Inside the Dashun Teahouse.
A slightly thin figure, wrapped in blood-stained white cloth, was suddenly hurled out with a loud crash!
Many disciples from prominent families quickly stood up to avoid the impact, their eyes wide with shock as they stared at the figure on the ground—Yuan Gang.
His eyes were bulging, blood oozing from his nose and mouth, and his chest was crushed beyond recognition.
It was clear that he was barely clinging to life.
With just one palm strike, without even using any martial techniques, relying purely on physical strength, this person had nearly killed a Body Tempering martial artist at the Jade Liquid Realm.
And judging by the attacker's demeanor, it seemed like he hadn't even exerted his full strength.
The crowd finally regained their composure and turned their attention to Zhao Kangyun.
"..."
Zhao Kangyun had just stood up, not even having the chance to fan himself, and suddenly found himself the center of attention.
However, he felt no joy in this.
His mouth felt dry, and after a moment of hesitation, he slowly spoke, "Brother, the laws of our Great Qian Dynasty aren't so strict as to forbid laughter, are they? The Vajra Sect is a respectable and influential sect. Don't you think your actions are a bit too overbearing?"
His words were carefully measured, leaving no room for criticism.
"Gurgle..."
Yuan Gang's face was covered in blood, his ears ringing, his mind in a daze.
Out of instinctive hatred, he glared at Shen Yi.
Seeing that the others had redirected their attention back to the young man, Zhao Kangyun secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Although he was talented and a few years older, he was only at the late Jade Liquid Realm.
If he were to face Yuan Gang, the outcome would be uncertain, let alone this terrifying young man.
He could only regret not bringing a messenger or having an elder to protect him when he decided to take a stroll today.
The butcher, Zhang, stared blankly at Shen Yi, his pig-like mouth twitching slightly.
His emotions were too complex to put into words, and he couldn't bring himself to meet the young man's gaze.
It was such a humiliating scene, yet Shen Yi stood in front of him as if nothing had happened.
"..."
Fortunately, Shen Yi slightly turned his body, his deep gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally resting on Zhao Kangyun.
He stared at him calmly and said, "Go ahead, laugh."
His voice, devoid of any emotion, echoed through the Dashun Teahouse.
The crowd, which had been laughing heartily just moments ago, now fell into an awkward silence.
Zhao Kangyun tried to force a smile but eventually gave up and sat back down in his chair.
"The Vajra Sect will naturally seek justice from you."
In an instant, the lively atmosphere in the hall was completely gone.
Seeing this, even Tian Zhiwen was somewhat incredulous.
This was Qingzhou City, and that was the young master of the Zhao family... and he... he backed down?
But this young man in black had just offended half of the major forces in Qingzhou.
Who exactly was he?
Although everyone was behaving themselves now, it was only out of fear of his sudden and brutal attack.
The hostility in their eyes hadn't diminished in the slightest.
Once they left the Dashun Teahouse, this wouldn't just be a matter between young people anymore.
Before Tian Zhiwen could figure it out, two swift sounds came from behind.
Li Mujing flipped down from the second floor, and Li Xinhan, gritting his teeth and enduring the pain, dragged his injured body down as well.
The two of them stood on either side.
Li Xinhan stepped on Yuan Gang's abdomen and reached for his knife, only to remember that none of them had brought their weapons today.
In frustration, he grabbed a nearby stool and pressed it against Yuan Gang's throat.
"What are you glaring at? Stay still."
Seeing the siblings, the crowd was once again shocked.
So the Li family was also involved in today's conflict?
"Li Xinhan, I remember your father has always been on good terms with the Vajra Sect's abbot."
Zhao Kangyun had barely finished speaking when he was immediately contradicted.
He could only frown and offer a reminder.
"Screw the Li family and the Wang family! Today, I'm arresting him in the name of a Three-Striped Lieutenant!"
Li Xinhan coldly scanned the room and barked, "The Demon Suppression Bureau is on duty! Everyone, get down!"
Li Mujing's purple skirt fluttered slightly as she coldly stared at the people around her.
By invoking the name of the Demon Suppression Bureau, this was no longer a personal matter.
They had to suppress everyone's temper in one go, or else who knew what kind of trouble would follow.
Under the siblings' gaze, the well-known young martial artists from various families all hesitated for a moment before reluctantly squatting down.
Zhao Kangyun clenched his fan, his face dark as he sat in his chair.
