Chapter 4: Just a Small Compensation

A thunderous boom rang out.

In the eyes of all who watched in despair, the Tian Gang formation shattered.

The strongest trump card of the Yan Empire was reduced to ashes in an instant.

Thirty-six elite cultivators were sent flying, coughing blood as they retreated.

Each one lost nearly seventy percent of their cultivation base in that single exchange.

“Since it’s your first offense, I’ll spare your lives.”

Sigh “What can I say? I’ve always been such a kind person.”

As the calm voice echoed in their ears, the surrounding cultivators could not calm their trembling hearts, paralyzed by shock and terror.

He destroyed seventy percent of our power with a single punch, and he calls that kindness?

Unfortunately, Su Chen was no longer standing in place.

As he vanished into the distance, the overwhelming pressure faded away with him.

“Haah… Haah…”

The lead general’s face twisted in disbelief.

Cold sweat soaked the inside of his armor.

The others were equally shaken.

“When did someone so terrifying appear within the Yan Empire’s borders? I’ve never heard of such a person!”

Suddenly, the general’s expression shifted.

Su Chen… Wasn’t he heading toward the palace?

There was no time to waste.

He quickly raised his command token and sent out an emergency transmission.

***

Within the War God Manor.

The old eunuch waiting for a victory report suddenly felt a change and narrowed his eyes.

A confident smile spread across his delicate, feminine features.

Beside him, Yanhuang calmly placed a black piece on the Go board.

Her expression remained unbothered.

On the board, a jet-black stone broke through the encircling white pieces, charging forward with unstoppable force.

At that very moment—

Snap!

“The Tian Gang Star Formation has been broken. The Flame Guard has been utterly defeated.”

“W-What!? That’s impossible!”

The eunuch’s voice trembled with disbelief, but Yanhuang slowly rose from her seat.

Her fire-red cloak fluttered dramatically behind her.

At the same time, her War God command token at her waist began to glow.

A beam of crimson light shot out and formed two ominous scarlet characters in the air—

“Royal Palace!”

Yanhuang’s beautiful eyes narrowed, filled with confusion.

“Just who did the Yan Empire provoke this time?”

“He’s heading straight for the palace?”

Hearing the general’s muttering, the eunuch was left in stunned silence.

“How could this be…”

“Come with me and see for yourself.”

***

The Royal Treasury of the Yan Empire.

Two towering stone pillars stood before the hall, entwined with fierce black qilin carvings that shimmered with ominous light.

In front of the treasury, the area was nearly deserted—only two guards stood watch.

But these two alone were enough to hold back entire legions.

Because each of them was among the most formidable cultivators in the entire empire.

One alone could wipe out a thousand Imperial Guards.

Once someone reached the Soul Division Realm, life and death lay in their hands.

That was the name of their level—Soul Division.

At this moment…

The two peak cultivators sat cross-legged before the treasury doors.

The world’s spiritual energy converged upon them, their breathing and cultivation radiating immense power—like a pair of ink-black qilins reborn into the world.

Suddenly…

Their expressions changed.

A flicker of doubt crossed their eyes as they looked toward the front of the hall.

Two unfamiliar figures strolled forward—one large and one small, their hands held together like a father and daughter on a walk through a garden.

“The… treasury?”

“Master, why are we here?”

Ruo Ximeng looked up at Su Chen, her large, confused eyes still tinged with lingering worry.

“Interest,” Su Chen replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“My disciple was bullied this badly. I deserve some compensation, don’t I?”

“Ah? Won’t this be dangerous?”

Seeing her wrinkle her tiny nose in concern, Su Chen chuckled playfully.

“Haha… So, are you scared?”

Ruo Ximeng shrank back slightly.

“A little… but being with Master makes me feel very safe.”

‘She’s way too easy to win over.’

The system stared at Ruo Ximeng’s obvious attachment to Su Chen, utterly baffled.

‘Could it be that his host was naturally born with a physique that attracts young girls?’

