This scene made the scalps of countless onlookers prickle, a bone-deep horror causing their limbs to tremble.
Chen Yang had an impressive, glorious past, but Gu Liangren was different. He ca from Biluo Sword Valley on Yuning Mountain, part of a reclusive family that eschewed worldly affairs to focus on cultivation. In terms of wealth, they perhaps couldn't compare to the four great royal clans, but when it ca to the number of powerful experts and resources for training Fist Masters, the latter could not hold a candle to them.
Putting aside Gu Liangren's status in Biluo Sword Valley, the fact that this man, not yet thirty-five, could claim the title of a master of swordsmanship spoke volus of his extraordinary strength. Yet, when Gu Liangren attacked with all his might, fueled by rage, Chen Yang didn't even shift in his chair. He easily dodged the prized Longsword, and with that very blade, nailed Gu Liangren to the floor.
Gu Liangren had probably never dread that he, who had traveled the lands with his sword, would be killed by his own blade in the pri of his life. How utterly frustrating and humiliating that must have been.
And who could have imagined that such incredible skill belonged to a man who, just a year ago, had crippled his own martial arts?
After a long while, once everyone had co back to their senses, their hearts were filled with a complex mix of emotions. The king had returned.
But today's attendees, aside from so Civil Officials and Military Generals from the Martial Departnt, were all top-tier nobles from Cangyun City. In their hearts, they would have rather seen Chen Yang dead.
However, a dense cloud of darkness now enveloped their hearts.
On the other side, Chen Yang had already stopped paying attention to Gu Liangren. He sat silently, holding the silver spear, his eyes fixed on Luo Yunhai. His less-than-imposing stature seed like an immovable mountain, crushing the atmosphere into an oppressive silence. Every inch of air was thick with a sharp, deadly aura.
At this mont, how could the guests not realize that sothing was terribly wrong? Luo Yunhai was not as open-minded as the rumors suggested. His true intention wasn't to host Chen Yang hospitably, but to use this opportunity to crush his opponent, elevate his own image, and solidify his position as the Great Elder. Chen Yang had been invited, but the script had gone completely off the rails. Far from being trampled, he had fiercely counterattacked, leaving his host utterly humiliated.
"It seems the Forr Chief Military Commander doesn't recognize the Great Elder. He's not giving him even a shred of face."
"What a pity he already stepped down. Otherwise..."
Everyone knew what "otherwise" implied; there was no need to elaborate.
"It looks like this banquet can't continue. Should we leave?"
After so discussion, many were already considering retreat.
"What if we've overestimated Chen Yang? Leaving now would be a slap in the face to Luo Yunhai. Can you bear the consequences?"
"Sigh, we'll just have to grit our teeth and see this through. Hopefully, we'll be fine."
The crowd felt their scalps tingle. They knew the situation was out of control, yet they dared not make a rash move.
"Chen Yang, I kindly invited you here, yet you kill one person after another. Don't you think you've gone too far?" Luo Yunhai, the intended star of the evening, finally said coldly after a long silence.
Chen Yang caressed the silver spear with two fingers. "You know perfectly well whether they deserved to die," he said lightly.
Luo Yunhai's gaze was ice-cold, but he quickly concealed it behind a faint smile. "I understand how you feel. The forr Elder just passed away, and you've suffered many hardships. It's inevitable that you're feeling irritable."
"We'll let it go this ti. They did indeed go too far."
These words, seemingly a concession, were in fact a strategic retreat. He painted himself as benevolent and magnanimous, a shining example of a great man, while simultaneously belittling Chen Yang as utterly worthless. The implication was clear: *You're young and impulsive, acting without thinking, but I forgive you and won't hold it against you.* He was the perfect embodint of the phrase "a smile that hides a knife."
As the saying goes: an old man who doesn't die is nothing but a scourge.
"Co!" Luo Yunhai raised a glass of wine, gesturing to Chen Yang from across the room. "This toast is for you. Thank you for over a decade of fighting on the battlefield, for expanding our borders and protecting the peace of our lands."
His voice was firm and resonant, filled with sincerity. His words imdiately earned him a round of applause and cheers from the guests.
Chen Yang, however, remained unmoved. He reached for the wine cup Xiong Yi had slamd on the table earlier. After a cursory glance around the hall, he raised his arm high, turned his hand over, and a full glass of expensive red wine poured onto the ground like a waterfall.
The crowd stared at each other, utterly bewildered. What on earth is this guy trying to do?
Every single person in the vast hall felt their mouth go dry and sweat bead on their forehead. Their hands felt restless, with nowhere to put them.
"This first cup, I pour for our ancestors," Chen Yang declared, his shining eyes fixed on the flag standing tall in the center of the courtyard. "It was your unyielding resolve and selfless sacrifice that built this nation, allowing generations of our people to live with their heads held high." After a respectful salute, he picked up another glass and poured it onto the floor.
"This second cup is for the fine n who inherited the iron-blooded spirit of our forefathers, who shed their blood for this land and now rest beneath the green hills. It was your flesh and blood that forged a steel wall at our nation's gates, creating the conditions for our prosperity in this glorious age."
"And this final cup." Chen Yang stood and bowed respectfully to Jin Zheng and Wu Xing. "I offer this to the late Great Elder. He devoted his entire life to this land, and he is the man whom I, Chen, respect the most."
Everyone was stunned. The first two toasts were one thing, but this last one was a direct, undeniable challenge to Luo Yunhai.
Chen Yang set the cup down, picked up a napkin, and slowly wiped the wine from his hands. He shot Luo Yunhai a glance and got straight to the point. "I neither know nor care how you beca the Great Elder. I do not recognize you!"
The crowd was left speechless.
"Furthermore, from this day on, if anyone tries to make a na for themselves by targeting the two ritorious Elders, Jin Zheng and Wu Xing, I, Chen, will not allow it."
BANG.
Chen Yang kicked the butt of the spear, catching it in one hand. He aid its gleaming tip directly at Luo Yunhai. "And that includes you!"
With that single sentence, killing intent flared.
Countless people in the hall were scared out of their wits. It was a blatant, undisguised threat. Everyone held their breath, too terrified to move.
"Elders, I will take my leave. I will visit you both another day." Chen Yang turned, clasped his fists in a salute to Jin Zheng and Wu Xing, and then strode away, silhouetted against the light.
No one stopped him, not even Luo Yunhai.
A short ti later, the high-profile banquet quietly dispersed. However, before anyone left the Elders' Court, they were given a strict gag order: anyone who dared speak a word of what happened would have their entire family executed. The ssage was succinct and terrifying. So much so that as they walked out of the Elders' Court, their legs trembled.
In the now-empty courtyard, Luo Yunhai showed no anger. Instead, he swirled his wine, took a contented sip, and grinned. "Youths will be youths. The mont they gain a little power, they beco arrogant."
So, you've made your scene. Do you feel better now? In that case... are you prepared to die?
Luo Yunhai chuckled and shook his head, then beckoned a subordinate over. "Imdiately spread the news. Say that this Forr Chief Military Commander requested to resign because he knew he was no match for the might of the Barbaric New Sovereign, Heiqi, and so he stepped down to save his own skin."
"Also, release the news that the Mountain-backed King, Chen Jian, is set to be appointed as the new Supre Martial Commander."
"By your command!"
With his glass in one hand and the other behind his back, Luo Yunhai began to pace slowly. He smiled. "First, I'll let public opinion condemn you. Then, I'll sit back and watch the four great royal clans hunt you down. Hahaha..."
"Truly satisfying."
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