Ouyang Xuan watched Zhang Yang and the others depart, wanting to speak but daring not to utter a word.

When that chilling aura erupted from Zhang Yang just now, he was genuinely terrified. At first, he felt utterly embarrassed by how weak he had appeared in front of Mi Xue, but in that moment, he forgot everything. He was engulfed by a sensation akin to death itself.

To be precise, it was the threat of death.

He was certain that Zhang Yang could eliminate him with utmost simplicity. He didn't know Zhang Yang's specific strength, but anyone so valued by the entire family must undoubtedly be a master far superior to anyone within their own ranks.

Otherwise, their Great Elder wouldn't have come in person.

He also believed that even if Zhang Yang truly killed him, no one would speak up for him; even his own family would silently accept the consequence.

All because he was merely a branch disciple who held little regard within the clan.

A wave of sorrow washed over Ouyang Xuan’s heart, yet it was overshadowed by an overwhelming craving for life. In that instant, he achieved a profound enlightenment, though regrettably, his realization wasn't about striving for greater achievement, but rather about securing his own survival.

He understood that everything—every possession, every status—was predicated on the foundation of being alive. Only by living could one have anything. To survive, enduring a few slights was insignificant.

At that moment, any lingering thoughts he held for Mi Xue vanished entirely.

Bai Zhanming was still outside. Seeing Zhang Yang and the others emerge, Bai Zhanming intended to step forward and offer a greeting, but Zhang Yang gave him absolutely no chance. By the time Bai Zhanming hesitated, they were already gone.

Bai Zhanming didn't know Zhang Yang and had nothing to say anyway, so he could only watch Zhang Yang leave.

Inside the private room, Ouyang Hao and Ouyang Ming stood side-by-side, looking toward Ouyang Jiankang.

“Ah Hao, oversee this matter personally. If any issues arise, have Jiefang assist. Ensure Mr. Zhang is satisfied!”

Ouyang Jiankang spoke softly. They had fully grasped the implications of Zhang Yang’s parting words.

Those scoundrels absolutely had to be punished, and the penalty could not be light. If the Ouyang family handled this correctly, Zhang Yang would effectively forgive them. As for alliance matters, they dared not bring them up now; Zhang Yang not blaming them and remaining free of anger was satisfaction enough for them.

This was the world of internal energy cultivation: absolute strength equates to absolute prestige.

“Zhang Yang, those few people—will they really never get out?”

In the car on the way back, Mi Xue whispered to Zhang Yang. She and Yang Wanying were both riding in the Bugatti, while Yang Guang drove the Hummer.

To make room for Zhuifeng, the rear seats of the Hummer had been removed. Yang Wanying insisted on accompanying Zhang Yang and Mi Xue, forcing them to change vehicles.

Mi Xue was sharp; having worked in that restaurant for so long, she already possessed a degree of worldly experience. She knew a little about the Ouyang family—a powerful clan, yes, but far inferior to the Zhang family. Entrusting those men to them, knowing they wouldn't dare offend Zhang Yang and yet were compelled to satisfy him, meant their fate was sealed.

“If they committed the acts, they must be prepared to face the consequences. The severity of the punishment now depends on them alone!”

Zhang Yang nodded as he spoke, his meaning clear to Mi Xue. Since the Ouyang family held significant official power, handing the matter over to them was the most suitable course. Those villains needed to pay for their actions, and it saved Zhang Yang the trouble—a multi-faceted gain.

Indeed, that was precisely what happened. After deliberation, the Ouyang family dispatched people to investigate the backgrounds of all six men.

Truthfully, deep investigation wasn't even necessary; Ouyang Xuan already knew most of the misdeeds these men had committed.

Each of the six had a well-connected family backing them, and these families later banded together. But it ultimately proved useless. The Ouyang family was resolute in prosecuting them; even their backgrounds offered no protection. In doing so, the Ouyang family didn't hesitate to offend several powerful figures this time.

In the end, four of them were sentenced to life imprisonment, and two received twenty years.

Moreover, these sentences were of the type absolutely ineligible for parole, even with exemplary behavior. The Ouyang family had specific individuals monitoring them. This was because their crimes had not involved murder; had there been fatalities, the sentences would have been far harsher.

Fortunately for Ouyang Xuan, the crimes committed were things he loathed. Believing himself to be from a noble lineage, refined and gentle, he never used force against women. This spared him; otherwise, the Ouyang family would have upheld justice by turning him over as well.

The others, however, were different: drugging, coercion, setting traps, and even using narcotics to control girls—not a single one of them was clean. They had finally received their just desserts.

However, these were later developments. Zhang Yang only learned the details afterward. The Ouyang family’s handling of the situation was satisfactory enough that he did not pursue the matter further.

“Zhang Yang, how did you know they had spoken with Ouyang Xuan beforehand?”

Only after dropping Yang Wanying and Yang Guang off did Mi Xue ask curiously. This was a question she had wanted to pose for a while but couldn't while Wanying was present.

