CHAPTER 426: CHAPTER 425 PRETENDING TO BE PROFOUND_1

He Junhao believed he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth—what sort of scene hadn’t he encountered?

Yet, at this moment, Chu Hao’s presence completely outshone him, exuding a kingly aura He Junhao had previously seen in only one other person: the one-hundred-and-twenty-year-old patriarch of the He Family.

He Junhao took a deep breath, suddenly wary. "Who exactly are you?" he asked.

Chu Hao boasted, "Does who I am really matter? If you want to kill someone, why care about their identity?"

"DING... Host’s casual showing off has earned 900 show-off points."

So domineering!

Mu Xue and the other woman gazed at Chu Hao with admiration, their eyes sparkling.

He Junhao’s mouth twitched. He wanted to retort, but Chu Hao’s words seemed to carry some truth.

It wasn’t the strength of an enemy that was fearsome, but an enemy who could be pretentious and still be right.

He Junhao inhaled deeply, his tone cold. "You just wait. I, He Junhao, have never been afraid of anyone."

With that, he turned to leave.

Chu Hao remarked coolly, "Did I say you could go?"

He Junhao turned back, his brow furrowed slightly.

Chu Hao stared at him. "Are you from the He Family?"

The moment He Junhao mentioned his name, Chu Hao immediately guessed his origins. Given they were in Capital City, it had to be the He Family. Moreover, Chu Hao was knowledgeable in the Yi Jing. He could tell from He Junhao’s facial features that he was indeed from the He Family. He Junhao also seemed to know some Mystical Arts; it was undoubtedly the He Family’s Talisman Techniques.

He Junhao folded his arms. So, mentioning my name twice wasn’t enough, but now he finally notices?

He sneered, "It seems you know of the He Family."

Chu Hao replied coldly, "The He Family of the Imperial Capital. I’ll be paying a visit."

He Junhao’s mouth fell slightly agape. He could discern the utter indifference in Chu Hao’s voice. He knows about the He Family and still boldly intends to visit? Isn’t he afraid of never returning?

Just then, a man of about thirty appeared, drawing everyone’s attention. It was Herz.

Herz was smiling and conversing with the crowd. Young and successful, he was the Chief Officer for the super high-speed rail project. Learned and capable, he had earned the admiration of the young people present.

Herz greeted with a smile, "Hello, everyone. I hope you’ll offer me much guidance during my time in Huaxia."

"You’re too modest, Mr. Herz. It is we who should be asking for your consideration."

All eyes were on Herz; everyone present was eager to make his acquaintance.

Yi Qingcheng and Herz chatted amiably. Meanwhile, Tang Mo noticed Chu Hao, who was putting on quite the "big shot" act. Two women had appeared at his side at some point, one on his left and one on his right, attending to him.

Tang Mo felt exasperated. What on earth is this guy up to?

Chu Hao’s boss-like demeanor certainly attracted attention, making people wonder who this guy was. He looked so incredibly arrogant.

"Look at that guy! Flanked by beautiful women, it’s like they’re serving him."

"Where did this kid come from, acting so cocky!"

Herz noticed him too. Everyone else was fawning over him, yet Chu Hao remained seated, completely unfazed.

Herz’s eyes lit up. He knew the backgrounds of most of the young people in the Imperial Capital, but none of them stood out like Chu Hao.

Seizing the moment of attention, it was time for Chu Hao to put on a show.

Xiao Jing, the woman to Chu Hao’s right, picked up a cigarette and reverently placed it between his lips.

Chu Hao commanded ostentatiously, "Light it."

Mu Xue, also on his right, quickly produced a lighter. But after several attempts, she couldn’t get it to light and began to panic.

My bad luck streak... has it started? she thought, flustered.

This won’t stump Brother Hao, Chu Hao thought.

Chu Hao said, "System, purchase the Finger Fire Talisman Seal."

"DING... Host has purchased the Finger Fire Talisman Seal, consuming 500 show-off points."

