The Mountain Splitter Blade, over a meter long, shimmered under the light, exuding an aura of icy dread.

"Lord Hu, what… what are you going to do?" Du Xiaojiu was so terrified his soul felt like it had left his body. He spoke in a trembling voice.

"Cut you down!"

Two simple words, yet they exploded like a thunderclap.

Qin Qiu's hair stood on end. When have I ever seen a scene like this? The most crucial question is, why is the renowned Lord Hu so terrified of Chen Yang? And why would he personally cut down his own subordinate over such a trivial matter?

Du Xiaojiu's face changed colors several times before he spoke in a heavy tone, "Lord Hu, I started following you in the Martial World when I was eighteen. For decades, I have been completely loyal to you. And today, you want to cut me down for an outsider?" His questioning tone carried a hint of desolation.

Zhao Yinghu's facial muscles twitched, and a flicker of reluctance passed through his grim eyes.

"I've worked my fingers to the bone for you for decades! Even if there are no great achievements, there's been plenty of sweat and toil! And now you want to cut me down?!" Du Xiaojiu questioned again, his words striking deep.

WHOOSH!

The Mountain Splitter Blade swung down.

CLANG.

It clattered to the ground.

"You bastard, let go of me!" Qin Qiu shoved Chen Yang away and scolded angrily, "Nice one, Chen Yang!"

"Do you think you're so impressive? So powerful? So important? Let me tell you, I despise that kind of behavior to my very bones!"

Chen Yang was stunned. He quickly tried to explain, "Qiu, you've got it all wrong! That old bastard, I didn't even..."

"Say no more! I can tolerate your uselessness, but you've crossed my red line and violated my principles! This is something I will never forgive!"

Qin Qiu glared fiercely at Chen Yang and stormed out the door.

Chen Yang hastily stepped aside, kicking Du Xiaojiu out of the way as Qin Qiu ran out without looking back.

She was in such a blind rage that by the time Chen Yang chased after her, Qin Qiu had already driven off, leaving him standing at the entrance with a bitter smile.

This is a huge misunderstanding. My intention was just to teach Du Xiaojiu a little lesson he wouldn't forget. Who would have thought that old rascal, Zhao Yinghu, would show up and make such a scene!

With a dark expression, Chen Yang walked back into the pharmacy. The floor had already been cleaned up, and Zhang Xiaowen was cowering in a corner, shivering.

"Sir, I… I…" Zhao Yinghu realized the trouble he had caused. He scratched his head, his old face turning bright red from embarrassment.

"Get lost!"

Without even glancing at him, Chen Yang walked over to Zhang Xiaowen and said, "It's alright now. Let's go."

Only then did Zhang Xiaowen lift her head. She gave Chen Yang a complicated look before standing up to leave.

"Xiaowen, you have to explain this to Qin Qiu for me!" Chen Yang pleaded, following helplessly behind her.

"You want me to explain for you?" Zhang Xiaowen spun around, her voice cold. "Then why don't you first explain to me how the great 'Lord Hu' could possibly be afraid of you?"

"Of course he isn't!" Chen Yang's eyes darted around as he scrambled for an excuse. "That old rascal isn't afraid of me; he's afraid of my status as a Martial Guard! You tell me, wouldn't he be scared of that?"

"If he dared to harm me or my family, he wouldn't be able to escape the consequences when the higher-ups investigate!"

He thought for a moment before finally coming up with a plausible excuse, letting out a sigh of relief.

Zhang Xiaowen stared at him. "Is that really true?"

"It is! Otherwise, why would a powerful figure like 'Lord Hu' be afraid of a nobody like me?" Chen Yang patted his chest, projecting an air of pride in his own insignificance.

Zhang Xiaowen rolled her eyes, speechless. Still, she believed his words and nodded. "I suppose that's true. How could a freeloader who married into the family possibly have that much power? Don't worry, I'll speak to the Chairwoman on your behalf."

Zhang Xiaowen hailed a taxi. Just before getting in, she turned and said, "The Chairwoman has a grand banquet to attend tomorrow night. You should prepare for it. If you perform well, she might stop being angry with you."

"As if Xiaoqiu would let me go with her," Chen Yang said with a bitter smile.

Zhang Xiaowen blinked. "Because there's a strict rule for this banquet: all guests with partners must attend as a couple."

"Alright, alright! You can rest assured, I'll dress up nicely. I'll be the sharpest guy at the banquet tomorrow night!"

Zhang Xiaowen staggered, nearly falling flat on her face. Where does a good-for-nothing like him get so much confidence?

"The attendees tomorrow will be the elite of Lingjin City," Zhang Xiaowen advised as a parting shot. "You'd better be fully prepared, or it will be humiliating when you make a fool of yourself."

"Don't worry! I have all kinds of aristocratic etiquette at my fingertips."

Zhang Xiaowen paid him no more mind and got into the taxi, a trace of scorn and mockery playing on her lips.

***

「The next day.」

Early in the morning, Chen Yang was in the kitchen preparing breakfast.

When Qin Qiu came downstairs, Chen Yang greeted her with an apologetic smile. "Honey, I made your favorite seafood noodles."

Qin Qiu, however, didn't even glance at him. Clutching a stack of documents, she left the house with an expressionless face.

Luo Sulan, on the other hand, had no such qualms. She dug into the noodles, sneering at Chen Yang between bites.

Meanwhile, Qin Dongshan and Qin Xuejun entered the villa's courtyard. Their bodies were covered in bruises, and their faces were swollen like pigs' heads.

Qin Qiu was startled. Although Chen Yang beat them up at the hospital, it wasn't nearly this bad. Is this some kind of retribution?

Qin Qiu gave a cold smile. "What are you two doing here?"

Since her father's death, these two had never set foot in this house.

"Xiaoqiu, we swear we didn't take your grandfather's stock! We know we were wrong. This one million is for you, as compensation. No matter what, I'm still your aunt! Please, just call those people off, okay?" Qin Xuejun pleaded desperately, standing in the yard as she placed a bank card on a nearby stone table.

"This one is mine. The password is your birthday," Qin Dongshan said, his voice choked with tears as he also took out a card. "Xiaoqiu, we really know we were wrong! Please, can you just forgive us?"

Chen Yang stood with his hands in his pockets. This Yang Hu is certainly ruthless.

...

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