At the entrance of the residential community.
A commercial van slowly drove in.
After stopping in front of Chen Yang's courtyard for a moment, Qiu Yu, the former Commander of the Imperial Guard, said, "Two Elders, the Commander must have gone to the birthday banquet! I also discovered that Chen Jian's younger brother is present and making a big scene."
"Who would've thought there'd be another spectacle to watch?" Jin Zheng said with a chuckle, holding a wooden box.
Wu Xing laughed. "The little demons take the stage while the big boss does his makeup! At our age, we can skip the makeup. How about we just make our entrance?"
"Haha!"
***
Everyone fell silent. Their gazes toward Chen Xin were now filled with a much deeper sense of wariness and panic.
The younger brother of the current Supreme Martial Commander, Chen Jian.
This made him an untouchable behemoth. Provoking him would likely lead to a disastrous end.
Sun Ziru's expression turned extremely ugly. He never would have dreamed that this man had such a powerful background.
"Scared now?" Chen Xin sneered, having disregarded everyone from the start. "Weren't you trying to kick me out just a moment ago?"
"Go on, then. Keep trying to kick me out, you old fossil!"
Sun Ziru's expression shifted several times before he swallowed his pride and said, "It's my fault for not recognizing you, Mr. Chen. I'll punish myself with a drink."
Now that things had come to this, the old man could only lower his stance and try to keep the peace.
"A moment ago, I called you over, but you seemed to pretend you didn't hear me?" Chen Xin crooked a finger at Sun Ziru. "So, crawl over here now, and I might not hold it against you."
Sun Ziru: "..."
Everyone: "..."
"Hmph!"
The iron-willed Sun Ziru met Chen Xin's gaze, neither servile nor overbearing. "You were the one who started this trouble! Furthermore, since you are the younger brother of the Supreme Martial Commander, I must ask you to mind your words and actions, lest you tarnish his name."
"The front line is under pressure. I advise you to stop causing a scene."
Chen Xin: "..."
He had thought that this old man would obediently comply after learning his identity, yet he had the nerve to stand there and lecture him?
BOOM!
Chen Xin flipped the table beside him. "Old fart, are you tired of living? How dare you lecture me?"
He gnashed his teeth in anger. This old piece of trash really thinks he's somebody. He's already at death's door, yet he's still delusional enough to try and reason with me?
"You..."
As Sun Ziru was about to speak again, Chen Yang interrupted him. "Old Sun, you really have too much time on your hands. If a dog bites you, do you really have to bite it back?"
Chen Xin: "..."
Is he calling me a dog?
"Uh..." Sun Ziru was clearly taken aback for a moment before he nodded. Was I getting carried away?
"Just ignore him. If he keeps pestering you and doesn't let it go, then just kill him," Chen Yang said, raising his cup and gesturing to Sun Ziru from across the way.
Chen Xin: "..."
Sun Ziru: "..."
Everyone: "..."
Just a moment ago, they were lamenting how arrogant Chen Xin was. As it turned out, there was someone even more badass here.
It wasn't just the crowd; even Sun Ziru was stunned. This man, who was usually quiet, always wore a stern expression, and had an old, somber air about him, also had such a domineering side?
This⦠This guy, just who is he?
The guests exchanged glances, all of them admiring Chen Yang's courage.
Sun Ziru, in particular, couldn't help but wonder if this young man he'd been fishing with for some time had a terrifyingly significant background. Otherwise, why would he show such blatant disregard for the younger brother of the Supreme Martial Commander, Chen Jian?
"Looks like a few people are going to have to die today," Chen Xin said with a fierce grin. He raised his hands and clapped them above his head. "All of you, get in here! I want to see just how many people here aren't afraid to die!"
STOMP. STOMP. STOMP.
More than twenty young, robust men marched in with heavy steps, moving in a neat and orderly formation.
Suddenly, the atmosphere turned chillingly cold.
This... GASP.
Even an ordinary person could clearly sense the thick, murderous aura emanating from these men. They were most likely from the military. Consequently, many guests began to consider leaving.
As expected of Commander Chen Jian's younger brother, even his bodyguards were elites drawn from the Martial Department.
Sun Ziru's expression flickered. Regardless of where Chen Yang's confidence came from, this matter had started because of him. If it escalated further, it would spiral out of control.
At this thought, Sun Ziru took the initiative to sue for peace. "Mr. Chen, this is a trivial matter. There's no need to make such a big deal out of it."
"How about this? I'll personally host a banquet for you tonight, and we can drink to our hearts' content. What do you say?"
"Haha!"
Chen Xin let out a huge laugh. With an air of absolute superiority, he stared at Sun Ziru with a mocking smile. "Old man, do you really think I'm that easy to fool?"
As he spoke, the man who was now the center of attention took a blade from one of his subordinates. "It's not impossible for me to let you off. Right now, you're going to cut him down."
"Use this blade."
CLANG.
With that, Chen Xin threw the battle blade at Sun Ziru's feet. He picked up his wine cup again and shot a jeering glance at Chen Yang.
"Impossible!" Sun Ziru declared forcefully. He could accept backing down, but being taken advantage of like this? Absolutely not.
"Oh? Still trying to show off your backbone to me, old man?" Chen Xin sneered before delivering his final warning. "Either pick up that blade or die. Make your choice."
"Old Sun, I came in a hurry, so I didn't prepare a gift for you." Chen Yang once again raised his cup from a distance, gesturing toward Sun Ziru. "May your fortune be as vast as the Eastern Sea, and your life as long as the Southern Mountains."
Chen Xin: "..."
Everyone: "..."
This... Things have already escalated this far, and he's still in the mood to offer birthday wishes? Is this guy nuts?!
"Make him kneel before me!" Chen Xin was utterly enraged. This bastard kept ignoring him, again and again. Was he asking to die?
"And who, may I ask, are you telling to kneel?"
At that very moment, a deep, commanding voice laden with immense authority suddenly resounded throughout the venue.
Hm?
Chen Xin raised an eyebrow and instinctively turned his head. He saw two elderly men in long robes striding toward them, one of whom was holding a long, narrow wooden box.
Without needing to look, Chen Yang knew who it was just from the voice, and a bitter smile touched his lips.
From the moment he had issued the summons, Chen Yang knew that these two old men would come personally to dress him for battle.
However, once they arrived, they would likely never be able to go back.
"Why is it all old fossils today? You dare to meddle in my affairs? Do you know how the word 'death' is written?" Chen Xin berated them coldly and signaled his men to prepare to attack.
SWISH!
In an instant, Chen Yang set down his wine cup. A white shadow flashed past, so fast that it left afterimages.
CLANG.
A blade was unsheathed with a piercing, deafening sound, flashing with a cold light.
BOOM!
A muffled explosion erupted on the scene. In the span of just two breaths, all twenty-something bodyguards were sent flying, ultimately landing on their knees.
And before Chen Xin's throat, the point of a sharp dagger was poised.
"Bark another word, and I'll send you on a walk down the Road to Hell," Qiu Yu, the former Commander of the Imperial Guard, said with narrowed eyes and a chilling tone.
Chen Xin: "..."
Everyone: "..."
"..."