Chapter Twenty-Five: Oppression Through Power

Although Su Ling’s own martial arts cultivation is merely at the third stage, the Martial Gall Realm, his body contains a supreme, peerless power. Even a mere sliver of it leaking out is something Cai Jinjian, a low-level cultivator in the lower five realms, cannot possibly withstand.

Panic flashed in Cai Jinjian’s eyes just as she prepared to repel Su Ling, who had suddenly appeared beside her. Su Ling released his grip on her forearm, and to her utter shock, his clenched fist shot forward. In her vision, that massive fist magnified at a terrifying speed, shaking her to the core. With his fist intent manifested, Cai Jinjian trembled uncontrollably, seized by a bone-chilling dread as if she were facing the annihilation of both body and soul—confronting the very essence of death itself.

To her, that fist was no ordinary strike; it was as if an irresistible, majestic mountain were crashing down upon her. Furthermore, the supreme fist intent contained within the blow was so tangible that it caused her mind to seize up, like a rusted bronze bell unable to toll.

The moment a sense of extreme crisis erupted within her, Su Ling’s sandbag-sized fist struck her delicate nose with a dull thud, followed by a sickeningly crisp sound of cartilage snapping. Her bridge was clearly shattered, and this was only because Su Ling had not used his full strength. Had he exerted himself, a low-five-realm cultivator like Cai Jinjian would likely have been reduced to ashes in an instant. Yes, Su Ling possessed such terrifying, jaw-dropping destructive power, but that was simply the truth.

Cai Jinjian cried out in pain, her voluptuous, curvaceous body thrown back like a kite with a broken string. She traced a graceful arc through the air before landing heavily ten meters away, as ungracefully as a celestial being fallen from the heavens. She scrambled to her feet, and despite the throbbing agony in her nose, she refused to remain collapsed in the filth. Clutching her crooked nose with one hand, her beautiful eyes—filled with a murderous, burning rage—reflected Su Ling’s indifferent expression like autumn water. If looks could kill, this iron-hearted man who lacked the grace to cherish the fairer sex would have been sliced into a thousand pieces—no, shredded to feed the dogs—and that still wouldn't have been enough to appease her.

Cai Jinjian glanced at Su Ling, who had stopped his assault, and after a brief internal struggle, the raging fire in her eyes began to dim. It was not that she lacked courage, but she had deduced from the power Su Ling displayed that she was simply no match for him. A martial artist who has realized his own fist intent possesses formidable strength and an overwhelming, undeniable presence. Such a person was not someone she could afford to provoke; if she took the risk, she would have to be prepared to lose her life.

Yet, who was Cai Jinjian? She was the daughter of the Master of Yunxia Mountain! Even if this powerful martial artist were arrogant and overbearing now, once the Li-Zhu Cave Heaven collapsed, she would have plenty of ways to play him to his death.

At that moment, as if sensing the derisory thoughts within her, Su Ling sneered and declared, "Su Ling of the blacksmith shop. What is your business?"

"What!"

Cai Jinjian froze, her expression instantly twisting into that of a hideous witch, so malicious and distorted it could stop a child’s crying. There was only one blacksmith shop in the Li-Zhu Cave Heaven: the one belonging to Ruan Qiong, the military strategist and sword cultivator of Riding Dragon Lane. Before coming to seek her fortune here, her father and the elders of her sect had repeatedly warned her about the various formidable forces hidden within the town.

Cai Jinjian understood that no matter how unwilling she was, she had no way to deal with this damned man. She could not use her family’s power to crush him, nor could she kill him with her own cultivation. She was nearly driven mad; had her reason not suppressed her reckless, suicidal impulses, she would have long since thrown herself at him to kill the crude brute who had broken her nose. But in reality, she possessed no such capability. Her desire to see him dead was, in the end, an extravagant hope she could not fulfill.

"...It was my own rashness," Cai Jinjian said, gritting her teeth. She had no choice but to swallow her pride and dare not act out further. "I, this humble girl, offer my apologies to the disciple of Master Ruan!"

She lowered her hand, revealing her nose, which she had already set back into place. However, the faint, conspicuous streak of blood remaining beneath it ruined her ethereal, celestial aura. Although she was a woman of high self-regard, she was not a foolish one; when facing an insurmountable enemy, she knew that taking a step back could open up a vast sky. Yet, she would carry this humiliation to her grave. If ever a day came when her strength surpassed this man who had left such a deep scar upon her, she would not hesitate to find him, skin him alive, and pull his tendons, ensuring he would beg for death in vain. But that was a pipe dream she could never realize, for she could not even fathom the true extent of Su Ling’s power. Everything she had seen was merely the tip of the iceberg—or rather, not even that. He had restrained all his power, using only the strength of an ordinary martial artist to repel her.

"This..."

On the other side, Fu Nanhua was stunned. Although he and Cai Jinjian were both cultivators of the lower five realms, the scene had unfolded so suddenly that his head was still spinning.

"Incredible. The daughter of a Mountain Master, actually lowering herself to apologize to a rustic fool from the town..." Fu Nanhua was astonished. Having traveled with her to seek opportunities in the Li-Zhu Cave Heaven, he had become accustomed to her domineering temper. Her submissive behavior now was truly unbelievable.

"Brother Su." Chen Pingan, clutching his aching chest, stepped forward and gestured to indicate he was unharmed.

Su Ling nodded and turned his gaze back to Cai Jinjian, his expression turning solemn as he said in a low voice, "Since my little brother is safe and sound, apologize to him."

"You!"

Cai Jinjian’s bright eyes widened, her teeth clenching until they clicked, her voluptuous waist trembling. Her chest heaved with her ragged breathing, a sight so stunning that even Su Ling was almost momentarily entranced.

"I... offer my apologies to this young brother..."

Cai Jinjian was not a reckless woman; she knew how to weigh the situation. If she hadn't known that even with all her trump cards she could not kill him, she would never have endured such an insult.

"Hm?" Su Ling prodded. "Is that all the sincerity you have in your apology?"

It was clear that Su Ling was taking advantage of the situation. Even Chen Pingan felt a sense of awkwardness, reaching out to tug at Su Ling’s sleeve and shaking his head, signaling that this was enough.

"..."

Cai Jinjian suppressed the agonizing fire of rage in her chest, her pretty face turning cold and distant, once again exuding an icy, otherworldly aura.