Everyone couldn’t help but pity Xu Lai. Of all the people to provoke, he just had to antagonize the Ye Family, who had Martial Artist Venerates in their employ. He was truly courting death.
Han Buming was supremely confident. This one kick was powerful enough to shatter a fifty-centimeter-thick plate of solid steel, let alone a frail human body.
To the crowd who saw him as a dead man walking, Xu Lai merely glanced at Han Buming and said flatly, "Scram."
Han Buming’s scalp tingled as his hair stood on end. He was overcome by an immense sense of crisis, as if being stared down by a primeval beast. However, not only did his charge not slow in the slightest, but he actually accelerated toward Xu Lai, his expression growing even more ruthless. "In your next life, remember not to provoke the Ye Family!"
Xu Lai’s expression remained calm. He had already given the man a chance. If you wish to die, then I shall grant your wish!
At that moment, Han Buming was only a step away from Xu Lai, the tip of his foot nearly upon him! All the guests were convinced that Xu Lai was about to die without a proper burial.
But, without any warning, Venerate Han’s body shot ten meters into the air. Before everyone’s astonished eyes, he plummeted like a falling meteor and crashed heavily onto the ground. In that instant, every bone in his body shattered, and he was silenced forever.
"..."
In the banquet hall, the sound of sharp, successive gasps filled the air. No one could believe what they had just seen.
The man the Ye Family paid a staggering fifty million a year to retain, the man the Hangcheng Martial Dao World regarded as a powerful figure, the endlessly glorious Master Han... had died from a single, indifferent glance from Xu Lai.
He’s dead... How is this possible!?
"Who on earth are you, and who sent you to my Ye Family!" Ye Wanqing demanded coldly after her brief shock. She simply couldn’t believe that this martial arts expert was Xu Yiyi’s father. This has to be a conspiracy against the Ye Family!
"I am Yiyi’s father," Xu Lai said placidly. "I originally came only to take her with me, but now, I also demand an explanation for my daughter."
"Killing Venerate Han shows you have some skill, but that’s the extent of your abilities," Ye Wanqing scoffed. "As for the explanation you want... you are not worthy!"
Xu Lai smiled. "Then is your Ye Family worthy of Yiyi’s blood?"
"Of course," Ye Wanqing stated proudly. "Our Ye Family is the number one Wealthy Family in Hangcheng, and my brother, Ye Wuxuan, is a true prodigy destined to become a Martial Ancestor!"
A Martial Ancestor!
They were few and far between, each one possessing overwhelming power and influence. A single one of them was a flourishing Wealthy Family in their own right. With one finger, they could sever rivers. With one fist, they could shatter mountains. With one thought, they could soar into the heavens. With one burst of rage, they could slaughter ten thousand. With such Divine Skills, they were practically gods.
Those among the Hangcheng elite who understood the ranks of the Martial Dao were shaken to their core. They knew Ye Wuxuan was extraordinarily talented, but they never imagined he was such a monster—a Martial Ancestor seed! At the same time, a bitter feeling arose within them. The Ye Family, it seemed, would soon ascend to the ranks of Hua Country’s first-tier Wealthy Families!
"A Martial Ancestor? Are they really that impressive?" Xu Lai asked casually.
"..."
Ye Wanqing fell silent, momentarily at a loss for words.
Just then, a middle-aged man strode in from outside, his expression a mask of furious laughter. "A Martial Ancestor could kill you as easily as slaughtering a chicken!"
"And you are?" Xu Lai looked over.
"You don’t recognize me?" the man grew even more incensed.
"It’s President Tang Yi!" a guest exclaimed.
"The President of the Hangcheng Martial Dao Association! He has disciples all over the country. It’s rumored that his body-hardening techniques have made him impervious to blades and spears, like the legendary Iron Shirt and Golden Bell Cover arts, rendering him invincible among his peers!"
"..."
Another guest chimed in.
A smile graced Tang Yi’s face as he gave a slight bow to Ye Wanqing. "Miss Ye, I hope you don’t mind that I’ve come to the Ye Family’s grand banquet uninvited."
