"Oh! So you are Xuanyuan Hao, the current head of the Xuanyuan family. What is the meaning of you tracking me repeatedly?"

As Yang Yi spoke, a wave of movement immediately answered him. With a whoosh, the Six Paths of Reincarnation instantly surrounded them, staring intently. They were clearly ready to attack without hesitation if Yang Yi gave the order.

"Heh, don't be so tense!" Seeing such a formation suddenly spring up made Xuanyuan Hao extremely embarrassed. Although he was the head of the Xuanyuan family and commanded countless espers, fighting against these people would likely be more than he could handle. After all, when a person goes completely berserk, they cease to be merely human.

He had clearly witnessed Yang Yi's furious state just moments ago. Although Yang Yi had calmed down slightly, the group surrounding him had not. He believed that if Yang Yi uttered one more command—"Erase them all"—this group would likely attack him in a frenzy.

"Hmph, if you don't explain yourself clearly, don't blame me for being ruthless!" Yang Yi snorted coldly, sheathing his soft sword. After taking a deep breath, his expression finally eased a little.

"Well... actually, I wasn't exactly tracking you. I was merely worried this girl might do something that would enrage you, so I followed along." Xuanyuan Hao truly found it difficult to explain, as his ultimate goal was not just that. It was driven purely by curiosity about Yang Yi's actual capabilities—after all, to become the Dragon Lord of the Black God Gang and sweep through the underworld of Country R was certainly intriguing.

Damn it... if Yang Yi ever found out this old man's true intentions, he might actually vomit blood. But one thing was certain: Yang Yi would certainly feel intensely uncomfortable, especially since he might suspect the old man of having 'glass tendencies.'

"Do you expect me to trust you so easily?" Yang Yi said coldly.

"Well, there’s nothing I can do if you don't believe me; my intention really was just that..."

"Six Paths of Reincarnation!" Yang Yi waved his hand, calling out.

"Present..."

"Kill!" Yang Yi narrowed his eyes and spat out the single word.

"Yes!" The Six Paths of Reincarnation responded instantly, causing everyone present to change color at the sound.

"Yang Yi..." Tears were tracing paths down Xuanyuan Bing's face. She held an indescribable fondness for Yang Yi, but she also knew that the moment she suggested pretending to be lovers, she had strayed onto the wrong path. Now, she genuinely didn't know if Yang Yi harbored any genuine feelings for her, so...

Indeed, Yang Yi currently harbored no romantic sentiment whatsoever for Xuanyuan Bing. Don't assume that just because this guy hugs or kisses other women means he has feelings for them. While he couldn't guarantee the future, it was at least certain that there was nothing between them right now.

Swish! A rigid movement sliced through the air, carrying faint wisps of heat. Just as the Six Paths of Reincarnation were about to execute Tang Shen, Ximen Ling, and the others—

Suddenly—a figure accompanied by a voice cut through the tension: "Wait, spare their lives!"

"Nangong!" Tang Shen and Ximen Ling exclaimed upon hearing the voice and recognizing the figure.

Seeing Nangong San, a sudden clarity flashed in Yang Yi’s mind. He frowned and waved his hand; the Six Paths of Reincarnation understood and retreated to the side. Nangong San, who had appeared abruptly, looked steadily at Yang Yi before sweeping his gaze over the corpses on the ground. His heart sank slightly. "As formidable as the rumors suggest!"

Simultaneously, numerous men in black rushed in from outside the main hall, surrounding the area. They all seemed to be carrying modern weaponry: handguns loaded with armor-piercing rounds. Seeing this, a terrifyingly cold smile curled the corner of Yang Yi’s mouth as he asked, "You intend to stop me?"

"I am Nangong San, and you surely know I am part of the Nangong family! Could I ask Your Excellency, the Dragon Lord, to spare my two brothers?" Nangong San clasped his hands together in a polite salute, his expression earnest as he asked.

"Nangong!" Tang Shen and Ximen Ling called out, frowning.

Yang Yi stared at Nangong San for a long moment before finally speaking: "On what grounds?"

"I have done nothing to threaten Your Excellency, the Dragon Lord. I am simply asking you to grant me face. In the future, I guarantee the Nangong family will remember this kindness." Nangong San was indeed a cunning strategist; even his simplest sentence was layered with meaning.

His words were clearly intended to secure the lives of his two brothers, but he was also deliberately leaving an avenue for Yang Yi to save face. Most importantly, the phrase "a kindness" implied an opportunity—a chance. Even if Yang Yi spared them and granted the Nangong family face, there was no guarantee the Nangong family wouldn't turn against Yang Yi after cashing in that single opportunity. Of course, Yang Yi stood to gain something too, as that opportunity would be entirely at his disposal.

