Chapter 103: The Kunsha Who Cannot Act

Kun Sha’s hearty laughter echoed through the hall, shattering the somber atmosphere. He said, “You all are truly diligent. As disciples of the world’s most elite powers, such dedication is to be expected. Unlike my son, who spends every day playing. If only he put in half as much effort as you, I’d be content!”

Before Yang Fan and the others could respond, they were interrupted once more by Kun Yuan.

“Father, how am I not diligent? I’d easily defeat these guys!” Kun Yuan’s words prompted both Li Xianyi and Yang Fan to look at him. Kun Yuan’s gaze shifted, and upon seeing their eyes, his disdain grew stronger. He continued, “What are you looking at? Dissatisfied? If so, let’s have a match. I want to see why my father should favor you!”

“Enough!” Kun Li, unable to bear it any longer, interjected. Her little brother had always been unruly, but usually not without reason. What was wrong today? Why was he fixated on Yang Fan and his companions, ignoring their father’s serious business?

Was he not afraid of their father’s wrath, acting out so blatantly?

“Kun Yuan, come with me!” Kun Li stood up, intending to take her brother away.

At that moment, Kun Sha, seated at the head, raised his hand. “Wait,” he said, then turned to Yang Fan and the others. “My son’s careless words have offended you. I apologize. Yuan, apologize to our guests.”

Kun Yuan, already pulled up by Kun Li, refused. As the young leader of the Kunpeng clan, he reasoned, Yang Fan and his companions were merely cultivators from unknown origins. Even if they were guests, he had only made a few sarcastic remarks. To apologize now would be humiliating—mocking others one moment, then apologizing the next? Kun Yuan simply couldn’t do it.

Kun Li tugged at Kun Yuan, whose face reddened but he stood his ground, unmoving.

The atmosphere turned awkward once more.

Kun Sha watched the group from above, his expression thoughtful.

Before inviting Kun Yuan here today, Kun Sha had subtly praised the guests to his son, describing their excellence and how they were of similar age. His son, stubborn as ever, grew furious hearing his father praise others over himself. Knowing his son’s temperament, Kun Sha expected him to vent his anger upon meeting them.

Kun Sha understood his son all too well.

He had invited Yang Fan and the others precisely to witness a bout. Through their strength and fighting style, he could glimpse the conditions of the outside world. The fighting style, in particular, revealed much—a sect’s heritage, the power and suitability of its techniques. Without powerful and appropriate fighting methods, no sect or force could endure.

As anticipated, Kun Sha’s son couldn’t hold back and immediately clashed with the visitors. After a few words of admonishment, the tension was close to breaking.

If Kun Yuan realized he was being used as a pawn by his father, who knows how he’d feel? But Kun Sha had no choice. Those with power and status were too strong to spar with Yang Fan and his companions; those weaker had no status and wouldn’t dare challenge the clan leader’s guests. In the end, only his daughter and son were left. His daughter was sharp and hard to fool, but his son was simple-minded—easily manipulated.

Standing there, Kun Yuan’s eyes reddened, and he roared, “Father, I’ll apologize if they defeat me. I will never apologize to those weaker than myself!”

Hearing this, Kun Sha inwardly thought, “Perfect,” though he still appeared troubled and said, “Enough nonsense, apologize to our guests!”

“I refuse, unless they defeat me!” Kun Yuan protested, aggrieved.

Yang Fan and his companions exchanged glances; by now, they had more or less discerned what was happening.

This was a performance—a show directed by Kun Sha.

No one was a fool; when something was too obvious, it became excessive. But Kun Sha seemed oblivious to subtlety—perhaps such powerful figures rarely act in such ways, or perhaps they disdain hiding their intentions. He simply wanted an excuse and the outcome; whether they saw through it didn’t matter. Even if they did, what could they do? Did they have the right to refuse?

Hu Dao, Yang Fan, and Li Xianyi looked at each other. The remaining three second-rank cultivators had no right to participate.

Yang Fan nodded to Hu Dao, who was somewhat helpless but did not object.

Hu Dao had lost an arm entering the secret realm. Even now, his wound had not fully healed, greatly diminishing his strength. Besides, even at his peak, he was still a step behind Yang Fan.

Yang Fan and Li Xianyi exchanged a glance. Then Yang Fan said, “Clan leader, since the young master does not wish to apologize, let’s leave it at that.”

Kun Sha cast Yang Fan a sidelong look and replied, “That won’t do. Just as the nation has its laws, so too must the family have its rules. You are my guests, and this boy’s disrespect must be addressed. Don’t worry, today I’ll make sure he learns what it means to be humble and courteous!”

Yang Fan secretly laughed. This old fox really thinks we’re fools. His act was dull from start to finish. But he thought it over—when a tenth-rank powerhouse puts on a show, whether you want to or not, you must play along and stick to the script. Still, there’s room for improvisation.

Yang Fan shook his head helplessly and continued, “Since the clan leader wishes the young master to learn humility, and the young master will only apologize if we defeat him, let’s have a friendly match. We’ll keep it light, so neither father nor son need quarrel, and relations between us won’t remain so awkward. What do you think?” After speaking, Yang Fan felt he had been too blunt—he’d planned many polite phrases but ended up being direct. Would Kun Sha feel he’d been slighted?

Looking up, Yang Fan saw a fleeting look of satisfaction on Kun Sha’s face and realized he was overthinking.

Kun Yuan, still being pulled by Kun Li, suddenly unleashed his aura, the surging power of a third-rank peak cultivator flooding the space.

He shouted, “Since we’re fighting, come out!” With that, Kun Yuan strode out of the hall and stood in the courtyard.

Kun Sha rose and waved to Yang Fan and the others, indicating they should follow.

Yang Fan and his companions were resigned. There was no pretense—having agreed, Kun Sha didn’t bother with polite words; instead, he simply left and called for the match. It was all so direct…

But there was no choice. The situation was overwhelming; under someone else’s roof, you had no alternative. Having come to their territory, and with their strength so much greater, you had to obey. All actions followed their command.