The vast teahouse hall was deathly silent.
Yang Hu's words had caused the temperature in the air to plummet, a cold chill penetrating to the core.
Kill someone from the Gan Family? After all, the Gan Family was a Xuanwu Clan from Yuning Mountain! Was this a heaven-defying act?
Seeing that Qin Qiu no longer had much of an appetite, Chen Yang smiled and said, "Go wait for me in the car."
"Okay."
Qin Qiu stood up, taking Shi Qinghan with him as they left. Outside, he glanced up at the entrance of the Martial Association Headquarters where awnings had already been set up, with some people already seated beneath them. An endless stream of cheerful laughter could be heard clearly, even from across the street. The sounds of flattery, sycophancy, and triumphant laughter seemed to disperse all the dreariness of the rainy day.
「Inside the teahouse.」
Xie Yuan's mouth twitched. This guy is still the same as ever—fearless, ready to fight at the slightest provocation. Do I admire him? Am I envious? In reality, it's more that I find it difficult to accept. If I hadn't left back then, could everything he now possesses have been mine? With my shrewdness and worldly wisdom, I would surely have done better, been more favored. However...
The world had changed, and people with it. Had the firm choice he made back then become the greatest regret of his life?
The War God of the State, the commanding general! With a wave of his hand, thousands of troops would come to meet him. What a magnificent sight that would be?
A sharp pang of regret left Xie Yuan breathless, as if his heart had been pierced by a sharp instrument.
After several changes in expression, he respectfully approached the Gan family members. "My lord, this man is a big shot from the Martial Department, very likely the War God of the State. If I'm not mistaken, he's probably here to pay his respects to the West Sea imperial family as well."
Having said that, Xie Yuan turned to look at Chen Yang, his mouth curling into a vicious smile. So what if you have a high position? Aren't you just like us mortals, scrambling for a chance to see a member of the West Sea imperial family?
A persistent rumor was circulating that a war between nations was impending. For the War God of the State to appear here during such a tense time, there was no better explanation than a visit to the West Sea imperial family. After all, not even a commanding general could disregard the imperial family's authority.
Gan Zi Yun's eyebrows knitted slightly. If this truly was that person, it would be somewhat troublesome.
"Ahem."
As Yang Hu moved his foot, the hall fell into a dead silence, as if the very air was being compressed. It was a long moment before Gan Lan managed to get up. Supporting herself on a table, she coughed violently, a striking trail of blood flowing from the corner of her mouth.
"I... I don't care who you are! If you dare to touch me, it's a capital offense!"
Gan Lan pointed at Chen Yang. "Do you know who I am? Not only am I a daughter of the Gan Family, but I am also a friend of Mr. Li Chenfeng from the West Sea imperial family! So what if you're the War God of the State? Harming me is an act of insubordination, a capital offense!"
Gan Lan took out a handkerchief, wiping the blood from her mouth bit by bit as she stared at Chen Yang with a fierce and arrogant gaze. To the average person, the War God of the State was indeed a top-tier figure, but to the imperial family, he was merely a leader skilled in commanding troops. To put it bluntly, even sparing him a glance was elevating his status.
BANG!
Yang Hu's hand shot out, slapping down hard. Gan Lan, who was meticulously wiping her face, was slammed to the ground. The splatter of blood was accompanied by the sound of cracking bone.
The crowd gasped in terror, their scalps tingling.
Chen Yang slowly turned around. Without waiting for Gan Lan to stand up, he crossed his legs, calmly raised his teacup, and leisurely took a sip. He was stone-faced and silent, his indifferent expression chilling to the bone.
"Such an imposing manner for an imperial family scion?"
Chen Yang's mouth curved slightly. Some people just love to place themselves above everyone else. Do they really think a "royal" title lets them strut through the world and look down on everyone?
Gan Lan struggled, propping herself up on her hands, but she couldn't get back on her feet. Her resentful eyes glared daggers at Chen Yang.
Off to the side, Gan Zi Yun was at a loss. He wasn't sure. If this man really was the War God of the State, was he necessarily here for the West Sea imperial family? Would someone in such a high position truly abandon the dignity that came with it? But regardless of the reason, he had struck his sister!
"Hmph!" Gan Zi Yun sneered, "My sister is friends with Mr. Li Chenfeng. By harming my sister, you're slapping Mr. Li Chenfeng in the face. Do you understand the consequences?"
"Using your connections to bully others, is that something to be proud of?" Yang Hu scoffed. "So arrogant. Do you really think you're the Heavenly King himself? Besides borrowing others' power, what else can you do? You're nothing but trash."
Gan Zi Yun was speechless.
Never mind these lackeys who relied on others' power; even if the West Sea imperial family's Li Chenfeng himself were present, would he count for anything in Chen Yang's eyes?
"You... You're arrogant!" Gan Zi Yun's expression shifted several times, but in the end, all he could utter was that one weak, powerless sentence.
"You just wait! I will report this matter truthfully to Mr. Li Chenfeng. All of you can brace for the most severe punishment!" Gan Lan struggled to her feet, filled with a righteous indignation that felt like a proclamation from the Grim Reaper himself.
Chen Yang put down his teacup and grinned. Are they addicted to this, or just plain stupid?
"To put it bluntly, you're finished!" Gan Lan declared, full of confidence, as if to say that no matter who they were, they would not meet a good end today.
SMACK.
The moment the teacup hit the table, Chen Yang gestured with two fingers. "Kill her."
Gan Lan was speechless.
So was everyone else.
Two simple words, yet they made the atmosphere plunge into the bitter cold of deep winter. Just a second ago, Gan Lan had been smug, but now her face froze, her eyes filled with panic and terror.
"You... can't you understand me? I said, Mr. Li Chenfeng of the West Sea imperial family is my friend! How... how dare you make a move?" Gan Lan was scared out of her wits, her teeth chattering.
"Even if he were standing right here, I would still kill you without hesitation."
Gan Lan was dumbfounded. Did this man even know what he was saying? The sheer audacity of his words was stunning.
THUD!
Like the tolling of a death knell in her mind, Gan Lan clung desperately to a nearby table, her legs no longer able to support her body.
"You... you're talking nonsense..." Gan Lan trembled uncontrollably, roaring with all her might, "You're nothing in the eyes of the West Sea imperial family! If you dare kill me today, I guarantee you'll die without a place for burial!"
"Ridiculous," Yang Hu said, having already drawn his paratrooper knife. He bared his teeth. "Just a worthless wretch who doesn't know when she's about to die. What, do you really think the world will stop turning just because you're dead?"
"Idiot!" Yang Hu added, hitting the nail right on the head.
Gan Lan had no rebuttal.
Just a mere buffoon, thinking she could swagger around and look down on everyone because she had a powerful backer. She shamelessly thought she had become a big shot herself. Looking back now, am I still just a frog in a well?
The sudden sense of defeat and the massive disparity in status nearly shattered her spirit.
"You think I'll be scared by you? You wouldn't dare!" Gan Lan clenched her teeth, still clinging to her delusional confidence.
RUMBLE.
Just then, a large convoy of vehicles approached from the distance, stopping in front of the Martial Association Headquarters.
Yang Hu leaned over and whispered in Chen Yang's ear.
Chen Yang shook his head with a smile. "That Xiaowu... still so hot-tempered."
"He never had the chance before, but now... heh heh," Yang Hu grinned broadly as he watched the crowd swiftly assembling outside.