But Xu Ke remained indifferent, not even glancing at Jin Hankang. "A retired elder, strutting around here.

"If you don't understand the rules of the Martial Alliance, you can learn them again. There's no need to make a spectacle of yourself.

"What's the point of spouting so much nonsense right off the bat?

"Which Martial Alliance rule supports you?

"If there is one, bring it out. If not, shut up!

"Understand?"

Jin Hankang flew into a rage, snarling, "On what grounds do you claim I have no rules to support me?"

"Then bring them out! If you have any, I'll kowtow and admit I'm wrong. How about that?"

Xu Ke laughed. "If not, it just means you're looking for trouble and wasting everyone's time.

"At your age, you should be doing something productive. Instead, you can only criticize me by fabricating lies, without even a single sophisticated tactic to your name…

"Heh, no wonder you couldn't even keep your position as an elder and had to retire. It turns out you're only capable of playing dirty tricks!"

Xu Ke's voice wasn't loud, but it echoed clearly in everyone's ears.

Their faces instantly turned ashen.

Xu Ke's words are too venomous!

What was even more vicious, Jin Hankang had indeed retired precisely because he had become idle in his later years…

Hearing this, Jin Hankang's body began to tremble. His face turned a visible shade of red with anger, and his finger twitched as he pointed at Xu Ke. "You, you, you…"

Having been struck right in his sore spot, he couldn't take it.

But Xu Ke wasn't done with him yet. With a faint, mocking smile, he said, "Let me give you a piece of advice. Do you know the saying, 'To be old and not die is to be a thief'?"

*To be old and not die is to be a thief…*

The moment he said this, Jin Hankang was so furious his face turned green, and he began struggling to breathe…

Xu Ke was speechless at the sight. This guy can't even handle a few words. Why did he come looking for a fight?

The crowd was struck silent. Xu Ke's remarks were simply too poisonous! None of them dared to speak.

"Elder Jin is having a medical emergency! Vice Alliance Leader Yuan, hurry and get someone to take him to the hospital!" Xu Ke added with obvious, feigned urgency. "Elder Jin is a senior I deeply respect! Quick, get him into a good hospital! And while you're at it, contact the crematorium…"

The Martial Alliance Leaders from the various branches were dumbfounded.

This is too venomous!

Nearby, Yuan Shang stared at Xu Ke with wide eyes. Didn't we agree to keep things steady when we came downstairs? Is *this* keeping things steady? Contacting the crematorium? If this is 'steady', then wouldn't that make me a coward?

At this moment, Chen Xiong finally stepped forward to support Jin Hankang, feigning a reprimand. "Xu Ke, don't be rude."

"Considering Elder Jin's age, he can still hold on! Right?"

Hearing the sarcastic remark, Jin Hankang was so incensed he nearly passed out. Fortunately, his foundation in the Martial Path was still solid; otherwise, he might have been angered into a genuine hospital visit.

Witnessing this, the other Martial Alliance Leaders didn't dare to speak up. They feared that if they opened their mouths, they would also face Xu Ke's ferocious verbal assault.

They had long heard that Tianhai's Xu Ke was not only a genius of the Martial Path but also a silver-tongued devil. But now, seeing him in action, they realized it wasn't eloquence.

It's just sheer viciousness!

Just then, Qian Jun stood up again, looking at Xu Ke coldly. "You've already wasted enough of our time. You've made Elder Jin unwell over a self-evident matter. Aren't you going to bow your head and apologize? Truly unrepentant. You're nothing but a brute."

Su Ximing and Zhao Xiangping immediately chimed in, looking at Xu Ke provocatively. "That's right!"

How can we just stand by and watch Xu Ke act so arrogantly?! It's just a war of words, right? We can play that game too!

Seeing this, Xu Ke looked at them with a mocking smile. "Pardon me, but are you three gentlemen Elder Jin's grandsons?"

Zhao Xiangping's and Su Ximing's expressions changed instantly.

Qian Jun said coldly, "What does that have to do with you apologizing? Stop dodging the question and apologize!"

He had no intention of responding to Xu Ke's question. I see it now. The moment I answer him, he'll grab the opportunity to bury me with a barrage of wordplay. It's better to just ignore him!

But Xu Ke suddenly covered his mouth, feigning a whisper yet speaking loud enough for everyone to hear. He turned to Yuan Shang and said, "Vice Alliance Leader Yuan, I've always said Qian Jun and Elder Jin Hankang look so much alike. He must be his grandson. See? Now he doesn't dare admit it, trying to avoid suspicion."

Yuan Shang paused, then played along, also covering his mouth while speaking loudly. "I think you're right!"

Qian Jun's face turned livid with rage. He bellowed, "Xu Ke, do you think it's fun to play these childish games? I am not Jin Hankang's grandson!"

Jin Hankang, who had just recovered, heard Xu Ke using him as a pawn in his games and was so enraged he nearly fainted again.

"Oh?" Xu Ke feigned surprise. "So you're not a grandson after all."

Yuan Shang couldn't help but snicker on the side. Xu Ke had perfectly exploited the pride of a man like Qian Jun. These childish tricks, which would be useless against an old fox, were remarkably effective against him.

As expected, Qian Jun was so furious he almost lost his composure, gritting his teeth. "Of course I'm not!"

Xu Ke smiled sweetly. "Then whose grandson *are* you?"

Qian Jun instinctively began, "I am—"

He stopped, realizing he'd fallen into a trap. He became furious but said no more, only glaring fiercely at Xu Ke.

Some in the hall could no longer hold back their laughter. If not for the fact that Qian Jun was one of Wong Ting's men, they would have laughed out loud.

But Xu Ke was ready to kick a man while he was down. "So, whose grandson are you? Why aren't you answering?"

At these words, Qian Jun's eyes turned ferocious, and he roared, "Apologize! And stop your nonsense!"

"Oh? So you, grandson, are demanding an apology? And for what reason, may I ask?" Xu Ke asked with mock curiosity.

The words fell.

"Xu Ke…" Qian Jun gritted his teeth, his eyes turning bloodshot. Murderous intent surged from him like a tidal wave, causing those nearby to tremble and their faces to pale.

The crowd was shocked. Is Qian Jun really this powerful?

Yuan Shang's expression grew solemn. For Qian Jun to have this kind of presence at the Innate Great Perfection… he's truly worthy of being one of Wong Ting's Ten Great Generals! Xu Ke needs to be careful!

Yet Xu Ke seemed completely unaffected. He stepped forward and said, "What are you calling my name for? You're not my grandson."

He was relentlessly clinging to Qian Jun's slip of the tongue, determined to play this childish game to the very end. As long as it worked on Qian Jun, he had no reason to stop.

"You…"

Qian Jun was on the verge of striking. His momentum had built to its absolute peak. At this point, not even the highest authority could stop him from attacking.

Those in the crowd who were eager to see Xu Ke fail grew visibly excited.

Attack! Kill Xu Ke!

Just then, Chen Xiong suddenly interrupted. "That is enough. The time has come. Let us begin drawing lots. Elder Jin has recovered."

Everyone's expression changed at his words. Chen Xiong really is determined to help Xu Ke! He didn't interrupt when Xu Ke was leading Qian Jun around by the nose with word games. Why step in now?

Hearing this, Xu Ke immediately nodded. "Alliance Leader Chen is right. Let's begin! No more wasting time!"

He then glanced at Qian Jun and teased, "You hear that, Qian Jun? Be careful, or I'll order *you* to apologize!"

Hearing Xu Ke throw his own words back at him, Qian Jun's face turned an even darker shade of livid.

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