The standard Finger Fire Talisman Seal is simple, but an advanced one... that’s a different story.

The Finger Fire Talisman Seal appeared in Chu Hao’s palm. He silently chanted an incantation, and a flame erupted from his index finger, lighting the cigarette between his lips.

"DING... Host has casually shown off, earning 900 show-off points."

That display of sheer cool made Xiao Jing and Mu Xue watch Chu Hao with faces full of admiration.

A few people saw it, Herz among them. Witnessing Chu Hao light a cigarette with his finger—the sheer coolness of the act was on another level—stunned Herz. He pushed through the surrounding people and walked over.

Following Herz’s gaze, everyone turned to look at Chu Hao.

Who is this kid? Even smoking a cigarette, he has to be so ostentatious! they thought.

Herz walked over, holding a glass of red wine. "Hello, I’m Arthur Herz. It’s a pleasure to meet you."

Chu Hao didn’t stand up, replying nonchalantly, "Chu Hao."

Herz was extremely curious about how Chu Hao had performed the feat. He raised his glass. "It’s my first visit to Huaxia. I hope Mr. Chu will look out for me."

Chu Hao said, "I wouldn’t dare presume to ’look out for you,’ but since you’re here, you’re a friend. Please, have a seat."

Herz sat down and began conversing with Chu Hao.

Everyone looked on with peculiar expressions, wondering who this young man was that he could attract Herz’s attention and even prompt Herz to approach him.

Herz asked, "Mr. Chu, that flame on your finger earlier, was it magic?"

Chu Hao shook his head. "That wasn’t magic. It was Mystical Arts."

Herz grew even more curious. He had spent a long time in Europe and America and rarely visited Huaxia. However, he still had some understanding of Huaxian culture and knew that Mystical Arts were said to be a thousands-of-years-old tradition in Huaxia.

A man walked over; it was He Shaotian, who had since cleaned himself up. "Mr. Herz," he said, "this kid doesn’t know a thing about Mystical Arts. The true master of Mystical Arts is the one right beside me."

He pointed to He Junhao.

In the Imperial Capital, many knew of the He Family’s prominent background, but only a few were aware that the He Family was, in fact, a hereditary clan of Mystical Arts practitioners.

He Junhao stood up, looking at Chu Hao with disdain. He finally understood why Chu Hao showed no fear of him.

Is it merely because this kid knows a little about Mystical Arts?

When it came to Mystical Arts, the true masters were from the He Family, and Talisman Techniques were an extremely important branch of these arts.

Herz looked at He Junhao, his expression skeptical.

He Junhao felt it was time to showcase his power. He took out a yellow talisman and began to chant, "Three days to nurture the Primal Essence, the Bright Heavens enforce the law! Issue the command, let it correspond with the stars above! Aid us, Thunder God, marshal the winds and lightning! Emperor Taiyi, I summon your true spirit! Answer my call and descend upon this imperial court!"

Suddenly, the yellow talisman flashed with lightning. Seeing the astonished stares of the onlookers, He Junhao felt a surge of pride.

"Go!"

With that word, he pointed at the red wine bottle beside Chu Hao. BANG! A large amount of red wine splashed out. Mu Xue and the other woman screamed as wine splattered onto them.

Herz was incredibly surprised and exclaimed excitedly, "So this is Mystical Arts? It’s truly amazing!"

He Junhao laughed. "Mr. Herz, if you wish to learn, I can teach you a few tricks. Compared to the amateurish skills of certain individuals, *this* is what true Mystical Arts are all about."

He Shaotian also sneered, "Exactly! Some people buy a few magic props from who-knows-where and then dare to claim they know Mystical Arts. It’s all just bluffing and esoteric nonsense."

Herz nodded slowly. Anyone who knows stage magic could do the finger-flame trick, he thought. Perhaps Chu Hao’s display was just a little gadget meant to catch my attention. But that thunder talisman was different. Summoning lightning from a distance to shatter a wine bottle... that was truly impressive.