Withered leaves filled the sky, and dust swirled in the air.
Not only did Wang Teng freeze on the spot, but even the onlookers felt their eyelids twitch, their breathing growing ragged.
This is terrifying.
Wang Teng took a few deep breaths and said, biting the bullet, "I've already admitted my mistake and have been punished. What more do you want?"
"I haven't killed you yet," Chen Yang stated flatly.
Wang Teng: "…"
From the side, Wang Qing hurriedly interjected, "Sir, my son has already apologized. You see…"
"Hmph!"
Wang Teng exploded. "You're supposed to be a major figure! Is this the extent of your magnanimity? I've apologized, you've beaten me, and now you want to kill me? Aren't you afraid of being ridiculed by the entire world?"
"Furthermore, I, Wang Teng, have always been one to correct my mistakes without a second thought. Since things have come to this, you, Chen Yang, should just forgive me."
Chen Yang slowly rose and dusted off his clothes. "I, Chen, operate by my own standards. As the saying goes, he who kills shall be killed."
"You tried to kill my friend. Do you really think a simple apology is enough to settle the score? Isn't that a bit naive?"
"Chen Yang!"
With bloodshot eyes, Wang Teng roared, "I, Wang Teng, was indeed in the wrong first, but I've already admitted it! And you still want to kill me? You're truly…"
"Kill them," Chen Yang interrupted. He turned and began walking toward the courtyard exit, instructing Yang Hu, "Both of them, father and son."
Wang Teng: "…"
"Chen Yang, have you forgotten the situation you're in? You still want to make a move against my Wang Family? Have you considered the consequences?" Wang Qing shouted, his voice hoarse and his features twisted in a snarl.
Everyone around them was dumbfounded, a chill running down their spines.
"Your Wang Family is beneath my notice," Chen Yang said without turning back, leaving without another glance.
"You…"
Wang Qing tried to say more, but his only response was a flash of cold, piercing light.
"Hmph!" Wang Qing sneered. "A mere subordinate thinks he can touch me, Wang?"
But in the next second, both he and Wang Teng were utterly stunned.
His entire body was immobilized, as if pinned down by a mountain, completely unable to move an inch.
This…
Suddenly, the color drained from Wang Qing's face, his eyes growing dim.
How can he be so strong?!
SWISH.
Wang Qing staggered back several steps before collapsing face-first onto the ground.
"Pah!" Yang Hu spat fiercely. "Pathetic trash!"
「Outside the courtyard.」
The endless stream of people was a testament to the spectacle the Wang Family had created.
Some who had seen Chen Yang before noticed that Wang Qing was no longer with him and began exchanging meaningful glances.
It was highly likely Wang Qing had already been dealt with.
Something big is going to happen today!
"Let's go. We're heading to the front hall," Chen Yang said, clapping Qin Hao on the shoulder. "Time to get your Sanqing Sword back."
Qin Hao nodded and followed closely.
Along the way, nearly everyone was gossiping. The story being spread was that Wang Teng had been victimized by the treacherous Qin Hao, who had used underhanded means in their duel. People declared that such a shameless villain deserved to be put to death.
The power of gossip is formidable; after so much fomentation, Qin Hao's reputation as a villain was as good as set in stone.
"The Wang Family is such a prominent household. How could they stoop to such shameless slander?" Hearing these accusations aimed at him, Qin Hao's face flushed with anger. He clenched his fists, grinding his teeth.
Chen Yang chuckled. "This is human nature. For every person of noble character, there will be another who is cunning and hypocritical."
Qin Hao mulled it over and found it made a lot of sense.
Chen Yang smiled, his gaze sweeping over the assembled guests. "Everyone speaks with such certainty," he asked curiously. "So tell me, were any of you actually present to witness the duel between Wang Teng and Qin Hao that day?"
His words landed like a bomb.
Nearly everyone in the vicinity turned their heads at once, staring at Chen Yang with furrowed brows. They all wondered how, in the face of such a clear consensus, such an ignorant upstart had suddenly appeared.
Is he questioning the Wang Family?
"Kid, watch your mouth! Are you implying the Wang Family is distorting the truth?" a portly middle-aged man demanded after a brief silence, pointing a finger at Chen Yang while glaring furiously.
Chen Yang smiled. "Indeed."
"Haha!" The man, Jiang Qinghong from the Jiang Family, sneered. "Some nobody from who-knows-where, spouting utter nonsense and questioning the Wang Family. Do you really think you're somebody special?"
"And the Wang Family is incapable of distorting the truth?" Chen Yang retorted.
"You…" Jiang Qinghong's expression froze, his gaze turning grim.
"Since none of you witnessed it firsthand, you'd be wise not to just parrot what others say," Chen Yang said with a pleasant smile. "Surely we can't take the word of the great and powerful Wang Family as the sole truth, can we?"
Jiang Qinghong sized Chen Yang up coldly. He could see this man was here to make trouble. "Who the hell do you think you are, pointing fingers here?" he roared in a fury. "Take a look at where you are! This is no place for you to run wild! If you know what's good for you, get on your knees and wait for the Wang Family Head to deal with you."
The vast front courtyard erupted with a chorus of accusations and curses.
Just then, Yang Hu leaned in and whispered something to Chen Yang.
"Oh?" Chen Yang's interest was piqued. He pulled over a chair and sat down with a leisurely air. "Here, give me the list."
"Heh heh." Yang Hu grinned, handing Chen Yang a list and a pen.
Chen Yang glanced at Jiang Qinghong. "You're from the Jiang Family?"
"That's right!" Jiang Qinghong puffed out his chest, his expression defiant. "Now that you know who I am, hurry up and kneel!"
"He's definitely bad news."
Chen Yang put pen to paper and drew a line through the Jiang Family's name on the list.
The scarlet ink was glaringly conspicuous.
Jiang Qinghong: "…"
At a nod from Yang Hu, Chen Yang turned to a bespectacled young man nearby. "You're from the Ye Family?"
"So what if I am?" the young man replied with a sniff of contempt.
Chen Yang nodded and continued his roll call, naming eight families in a row. Many onlookers frowned, wondering what on earth this man was doing. To the uninformed, it looked as if he were a core member of the Wang Family taking attendance.
"Are you finished now? What do you plan to do?" Jiang Qinghong had been suppressing his rage, determined to see what trick this man was trying to pull.
Chen Yang tapped the list in his hand and then ordered Yang Hu, "Go. The ones whose names I just called."
"You got it!"
SHICK!
Yang Hu drew a paratrooper knife, a feral grin spreading across his face.
Jiang Qinghong: "…"
Everyone: "…"
At that very moment, a piece of news spread like wildfire through the crowd.
"I just heard! The Former Chief Military Commander is here, right in this courtyard! Wang Qing and Wang Teng have already been killed! And they say that guy, Qin Hao, is his subordinate!"
As these words sank in, everyone present—especially Jiang Qinghong and the others whose names had been called—felt a jolt as if struck by lightning. Their minds reeling, they all turned their gazes to Chen Yang in unison.
This… this can't be him, can it?
Chen Yang folded the list, his movements unhurried and meticulous.
Everyone: "…"