Slipping into the extended Lincoln driven by Lin Bai, Yang Yi remained silent, his gaze fixed on Tian Er seated in front of him. He recalled seeing him in Japan and knowing he was Tian Er, but he hadn't known his name was Murong Liantian, nor that he was Murong Lianxue’s father. Murong Lianxue also said nothing, merely burying herself in Yang Yi’s arms, seemingly savoring a familiar sensation—one she hadn’t experienced in years.

Inside the car, Lin Bai had no idea who the two strangers were. Not just him, even Xuanyuan Bing wore a look of utter confusion. Fatty Lin and the other two knew Murong Lianxue, but having not seen her for three years, they couldn't help but stare, each thinking, “This girl has grown up and changed, but she still seems to prefer hiding in his arms!”

Undoubtedly, the atmosphere in the car was thick with silence. Murong Liantian hadn't spoken. Before regaining consciousness, he knew of this young man, having heard about Yang Yi from Murong Lianxue. Seeing Yang Yi staring at him without speaking, he merely offered a faint smile—a smile so slight it made one hesitant to underestimate him. Feeling Murong Lianxue nestled in his embrace, seeking the most secure sleeping posture, Yang Yi gently stroked her head with immense affection.

The car drove on steadily until they reached the headquarters of the Black God Gang's Hangzhou branch. After parking, Lin Bai spoke to Yang Yi through the rearview mirror, "Dragon Lord, we have arrived."

"En!" Yang Yi smiled at Murong Lianxue lying in his arms. Seeing she was still as infatuated with him as ever, he scooped her up and stepped out of the car.

Meanwhile, on another front, CA seemed to have returned to a rather desolate location; after meeting one final person, he drew his last breath there.

"Not even a match for someone close to the Grandmaster level? The Young Master was absolutely right; it was indeed a failure." Tian San glanced around. This foul ditch was no place to leave a corpse, so he pulled out his phone to make a call before leaping away. Only after returning to the car did he make another call.

"Young Master, just as you predicted, it has failed. However, the other party sent a message for you."

"What message?" Ye Han's heavy voice came through the receiver.

"A vicious threat, utterly harsh. He said they plan to eradicate our entire lineage!" Tian San declared, his face grim with killing intent.

"Oh?" There was a pause on the other end, followed by, "En, return first and we'll discuss it then."

"Yes!" Tian San hung up, glancing toward a distant skyscraper. "Looking at that fellow, he only took a single blow. Can that little girl truly possess such power?"

"You must ensure you are better prepared, or I won't mind making you a corrupted figure remembered throughout history!"

That sentence, an echo, constantly tormented Qin Feng’s mind. Tonight’s events felt bizarre; a middle-aged man and a young girl had suddenly emerged to close the chapter on the evening. Closing his eyes lightly, he rubbed his throbbing temples, feeling a wave of helplessness.

“It seems I truly need to alter some policies. Otherwise, if things get too strained, chaos will erupt in Huaxia,” Qin Feng muttered to himself.

"Chief, should we fly back to the capital overnight or...?" Long Yi inquired.

Qin Feng was pulled back from the brink of his thoughts and said sternly, "Fly back tonight. There are far too many matters awaiting my attention."

"Understood."

"Yang Yi, oh Yang Yi. I never expected you to be even more perverse than Old Yang. It seems there truly is a case of the grandson following the grandfather's nature!" Qin Feng shook his head with a sigh.

Regarding the underworld, he truly didn't know who—Yang Yi or Ye Han—would ultimately stand at the apex, nor did he intend to concern himself with it. He was only worried that once both Yang Yi and Ye Han settled their scores, Huaxia would inevitably be rocked by massive upheaval, leading to considerable turbulence. This was why he had deliberately sought to speak with Yang Yi. But since Yang Yi hadn't given a direct answer, coupled with the words spoken by that young girl, Qin Feng felt a measure of distress.

Returning now to the Black God Gang's Hangzhou branch headquarters.

In the private room, Yang Yi had a lavish spread of delicacies ordered. The group sat around the table, sensing the atmosphere was decidedly off. Fatty Lin, as usual, broke the silence first: "Yi-ge, actually, just now... that... ha, actually...!"

"Excluding Bing'er, all of you are core members of the Black God Gang. Tell me, according to the gang's rules, what is the fate of those who defy the Dragon Lord's orders?" Yang Yi asked coolly, continuing to pick at his food.

"Black God Gang Rule Article Seventy-Eight: Those who defy the Dragon Lord's command shall, depending on the severity, be expelled from the Black God Gang at minimum, or end their own lives at worst!"

Ye Xiaohou sprang up half-deadly to state this rule, causing Fatty Lin and Xu Ming to break out in cold sweat. They immediately stood and knelt on one knee, crying out, "Dragon Lord, please forgive us!"

Meanwhile, Xuanyuan Bing felt no relief that she wasn't a member of the Black God Gang, but considering herself Yang Yi’s woman, she felt she deserved punishment too. "Yi, punish me along with them!"

"Heh heh, ganging up on me, are we?" Yang Yi put down his chopsticks, his face devoid of any smile.

