Yuan Gang’s cold laugh prompted the eighth elder of the Tian family to sneer. He then arrogantly declared, "As the uncrowned kings of Southern Sichuan, what qualifications do you have to make our Tian family disappear? Is it you, or that little brat behind you?"
Yuan Gang stared at him coldly. "Watch your mouth, or I won't mind teaching you how to speak properly."
At this moment, figures began to appear behind the eighth elder of the Tian family.
The Martial Arts Association and the Tian family stood clearly apart, and behind them were the Shi family.
Interception mid-journey—their reach was considerable. The Tian family had even used its influence to seal off the entire highway.
A surging crowd of over a hundred people appearing before them was somewhat astonishing.
"Our Tian family is known as the uncrowned kings throughout Southern Sichuan. Do you think we're just playing games? Killing our young master and disgracing our family's honor are capital offenses!"
For the Tian family, there was virtually no one in the entirety of Southern Sichuan who could make them suffer a setback. This was the first time in many years.
"Furthermore, I hope you understand one thing. This is not your territory; it is the territory of my Tian family and the Martial Arts Association. Do you have the strength to attack us in Qing City?"
The eighth elder of the Tian family.
He was a Martial Spirit realm expert.
In the current Great Xia, the truly top-tier families were basically martial arts families. The so-called development of the business world was merely to increase their voice and influence.
Strength was the fundamental root of everything.
With strength, no one could ignore them!
Truly top-tier powerhouses, with a casual word, could make a group of people obediently offer their wealth and pay respects in exchange for protection.
The eighth elder belonged to this echelon.
Great Xia officially had only ten Martial Spirit realm experts. To enhance the importance of this rumor, they were given high statuses.
The Town Martial Department, the Ten Great Elders!
The Tian family’s strength in Southern Sichuan was immense, otherwise, they wouldn’t be called uncrowned kings. Even the Martial Arts Association had to be subordinate to the Tian family.
In reality, the Martial Arts Association disdained such a title. Their headquarters were in the capital, and the capital was the root of everything.
"So much nonsense."
Yuan Gang didn't want to waste any more words. He took a step forward, and a surge of martial energy erupted. The entire world changed color at that moment as the aura of a Martial Spirit expert blossomed, causing many present to shake their heads slightly.
"A mere Martial Spirit realm expert can be killed with a flick of my wrist!"
The eighth elder scoffed and took a step forward first. The aura of a veteran powerhouse he exuded was indeed more profound than Yuan Gang's.
But at this moment, Ye Longlin suddenly opened the car door and stepped out. He looked at the eighth elder, his eyes narrowed, and held a register in his hand.
"Tian Xiang, you were ordered twenty years ago to pursue the Ye family father and son. If I remember correctly, it was you who pierced my father's abdomen with a sword, causing him to be heavily injured and fall into the Pan River in Southern Province."
As Ye Longlin appeared, the gazes of over a hundred people fell upon him.
His demeanor and conduct clearly indicated he was no ordinary person.
Did he have a significant background?
"Twenty years ago, who can remember things so clearly? However, I do remember that pursuit. After all, he was the highest-ranking individual I have ever pursued in all my years as an elder. Naturally, I remember him clearly.
I seem to recall not just one sword through the abdomen, but also one through the left arm. If I recall correctly, there was also a child beside him back then, whom he almost lost. "
Mentioning this matter again, Tian Xiang’s lips curled into a playful smile, and he scoffed, "You couldn't possibly be that child, could you? If that's the case, it's truly troublesome. I never expected that after all this time, you would fall back into my hands. How is it, is your dead father still alive?"
The Tian family was involved in the events of that year and was one of the families that pursued their father and son.
Ye Longlin had almost forgotten the specifics of the incident, but he vaguely remembered that the Tian family seemed to be just a small family back then.
"Don't try to provoke me. You cannot afford the consequences."
Ye Longlin shook his head slightly and said, his gaze calm.
Tian Xiang scoffed. "How amusing. My esteemed Tian family cannot afford your wrath? Are you joking?"
"My Tian family rose to power on the corpses of you and your father. Tell me, if I kill you today and present your head to the Ye family, will my Tian family be able to solidify its claim as a royal clan?"
Ye Longlin's gaze turned grim. He reminded him again, "Do not attempt to provoke me further. The consequences will be severe."
Tian Xiang was completely dismissive and continued speaking to himself, "According to our intelligence, you should have people you care about in Southern Province. Don't worry, after you die, I will send them all to accompany you. Not a single one will escape. Anyone you care about, anyone you've had contact with, will die!
After all, our young master is dead, and you, as the culprit, cannot escape. As for the people around you... our Tian family has always been kind-hearted. We will let them accompany you one by one. You can rest assured of this."
Ye Longlin's gaze gradually became darker, emanating an icy chill.
"The Tian family rose to power on my father and my back. Back then, everyone thought my father and I were dead, so your Tian family profited from the Ye family's resources to rise. But now that I have returned, everything your Tian family has gained should disappear, and you must pay the price for what happened back then."
Tian Xiang sneered, "Based on you?"
"I, this king, have been fighting on battlefields since I was ten years old. Many in the nation have cursed me for being cold-blooded, for treating human lives as worthless. But I must admit, what they say is true."
Upon hearing this, everyone present felt a jolt of shock. But then, they burst into laughter.
"This is hilarious. Fighting on battlefields at ten years old? Are you playing games? Do you really think the military is dictated by you? A minor running around on the battlefield? I bet they were scared shitless by the mere sight of a gun!"
"Who isn't saying the same? Anyone can brag. I could say I'm the father of the Five-Star War King. Would you believe me? Hahaha."
"Tsk, who knows? It's all bragging. This is the most outrageous bragging I've ever seen. It's utterly absurd."
A group of people roared with laughter to the point that the entire scene appeared comical.
Not a single person believed it, as it deviated too far from reality.
Yet, in fact, Ye Longlin had indeed gone to war at the age of eighteen. Although he was a rookie back then, no one could deny that it was the truth.
Tian Xiang looked at Ye Longlin as if he were an idiot, shaking his head in disdain. "I know you want revenge, but who would believe such nonsensical things?
Ye Longlin, our Tian family is willing to give you a chance to die with dignity. Commit suicide."
But Ye Longlin's next sentence plunged the entire scene into deathly silence.
"Have you ever seen… myriad dragon elephants?"