The others present, with the exception of Qin Yuechi, all narrowed their eyes at the sight of this saber strike.
The blade whistled through the air with formidable force, carrying an intimidating aura that sent chills down one's spine.
Yet Madam Zhao remained unsatisfied. She felt the guard had been too conservative in his attack—he shouldn't have aimed for Qin Chen's arm, but rather his head.
Even so, the onlookers could already envision Qin Chen drenched in blood, writhing in agony and begging for mercy.
But—
*Clang! Clang! Clang!*
The expected scene never came to pass.
In an instant, Qin Chen's sword erupted with three flashes of cold light, followed by the crisp sound of metal clashing.
Before the guard could even process what had happened, his vision blurred, his palms went numb, and the hilt of his saber trembled violently in his grip, nearly flying out of his hand.
He channeled his qi frantically, barely managing to keep hold of his weapon.
Just as he prepared to counterattack—
A razor-sharp blade was already pressed against his throat.
The icy touch of steel felt like the scythe of death itself, freezing his blood and turning his scalp numb. Stiff with terror, he stood paralyzed, as though trapped in a nightmare.
For a moment, the entire room fell into stunned silence.
If the first guard had been caught off guard, this time, the second guard had gone all out—yet the result was still shocking.
Even the guard himself couldn't comprehend how Qin Chen, merely an early-stage Human-level martial artist, had blocked his *Venomous Dragon's Tongue* strike, overpowered his late-stage Human-level strength, and gained the upper hand.
**"You little bastard, how dare you—!"** Madam Zhao's eyes flashed coldly, her voice sharp with disbelief. **"Qin Chen! Have you lost your mind? Lower your sword at once!"**
Her furious glare still carried the imposing authority of the Qin family's matriarch.
**"Lower it?"** Qin Chen grinned.
Then, with a chilling glint in his eyes, he pressed the blade forward—and slashed.
**"Young Master, no—!"**
The guard's plea came too late.
*Splat!*
A fountain of blood erupted from his throat, splattering across the floor.
His lifeless body crumpled to the ground.
**"He tried to kill me, and you expect me to spare him?"**
Qin Chen's smile never wavered, but to those watching, it was the grin of a demon, sending shivers down their spines.
For a moment, the entire Qin estate was deathly silent.
**"And you!"** Qin Chen turned his gaze to Zhao Qirui, his eyes narrowing like a wolf locking onto prey. **"If you ever dare lay eyes on my mother again, I might just kill you on impulse."**
Zhao Qirui's face twisted with rage, but when he met Qin Chen's gaze, an inexplicable chill shot up from his feet, draining the color from his face. He turned to Madam Zhao with a cold snort.
**"Madam Zhao, this is what you called *handled*?"**
Madam Zhao hurriedly explained, **"Prince Rui, there's been a misunderstanding—allow me to clarify!"**
Then she whipped back to Qin Chen, trembling with fury, her hair ornaments shaking violently. **"Fine! Fine! You've grown bold, you little bastard! Now you even dare threaten Prince Rui—!"**
Her venomous glare swept the room before landing on an elderly man who had been standing silently behind her.
**"Qin Yong! What are you waiting for? Seize this little beast at once!"**
**"At your command, Madam."**
The man called Qin Yong stepped forward.
Dressed in dark blue robes, his hands tucked into his wide sleeves, his expression had remained eerily indifferent throughout the entire confrontation.
Only now did the others truly notice him—and when they did, their pupils contracted in alarm.
Even Qin Chen tensed.
From this man, he sensed an overwhelming, deadly aura.
**"An Earth-level expert."** Qin Chen's eyes turned icy.
**"Young Master Qin Chen,"** Qin Yong said flatly, his voice devoid of emotion, **"you've gone too far. Spare yourself the trouble and surrender peacefully."**
Qin Chen smirked. **"If you want me to surrender, you'll have to force me."**
An Earth-level fighter was formidable, but not invincible. If he fought with everything he had, he could still hold his own.
Qin Yong sighed. **"Then forgive my impertinence."**
In an instant, his figure blurred—like an eagle swooping down on its prey. A terrifying gust of wind howled through the room as his claw-like hands shot toward Qin Chen.
The sheer force of this strike dwarfed the previous guards' attacks, bearing down on Qin Chen like a mountain, making it hard to even breathe.
**"Qin Yong! Touch my son, and I swear—!"**
Qin Yuechi, who had been watching in horror, suddenly threw herself in front of Qin Chen.
But Qin Chen was faster.
In a flash, he pulled her behind him, his sword raised, his gaze unyielding.
He knew that even if Qin Yong struck him down, he could retaliate with a fatal counterblow.
The claw descended—inches away—
**"ENOUGH!"**
A thunderous roar shook the room.
A middle-aged man strode in, clad in embroidered robes, purple cloud boots, and a golden python belt. His presence alone commanded absolute silence.
Qin Yong's attack froze midair, mere inches from Qin Chen's skull. Immediately, he withdrew and bowed deeply.
**"Lord Marquis!"**
The entire room dropped into respectful bows.
The newcomer was none other than Qin Yuanhong, Marquis of Anping—Qin Chen's uncle.
Madam Zhao rushed to his side, her voice shrill. **"My lord, you've arrived just in time! This little bastard has gone completely mad—he killed two guards and even threatened Prince Rui! If we don't enforce discipline today, who knows what chaos will follow!"**
**"Silence!"** Qin Yuanhong's voice was icy. **"Do you think this spectacle isn't disgraceful enough?"**
Madam Zhao gaped. **"What? My lord, I didn't start this! It was this little—"**
**"I said ENOUGH!"** Qin Yuanhong's roar cut her off. **"'Little bastard'? Is this how the matriarch of the Qin family speaks? He is your nephew. If he's a bastard, then what does that make the rest of us?"**
Madam Zhao's face turned purple with rage, but under her husband's glare, she bit back her retort.
The servants, trembling, dropped to their knees, not daring to make a sound.