Chapter 34: Stay Away from Prince Li’s Beloved

He Tian pushed his speed to the very limit, but his pursuer clung to him like a piece of stubborn glue, relentless and ever-close. No matter how he tried, shaking off his adversary seemed impossible.

"Fourth level of Inner Strength—likely the lower four," He Tian judged inwardly, a faint sense of dismay welling up within him. The gap between each level of inner strength—first, second, and third—is significant, yes, but none compare to the chasm between the third and fourth layers. Upon reaching the fourth level, one's overall strength experiences a dramatic leap, a transformation so profound it might as well be a rebirth. Against a fourth-layer practitioner, a third-layer one is at a severe disadvantage.

Even with the Nine Dragons as One technique, He Tian knew he was no match. What's more, he hadn't even reached the upper three levels within the third layer; he was only at the middle. The disparity was even greater.

Strictly speaking, He Tian's true strength was not enough to qualify him for the Dragon Soul. Only his other abilities, and the Dragon Head's personal knowledge of his background, had secured his entrance—a special exception.

But now, those other abilities had no opportunity to manifest; the enemy's pressure was too intense.

The mighty wind whistling behind him forced He Tian to dodge sharply, but in doing so, his speed dropped. The pursuer seized the chance, closing in and launching a flurry of punches to entangle He Tian.

He Tian had no choice but to turn and face his opponent—a man in his forties, with a sullen face and sunken eyes. The energy in his strikes carried a chill, betraying a cultivation in yin-aligned techniques. Sensing his opponent's power, He Tian knew he was completely outmatched.

His footwork grew erratic, body swaying like catkins in the wind, unpredictable and elusive. Time and again, he managed to slip away at the last instant, his body almost boneless in its flexibility.

"Not bad. Let’s see who you really are," Qi Cheng muttered in secret amazement; for someone at the middle stage of the third inner strength layer, this footwork was extraordinary. His attacks kept missing their mark, leaving him deeply surprised.

Still, Qi Cheng didn't believe he couldn’t win. The difference in levels was not something any external skill could bridge. Summoning all his energy, he launched a punch that embodied his entire martial path—unstoppable, as if Mount Tai itself was crashing down.

"Try my Tyrant’s Fist!" Qi Cheng laughed heartily, the thrill of the hunt lighting his eyes.

Tyrant’s Fist—an attack as domineering as its name.

He Tian realized he could not evade this blow; he had to meet it head-on. Suddenly, from the corner of his eye, he caught a flicker of movement in the distance and a plan formed instantly.

Without a word, He Tian hurled his own punch. Three streams of power surged along the three channels within him, merging as he leaned forward and unleashed his strongest strike.

This was the Three Dragons in Harmony—a technique that gathered the strength of three dragons into a single, explosive blow. It was the sole offensive move contained within the Nine Dragons as One, applicable to any attack.

Their fists met. The air roared, dust swirled.

Qi Cheng merely swayed, but He Tian was sent flying backward, pain shooting through his fist and making him grimace. Had his face not been covered, Qi Cheng would have seen his expression.

But as He Tian flew, three cold gleams flashed from his hand—daggers aimed at Qi Cheng’s head, chest, and lower abdomen.

Qi Cheng was startled. No matter how strong, flesh could not withstand steel. He dodged immediately.

"Brother!" At that moment, A Kun had caught up. Qi Cheng’s evasive maneuver put him directly in front of A Kun.

"Watch out!" Qi Cheng shouted, leaping forward and flicking his fingers. Three sharp cracks sounded as he deflected the daggers midair.

But A Kun, caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, couldn’t dodge in time. Even with Qi Cheng’s help, one dagger grazed his arm, cutting a bloody gash that soaked his sleeve in moments.

"A Kun!" Qi Cheng hurried to his side, reproachful. "Who told you to follow me?"

"I was worried about an ambush," A Kun replied, clutching his arm, sweat beading on his brow.

"You’ve hurt the muscle and bone. If I’d acted a moment later, you’d be dead," Qi Cheng said, inspecting the wound gravely.

"Forget me, Senior Brother! Go! Catch him!" A Kun urged, gazing after He Tian as he vanished into the night.

"What’s the point? He’s already gone. Your injury is more important." Qi Cheng shook his head, glancing at the rapidly disappearing He Tian.

"Who was that man?" A Kun asked.

"I couldn’t tell. His style was a mess. But he’s not yet thirty—a young master of his generation," Qi Cheng replied thoughtfully.

