Haha… Chen Yang's words made many of the people present want to laugh.

On the contrary, Cao Jingshan and Zheng Bo gradually sensed that something was amiss.

By all logic, after such a huge show of force, how could the other party remain so calm? And his calm, indifferent demeanor didn't seem feigned at all. Could it be…

Cao Jingshan and Zheng Bo exchanged glances, both seeing a trace of solemnity and worry in each other's eyes.

"I, well, I had only planned on coming to teach you a lesson," Chen Yang spoke nonchalantly, his tone tranquil. "But after seeing your arrogance and unreasonableness, I've decided some people need to be killed."

"As the saying goes, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. If your son can do something like that, I imagine you, his father, are no saint either," he continued. "Rather than leaving you here to harm others, it's better to settle this once and for all."

In the pouring rain, Chen Yang's indifferent voice carried a somewhat ethereal quality.

"Aren't you afraid of making a fool of yourself?" Upon hearing Chen Yang's words, Cao Jingyun, who was leading a large troop, could no longer contain his anger. He threw his head back and laughed. "You're undoubtedly going to die today, yet you stand there spouting such nonsense. What a pipe dream!"

But then, the roaring sound of truck engines suddenly echoed from the distance, rapidly drawing closer. It was clearly heading this way.

Hm? More people are coming?

Cao Jingshan and Zheng Bo instinctively turned their heads, only to see a line of tarpaulin-covered trucks approaching.

Trucks from the Martial Department?

While everyone was still puzzled, a dozen or so large trucks lined up in a row, coming to a stop right outside the Di Family's main gate. A middle-aged man in a Martial Guard uniform jumped down from a truck. Upon surveying the situation, his sword-like eyebrows shot up, and a flare of anger lit his deep eyes.

After a quick look around, he headed straight for Chen Yang.

As he drew closer, everyone's eyelids, including those of Cao Jingshan and Zheng Bo, began to twitch.

The… the Ten Thousand Martial Guards?!

The three bold red characters on the man's uniform were like daggers thrust directly into their hearts.

This… How could the mighty Ten Thousand Martial Guards come here?

Zheng Bo took a deep, shuddering breath and turned to Cao Jingshan beside him. "I heard long ago that the Ten Thousand Martial Guards were training on Qiyun Road. Did you call a friend from the Martial Department?"

"No!" Cao Jingshan shook his head. "How could I involve the Martial Department in something like this?"

He did have friends in the Martial Department, but there was no way his connections could ever reach the Ten Thousand Martial Guards.

As Ji Ping approached, the encircling crowd parted to create a wide path. Everyone looked tense, not daring to make a single rash move.

Ji Ping walked directly up to Chen Yang and performed a respectful salute. "Ji Ping of the Ten Thousand Martial Guards, at your service, Lord Governor!"

Cao Jingshan: "..."

Zheng Bo: "..."

Ding Maosheng: "..."

The… the Governor? He's actually the Nine Gates Admiral!!

In an instant, the words Di An had spoken earlier flooded their minds with crystal clarity. Di An had said, more than once, that this man was the Nine Gates Admiral. They had never dreamed it could actually be true…

Did we just kick a solid steel plate?

The sound of heavy, panicked breathing filled the air.

"Brother Cao, I must be going," Ding Maosheng, who was no fool, muttered before turning to leave. The other elder, Zhao, was of the same mind.

"Nobody move!" Yang Hu shouted, then briefly explained what had happened to Ji Ping.

"I… I was just here for the spectacle, I meant nothing by it! My family is waiting for me for dinner!" Ding Maosheng pleaded, his face a mask of misery, his spirit completely broken.

Yang Hu ignored him, simply staring at him with a grin.

Ji Ping turned his head and swept his gaze over the hundreds of men at the scene. "Oh, we're competing with numbers?" he said coolly. "Perfect. I don't have many strengths, but I do have men."

"All units, disembark!"

Following Ji Ping's shout, the doors of the large trucks burst open, and Martial Guards jumped out one after another.

BOOM!

At the center of it all, Cao Jingshan and Zheng Bo stumbled back several steps, nearly collapsing to the ground. The others fared no better. Their faces turned as white as paper, a deathly chill seeping into their bones.

First, the Nine Gates Admiral, and now over a thousand Martial Guards.

Cao Jingshan wiped a palmful of cold sweat from his forehead.

"Boss Cao, what was that you were saying earlier?" Yang Hu stared at Cao Jingshan with a wicked grin. "That not even the Heavenly King himself could stop you from killing my boss?"

"Go on, then. Kill him. Show us."

THUD!

Cao Jingshan could no longer hold himself up. He crashed to his knees. "I'm s-sorry, I'm truly very sorry…"

Beside him, Zheng Bo had collapsed into a trembling heap, too terrified to move.

"You're telling me you're sorry now? Do you really think that helps?" Yang Hu scoffed.

Chen Yang waved his hand. "Since everyone is here, let's not waste any more time."

He held up two fingers and pushed forward lightly.

SNAP.

The hundreds of gleaming sabers instantly shattered into pieces, and their wielders fell to the ground, row by row.

"Not even King Yama himself can take my life, let alone the head of some minor family," Chen Yang said as he slowly turned around. He spared a single glance for Cao Jingshan and Zheng Bo before striding away.

Just that one look.

Cao Jingshan and Zheng Bo could only watch in horror as their own bodies began to crumble apart.

This… Two living, breathing people… just gone like that?!

The sky grew even darker. Everyone's hair stood on end, and they froze as if petrified. It wasn't until the Ten Thousand Martial Guards had withdrawn that they finally heaved a collective sigh of relief, each looking ashen-faced, as if they had just taken a trip to Ghost Gate Pass.

A short distance away, Ji Ping approached Chen Yang. "Lord Governor, I was in a hurry to return to Cangyun City, so I came here directly to bid you farewell."

Chen Yang nodded, asking with a hint of confusion, "In such a rush? Is there an emergency in Cangyun City?"

"I'm not sure yet. I'll only know when I get back."

Chen Yang didn't press further; it wasn't his place to ask about such matters. After a few more words, Ji Ping led the Martial Department away.

Chen Yang's business vehicle also slowly pulled away from the Di Family estate.

Di An remained kneeling on the ground, bowing his head three times toward the departing vehicle.

...

In the business vehicle, Chen Yang dialed Qin Qiu's number.

"Honey, what are you up to?" Chen Yang asked with a smile.

"Just staring out the window, daydreaming." Qin Qiu's lazy voice came through the phone as she propped her chin on her hand. "You have no idea, this incredibly obnoxious guy showed up today, acting so arrogant it was infuriating. He called me some cheap, painted-up woman, and even said he was here to 'appraise' me on his brother's behalf. I'm so furious!"

"Want me to go beat him up?"

"Beat him up!"

"Tell me his name. I'll beat him so badly even his own mother won't recognize him!"

Qin Qiu: "..."

"..."

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