If the first firework was a coincidence, a gesture of borrowed glory, then what about the second? And what about the third, which was clearly custom-made?

Involuntarily, all eyes stared at Chen Yang. How on earth did this good-for-nothing manage it?

Those were Four-foot Jade fireworks! One million eight hundred thousand each!

And yet he had set them off one after another as if they were nothing!

Xiang Yang's face turned ashen. His bracelet was indeed dazzling, but a single firework from Chen Yang had completely overshadowed him. The sensational impact and the sheer romanticism of the gesture left him leagues behind. He thought he had victory firmly in his grasp, only to be utterly and unexpectedly defeated.

The expressions on the faces of Mrs. Qin Qiu, Luo Gang, and Xiao Shuo'e shifted dramatically, a marvelous sight to behold. Every word they had said before turned into a harsh slap against their own faces.

"You... you good-for-nothing! Where did you get so much money?" Luo Gang asked icily.

"What's this? Are you offering to pay for the show?" Chen Yang said with great interest. "How about this? For Xiaoqiu's sake, I'll charge each of you just one hundred thousand. What do you say?"

Luo Gang was speechless.

Xiao Shuo'e fell silent.

"Not paying? If you're not paying, then you'd better shut your damned mouths!" Chen Yang rebuked furiously. "You've been running your mouths since you got here. What I do is none of your damn business!"

This left them with even more colorful expressions, looking as uncomfortable as if they had just swallowed dead flies.

BANG!

Luo Gang slammed his palm on the table, pointing at Chen Yang and roaring, "What kind of attitude is that? You're just a useless freeloader! Don't you know your place? Do you even have the right to speak here?"

"And who the hell are you to judge?" Chen Yang retorted. "Qin Qiu and I are engaged, and she hasn't said a word. What right do you have to be shrieking here? You even have the gall to introduce other men to her in her own home? Is that how your parents taught you to behave? Or have you forgotten that you're human beings?

"There's a saying that advises reconciliation over separation, yet every one of you has gone too far! I can't help but suspect that someone has lined your pockets." Chen Yang said coolly, his hands clasped behind his back.

"You... You're talking nonsense!" Luo Gang stomped his foot in fury, glaring at Chen Yang, but he was at a loss for a retort.

They had indeed accepted a bribe from Luo Sulan, but they had never imagined this good-for-nothing would be so assertive. His words were like daggers jabbing at their spines. After such a harsh dressing-down, a guilty conscience was inevitable.

"Chen Yang, that's enough!" Qin Qiu said, tugging on his arm. Although she felt secretly vindicated, these were her relatives. If they completely fell out, it wouldn't be good for anyone.

Chen Yang grinned. "Okay, honey!"

Just then, a group of more than a dozen people barged into the villa, making a beeline for the living room.

Leading them was a middle-aged man with an imposing, ramrod-straight posture. His eyes were as sharp as a tiger's, and he radiated an overwhelming aura. With his hands clasped behind his back, he walked with an air of absolute authority, his face a cold, expressionless mask. Walking shoulder-to-shoulder with him was a young man with his head wrapped in bandages and his arm in a cast.

Who else could it be but Wang Qiliang?

The dozen men following them, all in matching suits, had stern faces and deep, penetrating eyes. They were clearly no ordinary people.

Wang Qiliang's eyes immediately found Chen Yang. A vicious grin spread across his face as he bellowed, "Chen Yang, get the hell out here!"

"It's... it's Wang Qiliang!" Qin Qiu shot to her feet, her expression panicked. Ever since Chen Yang had given Wang Qiliang that severe beating, she knew the Wang Family wouldn't let the matter rest.

What am I supposed to do now?

Chen Yang placed a hand on Qin Qiu's shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile. "Honey, don't worry. Leave everything to me!"

