To fight for a beauty, to fight for a confidant, to fight for dignity! A rogue king's dignity allows no man to trample upon it, not even a god!—Memoirs of Yang Yi

"You people from the Tang and Ximen families are utterly presumptuous! Has your father never taught you manners?" Shangguan Qingyun bellowed, sweeping his hand out with a face blazing with rage, "This banquet hall has been reserved by my Shangguan family today!"

"Of course, we know that, but we have another objective in mind for doing this today. So, we ask Uncle Shangguan to suppress your anger. Once we settle this matter, we will certainly offer you a proper apology!" Tang Shen sneered. The insidious ambition in Shangguan Qingyun was something he could see clearly, even if others couldn't. From the report just delivered by his subordinates—that a group of masters had suddenly appeared near the Jingdong Hotel—Tang Shen could figure out with his little finger that those masters were invited by Shangguan Qingyun, likely for the same purpose he had. It was just that the current circumstances made it inconvenient to state it outright.

"Settle the matter?" Shangguan Qingyun inwardly scoffed. In truth, he knew perfectly well that with their current actions, heaven itself knew their target was the Dragon Lord of the Black God Gang!

"State your objective!"

"It’s simple; our objective is those people over there!" Tang Shen curled his lips, pointing toward Yang Yi and his companions on the side.

"Tsk, tsk, things certainly took an unexpected turn this time. Quite the timely reaction!" Fatty Lin chuckled darkly, not showing a shred of fear or apprehension.

Yang Yi inwardly let out a bitter smile. Although he knew something was bound to happen tonight, and that Shangguan Qingyun would be the aggressor, the current situation seemed rather out of line. It wasn't Shangguan Qingyun after all, but the heirs of two other major families who had set their sights on him? Ridiculous, truly ridiculous.

Xuan Yuan Bing watched Tang Shen and Ximen Ling with an icy gaze, then glanced back at Yang Yi. Seeing his cold smile, her delicate brows furrowed. "Over a dozen high-level ability users—it seems their intentions are not simple!"

"Haha!" Yang Yi suddenly burst into loud laughter, saying, "While I commend your courage for turning the spearhead towards me for the sake of a brother, is that truly the whole story?"

"What do you mean?" Ximen Ling dared not underestimate Yang Yi. Their original target was Xuan Yuan Bing, but today, Yang Yi unexpectedly got entangled. For them, this was undoubtedly the best opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. But seeing the utter composure on Yang Yi’s face, and that he could still laugh at this moment?

"Your goal is straightforward. Isn't it simply because the beautiful woman next to me hasn't fallen into the arms of your brother, Nangong San, but into mine?" Yang Yi chirped, wrapping his arms around Xuan Yuan Bing from behind, his refined face once again rubbing against her cool cheek, showing no deference to the gazes of everyone present.

"Don't do that, okay!" Yang Yi caused Xuan Yuan Bing's heart to flutter wildly, feeling like a little deer was suddenly darting around in her chest. With a faint blush coloring her cheeks, she spoke softly.

"You!" Ximen Ling was so angered by Yang Yi's sudden antics that his teeth nearly ground together.

Tang Shen, standing beside him, subtly shook his head, narrowing his eyes to fix on Yang Yi. He said, "I’ve heard that the Dragon Lord of the Black God Gang, hailing from Jiangsu, currently dominates the world and scorns all others. Leading the Black God Gang—an organization capable of unifying the nation’s underworld twenty years ago—to once again astound the world. It’s clear that the development of the Black God Gang today is truly astonishing!"

Tang Shen’s words immediately drew forth an aura of killing intent. Fatty Lin’s lips curled with coldness. "What exactly are you implying with that statement?"

"Heh, nothing much! If you insist on finding another meaning, feel free to think whatever you like!" Tang Shen mocked with a slight smile.

"You're asking for death!" As Fatty Lin’s voice fell, his body immediately tensed, ready to move, but—

"Fatty!" A chilling coldness flashed in Yang Yi’s eyes, causing Xuan Yuan Bing, whom he was holding, to tremble. She thought to herself, Has he truly not used any of his strength when fighting me before? Just how mysterious is he? Xuan Yuan Bing could feel that sliver of coldness was pure killing intent, a murderous aura that ordinary people couldn't possess. Though it was just a fleeting moment, it was something she would never forget in her life.

"Brother Yi, let me kill that punk! Damn his mother, just because he’s from the Tang family, he thinks he’s something special!" Fatty Lin roared, his face contorted in anger. If Yang Yi hadn't stopped him, he would have charged forward without a second thought to kill Tang Shen. In his heart, he constantly felt inferior, believing he couldn't even compare to a Murong Lianxue, let alone be his lord's foremost general. Seeing Yang Yi shake his head in refusal, Fatty Lin violently suppressed his killing intent, staring coldly at Tang Shen. "Those who insult my Dragon Lord shall be executed without mercy. You have just committed that crime. If I can't kill you today, I will make you taste the flavor of hell tomorrow, the day after, next year, or even in ten years!"

