Ye Tian was extremely worried. 'Even if I summon the Eight-winged Golden Scale Python, it would be no match for this man,' he thought. 'If I want to survive, maybe only the War Dragon Remnant Soul inside me can help.'
Ye Tian was frustrated. 'How did I get so unlucky?' An expert of this caliber was a rare sight, yet here one was. He couldn't tell if the man was friend or foe, so all he could do for now was wait and see.
In a flash, the newcomer appeared before Ye Tian and the others. He radiated a powerful aura that was suffocating.
The man looked at Ye Tian and the two other middle-aged men, a faint hint of surprise on his face. It was strange that one of the two was injured while Ye Tian was completely unscathed.
It was obvious that Ye Tian had been the one to injure the man. But how could someone who hadn't even broken through to the Second Vein possibly defeat a Three Veins expert? It seemed impossible, yet it had happened.
His curiosity about Ye Tian grew. His first impression was that this was no simple boy; he was far from ordinary.
The newcomer was, of course, the Innkeeper from the inn. Before he could speak, the injured man blurted out, "Who are you? This doesn't concern you. Leave now, and Murong Manor will be grateful!"
Hearing this, Ye Tian's anxiety eased slightly. 'So he isn't with these two,' he realized. 'He might even help me fight them.'
Ye Tian had no idea what kind of power this "Murong Manor" was, but for them to announce their name so confidently meant they were not to be trifled with. The strength of these men alone was telling—even Three Veins experts were nothing more than their servants.
"Murong Manor? Not bad, not bad at all," the Innkeeper said lightly. "How has Murong Jiang been lately?"
Hearing the man ask after their Patriarch, the injured subordinate immediately replied, "So you know our Patriarch, sir! He is doing very well. May I ask who you are?"
Ye Tian's heart skipped a beat. 'He knows their Patriarch?' he thought in alarm. 'They might team up, which means Feifei and I are in danger again.' Despite this, his expression remained perfectly calm.
"You are not qualified to know who I am," the Innkeeper stated, his tone still mild. "Murong Jiang has really raised a fine son, hasn't he? Daring to abduct a young woman in broad daylight. Is this how the Murong Family conducts itself?"
The subordinate felt there was something off about the Innkeeper's words. "Our Young Master is the future heir of Murong Manor. It's her good fortune that he has taken an interest in a mere village girl. I urge you, sir, not to interfere, lest we spoil the peace between us."
"Hahahaha! What a joke!" the Innkeeper laughed. "Your Murong Family interested in a village girl? Murong Jiang must have completely lost face for his family to resort to something like this. If I, his old friend, didn't do something about it, I'd be letting him down."
Ye Tian felt like he was on a roller coaster, one moment in heaven, the next in hell. Judging by the man's tone, he was clearly here to help. Ye Tian was immensely grateful to have such a powerful expert on his side.
"You intend to move against us?" the injured man snarled. "You dare offend Murong Manor? Aren't you afraid of being hunted to the ends of the earth?"
"Murong Manor's power is indeed considerable," the Innkeeper said slowly, killing intent beginning to emanate from him, "but only because they have the backing of the Imperial City's Ouyang Family. Even if I were to kill a few of you, I'm confident Murong Jiang wouldn't dare say a word."
'This punk dares to threaten me with his family's influence? Does he think I'm easily frightened?' The Innkeeper found these types, who acted high and mighty because of their powerful backers, detestable. Add to that the wicked deeds they surely committed, and killing them would be a service to the public.
"You'd better think carefully about the consequences," the injured man insisted, still convinced the man would fear his family's power. "If my brother and I die here today, you won't live much longer!"
"Obstinate fool!" the Innkeeper roared. He flicked his palm, and an immense wave of Palm Power erupted, causing the very space around them to tremble violently.
Ye Tian saw it all with perfect clarity. The ground split apart, cracks spreading out like a spiderweb, even reaching the earth beneath his own feet. It was a testament to the Innkeeper's terrifying power.
A Five Veins expert fighting a Three Veins expert was like a tiger hunting a sheep. Killing him would be effortless.
The strike sent the man flying several dozen meters through the air, a spray of crimson blood trailing behind him. He landed on the ground with a sickening THUD and didn't move again.
A one-hit kill. The Innkeeper's blow had pulverized the man's Heart Vein and internal organs, killing him instantly. He hadn't even had time to cry out before he died. Such was the terrifying power of a true master.
'Still, he's a far cry from Elder Qing,' Ye Tian thought. But in his current view, the Innkeeper was an unparalleled master, someone who could kill him with a casual wave of his hand.
Ye Feifei, watching from a distance, didn't dare make a sound. In the face of such power, all she could do was keep quiet. If she were to anger him, she would surely end up just like that man on the ground.
The other subordinate's face turned pale. He couldn't believe this man truly didn't fear their family. To kill his brother with a single, casual strike... Other than their Patriarch, he had never seen anyone with such power.
The Innkeeper slowly walked toward the remaining subordinate. "He's already on his way. Shouldn't you join him? Otherwise, won't he be lonely on the road to the Yellow Springs?"
"Senior, spare me!" the man cried, immediately dropping to his knees. "This lowly one was blind and failed to recognize your greatness! Please, Senior, spare this dog's life!" It was just like when the members of the Liu Family had begged Elder Qing for mercy. When faced with a supreme expert, most people would choose life over dignity.
"Too late," the Innkeeper said. "You've committed no shortage of wicked and unconscionable deeds. Today, I'll be doing the world a favor by killing you!"
"Wait!" a voice called out from the distance. A moment later, two more figures appeared before them.
It was the young master and the other man Ye Tian had injured. They quickly moved to the side of the kneeling subordinate.
The Innkeeper glanced at the young master and snapped, "You've got some nerve, daring to show your face here. Do you think no one dares to cross the Murong Family? That you can act so lawlessly?"
"Senior, I don't know who you are," the young master said, "but you must have heard about my father's reputation. Aren't you afraid of my father coming after you for treating my family's men this way?"
"How insolent!" the Innkeeper raged. "Even your father wouldn't dare speak to me like that. For his sake, I can spare your worthless life, but these other two must die. Let me tell you something: in my eyes, the Murong Family is nothing but an ant. I could crush it whenever I please..."
(I'd like to recommend a friend's book. For those who are caught up, you can go check it out. The title is "Dragon Blood Sword Emperor".)