Previously, just as Chen Yang and his group entered the teahouse, the Martial Association's current president, Shang Bai, had made a public declaration while eting with Mr. Li Chenfeng of the West Sea royal family.
He stated outright that the West Sea royal family's might was overwhelming, and in their presence, all other mortals were re ants. Forget the long-deposed Zhennan Prince; even the newly appointed War God of the State would have to greet Mr. Li Chenfeng with the utmost respect.
This loaded statent was a clear ssage to the world: anyone who opposed the Martial Association had two choices. They could either cower in their shells like cowards or co crawling to kowtow and beg for rcy. There was no third option.
As the Association President, Shang Bai naturally knew who his opponent was and his status, but that didn't stop him from issuing a public provocation. By belittling his rival, he could elevate the Martial Association's standing and wash away the humiliation they had suffered in their previous confrontation with the Feiyang Martial Arts School.
Li Chenfeng had replied on the spot that a formal greeting could be waived. After all, the man was a major figure of so renown; simply serving him a cup of tea would suffice.
"Did you hear that? Mr. Li Chenfeng commands you to serve him tea!"
This was Shang Bai's closing remark. The mont he said it, Cangyun City erupted into a clamor of discussion. The implications were jaw-dropping.
The West Sea royal family had entered the scene. And they had commanded *that man* to serve them tea… This… this…!
Everyone had guessed that sothing major would happen at the Martial Association's tenth-anniversary celebration, but who could have anticipated the involvent of the royal family?
In an instant, countless nobles and powerful clans from Cangyun City rushed to the Martial Association Headquarters to et the young master from the West Sea royal family. Each ca bearing lavish gifts, not wanting to be outdone. While it seed servile, many simply saw it as being astute. Besides, if you were going to be a dog, you might as well be a dog for the royal family. What was wrong with being the top dog?
"They want my Boss to serve him tea?"
On the street in front of the Martial Association Headquarters, inside a military jeep, a young man sat playing with a handgun. He was even more robust than Yang Hu, dressed in a martial uniform, and sported a crew cut. At around twenty-five or twenty-six, his piercing gaze was fixed on the Martial Association building.
This man was none other than Liu Wu, newly titled the Jingnan Prince, who had been stationed in Hanyun Valley. After being made a Prince the day before, he had spoken with Yang Hu and led a group of n on an overnight rush to Cangyun City.
His original plan was to remain hidden, secretly helping Chen Yang suppress any troublemakers with ulterior motives. But upon hearing the little performance put on by the Association President and Li Chenfeng, a man with his fiery temper could hardly sit still. He imdiately directed his forces to the Martial Association Headquarters.
He'd like to ask, what right did a re Association President and a royal scion have to order his Boss around? Kneel? Serve tea? Heh… While they were busy patting themselves on the back, weren't they underestimating the War God of the State a little too much? And so what if he's lost the support of the entire Chenlong Martial District? Besides, it's not up to you posturing clowns to run your mouths here.
"Boss, what are your orders?" asked the jeep's driver, one of Liu Wu's trusted confidants, his voice low.
"Everyone, out of the vehicles! Surround the Martial Association Headquarters," Liu Wu commanded with a sweep of his hand. He then glanced at the teahouse across the street. "And surround that teahouse, too."
"As you command!"
Liu Wu pushed the door open and stepped out, letting the rain fall on him. He stared at the Martial Association Headquarters, his eyes narrowing to slits. "I'd like to see just what kind of trash dares to make such an outrageous demand—making my Boss serve you tea."
…
Watching the large contingent of n swiftly assemble and advance toward the Martial Association Headquarters and this teahouse, Chen Yang shook his head with a smile. That rascal, Liu Wu, is as decisive as ever. Still, this is good. It'll save a lot of trouble.
"Th-these are your n?" After glancing outside and then back at Chen Yang's current expression, Gan Zi Yun, who had been harboring doubts, turned pale and stamred.
"So what if they are?" Gan Lan said coldly, still deluded and stubborn. "Shang Bai and Mr. Li Chenfeng are both here. How much trouble could they possibly cause? Once you reach a certain level, numbers are useless. They're just cannon fodder."
At the sa ti, a small contingent moved to intercept Liu Wu's n, and a standoff ensued. Their middle-aged leader glanced up at the teahouse and strode inside.
"One of the district supervisors for Cangyun City," Yang Hu told Chen Yang.
Soon after, a man's voice bood. "I, Li Hongbo, am a supervisor of this local district! I'd like to see who has the audacity to send n into my jurisdiction without so much as a word of notice!"
STOMP, STOMP, STOMP.
Accompanied by the thunderous sound of footsteps, a burly middle-aged man strode in with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression arrogant as he carried himself with an air of superiority. To beco a supervisor of the imperial city district, Li Hongbo had to have so skill. After all, the imperial city was unlike any other place; its importance was self-evident.
As he drew closer and took in the scene—especially Yang Hu standing tall by Chen Yang's side, a paratrooper knife in hand—Li Hongbo's tiger-like eyes narrowed, fixing on Chen Yang like two sharp daggers.
Chen Yang, however, remained perfectly composed and untroubled.
"What's the aning of this?" one of Li Hongbo's deputies behind him snarled. "You see General Li before you, yet you don't rise to pay your respects? How dare you remain seated! The audacity!"
"Heh."
Seeing that Chen Yang still had no intention of moving, Li Hongbo took two steps forward, a smile that didn't reach his eyes on his face. "Kid, are those your people outside?"
"That's right," Chen Yang nodded.
"What unit are you with?" Li Hongbo questioned. "According to regulations, crossing into another jurisdiction requires notifying the local supervisor, and I have received no such notice. Now, I require an explanation."
He was observing the principle of civility before hostility. As he finished, Li Hongbo drew himself up to his full height, looking down on Chen Yang.
Chen Yang simply smiled, saying nothing.
Despite his best efforts to maintain his dignified image, the supervisor's large, protruding belly made the whole display rather comical.
Seeing Chen Yang's continued silence, Li Hongbo raised his voice and repeated himself. "I said, I require an explanation."
Without a word, Yang Hu produced a docunt and presented it to Li Hongbo.
Li Hongbo glanced at it and took it, but showed no intention of reading it closely. "So what if you have a docunt? According to the rules, you should have notified in advance. Such disrespect for ! You people have so nerve."
With that, he pulled a chair over and sat down opposite Chen Yang. After crossing his legs, he seed to feel sothing was still missing. He gestured for his deputy to light a cigarette for him, took a deep drag, and blew a puff of smoke toward Chen Yang.
Chen Yang waved his hand to clear the air. "Aren't you going to look at who issued these orders?"
"I don't care who issued them. The point is, I wasn't inford beforehand," Li Hongbo said lazily, leaning back in his chair.
Yang Hu spoke with a flicker of interest. "From my perspective, it looks like you're just a lackey for the Martial Association, aren't you?"
"What's it to you?" Li Hongbo sneered dismissively. "If you know what's good for you, pull your n back and get out of my sight."
Chen Yang nodded seriously and turned to Yang Hu. "How many n did Liu Wu mobilize this ti?"
"One hundred and fifty thousand."
Instantly, Li Hongbo froze.
"Ten thousand in the vanguard. The rest will follow."
Li Hongbo: "..."
One hundred and fifty thousand!! What the hell… who *is* this guy?
"..."
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