Fei Junxuan was also seeing Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) for the first time.
The Mount Tai Sect had numerous disciples, and all their supplies were basically purchased from Tai'an Prefecture.
Since he could be the steward here, his position in the Mount Tai Sect was naturally not low.
Moreover, his own martial arts were not bad, and he was considered a top expert in Jinan Prefecture.
He originally felt that he was quite a figure himself, and although this Jinyi (Embroidered Clothing) had an unfriendly attitude, he still thought that one shouldn't hit a smiling face.
"Someone of my standing, being so polite to you, surely you should consider your reputation and not turn hostile, right?"
Who knew Li Miao didn't even consider him a person?
The so-called classifications of first-rate, second-rate, and third-rate were essentially based on the regional divisions of Great Shuo's provinces, prefectures, and states.
Those who were renowned in the Central Plains Martial World and hard to find rivals for were considered peerless experts.
Those who could make a name for themselves in a province and whose martial arts ranked high were first-rate experts. Second-rate and third-rate followed suit.
After all, martial arts and sects throughout the world were diverse, and each family's internal cultivation methods and fighting styles varied, making it impossible to establish a unified system of strength levels, so only this crude method of classification could be used.
Although the classification was crude, its actual value was much higher than the classifications made by individual sects.
After all, each sect had different focuses. If they were to truly compare, it would inevitably lead to situations like comparing hidden weapons with a monk or sabre techniques with a swordsman. Some places with both religious and sectarian attributes didn't even classify status based on martial arts.
Only those who could make a name for themselves and maintain it could be called a 'several-rate expert.'
Therefore, although Fei Junxuan's title as a second-rate expert didn't sound particularly impressive, it was a genuinely earned title, and he was accustomed to throwing his weight around in Jinan Prefecture, with few people daring to disrespect him.
This left him in a state of bewilderment similar to, "Even my dad never hit me!"
He was good at welcoming guests, seeing them off, and subtle maneuvering.
He wasn't afraid of open confrontation or real combat either.
But he had truly never seen a situation where he approached with a smiling face only to be slapped.
After Li Miao finished speaking, he remained silent, looking around at the furnishings in the room.
Seeing that no one was mediating, Fei Junxuan could only stand up from the ground himself, his face ashen.
Although Li Miao had controlled the force of that palm strike and hadn't injured him, the ability to disperse his stance with a palm from a distance made Fei Junxuan realize that the people present were likely unable to control this Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards).
But, the other party was clearly looking for trouble, could he avoid it?
If he endured today, and the other party came again tomorrow, what then?
"Sir... did my Mount Tai Sect offend you in some way?" Fei Junxuan asked one last time.
Li Miao ignored him.
"Then... forgive my offense!"
Fei Junxuan charged forward with his sword, and the other disciples also drew their swords and attacked.
Those outside who were watching the commotion, seeing the fight break out inside, all retreated to avoid being accidentally injured.
Inside, there was a cacophony of clanging, clashing, shouting, cursing, and crashing sounds.
In a short while, it quieted down again.
A loafer cautiously peered in, only for someone to be unexpectedly thrown out, rolling a few times on the ground, covered in dust.
The person who was thrown out stood up, supporting himself with his hands, revealing a face still filled with shock and anger.
Some martial artists on the periphery exclaimed in hushed tones, "It's Fei Junxuan!? He was just thrown out like that?"
"Who exactly is inside?"
Then a voice from inside the room boomed, "Go, buy me some groceries, sir."
"You have half an hour. If I, your sir, haven't eaten in half an hour, for every stick of incense delayed, I will cripple one person's martial arts."
Fei Junxuan was still seething with anger, but he was helpless. After hesitating for a long time, he actually stomped his foot in frustration, covered his face with his sleeve, and ran towards the direction of the restaurant.
If he considered the Mount Tai Sect's face, he definitely should have gone in and fought to the death. But, unless truly pushed to the brink, who would willingly die?
And if he truly ran away, and the disciples inside had their martial arts crippled, could he escape the sect's disciplinary punishment?
After weighing both considerations, he actually obediently went to buy groceries.
Inside the room at this moment, Mei Qinghe sheathed her sword and quietly asked Li Miao, "Senior, what is this?"
When Li Miao made his move, she naturally didn't stay idle and helped subdue the Mount Tai Sect disciples. But after the deed was done, she was also puzzled.
She knew Li Miao intended to harm the Five Mountains Sword Sect, but shouldn't such a matter be done by secretly seeking an opportunity and delivering a decisive blow?
Why did Li Miao act as if he wanted the whole world to know that the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) were going to act against the Five Mountains Sword Sect?
At this moment, the disciples inside were all unconscious, so there was no fear of being overheard. Li Miao spoke indifferently, "Little Mei, this is not a martial world vendetta."
"When the imperial court handles matters, it must be done with proper justification and evidence. One cannot simply kill someone directly with a sword."
"If I don't make some noise first, how will those fence-sitters know to stay away? We can't just kill everyone indiscriminately, can we?"
"If I don't give him some trouble first, how can I force him to recall all his men? What if a few are left behind?"
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"Furthermore..." Li Miao pointed vaguely towards Mount Tai.
"A cornered dog will jump over the wall, a cornered dog will jump over the wall."
"I have to force him to jump over the wall first, so that I can justifiably capture and stew this dog that jumped over the wall."
"Just watch for now, there's definitely a reason why I'm looking for trouble with him."
Mei Qinghe had wanted to say a few words. Li Miao's reasoning sounded somewhat plausible, but if the other party knew and prepared, wouldn't that just create a lot of unnecessary trouble?
But then she thought again, Li Miao's martial arts were unfathomable; even a peerless expert might not last more than a few rounds against him. Li Miao's character was also lazy, so he definitely wouldn't seek trouble for himself and must have considered things carefully.
So she nodded in agreement and said no more.
The two waited in the room for a while, then saw Fei Junxuan run in, covering his face, and place a food box on the table with a 'clang'.
"Arrange it," Li Miao said.
"You!?" Fei Junxuan growled, looking at Li Miao's expressionless face, and couldn't help but shiver.
After a while, he stomped his foot in frustration, his face livid, and took the dishes out of the food box, arranging them on the table.
"Little Mei, sit, let's eat."
Mei Qinghe was speechless and could only sit down, eating bite by bite under Fei Junxuan's resentful gaze.
After the two had eaten their fill, Li Miao stood up and walked to the door, then suddenly turned to Fei Junxuan and said, "Today's food was mediocre, a bit cold, and lacked wok hei."
"Remember to buy it in advance tomorrow; I'll still come at this time for my meal."
"Fine—!"
Fei Junxuan's face was twisted in anger, and he replied bitterly, "Tomorrow, my Mount Tai Sword Sect awaits your esteemed presence!"
Li Miao did not reply, and he and Mei Qinghe left directly.
Fei Junxuan turned, grabbed his sword, mounted his horse, and rode out of the city towards the Mount Tai Sword Sect.