"Senior Brother, if Young Master Hai asks when we return, let me answer," A Kun said.

"What, do you think he’ll blame you?" Qi Cheng glared at him.

"Don’t misunderstand, Senior Brother. Young Master Hai once saved my life. Besides, if you and I want to live well, we can’t afford to offend him," A Kun explained, knowing Young Master Hai’s temperament; without an explanation, he wouldn’t let it go.

"Hmph… be careful. There’s an expert at his side I can’t defeat," Qi Cheng warned in a low voice.

"Don’t worry, Senior Brother," A Kun replied with a slight smile. The two then made their way back.

He Tian finally stopped, sensing that no one pursued him, and let out a long sigh of relief.

"Hiss…" Only now did the pain in his fist register fully.

"Fourth level of Inner Strength," he murmured, then oriented himself and slipped away into the night.

To He Tian, tonight was an undeniable failure. Who would have expected Young Master Hai to be guarded by such formidable experts? He’d already encountered one at the fourth level and another at the third.

A fourth-layer expert would be an elder among the great families. Why would such a person be content as Young Master Hai’s bodyguard?

Moreover, if Young Master Hai was surrounded by such people, it implied he harbored secrets of his own. Inevitably, He Tian thought of the Dragon Tooth incident. Whether or not Young Master Hai was connected, He Tian resolved to continue his investigation.

But after tonight, He Tian knew his approach would have to change. Until he reached the fourth level himself, such reckless infiltration was out of the question. Escaping by luck once didn’t mean he’d be so fortunate again.

By the time He Tian returned to the villa, the pain in his fist had faded. The wounds from their clash had been tended, leaving him largely unscathed, though his energy was considerably depleted.

He immediately sat down to cultivate, continuing until dawn. After absorbing the morning’s vital energy, his strength had not fully recovered, but his wounds were completely healed.

He then guided Wang Xinyou through her practice, bathed, and had breakfast.

He Tian's expression was calm, as if last night’s peril had never happened. He drove to Tianhai University, where Wang Xinyou, foregoing her classes, led him straight to the administration building.

"The head of the Entrepreneurship Office is back?" He Tian asked.

"Yes," Wang Xinyou replied with a nod.

"Your sources are impressive," He Tian said with a smile.

"Hmph, my fans are everywhere on campus, you know," Wang Xinyou replied proudly.

"Beautiful women always have it easy," He Tian couldn’t help but remark—being attractive was unquestionably an asset.

"Jealous, are you?" Wang Xinyou teased.

"Me, jealous? If anything, they’re jealous of me," He Tian laughed. "Go on, I’ll wait out here."

"All right," Wang Xinyou agreed, knowing he wasn't interested and not pressing the matter.

He Tian waited outside, unconcerned for Wang Xinyou's safety. Leaning against the wall, he closed his eyes, still pondering last night’s events.

His opponent had been undeniably powerful, but He Tian didn’t consider himself weak. He had to admit, though—he’d underestimated his foe and failed to prepare adequately.

"I can’t afford to be careless," he warned himself. The world was no longer as perilous as before, but that didn’t mean it was safe; he needed to stay alert.

He also considered how to learn more about Young Master Hai. After last night, it was clear he could no longer rely on the National Security Bureau or Military Intelligence for deeper information. The files they’d provided before had clearly been incomplete, not for lack of effort, but because Young Master Hai was simply too well hidden.

A slow smile crept across He Tian’s lips. Things were getting interesting—perhaps even more so than the old days of constant bloodshed. Now, it was a battle of wits.

For the moment, He Tian decided to set aside the matter of Young Master Hai. If he couldn’t gather more intel, there was no point in forcing it.

His next target would be the assassin organization. He’d gauge their strength, make a bold move, and warn all such groups: never accept contracts against the Wang sisters again.

Whatever effect this might have, it was something He Tian felt compelled to do.

"Hey! You there!"

He Tian opened his eyes.

"Yes, you, classmate!"

He Tian pointed to himself, puzzled, and walked over.

The speaker was a tall, handsome man—at least 1.85 meters, with a strong build. He Tian was certain he’d never seen this person before.

So why was he being approached?

"You looking for me?" He Tian asked.

"You’re He Tian?" the man said arrogantly.

"Yes, I am. What’s your business?" He Tian replied, smiling.

"I’m warning you—stay away from Wang Xinyou, or my fists won’t be so polite," the man threatened, shaking his fist.

"And who are you?" He Tian was speechless.

Damn, where had this idiot come from?