Chapter 971: Too Arrogant

Zu An looked at the jade token in his hand, roughly understanding that it likely represented the highest tier of recognition at the Carefree Pavilion. Clearly, meeting the requirements for it was not easy. His number was 333, indicating there were many other similar individuals.

Moreover, judging by the butler's tone, there were other Carefree Pavilions elsewhere. Just as Zu An was marveling at the vast influence of the Carefree Pavilion, he heard a harsh taunt.

Zu An looked back to see a group of people on the stairs, led by a young nobleman who was sneering repeatedly at him. Fanning himself on such a cold day, he was clearly just feigning elegance. Crucially, he exuded no dashing or graceful aura. Although he wore a mask, it was still clear that his eyes were lifeless and utterly vacant. He stood there slouching awkwardly against the railing, which only made his entire demeanor seem more vulgar.

Zu An roughly sensed the vital energy fluctuations around him, noting his cultivation was only around the fifth rank. So, after a glance, he dismissed him and instead focused on the elder standing slightly behind him. The elder stood there with a steady presence. The faint vital energy fluctuations emanating from him indicated a cultivation of around the seventh rank—he could barely be considered a master. As for the retainers behind them, their cultivation ranged from third to fourth rank, and some were even ordinary people, clearly servants.

In the capital, such a group would naturally not be considered significant, but in a local area, such a force should not be underestimated. It would be enough to annihilate some small sects in the martial arts world.

Hearing the other party's questioning, the butler politely replied, "The Carefree Pavilion has its own criteria for recognizing esteemed guests. This young master met the conditions, so he naturally received the jade token."

The man with lifeless eyes snorted coldly. He was about to speak when the elder behind him whispered something in his ear. Apparently, he was somewhat wary of the Carefree Pavilion's influence, and in the end, he didn't dare to act too recklessly. He turned his head and saw Zu An. Seeming to sense the disdain in Zu An's gaze, he instantly became exceptionally annoyed, his lifeless eyes widening as he barked, "What are you looking at?"

Zu An couldn't help but be amused. He never expected to have this 'skill' used on him one day, so without hesitation, he shot back the standard reply: "What if I hit you?"

The man with lifeless eyes' chest visibly heaved rapidly. He was clearly enraged. "Very good!" he spat. "It's been a long time since anyone dared to speak to this young master like that."

Rage points from Sun Ji: 222,222,222...

Sun Ji? Zu An filtered through his memories but had no impression of this name. "Heh, acting so high and mighty, I thought he was the Crown Prince of Yan," he scoffed. "Who knows where this little nobody crawled out from."

The Crown Prince of Yan was naturally surnamed Zhao, so it clearly couldn't be the person in front of him. Zu An had just recently reflected that his motivation for earning rage points had slackened. Now, with an excellent opportunity, he couldn't help but milk it for all it was worth.

As expected, the man with lifeless eyes flew into a rage. "You have successfully enraged this young master!" he roared. "You will soon pay the price!"

Rage points from Sun Ji: 444,444,444...

The butler beside them showed a strange expression. He couldn't help but glance at Zu An again, wondering how he knew the other wasn't the Crown Prince of Yan when everyone was wearing masks. Could he be very familiar with the Crown Prince of Yan? But that's not right. If he were truly familiar with the Crown Prince of Yan, he shouldn't fail to recognize the person in front of him.

Zu An looked at the other party with a playful expression. "Have you been relying on your mouth to act tough your entire life?" he mocked.

"You!" the man with lifeless eyes spluttered, pointing at Zu An. The skin on his neck visibly reddened, clearly due to rising anger.

Rage points from Sun Ji: 682,682,682...

At this moment, the elder behind him also stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Young man, when you're out and about, you should know that trouble often comes from loose talk."

Zu An calmly replied, "Old man, at your age, you should be at home looking after your grandchildren. If you insist on prancing around outside, you might ruin your reputation in your later years."

The elder narrowed his eyes. "For your age, reaching the sixth rank so quickly is indeed good talent," he said. "You must usually be overly arrogant. But as someone who has lived longer, let me advise you: there are always more capable people out there, and higher heavens beyond. It's best not to be too arrogant when you're out. Throughout history, how many geniuses have died prematurely before they could fully realize their talents?"

Rage points from Yang Long: 280,280,280...

He had clearly just secretly observed Zu An's vital energy fluctuations. After realizing Zu An was only at the sixth rank, he relaxed. The threatening intent in his words was already obvious. Although he was confident he could easily defeat the other party, the opponent was so young yet had reached the sixth rank. Perhaps he had a powerful family background. Therefore, he decided to hold back for now. It would be best if the other party understood the difficulty and retreated after a warning.

