In the banquet hall, a soft *snap* caused everyone's eyes to widen.
"This kid is crazy, utterly insane!"
"He dares to hit Young Master Tao? He truly doesn't know how he'll die!"
The scene fell silent for a moment, then exploded into chaos.
"Kid, are you looking to die!"
"How dare you lay a hand on the Young Master? Today you must pay with your life!"
The numerous subordinates behind Tao Yingcai all began to curse furiously.
An ordinary person facing such a situation would likely have had their legs turn to jelly from fear, but Song Qiao merely crossed his arms, looking on as if enjoying a show.
Du Qin, standing nearby, finally snapped back to reality. Though shocked by Song Qiao's martial prowess, she now frowned, her heart filled with disgust.
This kid, while skilled, was simply too arrogant, daring to provoke and offend anyone.
Tao Yingcai was the young master of the Tong Sect, raised with the best of everything since childhood, and possessed formidable martial arts.
How could a mere Song Qiao possibly be his match?
The curses from the crowd erupted within seconds, and Tao Yingcai, who had just been slapped, finally reacted.
"You damn well are looking to die!"
He roared, his eyes bloodshot and his face contorted with rage, as if he had suffered immense humiliation. His previous calm and refinement were completely gone.
"Since you wish to die, today I shall fulfill your wish!"
Song Qiao, however, looked utterly indifferent.
"Are you done talking?"
"Too much nonsense. I'm starving. If I beat you to death, will everyone stop this drivel and we can finally eat?"
The mention of "eating" almost made Xia Xueqing burst into laughter.
"Damn it, you're dead today!"
"I will tear you into a thousand pieces!"
Tao Yingcai completely lost all composure. Since birth, who had ever dared to speak to him, the young master of the Tong Sect, like this?
A fit of hysterical rage made him like a wild beast, devoid of any trace of refinement.
Everyone believed that this arrogant and ignorant Song Qiao was as good as dead today.
Xia Xueqing's breathing hitched, terrified. This Tao Yingcai was truly intent on killing.
What would Song Qiao do?
She had heard from her teacher that this young master of the Tong Sect was a formidable fighter, having once defeated fifty opponents within the sect with ease.
It was over now.
Her heart ached with anxiety, but she didn't know how to help.
Tao Yingcai indeed intended to kill, his eyes filled with coldness.
"Kid, go regret it in the underworld."
With a sharp cry, a hiltless dagger suddenly appeared in his hand. A flash of cold light whistled through the air, aimed directly at Song Qiao's face.
However, Song Qiao merely tilted his head slightly, dodging the streak of light.
The hiltless dagger embedded itself entirely in the wall with a *swish*, kicking up dust and causing gasps of alarm!
But Song Qiao merely curled his lips.
"Too slow."
"Even a child's thrown toy isn't this slow."
Slow?
Many hearts harbored a big question mark. They had only seen a streak of light shoot out, not even catching its form.
Such a move was truly terrifying.
"Hmph, still spouting bravado when death is at your doorstep!"
Tao Yingcai produced a dagger, then powerfully pushed off with one foot. His body shot forward in a peculiar stance, catching Song Qiao off guard and aiming directly for his chest.
Facing a fatal blow, Song Qiao remained rooted to the spot, appearing completely paralyzed by fear.
Hmph, seeking death!
Tao Yingcai sneered inwardly. With such ability, he still dared to challenge him?
But just as he reveled in his perceived victory, Song Qiao's gaze suddenly fixed upon him.
There was a hint of amusement in his eyes, as if he had been prepared all along.
What!
Before he could react, Song Qiao sidestepped the dagger and kicked him squarely in the abdomen, sending him flying sideways.
*Puff!*
Tao Yingcai crashed through several tables before spitting up a mouthful of blood and hitting the ground heavily.
The entire sequence was executed flawlessly, while many around them still wore expressions of mockery.
No one could have imagined that in mere moments, the young master of the Tong Sect would be sent flying, spitting blood, and rendered incapable of fighting.
Song Qiao curled his lips. When he had struck Du Qin earlier, he had held back, fearing he might injure her and upset Xueqing.
But now, this Tao Yingcai dared to make a move against him. He was truly asking for it.
The scene fell silent for a beat, then erupted as if boiling over.
"Holy shit, this... this kid is actually this powerful?"
"Is it real? Even the young master of the Tong Sect is no match for him?"
"Impossible, I must be dreaming. How could this guy be so strong?"
...
Everyone was dumbfounded, including Du Qin.
"This kid... how is it possible?"
She had always looked down on him, but who would have thought he was this formidable?
After defeating her, he had now defeated the young master of the Tong Sect.
At this moment, Song Qiao walked up to Tao Yingcai, a look of disdain on his face.
"I don't care if you scheme against others, but you specifically set your sights on Xueqing. You truly courted death."
"Today, I won't kill you, and I can't be bothered to eat this feast anymore."
"Song Qiao!"
Tao Yingcai roared, his mouth filled with blood, his eyes burning with hatred.
Since childhood, he had never suffered such a loss.
Du Qin, standing beside him, gritted her teeth.
"Song Qiao, you've incurred such a deep enmity with my Tong Sect. Unless you kill me, step over my dead body, Du Qin, you will never marry Xueqing in this lifetime!"
"I will never agree, even if I die!"
However, these passionate words only earned a calm, indifferent glance from Song Qiao.
"Du Qin, I cared about your opinion before because Xueqing respected you."
He directly called her by name, his tone devoid of any politeness.
"Now that the facade has been torn down, what are you? What right do you have to disagree?"
Xia Xueqing, surprisingly, lowered her head and remained silent. She stood quietly beside Song Qiao, as if her stance was already clear.
Her teacher's actions in pursuit of the sect leader position had deeply disappointed her.
To think she would sell herself out just for that position.
"Let's go."
Song Qiao spoke, then beckoned, preparing to leave with Xia Xueqing and Xia Yuqing.
He had originally intended to mend fences this time, but since the relationship had soured, there was no need to linger.
Du Qin, seething with anger, did not try to stop them. She now understood that she was no match for Song Qiao.
To physically try and block him would only be courting death.
Just then, someone stepped in front of the trio.
"After smashing everything, you think you can just leave?"
A cold remark. The newcomer's expression was unfriendly, and it was Jiang Chuan, who had been trailing behind.
"Kid, I know your martial arts are formidable, but this is my territory, my hotel. You smash things up and then you want to leave."
"Where in the world is there such a rule!"
Song Qiao scanned him.
Indeed, the fight had damaged quite a few tables and chairs, but he didn't care in the slightest.
"So, you intend to stop me?"
"Haven't you learned your lesson from last time?"
A chilling question, yet Jiang Chuan showed no sign of backing down.
"Hmph, you've broken my hotel's furniture. None of you are leaving today!"