Chapter 29: The Chaos Begins (1)

Xi Runsi was actually dead!

Such an outcome was not only unacceptable to Lambo, but also left the onlookers incredulous. Hardly anyone had caught a clear glimpse of Lekai’s move—between the two, only a fleeting exchange had occurred, and this so-called scion of the martial soul, a privileged official’s son, had become a cold corpse!

Madness—this was utter madness!

Even if someone possessed such overwhelming power to kill Xi Runsi in a single blow—who would dare? The finance director, second only to the mayor, was a figure at the pinnacle of authority. His son’s status was illustrious, noble beyond measure. Not even Lambo would claim to have the courage to provoke him lightly, let alone a second-class citizen. To that esteemed young man, so-called second-class citizens were likely beneath beasts.

Yet now, such a second-class citizen had slain him in a single move!

It was both terrifying and wild—a deed that seemed to drag everyone present into an abyss from which there was no escape. All could imagine the finance director’s fury burning the entire arcade to ashes.

Lekai turned slowly, his expression unchanged, his gaze clear, as if he had just performed a trivial task. He gently took Li Yan’s hand and said quietly, “I’m fine. It was only a wolf—how could it possibly harm me?”

Though there was no danger, Li Yan’s intense concern touched Lekai, who had lacked affection since childhood.

“He... he killed Young Master Xi Runsi?” Only now did Xi Runsi’s bodyguards react, terror-stricken and stunned.

Previously, seeing Lekai as just a child with no threat, they had boldly allowed Xi Runsi to duel him. Had there been any real danger, as bodyguards, they would have stopped the fight, even if it meant breaking the rules. But now, everything was too late. No one had expected events to unfold so swiftly and decisively, leaving no chance for redemption.

Xi Runsi’s death was tantamount to their own death sentence.

“Seize the murderer! Avenge the young master!”

Xi Runsi’s five bodyguards, eyes bloodshot, drew hidden daggers and surrounded Lekai and Li Yan.

Lekai’s lips twitched as he drew Li Yan closer, his voice low and resolute: “Don’t be afraid. I’ll protect you!”

Though his body had not fully recovered from the injuries caused by the professor’s excessive training days earlier, dealing with these bodyguards—who were only marginally stronger than wild wolves—should not be a problem.

“Stop! Everyone, stop!”

The situation had spiraled beyond Lambo’s control. Only he understood the significance of the little savage—someone his father humbled himself to please could not be ordinary. If Lekai were to suffer any mishap, Lambo himself would not escape blame.

But the bodyguards were now completely out of control, their lives forfeit; none cared whether he was the mayor’s son. If they captured the culprit now, perhaps the director might spare them, or at least not implicate their families.

“Young master, it’s pointless. As personal bodyguards, if the master dies, we won’t survive either. They no longer fear death—how could they care who you are?”

Lambo’s own guards pulled him aside, forming a protective triangle around him. In such chaos, should anything happen to Lambo, their fate would be no different from Xi Runsi’s bodyguards.

Frustrated, Lambo clawed at his hair and shouted, “Lekai, hang in there! I’ll call for help immediately!”

Now, only his father could halt further escalation.

A guard tapped his wrist, then his face changed dramatically. He whispered, “Young master, something’s wrong—our signal here has been jammed. We can’t contact the outside world.”

All three tensed, hands reaching into their coats, gripping their weapons, ready for any sudden threat.

Li Yan glanced at Lekai, surprise and curiosity surging within her. She could not fathom how a boy of ten could remain so calm in such dire straits. It was not feigned composure, but true serenity—his hand was warm and strong, his gaze steady and confident, his movements effortless.

His palm rested lightly on his belt’s knife handle, feet slightly apart, one arm around Li Yan like a little sprite. If an adult had acted thus, it would have seemed like a melodramatic scene from a soap opera, but now, no one dared laugh. Xi Runsi’s death had proven that this young cowboy was not posturing.

“Kill!”

The bodyguards, stung by Lekai’s nonchalance as if slapped across the face, could no longer bear the tension. With a howl, five gleaming daggers sliced through the air, converging on the small figure at the center.

“Hmph. Chaotic, disorganized—mere form without substance. Even a wild wolf knows to strike at a prey’s weakness, yet you, humans, attack blindly. Pathetic!”

Lekai’s eyes flashed like sharpened blades, and in that instant, those nearby felt as if a fierce beast was awakening, revealing its power. The “Unity Step” technique activated unconsciously—in the midst of the cold, swirling blades, he and Li Yan moved with uncanny agility. The net of knives, seemingly impenetrable, inexplicably missed its mark. In a blink, the pair stood outside the encirclement, while the five attackers, bewildered, stared at each other—some nearly striking their own comrades.

“Idiots!”

Lekai sneered, spinning like the wind around the five, delivering a swift kick to each one’s backside, sending them sprawling to the ground.

“Lekai, you’re amazing!” Li Yan cried in disbelief, her face aglow with admiration and excitement.

Lekai’s lips twitched; at last, a hint of pride escaped him. Though his nerves far surpassed those of his peers, how could any man remain unmoved by a beauty’s praise? Indeed, all male creatures have an instinct to showcase their best side to the female, seeking favor.

The five bodyguards lay sprawled, a ridiculous sight, yet none dared laugh. This strange scene had shattered their perceptions—a ten-year-old child had felled trained bodyguards with a wave of his hand. And this child’s status was so sensitive—when had second-class citizens ever dared such audacity, striking directly at nobles?

For a moment, not only the local natives but even the imperial citizens were stunned.

One thought echoed in everyone’s mind: disaster had struck—something catastrophic.

Yet, this was not the climax of the incident. As everyone stood dazed, Lambo suddenly let out a sharp scream.

It was shrill and terrifying, shattering the eerie atmosphere and drawing all attention.

A cold glint flashed in Lekai’s eyes, his body bristling instantly. Without turning, he knew trouble had erupted—the three guards protecting Lambo were clutching their throats, convulsing on the ground, lifeless in less than three seconds.

This plunged the scene into utter chaos; people scattered, desperate to escape.

A finance director’s son slain by a second-class citizen before a crowd was already earth-shattering; now, even the mayor’s son’s guards had fallen. Even the dullest knew that today’s events had spiraled into an absolute conspiracy. If not now, when should one flee?