Qi Yin, a protector of the Martial Association.

A twelfth-level Fist Master.

How could such a formidable top expert be knocked back just like that?

Many people had no idea what had just happened, but some saw it very clearly. The young man who had just arrived merely waved his hand, and Qi Yin was sent flying back as if he had been hit by a car.

How was this possible?

Qi Yin raised his head, his bloodshot eyes staring daggers at Chen Yang. He admitted to himself that he hadn't used his full strength. But the force from his opponent had been like a tidal wave—devastating and utterly unstoppable. It was not something human strength could resist.

Leaning on a broken table, Qi Yin straightened his back and asked coldly, "Who are you?"

"I told you to come here," Chen Yang repeated.

"You..." Qi Yin's face turned livid, and the hand he pointed at Chen Yang trembled slightly. In all his decades, he had never met such an arrogant young man. Ordering him around?

Heh…

Standing to the side, Qin Lie studied Chen Yang intently with his deep, penetrating gaze. The man was a stranger; he had never seen him before today. Despite his confusion, it was his birthday banquet, so he spoke up with a smile, "Let's not all stand around. Please, take your seats."

"Yes, everyone, take your seats."

"There's no need to continue this disturbance on such a joyous day."

The others murmured in agreement and began to disperse.

However, Qi Yin had no intention of letting the matter rest. As a distinguished protector of the Martial Association, how could he allow his reputation to be sullied by a young upstart in front of so many people? Was the entire Martial Association supposed to swallow this insult?

WHOOSH!

A tragic howl ripped through the air as Qi Yin charged forward. His face twisted with ferocity, and he laughed sinisterly. "Boy, a sneak attack proves nothing! If you have any real guts, take this punch!"

He naturally attributed the previous exchange to a surprise attack. As long as he could beat his opponent fair and square, he would reclaim his lost pride. At this thought, Qi Yin's expression grew even more ferocious, even cruel, as he pictured Chen Yang being blasted apart by his fist.

"Hmph!" Qin Lie's expression darkened, clearly displeased with Qi Yin's repeated aggression. Was his birthday banquet to be treated as a battleground?

Chen Yang took a single step forward. His right fist ignored the force of Qi Yin's attack and landed squarely on his chest.

BOOM!

Qi Yin's feet left the ground. His body jackknifed in mid-air, curling like a shrimp as he flew backward.

Qi Yin: "..."

Everyone: "..."

In an instant, the vast hall fell deathly silent. The guests stood like statues, motionless. Their wide eyes could only reflect the sheer, unadulterated horror of the moment.

How… how was this possible?

One punch?! Who was this guy? That was one of the four great protectors of the Martial Association, not some random nobody. And he was sent flying by a single punch?

Even with the truth laid bare before their eyes, no one could believe it. Just who in the world was this man?

Qin Lie's jaw hung open in utter disbelief. He had seen his share of shocking events in his life, but this...

Qi Yin spat out a mouthful of blood and struggled to his feet. He looked at Chen Yang as if he were seeing a ghost.

This… this…

He gasped for breath, the intense pain making him break out in a cold sweat. He felt he was on the verge of fainting.

"Who… who are you?" Qi Yin clutched his chest with one hand, using the other to brace himself on his leg. "I… I am certain our Martial Association has never offended you," he said in terror.

"Come here," Chen Yang beckoned.

Qi Yin: "..."

The crowd was completely stunned by the terrifying power Chen Yang had demonstrated. Who would dare make a sound now? Lin Yunshan, who had threatened Yang Hu earlier, shuffled his trembling legs back into the crowd and lowered his head, not daring to move a muscle.

HUFF… HUFF…

Qi Yin panted heavily and said in a low voice, "I am a protector of the Martial Association!"

His unspoken message was clear: *You've already won. Even if you won't give me face, at least show the Martial Association some respect.*

Chen Yang didn't speak. He just stared.

Qi Yin: "..."

The once-imperious protector of the Martial Association turned a pleading gaze to Qin Lie, hoping the host of the banquet would step in and say something on his behalf.

But Qin Lie pretended not to see him. He was already furious that Qi Yin had repeatedly ignored him and caused a scene at his birthday banquet. Furthermore, this young man was truly extraordinary. He looked to be under thirty, yet he possessed such incredible skill. Until he understood who this person was, it was best to remain neutral.

Qi Yin gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, cursing inwardly.

What the hell, did I run into a ghost? Since when are Thirteenth-level Thousand-Faced Yamas so common?

Only a Thousand-Faced Yama, or someone even stronger, could defeat him so easily.

GULP.

After swallowing hard, under the intense gaze of the crowd, Qi Yin finally forced his legs to move and walked toward Chen Yang.

It's a bit cowardly, I know. But as they say, discretion is the better part of valor. If I provoke him, I might not leave this place alive. Pride is important, but not when my life is on the line. Compared to that, it's worthless.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

In the vast plaza, only his footsteps echoed, each one leaving a clear, bloody footprint on the ground. The entire scene was eerily bizarre.

Soon, Qi Yin stood a meter in front of Chen Yang, panting. "Young Master, there should be no quarrel between us. I admit I was reckless this time. I hope you can forgive me."

The protector of the Martial Association had apologized.

Many in the crowd were overcome with emotion. A member of the Martial Association was actually apologizing? For them, this was truly a once-in-a-lifetime sight.

"So, not treating someone from your Martial Association with courtesy is considered disrespectful?" Chen Yang slowly lit a cigarette and asked coolly.

"You..." Qi Yin's expression faltered. Was his apology just going to be ignored?

Chen Yang exhaled a plume of smoke and continued, "I'm curious. What great deeds has your Martial Association performed for the country and its people? From what I hear, your Martial Association arbitrarily suppresses other martial arts schools, using its monopoly to charge exorbitant tuition fees. Yet over ninety percent of your students learn nothing of substance and are left with nothing but an empty title."

Chen Yang tilted his head and asked earnestly, "Tell me, why should such a Martial Association be worthy of anyone's courtesy?"

Qi Yin: "..."

Everything he said was true. But even when people knew the truth, who ever dared to say it out loud?

"Kid, since you know so much about our Martial Association, you must also be aware of our power and the backers we have," Qi Yin said, his submissive tone vanishing. His gaze turned cold and sinister. "We could each go our own way. Must you make an enemy of the Martial Association?"

CRACK!

Chen Yang's hand shot out and seized him by the neck. "Do you honestly believe," he said with chilling indifference, "that you're walking out of here alive?"

Qi Yin: "..."

Everyone: "..."

This… this guy… was he actually going to commit murder?

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