I, the Reborn Villain, After Nine Lifetimes of Simping Over the Empress, Crushed the System and Escaped - Chapter 9:

Chapter 9: If You’re Beaten, You Must Stand Firm:

Xia Tounan and Lu Chen stood ten steps apart. 

Though neither had moved yet, the air was already thick with fighting spirit. Their cold gazes clashed stubbornly, sparks flying invisibly. Their restless palms foretold that a battle shaking heaven and earth was about to begin.

Just then, an old man selling sesame cakes passed by. Seeing the scene, he swung the rag over his shoulder and shouted, “Smash him!”

Lu Chen’s eyes sharpened as he struck first. “Embracing Yuan Force!” His fist thundered toward Xia Tounan’s face like a storm.

Xia Tounan stepped into Flowing Cloud Steps, spun aside, and struck out with a crisp “crack”—a White Cloud Palm.

Lu Chen twisted back to block and countered with a heavy punch, only for Xia Tounan to dodge again. He followed up with a kick, but Xia Tounan blocked it.

Seizing an opening, Xia Tounan’s Thunderfinger shot out with two sharp blasts of qi—”biu, biu”—but both missed.

Lu Chen retaliated with a palm strike, “White Rainbow Piercing the Sun!” 

A thunderous boom shook the air as Xia Tounan was blasted back several meters.

Before he could recover, Lu Chen’s fingers turned into a sword as he unleashed the Azure Cloud Sect’s “Seven-Star Divine Sword Art.” Qi tore through the sky, blasting Xia Tounan back ten meters more.

Dazed and disoriented, Xia Tounan staggered under the relentless assault, forced to retreat again and again.

Finally, driven to a corner and pushed past his limit, Xia Tounan roared and revealed his trump card. “Heaven-Piercing Rushing Cloud Palm!”

A deafening boom followed. The powerful palm force knocked Lu Chen several meters back, reversing the tide.

“Lu Chen! Xuanji is mine. Don’t you dare touch her!”

In Xia Tounan’s mind, he saw Lu Chen as a depraved brother with twisted desires for his own sister, constantly harassing Lu Xuanji under the guise of sibling affection. In this delusion, Lu Xuanji lived in daily terror. He imagined himself as her white knight, sworn to save her from this so-called devil.

“Xia Tounan, are you out of your mind!?” Lu Chen barked, furious at such filthy thoughts. He had no time to ponder them—dealing with this lunatic was infuriating enough.

“Azure Cloud Nine Immortal Swords!” Sword qi burst forth like meteors, hemming Xia Tounan in with no room to breathe.

Seizing the chance, Lu Chen slapped his palm down, smashing Xia Tounan to the ground. The force struck so hard the earth cracked and sank nearly a meter deep.

The fight ended with Xia Tounan’s defeat.

“Pu~” He coughed blood, his bones and meridians fractured. As he struggled to rise, Lu Chen stomped his face. “Stay away from my sister and the Lu family. If I see you again, I’ll beat you again!” He glared and turned to leave.

But even beaten, Xia Tounan spewed insults toward Lu Chen’s retreating back. “Lu Chen, you’re despicable! Xuanji is your own sister—how can you have such disgusting thoughts!? As long as I, Xia Tounan, live, I will never let you lay a hand on her!”

At once, gossip ignited among the bystanders.

“So that’s how it is?”

“No wonder the Lu siblings are always together. Who’d have thought it was like that.”

“Miss Lu is one of the greatest beauties of the land. If Lu Chen had feelings for her, it’s… understandable.”

“Good heavens, that’s terrifying. You city folks really play wild.”

Hearing the mutters, Lu Chen burned with rage. He spun back, stomped Xia Tounan’s face again, and roared, “Shut your filthy mouth! My sister and I are innocent—how dare you slander us!”

“Heh, I’ve exposed you, haven’t I? You’re nothing but a beast. Disgusting, revolting! One day I’ll tear away your filthy mask before the whole world!”

“Impudent!” Lu Chen roared, yanking Xia Tounan up and unleashing a storm of blows until Xia Tounan’s face swelled like a pig’s head.

When Xia Tounan collapsed like a dead hog, Lu Chen spat on his face and growled, “My father’s birthday is near, and I don’t wish to kill needlessly. But your insults today disgraced my family. I’ll remember this debt. One day I’ll come to the Xia family’s door to settle it!” With that, he left without looking back.

The crowd, seeing no more drama, dispersed.

…

By noon, Xia Tounan, battered and limping, staggered along the street. Passing a teahouse, his eyes lit up. Inside sat a beautiful woman in a green silk dress, her refined features framed by quiet grace as she read an old book.

It was none other than Lu Xuanji, the woman he obsessed over.

He hurriedly straightened his clothes, endured the pain coursing through his body, and forced a smile he thought was charming as he strode in.

“Miss Lu, fate must be at work for us to meet here today. My respects.” He sat across from her with the posture of a sycophant.

Hearing his voice, Lu Xuanji frowned slightly. She didn’t even need to raise her head to know who it was. She was long weary of his pursuits. She had no interest in romance—her heart was set only on the Dao. And Xia Tounan was far from her type. She had planned to make things clear.

But as she looked up, her words stuck in her throat.

Xia Tounan’s face was swollen, his clothes disheveled. He looked nothing like the elegant gentleman he pretended to be.

“What happened to you?” she asked.

At her words, Xia Tounan’s heart bloomed. “She cares for me!” he thought in delight.

Excited, he declared, “Xuanji, don’t worry. I will save you from this filthy family and give you true happiness.”

Lu Xuanji was baffled. His words made no sense, yet she faintly sensed the aura of Azure Cloud Sect techniques in his wounds. She asked, “Did you fight with my brother?”

“For you, these wounds are nothing. Just give me some time, and I will save you from this sea of fire.”

Her brows knitted tighter. She couldn’t understand a word of what he meant.

As she was about to press further, He Yishou suddenly approached with a cheerful smile. “Miss Lu, greetings. I have some matters to discuss with Young Master Xia. May we borrow a bit of your time?”

“Please, go ahead,” Lu Xuanji replied without hesitation.

Xia Tounan panicked. He had finally found a chance to be alone with his goddess—how could it be ruined by this old man? He tried to refuse, but He Yishou pressed a firm hand on his shoulder, smiling kindly. “Young Master Xia, it won’t take long. Just a quarter of an hour. Surely you wouldn’t refuse?”

Xia Tounan threw his hand aside and stood, “Defeated man, what business do you have with me?”

“Hehe, just step outside with me, and you’ll know.” He Yishou tucked his hands into his sleeves and walked away.

With no choice, Xia Tounan said to Lu Xuanji, “Miss Lu, please wait for me here. I’ll be back shortly.” Then he followed He Yishou out of the teahouse.