Chapter 187: You Just Tried To Kill Me

West watched Lila quietly, letting her gather whatever she wanted without hindering her.

After all was said and done, he turned around.

"...Let’s go."

—

The next day at the Dragon Fang Gang Base, four intimidating presences sat in a large meeting hall with a massive semi circle structured diamond like table before them.

At the center, West stood before four figures.

All four of them were Grand Captains... the rank just below assistant Gang Leader within the Dragon Fang Gang.

"You were responsible for that team!"

One of them with four ponytails slammed his fist against the table as his voice boomed.

"How could you let a new recruit die under your watch?!"

Another with a bald head and and two headed dragon tattoo on his neck, stood with blazing eyes.

"I told Boss Zu Li you weren’t fit for this! But she insisted!"

His glare sharpened.

"An outsider leading our people—this is the result!"

The pressure in the room skyrocketed while West’s expression remained calm and unbothered as he stood there silently.

One of the other Grand Captains, named Tenzin, spoke up.

"I’ve reviewed all reports. Not just his—but from every survivor."

He glanced at West.

"...What happened was beyond expectation."

He turned back to the others.

"And based on those reports—his actions prevented further casualties."

The room stirred but the opposing captains, Renzhi and Damien, weren’t having it.

"Prevented?!" Renzhi snapped.

"A leader who allows even one casualty has already failed!"

Damien nodded in agreement.

"He’s not fit to lead."

The fourth grand captain, Fred, remained silent, observing.

After their continous back and forth, their eyes suddenly turned to West.

"...Well?"

"What do you have to say for yourself?"

West remained silent for a couple of seconds, before finally speaking.

"Where’s Zu Li?"

Damien narrowed his eyes at the audacity of West... how could he call the name of their glorified leader so casually like that?

"...She’s out on official business. Won’t be back for two days."

West sighed lightly.

"Then I’ll speak to her when she returns."

After saying that, he turned around and began walking.

"I’ll take my leave."

—

"...Stop."

A hand came out of nowhere and suddenly grabbed his shoulder, restraining him from further movement.

"You don’t walk away from this."

Renzhi’s voice dropped, filled with restrained fury.

"You answer to us right now."

West glanced at the hand on his shoulder before shrugging it off.

"I’ve said everything in the report."

He voiced calmly.

"People die in ruins all the time..." he paused briefly before adding. "You should be thanking me the others made it out."

After saying this, he resumed walking.

The atmosphere exploded as energy swept out from Renzhi and the ground trembled slightly.

He had just unleashed his Tier 2 aura and it was very oppressive, stirring the air without him needing to move a muscle.

"If you take another step—"

He voiced with a deadly tone.

"I will cut you down."

The others reacted immediately.

"Hey—calm down—"

"This is unnecessary... the boss won’t be pleased—"

However, Renzhi didn’t listen. His four ponytails danced behind him as he continued to unleash his aura, expecting fear and reverence from West.

Unfortunatel for him, West didn’t even bother turning around.

He took another step forward and the Grand Captain’s face contorted in anguish as he vanished.

His figure blurred as he reappeared directly in front of West with his left arm already tranformed into a grotesquely reddish-black look, covered in glowing, twitching eyes with purple energy condensed at his fingertips.

Just as he appeared, a lethal cleave was already swinging towards West’s neck at a speed that anyone below tier 2 would be unable to follow.

CLANG!!!

A massive hand caught it right before it could make contact with West.

Gor’thala stood between them with her fingers gripping the grotesque arm and stopping it just inches from West’s neck.

The shockwave from the clash rippled outward causing the room to quake.

Renzhi’s eyes widened.

"...What...?"

He pushed harder but for reasons unknown, the arm didn’t move an inch while Gor’thala’s grip tightened slightly on it.

Behind her, West stood still as something stirred in his eyes which slowly lifted to meet the captain’s gaze.

There was a dangerous look in West’s eyes as he spoke.

"...You just tried to kill me."

There was no doubt about it, if that strike had met West neck, his head would have been separated from his body.

The tension in the hall turned very suffocating at this moment like something unseen was pressing down on everyone present.

Grand Captain Renzhi stood stiffly in place with his fists clenched at his sides before swallowing.

He couldn’t wrap his head around how the summon of a Tier one stopped his attack even though he didn’t use a lot of strength... still, he spoke.

"If you didn’t try to leave without permission..." Renzhi began, steadying his voice, "then I wouldn’t have had to attack you."

A murmur rippled through the surrounding grand captains while West tilted his head slightly.

"...Oh?"

Renzhi straightened his posture, trying to reclaim authority.

"You’re under the Dragon Fang Gang’s jurisdiction when you operate with us. Discipline must be maintained."

West’s gaze didn’t change even slightly as he refuted.

"I do not work for the Dragon Fang Gang."

The other captains immediately chipped in.

"Renzhi, you went too far."

"You know how close he is to the boss."

"What were you thinking?"

Their voices came one after another in critical tones but Renzhi didn’t budge.

Instead, his expression hardened.

"I was doing my job."

He stepped forward slightly.

"West is talented, yes."

"But that talent has gotten to his head."

A few brows furrowed.

"...Renzhi..."

He continued anyway.

"He’s a Tier 1 awakener... and yet he carries himself like he’s above everyone."

His eyes locked onto West as he added.

"If he’s not careful..."

"...he’ll meet his Waterloo sooner rather than later."

A dangerous silence followed.

"You should be thanking me for trying to correct you."

West stared at him for a moment before chuckling.

"I do not take lightly..." his voice dropped slightly.

"To anyone who threatens my life... no matter how powerful, they may think they are..."

He paused briefly before looking up again.

"...Renzhi, was it? Aren’t you married?"