Chapter 44: Arrogant Servant Blocks the Way
On Vermilion Bird Avenue, the Ding Prince's Residence was festively decorated with lanterns and banners, lively and bustling.
Xiao Chen and Liu Yue'er flew through the sky and landed not far from the Ding Prince's Residence.
Liu Yue'er glanced at the celebratory scene and turned to Xiao Chen. "Senior Brother, it looks like the people of the Ding Prince's Residence knew you were coming back and prepared everything specially."
Xiao Chen slightly shook his head. "Not necessarily."
Liu Yue'er showed a puzzled expression. Senior Brother had never really spoken to her about his family before.
She only knew he came from the Ding Prince's Residence in Daliang.
"Senior Brother, you're the number one prodigy of Wendao Academy, the leader of the younger generation. Forget about the mere Ding Prince's Residence — even the whole Daliang Kingdom would make a grand affair of your return."
Xiao Chen said, "I only sent a message to my mother saying I would return. I didn't mention when, so this may not be for me.
Besides, they may not even know about my status in Wendao Academy."
"You didn't tell Aunt clearly?"
Liu Yue'er was still a little confused.
"Of course I did. But the inner courtyard has always been filled with schemes and rivalry. My mother is merely a concubine in the residence — and one who has long since lost favor.
Everyone knows my cultivation was crippled. Who would believe I could win first place in the outer sect competition in less than a year?
Let alone imagine the position I hold today."
Behind them, Elder Huang and the others didn't immediately catch up. Instead, they observed from a distance.
"So, the Ding Prince's Residence is welcoming someone else?"
Liu Yue'er frowned unconsciously, feeling indignant on Xiao Chen's behalf.
Xiao Chen smiled. "Who cares who they're welcoming? I just want to see my mother. Do they really think someone in the Ding Prince's Residence can stop me?"
That wasn't arrogance — it was fact. The strongest in the Ding Prince's Residence was his father, who was only at the Heaven Origin Realm. Most others were merely at the True Fate or Dao Foundation level.
"Let's go."
"Alright."
Liu Yue'er didn't think much of it either. In a secular kingdom like this, there were hardly any cultivators that could threaten them, let alone a minor noble household like the Ding Prince's Residence.
The two quickened their pace instinctively. Before long, they arrived at the gate of the residence. Before Xiao Chen could speak, a lowly servant stepped forward to block them.
"The prince's residence is hosting important guests today. No visitors are allowed. Go back to wherever you came from."
The Ding Prince's Residence often welcomed heroes from all over the world, so many cultivators came to pay visits. This servant didn't recognize Xiao Chen and mistook the two for wandering warriors.
"Look closely and see who I am!"
Xiao Chen was already irritated that he couldn't even return home without being blocked by a lackey.
The servant was stunned for a moment, then carefully looked him over. The youth's luxurious attire clearly marked him as someone of status.
But the Ding Prince's Residence was one of the most powerful forces in Liangdu — even if this young man had some background, could it possibly surpass theirs?
"Hmph! I don't care who you are. The Ding Prince's Residence isn't a place where the likes of you can run wild. Get lost while you still can, or don't blame me for being rude!"
Pa!
Xiao Chen responded with a slap.
These days, all the servants in the Ding Prince's Residence served the legal wife's faction. They had long made life difficult for his mother and him. This slap was nothing more than collecting a small interest.
That one slap immediately drew everyone's attention toward Xiao Chen and Liu Yue'er. The servant clutched his face and shouted loudly, "Help! Someone's attacking the prince's residence!"
In an instant, a large number of people rushed out from within, surrounding Xiao Chen and Liu Yue'er.
Not far away, the students from Wendao Academy saw the scene unfold and one by one drew their weapons.
Elder Huang watched the scene and laughed. "What are you all doing? Stop playing around. That brat Xiao Chen is the number one prodigy of our Wendao Academy's younger generation. Unless the Daliang Kingdom sends out a Spirit Nurturing realm cultivator, there's no one here who can stop him.
Let's take this chance to see how strong Xiao Chen really is."
One student asked, "Elder, is Junior Brother Xiao really that strong?"
"You'll find out soon enough. Once Daliang's experts show up, we'll give them a surprise. It's also a chance for Xiao Chen to prove himself and bask in a little glory."
Elder Huang smiled brightly. Of course, he had his own motives—he wanted to do Xiao Chen, the future prodigy, a favor he might one day return.
Upon hearing this, the others nodded in agreement. They too were eager to witness the might of a divine body.
"You've got some nerve to cause trouble at the Ding Prince's Residence!"
"Men! Seize them!"
The leader barked the order and drew his weapon, pointing it at Xiao Chen and Liu Yue'er.
"Stop!"
A cold shout came from within the residence.
An old man stepped out from inside. Upon seeing him, the people of the prince's residence immediately saluted.
"Steward Qiu."
"Hmm."
Steward Qiu nodded, then turned to Xiao Chen and gave a slight bow. "So the Sixth Prince has returned. These servants were blind and offended Your Highness. I ask for your forgiveness."
Though his words were an apology, his tone clearly didn't treat Xiao Chen as a true member of the residence.
When the servants heard the title "Sixth Prince," they were stunned at first, but then their expressions turned scornful. If Xiao Chen weren't the prince's son, they would've mocked him to his face. Wasn't he just a cripple who managed to join Wendao Academy? Acting all high and mighty like a prince—how laughable.
What gave them the gall to look down on Xiao Chen was the fact that the princess consort constantly oppressed the side consorts, while the prince himself ignored matters of the inner court. In the entire residence, it was the princess consort's word that held sway.
Xiao Chen said calmly, "All of you step back. I have no interest in stooping to your level."
But the crowd didn't move. Instead, their gazes shifted to Steward Qiu. Xiao Chen and Liu Yue'er saw this clearly, and Liu Yue'er was already unable to hold back her anger.
Steward Qiu waved his hand. "What are you all still standing around for? Blocking the Sixth Prince—what's the meaning of that?"
"Yes, sir."
The crowd responded and dispersed.
Steward Qiu was quite pleased with the scene. He had just given the Sixth Prince a solid slap in the face. Once this spread to the princess consort's ears, she would surely praise him.
Xiao Chen ignored the crowd and headed straight for the main gate. As soon as he took a step forward, Steward Qiu spoke again.
"Please wait, Sixth Prince."
"What now?" Xiao Chen turned his head and asked.
With an official's tone, Steward Qiu said, "Sixth Prince, you're going the wrong way. The main gate is not for you."
Humiliation. A blatant and deliberate humiliation.
Anyone with eyes could see that Steward Qiu was publicly insulting Xiao Chen. Yet not a single person at the gate spoke up for him—instead, they all wore expressions of amusement, eager to watch the show.
Even someone as patient as Xiao Chen could not bear to be forced into entering through the side gate. Not to mention, he was no longer who he used to be. He had come back this time to declare to the world—Xiao Chen had returned!
He casually touched his nose and said, "Today, I'm walking through this gate. What will you do about it?"
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