'Tossing a brick to attract jade' was a fitting idiom, though perhaps an understatement for Nangong San's current maneuvering. Yet, Yang Yi felt it was precisely an opportunity. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "So you mean, you represent the entire Nangong family, or perhaps the three great families collectively?"

"The three great families?" Hearing this, a cold glint flashed across Nangong San's eyes. He naturally understood Yang Yi's implication. He quickly replied, "Rest assured, I can guarantee it! I absolutely represent the Nangong family, and I can further guarantee that the Tang and Ximen families will also show you respect."

"Hmm?" Yang Yi’s eyes shone with an eerie, cold light as he glanced at Tang Shen and Ximen Ling.

"What Nangong says, we say too." Tang Shen naturally knew what their objective had been today, but now it was shattered. They were clearly outmatched, and their lives rested entirely in Yang Yi's hands.

As the saying goes: When under someone else's roof, how can one refuse to bow their head!

"You ask me to let you go, and I should just comply? Letting you go will mean my brothers remain uninjured?" Yang Yi’s words were almost ground out through gritted teeth, a bloody glint flashing violently in his eyes. Deep in his subconscious, the words spoken by Lin Fatty replayed relentlessly: "Brother Yi, no matter what happens in the future! If you die, I die; if you perish, I perish. Your Fatty will follow you forever!"

"Young Master..." Feng Shi sensed Yang Yi’s transformation. She knew he was dangerously angry, especially since his brothers had been injured by these people. She called out softly, her figure flickering as she moved right up to Yang Yi. Without any hesitation, she embraced him, whispering gently, "Young Master, that's enough, it's enough. Li Qian tormented you enough that time; don't repeat the cycle. It will hurt too much..."

Everyone heard Feng Shi’s words, and apart from Nangong San, they all understood why Yang Yi was so determined to kill Tang Shen and Ximen Ling. Nangong San's expression darkened inexplicably. Though he didn't know the full story, hearing Yang Yi's statement allowed even a fool like him to guess at the root of the anger. Without the slightest hesitation, he strode forward and knelt before Yang Yi.

"Nangong!" Tang Shen and Ximen Ling called out in confusion, intending to move toward him, but Nangong San waved them back. "Your Excellency, the Dragon Lord, though I do not know if my two brothers did something that greatly angered you, I still implore you to spare them. Of course, I know that begging a favor requires a price!"

Yang Yi’s face was ice-cold. He felt as if he had suddenly become a villain in this moment. Seeing Yang Yi's expression, Nangong San seemed to grasp Yang Yi’s inner conflict. "I apologize. What I am doing now is very simple: you fight for your brothers, and I fight for mine. So rest assured, I will not let you become the villain. But, I repeat my request: please spare my two brothers!"

Saying this, he pulled out a small knife from somewhere and plunged it deeply into his own flank, just below his ribs. Tang Shen and Ximen Ling felt a sharp jolt in their hearts and cried out, "Nangong! Nangong!"

"You!" Yang Yi’s narrowed eyes shone with a sliver of admiration. This Nangong San indeed had backbone, stabbing himself for his brothers.

"I... I'm fine!" Nangong San struggled to stand, his clothes stained with blood, yet his expression remained serious as he looked at Yang Yi. "I wonder, Dragon Lord, if this is enough to compensate for the injuries your brothers sustained?"

Yang Yi gently closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and patted the hand of Feng Shi who was still holding him. "Let go of me, I'm fine!"

"Young Master!" Feng Shi looked up at Yang Yi.

"Don't worry, I'm alright now." In truth, Yang Yi was not entirely free from his rage, but he was sneering internally. There were two people he couldn't see clearly in the shadows, so he needed to act.

Yes, to be precise, after killing those men in black, Yang Yi had calmed down long ago. But to confuse the two hidden observers, he had put on a show. Originally, he truly intended to kill Tang Shen and Ximen Ling, but the timely appearance of Xuanyuan Bing and Xuanyuan Hao offered him a slight shift in circumstances.

And just as Yang Yi was ready to let the matter drop, Nangong San unexpectedly appeared. To not extract some benefit in this situation would be a disservice to Lin Fatty. It showed that Yang Yi's brotherhood was genuine, but he was also adept at exploiting certain situations—a quality perhaps best described as 'cunning.'

