Chen Yang was curious. Where did this third-rank Military General get the courage to strut around, flaunting his power and placing himself above everyone else?

The Martial Department had explicit regulations: both Civil Officials and Military Generals must maintain a low profile when out in public. Using one's status to bully others and accept bribes was an even greater taboo.

It seemed this third-rank Military General from the Su Family didn't take these rules seriously, nor did he bother to follow them.

So, Chen Yang was going to ask him why.

Seeing Chen Yang's current demeanor, Su Ding naturally assumed he was scared. His expression grew more arrogant as he slid into the passenger seat with a smirk. "What? Afraid I'll retaliate?"

"Haha!" Su Ding slapped his thigh and laughed aloud. "Even the great Lord Chen has moments of fear?"

Chen Yang simply smiled and said nothing more.

Su Ding lit a cigarette and commanded, "Turn around. We're going to the Jinyan Grand Hotel."

"Alright," Chen Yang complied.

The Jinyan Grand Hotel was the most luxurious five-star hotel in Lingjin City. When Chen Yang arrived, the entrance was already crowded with luxury cars. Every person coming and going was either rich or noble.

Any one of these individuals was a prominent figure in their own right. Today, however, they were merely the supporting cast. The main star was a third-rank Military General, a man rarely seen in public.

「Third-Floor Banquet Hall」

The thousand-square-meter banquet hall buzzed with a lively atmosphere of clinking glasses and cheerful laughter. At the center of it all, a man in his forties was surrounded like the moon by stars. Dressed in black brocade, he was full of vigor, his eyes sharp and piercing.

Those around him all wanted to get closer to speak with him, but they hesitated, held back by their own reservations.

"See that? That's my third uncle!" Entering the banquet hall, Su Ding pointed to the man in black brocade, his voice brimming with pride. "He's the first Military General to come out of Lingjin City, and a third-rank one at that! Everyone gives him the utmost respect and takes pride in him!"

"All this time, you've not only insulted my Su Family, but you've repeatedly ground my face into the dirt! Are you sick with regret now?"

Su Ding shot Chen Yang a mocking glance. "I hope you've thought up a good excuse!"

"I haven't," Chen Yang said, spreading his hands. "But your third uncle seems to be enjoying all this flattery. Is that really appropriate for a Military General?"

"He's earned it!" Su Ding declared arrogantly.

"Boss? What are you doing here?" A tall, imposing young man approached from the side, staring at Chen Yang in astonishment.

"I was invited by Mr. Su," Chen Yang explained calmly, not surprised to see him here. "He said he wanted to show me just how formidable his third uncle, the third-rank Military General, is. I suppose he intends to humiliate me thoroughly to get even for our past grudges."

"You're right!" Su Ding admitted without shame, cackling sinisterly. "Today, in front of everyone here, I'm going to make you kneel and beg for my forgiveness!"

"See?" Chen Yang said with a helpless expression. "How could I possibly refuse?"

"Good that you know your place!" Su Ding crossed his arms, a look of appreciation on his face. He reached out to pat Chen Yang's shoulder.

But the young man beside him suddenly grabbed his wrist. "Kid," he said with a cold smile, "whose shoulder do you think you're touching? Are you looking to die?"

This man was, of course, Yang Hu. Someone was tarnishing the reputation of the Martial Guard. How could he not come and see for himself?

Su Ding froze, then roared in anger, "You... you dare act so insolently?"

"This is insolent?" Yang Hu grinned, baring his teeth. With a sharp tug of his right hand, he dislocated Su Ding's arm and flung him to the floor, forcing him to his knees.

Su Ding sucked in a sharp breath of pain. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead. He could never have imagined that at an event like this, right in front of his third uncle, someone would dare to lay a hand on him.

This is outright rebellion!

"You... you're finished! To attack me in front of my third uncle... you're dead!" Su Ding lifted his head, his gaze venomous and fierce.

SLAP!

Yang Hu struck him across the face. "You think you can act like a tyrant just because your uncle is a third-rank Military General? You think no one can touch you?"

Su Ding was dumbfounded. Are there really people this ignorant of death in the world?

The sudden commotion caught the attention of many nearby. Starting a fight at such an event was simply uncivilized. When they saw the person who had been hit was Su Ding, they all gasped in shock.

The third-rank Military General, Su Huai'an, was right here, yet someone dared to openly strike his nephew? Is this guy insane, or has his brain turned to mush?

Instantly, the news that Su Ding had been beaten swept through the hall like a wildfire.

BANG!

A wine glass hit the floor, its shattering echo reverberating through the banquet hall.

For a moment, the vast hall fell deathly silent, as if the very air had frozen.

"Who was that?!" Su Huai'an, clad in black brocade, emerged from the crowd. His hawk-like gaze swept across the hall before landing squarely on Yang Hu.

"Uncle! My—my arm is broken!" Su Ding clutched his burning cheek, screaming with all his might. "And he slapped me even after knowing you're my uncle! A slap to my face is one thing, but this is a slap to your face too!"

Yang Hu said nothing, simply staring calmly at Su Huai'an.

Su Huai'an laughed, his voice tight with fury. "You dare to attack, knowing who I am? Do you realize the consequences of your actions?"

"What consequences?" Yang Hu chuckled.

Su Huai'an was speechless.

The rest of the room was speechless.

This guy is beyond arrogant!

"On the contrary," Yang Hu said coolly, "you are a member of the Martial Department. Instead of upholding discipline, you're here indulging in luxury and allowing your nephew to use your status to oppress others."

"And who are you to question me?" Su Huai'an's eyes turned icy, his voice sinister. "I order you to release my nephew. Now!"

"And if I don't?"

"You dare!"

Yang Hu just laughed and kicked out. Su Ding was sent flying five or six meters before crashing heavily onto the floor.

"What are you going to do about it?" Yang Hu dusted off his hands, tossed out the challenge, and respectfully stepped back behind Chen Yang.

Su Huai'an was speechless.

The crowd was speechless.

This... this was more than arrogance. It was utter contempt! He didn't even show any respect for the third-rank Military General, Su Huai'an!

Watching Su Ding writhe on the ground, soaked in his own blood, many people's lips twitched. That was a vicious blow!

Su Huai'an's eyes blazed with fury. This was far more than a slap to his face; it was like being pinned to the ground and repeatedly stomped on!

His icy gaze then locked onto Chen Yang. He realized that this young man, who had been silent from start to finish, was the one truly in charge.

...

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