Chapter 12: Is this guy faking his emotions?

Hong Shanba understood and followed with a malicious smile, hurling a heavy punch toward Huayue. Along the path of the fist, a howling wind could be heard, revealing just how powerful the punch was—worthy of someone with Innate Divine Strength.

Everyone watched Huayue, unwavering in their gaze; the man remained so calm, he must have some confidence, right? They actually started to look forward to the contest between the two.

With a thud, Huayue was sent flying under the expectant eyes of the onlookers, flying a full ten feet before crashing heavily to the ground.

No way! Was he sent flying just like that? With such a composed and disdainful face just a moment ago, how could he have been sent flying?

It seems this guy was all an act. Haven't you heard that those who pretend get struck by lightning?

Looking at Huayue lying on the ground, everyone's eyes were filled with contempt, and likewise, the corner of their eyes looking toward Mu Hanyan also brimmed with disdain. They thought as much—the entire Heishi City knew of the notorious playboy Young Master, and what kind of discernment could he have? After all that selection, he still chose someone who was just all show and no substance.

A low murmur of surprise rose from the crowd; even Yue Fanling was a bit shocked. She had seen with her own eyes the might of Hong Shanba's punch; even a Second-order Swordsman with a higher level of strength than him would find it difficult to stand up again after taking such a punch, let alone Huayue who seemed to have no cultivation. Not getting killed was already fortunate, yet the man could still stand up?

Yue Fanling felt somewhat embarrassed amid the onlookers' gazes, having long expected her daughter had no great judgment, but she hadn't anticipated a knockdown at first encounter.

Watching the scorn in the eyes of the onlookers grow stronger, almost to the point of mockery, Yue Fanling felt a surge of anger and was about to scold them, aiming to regain some face for her precious daughter.

Before she could speak, she felt Mu Hanyan grasp her hand. Turning her head, she saw Mu Hanyan with the same calm expression, but in her eyes was a confidence Yue Fanling had never seen before.

"Mother, trust me," Mu Hanyan said in a tone only her mother could hear.

At this moment, no one truly understood Huayue, but she knew that Huayue, years later, would be one of Anyun Country's most feared godfathers—if he couldn't even overcome this challenge, he wouldn't be Huayue.

Hearing her daughter's words, Yue Fanling paused a moment, swallowed back the words at the tip of her tongue, and looked back toward Huayue.

Bracing himself up with an arm against the ground, Huayue's slender figure stood up once more.

"Didn't you have breakfast? Is that all the strength you have?" Huayue spoke with a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth, yet his expression remained calm, his cool gaze still filled with contempt.

"Courting death!" Hong Shanba had not expected Huayue to be able to stand after taking his full-force punch. Hearing the mocking and contemptuous words, his dark face turned red with irritation, and he threw another punch out.

Thud! Huayue was sent flying once again.

"Hmph, this time I'll see if you can avoid death." With that punch, Hong Shanba had exerted all the strength he could muster, confident enough to believe he could beat a cow half to death, never believing Huayue could stand again.

But he was wrong. Before he had time to catch his breath, he saw Huayue stand up once more. Though his body swayed unsteadily, his gaze was still lucid, and a mocking smile even played upon his lips.

"The strength seems a bit greater this time, come on," Huayue said indifferently.

Fuming inside, Hong Shanba said nothing else and sent another punch flying toward Huayue.