The force was immense, clearly audible.
The moment his fingers left her cheek, it instantly reddened and swelled, the effect as immediate as it was visible.
This slap stunned everyone present.
One second he was smiling and asking her age, the next he struck. What kind of move was that?
"You... what do you mean!"
Xu Tianen clutched his cheek, his expression dark as he asked, hitting him in front of so many people, wasn't this deliberately disgracing their Xu family? It was as if he didn't even consider them!
"Ye Longlin, this is a memorial service. I hope you will show respect to the deceased and not cause trouble. We are all people of status and standing."
Xu Tianen took a deep breath and spoke calmly, doing his best to hide his displeasure towards Ye Longlin.
After all, he had no choice. Causing a scene here was not a good option.
Last night, the Old Master had already warned him. Even if he could exchange a few words, he had to be mindful of the occasion.
He had to consider his grandfather. After all, his grandfather was preparing to contend for the position of the Sixth Elder. If he could secure that position, their Xu family would fear nothing.
"Today, whoever is displeased with Ye, feel free to step forward and stop me. Otherwise, once I enter, you will never get in again. Furthermore, I have a list. Everyone on this list must die. Think carefully for yourselves, whether you might be on this list. If you think you are, you can try to stop me. We will settle it today. Otherwise, if it drags on, Ye cannot guarantee anything."
A threat, a blatant threat, and a public one at that!
It was at this moment that Yue Ziping finally stepped forward.
"Ye Longlin, don't go too far. With so many people here to see the Second Elder off, don't make a scene."
Yue Ziping, Ye Longlin's former captain, was one of the most influential figures in his life.
Ye Longlin raised his head slightly: "After so many years, I didn't expect to see you again. It's not easy. However, why are you standing with them? Do you really think Ye can no longer wield a blade?"
This statement instantly tensed the atmosphere. Eyes widened, as if he was about to behead a few people for amusement, to accompany the Second Elder on his journey, to have a companion on the road to the Yellow Springs?
After speaking, he scanned the crowd again and said softly, "Indeed, only people like Ye deserve to be rained on. Everyone here is a distinguished figure."
Hearing this, many people's mouths twitched, clearly understanding the implication of his words.
Prominent figures and powerful individuals ordered their assistants to retract their umbrellas.
With his own words, he could influence these distinguished figures present, and only Ye Longlin could do that.
He had experienced the rain, so he wanted to tear down everyone else's umbrellas?
Xu Tianen dared not be presumptuous and could only look back at his grandfather. After receiving a look from the Xu family's Old Master, a change came over Xu Tianen's eyes.
"Do you really think you're still the Commander of the Three Armies? You're just an ordinary person now. What right do you have to stand here?"
A exhale.
A playful smile appeared on Xu Tianen's lips, his anger stemming from the grievance he had just suffered.
He glanced at the people around him. They all tacitly avoided looking at them, as if they had already agreed.
"Ye Longlin, what right do you have to stand here now, hmm? If it weren't for the kindness of us here, do you think you would have the right to appear here? Or do you think you're still formidable as the former Commander of the Three Armies?"
Having received the nod, Xu Tianen revealed his true colors, no longer pretending.
Moreover, Yue Ziping was behind him.
"Did it feel good to hit me just now? Have you considered the consequences of hitting me? Do you really think you can get away with it just by hitting me?"
Xu Tianen grinned menacingly, pulled out a telescopic baton from behind, flicked it open, and raised it high, bringing it down towards Ye Longlin's head.
The battle saber at Ye Longlin's waist suddenly appeared, a cold gleam flashing by, astonishing everyone around. They hadn't expected Ye Longlin to actually draw his saber in this situation!
This...
Clang.
The telescopic baton dangled on the ground, along with his wrist.
Blood gushed from Xu Tianen's wrist, accompanied by screams, making countless people's scalps tingle and their blood run cold!
"Ye Longlin! This is not a place for you to run wild. You're drawing blood at the Second Elder's funeral. Do you even have the Second Elder in your eyes?"
Seeing this, Yue Ziping's eyelids twitched, and he roared in anger, his eyes flashing with coldness.
Ye Longlin looked at him, a strange light appearing in his eyes.
"Yue Ziping, I respect you as my former captain, hence I will not hold it against you. If you continue to jump around, I cannot guarantee that this saber of mine will not land on your neck. Or do you truly believe I wouldn't dare to make a move against you? Or are you certain that I won't act against you due to our past camaraderie?"
This statement made Yue Ziping's heart pound.
In the end, Yue Ziping's actions were not honorable. However, after nearly twenty years of not seeing each other, he was no longer the Yue Ziping of the past, or rather, the Yue Ziping of that time had long since vanished into the river of time.
Ye Longlin pinched the blade of his saber, lowered his head, and stood the saber upright on the ground, his hands resting on the pommel, exuding an extremely powerful aura, his eyes filled with deep coldness.
"You all want to stop me. Very good, very well."
"Today, I would like to see who else wishes to stop me. Step forward together, let Ye see."
Ye Longlin chuckled lightly, seemingly resigned. No one spoke first, and no one stepped forward.
Scanning the crowd again, Ye Longlin's battle saber landed on Xu Tianen's neck, his eyes gradually turning sinister, filled with murderous intent.
"Today, those who block me will die."
"King of Nanshan? Perhaps after today, that title will change."
Seeing his grandson about to become Ye Longlin's victim, Old Xu's expression changed. He quickly stepped forward, his voice cold as he declared, "Ye Longlin, if you kill my grandson today, I guarantee that the Xu family will be your eternal enemy. Today, even if I sacrifice my life, I will keep you here forever!"
This was a threat made with his own life.
What a novel way of threatening!
Around them, figures began to step forward, all of them high-level martial artists, none below the Dao realm. These people were likely the Xu family's ancestral forces.
If there were no one pushing from behind, Ye Longlin would never believe it.
"Since that is the case, I also want to see how you intend to keep me here."
The next second, blood flowed!