Chapter 967: Too Arrogant

Zu An looked at the jade token in his hand. He understood that it likely represented the most elite VIP status at Carefree Pavilion, a level clearly not easy to attain. His own number was 333, which indicated that there were many others who held similar status.

Furthermore, judging by the butler’s tone, there were other Carefree Pavilions in different locations. Just as he was marveling at the vast influence of the pavilion, he heard a harsh sneer.

Zu An turned his head and saw a group of people standing on the stairs. Leading them was a young master, who was sneering repeatedly at him. He was fanning himself on a cold day, clearly someone who pretended to be refined and elegant. The crucial point was that he had no elegant or dashing aura. Although he wore a mask, it was still clear that he had "dead fish eyes"—his gaze was utterly lifeless. As he stood there, leaning crookedly against the railing, his entire demeanor appeared even more sleazy.

Zu An roughly sensed the vital energy fluctuations from his body; his cultivation level was only around the fifth rank. So, after a glance, he no longer paid attention to the young master. Instead, he noticed the old man standing slightly behind him. The old man stood there with a stable presence. The vital energy fluctuations faintly emanating from him seemed to be around the seventh rank. Hmm, he could barely be considered a master. As for the attendants behind them, their cultivation levels varied from third to fourth rank, and some were even ordinary people. Clearly, they were servants. In the capital, such a group was naturally unremarkable. In a local area, however, such a force was already formidable, enough to destroy some smaller sects in the martial world.

Hearing the other party's question, the butler politely said, "Carefree Pavilion has its own set of standards for recognizing esteemed guests. This young master met the conditions, so he naturally received the jade token."

The young master snorted coldly and was about to speak when the old man behind him whispered something in his ear. Seemingly wary of Carefree Pavilion’s influence, he ultimately didn’t dare to act too recklessly. He turned his head and happened to see Zu An. Apparently sensing the disdain in Zu An’s eyes, he immediately felt particularly displeased. His "dead fish eyes" widened as he snapped, "What are you looking at?"

Zu An couldn’t help but be amused. He hadn’t expected to have this "skill" used on him one day. So, without hesitation, he replied with the standard answer: "What if I hit you?"

The young master’s chest heaved visibly and rapidly, clearly enraged. "Very well," he sneered, "it's been a long time since anyone dared to speak to me like that."

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

Sun Ji? Zu An filtered through his mind, having no impression of that name. "Heh, acting so high and mighty," he scoffed, "I thought he was the Crown Prince of Yan. Who knows what small-time scoundrel he is." The Crown Prince of Yan was naturally surnamed Zhao, so he clearly couldn't be the person in front of him. He had just reflected that his recent drive to earn rage points had slackened. Now there was a perfect opportunity, and he couldn't let it go to waste.

As expected, the young master was utterly enraged. "You have successfully infuriated me," he fumed. "You will pay for this very soon."

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 this person 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 have failed to recognize this young master.

Zu An looked at the other party with a playful expression. "Have you always relied on your mouth to show off your strength since you were born?" he taunted.

"You!" The young master pointed at Zu An, his neck visibly reddening from surging anger.

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

At this moment, the old man 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 what you say."

Zu An calmly said, "Old man, when you're old, you should stay home and take care of your grandchildren. Running around aimlessly might cost you your reputation in your later years."

The old man’s eyes narrowed. "Given your age, reaching the sixth rank so quickly is indeed a good talent," he said. "You must be overly arrogant in your daily life. However, as someone who’s seen a lot, I advise you: there’s always someone stronger, and greater challenges ahead. It’s best not to be too arrogant when you’re out. Throughout history, many geniuses have died prematurely before reaching an age to fully realize their talents."

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

He had clearly secretly observed Zu An’s vital energy fluctuations just now and felt relieved upon knowing he was only at the sixth rank. The threat in his words was already obvious. Although he was confident he could easily defeat the other party, yet the other party had reached the sixth rank at such a young age, perhaps indicating a powerful background. So, he decided to hold back for now. A warning would be best, hoping he would back off when he knew the difficulty.

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

The butler beside them: "..."*This person had seemed so refined just now. How could he be such a troublemaker? His vicious tongue would probably make the other party explode with rage.*

The old man named Yang Long shifted his body, evading the non-existent earwax attack. His face turned ashen. The young master nearby turned to the Carefree Pavilion's butler and asked, "How did he get your jade token just now?"

The butler took out a pigeon-egg blue sapphire from nearby. "This exquisite cornflower blue gem is truly rare and precious..."

He was interrupted by the young master before he could finish. "Heh," the young master scoffed, "I thought he was some powerful new arrival to be so arrogant. Turns out he's just a nouveau riche relying on a shabby gem. Old Yang, for the sake of Carefree Pavilion, spare his life. Just cut off his tongue."

The onlookers around them felt a chill in their hearts. To have one’s tongue cut out would likely be worse than death, and yet this guy was acting as if he was being magnanimous. *Although the other person's words were unpleasant, there was no need to be so ruthless.* Of course, everyone merely complained inwardly. In this environment, no one would step forward to speak out for justice.

Zu An was actually a little surprised. This young master wasn't entirely a brainless privileged scion after all. At least he knew to verify his background with Carefree Pavilion before acting. As for the other party's threat, he didn't take it to heart at all. He had been through countless major storms, and such small fry couldn't cause him the slightest ripple. If it weren't for earning rage points, he wouldn't even bother saying another word to them.

The old man named Yang Long nodded, took a step forward, and his vital energy fluctuations burst forth, locking onto Zu An. "Young man," he warned, "speaking carelessly when you’re out and about comes with a price." The oppressive aura made many low-cultivation individuals nearby almost unable to breathe. They were all inwardly shocked. *It's actually a high-level seventh rank! It seems this young man is finished this time.*

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

The onlookers nearby whispered, "Young Master Sun? Which Young Master Sun?""How many Young Master Suns can there be in Yijun?""Oh, so it’s the son of Chancellor Sun. Then this young man is probably finished this time."...

Although their voices were low, Zu An's profound cultivation allowed him to hear them clearly and immediately understand the other party's identity. The "Chancellor Sun" they referred to was not named Sun Xiang, but rather Sun Xun, the Chancellor of the Yan Kingdom. These local feudal kings actually had their own small courts, with various officials appointed, though naturally far fewer than the central court. Among them, the Chancellor was the second-in-command in the kingdom. Earlier on the boat, Sang Hong had explained these important officials under the Prince of Yan to him, and Chancellor Sun Xun was the most important of them all. He was the Prince of Yan's chief confidant. In the territory of the Yan Kingdom, he was virtually second only to the Prince himself. No wonder his son was so arrogant.

At this moment, the young master said displeased, "What, are you going to stand up for him?"

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

The young master still wanted to say something, but the old man Yang Long had already withdrawn his steps and whispered in his ear, "Young Master, Carefree Pavilion's background is unfathomable. There's truly no need to openly conflict with them here. Moreover, their words imply that they won't interfere with what happens outside. How about..."

The young master nodded. "Alright," he said, "I'll give Carefree Pavilion face today." Then he turned his head 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 couldn't 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, too lazy to bother with them anymore.

The young master: "..."The old man: "..."

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

Not to mention them, even the onlookers nearby muttered inwardly, and the Carefree Pavilion's butler also frowned slightly.*Too arrogant, isn't this young man tired of living? After narrowly saving his life, shouldn’t he be more low-key?*