"What nonsense is that?"
At first, Nangong Ping didn't quite understand.
"I was recently accepted by a senior as his disciple. That senior comes from a sect — a sect called Righteous Evil Sect (Zheng De Fa Xie)."
Xu Mu's face was calm. "The creed of our sect is absolute justice — victory through righteousness."
"Hahahaha!"
Nangong Ping couldn't help laughing aloud.
Beside him, Zhao He's tone was mocking. "What an impressive name! Sounds very high-class, doesn't it?"
Just then, Zhang Que returned with a cigarette dangling from his lips and sat back down at the table.
Xu Shou noticed him and glanced over; Zhang Que caught his eye and smiled faintly.
"Wanyue, they dare to ridicule our Righteous Evil Sect."
Xu Mu turned to Meng Wanyue. "Give Nangong Ping a taste of justice!"
Meng Wanyue drew a dagger and instantly lunged toward Nangong Ping.
"To cause trouble in my Nangong family—do you think we're defenseless?!"
Nangong Ping's expression darkened as he struck out with his palm.
Whoosh!
The air howled; a wave of Gang Qi sent tables and chairs flying in all directions.
The invited guests naturally knew of ancient martial artists, but few had ever witnessed Nangong Ping's power. Seeing it now left them stunned.
Shen Hong was shaken. "As expected of a hidden-clan patriarch—terrifying!"
Swish!
Suddenly, a black shadow shot straight through the Gang Qi.
Nangong Ping's eyes widened; he quickly retreated—yet a cut opened across his chest, staining his Tang suit red with blood.
Flash!
Meng Wanyue's figure flickered; she appeared at his side and slashed again with her dagger.
"Courting death!"
Murderous intent filled Nangong Ping's face.
Tiny pores on the back of his hand glowed with yellow light—
Mystic Art Realm!
Dai Dongyang's gaze hardened; he hadn't expected the old fox to have reached the Mystic Art Realm. No wonder the Dai family had never moved against them.
Fang Chu smirked. Clearly, Nangong Ping planned to make an example—
A grand patriarch of a hidden clan, ruling Jiangbei's economy, being shouted at by some no-name junior like Xu Mu?
If he didn't act, where would his dignity be?
Dai Xingluo folded her arms, eyes narrowing. This Meng Wanyue… I'll have to take her seriously from now on.
"Wanyue, fall back!" Xu Mu called.
Meng Wanyue swiftly retreated to his side. "Mr. Xu, you all go first," she whispered.
"Leave? None of you are leaving today!"
Nangong Ping's gaze was full of killing intent.
"We never intended to leave," Xu Mu replied, hands still in his pockets. "Do you really think our Righteous Evil Sect only has one person?"
Time for him to act cool.
"That's right!" Zhang Que said, taking a drag from his cigarette as he walked toward Nangong Ping. "Our Righteous Evil Sect has many experts—she just joined a few days ago."
Xu Mu blinked, momentarily dumbfounded. What's this guy doing? We're not even that close!
Xu Shou sighed deeply from the side.
"Who are you?" Nangong Ping sneered.
"I'm from the Righteous Evil Sect," Zhang Que said with a grin, cigarette between his teeth. "You dare strike at our people—I'll have to bring you justice."
"A bunch of lunatics!"
Nangong Ping roared; the ground beneath him cracked.
Boom!
In an instant, he appeared before Zhang Que and threw a punch, the air screaming around his fist.
Swish!
Everyone stared wide-eyed in disbelief—
Zhang Que had casually raised a hand and caught Nangong Ping's fist!
He yanked him forward and smashed his forehead into the man's face.
Bang!
Nangong Ping flew backward, but twisted midair and landed crouched.
He wiped his nose—his hand came away red—and his face twisted with rage.
"Bastard… Fire Fist!"
Light flared over his body as he threw another punch.
A fireball the size of a football shot toward Zhang Que like a meteor.
"Die!" Nangong Ping growled. This was his Profound-Rank martial art—he'd never have used it otherwise.
But the next second, his eyes froze.
Zhang Que caught the flaming fist with one hand—
Crack!
—and crushed it like glass.
As Nangong Ping stood stunned, Zhang Que ghosted forward; in a blink, his face was ten centimeters away.
Those eerie eyes made Nangong Ping stumble back in terror—only to be seized by the throat and lifted off the ground.
His pudgy face turned purple like a drowning man as his legs thrashed helplessly.
The Nangong family's experts wanted to intervene, but one look into Zhang Que's eyes stopped them cold.
"Let him go," Xu Shou said quietly from behind.
Zhang Que turned, then tossed Nangong Ping to the ground. "For your son's sake, I'll give you some face," he said with a grin.
The crowd was dead silent—you could hear a pin drop.
Looking at the gasping Nangong Ping on the floor, many rubbed their eyes in disbelief, but it was real.
A patriarch of a hidden clan—thrown down like a dog.
The Righteous Evil Sect was truly terrifying.
Zhao He lowered his head and quietly retreated into the crowd.
If even Nangong Ping was beaten like a child, what chance did he have?
He regretted everything—he'd picked the wrong people to mess with.
"Damn it…" Fang Chu cursed inwardly. Xu Mu's luck is insane—he's even joined a sect!
No wonder he has powerful experts at his side.
Dai Dongyang clenched his fists. No wonder Xu Mu had dared to slap him back in Jiangshi City—he'd become a disciple of a sect.
But so what? The strength between sects varied wildly.
And this one—he'd never even heard of it. Probably trash.
TN : Trash????
Shen Hong's eyes glimmered. He could tell—Jiangbei was about to change hands.
Xu Mu joining a sect meant limitless prospects.
He glanced at his daughter, Shen Wanning.
She and Xu Mu were on good terms—he'd have to push that connection.
Besides, his own father-in-law was about to retire; he needed allies.
"Hidden clans think they can do whatever they want?"
Xu Mu stood over Nangong Ping, looking down at him.
Nangong Ping drew a deep breath, seeming to age years in a moment. He hadn't expected the Xu family to have such a background. He'd thought to take advantage of them—turns out he was the fool.
He bowed his head. "I'm not as skilled, I admit defeat. But the assassin earlier wasn't my man—I swear it."
Of course Xu Mu knew. Still—where was the killer he'd hired himself?
He turned to look—damn it! Fang Chu had fled already. Smart bastard.
Only Dai Dongyang still sat there like an idiot.
Just then, four figures in black robes emerged from the rear mountain.
Their hoods were pulled low, faces unseen.
At their head was a woman. She swept her gaze across the gathering and said coolly, "Who is Nangong Ping?"
Zhang Que smiled faintly. Finally—they're here.