Zu An picked his ear, then flicked his hand casually. "Indeed, like master, like dog," he scoffed. "You don't dare to fight; you only know how to bark loudly."

The butler beside them: "..." This person had looked refined just now. How could he be such a troublemaker? His mouth was so venomous; the other party was probably fuming.

The elder named Yang Long shifted his body, dodging the non-existent earwax attack, his face turning livid.

The man with lifeless eyes next to him turned to the Carefree Pavilion's butler and asked, "How did he get your jade token just now?"

The butler took out a pigeon's blood sapphire from nearby. "This exquisite cornflower blue gem is truly rare and precious..." he began.

He was interrupted before he could finish by the man with lifeless eyes. "Heh, I thought he was some formidable figure who crossed the river, acting so arrogant," he scoffed. "Turns out he's just a nouveau riche relying on a shabby gem. Elder Yang, for the sake of the Carefree Pavilion, spare his life. Just cut out his tongue."

The onlookers felt a chill. Being tongueless would probably be worse than death, and yet this fellow even acted as if he was being merciful. Although the other person's words were unpleasant, there was no need to go for such a deadly outcome. Of course, everyone merely grumbled inwardly. In this environment, no one would step forward to speak up for justice.

Zu An was somewhat surprised. It seemed this man with lifeless eyes wasn't entirely a spoiled second-generation heir; at least he knew to verify his background with the Carefree Pavilion before acting. As for the other party's threat, he completely disregarded it. What kind of major storms hadn't he experienced? Such small fry couldn't cause him the slightest ripple. If not for earning rage points, he wouldn't even bother saying another word to them.

The elder named Yang Long nodded, stepped forward, and unleashed his vital energy, locking onto Zu An. "Young man," he warned, "speaking carelessly when you're out will cost you."

The pressure made many low-cultivation individuals nearby almost unable to breathe. They were all inwardly shocked. *It's actually a high-level seventh rank!* they thought. *It seems that young man is finished this time.*

Zu An's eyes narrowed. Just then, the Carefree Pavilion's butler stepped forward and stood between the two. "Young Master Sun, please stop," he interjected.

The onlookers nearby whispered amongst themselves, "Young Master Sun? Which Young Master Sun?" "In Yi Commandery, how many Young Masters Sun are there?" "So it's the son of Chancellor Sun!" they realized. "Then this young fellow is probably done for this time."

Although their voices were low, Zu An's exceptional cultivation allowed him to hear everything clearly. He immediately understood the other party's identity. The 'Chancellor Sun' they spoke of wasn't actually named Sun Xiang; it referred to Sun Xun, the Chancellor of the Yan Kingdom. These regional vassal kings actually had their own small courts, equipped with various officials, though far fewer than the central imperial court. Among them, the Chancellor was the second-in-command of the kingdom. Previously, on the ship, Sang Hong had explained these important officials under the King of Yan to him, and Chancellor Sun Xun was the most crucial among them. He was the King of Yan's chief confidant, virtually second only to the King himself in the territory of the Yan Kingdom. No wonder his son was so arrogant.

At this moment, the man with lifeless eyes said unhappily, "What? Are you going to stick up for him?"

The butler shook his head. "I am not sticking up for anyone," he said. "I won't interfere with what you do outside, but the Carefree Pavilion has its own rules. Any private duels are strictly forbidden here. Furthermore, this gentleman is also a jade token guest of this establishment. If anything happens to him within the pavilion, the reputation of our Carefree Pavilion would be ruined."

The man with lifeless eyes still wanted to say something, but the elder Yang Long had already retracted his steps. He whispered in his ear, "Young Master, the Carefree Pavilion's background is unfathomable. There's really no need to openly clash with them here. Moreover, their words imply that they won't interfere with whatever happens once we're outside. How about..."

The man with lifeless eyes nodded. "Alright, we'll give the Carefree Pavilion face today," he conceded. Then he turned and sneered at Zu An, "I'll let you live a little longer." Once outside, what he wanted would be more than just a tongue. Although ordinary people wouldn't be able to find someone outside, his influence was certainly different.

Zu An calmly responded, "You should be glad you kept your life." After speaking, he turned directly and entered the venue, couldn't be bothered to pay them any more attention.

The man with lifeless eyes: "..."The elder: "..."

Rage points from Sun Ji: 666,666,666...Rage points from Yang Long: 666,666,666...

Not to mention them, even the surrounding onlookers muttered inwardly, and the Carefree Pavilion's butler also frowned imperceptibly. "Too arrogant!" they thought. "Isn't this young man tired of living? He barely saved his life. Shouldn't he be more low-key?"