Strange? Indeed, it was strange. To suddenly find something on your hand, or perhaps on your person, vanish before your very eyes—that would certainly induce a sense of the uncanny.

It wasn't just the group of black-clad thugs who found the situation bizarre; even Xu Ming, Ye Xiaohou, and Feng Shi felt a deep sense of the unnatural. The events unfolding before them could not be processed with ordinary thought.

The only person present who seemed to grasp the situation was Fatty Lin, though inwardly he was desperately suppressing a surge of excitement. He could clearly observe Yang Yi's movements: standing on one foot, every step he took utilized his internal Zhenqi with perfect precision. In his eyes, this was not sorcery, but simply the masterful application of one's own vital energy.

The firearms stunned the black-clad men into silence, yet Yang Yi stopped with a gentle smile. But the thug whose neck Yang Yi had seized was clearly suffering.

His mouth, his pockets, his clothes—all crammed full of dull black handguns. The man stood there gaping, looking utterly vacant, just shy of drooling white foam. Yang Yi released his grip, and with a thud, the man, stuffed full of weapons and utterly drained, collapsed to the ground.

“What? Is that all you’ve got? Is your Lord Hu going to keep hiding like a shrinking turtle?” Yang Yi asked with palpable provocation.

“Huzi, it seems you've stirred up real trouble. Is he truly one of the Ice Mirror Society?” Lin Bai and Chen Hu, who had been seated in the private room, now emerged. Lin Bai looked down at Yang Yi with an expression devoid of warmth.

“It must be so. If he weren't part of the Ice Mirror Society, why would he come looking for me? And even if he were just a regular person connected to Li Yang's granddaughter, how would he so easily know that Snake Ghost was one of mine?” Chen Hu narrowed his eyes as he observed Yang Yi below.

“No, you are mistaken. This person might not be from the Ice Mirror Society. While I don't know much about that organization, I have certainly never encountered a master of this caliber. Perhaps only the Guild Leader could match him, and the arrogance and sheer power radiating from this man suggest he is not the type to easily serve under another,” Lin Bai stated with piercing accuracy.

It must be admitted that Lin Bai possessed a keen eye for character, which was why Chen Hu counted him among the few individuals he respected in City A.

“Then I shall go down and meet him!” Chen Hu announced before stepping toward the stairs.

Lin Bai made no move to stop him, merely narrowing his eyes and staring unblinkingly at Yang Yi.

“Brother Yi, I think their so-called Lord Hu is scared stiff, hiding away too afraid to show himself, haha!” Fatty Lin jeered.

The moment his words landed, they jolted the previously stunned thugs back to awareness. Had it not been for the fact that they were clearly no match for Fatty Lin, they would have swarmed him immediately.

“Haha! If a mere callow youth like you could frighten me away, how could I possibly survive in this business?” Chen Hu boomed, laughing heartily as he descended the stairs.

Yang Yi narrowed his eyes into thin slits, studying Chen Hu for a moment, murmuring to himself, So, finally, someone with a bit of substance. Is this Chen Hu? Interesting...

“Lord Hu!” the assembled thugs greeted him with deep reverence upon seeing him.

“Hmph, a bunch of useless gluttons! You can’t even handle such a small matter. Get out of my sight now!” Chen Hu snorted, a flicker of coldness in his eyes before he fixed his gaze on Yang Yi.

“You must be Lord Hu? Seeing you in person, I must admit I am somewhat disappointed!” Yang Yi drawled, a mocking curl on his lips.

“Oh? In what way have I disappointed you?” Chen Hu asked with a smile that concealed mounting lethal intent.

“I heard Lord Hu is one of the Four Hall Masters of the Hungry Wolf Gang, a seasoned veteran of the underworld, known for being utterly vicious and cunning. But it seems your viciousness and cunning have been directed at me. Tell me, how could I not be disappointed?” Yang Yi said with a calm smile.

“Hmph—!”

Everyone present understood the implication of Yang Yi’s words perfectly—it was a direct challenge and insult to Chen Hu. Thus, Chen Hu let out a sharp snort and followed up, “Kid, I advise you to temper your arrogance. By seniority, I am your elder. Did your parents never teach you respect for your elders?”

At this statement, Fatty Lin’s expression drastically changed, and he muttered inwardly, This time, he’s finished.

Yang Yi heard the words and then erupted into loud laughter; “Hahahaha!”

The laughter was inexplicable. The laughter was profoundly chilling. The laughter was utterly icy.

“Brother Yi!” Fatty Lin suddenly yelled. He sensed Yang Yi was teetering on the edge of a complete breakdown. Since childhood, Fatty Lin knew the one topic above all others that must never be brought up with Yang Yi: his parents.

Xu Ming and Ye Xiaohou exchanged confused glances, looking from Fatty Lin to Yang Yi.

Feng Shi, however, grew noticeably uneasy. She couldn't understand why, but she felt her Young Master was dangerous now—no, more accurately, Chen Hu was more dangerous. If Chen Hu died here, wouldn't her Young Master’s carefully laid plans be ruined?

With that thought, Feng Shi darted forward in a single bound, placing herself between Yang Yi and Chen Hu, softly calling out, “Young Master!”

Yang Yi’s already pale face had turned even whiter, his eyes radiating ice-cold sharpness, and a palpable aura of frigid malevolence emanated from his body.

Chen Hu felt his nerves involuntarily tighten, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead. He sensed the sharpness in the youth’s gaze—a razor-edge that could seemingly see right through him—and a wave of tension washed over him.

“Hmph!” Unexpectedly, Yang Yi did not attack. He simply let out a cold snort, then lightly patted Feng Shi’s shoulder, and addressed Chen Hu, “I believe you are quite clear on the purpose of my visit today.”

“I don’t know your purpose, nor do I care to find out. Since you’ve come here to cause trouble today, none of you will be leaving,” Chen Hu declared. Although he recognized the danger the youth presented, he was not afraid; those who live by the sword know that life and death are never truly in one's own hands.

“Oh? Is that so?” Yang Yi’s mouth curved upward, revealing that familiar rogue’s smile, though this time it was laced with a cold, seductive charm.

“Otherwise, you want to—”

“Heh heh, young friend, may I ask who you are?” Before Chen Hu could finish, a voice cut in. A middle-aged man dressed impeccably in a Western suit walked down from the upper floor, asking with a smile.

[Wuwu, today's chapter has been fully compensated. Keep pushing hard, brothers! Our ranking is starting to slip, cheer up, brothers!]