According to the Luo Family's preset schedule, the funeral procession was to depart from the Luo Family at 10:08 AM sharp and arrive at the cemetery at 10:58 AM.
However, it was already 10:09 AM, and there was still no movement from the Luo Family. Not only that, but even the mournful tolling of the funeral bell had completely ceased.
As a result, everyone along the main thoroughfare turned their gazes toward the Luo Family, their eyes fixed on the estate. No one spoke; they just stared. The eerie silence was unnerving.
"What on earth is going on? Luo Yunhai has always been a punctual man, especially with such important matters—he shouldn't have missed the auspicious time."
"Did you all forget those two thunderous booms from just now? If you ask me, something must have happened."
"It couldn't be the Former Chief Military Commander, could it? It seems no one but him would dare to cause trouble on Luo Family territory."
Amid the profound quiet, a buzz of discussion began to spread. It started small but soon moved along the entire main thoroughfare like a plague. It was the calm before the storm; once the quiet broke, the entire situation exploded into chaos.
If their speculation was correct, the Luo Family, a top-tier aristocratic house, was likely headed for disaster. A complete fall from grace wasn't out of the question.
「Luo Family Ancestral Mansion.」
The temperature in the air had long since dropped to freezing. Several bodies had already turned cold, their blood congealed. The survivors hung their heads, their expressions taut.
Luo Yunhai shivered, his face completely devoid of color. His gaze fell upon Luo Changyao at his feet, who was no longer breathing. His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned a deathly white, and he began grinding his teeth.
In the past, a single word from Luo Yunhai would have made all of Cangyun City tremble. But now... he felt his sun was setting, his power waning, leaving him willing in spirit but utterly helpless. A man who had been ousted by the Martial Department had driven him into a corner, leaving him completely powerless to retaliate.
How unbelievable? Who would dare believe it?!
But the situation was laid bare before his eyes.
Luo Yunhai, who had always been domineering and resolute, had a fierce light flickering in his eyes as he stared at Chen Yang, who showed no intention of leaving. Rage churned within him, yet he was unable to utter a single word.
If even Luo Yunhai was in such a state, the condition of the others went without saying.
After paying his respects, Chen Yang took the handkerchief Yang Hu offered and wiped his hands with slow, meticulous care. No one dared to make a sound. Occasionally, they would lift their heads only to quickly look down again, as if terrified of meeting Chen Yang's gaze. The atmosphere sank into an unsettling eeriness.
"Actually, this is my fault, too," Chen Yang suddenly said without looking up, his tone indifferent. "If I had dealt with your Luo Family immediately after returning from Hanyun Valley, none of this would have happened."
"I feel very responsible."
His words were utterly earnest.
Gulp.
For a moment, even Luo Yunhai couldn't help but gasp in shock upon hearing these seemingly remorseful words.
He's saying he's going to wipe out the entire Luo Family?!
"Do you... do you really have to be so ruthless?" Luo Yunhai finally managed to say, staring intently at Chen Yang.
Chen Yang folded the handkerchief neatly, put it in his pocket, and instructed Yang Hu, "Bring out the list. Check if anyone present is on it."
"Right away!"
SWISH.
Smiling, Yang Hu unfolded a list, his sharp, tiger-like gaze slowly sweeping over the crowd.
The onlookers, who had been anticipating a good show, felt the hair on their bodies stand on end again. Everyone held their breath, too terrified to relax. They had barely survived the girl's roll call, and now there was another list?
Chen Yang had undoubtedly become Yama, and Yang Hu was his Black and White Impermanence, responsible for reaping souls.
"There are," Yang Hu grinned menacingly.
"Handle them."
Everyone: "..."
Chen Yang lit a cigarette and asked Luo Yunhai with a smile, "Is this our second meeting?"
"Yes." Luo Yunhai didn't know why Chen Yang was asking this and couldn't be bothered to think about it. He replied coldly, "I never would have thought you'd be such a bloodthirsty Great Demon."
"I'll take that as a compliment," Chen Yang laughed.
Luo Yunhai: "..."
What kind of tactic is this?
The corners of Luo Yunhai's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
"Last time we met, you hypocritically invited me to a banquet but had secretly arranged for people from Biluo Sword Valley to kill me. So, what about this time?"
"Let me guess!" Chen Yang tilted his head, a knowing smile on his face. "Someone from the royal family?"
Luo Yunhai remained silent.
"I took care of the people from Biluo Sword Valley at the Wang Family estate, which leaves only the four great royal families," Chen Yang said with a faint, cryptic smile. "So, you're waiting for them, right?"
Chen Yang bit down on the cigarette as his right hand suddenly shot up.
Luo Yunhai's entire body tensed, his eyes narrowing to pinpricks. His shoulders hunched as he abruptly dodged to one side. It was an instinctual, subconscious reaction to extreme danger. The surrounding Luo Family disciples were petrified, their hair standing on end.
"What, did I scare you?"
Chen Yang grinned, extending his forefinger to tap his own temple. He then resumed holding the cigarette between his fingers and flicked off the ash. His movements were smooth and nonchalant.
Luo Yunhai: "..."
In that brief moment, less than a second, he had clearly felt death looming over him, one foot already on the precipice of hell. Even though Chen Yang had shown no intention of attacking, Luo Yunhai's heart had nearly burst from his chest.
His breath came in heavy huffs. Despite his best efforts to suppress it, he sounded like a severely wounded beast.
Since when had he, the mighty Luo Yunhai, one of Cangyun City's most powerful figures, begun to feel a bone-deep chill over a trivial gesture from someone else? The humiliation was suffocating! Not even a public slap in the face could compare to this level of stifling discomfort. What was even more infuriating was that despite this humiliation, he couldn't even show his anger. He had to firmly suppress all his negative emotions. While he didn't have to respond with a smile, he didn't dare talk back either.
Moreover, no one here was a fool. It was obvious that Chen Yang was deliberately scaring him simply to mock him.
Luo Yunhai's face instantly turned crimson.
"By the way, did the people from the royal family say when they'd arrive?" Chen Yang asked casually, seeing that Yang Hu was nearly finished.
Luo Yunhai: "..."
Is he saying that *he's* the one waiting for the royal family to arrive?!
"..."