Chapter 437 Provocation

Outside Chen Fei’s residence in Zhenbei City, Xu Zhenping had been standing at the door since the afternoon, not moving an inch.

For someone like him—a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Realm—such a punishment was nothing. But the longer he stood there, the more anxious he became. Beads of sweat slowly formed on his forehead despite the cold air.

“Lord Zhongwei, it’s been a whole day. Why don’t you rest for a bit? I’ll take your place and wait here for any orders from the master inside,” a subordinate jogged over, muttering with a trace of grievance against Chen Fei’s arrogance.

Xu Zhenping lifted his head and cast a cold look at the soldier before waving him away.

Although he had already driven away the curious onlookers, that didn’t mean people weren’t still watching from the shadows. In fact, the bigger the stir they caused, the more attention they attracted.

That’s human nature—the more you try to block something from view, the more others want to see it.

Chen Fei hadn’t uttered a single word since revealing his strength. It was obvious that he didn’t care to negotiate with the Zhenbei Army.

Xu Zhenping didn’t know where Chen Fei got his confidence from, but as a soldier, he had no choice but to follow orders—even if it meant standing here awkwardly.

The aroma of roasted meat wafted out from inside the residence, and Xu Zhenping’s stomach growled in protest. Yet he didn’t dare move, feeling like a young recruit again being punished by his superior.

At that same moment, within the Zhenbei Army camp, a group of hardened generals had gathered.

These were seasoned veterans who had fought countless battles. Even without releasing any pressure, their very presence was intimidating.

“This is outrageous! What’s he trying to do?”

“Yanf Fei may be impulsive, but does this Chen Fei think he can provoke the entire Zhenbei Army?!”

One general couldn’t help but curse aloud.

Others also sighed in frustration—if Yan Fei had wanted to provoke someone, fine—but at least measure your own strength first! Now look at the mess. Chen Fei had barely said a word, but his dismissive tone had forced the Zhenbei Army onto the backfoot.

Especially that one calm sentence—it had hung them out to dry.

“I’ll go consult Military Advisor Ma,” said the general at the head of the table, Fang Wei, who held the second-highest authority in the army after Ma Shuo.

His words were a relief to everyone.

Fang Wei pushed open the door and stepped out into the gloomy, snowy evening. After pausing for a moment, he began walking toward Tianji Terrace.

“General Fang, Military Advisor Ma is observing the stars tonight. He’s not seeing any guests,” a young servant rushed out to intercept him as he approached.

Fang Wei’s thick eyebrows furrowed, and he glared coldly at the boy.

“Go inform Military Advisor Ma that I need to consult him urgently. If anything goes wrong, you’ll be held responsible!”

The servant trembled under the pressure of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

“General Fang, I swear I’m not lying! Advisor Ma really is stargazing and left specific orders not to be disturbed. He said this matter is for the generals to resolve on their own!”

Fang Wei’s sharp gaze lingered for a moment, but he realized the boy wasn’t lying. With a cold snort, he turned and left.

As soon as he was gone, the servant’s eyes flashed with resentment. He turned and ran straight to where Ma Shuo was in seclusion.

But the moment he stepped inside—everything went black.

“M-Military Advisor…?” the servant’s voice quivered. An overwhelming dread crept through him.

Ma Shuo sighed.

“Looks like I can’t keep you around. So quick to hold a grudge over a scolding.”

“No, please, I—I was just momentarily upset…” the servant begged.

But Ma Shuo simply raised his hand. The servant froze and collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

Two shadowy attendants stepped forward and efficiently cleaned up the corpse.

Ma Shuo shook his head. Normally, he wouldn’t be so ruthless—but Zhenbei City stood on the edge of disaster. He couldn’t afford to show mercy.

Turning back toward the intricate model of Zhenbei City in front of him, his eyes narrowed.

“I underestimated that man. But this move—you won’t escape it.”

Back at the military headquarters, Fang Wei returned with a tense expression. The moment he entered, everyone looked at him expectantly.

Seeing his furrowed brows, an uneasy feeling swept through the room.

After a long pause, Fang Wei finally spoke:

“Zhang Chang, you go. Remember—this is only a test. Do not kill.”

Zhang Chang immediately stood, but hearing that order, his face twisted in frustration.

“General Fang, what’s the meaning of this?”

For warriors like them, every strike was meant to kill. Holding back wasn’t something they were used to. On the battlefield, hesitation meant death.

Fang Wei met his eyes.

“If you lose, you will obey his instructions.”

That declaration caused a stir among the other generals.

“Zhang Chang, you’re one of our veterans. You should know how to handle this wisely.”

“Advisor Ma may be able to calculate all outcomes, but when it comes to matters of life and death for Zhenbei, we should hold the reins.”

“Don’t embarrass us, Zhang!”

No one dared challenge Fang Wei directly, so they focused on provoking Zhang Chang instead.

But Fang Wei didn’t even acknowledge their comments. He sipped his tea slowly, looking completely calm.

Zhang Chang said nothing. He simply cupped his fists in salute and left.

Once outside, he waved his hand—and a crimson beam of light descended from the sky. A fiery spear landed in his grip.

With a stomp, his body launched into the air, heading straight for Chen Fei’s residence.

In just a few breaths, he had arrived.

“He’s here,” Chen Fei said suddenly.

Ji Wugou raised her head in confusion. Activating her spiritual sense, she finally noticed the man standing outside.

“What is wrong with these people?! First, they open the central gate and welcome you in, and now they keep sending people to provoke you? Are they sick in the head?” she growled angrily.

She took a savage bite out of her roasted meat, as if that could relieve her frustration.

Chen Fei glanced at her and shook his head with a helpless smile.

Asking her to understand something this complex… that might be too much.

Xu Zhenping’s eyes lit up when he saw Zhang Chang arrive.

“General Zhang!”

But Zhang Chang didn’t even look at him.

“A dignified Zhongwei officer, standing guard at a man’s door… and he doesn’t even respond? What a disgrace.”

He turned toward the residence and shouted:

“Chen Fei! The Zhenbei Army has treated you with respect, but you’ve been arrogant, insulting our soldiers and injuring General Yan Fei. That’s unforgivable!”

His fiery spear hummed in his hand as sharp energy condensed around it.

Chen Fei looked up and smirked faintly.

“Well, well, such sharp words from a ‘noble general.’ I was going to wait for the Zhenbei Army to offer an explanation… but since you want to speak on their behalf, fine.”

His eyes turned cold.

“Today, I’ll make sure Zhenbei gives me an explanation—one they’ll never forget.”