Upon returning to the capital, he had envisioned a triumphant return. With his title as the King of Martial Kings, he was supposed to game the mortal world and defeat all challengers under the heavens. But what Wu Chen could never have imagined was being forced to his knees on the very first day with three broken bones. The script was clearly unfolding all wrong.

After receiving a satisfactory answer, Wu Chen hung up the phone. His deep eyes turned bloodshot as he stared intently at the old villa before him. He was a guest today, yet he'd been thrown outside and completely ignored. Then there was Zhao Xiaoya, who hadn't deigned to give him a proper look after sizing him up once.

And especially Chen Yang! That bastard had strutted around from start to finish as if he owned the place, completely disregarding him.

Do you all think I, Wu Chen, am a piece of trash?

Wu Chen sneered grimly. Just you wait. All of you. When I unleash my true power, you will realize what kind of existence you've provoked! By then, even if you kneel, beg for mercy, and bow your heads in submission, I will still cast you into the depths of hell!

Never before had the dignified King of Martial Kings suffered such humiliation and disgrace. Wu Chen swore to the heavens that he would repay today's suffering a thousand, even ten thousand times over.

「Inside the villa.」

Despite its aged exterior, the interior was lavishly decorated. A grand crystal chandelier cast a dazzling, luminous glow.

Zhao Dejiang brought out a potent liquor he had treasured for over a decade. They drank and chatted freely. Zhao Dejiang maintained a respectful demeanor, answering all of Chen Yang's inquiries thoroughly and without reservation.

Zhao Xiaoya, however, was on pins and needles. She kept glancing at Chen Yang, hesitating several times before finally speaking up. "I-I'm sorry. I apologize to you."

"What happened?" Zhao Dejiang asked.

With her head lowered, Zhao Xiaoya dutifully recounted her previous misunderstanding of Chen Yang.

"You…"

Fury welled up in Zhao Dejiang, and he raised his hand to slap her.

Chen Yang stopped him and simply smiled at Zhao Xiaoya, a gesture that let bygones be bygones. Zhao Xiaoya thanked him profusely, but Chen Yang just smiled it off.

Soon after, everyone's attention was drawn to the LCD television. The local news was broadcasting an update about two ranking lists: the Hidden Dragon List and the Dragon Brilliance List.

The Hidden Dragon List was exclusively for the younger generation, with an age limit of thirty-three. It cataloged fifty young elites, ranking them according to their strength. The Dragon Brilliance List, however, had only nine seats. There was no age restriction here; anyone who believed they had the strength and courage could challenge a current member. A victory meant taking their place. In reality, eight of the nine members were elders. After all, the time they had invested in cultivation was a significant factor, not a gap that could be easily overcome.

The ninth member, however, was an outlier.

Legend had it that five years ago, a top-tier expert emerged out of nowhere. In just fifteen days, he journeyed across the Divine Land, challenging and defeating all nine masters on the Dragon Brilliance List in succession. A single man had torn through the entire list in half a month and taken the top spot for himself. The world was thrown into an uproar. Yet, no one knew who this person was, what he looked like, or how old he was. The media approached the nine defeated masters, but they remained tight-lipped, refusing to utter a single word about the incident. This only made the entire affair more mysterious and baffling.

"Governor, it's been five years. Hasn't anyone who took issue with you stepped up to challenge you and knock you from your perch?" Zhao Dejiang asked jokingly, his eyes lingering on the first-place position on the newly updated Dragon Brilliance List.

Lord Yang.

Those two words at the top of the list had become a legend. One versus nine. His name was now one that made people turn pale at its mere mention, let alone challenge him.

Chen Yang chuckled. "I haven't received any challenges these past few years."

Five years ago, Chen Yang had been young and brash. He had walked out of Hanyun Valley alone with an iron sword, assumed the name Lord Yang, and spent half a month dashing across the country to defeat the nine members of the Dragon Brilliance List one by one, deservedly taking the top spot.

Looking back now, that really was quite arrogant.

"It's a well-deserved reputation," Zhao Dejiang said, raising his glass with a smile. "I'm afraid you'll be sitting in that top spot on the Dragon Brilliance List for a lifetime."

Chen Yang smiled without a word. If he hadn't happened to see the news about the list update today, he would have almost forgotten about the whole affair.

"Governor, how long do you plan on staying in Qiyun Road?" Zhao Dejiang asked. He actually wanted to know Chen Yang's purpose for visiting, but given his guest's status, it was inappropriate to pry.

"Maybe a month," Chen Yang replied, shaking his head. "I'll leave once my business is done."

Seeing that Chen Yang didn't want to elaborate, Zhao Dejiang didn't dare press further. He skillfully changed the subject. "Governor, if you haven't found a place to stay, I have another house. If you wouldn't mind, you could use it as a temporary residence."

"Why would I mind? No, I'm the one imposing on you by arriving so suddenly." Chen Yang wasn't particular about accommodations; a roof over his head was all he needed. With that, he raised his glass in a gesture to Zhao Dejiang.

Zhao Dejiang quickly lowered his own glass. "You're too kind, Governor," he said with a laugh.

Standing to the side, Zhao Xiaoya's primary duty was pouring wine, but her bright eyes would dart toward Chen Yang from time to time. She nervously clutched the hem of her clothes, her mind a swirl of thoughts.

Damn it, I actually called him trash and said he wasn't worthy of me. How utterly embarrassing. While inwardly berating herself, she couldn't help but compare Chen Yang to her boyfriend, Wang Junze. There's simply no comparison at all. He's the Nine Gates Admiral, the Zhennan Prince! Wang Junze isn't even qualified to carry his shoes! Zhao Xiaoya's face flushed slightly. The more she thought about it, the more she felt like an arrogant, ignorant clown. Utterly ridiculous.

As dusk settled, the two bottles of liquor were empty. Zhao Dejiang suggested, "Governor, I've reserved a table at a hotel. Let's have a simple meal together."

Chen Yang nodded.

Knowing Chen Yang disliked pomp and extravagance, Zhao Dejiang hadn't chosen a five-star establishment but a simple, ordinary hotel. By six in the evening, the hotel's restaurant was bustling with activity.

After they were seated, Zhao Dejiang laughed heartily. "I couldn't drink my fill back at the house. Now we can really let loose! We're not leaving until we're drunk."

"I'm just afraid you won't be able to handle it," Yang Hu chuckled.

Zhao Dejiang puffed out his chest proudly. "When it comes to drinking, I, old Zhao, am a true contender."

The dishes were served promptly. A case of baijiu was placed on the table, and after just three rounds, half of it was already gone. Zhao Dejiang's face was flushed, and his eyes had become somewhat unfocused.

"Let's stop here for today," Chen Yang said with a smile, his expression unchanged.

Zhao Dejiang waved his hands dismissively, refusing to concede. "I'm not drunk yet! Let's keep going!"

Just then, Zhao Xiaoya, who had been staring at her phone, suddenly looked up. Her eyes widened in shock at a young man striding toward them. "W-Wang Junze?" she stammered.

The young man was in his late twenties, stood over 1.8 meters tall, and was dressed in black casual wear. His gaze was sharp. With one hand in his pocket and a cigarette held in the other, he came to a stop right beside Zhao Xiaoya.

"I called you no less than ten times. Why didn't you answer?" Wang Junze's tone was cold as he interrogated her harshly.

"I... I..."

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