Zhu Lian's send-off party was in full spin in the manor's audience hall, wide and glamorous room with beautiful patterned walls of drifting crimson clouds, red-clothed tables lined against the the room's wall, bright lanterns illuminated the room, seats for the patriarch and his family are placed opposite of the hall's doorway
The event guests, people from nearby affiliated noble families and government officials, shuffled in and filled the seats, chattering on about Zhu Lian's bright future
The Patriarch, Zhu Zhang entered the room. The noise of light hearted banter died down out of respect, It was apparent that his domineering governance over the area earned him respect and reverence
Followed closely behind him was his children, Zhu Feng and Zhu Lian
Zhu Feng, who was wearing his usual robes and clothing, stride behind Zhu Zhang with confidence, his face wearing the signature young master's shit eating grin. You can just tell that he was eyeing up all of the people within the room, arrogantly putting himself above them
Zhu Lian walked behind them, her waltz graceful yet laced with a hidden vigor and determination. She was wearing a beautiful red two piece dress, embroidered with golden clouds and soaring cranes, giving her an ethereal presence, even among the crowd of elites
The young masters from other families gasped as she passed, drinks spilling, food tumbling from their hands
They walked towards their seats and sat down, Zhu Zhang's pose was sturdy and empowering, Zhu Feng sat lazily, seemingly uninterested. As per Zhu Lian, she sat gracefully, her expression unreadable as her eyes paced the room, longingly searching for De Ming among the servants bringing out food and drinks
One by one, the guests stood up and offered praise and gifts. Zhu Lian reluctantly accepted them knowing full well that the older people were just doing this to get on her father's good side while the young masters just wanted to gain her favor. Their words and gestures felt empty
When they were finally done, Zhu Zhang stood up from his seat and raised his ornate goblet of wine
"Today we celebrate my daughter's debut into Jianghu. With her phenomenal talent, she will soar like a phoenix and return with valor! Let her tales ignite today!"
Zhu Zhang spoke, his words stern yet full of warmth and expectation, bringing the room into a lively cheer before looking at his daughter, whose expression was unreadable to him
He extended his hand
"Zhu Lian, give the guests and few words"
"Yes father"
Zhu Lian as she gracefully stood up, subtly clearing her throat before she started to speak
"Esteemed guests, I, Zhu Lian of the Crimson Cloud, will make good of your expectations and join a powerful sect. It is assured that return with great valor"
She spoke in a calm yet sharp manner, clearly displaying her father's dominance and her late mother's grace through her short speech and then sat back down, leaving the room speechless at her words
But then the doors slammed open, striding in was De Ming, he face sweating, his cloth disheveled, it was evident that he was training hard before this
The room fell silent as he waltzed in, stopped in front of Zhu Zhang and knelt down on one knee, cupping his right palm over his left fist, his gaze was unwavering
"Patriarch Zhang, I, De Ming wish to accompany young mistress Zhu Lian on her journey, I will be her shield!"
De Ming spoke up with fiery commitment, fully aware of his brazenness
The room erupted into chattering of shock and disapproval, Zhu Lian's eyes widened in shock, Zhu Feng's posture changed, leaning forward in engagement. Zhu Zhang stared intently into De Ming's black eyes, lit with an undying spark of determination
"De Ming! Do you understand the meaning of your words just now!"
He spoke up sternly as he released his Qi, the sheer residual pressure of his Expert realm aura suffocated the room briefly before they noticed that De Ming was still shouldering the full brunt of it, coughing up blood
"Father! Stop, you'll kill him!"
Zhu Lian cried out to Zhu Zhang, but he didn't budge, keeping the pressure on De Ming still, it's full might contained but the force still enough to cripple an average person
"It's fine, lady Lian, if I can't even handle this much… then how can i expect to protect you!"
He cried out before releasing his own Qi, the chaotic Qi broke loose from his dantian and pushed back patriarch Zhang's pressure, allowing him to stand up despite that strain
Zhu Lian's expression was a mix of shock and worry, De Ming's early third-rate cultivation was something she didn't expect. From afar, Elder Hu looked at De Ming and nodded in approval
Zhu Zhang withdrew his pressure, giving De Ming a chance to breathe before a young master from an affiliated family suddenly jumped into the fray
"Patriarch Zhu! Allow me to discipline this insolent servant for lady Lian!"
Guan Xiu, a young master around De Ming's age, one of Zhu Feng's kiss-ass lackeys and admirer of Zhu Lian, his cultivation also at early third-rate, with short black hair, almond eyes and green-ish robes came before De Ming
Zhu Zhang looked his daughter, her hands gripping the arms of her seat and turned to Guan Xiu, giving him a quick nod, Zhu Feng was watching excitedly the whole time
" Brace yourself lowly servant! Our cultivation may be at the same level but do not think for a second that you can win against me!"
Guan Xiu spoke arrogantly, confident in his family's martial arts. De Ming just looked at him blankly and then went into fighting stance, clearly having no intention of bantering
Guan Xiu's face contorted in anger
"How dare you ignore me!"
He yelled out before launching himself forward at De Ming, His left hand reaching out to form a claw, gusts of wind propelling him forward, this was his family's signature art, the Galewind Claw.
De Ming planted his foot and focused his eyes, the world itself seemed to stop and his pupil dilated intensely. Sending shivers down Guan Xiu's spine mid attack, making him feel as if he's been read like an open book
Mere moments before his claw reached De Ming's chest. De Ming side stepped with precision, Guan Xiu's outstretched hand slipped right through before De Ming grabbed his wrist with his left hand, pulled it back and swiftly torqued his body
Changing the trajectory of Guan Xiu's charge with his physical strength, built from countless hours of manual labor, and slammed Guan Xiu against the spruce floor, knocking him out cold
He won? How could this be? Is he just a servant? And many more of such remarks plague the room, De Ming had just proved that he was a competent fighter to the disbelief of many present
"Ming… " Zhu Lian uttered faintly in shock, impressed by De Ming's change
"Father, allow me to handle this unruly servant "
Zhu Feng said to Zhu Zhang mischievously before stepping up, flaring his late third-rate Qi, kicking Guan Xiu's unconscious body to the side along the way before he was in front of De Ming, a cruel gesture, directed to his own lackey
"De Ming, you've become a martial artist I see. But that won't matter, you're still just a punching bag" Zhu Feng sneered as he walked closer to De Ming, their faces inches from each other
"A toad wants to eat the meat of a swan" He said in a poisonous tone before continuing loudly
"Don't even think about accompanying Zhu Lian before you get through me!"
Zhu Feng spoke, clearly out of malice and personal grudges while De Ming just looked at him with a straight face
"I'm not scared of you Zhu Feng! My days of cowering are over!"
Tension between them rose higher as they both backed away, going into stance, preparing for combat