"............" None of them spoke, remaining half-kneeling, not even daring to raise their heads.

"Why the silence? Don't I tell you usually? Since you weren't his match, you shouldn't have forced the confrontation. If Lianxue hadn't been here today, you all would be meeting the King of Hell by now." Yang Yi desperately wanted to erupt in anger, yet he found no genuine rage stirring within him. Not only was his woman at fault today, but his brothers were too. Nevertheless, if they hadn't rushed out, and if Murong Lianxue hadn't appeared, he didn't know how things would have unfolded.

Fatty Lin and the others shot pleading glances toward Ye Xiaohou, the only one who hadn't erred. He immediately understood and spoke, "Boss, in my view, perhaps we can let this slide this time, as it's their first offense."

"It can't just be let go like this." Yang Yi's expression was grave, sending a chill through Fatty Lin and the others.

"Damn, when the Boss gets serious...!"

"Devil!" Fatty Lin muttered. "You weren't here when Yi-ge got serious before; the consequences were terrible. We're done for this time."

"It’s all your fault, Lao Er! If you hadn't rushed out, I wouldn't have either."

"Damn it!"

"What are you muttering about?" Yang Yi pretended to be angry.

"Uh, nothing, truly nothing!"

This time, Murong Lianxue, who had been hiding in Yang Yi’s embrace, seemed to have opened her eyes. She stared at Fatty Lin and the others with a playful smile, whispering, "Brother Fatty, hehe, why are you kneeling? Are you learning your lesson?"

"............" Hearing her voice, Fatty Lin looked at Murong Lianxue with an expression begging for help, seemingly hoping she would intercede.

Yang Yi was certainly aware of this. He cleared his throat and said, "Speak up, how do you all want me to punish you?"

"Um... could you just let it go this time? We promise there will never be a next time, okay? Yi-ge!"

"Yeah, Boss!"

Hearing their retorts, Yang Yi felt slightly exasperated. He had intended to just let it pass if they hadn't argued back, but their defiance gave the situation a different flavor. Before Yang Yi could speak, Murong Lianxue, nestled in his arms, said, "Brother Yi, let it go. They didn't commit any major offenses. For the sake of Lianxue being this cute, please forgive them."

"No! Letting them off just like that is absolutely impossible!"

"Buzz!" Fatty Lin and the others froze at his words, thinking to themselves, Yang Yi is really sticking to the rules; we’re truly finished this time.

"Boss!" Ye Xiaohou called out.

"Hmph, you three better be prepared!" A hint of amusement flashed in Yang Yi's eyes. Seeing their faces begin to change, he suddenly boomed, "I fine you all..." He deliberately paused, watching their expression of satisfaction, before continuing, "Fatty and Lao Er, tomorrow, all our expenses will be covered by you. Of course, don't even think about dipping into the Black God Gang's assets; it will be deducted from your salaries."

"Ah...!" Fatty Lin and Xu Ming gaped in astonishment.

"And Bing'er, your punishment is to accompany me to Jiangsu the day after tomorrow!" Yang Yi waved his hand. "That's all for now. You might not be hungry, but I am. Lianxue, what about you?"

"En, I'll eat too!" Murong Lianxue smiled sweetly.

However, the moment she picked up her chopsticks, Yang Yi asked, "Shouldn't the two of you also tell me what exactly happened in Japan?"

Fatty Lin and Xu Ming wore faces like wilted vegetables, inwardly wondering if Yang Yi would mercilessly squeeze them dry tomorrow. But moments later, they didn't dwell on it; money wasn't much of an issue for them anyway. What concerned them was that Yang Yi had clearly spared them, and they understood the depth of Yang Yi’s regard for them. After all, if any of them had been injured that day, Yang Yi would likely have been truly furious—Fatty Lin knew this deep down.

"Yi, you really want me to accompany you to Jiangsu?" Xuanyuan Bing asked with a gentle smile.

"What, you unwilling? It’s fine; you aren't a member of the Black God Gang, so there’s no need to follow our rules." Yang Yi's words were a bit sharp.

"Willing, why wouldn't I be willing?" Xuanyuan Bing didn't actually find Yang Yi’s words stinging; in fact, her heart felt sweet, because this was the first time Yang Yi had acknowledged her as his woman in front of his brothers—she was being punished, after all, not treated as an outsider.

"Brother Yi, can I please have a few bites of food first?" Murong Lianxue pouted and asked.

"Alright, we can talk slowly after you've had your fill."

Murong Liantian watched Murong Lianxue display an expression he had never seen before, and for some reason, his heart clenched painfully—guilt, perhaps.

"Young Master, CA died immediately after saying those things," Tian San reported as he returned to Ye Han's residence, looking at the somber Ye Han.

"Haha, things are getting more interesting. Go, notify them immediately. Tell them I will be arriving in the capital next month. Release this news to those three major military regions, and also to those three wet-behind-the-ears brats from the underworld. Let's see what reactions we get!" Ye Han commanded.

"Yes!"

"Heh heh, I’d like to see who dares to assist you, Yang Yi, and utter such arrogant words!" A cold glint flashed in Ye Han's eyes, as if, at that very moment, he had officially declared war on Yang Yi.