Seeing this, Li Xinhan suddenly hurled the stool in his hand at Zhao Kangyun.
"Playing deaf and dumb, huh? I said get down!"
Bang!
Zhao Kangyun swatted the stool away, his teeth nearly grinding in anger as he slowly squatted down.
"Hiding behind the Demon Suppression Bureau's name, are you? None of the Twelve Generals are in Qingzhou City right now. Who gave the order? Acting recklessly like this, I wonder how you'll explain yourselves when you get back!"
"Uh..."
Li Xinhan, who had just been feeling triumphant, couldn't help but glance at the young man in the crowd upon hearing this.
Oh no... did I go too far?
Seeing his expression, not only did Zhao Kangyun sneer, but the other young masters from prominent families also became more brazen.
Li Mujing rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on.
The situation hadn't been that serious, but her foolish brother had escalated it to this point.
It would have been better if they hadn't come down at all and just let Lord Shen handle it quietly.
"..."
Shen Yi casually took out an iron token from his waist and tossed it to Li Xinhan.
He then walked toward the door, leaving behind a calm statement.
"Surround the Vajra Sect. Don't let a single one escape."
Before his words had even faded, the entire hall fell so silent that you could hear a pin drop.
Zhao Kangyun looked up in shock, and Li Mujing's body trembled slightly.
Li Xinhan blinked, holding the iron token in his hand.
After a moment of stunned silence, his hands began to tremble with excitement.
Even he, who was usually unflappable, couldn't help but whisper, "Holy..."
He was indeed a young master of the Li family, but due to his age and strict upbringing, he had never experienced anything so thrilling.
"Follow me."
Shen Yi glanced at Zhang the butcher and stepped out of the Dashun Teahouse.
A hot-tempered and straightforward middle-aged man like Zhang wouldn't willingly endure humiliation unless someone had a hold over him.
The only leverage someone like him, who had to work hard to afford a tutor for his child, could have was his family.
To protect that "leverage," Shen Yi had to act decisively, leaving no room for error.
As for the details, he could ask Zhang later when they returned to his residence.
Staying here any longer would only make the man more uncomfortable.
The burly man stared at the ground, his mind in complete chaos...
He unconsciously followed Shen Yi as they walked out.
...
Qingzhou City, under the deep night sky.
Orders were being passed down one after another.
Aside from those guarding the city, the remaining thousand or so Demon Suppression Bureau lieutenants who were on leave began to mobilize.
Those who didn't know what was going on whispered, "Whose orders are these?"
"Direct orders from Lord Shen, the personal lieutenant under General Chen Qiankun."
"Surround the Vajra Sect."
The lieutenants who had returned from Green Peak Mountain showed no change in expression as chains of demon-suppressing metal slithered out from their sleeves, filling the streets with a cacophony of clinking sounds.
The black robes embroidered with golden eagles and cloud patterns billowed like the robes of death messengers.
"Surround the Vajra Sect!"
Inside the Demon Suppression Bureau headquarters, countless outer camp lieutenants paused their tasks.
Dozens of lieutenants donned their cloaks and stepped forward from the crowd.
Nearly three thousand outer camp lieutenants currently stationed in Qingzhou City slowly poured out of the bureau, heading toward the western part of the city.
The vast city was suddenly enveloped in a darkness deeper than the night itself.
Torches formed a line, their flames spreading like wildfire.
The gates of many prominent families and sects were tightly shut, and all pedestrians on the streets retreated into their homes, peeking out through cracks in their doors.
Rows of black-robed figures swept past, their chilling aura engulfing the entire street.
"Are you sure this is what Lord Shen meant?"
Li Mujing gritted her teeth, wishing she could strangle her brother.
"It wasn't me."
Li Xinhan, squeezed in the crowd, looked somewhat bewildered.
"I didn't want to make a big deal out of it. I just told Lieutenant Hong Lei, who holds his horse, and a few of the Golden Eagle lieutenants who cleared the way for him, that Lord Shen was in trouble and needed to keep an eye on the Vajra Sect..."
Outside the western suburbs of the city, a towering pagoda-like structure stood surrounded by gray-white walls.
Dozens of martial artists hurriedly rushed down the long steps toward the gate, but before they could close it, they froze in shock at the sight of the orderly black-clad figures surging toward them.
Under the light of the torches, the golden eagles and fierce wolves on their robes were utterly terrifying!
(End of Chapter)