Zhang Yang gave a wry smile. “I guessed.”

“You guessed?” Mi Xue’s eyes widened.

“Yes. Among those men, Ouyang Xuan was clearly the leader. Those boys were targeting Wanying because of our connection; something like that wouldn't happen without informing him first,” Zhang Yang nodded, smiling, then continued, “My anger flared precisely because of that. Initially, I suspected Ouyang Xuan was either knowingly withholding information or even orchestrating their actions. But upon reflection, I realized that scenario was unlikely, and my anger toward him subsided somewhat.”

Zhang Yang’s reasoning was indeed a conjecture, stemming from his own experience. He had loyal friends, and if any of those close to him were involved in an affair, they would certainly notify him—especially concerning a girl they had met together. Of course, Zhang Yang and his circle wouldn't engage in such despicable acts; it was merely an analogy that led to his guess.

Before confronting them, Zhang Yang had called the Ouyang family. It was for this reason. After Ouyang Xuan offered his explanation, Zhang Yang understood: the men had informed Ouyang Xuan, but they hadn't clarified the details, leading Ouyang Xuan himself to be misled, unaware that the drugged girl was Zhang Yang’s cousin. Had Ouyang Xuan known, even with ten times his current courage, he wouldn't have dared remain silent.

Upon returning home, Zhang Yang and Mi Xue headed straight to their room to rest; it had been an exhausting day.

As for Yang Wanying, thanks to the sedative Zhang Yang had given her, she soon fell into a deep sleep. Today served as both a lesson and a moment of growth for her. He trusted that this rebellious little girl would change a great deal; Wanying was inherently kind, merely obscured by her rebellious mindset. But she was young; if she corrected herself, she would become a good child again.

“Up so early today?”

Zhang Keqin entered the kitchen upon waking, only to find Zhang Yang already there, beginning to prepare breakfast.

“You cook every day, Dad. Today it’s my turn,” Zhang Yang replied with a light laugh, his hands moving swiftly to create a lavish breakfast spread.

Everyone ate heartily. Frankly, Zhang Yang’s culinary skills surpassed Zhang Keqin’s by a significant margin.

Not long after breakfast concluded, Zhang Aiying’s family arrived. Although Zhang Yang had miraculously healed his external injuries, leaving no visible trace, Yang Guang dared not conceal last night's events from his parents this morning. Upon hearing the magnitude of what had transpired, the couple nearly leaped out of their seats in fright.

When they learned that Zhang Yang had intervened, disciplined the villains, and rescued Wanying, they immediately brought their two little ones over to express their heartfelt gratitude.

While recounting the events, Yang Guang intentionally held back one detail. He omitted how imposing Zhang Yang had appeared, or how no matter how many people showed up, they were all deferential to Zhang Yang, daring not to offend him in the slightest. These were his little secrets, and Zhang Yang had now become his absolute idol.

It was their arrival that informed Zhang Keqin of the incident. Upon learning everything, Zhang Keqin was naturally furious and immediately prepared to use his connections to secure justice for Wanying, but Zhang Yang stopped him. The matter was already being handled by others; there was no need to trouble Zhang Keqin further.

Zhang Keqin had some knowledge of the Ouyang family but was unaware they belonged to the internal energy lineage. Still, the official influence that family wielded was not to be underestimated. Having them intervene was far better than Zhang Keqin handling it himself.

Once he learned the Ouyang family would exert maximum effort to make those scoundrels pay, Zhang Keqin dropped his insistence on acting personally. He fully recognized his son’s capability; since Zhang Yang said it would be handled, it must be true. This also made him sigh in admiration: the new generation always surpasses the old. As the father of the Provincial Party Secretary, the help he could offer his son was diminishing, as his son often handled matters better than he could.

To help Wanying recover from the shock, everyone spent the entire day visiting an amusement park.

What relieved Zhang Aiying and her husband was that Yang Wanying showed no lasting psychological scars; in fact, her entire demeanor had changed significantly. She became thoughtful, no longer self-centered in everything, now showing concern for her parents and consulting them first. She was less willful, beginning to heed Zhang Aiying’s words, and though sometimes her performance was less than ideal, the overall transformation from before was night and day. This deepened Zhang Aiying and her husband’s gratitude toward Zhang Yang and Mi Xue; if Yang Wanying had changed this much in one day, her future changes would surely be even better.

“Cousin, after lunch, ask Mom and Dad and Uncle to go home. Can you and Sister Mi Xue take me to the Aquarium?”

After lunch, Yang Wanying cheerfully made her request to Zhang Yang. While having her parents around was reassuring, it wasn’t as freeing as young people being together alone. Now, not only did Yang Guang idolize Zhang Yang, but the little girl felt the same way. In her heart, Cousin Zhang Yang was the most capable person in the world, the most powerful hero. Little girls possess a heroic complex, naturally preferring to spend time with Zhang Yang without adults tagging along.

Second update coming next!