Chapter 299: Emergence: The Heavenly Dragon and Ghost Lineage

"Patriarch Shangguan, I thoroughly enjoyed tonight's banquet. Thank you for your hospitality, and I look forward to our cooperation." Yang Yi's lips curved upward, and with that, he turned toward the exit.

"Your Excellency, the Dragon Lord, you are leaving...?"

"Nangong San, I admire you, but I suggest you remember your words..." Yang Yi gave a strange, chilling smile.

"Alright, the matter is finally resolved," Shangguan Qingyun secretly breathed a sigh of relief, muttering to himself. The events of the evening were far beyond his expectations, and even now, he found it hard to believe how formidable that young man was when he flew into a rage.

"Patriarch, what about our men?"

"Is that even a question? Do you think enough people have died today?" Shangguan Qingyun snapped back in frustration at his old servant.

"Nangong, Nangong, why were you so foolish!" Tang Shen and Ximen Ling, filled with remorse, helped the pale Nangong San. "Let's get to the hospital quickly!"

"Wait... wait..." Nangong San clutched his side, his face ghostly pale. He turned toward Shangguan Qingyun and said, "Uncle Shangguan, I deeply apologize for today's events. We will personally visit to express our gratitude another day!"

"Forget it, forget it! In the future, all of you should be careful. Even if your three great families joined forces, you likely couldn't handle that person," Shangguan Qingyun waved a dismissive hand.

Hearing this, Nangong San remained silent, as did the others. But they all understood in their hearts whether Shangguan Qingyun was speaking the truth.

"Daughter, shall we leave too?" Xuanyuan Hao realized there was nothing left for them here. He bowed respectfully to Shangguan Qingyun. "Shangguan... perhaps we'll meet again when there's a chance..."

"Hmph!" Xuanyuan Bing wiped a tear mark from her face, snorted, and walked toward the door.

As she brushed past Tang Shen and the others, she heard Nangong San's faint voice, "Bing... Classmate Xuanyuan, thank you for interceding for them this time."

"Hmph, don't flatter yourself. I'm telling you, I had my own reasons for stopping Yang Yi from killing them. If three of the Eight Great Families of Huaxia were suddenly wiped out, it would cause immense trouble for the rest of us, especially at this critical juncture!" Xuanyuan Bing scoffed, turned her head away with disdain toward Tang Shen and Ximen Ling, and walked off.

"Hey—Daughter, wait for me!" Xuanyuan Hao, showing a flicker of paternal concern, hurried toward the door.

As for Xuanyuan Bing's words, Ximen Ling and Tang Shen froze, utterly bewildered. Shangguan Qingyun, seeing their confusion, sneered slightly. He called out to the three of them, who were standing not far from the door: "If three of the Eight Great Families of Huaxia suddenly vanished, it would shake all of Huaxia! By then, let alone the repercussions for our families, that person might just go all the way... who knows what he would do then. That would conveniently create an opportunity for that brat from the Ye family, hmph hmph!"

Clang! Sweat beaded on Tang Shen's and Ximen Ling's foreheads. They quickly helped the injured Nangong San depart.

"I need to return and report this to the Young Master." A ripple disturbed the air, and a figure shot out of the Jīngdōng Grand Hotel. The figure flashed rapidly, and under the streetlights, one could vaguely make out that it was a middle-aged man whose face was scarred on one side.

His movements were incredibly spectral; his feet barely seemed to touch the ground, giving an eerie impression. Someone moving without relying on any external aid—even Ancient Martial Artists couldn't do that; gravity was a fundamental law for humans. Yet, this middle-aged man truly moved through the air without support.

"Please wait!" Suddenly, a figure blocked the middle-aged man's path.

Hearing this, the middle-aged man shuddered violently and immediately stared vigilantly at the person who had stopped him. He frowned upon seeing the white-haired, pale-faced, long-bearded elderly man before him, and his internal alarm instantly blared: "Who are you? Why do you block my path?"

"Who I am is unimportant. What is important is that you go back and tell your master: that kid is untouchable!" The old man smiled faintly, looking at the middle-aged man as if he were merely an interesting toy.

"On what grounds?" The middle-aged man was secretly shocked. He had been lurking inside the Jīngdōng Grand Hotel for so long without being detected, yet this man knew his movements and, judging by his tone, seemed fully aware of who was behind him.

"Little brat, no need for nonsense! I prefer directness. Yes, go tell your master: I, the Heavenly Dragon lineage, forbid your master from harming that person. Otherwise, the consequences... hehe, I believe your master understands them well enough!" As the old man finished speaking, a dark, sinister smile flashed across his face, and then his figure vanished.

