The Four Young Masters of Chang’an discussed within the Sword Array, greeting the other noble youths.

Rather die than yield to Long Fei, reimbursing him the billion Spirit Stones.

If we do that, won’t we be looked down upon in the future?

They comforted others saying Long Fei doesn’t have the guts to kill them.

If he kills them, the major noble houses of Chang’an City would skin him alive.

The other youths nodded, agreeing with their judgment.

Inside the Sword Array, they took out wine, meat, and Spirit Fruits, setting the table; rather than pay heed to Long Fei, they drank and feasted.

Long Yu’er looked at Long Fei provocatively, shaking her finger, secretly thinking this country bumpkin dares to fight us.

Let’s see who will win in the end.

Their people outside soon invited Governor Wu Youren over.

Another family invited the Shu King.

Both hurried over, faces full of panic, and upon seeing the noble sons in the Sword Array, they cried out, "Oh dear, oh dear, what’s happened?"

The Shu King quickly approached Long Fei, saying, "Brother, why have you locked these people up?"

"Why, should I not?"

Long Fei was busy helping set up porridge stalls, not even glancing at the Shu King.

The Shu King reminded him, "Brother, they are sons of the Capital City’s noble families, not to be trifled with!"

Long Fei calmly said, "They smashed my porridge stall and attempted to assassinate me. Though I hold no official position, I’m a merciful and compassionate mage appointed by the Empress. Their actions intentionally trouble the Empress!"

He deliberately spoke loudly, making everyone on the scene furrow their brows.

Reporters were even scribbling wildly, frightening the young masters in the Sword Array who shouted, "Don’t talk nonsense, we were just competing with you; when did we attempt to assassinate you? Moreover, when did we target the Empress?"

"Yes, this is slander, we protest!"

"..."

Though arrogant and overbearing, they understood the situation.

For now, they dared not disrespect Empress Wu.

Long Fei brought the matter to the Empress, instantly making their nerves tense.

They suddenly realized this person wasn’t simple; he understood politics!

Governor Wu Youren and these noble families’ born archrivals, as these nobles were people of the Li Family whom the Wu Family has always conflicted with.

Yet now, he couldn’t offend these people and pleaded with Long Fei like the Shu King, saying, "Mage, they are but children. With your current status, you needn’t stoop to their level. Since you’ve taught them a lesson, there’s no need to complicate matters. Release them, and I assure you they won’t cause trouble here again."

Long Fei replied without looking back, "If you two are here to help, then lend a hand. If you’re here for mediation, then please leave! I’ve said it: pay up or walk away. Even if Your Majesty and the Empress come, I won’t release them if short by one Spirit Stone."

"This, this..."

The governor and the Shu King exchanged glances, momentarily speechless.

Hu Jingyang among the Four Young Masters of the Capital City shouted inside, "You two, don’t persuade him. I, Young Master, will just see how long he can keep us. The news has already returned to the Capital City; our families will soon hear of it. Then let’s see who can rescue him!"

He had his arm broken by Long Fei, only recently fixed with a pill.

To show off before Long Yu’er, he was the first to shout aloud, looking quite spirited.

Xuan Yan of the Black Tortoise Guard lay on a bamboo chair, as if on vacation, saying lightly, "Yes, Young Master has come to enjoy it here. Don’t bother Young Master, I don’t wish to leave."

Yu Shaojie of the Feathered Forest Guard fanned with a paper fan, "Yes, yes, we’re living quite comfortably here. If anyone wants to get us out, they’ll have an issue with us!"

A group of young masters roasted meat, laughing together.

They believed Long Fei wouldn’t dare kill them, so they deliberately faced off inside to see if Long Fei could outlast them.

Now that the message has been sent to the Capital City, their various families will receive it.

Then, we’ll see how Long Fei can stand against them.

Long Fei planted the porridge stall’s railing in the ground, dusted off his hands, and approached these young masters, smiling faintly.

He gestured for a Centurion from the people’s group to come over.

Though the Centurion was young and dressed in shabby clothes, he wore a white robe, looking quite majestic.

He regarded Long Fei as a savior; without Long Fei, he’d have starved to death here.

Now, he would even die willingly for Long Fei.

He harbored a stomach full of resentment against those young masters in the Sword Array, thinking Long Fei called on him to teach them a lesson, and immediately stood up, asking Long Fei, "Mage, shall I kill them?"

The young masters in the Sword Array widened their eyes, thinking these people are idiots?

How could they utter such bold words?

Hu Jingyang directly retorted, "Boy, dare you say that again?"

The Centurion turned back and shouted, "A prisoner, why be so brazen?"

His shout angered the young masters within the Sword Array, causing them to stand up.

What were their identities, being insulted by such a commoner?

Long Fei was equally surprised, asking the Centurion, "What is your name?"

The Centurion replied solemnly, "Xue Renyi!"

"Hmm?"

Long Fei’s eyes lit up, showing interest in his name.

He couldn’t help but ask further, "Where are you from?"

Xue Renyi responded loudly, "From Eastern Jinxi, originally here in Shu State for small business, caught in a Demon Calamity, came here helplessly."

Long Fei patted his shoulder, saying, "Very good. Work hard here; you can also rise to prominence and bring glory to your ancestors."

"Yes!"

Xue Renyi straightened his back.

Long Fei mused, in their world, Eastern Jinxi had a Xue family youth named Xue Renyi, differing by only a character.

Long Fei smirked at the young masters in the Sword Array and then instructed Xue Renyi, "Centurion, the air inside this Sword Array is too dry, have people use wooden barrels to fill with Golden Water and dig a trench around to add some moisture."

Xue Renyi scratched his head, puzzled, "Mage, what is Golden Water?"

Long Fei chuckled, "Think about what water in the slums is golden, that’s Golden Water."

Xue Renyi quickly realized, smacking his head laughing, "Got it, sir, understood!"

The young masters inside the Sword Array were puzzled, not knowing what Long Fei intended.

Long Yu’er disdainfully shouted, "Everyone stay calm, what Golden Water. Here, they can’t afford food, how could they possibly have gold for water, such boasting without turning red."

Hu Jingyang flattered, "True, let them fuss, we’ll eat ours, rather die than leave, let’s see what they can do to us."

Xue Renyi led people to dig a trench around the Sword Array, intentionally shallow outside and deep inside, forming a slope.

Soon, he had people carrying wooden barrels over.

Not even a hundred meters away, reporters around Long Fei, cultivators, and the governor and Shu King all covered their noses.

Damn!

Everyone suddenly realized, this isn’t Golden Water, it’s clearly faecal water.

The slum had just renovated public toilets, lacking everything but faecal water.

This stench, wafting miles away.

A circle of refugees around laughed loudly, and a group from the Capital City also shook their heads smiling.

Unexpectedly, this harmless, benevolent mage had thought up such a rotten plan.