"You... you're not going to fight again, are you?" Qin Qiu glared at him. "Do you know who that middle-aged man is? His name is Wang Qingze, a member of the Martial Association! He's also the son-in-law of the Zhou Family from Qingqiu Dao! The eldest son of the Zhou Family holds a high position in the Martial Department—he's said to be a Sixth Grade Martial General!"

"You'd better curb your impulses and stay put! These are not people you can afford to provoke!"

Chen Yang scratched his head. "But they've already come knocking. There's no hiding now. We have to resolve this, right?"

"Stay out of it! I'll mediate," Qin Qiu said, about to step forward.

However, Luo Gang moved past her, his face plastered with a sycophantic smile as he approached Wang Qingze. "Helmsman Wang! I never expected to see you here! The last time we met was at the Martial Association Headquarters. I was fortunate enough to witness your promotion to Helmsman of the Qingqiu Dao branch!"

The Martial Association, officially the Empire Ancient Martial Association, was an immense civilian organization. After decades of growth, compounded by the recent surge in martial arts fervor, its membership had swelled to over ten million, with branches in every city of the empire. To become a branch Helmsman, one had to be among the Martial Association's elite.

Wang Qingze glanced at him without recognition. "What? Are you trying to stand up for the Qin Family and Chen Yang?" he asked indifferently.

"Of course not!" How could Luo Gang not see these men meant trouble? They had called out Chen Yang by name as soon as they arrived. Their business was clearly with that good-for-nothing.

Luo Gang took a deep breath and said cautiously, "Helmsman... Helmsman Wang, I just want to say that Chen Yang, that good-for-nothing, has nothing to do with us or the Qin Family. Whatever business you have, please take it up with him!"

It had to be said, Luo Gang was quick-witted. The moment he recognized Wang Qingze, he had leaped out to disavow any connection.

However…

BANG!

Wang Qingze lashed out with a kick, catching Luo Gang squarely in the abdomen. With a muffled thud, Luo Gang was sent flying backward, spitting blood as he crashed heavily to the ground five or six meters away.

SPLAT!

A spray of crimson erupted from his mouth.

Xiao Shuo'e, Luo Sulan's relatives, and the others were all dumbfounded. They stood frozen in place, trembling uncontrollably.

Wang Qingze! Eldest son of the Wang Family of Lingjin City, a branch Helmsman of the Martial Association, son-in-law to the Zhou Family of Qingqiu Dao... Any single one of those titles was enough to terrify them. How could that damned good-for-nothing Chen Yang have offended such a powerful figure? Now he's dragged us all into his mess.

Xiang Yang, however, stood silently in a corner, a cold smile tugging at his lips. He knew the opportunity he had been desperately waiting for had finally arrived.

"Who do you think you are?" Wang Qingze glanced coldly at the downed Luo Gang. "When have I, Wang Qingze, ever needed someone else to tell me how to act?"

The words were spoken with sheer, unadulterated dominance.

Into the deathly silence, Qin Qiu, her face pale with horror, gritted her teeth and stepped forward. "Helmsman Wang, what happened with Wang Qiliang was indeed our fault, but there were reasons for it. Could we please sit down and discuss this?"

Wang Qingze's gaze swept over her. "You are President Qin Qiu?"

"Yes, that's me."

"We can discuss our business later. Right now, I am going to kill him," Wang Qingze declared, pointing a finger at Chen Yang.

Qin Qiu's expression changed drastically, but before she could speak, Chen Yang spoke first. He started walking toward them, a sneer on his face. "You pretentious old fool. Do you realize you're about to die?"

"Haha!" Wang Qiliang burst out laughing as if he had just heard the funniest joke in the world. "Do you have any idea who my uncle is? Killing you would be as easy for him as slaughtering a dog!"

Chen Yang's hand shot out, his fingers closing like an iron claw around Wang Qiliang's throat. "Guess what," he said with a chilling smile. "Will killing you all be as easy as slaughtering dogs for me?"

Wang Qiliang was suddenly silent.

So was everyone else in the room.

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