"Clang!" At these words, Tang Shen’s heart unexpectedly sank heavily. And it wasn't just him; Shangguan Qingyun, standing on the podium beside him, felt the same way. They weren't afraid of experts; they were afraid of trouble. No matter how arrogant Fatty Lin’s declaration sounded, it forced everyone present to believe him. Tang Shen’s face hesitated for a moment before he looked coldly at Fatty Lin.

"Those who insult my Dragon Lord shall be executed without mercy!" Suddenly, about a dozen or twenty figures appeared at the hall entrance and flooded in. Led by the Ten Commanders, a host of Black God Guards in black suits strode in, their faces grim, radiating an oppressive killing aura.

"Are these your Black God Guards?" Xuan Yuan Bing looked at the newcomers. These people were completely different from those she had seen outside the villa earlier! While she had thought those people were strong before, she hadn't expected them to be this formidable. Of course, the Black God Guards Xuan Yuan Bing had seen initially were merely leopards hiding in the darkness, their auras suppressed. But now, upon hearing someone insult Yang Yi, their fierce loyalty and murderous devotion to him were no joke. Moreover, they were all ancient martial artists.

"Th-this group of people!" Ximen Ling was utterly terrified. He hadn't expected that just one veiled taunt directed at Yang Yi by Tang Shen would summon such a contingent!

"Could these people all be his personal retainers?" Only this explanation could satisfy Ximen Ling.

"Interesting!" Shangguan Qingyun, seeing the sudden appearance of these people, couldn't help but utter the phrase, his eyes fixed intently on the arrivals.

"We pay our respects to the Dragon Lord!" The Ten Commanders and their group arrived before Yang Yi and suddenly knelt down in unison, bowing.

Yang Yi's expression instantly went blank. He simply waved his hand dismissively at the Ten Commanders and their group, then fixed a cold stare on Tang Shen and the others, saying, "I wonder how you wish to resolve this?"

"This matter was started by me. Ximen Ling, Tang Shen, if you have grievances, come at me!" Xuan Yuan Bing stepped forward a few paces, looking at them with an intense coldness.

"Hmph!" Ximen Ling let out a cold snort. "You are certainly doomed today, and he will not escape misfortune either!"

"Not escape misfortune?" Yang Yi sneered. He had seen plenty of people who overestimated themselves by stepping up for their brothers. In this world, strength grants the right to survive. No matter how much one loses, a person cannot stubbornly act against the prevailing current, and furthermore...

"Master!" An old servant suddenly called out softly to Shangguan Qingyun.

Shangguan Qingyun sneered. He naturally knew what the old servant meant. Since this banquet was hosted by the Shangguan family, the current situation was indeed difficult to manage. However, his mind was focused on something else entirely!

"Uncle Shangguan, please refrain from making any rash moves. I won't deny that my men might get trigger-happy and accidentally harm you, Elder," Tang Shen said with a sarcastic, cold smile, looking at Shangguan Qingyun. If not for the ties between the Eight Great Families, he truly wouldn't have uttered those words. Undoubtedly, this statement provided an out for Shangguan Qingyun. Although it stripped him of a measure of his dignity, it allowed the discerning audience to see that even though this was the Shangguan family's banquet, their host was effectively being held hostage. Therefore, whatever the captors chose to do, Shangguan Qingyun could feign helplessness and garner sympathy.

"Enough with the theatrics. I don't have much time to waste with you. If you want to fight, fight. If you want to die, hurry up; King Yama is waiting to check your name off his list!" Yang Yi said with a cold smile, sitting down on a nearby sofa, picking up a glass of red wine, and looking at the group with perfect composure.

"Hmph—I’m afraid it will be your name King Yama needs to check off!" Tang Shen was infuriated by Yang Yi’s repeated displays of composure. He raised his hand toward the group of men in black. "Target them! Kill them all!"

"Yes!" A group of men in black moved with blurring speed, about a dozen of them being ability users wielding strange energy. In an instant, almost everyone rushed toward Yang Yi and his group, with only about ten remaining where they were.

"Ten Commanders, Black God Guards, Six Paths of Reincarnation, heed my order!"

"We are here!" The Six Paths of Reincarnation also emerged, joining the others who were already drawing their daggers, staring at the oncoming assault with fierce killing intent. They were ready to attack without hesitation the moment Yang Yi gave the command.

Yang Yi raised the corner of his mouth and made a gesture that infuriated all his enemies. He slowly poured the red wine from his glass horizontally across the tabletop, as if making an offering, causing those charging figures to become instantly enraged.

"Remember your oath: Those who insult my Dragon Lord shall be executed without mercy!"