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Chapter 135 - A Toast and a Slap
“Brother-in-Law, have you really recovered your cultivation?” Wen Lingxue asked quietly during the banquet.
“Hm.” Su Yi nodded. “I’m already in the early-stage Qi Accumulation Realm.”
Wen Lingxue’s bright eyes widened. “Really?”
Hadn’t it only been a month since they last saw each other? Yet her brother-in-law hadn’t just recovered; he’d even stepped into the Qi Accumulation Realm!
Then, Wen Lingxue laughed, and her eyes sparkled with surprise and admiration. “I just knew my brother-in-law was extraordinary!”
“Well said!” Su Yi laughed too.
But just as they were chatting, a young man in ornate robes lowered his voice and said mysteriously, “Everyone, did you hear about the shocking incident that happened yesterday at the Qingding Military Drill Grounds?”
“What happened?” Quite a few of them were curious.
Yan Yufeng narrowed his eyes and said flatly, “I actually heard about it from my old man. He said that yesterday, Prefectural Governor Qin Wenyuan and his son Qin Feng offended some incredible expert. Both of them died brutal deaths at the Qingding Military Drill Grounds.”
The entire room instantly fell silent. Even Wen Lingxue was listening with rapt attention.
“Senior Apprentice Brother Yan, just who was that mighty expert? Can you reveal anything about him?” said Meng Lu coquettishly.
“Yeah! Young Master Yan, this news is far too terrifying! If you hadn’t said anything, we wouldn’t have known anything about it!” another girl hurriedly chimed in.
When he saw that all eyes were on him, Yan Yufeng smiled and shook his head. “I won’t lie to you: the implications of this incident are enormous. Even my old man’s lips are sealed. He dared not tell me any details, but I can at least tell you a little.”
This instantly piqued everyone’s curiosity.
Only Su Yi’s expression was a bit strange as he fidgeted with his cup.
“They say that yesterday, the higher-ups of all four of the city’s peak-level factions gathered at the Qingding Military Drill Grounds. Even our sect leader went there personally. But why did they go there in the first place? No one seems to know.”
Yan Yufeng whispered, “My old man just said that that incredible expert was extremely young, about the same age as us, yet he was like a fallen immortal descending upon the mortal world. He wielded downright unbelievable power!”
“About the same age as us?” All of them were stunned, and their eyes widened in disbelief.
“That’s right. I also heard that his status is highly special. I trust that all of you are well aware of how mighty Prefectural Governor Qin Wenyuan was, but after that mysterious young expert killed him, none of the witnesses dared reveal any of the details!”
Another person said in hushed tones, “Actually, I heard that even our sect master lost to that young expert. I wonder if that’s true…”
When she heard this, even Wen Lingxue was dumbfounded. Wasn’t this someone their age? How could he be so terrifying?
“Wah, it would be great if I could meet such a young expert!” Tian Yao’s eyes filled with longing and infatuation.
It wasn’t just her; all of them were moved, and all of them seemed dazed.
“Brother-in-Law, is someone like that even human?” Wen Lingxue whispered in his ear.
“....” The corners of Su Yi’s lips twitched imperceptibly. “Don’t listen to their distorted rumors. It wasn’t anywhere near that exaggerated.”
These words instantly provoked Yan Yufeng and the others’ displeasure. You’re just a waste without a cultivation. Who are you to talk nonsense?
“Su Yi, what the hell is that supposed to mean? Don’t tell me you know about what happened yesterday too?” asked a youth in ornate robes.
“Yeah! Go on and tell us. What do you mean by ‘distorted rumors’?” someone else chimed in.
When Yan Yufeng saw this, he smiled inwardly, and his gaze was playful. He seemed eager to watch the show.
He’d long since noticed that Wen Lingxue was whispering to Su Yi. Their familiarity and affection left him inwardly displeased.
When Chen Jinlong saw this, he broke out in cold sweats. With no regard for anything else, he said hurriedly, “Everyone, how about we just let this go? Gathering like this is a rare pleasure. Let’s avoid all this unpleasantness, okay?”
“Unpleasantness? What do you mean, unpleasantness?” Meng Lu snapped irritably. “We just want to hear Su Yi’s ‘brilliant input.’ Besides, with our status, how could we possibly make trouble for a wa— for someone like him?”
She only just barely stopped the word “waste” from slipping out.
The others all voiced their agreement.
When he saw this, Chen Jinlong practically coughed up blood. I’m trying to help you people! Don’t you realize that? What a bunch of fools! If you’d seen how Nian Yunqiao and Yan Chengrong died, I’m afraid you’d kneel on the spot and beg Su Yi for mercy!
But Chen Jinlong couldn’t be bothered to say any more.
Kind words couldn’t save the damned, and compassion couldn’t save those determined to throw their lives away!
“Don’t you think you’re a bit over the line?” Wen Lingxue furrowed her brow. She was starting to get angry.
When he saw this, Yan Yufeng lost all interest in watching the excitement. He said hurriedly, “Okay, enough. Everyone, tone it down a little.”
Only then did everyone stop, but when they looked at Su Yi, their gazes already carried newfound disdain.
A waste like him? If not for Wen Lingxue, how could he possibly sit here with them?
Despite that, he dared speak out of turn. He was really inviting his own humiliation!
“Brother-in-Law, you’re not angry, are you?” asked Wen Lingxue gently.
Su Yi shook his head. “They’re your sectmates, so I won’t pursue this matter or cause any unpleasantness. If I did, it would only sour your mood.”
Wen Lingxue was briefly stunned. Then, she broke into a sweet smile.
