Chapter 161 Bai Heng's defenses are truly breached for the first time; Changqing Tower prepares

Snapped.

That crisp sound was like a slap in the face, striking the air directly in front of the Taiji Hall.

It's not because the sound is loud.

Rather, it's because it's too clear, too direct, and too straightforward.

Just a moment ago, Bai Heng was the guide who had fallen from the Heavenly Gate, his white robes billowing in the dust, angrily approaching.

When he took that step, the white jade bricks silently turned to dust, and his whole body was like a white line compressed to the extreme. His five fingers were raised together, aiming straight for Su Changqing's throat. His killing intent was thin and cold, and he was so fast that many people did not even see the afterimage. They only felt a slight white light before their hearts tightened.

The next moment—

His wrist was then grabbed by Su Changqing with one hand.

Hold it firmly.

Like a wild cat that was about to pounce into the stove to steal meat, but was grabbed by the scruff of its neck by its owner.

Throughout the entire process, there was not a single loud or violent collision.

There was no earth-shattering roar as I had imagined.

There were no scenes of evenly matched opponents, surging true energy, or rolling waves of energy.

It's that simple.

It's so simple it's unsettling.

The simpler it is, the more it illustrates the gap between the two people; they are simply not on the same level.

Bai Heng's expression finally changed completely.

The earlier incidents of being pulled down from the Heavenly Gate, having his Boundary Seal shattered, bleeding from the corner of his lips, and falling to the ground in public were enough to make him angry, embarrassed, and bewildered.

However, no matter what, those still barely fall into the category of "the other party is ridiculously strong, but I still have room to maneuver."

But things are different now.

Now, it's close combat.

It was he who personally delivered the blow.

This was his most direct and undeniable move as the guide.

Then, it was grabbed directly by a hand.

It didn't go even an inch further.

This feeling is no longer "frustration".

Rather, it is a shock that is closer to "the breaking of cognition".

For the first time, a crack appeared in Bai Heng's usually cold, silvery eyes.

It's no longer just cold.

Instead, it was shock.

There was also a hint of extremely suppressed anger that was seeping out uncontrollably.

In front of the Taiji Hall, everyone who witnessed this scene instinctively held their breath at that moment.

Lei Wujie had already subconsciously gathered his strength and taken half a step forward, preparing to push forward even if it meant taking a hit if the boss didn't bother to dodge.

As soon as he took a step, he froze on the spot.

"this……"

He opened his mouth, but for a moment he didn't know what to say.

Wushuang stood beside him, and the faint sword sound that had just escaped from the edge of the sword box due to vigilance slowly subsided at this moment.

He watched the scene in silence, a deeper glimmer appearing in his eyes.

Because he knew.

Fast is not scary.

Ruthlessness is not scary.

What's truly terrifying is—

Your most skillful and confident strike may appear to others as nothing more than "casually catching" a blow.

This is what truly shatters one's moral compass.

Xiao Se stood closer and felt it most clearly.

Bai Heng's chop to the neck just now, though seemingly simple, actually incorporated the "order" and "blade" of the Guide Envoy level.

That wasn't just a simple throat-slitting.

Instead, the goal is to use the moment of close proximity to sever a certain connection between the opponent's body and the energy of this world.

If it were an ordinary expert in the Divine Travel Realm, let alone receive the attack, they would probably be cut off so badly that their own aura would be unstable the moment they met the opponent.

But what about Su Changqing?

He didn't even get going.

He simply raised his hand and grasped it.

Then I also quoted a price.

This can no longer be called composure.

This is excessive.

It was so excessive that even the enemy felt it lacked martial ethics.

Sikong Changfeng, as the person in this place who is best at grasping the key points, reacted in a completely different way from others.

He was initially stunned by the words "add another 500,000 taels."

Immediately afterwards, his eyes lit up.

Yup!

Close-range attack!

Malicious act of violence!

Disrupting order in front of the VIPs of Changqinglou!

These all cost extra!

Sikong Changfeng connected the accounts almost instantly, flipping through the pages of the account book rapidly while muttering to himself.

"Attempted murder..."

"Endangering the boss's personal safety..."

"Disturbing the audience..."

"It ruins the high-end experience..."

"Isn't 500,000 taels a bit low?"

A young clerk nearby, who was responsible for copying, was sweating profusely and asked in a low voice:

"Third City Lord, how many exactly should we remember?"

Sikong Changfeng frowned and thought about it seriously.

"First, record it as 500,000."

"If his attitude continues to be bad, we'll escalate the rankings."

The waiter nodded solemnly and picked up his pen to write it down.

Xiao Se, who was listening nearby, felt a sharp twitch in the corner of his eye.

So you've really started treating the "Guide to Earth" incident as a high-end customer complaint, haven't you?

But...