This was no phantom or ghost; the old man was moving at a speed that even experts above the Grandmaster level couldn't follow. The middle-aged man gasped, taking a sharp breath after the old man disappeared. He muttered under his breath, "Heavenly Dragon lineage? I think I've heard that name somewhere before? This old man’s background is definitely not simple. I must report everything to the Young Master."

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After leaving the Jīngdōng Grand Hotel, Yang Yi maintained a somber expression, not uttering a single word. He didn't even bother acknowledging Feng Shi, who sat beside him looking thoroughly wronged.

"Okay, I understand," Feng Shi said after hanging up a call while driving. She glanced in the rearview mirror. "Young Master, Long Yi just called. He said Fatty is mostly out of danger now, just severely injured and needs time to recuperate."

"En!" Hearing this, something in Yang Yi’s chest eased, and he suddenly felt physically lighter. But this relief was immediately followed by deep contemplation.

"One person, likely an enemy spy. But what about the other one? Who exactly is he? Although I couldn't sense any martial aura from him, he felt dangerously potent—more so than even Grandpa." Yang Yi pondered internally, unaware that an earth-shattering, soul-stirring event was slowly closing in around him.

Meanwhile, in another location, inside a villa somewhere, an old man suddenly materialized and sat on a sofa, a strange, unknowable smile playing on his lips as he gazed upward, lost in thought. At that moment, a young woman descended the stairs. Seeing her grandfather on the sofa, she asked with confusion, "Grandpa, you're back?"

"Mmm. Rong'er, you didn't go out?" the old man asked, his eyebrows twitching slightly.

"No, I didn't have classes today, and I didn't know where else to go, so I decided to stay in!" The young woman named Rong'er smiled and asked her grandfather, "What about you? Where did you go today? Did you run into any good luck? You look quite happy."

"Heh heh, you think so?" The old man chuckled, pondered for a moment, and then his expression turned stern. "Rong'er, guess who I just met?"

"Who?" Young woman Rong'er grew intensely curious at her grandfather's sudden seriousness.

"Someone born with innate arrogance, and very possibly, someone sharing our very bloodline!"

"What?" Young woman Rong'er momentarily froze, as if her grandfather had just uttered something world-shattering. Snapping back to attention, she immediately pressed him: "Grandpa, are you saying that besides us, you saw someone born with innate arrogance who might share our bloodline?" She emphasized the words 'besides us' and 'shared bloodline,' making it clear how extraordinary this information was to her.

"Mhm," the old man affirmed. "I was observing secretly for a long time just now and discovered many interesting things."

"What interesting things?"

"The person I just mentioned is actually being targeted by people from the Heavenly Ghost lineage. Isn't that interesting?"

"The Heavenly Ghost lineage has appeared too?"

"Yes. Here's what we'll do: you go immediately and send people from the clan to investigate whether anyone from our lineage, apart from that one person, has been lost out in the world. I will personally monitor that individual from the shadows and see what the Heavenly Ghost lineage is planning!"

"Yes, I'll go check right away!" Young woman Rong'er agreed and hurried out, as if this matter were extremely important to her.

"It seems the world is truly about to change. The Heavenly Ghost lineage has appeared so early; it must be related to that kid, right? Heh heh, he is indeed very interesting." The old man stroked his white beard, a smile playing on his lips.

At that very moment, in a certain location, inside a pitch-black car with all its lights off, parked deep within a thicket of trees, making it completely invisible, one could only discern the outline of a teenager based on the reflection of the moonlight. He sat in the back seat, chin resting on his hand, watching the outside world with a placid expression.

"Young Master, he's back," the middle-aged man sitting in the driver's seat suddenly said.

"Mhm?" The youth lowered his hand and glanced toward the figure outside.

The car door opened, and a middle-aged man entered, respectfully greeting the youth: "Young Master!"

"So, what's the situation?" the youth asked him.

"That person is indeed formidable; even now, he doesn't give the Eight Great Families a second glance. Moreover, his skills are impressive—if he were matched against me, he could hold out for at least ten minutes."

"Oh ho?" A flicker of amusement danced in the youth's eyes. "It seems he truly isn't simple!"

"However, Young Master, I encountered someone else!"

"Who?"

"An elder who claimed descent from the Heavenly Dragon lineage. He instructed me to convey a message: he absolutely forbids us from targeting that person."

"The Heavenly Dragon lineage?" A chilling light suddenly erupted from the youth's eyes. Then, unexpectedly, he began to laugh. "Haha, I didn't expect this, I truly didn't expect those families to emerge as well. Interesting, most interesting!"

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