"You are inherently inferior to Zuo Shi; your defeat at the Martial Arts Tournament is a foregone conclusion." Shi Yan glanced sideways at the agitated Ling Yueyue, his expression indifferent, showing no sign of anger.

"A foregone conclusion?" Ling Yueyue’s face was alight with vexation, and she sneered, "Who do you think you are? Can you dictate unknown outcomes?"

Shi Yan shook his head, ignoring her completely, acting as if she didn't matter in the least.

Mo Zhan, his face grim, rose from the wine table and began striding toward Shi Yan, head held high, shouting, "Who are you, brat? You look completely unfamiliar. Are you one of the Shi family? Do you want to end up crippled before the Martial Arts Tournament even begins?"

Shi Yan’s expression instantly turned frigid. He lowered his voice and asked Han Zhong, "Is killing permitted?"

Han Zhong stiffened palpably, clearly startled. He hurriedly asked, "Brother Yan, what are you planning?"

Though they had spent some time together, Han Zhong’s understanding of Shi Yan was limited to revelry and leisure. All he knew was that Shi Yan had suddenly awakened his Jingyuan and miraculously broken through to the third level of the Xiantian realm.

However, Han Zhong had never seen Shi Yan fight, nor did he know what attitude Shi Yan adopted when dealing with enemies.

Now, because of a mere difference of opinion, Shi Yan had actually entertained thoughts of murder—it truly shocked him. He had never imagined that the young master so adept at pleasure-seeking could be so ruthless when facing an adversary!

Shi Yan glanced over there, signaling his intent to act.

"Absolutely not!" Han Zhong cried out in alarm, hastily intervening. He thought: You are merely at the third level of the Xiantian realm, and those over there are all capable fighters! If you mess around, I won't be able to step in easily. If you truly suffer a loss and cannot participate in the Martial Arts Tournament, the Clan Head will skin me alive.

"No killing?"

"Definitely not!" Seeing that Shi Yan hadn't given up the notion, Han Zhong quickly explained, "Those are the future hopes of the Mo and Ling families. If one suddenly dies, the Mo and Ling families will undoubtedly retaliate at all costs. It will be impossible to contain the situation then. You absolutely must not act recklessly!"

"Crippling them is acceptable?"

Han Zhong’s heart lurched. He rolled his eyes and offered a wry smile, "Brother Yan, I’m begging you! Whatever grudges exist can be settled at the Martial Arts Tournament. If you win, you can even bring back a mine for the family. Just let this go for now."

"Oh."

Shi Yan ceased speaking, coldly watching Mo Zhan, who was nearly upon him, and raised his voice slightly: "What business have you?"

"Brat, who are you?" Mo Zhan did not attack immediately either. After approaching, he merely glared at Shi Yan coldly. "Your words have displeased my fiancée. If you don't state your identity first, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Seeing Mo Zhan step forward, Ling Yueyue settled back into her seat, watching the confrontation with a cold gaze, inwardly amazed. Her hearing was indeed sharp; although Shi Yan and Han Zhong had lowered their voices considerably, she still faintly caught keywords like "killing" and "crippling." Who exactly was that conceited and boastful fellow?

Ling Yueyue was filled with doubt. Unsure of Shi Yan's origins, she decided it was best to remain cautious. The Martial Arts Tournament was about to begin, and she worried Shi Yan might be a master hired from elsewhere by the Shi family, so she dared not genuinely provoke him.

"Gentlemen, please, don't cause a ruckus here in the Yingchun Pavilion! I beg you, grant me some face."

Just then, the stout Shopkeeper Long of the Yingchun Pavilion scurried up to the third floor, bowing and scraping. Behind him trailed several delicate young maids, carrying the wine and dishes Han Zhong had ordered.

"You will know who I am during the Martial Arts Tournament." Shi Yan completely disregarded him, waving toward the timid young maids and saying with a smile, "Come here, set out the food and wine. This lord needs to enjoy fine drink and cuisine first."

The maids looked somewhat frightened and hesitated to approach, staring anxiously at Shopkeeper Long. Only after receiving a look of assent from the shopkeeper did they timidly bring forward the provisions, quickly setting them down before darting back downstairs like startled birds.

Shi Yan, indifferent, opened a jar of wine for himself, poured a full cup, and downed it in one gulp. He then began eating, treating the nearby Mo Zhan as though he didn't exist.

"Young Master Mo, this isn't your first visit to Yingchun Pavilion. I have always treated you well, Shopkeeper Long. Please, have mercy and don't make trouble, won't you?" Shopkeeper Long pleaded, bowing and scraping toward Mo Zhan with a distressed face.

"Shopkeeper Long, I’ll give you face today." Mo Zhan snorted coldly, then sneered at Shi Yan, who was eating and drinking heartily: "Brat, I’ll make you pay during the Martial Arts Tournament!"

"Indeed, I shall wait," Shi Yan replied without looking up, continuing to drink and even pouring a full cup for Han Zhong with a smile. "Come on, Old Han, we can begin."

Mo Zhan, his face clouded with anger, glared fiercely at Shi Yan before returning to his own table under Shopkeeper Long’s persuasion.

Mo Yan Yu had already focused her attention on this area. Her bright eyes lingered on Shi Yan for a moment, seemingly curious. After Mo Zhan returned, she withdrew her gaze from Shi Yan and resumed looking coldly toward Biyue Lake, apparently unconcerned with this brief interlude.