The tense atmosphere that had suddenly become due to the guide's close-range attack was actually quite dissipated by Sikong Changfeng's actions.

Many people were initially terrified and their hearts were in their throats.

Upon hearing "another 500,000 taels," and seeing Sikong Changfeng making notes on the spot, he inexplicably felt calmer.

Yes.

If things really get to the point where Su Changqing can't handle it, he won't be in the mood to calculate this.

Since we're still calculating—

That means it's not a big deal.

At least not big enough to warrant them causing chaos.

This absurd yet stable logic has now been mastered by the group at Changqinglou.

……

And in the center of the field.

Bai Heng naturally heard the phrase "five hundred thousand taels" as well.

The coldness that had been suppressed in his eyes deepened completely at this moment, making his entire face look as if it were covered in frost.

"You're asking for it."

These three words were squeezed out of his mouth very slowly and coldly.

Unlike the previous phrase "looking for death".

This time, it truly carried a murderous intent at the level of a guide.

He no longer just felt offended.

Instead, he genuinely considered erasing the person in front of him completely.

But Su Changqing held his wrist, his expression not changing at all.

"Don't repeat yourself."

"It's annoying to listen to."

After saying this, he tightened his grip slightly.

Click.

A crisp, cracking sound suddenly came from Bai Heng's wrist.

The sound wasn't particularly loud.

But in front of the eerily quiet Taiji Hall, it was as clear as if someone had placed a piece of jade bone next to everyone's ear and broken it.

Bai Heng's face instantly paled.

It's not from anger.

It really has become whiter.

Because Su Changqing's pinch did more than just break his wrist bones.

It even crushed the several silver-white energy lines wrapped around that hand.

That kind of pain wasn't pain in the ordinary sense.

Instead, it carries the intense pain of a collapse at the "structural" level.

It's like the entire foundation you use to hold a pen and seal and wield power on a daily basis, which is suddenly broken in the simplest and most brutal way.

Bai Heng's breathing finally became erratic.

It's very light.

But he couldn't escape anyone who was really watching him.

Lei Wujie's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

"The boss pinched his hand?!"

Wushuang's gaze sharpened slightly, and she said in a low voice, "Not only that."

"The thing in his hand was also broken."

Lei Wujie didn't quite understand what "things" specifically referred to, but that didn't stop him from being filled with enthusiasm.

Judging from Bai Heng's expression, you could tell—

That was a really hard squeeze.

Su Xiaonuo was being held by Li Hanyi, her eyes wide open and her little mouth slightly agape, clearly engrossed in what she was watching.

She glanced at Bai Heng, then at Su Changqing, and finally couldn't help but ask:

"Mother, did Father pinch him too hard?"

A faint smile flashed in Li Hanyi's eyes as he said softly:

"Um."

"Will he cry?"

"Let's see if he has any shame."

"..."

The corners of the mouths of the people next to him started twitching.

Good guy.

The proprietress is getting better and better at it.

Su Xiaonuo nodded seriously and continued to observe Bai Heng, looking like she wanted to see if the bad guy would cry.

Bai Heng obviously couldn't cry.

But his complexion was indeed getting worse and worse.

He suddenly jerked his shoulder, and the originally restrained and cold silver-white power within his body suddenly exploded, transforming into countless fine and dense silver needles at extremely close range, stabbing back at Su Changqing's arm.

This is the most direct and also the most ruthless form of countermeasure.

Since his wrist was pinned and he couldn't break free.

Then I'll just use the spot where you're grabbing me to cripple your hand first.

Su Changqing merely glanced down at it.

There was even a hint of disdain in his eyes.

"Dirty".

The next moment, the pale blue energy in his palm seemed to come alive and flowed into Bai Heng's broken wrist.

It was not a gentle intrusion.

It was not a cautious, tentative confrontation.

Instead, it was extremely brutal—

Rush in.

In an instant, Bai Heng felt as if the layers of veins in his entire arm that were used to carry the power of authority and operate the order were being struck head-on by a tide from another world.

It was filmed with every inch flowing backward, every section rolling backward.

The silvery-white sharpness he unleashed was swallowed up and crushed by the azure aura before it could even truly pierce Su Changqing's hand.

Then, that force didn't stop there.

It pushes upwards from the wrist, towards the shoulder, towards the chest, and continues to push.

It's like trying to push all the way into the deepest part of his body, to disassemble and examine his entire "order skeleton".

At this moment, Bai Heng's expression finally changed.

It's not surprising.

It wasn't anger.

Rather, it was an extremely rare and terrifying feeling.

Because he clearly sensed it—

This aura of green was unlike anything he had ever encountered before.

It does not belong to the Xunjie Hall system.

It does not belong to the regular laws and principles of the Thirty-Three Heavens.

It doesn't even resemble the brutal, devouring pollution and plundering of the abyss.

