The entire inn fell into absolute silence.
The other people present also paused and looked at the scene as immense pressure descended.
The pressure was vast and oppressive, like a heavy mountain pressing down.
In front of the gate, three people appeared. Two were middle-aged men, and the third was a beautiful woman in a red dress.
"Great Elder, Second Elder… Matriarch… we have found the culprit who caused Young Master Ji Yu to be crippled."
The young man holding the sword bowed toward the three of them.
The woman in the red dress saw Ji Yan pointing toward Shen Xuan, who was looking at them with interest in his eyes, as if they were performing some kind of play to please him.
"Bastard… I'll gouge your eyes and use your blood to build the foundation for my son, and your body will be fed to the street dogs."
Noticing the playfulness in Shen Xuan's gaze, Tang Rou said viciously.
Shen Xuan continued to stare at them but didn't say anything. Instead, he turned toward Xiao Ling and said,
"Miss Xiao Ling, you have guests in your inn. Why don't you arrange some chairs and food to entertain them?"
For a brief second, the entire inn was so silent that even the sound of chewing from those who were eating and enjoying the food could be heard.
Tang Rou's eyes burned with killing intent.
The two elders beside her also narrowed their eyes and glanced at Shen Xuan, their auras quietly locking onto him.
"To think a mere brat would dare to humiliate and mock the Ji Clan in public," the Second Elder said coldly, pressing Shen Xuan with his cultivation level.
"Crippling our young master, humiliating our matriarch, and still acting so calm… you are truly courting your own death."
The Great Elder stepped forward, and the pressure inside the inn thickened, like invisible gravity pushing as waves crashed against the walls.
Several cultivators at nearby tables felt their legs go weak and hurriedly retreated, some even fleeing from the inn.
Xiao Ling, who only had a cultivation level at the peak of the Mortal Fragment Realm, knelt down instantly, blood spilling from her mouth and nose.
Puff…!
Shen Xuan glanced at the people who had instantly knelt under the pressure, then looked back at the Ji Clan members.
"Do you guys have a death wish…?"
There was no sign of pressure on his body, as if he were exempt from it. His voice, however, was extremely cold and slow, like a predator watching its prey act.
"Bastard….."
Tang Rou yelled at Shen Xuan.
Shen Xuan's eyes darkened.
For a brief moment, the playfulness in his eyes disappeared, replaced by killing and destructive intent that spread throughout the entire inn.
The intent was like a blade folded a thousand times inward, directly aiming at
Tang Rou.
Puff…!!
The moment Tang Rou came into contact with it, a huge unknown pressure descended upon her. Not only did she feel that she had lost control over her body, but she also felt as if she was about to surrender to him.
However, before she could even react, an immense pressure pressed down on the entire Ji Clan within the inn.
"How dare you, Ji Clan, act so presumptuously in my Heiyun City?"
And the pressure created by the Ji Clan people suddenly disappeared.
And not only City lord Heiyun, but Xiao Ding and Gui Ran came to inn instantly, weakening the power of the Ji clan.
Ji Yun, the Great Elder of the Ji Clan, raised his head and looked at Hei Yan, the City Lord, and his expression became gloomy.
"Hei Yan, what do you mean by this? Does your Heiyun City want to become an enemy of our Ji Clan?"
He asked.
"Enemy… is it our Heiyun City that wants it, or was it the Ji Clan acting presumptuously in my city, even after knowing the rules of this city, that fighting is forbidden?"
"Hmph… if your Ji Clan wants war, our Heiyun City will accompany you to the very end."
"Ji Yun, get your people away from here, or face the consequences." Hei Yan stood in the void and looked down at them.
His aura was still pressing down like a mountain.
"Hmph… Hei Yan, our Ji Clan will remember this grudge."
"Hmph… let's go back." After that, Ji Yun glanced at his clan members who had fainted, then took them away.
"Great Elder, are we really going back? This bastard crippled my child, and he's still eating and watching as if we're being played in his game." Tang Rou glanced at Ji Yun with anger on her face.
Clenching his fist, Ji Yun looked back at her with an expression that made her soul tremble.
"If you have a death wish and want to fight the entire Heiyun City alone, don't drag the Ji Clan into this muddy water."
After that, he disappeared, leaving Tang Rou standing there in a daze.
