Chapter 24: You've Seen my Power
It seems like he was deliberately looking for trouble here. Mo Qingkuang cursed in his heart.
"Young Master Li, I am here to participate in the martial examination and am currently registering. It doesn't seem appropriate to engage in physical altercations within this office," Mo Qingkuang shook his head.
He had no intention of fighting; he came to the capital seeking support, not making enemies.
Li Ang sneered, "No matter, ask the gentlemen and examinees here if they mind."
The record officials recognized Li Ang, a prominent figure in the capital, not to mention his father, Minister Li. These minor figures couldn't afford to offend him.
Hastily shaking their heads, one official said, "No problem, no problem. Young people are competitive, and we appreciate that."
Li Ang turned to the surrounding examinees and asked, "What about all of you?"
"Young Master Li, please go ahead. The exchange between two outstanding talents will surely be enlightening for us," the examinees nodded in support, not daring to oppose.
"Alright, since no one objects. Young Master Kuang, please do not hesitate to enlighten us," Li Ang waved his hand, assuming an attacking stance.
Mo Qingkuang still shook his head, "Young Master Li, I believe you are also participating in the martial examination. If fate allows, we may meet on the stage. Why rush things?"
"What's this? Are you afraid to fight?" Li Ang mocked.
He had planned this challenge carefully. If Mo Qingkuang lost to him before the examination, he would lose face and might not be able to enter the Imperial Academy. Moreover, Li Ang intended to clear potential rivals for the affection of Han Yan'er, who also aspired to join the Imperial Academy.
"Feeling troubled? Just beat this guy and then go spank Han Yan'er's backside. Wouldn't that make you feel better?" Mo Fan chuckled.
"Fine," Mo Qingkuang nodded speechlessly. This ancestor of his was truly unpredictable, but he liked it.
Thinking about the warm touch at Han Yan'er's waist, Mo Qingkuang couldn't help but feel a bit strange. Was the face beneath that veil really more beautiful than Chu Yanran?
As for Chu Yanran, since she had chosen Lin Yang, Mo Qingkuang had long given up on her. If there was a better option, he wouldn't refuse.
"Do you really want to fight?" Mo Qingkuang's gaze gradually turned cold. He was not known for his good temper; he was the unrivaled figure in Tiannan City.
Once, someone said that among the four evils of Tiannan City — pornography, gambling, drugs, and him, Mo Qingkuang —he had his own place. The other three referred to the major criminal activities in the city, highlighting Mo Qingkuang's infamous reputation.
"Hmph, let me see what makes you worthy of catching the eye of Yan'er!" Li Ang's strength was not as simple as it appeared. If he wasn't intentionally concealing it to please Han Yan'er, he would be the top talent among the younger generation in the capital.
Kuang Qing's impressive display against Song Qian had made quite a reputation, but it was also rumored that he didn't cause any harm to Song Qian. It could be said that he did not truly defeat him.
As for himself, he had long been able to defeat a second-rank martial artist.
"Then, I'll fulfill your wish!" Mo Qingkuang sneered. After several days of seclusion in the valley, his Flower Picking Finger and Falling Flower Palm had yet to be truly tested. Now, it was time to see how they fared.
Just as the two were about to start, a sweet shout echoed from a distance.
A woman in a white dress, her face covered by a veil, gracefully approached from outside the door. She landed between the two, resembling a fairy descending to the mortal realm.
"Greetings, Ninth Princess," everyone bowed. The newcomer was none other than the Ninth Princess, Han Yan. Upon hearing about Kuang Qing's enrollment in the Imperial Examination, she rushed over immediately.
"No need for formalities," Han Yan'er casually waved her hand, curiously examining Mo Qingkuang's dark face.
"Are you Kuang Qing?" she asked.
"It's me," Mo Qingkuang nodded as he looked into those curious and sparkling eyes.
"Your voice wasn't like this the last time when we met at the King's tomb," she remarked.
"There were many people there; I changed my accent to avoid unnecessary trouble," Mo Qingkuang explained.
"Why would someone of your strength come to Tianxuan Empire for the Imperial Examination? With your abilities, there are countless places you could go," Han Yan'er nodded, asking with a hint of scrutiny.
She wasn't worried about someone impersonating Kuang Qing. After all, his strength was evident, and with the presence of Song Qian, a sworn enemy, no one would have the courage to impersonate Kuang Qing.
Mo Qingkuang chuckled, "As the princess said, where can't I go? Am I not allowed to come to the Central Capital? Does the princess not welcome me?"
In these days, Mo Fan had instilled in Mo Qingkuang the belief not to act like a lapdog. He had also fed him various knowledge about wooing women he had found online. Subtly, it had changed Mo Qingkuang's attitude towards women.
Han Yan'er deeply gazed at the dark face, sighing somewhat disappointedly. She didn't know if it was because he didn't look as handsome as rumoured to be or for some other reason.
As Han Yan'er focused all her attention on Kuang Qing, she seemed to completely ignore Li Ang, her childhood friend who had deep feelings for her.
Li Ang's frustration grew stronger as he watched the conversation between the two heading in a flirtatious direction. It further fueled his anger.
"Yan'er, I was just about to spar with Young Master Kuang. If you want to catch up, please step aside," Li Ang struggled to maintain the composure of a nobleman, concealing his jealousy.
Han Yaner turned to Li Ang, her tone cold, "Young Master Li, we are neither kin nor close friends. Please refrain from being so intimate."
Li Ang's face stiffened, and he awkwardly smiled, "Yes, Ninth Princess."
Hearing this, onlookers couldn't help but chuckle. It turned out that it was just Li Ang's wishful thinking. The sound of his face being 'slapped' seemed to echo loudly.
Some even couldn't hold back their laughter, earning a stern glare from Li Ang.
Feeling all the humiliation, he directed his resentment towards Mo Qingkuang in his heart: 'It's all because of you!'
"Are you going to fight or not?" Li Ang gritted his teeth, glaring angrily at Mo Qingkuang.
"Young Master Li, Kuang Qing's visit to our Central Capital is as a guest. As a prominent figure in the capital, shouldn't you treat guests with hospitality?" Han Yan'er intervened.
She knew that the current situation was provoked by her irritation with Li Ang. If she hadn't been annoyed by him, she wouldn't have casually brought up Kuang Qing here as a shield.
Little did she expect that Kuang Qing and Li Ang would actually clash.
"It's alright; I have long admired the young talents of the capital. How can I refuse the hospitality of Young Master Li?" Mo Qingkuang did not appreciate Li Ang's gesture.
In front of a beautiful woman, a man should never back down, especially when facing a beautiful woman.
"Well said! After Young Master Kuang's exchange, if he's still up for it, I invite him for a drink," Li Ang applauded, seeming to praise on the surface but filled with threats in his words, as if he had already won.
Han Yan'er frowned and approached Mo Qingkuang, saying, "Li Ang is quite strong. I heard he can defeat a second-rank Martial Master. He usually lets me win."
She knew that Li Ang's repeated defeats to her were not because he was genuinely weaker. It was his means to please her that made her even more disgusted.
Mo Qingkuang raised an eyebrow, "Don't worry; you've seen my skills, haven't you?"
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone