Chapter Twenty-Nine: A Clever Plan Gone Awry

"I never expected you to be like this," Wild Dragon taunted, pronouncing each word with cutting sarcasm.

Yet none of them had anticipated that Zhao Yuan's runes would be so formidable; they had always underestimated him. Upon seeing the scene unfold, Zhao Yuan's lips curled into a mysterious smile, impossible to decipher.

Just as Wild Dragon believed everything would end perfectly, the local gentry also allowed a faint smile to play at his lips, leaving Wild Dragon momentarily stunned. For a moment, he couldn't grasp the meaning behind that smile. At this crucial juncture, Wild Dragon abruptly flung the two men aside, dusted off his hands, and laughed as he spoke.

"It was just a little joke among friends—I didn't expect you to take it so seriously," the gentryman said, his eyes glimmering with laughter as he looked at the two, his gaze brimming with mockery.

Wild Dragon had never imagined he would encounter such a situation. He was at a complete loss, casting a helpless glance at Zhao Yuan. Zhao Yuan, for his part, found it all absurd.

"Do you think that just because your rune is at the eighth level, you can do whatever you please?" Zhao Yuan smiled at Wild Dragon.

At this, Wild Dragon shot a look at Zhao Yuan, his face full of astonishment. "How did you know about that?"

Zhao Yuan found his question even more ridiculous, his expression innocent as ever. The entire scene seemed like a tragic prelude for Wild Dragon, and Zhao Yuan, unable to help himself, let out a wry laugh.

"Do you not wonder who I am?" Zhao Yuan asked deliberately. At this, the gentryman slowly stepped forward, giving Wild Dragon a meaningful glance as he smiled and said, "I don't know what exactly has gone on between you, but even if I did, I wouldn't interfere." His calm demeanor was a clear rebuke to Wild Dragon.

But Wild Dragon had no time to debate with the gentryman. At that moment, he focused all his attention on Zhao Yuan. He had always considered Zhao Yuan an ordinary man, never imagining that today Zhao Yuan would see through his little tricks so easily. This forced Wild Dragon to reassess him.

Now, Wild Dragon and his two companions were at a complete loss, their eyes darting uneasily between Zhao Yuan and the gentryman. They never expected Zhao Yuan and the gentryman to have concealed themselves so thoroughly. Frozen in place, the three could only stand mutely as Zhao Yuan and his companion burst into laughter at the sight.

"I thought you were formidable, but it turns out you're just another defeated foe," Zhao Yuan said leisurely, stepping in front of them—so close to Wild Dragon that there was hardly any space between them, the two standing face to face.

Wild Dragon was furious but could find no words. He knew well that Zhao Yuan now outmatched him in strength; any rash action would bring only disaster. So he remained silent, but Zhao Yuan was unwilling to let go of his grievance, still seeking redress for his recent humiliation.

"Why so quiet? Has your courage deserted you already?" Zhao Yuan could sense their inner turmoil, yet pressed on with deliberate provocation.

Upon hearing Zhao Yuan's words, Wild Dragon clenched his fists tightly, his eyes blazing with indignation. Yet he could do nothing to Zhao Yuan and, after giving him a loaded glance, bit out his words through gritted teeth: "Don’t push us too far!"

Wild Dragon's expression was one of utter helplessness.

But Zhao Yuan ignored him, circling around with an air of indifference, feeling almost godlike—he knew that in Wild Dragon's eyes, he had become an untouchable deity. Should Wild Dragon dare to act, he would meet a miserable end.

The gentryman, seeing Wild Dragon’s stubborn refusal to concede, could not help but laugh, stepping forward to tease him: "Just moments ago you seemed so capable—what happened? How did you become like this all of a sudden?" he said with a smile.

Wild Dragon felt humiliated in the extreme. He glanced back at his two companions, who were themselves on the verge of exploding from the gentryman and Zhao Yuan’s taunts, yet they restrained their tempers.

"What should we do now?" one finally blurted out, unable to bear it any longer.

Before Wild Dragon could reply, Zhao Yuan furrowed his brow, casting a look of disdain at the three men standing near the door. He spoke airily, "Do you intend to stand here forever?"

Zhao Yuan smiled, his gaze lingering on Wild Dragon with pointed meaning.

Wild Dragon drew in a sharp breath at Zhao Yuan's words. He realized that lingering here would only add to his humiliation. Glancing around, he saw that he had already spent too much time in this place. Without another word, he turned and left with his two companions.

Now, before Zhao Yuan remained only a pile of discarded odds and ends. He could not help but laugh at the sight. The gentryman chuckled as well, saying, "I thought they would be so capable, but in the end, it was nothing at all," he said warmly.

Zhao Yuan’s lips curled into another inscrutable smile. Pouring himself a cup of tea, he replied coolly, "They were just being clever for their own sake. As for Wild Dragon’s so-called eighth-level rune, he stumbled upon it by chance. Nothing more."

The gentryman recalled Wild Dragon’s earlier posturing and the words he had spoken, realizing their truth, and after giving Zhao Yuan a smile, he turned and left.

At this crucial moment, Zhao Yuan was suddenly struck by an important question—where had Huo Wu gone? The thought plunged him into deep contemplation from which he could not easily extricate himself.

The gentryman gave him a subtle glance but said nothing.