Chapter 109: Zhang Daoyi, Are You Toying with Me?

The city lord’s mansion was not large. From the entrance to the banquet hall, one had to take a shuttle vehicle. The luxury here was unmatched even by the Martial Administration Bureau. After all, Zhang Daoyi was a native of Binzhou. If he hadn’t retired to the shadows, the director of the Martial Administration Bureau wouldn’t have been handed over to Chen Tianxiang, a one-star Spirit Realm cultivator.

Upon first meeting City Lord Zhang Daoyi, Zhang Chu felt inexplicably nervous. The main reason was that his purpose this time was not pure—he was here as Zhang Xueying’s boyfriend. Sitting on the sofa in the banquet hall, he looked at the burly man with a square face and a few strands of white hair, and forced out a smile. “City Lord Zhang, I’ve heard much about you.”

“When did you become so polite? I heard you call Guan Zifang ‘Old Guan’,” Zhang Daoyi replied with a smile.

“Dad, don’t scare Teacher Chu. Your reputation among Binzhou’s warriors isn’t exactly good...” Zhang Xueying quickly glared at Zhang Daoyi.

“??” Zhang Chu was utterly confused. What was going on? He had nine years of compulsory education and a university degree; politeness should come naturally. Yet, he relaxed slightly and said, “Looks like the rumors online aren’t entirely true.”

He had read gossip about Zhang Daoyi on the forums. Fifty years ago, the Binzhou’s Four Great Spirit Realm cultivators—Guan Zifang, Zhang Daoyi, Fang Tianxi, and Luo Tong—faced a massive star beast invasion orchestrated by the Divine Fall Alliance on the Spiritual Energy Continent. Binzhou was one of the ten major battlefields.

In the Battle of the Demon-Repelling Gate to the north of the city, the former director of the Martial Administration Bureau, Fang Tianxi, was severely wounded, regressing from a three-star Spirit Realm cultivator to a sixth-level Dual-Force Warrior. The two-star Spirit Realm cultivator Luo Tong died in battle. Guan Zifang disappeared from Binzhou after that war, rumored to have retired to Canglong Mountain to guard against star beasts forty years later.

At that time, Zhang Daoyi was only eighteen years old but was appointed City Lord of Binzhou. His cultivation had reached the four-star Spirit Realm, making him an undeniable prodigy. In the Battle of the Demon-Repelling Gate, he single-handedly defeated thousands of star beasts without retreating. From then on, he was hailed as the God of War.

Since then, the Martial Administration Bureau took over most city affairs, except for the Armament Department, which remained under the city lord’s jurisdiction. Over the years, Zhang Daoyi lived a secluded life, rarely participating in official events, only occasionally inspecting the Armament Department.

Therefore, the forum’s portrayal of Zhang Daoyi was quite exaggerated—accusations of him being a ruthless killer, hot-tempered like thunder, and other unflattering images. Who would have thought that Zhang Daoyi would joke so generously?

“This kid, I like him!” Zhang Daoyi added before Zhang Chu could respond.

Was he already taken with him? That was too hasty! Zhang Chu was stunned and about to speak when Zhang Daoyi interrupted, “From now on, Xueying is in your hands. If you dare to bully him, don’t think I’ll spare you just because Guan Zifang is your teacher or because your father is the dean of the Martial God Academy.”

“Thank you, Dad.” Zhang Xueying quickly grabbed Zhang Chu’s arm, smiling. “What about Uncle Liu...?”

“Don’t worry. Although Liu Tianhe is outstanding in my army, he’s still a bit inferior to this kid. Besides, now that you have a boyfriend, Old Liu wouldn’t have the nerve to force this marriage.” Zhang Daoyi stood up and slapped Zhang Chu’s shoulder. “Kid, after the banquet, stay and play a game of chess with your future father-in-law.”

“Please!” Zhang Xueying clasped her hands from a distance, looking as if begging for help.

“Alright.” At this point, Zhang Chu could only brace himself.

“Hearing the name Liu Tianhe doesn’t sound too good,” he muttered, having picked up on what was happening. Zhang Xueying was using him as a shield. He definitely needed to make the most of this opportunity, or it would be a huge loss.

