Chapter Twenty-Four: Teaching Owari a Lesson

Liu Yunfei followed Awahid from the garden corridor into an independent small building—a villa within the palace grounds, reserved for hosting royal relatives. It was located very close to the residence of the young prince. Awahid led Liu Yunfei into the living room, gesturing casually, “Take a look. Are you satisfied? It’s far better than that foreign doghouse you used to live in, isn’t it?”

Liu Yunfei walked a few steps forward, glancing around. Awahid, who until now had been walking ahead, finally seized his chance—he lifted his leg and kicked hard at Liu Yunfei’s backside.

Awahid watched with glee as Liu Yunfei was about to fall for his trick. After all, he’d practiced his skills for over ten years; now, it was time to teach this arrogant new teacher a lesson, make him eat dirt, and knock him down a peg. From a young age, Awahid had trained with the captain of the palace guards. He was tall and strong, and besting three to five of his peers or the guards was no trouble at all.

Liu Yunfei had felt awkward all along, inwardly cursing this illegitimate prince for quite some time. The young prince’s relentless mockery and reckless behavior had already annoyed him; knowing Awahid wasn’t one to be trifled with, Liu Yunfei was on his guard. He heard the wind behind him and, without looking back, reacted just as Awahid’s foot brushed his rear. He reached back, grabbed the prince’s ankle, and held it firmly.

“Let go of me, you bastard!”

Liu Yunfei ignored him, pulling and twisting Awahid’s leg back and forth. With only one foot on the ground, Awahid had to hop about like a kangaroo to keep from falling.

“So this is how the Saudi royal family treats its guests? Well, let me give you your first lesson in manners.” Liu Yunfei chuckled softly.

“You really think you’re a teacher? Ridiculous! The last few so-called teachers ended up in the hospital—one of them seriously injured. Tell me, how much are they paying you? I’ll double it.” Awahid, failing to intimidate, tried to bribe him instead.

“So that’s why they picked me. Turns out being this kid’s ‘teacher’ is a job no sane man would take.” The truth dawned on Liu Yunfei—he’d naively thought it would be easy, just accompanying the prince to some classes. Who knew his life would be at risk?

“You’ve been duped too, haven’t you? Name your price—how much to make you leave?” Awahid thought he’d struck a chord.

“I’ve already agreed to look after you, so that’s what I’ll do. Honestly, I’m no damn teacher. I’m just here to keep you in line.” Liu Yunfei shoved Awahid’s leg forward. Awahid, losing balance, landed hard on his backside.

“You mongrel! I’ll fight you to the death!” Awahid charged at him madly. Liu Yunfei, though never trained in martial arts, was strong—he didn’t need any fancy moves. Yet he didn’t want to actually hurt the prince, so instead of punching back, he simply opened his large hand and reached for Awahid’s fist.

But the prince’s skills weren’t for show—his punch was a feint, and with his other hand he drew a sharp dagger from his robe, stabbing viciously at Liu Yunfei’s abdomen just as Liu Yunfei caught his fist.

Normally, Liu Yunfei’s skin was as ordinary as anyone’s; if he wished, a nurse could easily draw his blood with a needle. Yet the peculiarity of his invulnerable body was its automatic defense against surprise attacks—when a weapon made sudden contact, his skin would instantly harden, much like how a person’s eyelids reflexively shut against sudden dust or water.

“You little devil, that was ruthless!” Liu Yunfei was furious. A lack of manners and a bit of willfulness he could tolerate, but this was not mere mischief—it was malice. Without his supernatural resilience, he would now be lying in a pool of blood.

He struck Awahid’s hand, making the prince drop the dagger in pain. Liu Yunfei then grabbed him by the neck. Most people who’ve never fought instinctively go for the throat, and Liu Yunfei, strong as he was, lifted Awahid off the ground rather than choking him.

Carrying the prince over to the sofa, Liu Yunfei threw him down, pinned him with his leg, and leaned in close, his face fierce as he stared into Awahid’s panicked eyes. “Well? Got any more tricks? I’ll beat you to death—just try to kill me again!” He cursed, still unsatisfied, and slapped Awahid across the face. Even without using full force, his strength was such that Awahid’s vision was swimming with stars.

“Still got spirit, huh? Let’s see how tough you are.” Seeing Awahid neither beg for mercy nor dodge, Liu Yunfei slapped him again, swelling the other cheek.

The first blow left Awahid wondering why his stab hadn’t gone in. Was Liu Yunfei wearing a protective vest? He’d clearly only worn a T-shirt—nothing else underneath. How had the blade not pierced him?

The second slap brought pain, but more than that, humiliation. He was a prince, coddled by grandparents who would grant him the stars if he asked, let alone the moon. Who would dare lay a hand on him? Now, this so-called illegitimate uncle, whom he’d always looked down upon, had slapped him left and right. His pent-up grievance burst forth, and he couldn’t help crying aloud, “How dare you hit me! I’ll tell my grandfather!”

Liu Yunfei hadn’t expected the brat, so tough just moments before, to burst into tears. Feeling a bit embarrassed, he let go. “Go ahead, tell him. I’m just waiting to leave. But as long as I’m here, I’ll keep slapping you until you listen.”

Awahid, sobbing, ran out of the room. Liu Yunfei, worried something might happen, followed at a distance, watching as Awahid ran headlong into the old king’s quarters. Only then did he feel at ease and head back to his own place.

“Awahid, my brother!”

Liu Yunfei turned to see the old prince approaching, accompanied by a kindly old man with a chubby, cherubic face—the prince’s devoted house steward.

The old prince stepped forward. “This is my steward, Shadi.” He then turned to Liu Yunfei. “This is Prince Awahid, just returned from England.”

Liu Yunfei feigned meeting Shadi for the first time, nodding and shaking hands. The steward spoke a rapid string of Arabic to Liu Yunfei. Although Liu Yunfei had started learning, Arabic was tough for a self-taught beginner. Everyone around him spoke English, so he hadn’t understood a word.

“Prince Awahid lived in England for years and isn’t yet fluent in Arabic. My steward was just greeting you,” the old prince explained.

“Oh, so you’re the prince who doesn’t speak Arabic. Please forgive my rudeness,” the steward apologized.

Why did the steward suddenly speak Arabic to me? Was he testing me? Liu Yunfei wondered, just as the old prince asked, “I saw the boy run in here crying—did you hit him?”

“It was nothing. The kid was asking for it—he tried to stab me with a dagger. I gave him two slaps,” Liu Yunfei replied with a smile.

“Didn’t expect Prince Awahid to be so capable,” the steward interjected.

“Oh, I forgot to mention—Shadi here is the young prince’s martial arts teacher. Today you happened to discipline his pupil!” the old prince said with a laugh.

Liu Yunfei hadn’t expected the steward to be an Arab master of martial arts. He could only laugh it off. “A fine student, indeed! That move almost finished me.”

“I’ll be off, then. A good beating is sometimes what’s needed. Spoiling him endlessly does no good. Which of my sons hasn’t taken a thrashing from me? That boy’s been getting on my nerves for a long time.” It seemed the old prince had his own grievances with the young troublemaker.