Qi Yin dangled from Chen Yang's hand like a little chick.

His eyes rapidly flooded with blood. Soul-scattered with terror, his body trembled uncontrollably. He... he's actually going to kill me? This...

Qi Yin struggled violently, roaring with all his might, "I am a protector of the Martial Association! If you dare to kill me, the Martial Association will not let you off easy!"

Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, Qin Lie quickly interjected, "Young man, it is true that Qi Yin was in the wrong first, but he has already paid a price. Today is my birthday banquet, after all. How about we let the matter rest?"

Qin Lie put on no airs. The strength Chen Yang had displayed was more than enough to earn his respect. His words were impartial, a clear attempt to mediate.

Chen Yang leaned close to Qi Yin and said flatly, "I've killed protectors from your Martial Association before. What difference does one more make?"

With that, he released his grip. Since Qin Lie had spoken up, he had to give him some face for Qin Qiu's sake. Besides, there was no harm in killing him a little later.

However, upon hearing Chen Yang's words, Qi Yin looked as if he had seen a ghost. His eyes bulged as he stared fixedly at Chen Yang. So... it was him! The one who has been killing the Martial Association's upper echelons all this time... it was him!

Qi Yin stumbled back several steps, his legs shaking so badly he could barely stand. He only managed to steady himself by leaning against a table.

The surrounding guests looked on with disdain. He's a protector of the Martial Association, isn't he? The man already let him go. Is it really necessary to be so frightened? He looks like he can't even stand up straight. Really?

Qin Lie breathed a quiet sigh of relief. If the young man had truly gone for the kill, it would have ruined his birthday banquet. More importantly, with Qi Yin dead on Qin Family grounds, he would have owed the Martial Association a serious explanation. Staring at Chen Yang, a sudden guess formed in his mind.

But before he could ask, a middle-aged man in a white robe cut through the crowd. He walked toward the center of the hall, his voice preceding him. "The slightest disagreement prompts you to take a life. So young, yet your disposition is so vicious?"

The voice wasn't loud, as indifferent as the wind, yet as it spread, it struck everyone's eardrums like a rolling thunderclap. Instantly, countless people swayed, their faces paling as they nearly collapsed.

This... All from a single sentence!

The crowd turned their heads in astonishment. They saw a tall, imposing middle-aged man striding into the center of the venue, his hands clasped behind his back. He had a formal, square-jawed face that was otherwise unremarkable, but his eyes were as vast as the cosmos, like two black holes that threatened to suck in one's very soul. Consequently, anyone whose gaze met his felt a deep, piercing chill and immediately looked away.

Who is this person?

The middle-aged man glanced at Chen Yang, then at Qi Yin, before finally clasping his hands in a gesture of respect toward Qin Lie. "Old King Qin, congratulations on your great birthday."

"You are from the Chen Clan Royal Family?" Qin Lie didn't recognize the man but had a strong suspicion.

The middle-aged man smiled. "Chen Boyong of the Chen Clan Royal Family."

"Thank you, thank you!" Qin Lie hurried forward, returning the formal greeting.

He had some dealings with the Great Elder of the Chen Clan Royal Family. For his birthday, he had expected them to send a junior disciple at most. He never imagined it would be Chen Boyong himself. Although this was their first time meeting, he had long heard the name. This Chen Boyong was the Great Elder's most capable right-hand man, a true confidant. His personal attendance gave the Qin Family an immense amount of face.

The other guests' hearts pounded in their chests. No wonder he was so extraordinary; a single glance from him was enough to shatter one's spirit. So he was from the Chen Clan Royal Family! It was a true honor to witness such a figure in person.

"Please, take a seat!" Qin Lie hurriedly invited.

But Chen Boyong turned his attention to Chen Yang. "The Association President of the Martial Association and I are the closest of friends. Therefore, I cannot pretend I didn't see this."

"Seeing as you are still young, I won't make things difficult for you. Kneel, apologize, and then sever one of your arms."

His tone was casual, as if he were discussing a completely trivial matter. Yet, when his words reached the ears of the crowd, it was like a jolt of electricity, making their hair stand on end. He was, in a word, utterly domineering.

In an instant, all eyes turned to Chen Yang, their gazes filled with sympathy and pity. This fellow was truly unlucky. What should have been an opportunity to make a name for himself had ended with him crossing someone from the Chen Clan Royal Family. Since this man was close to the Martial Association, he would certainly know the depths of Qi Yin's strength. To make such a demand, he had to be absolutely confident. How could this young man possibly escape this situation unscathed?

The atmosphere in the venue instantly froze. Qin Lie's expression changed drastically. He opened his mouth to speak several times, but ultimately, not a single word came out. Even though this was his territory, Chen Boyong was someone he absolutely could not afford to offend.

Chen Yang looked directly into Chen Boyong's eyes. "You've lived a long life, yet your disposition hasn't gotten any better."

It was a sharp, powerful retort to Chen Boyong's opening condemnation. To put it plainly: *You're nothing special yourself.* To put it harshly: *You've wasted all your years.*

"Save me!" Qi Yin, who had been plunging into an abyss just a moment before, now clung to this new arrival like a life-saving rope. He shouted desperately, "Lord Chen, kill him! Our Association President will be sure to thank you handsomely!"

He chose not to reveal Chen Yang's full identity. With so many people present, if he announced that this young man was responsible for the deaths of the Martial Association's top brass, the association's dignity and prestige would be wiped out. It was better to have him killed first and explain the details to Chen Boyong later.

SNAP!

Chen Boyong snapped his fingers. A faint gleam of purple-gold light swirled and danced at his fingertips.

A series of sharp gasps echoed through the venue.

"That's... is that a Thirteenth Order Thousand-Faced Yama?!"

"My God! I'm actually seeing a living Thousand-Faced Yama!"

"As expected of the Chen Clan Royal Family. Even one of their own possesses the strength of the Thirteenth Order. A royal family is a royal family for a reason."

A shocked murmur swept through the crowd, their eyes filled with the utmost reverence and terror.

"Young man, you aren't going to make me repeat myself, are you?" Chen Boyong asked, one hand behind his back, the other casually twisting the faint purple light. A faint smile touched his lips, a smile so light it was chilling and made one's blood run cold.

"A mere Thirteenth Order is something worth showing off?" Chen Yang also smiled, his own expression as warm and gentle as a spring breeze.

Then, he lightly waved his right hand.

WHOOSH!

A massive swath of pale purple-gold light swept through the air, hanging there in a shimmering semi-circle.

Chen Boyong, who had been about to mock Chen Yang for his arrogance, froze. The smile on his face vanished, replaced by an ashen, iron-like pallor. The metaphorical slap was so loud it practically echoed. His entire face burned, as if he had just been struck several times.

SWOOSH!

Chen Yang waved his right hand again, and the ribbon of pale purple-gold light shot toward Qi Yin like a thunderbolt.

BOOM!

The man vanished.

Chen Yang slowly lowered his hand and stared at Chen Boyong. "Well?"

Chen Boyong was speechless.

Everyone else was speechless.

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