"I wouldn’t dare, President Tang. Your presence is an honor to the Ye Family." Ye Wanqing pointed at Xu Lai and said with a smile, "President Tang, not only did he kill Venerate Han, but he also made outrageous claims and showed great disrespect toward Martial Ancestors. Please, punish him."
Venerate Han is dead! Tang Yi froze. He had arrived late and missed the event, and the news sent a jolt of shock through him. He was surprised that someone as young as Xu Lai, dressed in spotless white clothes, could have killed Han Buming so effortlessly. Could he also be a Fifth Grade Martial Artist? But then again, I am at the peak of the Fifth Grade, and I cultivate body-hardening techniques that make me unmatched by my peers. He suppressed the flicker of apprehension.
Tang Yi narrowed his eyes, rubbing his hands together in excitement. If the rumors are true, Ye Wuxuan has already achieved a breakthrough and is on his way back. That’s huge news. With the Ye Family in peril, this is the perfect opportunity to offer timely aid and latch onto their powerful coattails!
Putting on a stern face, Tang Yi reprimanded, "Which city’s Martial Artist are you? State your name and place of origin. I will strip you of your Martial Artist status and cripple your Cultivation Level! You will also kneel and apologize to the Ye Family and Miss Ye Wanqing. I will spare your life only out of consideration for our shared status as Martial Artists."
His tone was lofty and condescending, as if he had already decided Xu Lai’s fate with a single word.
The guests in the banquet hall frowned as they looked at Xu Lai. Some felt pity, some sighed, and others watched with cold indifference. Only Ye Wanqing had a triumphant smirk on her face.
Xu Lai, how will you choose? To die on your feet, or live on your knees!
"Daddy..." Xu Yiyi whispered, "he looks so scary."
"Don’t be afraid, Yiyi." After comforting his daughter, Xu Lai said calmly, "Seeing as you are ignorant of the circumstances, I will pardon your disrespect. But utter one more word of nonsense, and you die."
"Ridiculous," Tang Yi scoffed. "Who do you think you are to pardon my disrespect? With a single word, I can have you killed without a grave! With a single word, I can—"
PFFT!
Before Tang Yi could finish, a bloody hole appeared on his forehead, and his body crashed to the floor.
"..."
For the umpteenth time, the banquet hall fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.
Killing from a distance. And his victim was Tang Yi, a peak Fifth Grade master of body-hardening techniques, said to be invincible in his realm. Such a method was simply astounding.
At this moment, the image of Xu Lai holding his daughter suddenly grew immense in everyone’s eyes. This was not a man. This was a Demon God.
For the first time, Ye Wanqing’s expression changed. She said icily, "Xu Lai, you killed Venerate Han, and now you’ve killed President Tang. Do you really intend to fight my Ye Family to the point of mutual destruction?"
"No," Xu Lai shook his head.
Ye Wanqing secretly sighed in relief.
Xu Lai then said gravely, "Not mutual destruction. It’s a fight to the death. The Ye Family will die, and I will live."
Ye Wanqing’s expression changed drastically. The Ye Family appeared glorious, but its pillar, her brother Ye Wuxuan, was not home. Venerate Han had died a tragic death, and even the reinforcements from President Tang couldn’t handle the decisive and ruthless Xu Lai. The Ye Family had played all its cards.
For the first time, Ye Wanqing felt a profound sense of crisis. She suppressed the rising panic and blustered, "What exactly do you want? Don’t think the Ye Family is so easily bullied!"
"I just want an explanation for my daughter," Xu Lai stated calmly. "Who gave you the courage to take Yiyi’s blood and feed it to that waste of a brother of yours?"
"Audacious!" Ye Wanqing could no longer maintain the graceful demeanor of a proper lady. She shrieked, "What’s wrong with taking a little of your daughter’s blood? It’s an honor for that little wench, and an honor for you and Ruan Tang! My brother is the pride of the Ye Family, a future Martial Ancestor, a pillar of Hua Country! You are not worthy to even mention his name!"