The streets of Beast City lay in a heavy silence under the veil of night. Every house had its doors tightly shut, the occupants seemingly wary of what might lurk in the quiet darkness.
Every so often, the steady footsteps of patrolling guards echoed through the streets, cutting through the tranquility. The city itself seemed to sleep like a predatory beast, its dormant power ominous, ready to surface at any moment.
But the stillness didn’t last. A group of figures suddenly appeared on the street, their movements erratic and their voices loud, clearly disrupting the quiet. The men staggered as they walked, drunk and oblivious to the tension of the night.
One of them laughed uproariously. “Mr. Niel, the girl today was something else. And not just in looks-her talents were impressive too! She’s the type only someone like you deserves!”
“Of course! Do you even need to say it? Niel could take on more than one at a time without breaking a sweat!” another chimed in, prompting a chorus of drunken laughter.
“I still remember when Niel got involved with that girl in the Ultimate Realm. He nearly wore her out!”
The group stumbled along, loudly reminiscing about Niel’s exploits. Niel, reveling in their flattery, grinned smugly.
“A girl in Ultimate Realm? That’s no challenge,” Niel bragged. “One of these days, I’ll show you how it’s done with someone in Immortal Realm!”
His boast silenced his companions, their expressions shifting from amusement to unease.
Are you kidding me? Immortal Realm? Don’t joke about something like that!
Immortal Realm was not something to speak of lightly. No female cultivators of such stature were present in Beast City, but if one overheard Neil’s arrogant remarks, his life, along with his friends’, could end with a single thought.
Their boisterous conversation drew the attention of a nearby patrol. Three guards quickly approached, encircling the group. “Who’s making such a racket out here?”
However, when they realized it was Neil, the guards faltered, realization dawning.
Seeing the guards, Niel’s face darkened. “Are you blind? Don’t you know who I am?” he snapped.
“Our apologies, Mr. Niel. We didn’t recognize you!” the guards hastily apologized.
Niel’s status as the son of one of the Three Beast Generals made him untouchable. Rules and curfews were for others, not for him.
“Get lost, and be more careful next time!” Niel barked, waving them off with an air of superiority.
The guards nodded hurriedly and turned to leave. Niel, puffed up by the display of power, smirked in satisfaction.
As the guards stepped away, Niel’s eyes landed on a figure approaching from the opposite direction. His smug grin faltered, replaced by shock.
It was Jared.
For a moment, Niel stood frozen.
Shouldn’t this guy be in jail?
At that moment, Chen Ping also noticed Qiu Yu and his group. He was slightly taken aback, but he was not afraid!
Jared, too, noticed Niel and his group. He paused briefly, but his expression remained calm. Holding Jaime’s token in his hand, Jared knew he had nothing to fear. The token granted him freedom to walk the streets, even during
curfew.
Niel’s shock quickly turned to anger. “You’ve got some nerve, escaping from prison and strolling around like you own the place!” he sneered. “Guards! Arrest him!”
The three guards, startled by Niel’s outburst, immediately moved to encircle Jared.
“You’ve broken the curfew,” one guard said sternly. “Come quietly, or we’ll be forced to subdue you.”
Niel stood off to the side, arms crossed and a mocking smile on his face, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
Jared, however, remained unfazed. Without a word, he raised Jaime’s token, holding it up for the guards to see.
The lead guard’s eyes widened as he recognized the insignia on the token. He froze, then quickly stepped back, his demeanor shifting from stern to deferential.
“My apologies, sir…”
