Chapter 108: March Seventh, the Seven-Star Qin Sword!

Little Fatty struck in a fit of rage, his momentum thunderous.

He hated being disturbed while eating more than anything, especially after his Big Brother had already warned him not to be bothered further. It was one thing for this guy to record videos of them eating and project them on the spot—he and his brother didn't care about their image anyway. Well, Big Brother did care sometimes... like today, when he had combed his hair repeatedly and polished his shoes to a mirror shine. But he shouldn't have called Big Brother a "bottom-feeding trash."

If he had only insulted him, Little Fatty wouldn't have been this angry. Little Fatty knew he was a good-for-nothing, a blockheaded fool. But Big Brother was different; Big Brother was omnipotent, a god-like presence in his heart. He would not allow anyone to humiliate him.

So, upon receiving a signal from his brother, he didn't hesitate to lash out with a slap. He didn't hold back, putting his entire weight into the strike until his palm stung. The guy’s skin was just too thick!

"Wrong," Tang Fei tugged at Little Fatty's sleeve, whispering a reminder. "It's 'apprentice'."

*Smack!*

Little Fatty slapped him again and shouted, "Shang Xiulin is my apprentice..."

Tang Fei’s mouth twitched. He let him be, silently praying that Shang Xiulin wouldn't expel this rebellious disciple from the sect.

Qin Yuyang was stunned by the two slaps, his head spinning, stars dancing before his eyes. He couldn't even stand steady; had his companions not caught him, he would have collapsed on the spot. At banquets, arguments were common. Under imperial rule, everyone had their own calculations and interests; schemes and infighting were the norm. But who would actually slap someone like this fat man? Even if one wanted revenge, they would arrange a private duel or quietly finish the other person off... didn't they know that doing it this way was unwise and undignified?

The others were equally shocked that Little Fatty had resorted to violence without a word, especially against Qin Yuyang of the Qin family. Qin Yuyang himself wasn't worth mentioning, but his older brother was Qin Jianyi, one of the "Seven Stars."

It was well known that the younger generation of the Phoenix Empire consisted of the "Three Moons and Seven Stars."

The Three Moons were Princess Zhong Yu Xiuxue, Dongguo Chenxi of the Dongguo family, and Qin Shuang of the Qin family—the three most dazzling girls in the empire, and the most sought-after by the young aristocrats.

The Seven Stars were Yu Huoshui of the Yu family, Shen Xinglan and Shen Leyu of the Shen family, Shi An of the Shi family, Qin Jianyi of the Qin family, Gongshu Wuyu of the Gongshu family, and Bai Xingjian. Bai Xingjian was listed separately because he was the only one not from the Nine Great Families yet still earned a spot among the Seven Stars. The other six were the elite of the Nine Great Families, boasting impressive status, influence, and strength.

Since Tang Fei and Little Fatty had hit Qin Yuyang, how could the Qin family let it go? How could Qin Jianyi possibly stand for it?

"Do you know who he is?" Wang Jun, who was supporting Qin Yuyang, shouted, "He is Qin Yuyang—"

*Bang!*

Little Fatty slapped Wang Jun across the face. "Shang Xiulin is my apprentice..."

"Are you crazy?" someone else shouted.

*Smack!*

"Shang Xiulin is my apprentice..."

"You lunatic, I'm going to kill you—"

*Smack!*

"Shang Xiulin is my apprentice..."

After several consecutive slaps, the entire hall fell deathly silent. No one else was eager to explain Qin Yuyang's background, and no one else dared to shout threats about the boy being doomed. What was the point? The deed was done. Besides, there was a man named Shang Xiulin who would have to bear the consequences anyway.

Tang Fei patted Little Fatty’s shoulder, signaling him to relax. Little Fatty turned to Tang Fei and asked, "Big Brother, stop hitting?"

"Stop for now," Tang Fei said.

"Oh." Little Fatty let out a sigh of relief. His blood had been boiling, and he had nearly lost control and torn these jerks apart.

Tang Fei walked over to Qin Yuyang, looking at his rapidly swelling, reddened cheeks and eyes squinted shut from the puffiness. "Look, I told you, today is the Princess's birthday. Everyone came to have a good time and leave happily... but you just had to come over and stir up trouble."

"Are you satisfied now? Dean Shang Xiulin gets saddled with the charge of a master indulging a student's violence, and as for you... you've completely disgraced the Qin family, haven't you?"

"Dean Shang is my master," Little Fatty corrected.

"That's not what you called him a moment ago," Tang Fei remarked.

Qin Yuyang glared at Tang Fei with venomous eyes. "Do you realize the consequences of this?"

"I do," Tang Fei nodded. "Your Qin family will retaliate against the Dean, doing everything possible to kick him out of his position... Power struggles, isn't that what you're best at?"