It's more like a living, small, and complete world itself, looking back at him along his arm.

It's like someone pushing open the door, not to punch you.

It's not so much to go inside your house, to see what the structure of your home is like, and to decide whether or not to remove the beams.

this is too scary.

Bai Heng almost instinctively wanted to turn and retreat.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

Su Changqing seemed to sense something as well, and a faint interest finally flashed in his eyes.

"So this is what's etched into the bones of you guys."

Bai Heng's pupils contracted.

"What are you looking at?!"

Su Changqing glanced at him.

"It depends on how much you're worth."

After saying that, he flipped his wrist.

Everyone saw Bai Heng being lifted up as if by an irresistible force, his white clothes billowing, his hair flying wildly, his feet leaving the ground, and then Su Changqing grabbing his wrist and forcefully throwing him to the side!

boom!!!

Bai Heng crashed into a white jade staircase at the edge of the square.

Those steps were originally a high platform in front of the Taiji Hall used to hold ritual objects. They were made of hard material and even had fine array patterns embedded on the surface.

But upon being hit, it exploded on the spot like tofu.

Large chunks of white jade flew out, sending up clouds of dust high into the air.

The entire venue shook violently.

Some of the powerful and ministers who were nearby were so frightened that they almost jumped out of their seats.

"Protect...protect the emperor...no, protect the site!"

Sikong Changfeng roared out reflexively, and was stunned for a moment afterward.

Protecting the site?

What field are you protecting?

This isn't the imperial court; it's the Changqinglou restaurant in operation!

He can't change his mindset at all.

Lei Wujie, however, was already extremely excited and just wanted to ask the boss to do it again.

"Great! Excellent!"

"That's how it should be smashed!"

"Let him keep pretending!"

This time, Wushuang didn't speak up, but just looked at the ruins in the smoke and dust, her eyes slightly deep.

Because he noticed that Su Changqing's smashing was not simply a way to vent his anger.

He was testing it.

To test just how much the "engraved skeleton" inside Bai Heng's body could withstand.

Try to understand this layer of skin; how much of it is human, and how much is "something written into it"?

Although Wushuang couldn't explain all the details, he could sense that the boss didn't seem to be in such a hurry to "kill Bai Heng" anymore.

Or rather—

Bai Heng is more useful alive than dead immediately.

……

The smoke and dust cleared.

Bai Heng slowly stood up from the pile of shattered white jade stones.

This time, he was in an even worse state.

The front of his white robe was torn at one corner, the cuffs were completely ripped, and his hair ornament had finally come loose on one side, with a few strands of dark hair falling down and hanging beside his pale face.

The trace of blood at the corner of his lips could not be completely suppressed this time.

A thin line of blood trickled down from the corner of his mouth, across his chin, and onto the white shirt on his chest.

A touch of red.

It's very eye-catching.

This guide, who initially appeared as if standing before the gates of heaven scrutinizing all living beings, has now finally experienced the true feeling of being "wounded".

It wasn't that they were smashed and covered in dust.

Instead, it was that dignified, orderly, perfect, and cold white jade-like shell that Su Changqing peeled away layer by layer, revealing the true cracks and wounds inside.

The entire room fell silent once again.

Many people are watching him.

It's not about reverence.

Rather, it's a more complex perspective.

See if something that has fallen from a height can still stand firmly.

After regaining his footing, Bai Heng raised his hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes no longer just cold.

Something extremely dangerous has appeared inside.

Like a true knife finally emerging from beneath the ice.

"You think you've won?"

His voice was a little hoarse.

It wasn't loud, but it sent chills down one's spine.

Su Changqing took two steps closer unhurriedly, stood outside the pile of rubble, and looked down at him.

"no."

A cold glint flashed in Bai Heng's eyes.

But the next moment, Su Changqing's words choked him so much that even his cold glint almost froze.

"I just haven't finished calculating yet."

"..."

The room fell silent.

Sikong Changfeng had subconsciously turned to another page of the account book.

really.

As expected, the boss hadn't forgotten.

Su Changqing glanced at the pile of shattered white jade steps beneath Bai Heng's feet, his tone calm.

"Smashing the altar will cost 500,000 taels of silver."

"Destroy the array patterns, 200,000 taels."

"The public bloodshed has affected the atmosphere of my subsequent high-end viewing projects, and I shall pay 100,000 taels of silver in compensation for emotional distress."

"in addition--"

He paused, his gaze falling on Bai Heng's white clothes, which were no longer as neat as they had been.

"Your presentation is a bit lacking now, which reduces expected profits. We'll add another 200,000 taels."

The entire venue was deathly silent.

Then, many people really couldn't hold back anymore.

This is even considered a valid calculation?!

And the last point is actually "Deterioration in appearance affects expected revenue"?

Sikong Changfeng's eyes lit up, and he nodded frantically.