But Tian Yao was a bit disappointed. It doesn’t matter that you lost your cultivation, but as a man, how can you be so spineless when someone interrogates you like that?
You suffered such humiliation, yet you’re still so shameless as to pretend you’re letting it go for Wen Lingxue’s sake? Isn’t that excuse a bit overly ridiculous?
It seems that even if they’re good-looking, men without cultivations are weaklings… Tian Yao sighed inwardly, and in her heart, she instinctively distanced herself from Su Yi.
She liked pretty boys, but she didn’t like men who shone like gold on the outside, yet were soft as cotton on the inside.
“Hahaha!” When they heard Su Yi’s words, the others couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Even Yan Yufeng was rendered speechless. Even now, you dare boast so shamelessly? You’re just asking for a beating at this point!
But Chen Jinglong’s expression changed dramatically, and he felt the sudden urge to leave early. He couldn’t help but recall last time. All he’d wanted to do was enjoy a meal, but after getting mixed up with Su Yi, he wound up forced to kneel on the floor. He’d been wronged!
Wen Lingxue’s pretty face was suddenly cold, and she was really starting to lose her temper. But then—
The door to the private room opened.
The man Yan Yufeng called “Uncle Huang” respectfully led a young man in jade robes up to the table, then said with a smile, “Everyone, our young master has come to offer you a toast.”
When they saw the young man in jade-colored robes, Yan Yufeng and the others hurriedly shot to their feet, all of them looking awed.
“Young Master Zhang, you’re here in person? We’re truly flattered!” Yan Yufeng smiled; he felt that this reflected well on him.
After all, Zhang Yuanxing was personally offering him a toast. This wasn’t an honor just anyone could enjoy.
The others obviously picked up on this too, and when they looked at Yan Yufeng, their gazes carried newfound admiration.
“I heard that the number one beauty of Blueriver Sword Manor had graced our Snowy Villa, so I came here to greet her.” The youth smiled warmly, but suddenly, his gaze landed on the one person still seated and facing away from him. He froze.
Yan Yufeng noticed this immediately, and his expression instantly darkened. He shouted, “Su Yi, didn’t you see Young Master Zhang arrive? Get up and greet him already!”
The others glared too. This is what they mean when they say you can’t build a wall in mud. This Su Yi guy is just too unreliable, and worse, he has no manners!
Su Yi remained seated, entirely unbothered. “Oh? Are you sure you want me to stand?”
The smile froze on the young man’s face. The fingers lifting his glass for a toast trembled, and he felt a chill run down his spine, as if he’d plunged into an icy abyss.
What… What the hell is he doing here?
But Uncle Huang’s expression darkened, and he said coldly, “Impudent! Who do you think you are? How dare you speak to my family’s young master like that? You’re simply….”
Whap!
The young man in jade-colored robes suddenly slapped Uncle Huang right across the face.
“Young Master?”
Blood poured from Uncle Huang’s mouth and nose. He clutched his face, stunned and uncertain of how to respond.
“I’ve never seen such a stupid old dog before! Hurry up and apologize to Su…. to Young Lord Su!” roared the young man in jade-colored robes. Waves of terror coursed through his heart, and his knees felt as if they were made of jelly.
How could he forget? It was just yesterday that he watched as Su Yi defeated Mu Cangtu, swept through over a thousand heavily-armed soldiers, and annihilated both Qin Wenyuan and his son!
He could never have anticipated that he’d run into Su Yi just one day later….
This young man in jade robes was, of course, none other than Zhang Yuanxing, the young master of the Zhang Family.
“Young Lord Su, that old dog was blind and foolish, and he spoke out of turn. I humbly request your forgiveness.” After slapping Uncle Huang, Zhang Yuanxing hurriedly apologized. Sweat beaded on his forehead.
Everyone was flabbergasted.
Zhang Yuanxing was practically groveling. This left them tongue-tied, and their jaws dropped. No, they almost fell off.
What’s going on?
Su Yi is a waste who lost his entire cultivation, and you’re the heir of the head of the Zhang Family. Why are you apologizing like that?
Some of them sensed that things weren’t as they seemed, and their expressions changed.
Chen Jinlong sucked in a breath of cold air. As expected! I just knew this would happen!
Tian Yao felt bewildered too, as if this were a dream. She naturally recognized Zhang Yuanxing. Among the disciples of the city’s prominent families, he was one of the loftiest and most privileged. Even if you added up Yan Yufeng and his guests, all of them combined were inferior to Zhang Yuanxing in status!
Yet now, this lofty figure was apologizing to Su Yi of his own volition? Who could process that all at once?
Even Wen Lingxue was stunned. Just how many secrets does Brother-in-Law have?
Su Yi just remained where he was, his back to Zhang Yuanxing. He said casually, “You can proceed with your toast.”
Zhang Yuanxing instantly felt as if a massive weight had lifted from his shoulders. He could tell that Su Yi wouldn’t pursue that little bit of friction just now.
He hurriedly took the jar of wine, walked up, and personally filled Su Yi’s cup.
“Before I toast, allow me to take three penalty drinks as an apology. In the meantime, please enjoy your drink at your leisure,” said Zhang Yuanxing with an apologetic smile.
Then, beneath the crowd’s flabbergasted gazes, he downed three glasses in rapid succession.
That cautious, humble attitude was highly reminiscent of a child who’d done something wrong and now had to face his elders.
By now, everyone sensed that something was amiss, and the atmosphere was suddenly strange and stifled.
Only Su Yi sat there, paying no attention to Zhang Yuanxing at all. He just tugged gently on Wen Lingxue’s hand. “Lingxue, don’t just stand there. Quick, sit back down!”