Qin Yuyang looked at Tang Fei as if he were an idiot. *Why would our family retaliate against Shang Xiulin? Do you think just because you shouted it, we actually believe there's a close relationship between you? If everyone shouted something like that, would Shang Xiulin still be able to live?*

The commotion drew the attention of other guests in the parlor; many crowded around to see what was happening. A middle-aged man holding a champagne glass walked over, looked at Qin Yuyang’s swollen face, and asked in a deep voice, "What happened?"

Qin Yuyang pointed at Tang Fei and said, "Third Uncle, he hit me..."

"I didn't lay a finger on you," Tang Fei immediately denied. "Everyone here can testify for me."

"He was the one who hit me," Qin Yuyang pointed at Little Fatty, then at Tang Fei, adding, "But he was the one who ordered it..."

Qin Hao stared at Tang Fei and demanded angrily, "This is imperial grounds. Why hurt someone without cause?"

"Without cause? Am I just bored and looking for trouble?" Tang Fei sneered. "Why don't you ask him what the situation is? I don't hit others, so why would I specifically hit someone from your Qin family?"

Qin Hao looked at Qin Yuyang. "Yuyang, tell the truth. What is this about? If you were rude, the Qin family will handle it according to house rules. But if the other party went too far, our family will certainly seek justice."

"Third Uncle, it’s like this. I was bored inside, so I came out for some air..." Qin Yuyang looked at Tang Fei. "I saw them eating pastries in such a funny way that I used my phone to record it... I never expected them to lash out without a word..."

Qin Hao turned to Tang Fei. "Is that so?"

"More or less," Tang Fei said. "Except he omitted the part where he projected our private video for others to see and insulted both me and my brother..."

"How did he insult you?"

A crisp, firm voice cut through the air. The crowd parted automatically as a young man in a blue Phoenix Empire military uniform walked toward them. He was tall, with sharp, sword-like brows and bright, piercing eyes. He moved with a majestic, dragon-like stride, radiating an air of extraordinary grace.

"Wow, Qin Jianyi is back..."

"It’s actually Qin Jianyi. Now things are going to get interesting..."

"Isn't Qin Jianyi stationed with the Bathing Fire Army? How did he make it back?"

"Don't be stupid. Everyone knows Qin Jianyi is in love with Princess Xiuxue. It's her coming-of-age ceremony; of course he'd come back."

"Qin Jianyi is so handsome... that's a real man..."

Qin Jianyi stopped in front of Tang Fei, but his gaze remained fixed on his brother, Qin Yuyang. He asked softly, "How did you insult them?"

"He said I was intentionally provoking him, so I said... I said bottom-feeding trash wasn't worth my provocation..." Qin Yuyang seemed terrified of his brother and answered cautiously.

*Bang!*

Qin Jianyi kicked out, and Qin Yuyang’s body flew backward. The companions who had been trying to support him couldn't dodge in time and were knocked to the ground as well. The power of that single kick was evident. No one expected that upon his return, instead of standing up for his brother, Qin Jianyi would kick him away. This left those hoping for a show feeling regretful—this Qin Jianyi was a bit too timid and cautious.

Only then did Qin Jianyi’s gaze land on Tang Fei. After examining him for a moment, he grinned and asked, "The Light of the Old Earth? Tang Fei?"

"I am Tang Fei," Tang Fei replied.

He met Qin Jianyi’s gaze, feeling the pressure radiating from the man. Though he was smiling, Tang Fei knew this was an extremely dangerous individual; his body contained an undeniable aura and a dense murderous intent honed on the battlefield.

"You saved Zhong Yu Xiuxue on the Old Earth. Every young man who admires the Princess should thank you," Qin Jianyi said loudly and carelessly, with a brilliant smile.

The crowd gasped. Everyone knew Qin Jianyi liked Zhong Yu Xiuxue, but saying it so blatantly in front of everyone sparked wild speculation.

"What does Qin Jianyi mean? Is he trying to use this opportunity to confess to the Princess?"

"Since the Princess has come of age, he can't hold back anymore and wants to strike first?"

"Sacrificing his own brother to curry favor with the Princess? That bitter-meat trick probably won't work."

"What exactly is Qin Jianyi trying to do?"

Qin Jianyi ignored the speculation. He looked at Tang Fei earnestly and said, "Qin Yuyang spoke out of turn, and I have already disciplined him for you. That kick is enough to keep him bedridden for three months... You are a practitioner; you should know I'm not exaggerating."

Tang Fei didn't deny it. He stared deeply at Qin Jianyi, guessing the man's motive. "Indeed. He probably won't be getting up for three months."

"Qin Yuyang is my brother. He made a mistake, so I disciplined him on behalf of our parents. However, he is also a member of the Qin family. If he is bullied by others, I have to step in. Otherwise, the Qin family’s reputation would be in the dirt. Don't you think I'm right?"

Tang Fei nodded. "You have a point."

"Today is the Princess's coming-of-age ceremony. There are no blades here, and we cannot have bloodshed, so let’s keep this brief." Qin Jianyi walked to a large tree, plucked a branch, and broke it in two. He handed one piece to Tang Fei and said, "Let's use these as swords. One strike to decide the winner. How about it?"