Thump-thump-thump!

At that moment, heavy footsteps sounded from the stairwell, followed by Bei Mingce’s voice drifting over: "Xiao Die, Yalan, the wine and dishes here at Yingchun Pavilion are famous throughout Tianyun City. You must savor them today. And, although the 'Blazing Flame' wine is a bit strong, it truly possesses a unique flavor—it absolutely cannot be missed!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Bei Mingce appeared, with Mu Yudie and Di Yalan following him up the stairs.

"Now that you mention it, I really must try that 'Blazing Flame.' Haha, I can handle a bit of alcohol." Mu Yudie wore a pure white long dress that made her appear even more ethereal and transcendent. She moved with graceful steps and quickly arrived on the third floor.

Di Yalan followed behind her, a hint of sadness in her eyes, appearing heavily preoccupied.

Shi Yan, who had been drinking, heard the familiar voice and his expression darkened abruptly, though he quickly regained his composure. Without glancing in that direction, he continued drinking with Han Zhong.

Han Zhong looked somewhat surprised, casting a quick glance at Mu Yudie and Di Yalan. He worried inwardly whether Shi Yan might cause trouble at this juncture.

"Oh, there are already people here?" Bei Mingce swept his gaze over the two groups, saying indifferently, "And they are acquaintances."

The four people with Ling Shaofeng and Mo Zhan looked rather uncomfortable when Bei Mingce arrived. They managed weak smiles and nodded in greeting. Among them, Ling Shaofeng and Mo Zhan, after exchanging greetings, subtly glanced at Mu Yudie and Di Yalan, revealing hidden admiration.

Han Zhong stood up and nodded toward Bei Mingce, smiling, "Why is Young Master Ce around today? Haha, I heard you haven't been leaving the Bei Ming family much lately?"

"Two great beauties suddenly graced my home, and I felt a new vitality there, so I've been reluctant to go out," Bei Mingce smiled faintly, glancing at Shi Yan, who was still focused on his drink, and said nothing more before turning to Mu Yudie: "Let's sit down first."

"Mmm."

"Young Master Ce, this way please!" Shopkeeper Long rushed over, his smile growing even brighter. He bowed and led Bei Mingce to a good spot, then shouted loudly toward the lower level from the third floor: "Master Guo, Young Master Ce is here today, put extra care into preparing the very best food and wine!"

"Haha, naturally," came a cheerful laugh from downstairs.

A faint smile touched the corner of Bei Mingce's mouth. He was clearly pleased with Shopkeeper Long’s deference. He said amiably, "Alright, Shopkeeper Long, stop fussing over me. Go attend to your business."

"Yes! I will personally go to the kitchen later and whip up two of my signature small dishes for you. But I must warn you first, as it’s been a while since I cooked, bear with me if the dishes aren't to your taste." Shopkeeper Long chuckled.

"How could I dare impose?" Bei Mingce grinned, adding, "To be able to taste Shopkeeper Long's cooking is my good fortune. Regardless of how good or bad the dish is, this sentiment alone is enough to whet the appetite."

"I dare not accept such praise. Then I shall go get busy?" Shopkeeper Long asked, bowing.

"Mmm."

Only then did Shopkeeper Long bend low and descend the stairs.

...

"I have finished eating," Mo Yan Yu suddenly announced, standing up.

Ling Shaofeng and Mo Zhan exchanged glances and stood up as well. Ling Yueyue also frowned and rose. The three followed Mo Yan Yu toward the stairwell.

Before descending, Mo Zhan called out, "Brother Ce, eat slowly. We'll head back first."

"Mmm, you all do as you wish," Bei Mingce glanced back briefly, unconcerned, continuing to chat and laugh with Mu Yudie.

Soon, the four from the Ling and Mo families vanished from the third floor.

Shi Yan continued drinking while listening to the banter between Bei Mingce and Mu Yudie. Feeling somewhat annoyed, he said to Han Zhong, "Old Han, I’m almost done. How about you?"

"I've been ready for a while." Han Zhong was perceptive and knew Shi Yan was displeased. He stood up immediately and said to Bei Mingce, "Young Master Ce, we are leaving too."

"Oh," Bei Mingce responded faintly without looking up, continuing to chat with Mu Yudie.

"Let’s go," Han Zhong tugged at Shi Yan, and the two walked toward the stairwell.

Before descending, Shi Yan paused at the landing, his expression stern as he glanced at Mu Yudie and Di Yalan, before disappearing down the stairs.

Bei Mingce had his back to him and never noticed the sidelong glance. Mu Yudie was busy talking to Bei Mingce and paid no mind. Only Di Yalan happened to look up accidentally and caught Shi Yan’s glance. In that look, she sensed two parts familiar coldness and three parts disdain.

Di Yalan’s heart fluttered, and her expression went momentarily blank.

After a moment, she softly shook her head, sighing inwardly: Am I being foolish? How could that person possibly be him? Aside from the resemblance in the eyes, nothing else matches at all. They are clearly two different people. What am I thinking about? What is wrong with me?

... : Announcing two groups: one is a VIP group, the group number; the other is a general group, group number. Interested readers are welcome to join. I heard there are beautiful women in the VIP group, and I might drop by occasionally too...M

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