Correct!

Absolutely right!

How could he not have thought of that!

Bai Heng is now a potential "high-end decorative item resource". Smashing and damaging it now will definitely affect the pricing of subsequent projects and the VIP experience!

Shouldn't they compensate for this?!

For a moment, Sikong Changfeng's gaze towards Bai Heng became more complicated.

We're no longer just looking at the enemy.

It's more like looking at a valuable item that you'd better not damage its value.

If Bai Heng knew what he was thinking, he would probably vomit three liters of blood on the spot.

Even so, he was now so angry that his chest was heaving noticeably.

"You...you're asking for it!!"

This time, those three words were no longer cold and restrained.

Instead, it was tinged with genuine anger.

A true breach of defense.

Because Su Changqing was no longer just hitting him.

Instead, they were categorizing it along the lines of "how much it's worth, how it looks, and how it should be classified into the project list" while they were still working on it.

This humiliation was more unbearable for him than seeing blood in public.

As a guide, he had traveled through various realms and seen countless beings from the lower realms kneeling in a tide, but he had never been treated like this before.

Even some remnants of ancient times, with some heritage, only dared to fight desperately, only dared to roar angrily, and only dared to be unwilling before their death when facing him.

But Su Changqing is different.

This person doesn't follow any logic he's familiar with.

It was as if he was using his own methods to forcibly turn Bai Heng back from "the celestial guide" to "the troublesome customer of Changqing Tower who is awaiting compensation."

This is worse than killing him.

Su Changqing, upon hearing this third instance of "courting death," finally grew a little annoyed.

"You're really out of new words?"

As he spoke, he raised his hand and gently dusted off his sleeve, as if brushing off a bit of dust that had gotten on him while he was working.

"Since there's nothing new in our mouths, let's find somewhere else to stay."

Bai Heng's pupils contracted.

Before he could react, Su Changqing had already taken another step forward.

This step is not like pushing the boundary meaning as before.

They no longer grab people directly like they used to.

Instead, he walked up to Bai Heng in a very ordinary manner.

They were so close they couldn't be closer.

Bai Heng was so close that he could almost clearly see the faint, even somewhat bored, light in the depths of his eyes.

The next moment, Su Changqing raised his hand.

There was no wrist-pinching, no throat-grabbing, and no slapping on the top of the head.

He simply spread his five fingers and placed them on Bai Heng's shoulder.

The gesture resembles an elder patting a younger person on the shoulder.

It could even be described as casual.

But Bai Heng was struck dumb at that moment!

He suddenly realized that the guiding order, silver-white patterns, and power meridians within his body, which had been barely maintaining their function, were all as if they had been simultaneously suppressed by something after this palm strike.

It's not a town.

It's not a ban.

Instead, it's something even more outrageous—

"Don't move."

It's as if your whole being has been instantly pushed back to its most ordinary, roughest, and most primitive state.

His many methods, structures, and levels that were superior to those of the lower realms were all forcibly pushed back down by an even more unreasonable force at this moment.

Bai Heng's expression finally lost all control.

"What did you do to me?!"

Su Changqing looked at him, his tone very calm.

"It's nothing."

"Let me tell you to behave first."

After saying that, he gently pushed himself forward.

Bai Heng was like a white shell that had lost its center of gravity, its skeleton, and its fulcrum, and was pushed forward several steps by this palm strike.

direction--

It was none other than the Immortal Cage!

The expressions of Zhao Xuance and the other two in the cage all changed.

Zhao Xuance, in particular, watched helplessly as Su Changqing "sent" Bai Heng toward him, and his scalp tingled with rage.

No way?

Really coming?

Are they really going to imprison the guide as well?!

At that moment, Sikong Changfeng suddenly slapped his forehead, as if struck by lightning, and his voice became distorted with excitement.

"quick!"

"Get ready quickly!"

The waiter next to him was startled: "Preparing what?"

Sikong Changfeng's eyes gleamed, and he spoke as fast as a machine gun.

"Expand the cage!"

"pedestal!"

"No, it's an upgrade project!"

"The original cage isn't enough. For a guide like me, we need a deluxe fairy cage! Plus a unique nameplate, a VIP feeding port, and exclusive commentary..."

"And also! Change the copy!"

"Change it to—"

He took a deep breath, his face flushed, and shouted something that sent chills down everyone's spine.

"The Guide to Heaven is Caged! Changqinglou Launches Today—A Deluxe Special Edition White-Clad Ornament for Tianmen!"

The entire room fell into a deathly silence.

Immediately afterwards, many people couldn't hold back anymore.

crazy.

That's insane.

But unfortunately—

It gets people excited and hyped.

Because they suddenly had an extremely strong premonition.

Sikong Changfeng's words were so outrageous...

Maybe it will actually work out.