In the study, staring at the glass marble chess set, Zhang Chu fell silent. “At least he’s a city lord. Why a game of Chinese checkers? Wouldn’t Gomoku be better?”

The lunch was sumptuous, and Zhang Xueying was very enthusiastic—her acting worthy of an Oscar. Even Zhang Daoyi seemed a little jealous.

“Dad, we’ll leave first.” After eating, Zhang Xueying tugged Zhang Chu, ready to leave before their act fell apart.

“If there’s anything at the Martial Arts Research Institute, you go back first. I’ll take the kid to the Armament Department,” Zhang Daoyi said.

“Dad, Little Chu isn’t prepared at all!” Zhang Xueying panicked upon hearing “Armament Department”. It was clear—her father was going to test his son-in-law’s skills.

On the Spiritual Energy Continent, strength commanded respect. Zhang Daoyi was the director of the Armament Department, and military men valued power above all.

“I want to see too,” Zhang Chu said, feeling excited. The Armament Department was very different from the Martial Administration Bureau. The latter was a public institution open to all cultivators to conduct various affairs. But the Armament Department was restricted; even Chen Tianxiang couldn’t enter easily.

The forum’s gossip mentioned the unique training methods there. Zhang Chu really wanted to witness what group combat techniques were like.

Before leaving, Zhang Xueying pulled Zhang Chu into her room and gave him over a dozen instructions. He only remembered three:

“First, don’t chicken out.”

“Second, don’t show off.”

“Third, don’t touch Liu Tianhe.”

He understood the first two: military cultivators were decisive and hot-tempered. Being timid would earn scorn and shame Zhang Xueying. Showing off could lead to being ganged up on, and if he lost...

He didn’t take the last one seriously. Liu Tianhe? Such a ridiculous name wasn’t worth worrying about.

The Armament Department was not far from the city lord’s mansion. The city lord’s car passed through three guarded gates without obstruction, receiving salutes at each.

“The Armament Department’s gate is heavily guarded.” The three guards were all three-star Dual-Force Warriors.

Within five kilometers, there was not a single tall building. Entering the Armament Department, the first thing Zhang Chu saw was a massive training ground. Bare-fisted combat raged noisily, and group battles with a dozen warriors on each side filled the air with fierce energy and intense “willpower.”

What caught Zhang Chu’s attention was a burly man at Training Ground No. 3 who was fighting twelve warriors alone. Despite their group combat techniques, he was still effortlessly dominating them. His swordsmanship was truly top-notch.

“That kid is Liu Tianhe, a seven-star Dual-Force Warrior and one of the youngest deputy directors of our Armament Department,” Zhang Daoyi said with a playful expression.

“Liu Tianhe!” Zhang Daoyi’s voice thundered across the training ground, echoing like a clap of thunder.

All trainees immediately gathered, saluted, and shouted, “City Lord!”

Liu Tianhe sheathed his greatsword into a storage ring and swiftly approached the training ground, adjusting his clothes and saluting.

“City Lord, Liu Tianhe reporting. Please instruct!” His military bearing was impeccable, his aura radiating a murderous intent from eight meters away.

Zhang Chu felt a sudden unease. “Damn, bringing me to the Armament Department must have some hidden agenda.”

Zhang Daoyi began introducing Zhang Chu: a professor at the Martial Arts Research Institute, recipient of the Star Beast Tree Hollow Psychic Pearl, and disciple of Guan Zifang.

As soon as these titles were mentioned, everyone’s eyes burned with intensity. Zhang Chu was famous throughout Binzhou; his name was a hot topic on every forum.

Liu Tianhe even showed a flicker of battle intent.

Then Zhang Daoyi spoke again: “Tianhe, this kid is still Xueying’s boyfriend. Show him around the Armament Department. I have some matters to attend to.”

The words “boyfriend” were spoken heavily, as if bolded in a Word document.

Sure enough, as Zhang Daoyi turned to leave, thousands of military cultivators swarmed around, surrounding Zhang Chu and Liu Tianhe with hostile eyes.

Zhang Chu nearly cursed. “This old guy Zhang Daoyi is messing with me...”

“Mr. Zhang Chu, I, Liu Tianhe, on behalf of the Armament Department, challenge you to a duel!”