrogant now? Elder Xu was unconscious in almost the exact same pose as the young master, only without a mouthful of mud. He no longer dared to act high and mighty.

Hearing this, Xu Ke's lips curved into a slight smile as he turned to Bai Qian'er. "Bai Qian'er, don't you like to stand up for justice?"

"I do!" Bai Qian'er replied, her gaze on Xu Ke now brimming with eagerness.

"Then remember to be my witness. I didn't hit him for no reason. I was acting in self-defense," Xu Ke said, raising an eyebrow.

He didn't expect anyone here, not even the hotel's security footage, to serve as a witness for him. Who would dare to oppose the Xie Family for his sake? Only the granddaughter of the Bai Family could possibly help.

"No problem!" Bai Qian'er said with a slight smile.

Xu Ke looked back at the terrified bodyguard. "Did you hear that?"

The young man jumped, so frightened that he stammered, "I-I understand..."

The crowd burst into laughter. It was amusing to see a bodyguard from the Xie Family scared out of his wits.

Seeing the man's state, Xu Ke dismissed the idea of teaching him a lesson as well and was about to leave.

But then Bai Qian'er called out, "Wait a moment."

"What is it?" Xu Ke asked, turning to face her.

"I'll be your witness, no problem! But I have one condition," Bai Qian'er said with a grin.

"What condition?" Xu Ke's brow furrowed.