"Ye Bufan, don't push your luck!" Zhen Deyuan, Ke Anhe, and Yu Yingyan shouted in unison.
"I'm very curious, why are you, as Martial Venerables, so short of money? In first-tier cities, which major family wouldn't want a Martial Venerable or Great Martial Venerable to join them? Yet, not only did the three of you not join, but you're also trying to scramble for money. It makes me doubt what you elders of the Martial Alliance are actually doing."
Ye Bufan looked at Zhen Deyuan, Ke Anhe, and Yu Yingyan and spoke righteously.
As he spoke, Ye Bufan also used his mental power to launch subtle mental attacks on Zhen Deyuan, Ke Anhe, and Yu Yingyan. The three of them, facing Ye Bufan's questioning, became flustered for a moment.
"Elder Wu, I think it's necessary to investigate these three Martial Alliance elders," Ye Bufan said to Wu Cheng.
"Indeed. Wu Cheng, as a general in the army, I also feel that your Martial Alliance needs to conduct a thorough investigation of its elders," Ji Feiyang chimed in.
"General Ji, after this Martial Arts Tournament concludes, I will report to the Martial Alliance leader," Wu Cheng said, cupping his fists and bowing to Ji Feiyang.
Ji Feiyang waved his hand and added, "If you need any help at that time, you can contact me, and I will provide assistance."
"Hmph! Ji Feiyang, you have such a big mouth. You are not qualified to interfere in our Martial Alliance's affairs," Zhen Deyuan said angrily, especially at the prospect of Ye Bufan and Ji Feiyang asking Wu Cheng to contact the Martial Alliance leader to investigate them.
"What? The Martial Alliance was proposed by some of our predecessors in the military when it was founded. In the end, our military is still the ancestor of your Martial Alliance," Ji Feiyang retorted.
"Ji Feiyang, your hand is reaching too far," Zhen Deyuan said with a grim expression. "This is ultimately a matter for the Martial Alliance, and it has nothing to do with you. Don't force me to settle this on the martial stage."
"Forget the martial stage. Right now, I just find you guys a bit noisy. Your bickering is almost destroying my and Brother Ji's appetite."
Ye Bufan looked up at Zhen Deyuan.
"Just be direct. What exactly do you want? Say it, and I'll send you on your way."
"Ye Bufan, you are too arrogant. So what if you're a genius? We have been in the Martial Venerable realm for so many years, and we can still easily subdue you," Zhen Deyuan said, looking at Ye Bufan with killing intent.
"Is that so?"
Ye Bufan vanished from his chair, leaving behind an afterimage. Before Zhen Deyuan could react, he felt a powerful force from behind him, dragging him into mid-air and sending him flying backward.
Wu Cheng watched in shock as Zhen Deyuan smashed a large hole in the restaurant wall and hung there.
A moment later, Ye Bufan reappeared in his chair, the broken sword dropping from the air and landing on his plate.
Ke Anhe and Yu Yingyan looked on in disbelief, their eyes filled with panic. They rushed to Zhen Deyuan's side to check his injuries.
Zhen Deyuan had sword wounds on his hands and feet, his spine was essentially shattered, and his entire body was limp.
"Ye Bufan, you've gone too far!" Ke Anhe shouted. "I don't believe that at your young age you could already be a Great Martial Venerable. Brother Yu, let's go together."
Ye Bufan remained silent. Before him, the broken sword slowly floated up and hovered in mid-air.
"Since you've made your choice, I'll fulfill it."
The broken sword shot towards the two men with a "whoosh." A piercing sound followed. The sword first flew towards Yu Yingyan, who was at the front. He unleashed a palm strike at Ye Bufan, but the sword instantly pierced his palm, creating a bloody hole.
The next second, the broken sword flew towards Ke Anhe. As the sword light flashed, Ke Anhe, who was about to charge forward, cried out in pain as the broken sword cut his right foot.
"Ah—" Yu Yingyan cried out, clutching his hands.
Ye Bufan appeared out of nowhere. Yu Yingyan was sent flying into the air and then out of the restaurant. Shortly after, Ke Anhe also crashed heavily outside.
Wu Cheng turned to look at Ye Bufan. If defeating Zhang Meng with one move that day was astonishing, then today, facing three opponents and winning so easily, Ye Bufan could only be described as a monster.
"Ye Bufan, who exactly are you?" Wu Cheng exclaimed.
"An ordinary person," Ye Bufan replied.
Wu Cheng could only laugh bitterly; how could he be an ordinary person at this point?
"Elder Wu, please keep today's events confidential. Ye Bufan's abilities, fighting three Martial Venerables single-handedly, would cause a huge uproar if it got out, and could even affect the morale and mindset of some martial artists," Ji Feiyang instructed. "You can tell everyone that it was a joint effort between myself and Ye Bufan, and that Ye Bufan used a secret technique from his sect."
"Yes!" Wu Cheng cupped his fists and arranged for people to deal with Zhen Deyuan, Ke Anhe, and Yu Yingyan.
"Brother Ye, your swordplay is truly remarkable. As an elder brother, I'm extremely envious," Ji Feiyang said with a smile as he turned to Ye Bufan. The waiter, seeing Wu Cheng and the others leave, finally came over to ask the three what they would like to eat.
After ordering, Ye Bufan said to Ji Feiyang, "Brother Ji, are you interested in my sword control technique? I can teach you the introductory method, but I hope you won't pass this secret technique on."
"Oh?" Ji Feiyang was surprised that Ye Bufan would teach him this sword control skill and became extremely excited.
"Of course! Then, as your elder brother, I thank you in advance!" Ji Feiyang cupped his fists towards Ye Bufan.
"Brother Ji is too kind. Our Great Xia is currently facing troubles from enemy countries. I merely wish to enhance Great Xia's combat power to a certain extent," Ye Bufan said. "However, this secret manual is not given to just anyone. I must first approve of them."
"Hahahaha, thank you for your approval, Brother Ye." Ji Feiyang was overjoyed.
After the three finished their meal, Ji Feiyang offered to escort Ye Bufan and Zhu Zizhen to find the old patriarch of the Yue family, Yue Zhengyun.
...
Meanwhile, at the Jinhe International Airport in Great Xia.
A plane from Yingguo to Great Xia had just landed. A middle-aged man from Yingguo, dressed in a long robe, disembarked with six people, all with serious expressions.
"Ji Weizhi's Spirit Devouring Worm has been removed. The Lord Supervisor's intention is that we must find the person who removed the Spirit Devouring Worm poison. This person will pose a threat to our future plans. Once we arrive in Great Xia, no one should act rashly. All information should be reported to me uniformly, and I will then relay it to the Lord Supervisor for him to make arrangements. Do you understand?"
"Hai!" The six people behind him nodded heavily.