But wasn’t he still a single dog just a while ago…

***

At the same time.

“Who are you people?! How dare you break into the Great Yan Treasury!”

The leader barked coldly, his eyes filled with suspicion—and a heavy dose of fear.

He couldn’t see through the boy in front of him!

When he extended his spiritual sense toward Su Chen, it was like throwing a needle into the ocean—completely unfathomable!

Su Chen waved his hand casually, signaling them to calm down.

“Just taking a few things. No need to panic.”

“Things?”

“Oh, I figured the treasury might have some nice items. I’ll just pick a few.”

At that, even Ruo Ximeng couldn’t help but stifle a laugh behind her hand.

She might not remember many details, but one thing she knew for sure—

The treasury that housed all of Great Yan’s treasures… was far from the casual little collection her master made it sound like!

The guard’s lips twitched.

“Are you joking?”

Su Chen shrugged.

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

The man pressed further.

“Then… do you at least have an imperial decree?”

Su Chen looked genuinely surprised.

“My face doesn’t count?”

“…”

The guard was instantly speechless, unable to find the words to respond.

‘Where was this happening?’

The Great Yan Treasury!

Even they didn’t dare to casually look at what was inside, afraid of stirring any desire or greed in their hearts.

And opening the treasury? That required at least twelve layers of official approval!

But now—this guy wanted to just walk in and take things?

This was nothing short of—

“Absurd!”

The two top-ranked guardians narrowed their eyes at the same time. A terrifying aura erupted from them like a wave.

“Who exactly are you?!”

Su Chen raised a hand and smiled.

“Just call me… a kind-hearted passerby.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Su Chen lifted his hand.

***

A colossal shadow of a fist rose into the sky, blotting out the sun.

The next moment, a deafening boom shook the heavens.

With one punch—

Twelve gates, each forged from the rarest celestial steel, were instantly obliterated.

What was once one of the top three most secure locations in the entire Great Yan Empire now looked like it had been torn open by paper.

“Hsss!!”

The two Nascent Soul realm guardians stared wide-eyed at the massive, bottomless hole behind them.

Though their bodies were still intact, they were frozen in place, utterly unable to move.

‘What kind of monster is he?!’

‘If he had wanted to kill us just now… could we have stopped him?’

In that moment, the two finally understood what Su Chen meant earlier.

‘If this wasn’t a “kind person,” what was?’

‘How… kindhearted!’

Su Chen paid no attention to their mental breakdown.

He simply reached out and scooped his disciple into his arms.

“Let’s go.”

“Okay…”

Ruo Ximeng blinked in confusion, then slowly nestled into her master’s embrace.

***

Not long after—

As Su Chen made his way through the long, dark corridor, an entirely different scene appeared before him.

“It’s so bright… I can’t even open my eyes!”

Ruo Ximeng whimpered, rubbing her eyes with both hands.

Su Chen gently raised his hand to block the light for her and gave an internal command.

“System, you know what to do, right?”

“[I don’t kno—]”

“Ahem?”

The system had been preparing to act cute, but instantly snapped to attention.

[Scanning range: thirty li. Initiating detection…]

Moments later, a light screen appeared before Su Chen.

He looked up calmly.

“Qilin Blood Sword—Earth-grade spiritual treasure. Forged from wind-and-thunder-attributed qilin bones and a Blood Prison magic crystal. When unsheathed, the winds roar and thunder strikes. Its phantom qilin devours all in its path.”

“Divine Wandering Essence—traces of divine law left behind by a fallen Divine Wanderer. Contains the essence of heaven and earth. Accelerates martial comprehension and can be converted into pure life force to heal all wounds.”

“Nine Dragons Imperial Battle Technique…”

One after another, treasures that could ignite bloody wars in the outside world appeared before Su Chen’s eyes.

Yet his expression only grew calmer—almost indifferent.

[Three top-tier drops in a row… What the hell is this luck…]