Chapter 899: Surround and Beat

The linen-clad youth knew who "Liu Yang" was. In the first layer, Liu Yang's performance had been quite outstanding, drawing the attention of several emperors. He should have subsequently gone to acquire the Quasi-Emperor qualification... but now, it seemed Liu Yang likely failed due to his weak destiny.

The linen-clad youth's gaze swept over the crowd behind Zhu Chong, noticing many who had originally been part of Liu Yang's faction, most likely absorbed by Zhu Chong.

As for what became of Liu Yang, whom they had originally followed... the linen-clad youth had no idea.

"Brother Li..." A-Qian quietly clutched the linen-clad youth's hand, seeming a little scared.

The linen-clad youth had no intention of getting entangled with Zhu Chong. Since he couldn't contend for any destiny, he now only hoped to get A-Qian away safely. After a deep look at Zhu Chong and Wu Qiong, he turned and walked away without looking back.

"Did I say you could leave?!" Seeing this, Zhu Chong's eyes blazed with fury. His heavy halberd struck the ground again, and a powerful gust of wind swept towards the linen-clad youth, almost knocking him off his feet!

From a distance, Chen Ling sneered at the sight.

This Zhu Chong, having obtained the Quasi-Emperor qualification but not even the Emperor's Destiny, was already pompously styling himself a king... However, that Quasi-Emperor destiny did seem to have some utility. Within this Ancient Imperial Repository, it probably possessed third-tier power. Though not invincible, for these defenseless youngsters, it could indeed be called divine power, explaining his inflated ego.

The figure in the crimson opera robe leisurely propped his head on the rooftop, watching the distant crowd with interest, like an audience member in the shadows.

"Zhu Chong, what are you doing?" The linen-clad youth helped the fallen A-Qian up, anger rising in his eyes.

"What am I doing?" Zhu Chong replied unhurriedly. "Of course, I'm settling a score with you... Aren't you very strong? Don't you love to act all mysterious? Today, I'll see what you're capable of."

Zhu Chong waved his hand, stating calmly, "Beat him."

The next moment, a dozen figures rushed out from behind Zhu Chong, pouncing on the linen-clad youth.

Zhu Chong didn't act himself, as he savored the feeling of others risking their lives at his command, which made him feel like a true emperor... Moreover, he didn't believe that Li Fu, who lacked the Quasi-Emperor qualification, was worth his personal intervention. He was already a king; why should he squabble with an ant?

This scene, as it unfolded before Chen Ling, somewhat surprised him.

He had only met Zhu Chong once before and had initially thought him an overconfident brute. However, upon closer observation this time, Chen Ling realized that while Zhu Chong appeared to be retaliating against Li Fu, his true attention remained on Wu Qiong... Was he trying to use this opportunity to test Wu Qiong?

Li Fu was already useless. Wu Qiong was perhaps one of Zhu Chong's strong competitors, so it seemed all his actions were aimed at her.

"Rough on the outside, but subtle within... This fellow is no simpleton. He truly is worthy of being chosen by those lingering emperor's regrets," Chen Ling murmured.

Seeing the linen-clad youth tackled by Zhu Chong's subordinates, those who had followed him widened their eyes, about to step forward to help. But a chilling voice rang out from behind them: "Whoever helps him, I will beat them too... Is it worth becoming my enemy for a useless person who cannot bear the imperial destiny, or will you follow me and leave this ancient repository together... You choose."

Most of them trembled and hesitated, stopping in their tracks.

The linen-clad youth was completely surrounded by a dozen people. As an ordinary person, he was utterly defenseless. He could only occasionally dodge at first, but eventually, he had nowhere to run. After being knocked to the ground by a punch, fists rained down on him like a storm, and countless feet savagely kicked his body.

Excruciating pain shot through him from all directions, but the linen-clad youth could only curl up on the ground, clutching his head, letting out muffled groans as scarlet blood slowly stained the earth...

"Brother Li!" Among the crowd, only A-Qian rushed headlong into the fray, only to be kicked to the ground by a man on the outer edge.

"Zhu Chong, don't go too far!" Wu Qiong finally burst out. "I don't care if you want to settle scores with Li Fu, but how can you lay a hand on a child as young as A-Qian? Did she provoke you?"

"She rushed in herself. Who can she blame for being accidentally hurt? Besides, I've been standing here the whole time... What does it have to do with me?" Zhu Chong glanced at her indifferently.

"To be an emperor, one must be ruthless and never indecisive. In crucial moments, let alone children, one must be able to abandon even their own parents and biological offspring... Wu Qiong, when you acquired the Quasi-Emperor destiny, did you not see those imperial admonitions? If you can't even abide by the imperial admonitions, how can you become the sole emperor?"

Wu Qiong recalled the golden text she had seen earlier. She opened her mouth, but didn't know how to refute him. She merely clenched her fists silently, a flicker of pity in her eyes as she looked at the linen-clad youth in the pool of blood, as if battling an inner conflict.

The street was silent, so silent that only the dull thud of fists assaulting Li Fu and A-Qian's heart-wrenching sobs nearby could be heard... Those who had originally been under Li Fu's command couldn't bear to watch any longer and silently turned their heads away.

Chen Ling's eyebrows, however, subtly lifted.

It seemed Li Fu truly hadn't managed to bear the destiny? Given the situation, Zhu Chong would beat Li Fu to death without Chen Ling needing to intervene... But Chen Ling knew perfectly well that it wasn't that simple.

"A-Qian..." In the midst of the chaos, the linen-clad youth saw A-Qian kicked to the ground and sobbing uncontrollably. Veins of blood burst forth in his eyes.

He found some unknown strength and struggled to his feet, enduring the punches and kicks as he tried to rush out!

"Brother Li!" Seeing this, Han Dong could no longer restrain himself. He forcefully pushed through the crowd, trying to clear a path for Li Fu.

At the same time, he turned to the young men who had originally followed Li Fu and shouted, "If it weren't for Brother Li, you would have starved to death in the snow plains long ago! Do you truly have no regard for him at all?!"

Hearing this, conflict appeared on their faces. Looking at the bloodied Li Fu and the loudly sobbing A-Qian nearby, a few remembered their past connections and rushed out with Han Dong, helping to create a path for Li Fu.

The linen-clad youth stumbled out of the chaotic battle, disregarding his injuries and blurred vision, and sprinted away with A-Qian in tow!

Seeing this, Zhu Chong's gaze grew colder. He slowly raised the heavy halberd in his hand, aiming at the retreating figures of the two.

"Zhu Chong, you should know when to stop." Seeing this, Wu Qiong finally spoke, a wisp of aura flowing outwards as she raised her hand to block the space between him and the fleeing Li Fu.

"Are you really going to stand up for them?" Zhu Chong's gaze fell on Wu Qiong, a cold sneer playing on his lips. "Just as I wished... I also want to see, as fellow Quasi-Emperors, what difference there is between you and me."

Two Quasi-Emperor auras rose within the city ruins, but Chen Ling didn't even spare them a glance.

His gaze remained fixed on the fleeing Li Fu. He saw the youth's body covered in wounds, his distress over A-Qian's injuries, and the unwillingness in his eyes...

The linen-clad youth looked back, hatred and fury now etched in his eyes.

A thought surfaced in Chen Ling's mind.

He thoughtfully rubbed his chin as a new script gradually took shape in his mind. A playful smile appeared on his lips...

He seemed to know how to kill Li Fu.