"Zeng'ge!" Luo Ning called out in surprise. She thought something happened to her brother, but it seemed he was just fine.
'Thank goodness, thank goodness brother is alright,' she said in thought, hugging her brother tightly.
"Ning'er, sorry. I've made you suffer," Tang Feng said softly, tightening his grip on Shen Muo's wrist.
"So it's you, Luo Zeng. What a surprise," Shen Muo said, trying to find a way to break free from Luo Zeng's hold.
Tang Feng didn't want anyone to suspect him, so he decided to put on an act. He let go of the young master's arm and gave a greeting stance.
"Young master Muo, sorry for dropping in, but can you give me some face and let my sister go? She has already expressed her desire not to marry you, why force her any further?" Tang Feng said with utmost confidence, a trait that was rare for Luo Zeng of the past.
Luo Ning looked at her brother in admiration. Luo Zeng was always timid and afraid, but he seemed to gain courage when it came to her.
"Ge," she said emphatically, hugging her brother closer, as if fearing he'd disappear again.
Tang Feng smiled at Luo Ning's clinginess.
"Don't worry, Gege is here. I won't let that bastard come close to you," he reassured her. She nodded with an 'um.'
"Shut up! What qualifications do you have to bargain with this young master?" Shen Muo roared in rage, pointing two fingers at Tang Feng.
'Damn it! Why'd this good-for-nothing have to come and ruin my good deed!' he thought angrily, glaring at Tang Feng.
"So you won't leave us alone no matter what I say?" Tang Feng asked calmly.
"Isn't that obvious? Ning'er is mine and mine alone. No one deserves to be with her except this young master!" Shen Muo laughed menacingly, looking at Ning'er.
Tang Feng immediately stepped forward to block his view.
"Luo Zeng, Luo Zeng," Shen Muo sneered, "I was giving you face earlier because you're Ning'er's brother, but it seems you don't know what's good for you. If you still want your job in my Celestial Pavilion Sect, then you better step aside."
Tang Feng's eyes narrowed.
"If you come near my sister again, I don't care if you're the young master of Celestial Pavilion Sect, or even the sect master; I'll kill you," he said casually.
His voice shook the restaurant structure and rumbled like the earth, sending shivers down Shen Muo's spine.
But Shen Muo didn't want to look weak, so he put up a front.
"Good, very good, Luo Zeng. You dare to threaten this young master? Hahaha! I would love to see how you protect Ning'er from me today!"
He built up the courage to intimidate Tang Feng, fully releasing his chi. The surroundings began shaking violently and were about to crash.
"I'm already in the Chi Condensation Realm. You're not my match. If you still want to stay, then don't blame me for being ruthless."
Tang Feng smirked.
"Just by you?" he asked sarcastically.
Shen Muo's face flushed with anger.
"Good, then die!" he roared, charging at Tang Feng, his hands enveloped in condensed chi.
Tang Feng stood there, waiting.
"Watch out!" Luo Ning exclaimed, afraid something would happen to her brother.
Seeing Tang Feng's unresponsiveness, Shen Muo's ego inflated.
"It's too late," he sneered.
But the moment Shen Muo's hand touched Tang Feng, Tang Feng grabbed it — and in an instant, they both phased outside the restaurant.
When Shen Muo realized he was outside, he panicked.
"What? What did you do? How did we get here?!"
Tang Feng let go of his arm, rotating his shoulders lazily.
"I don't want you breaking stuff you won't pay for," he whispered near Shen Muo's ear, causing the young master to leap back several feet.
'Something's wrong! Luo Zeng is a mortal... how can he have the aura of a cultivator — and a strong one at that? Did he encounter some opportunity?' Shen Muo thought grimly, raising his guard.
"Eh, look, look quickly! The young master of Celestial Pavilion Sect is fighting someone!" a passerby exclaimed.
In no time, a crowd gathered to watch the scene unfold.
Shen Muo's heart raced.
'Damn it! If only I'd taken Ning'er away earlier!' He cursed inwardly, feeling trapped.
He couldn't back out now without losing face.
He gritted his teeth, shooting Tang Feng a murderous glare.
'It's all because of him... if he hadn't ruined my plans!'
Tang Feng stood calmly, hands behind his back.
"Who is that guy? He dares challenge the young master of Celestial Pavilion Sect? Is he crazy?" one of the spectators whispered.
"He won't leave unscathed for provoking Celestial Pavilion Sect," another commented.
Some pitied Tang Feng, while others just watched eagerly.
"Luo Zeng, I'm still willing to give you a chance to live," Shen Muo sneered arrogantly.
"Kowtow three times and call me Grandpa, and I'll consider sparing your dog life."
Tang Feng chuckled coldly.
"You don't have the qualifications to take my life yet. Come back in a thousand years and I might consider it."
"You..." Shen Muo seethed, clenching his fists.
"Who the hell is that guy? He doesn't even give face to Shen Muo!" a spectator said, fueling the tension.
"Zeng'ge! Zeng'ge!" Luo Ning called out, pushing through the crowd.
"So it's Luo Ning's brother. No wonder he dares to fight Shen Muo," someone commented.
"Ning'er, please stop this," Luo Ning cried out from the distance.
"He didn't do anything to me."
Although Tang Feng itched for a fight, he didn't want to upset his sister.
"Since Ning'er said so, I will naturally agree," he said, relaxing his stance.
Luo Ning breathed a sigh of relief.
"But... he will have to return Mom's necklace. Otherwise, I won't show him any mercy," Tang Feng added, pointing at Shen Muo.
"If you have the ability, come and take it from me!" Shen Muo taunted, dangling the necklace mockingly.
'Hmph, if he moves, I'll just destroy it and escape!' he thought smugly.
Tang Feng glanced at Luo Ning, noticing her worried gaze fixed on the necklace.
'Su Yan...' he called out inwardly.
"I understand," Su Yan replied.
"Silent Step," Tang Feng muttered.
Time froze.
The entire world stood still.
Tang Feng calmly walked up to Shen Muo, plucked the necklace from his hand, and gave him two sharp slaps on either side of his face.
He returned to his original spot, placed the necklace gently around Luo Ning's neck, and undid the time freeze.
Shen Muo immediately staggered, rubbing his now-swollen cheeks in confusion.
"Zeng'ge, the necklace has disappeared!" Luo Ning cried out, devastated.
But then she felt a cold sensation around her neck.
She touched it and gasped.
"What? It's... on my neck?"
Tang Feng smirked faintly.
Everyone around was dumbfounded.
Even Shen Muo stared blankly.
'Wasn't the necklace in my hand? How did it end up around her neck?!'
But the bigger problem was — without the necklace, he no longer had a bargaining chip.
"Thank you for returning the necklace, young master Muo," Tang Feng said politely, extending his hand in gratitude.
His acting almost made him laugh.
"Drop the nonsense! I know you did something!" Shen Muo growled.
Tang Feng feigned innocence.
"I ask that young master Muo speak clearly. What does he mean?"
All eyes turned to Shen Muo.
"...It's nothing. Never mind," Shen Muo gritted out, swallowing his humiliation.
"Then I thank young master Muo in advance for showing mercy," Tang Feng said with a bow, before walking to Ning'er.
Luo Ning was still staring at the necklace in amazement, not noticing Tang Feng approach.
"Ning'er, are you okay?" he asked gently.
"Um," she replied, looking up at him.
He extended his hand.
"That's good then. Let's go," he said.
She took his hand, and they walked away together, leaving Shen Muo stewing in shame.
"Luo Zeng..." Shen Muo muttered through gritted teeth before flying away.
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