Years of habit had long become instinct. Without a word, Yang Ying immediately drew his spear with full vigilance. Meanwhile, a group of people approached from afar, closing in on the two.
Yang Yingâs heart sank. He was all too familiar with their attire.
Theyâre not assassins! Itâs the Yang and Meng families!
Spotting Gu Han and Yang Ying as well, the group opposite them instantly sped up to intercept them. There were approximately seven or eight people in total. Each family had two leaders who were at the Divine Connection realm.
This encounter was purely coincidental. Due to the sudden disappearance of Fu Fattyâs bounty, these two families had come to the black marketâs main headquarters to gather information.
Upon seeing Yang Ying, one of the Yang family members sarcastically sneered a few times. âWell, well! If it isnât Yang Ying!â
Yang Yingâs expression darkened, but he didnât speak.
Another Yang family member snorted coldly. âWhatâs this? By seniority, you should address me as uncle. You think youâre so great now that you've joined the Yuqing Sect and the Qingyun Pavilion, don't you?! How arrogant and disrespectful! Donât forget, no matter where you go, the Yang family's blood still flows in your veins!â
Beside them, the Meng family members remained silent. They looked as though they were just watching a show.
Yang Ying motioned to Gu Han and expressionlessly said, "Let's go."
Gu Han didnât budge. His eyes narrowed as he gazed at the people.
Under normal circumstances, they would have just mocked their victim a few times and let it go, but today was different. A major incident had occurred within the clan, alarming Yang Tong.
From top to bottom, almost everyone had been severely scolded, including Yang Xiong. Coupled with the constant running around to search for Fu Fattyâs trail, they had long accumulated anger. Yang Ying was undoubtedly the best target for venting.
Sure enough, the Yang family member stepped forward, blocking his path. âGo? If Iâm not mistaken, isn't this the road to the black market? What are you doing here? Are you involved in some shady business, aren't you?â
âDo you even need to ask? Is there anything he wouldnât do?â
âThe second young master was severely injured. Wasnât that because of Yang Lan?â
âWho else could it be? She really is the Yang family's curse, always stirring up trouble!â
The group chattered away, humiliating him. Yang Ying gripped his spear so tightly that his knuckles turned white, but he still didnât utter a word.
A Meng family memberâs eyes darted as he added fuel to the fire. â
Tsk tsk.
Who knows, maybe the big incidents that happened to our families are also related to him?â
The eyes of the Yang family member who started all this lit up. âRight! That's certainly possible! Later, when we return, we have to report this properly to the family head.â
Though Yang Ying remained silent, Gu Han could no longer hold back. âBrother Yang, are these your so-called family?â
A trace of desolation appeared in his eyes, yet Yang Ying still stayed quiet.
The same Yang family memberâs gaze turned cold. âWhere did you pop out from, Young Man? You're just a mere Essence Gathering realm cultivator, yet you dare meddle in othersâ business? Havenât you heard the saying âtrouble comes from the mouthâ? Be careful not to lose your life!â
Although the bounty notice included a description of Gu Hanâs appearance, these people didnât recognize him. After all, they usually relied on their status and had minimal contact with the black market.
The urge to kill slowly rose in Gu Hanâs heart. âBrother Yang, how about working together once more?â
Yang Ying understood what he meant. Four Divine Connection realm cultivators, all below the fifth stage. If they fought with all their might, they could probably handle them, albeit barely. Those with lower realms werenât even worth mentioning.
Yang Ying hesitated slightly. It wasnât that he didnât want to act. After what had happened earlier, the flames of his hatred were now blazing at full force. He would have no reservations in a fight. Still, this was a personal matter, and he didnât want to owe Gu Han a favor.
The Meng family member looked at Gu Han. â
Tsk tsk!
Looks like youâre determined to get your hands dirty! We need to teach him a lesson! Otherwise, any stray cat or dog might think they can trample over our two families!â
Gu Han suddenly laughed, exposing himself. âIâm not a stray cat or dog. I have eight million essence crystal bounty on my head. Not exactly a small reputation, is it?â
Yang Ying frowned slightly. âThis has nothing to do with you.â
Gu Han waved his hand. âItâs fine. Iâm just disgusted, and these peopleâs faces resemble those of my own clan members! I really hate them.â
Opposite them, the two families instantly pondered,
Eight million?
âYouâre the Fengwu Court's chief disciple?â
Gu Han nodded. âYup! Quite a surprise, isnât it?â
The two families exchanged glances, instantly coming to an understanding. It was indeed a surprise! They absolutely couldn't let him get away now.
The Yang family member pointed at Yang Ying and cursed, âYang Ying, donât you know what that man did? Here you are, actually working with him! You really are a traitorous piece of trash!â
âStop talking. Capture him and hand him over to the family head for judgment!â
âWhat about this kid?â
â
Hmph.
Since weâve already run into him anyway, might as well kill him! No one will know anyway!â
Gu Han slowly drew his sword. âKill? Brother Yang, the usual?â
Now that the situation had spiraled out of control, Yang Ying no longer hesitated. âFine!â
With a flick of his spear, his aura instantly surged.
âYang Ying, how dare you?! You have the audacity toââ
Boom!
Mid-sentence, the manâs expression abruptly darkened. The ground beneath their feet trembled slightly.
Everyone looked at each other. âW-whatâs going on?â
Gu Han was stunned.
Why does this feel so familiar?
The next moment, Murong Yan coarsely shouted in the distance, âSenior Brother, hurry up! We waited so long, yet Brother Gu still hasn't returned. He must have run into trouble!â
Right after, Shen Xuan helplessly commented, âJunior Sister, this place is huge. Where do we even start looking for him?â
Murong Yan flew into a fit of rage. âWe still have to look! You go back to the Murong family and call for people. Have them all search. I'll scout around first!â
âJunior Sister... y-you broke my bone again!â
Extremely dissatisfied, Murong Yan complained, âSenior Brother, you really are a weakling! I told you to improve your physique, but you refused. Nowâ
huh?
â
Mid-sentence, she saw the two groups confronting each other. Spotting Gu Han at a glance, she felt overjoyed.
âThere he is! Thatâs just greatâ
hm?
â
Recognizing the Yang and Meng family members, she didnât even have to think to know what was happening. She raged once more.âHow dare you bully my Brother Gu!â
Boom!
A layer of pale-yellow spirit qi erupted from her. With a mighty sweep of her large hand, she threw her Purple Golden Hammer toward the two families.
âEat my hammer!!!â