Seeing the two poised for a battle, Zhao Xiaowen's expression turned sour.

"Brother Qiu Ming, Lin Chen is my friend. If you continue like this, then we will have to take our leave," Zhao Xiaowen said icily.

Seeing Zhao Xiaowen getting irritated, Qiu Ming gritted his teeth and said, "Xiaowen, that's not what I meant. I was just joking with Lin Chen. Please, come inside."

Qiu Ming had made up his mind that, no matter what, he was going to win Zhao Xiaowen over today. Although Lin Chen's arrival was a nuisance, once he got Lin Chen drunk at the table, everything would be easier to handle.

So, despite feeling annoyed, Qiu Ming still had a smile plastered on his face as he escorted Zhao Xiaowen and Lin Chen into the restaurant.

By now, the hall was fully occupied. Those attending the banquet were descendants of prominent families from all over the country; there were actually not many from Capital City's families.

Qiu Ming led Lin Chen and Zhao Xiaowen to a dining table and they sat down.

These people were very polite to Qiu Ming and Zhao Xiaowen, but they completely ignored Lin Chen.

Lin Chen didn't care about their attitude.

At this moment, Qiu Ming pointed to Lin Chen and introduced him, saying, "This is Lin Chen, a rural martial arts expert."

To draw more attention, he emphasized the word "rural" quite heavily.

"Lin Chen, that's the guy who killed the eight great experts of the Heavenly Alliance, right?"

"Apparently, those Heavenly Alliance members collectively had a stomach problem and weren't in top form that day, which is why you, kid, managed to take advantage and make a name for yourself. You're really lucky!"

"What a pity I wasn't there that day; I could've turned the situation around and become an internet sensation myself."

"Kid, come work for our company. Be a supporting actor, and with a push from us, maybe you could even become a second-rate action star!"

A burst of laughter erupted from the dining table. All these people were either rich or officials' second-generation kids; how could they take a rural lad seriously?

Listening to their mocking remarks, Zhao Xiaowen's brow furrowed, but Lin Chen gently patted her hand, signaling that it was okay.

After so many years, Lin Chen was no longer the rookie he once had been; he had been through a lot. So in his eyes, these arrogant rich kids and officials' kids were just a bunch of clowns.

Just then, a group of people in Miao attire burst through the door.

As they entered the room and looked around, they spotted Lin Chen and the others seated by the window.

The dozen or so young Miao dressed individuals approached, and the leader said coldly, "We've chosen this table, you lot move aside and find your own seats."

Upon hearing the Miao people's words, the group of the rich second-generation's faces all changed.

The Miao were always a mysterious presence in the martial arts world. Although their cultivation wasn't very high, their gu poison was feared by everyone.

Therefore, no one dared to provoke the Miao people. Now, out of the blue, this misfortune struck as the Miao set their sights on their place.

These rich kids, usually so haughty and acting like they owned the sky, with only Wang Er above them, now truly cowered before these Miao people.

They might be rich, but they only had one life. If they were bewitched by a gu, even the thought of the gruesome outcome was enough to send shivers down their spines.

Qiu Ming's face was even more ashen. He had hoped that this gathering would show Zhao Xiaowen his standing among the younger generation of the martial world, but now this group of Miao people had disrupted his plans entirely.

However, Qiu Ming wasn't ready to give up. He'd lose all face if he left with his tail between his legs, so he bit his lip and said, "Big brother from the Miao tribe, the son of your tribe's second elder is my friend. I wonder if you could make an exception?"

After hearing Qiu Ming's words, the Miao man was not convinced, "This seat has been reserved by our young master, no matter who you know it's useless, scram immediately or we won't be polite."

Upon hearing the Miao man's words, Qiu Ming's face turned an ashen blue with anger, but he dared not make a scene and stood there in extreme embarrassment.

Finally, the Miao man grew impatient and said coldly, "Give you three seconds to leave or face the consequences."

This statement was an outright threat, clearly implying that if they didn't leave, they would use Gu poison on them.

The other few people at the table all turned pale and hurriedly stood up from their chairs, trembling as they left.

Fearing that being even a step late would result in being cursed with Gu.

Qiu Ming also stood up with a look of helplessness. One of his friends had offended the Miao family and been poisoned with Gu; the ghastly state of being neither human nor ghost was etched in his memory forever. Now, he couldn't care less about his dignity and also stood up in a panic.

However, as they moved away from the table, they suddenly realized that Lin Chen had not risen from his seat but was leisurely enjoying dessert.

"Xiaowen, try this piece, it should be very sweet." As he spoke, he fed a piece of the sweet treat to Zhao Xiaowen, their affection resembling that of a couple deep in love.

"Holy crap! Is this idiot looking to die?"

"Doesn't he know that Miao people are not to be trifled with?"

Watching this scene, Qiu Ming and the others stopped in their tracks, their mocking gaze falling on Lin Chen, waiting to witness his miserable state after being poisoned with Gu.

Although Zhao Xiaowen was a bit nervous, seeing Lin Chen's confident demeanor made her expression serene.

She continued to sit with Lin Chen, eating the snacks.

Seeing that Lin Chen and Zhao Xiaowen had not stood up, the Miao man's face turned ugly.

"Kid, are you deaf? Didn't you hear what I said? Get up now or I won't be polite," the Miao man said coldly.

Lin Chen responded with a light smile, "I think this seat is quite nice, I have no plans to change my seat, you can sit wherever you like."

"What?" Hearing Lin Chen's words, the Miao man flew into a rage. This table was specifically reserved by the Miao family's young master for a distinguished guest; there was no way they would allow anyone else to sit there.

"Kid, you've brought this upon yourself, don't blame me for being ruthless," the Miao man said with a dark expression.

"Use Gu? Oh, by the way, check if there's a black line in your palm."

As Lin Chen put another piece of the dessert in his mouth, he said indifferently.

"What?" The Miao man looked at his own palm and his face changed dramatically.

"Who are you, and how do you know our Miao king's unique Emperor Gu!" The Miao man stared at the black line in his palm, his face turning the color of iron.

Emperor Gu, also known as the King of Gu, was a unique move of Miao Shan, who single-handedly eradicated experts from eight nations using it.

The Miao man had never expected that he would be afflicted by the Emperor Gu unknowingly, and at this moment his face was deathly pale.

Just then, a series of footsteps came from the doorway, and a young man dressed in Miao family attire entered the room.

Seeing the person who walked in, Qiu Ming and the others displayed a look of pity, "It's the Gu King's grandson himself, this kid's done for."

However, to their surprise, the young Miao family member's face lit up with joy upon seeing Lin Chen, and he bowed to him, "Grandpa Lin, you're here! I pay my respects to you."

"Holy shit, what's going on, the formidable young master of the Miao family calling Lin Chen grandpa!" Qiu Ming and his men were instantly dumbfounded.