"So you are the mother of Ji Yu?"
While taking a sip of tea, Shen Xuan looked at the beautiful Tang Rou in front of him with a smile on his face.
"You little bastard, how dare you… even if the Ji Clan cannot kill you, my Tang Clan will still take revenge for my son."
As she was about to turn back, her eyes fell on Gui Ran, who had come to stand behind Shen Xuan and was looking at her.
The moment she saw him, still protecting that bastard, her temper flared. Suppressing it, she said, "Gui Ran, my husband gave you life and asked you to protect my son in return. But what did you do? Not only did you betray us, you even let my son be crippled. Are you not afraid of dying by the seal planted by my husband?"
Gui Ran looked at Tang Rou with a guilty conscience, but he was unable to answer her.
Watching everything, Shen Xuan shook his head in disappointment.
His finger rhythmically tapped the table as he spoke.
"Mrs. Ji, it seems you don't know that he pledged his loyalty to me so that your son could live. Otherwise… you wouldn't even be able to find your son alive. Forgive me for interrupting your conversation."
"You may continue."
After that, he continued eating as if nothing had happened.
Seeing no reply, Tang Rou gave Shen Xuan one last cold glance and left with a snort.
While he was eating, Hei Yan came and sat near Shen Xuan. After waiting a few seconds, he asked,
"I wonder what the name of this fellow genius is?"
"Me…?" With food still in his mouth, Shen Xuan raised his head and looked at Hei Yan, as if asking whether he was being addressed.
"Yes, what is the young master's name?" This time, Hei Yan's tone was much more respectful toward Shen Xuan.
Swallowing the food, Shen Xuan drank some water. Then his posture changed, as if he had returned to who he once was, the Young Master of the Shen Clan, Shen Xuanji.
His temperament, which had seemed like that of a local youth, suddenly transformed into that of someone who had long stood in a high position.
Even Xiao Ding, Gui Ran, and many others noticed the change in Shen Xuan.
After taking a long sigh, he finally spoke.
"Senior Hei, my name is Shen Xuan, Shen as in Divine, and Xuan meaning mysterious. Together, it means divine mystery."
He looked at Hei Yan as he spoke.
"Haha… the young master has a good name, and you are truly worthy of possessing it."
"Thank you, Senior Hei, for intervening in this matter; otherwise, the outcome may be different." He thanked while joining his fist, but he never bowed.
Hei Yan laughed lightly and waved his hand, the pressure around him fully withdrawn as if it had never existed.
"Young Master Shen is too polite," he said calmly. "This matter happened in my Heiyun City. Enforcing the rules is my responsibility. It has nothing to do with favors."
Shen Xuan placed his chopsticks down, giving a small but proper nod.
"Rules or not, Senior Hei intervened at a critical moment," Shen Xuan said, his voice calm and sincere. "If you had not appeared, this inn would already be in ruins, and many innocent people would have been dragged into unnecessary karma. For that, Shen thanks you."
His words were simple, yet carried a strange weight, that made even Hei Yan feel an inexplicable sense of pressure.
Hei Yan's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.
This young man… his bearing was far beyond his age.
"You speak as if chaos and destruction are things you've seen countless times," Hei Yan said slowly, studying Shen Xuan. "Most young cultivator would be blinded by hatred after provoking the Ji Clan or feel afraid."
Shen Xuan smiled faintly.
"Hatred clouds judgment," he replied. "And judgment decides life and death."
Hei Yan paused, then laughed again.
"Well said." He leaned forward slightly.
"Young Master Shen, may I ask, are you planning to stay in Heiyun City for long?"
"For now," Shen Xuan answered. "I intend to visit Lingchuan Hall soon. This city is merely a temporary stop."
At those words, Hei Yan's expression became thoughtful.
"Lingchuan Hall…" he murmured. "Then your path ahead will not be peaceful. The Ji Clan will not forget today."
"They are free to remember," Shen Xuan replied indifferently. "As long as they do not cross my bottom line, otherwise....!"
Gui Ran, standing behind him, felt a chill run down his spine.
He knew Shen Xuan wasn't boasting.
He was stating a fact.
Hei Yan stared at Shen Xuan for a long moment before standing up.
"Very well," he said. "As long as you are in Heiyun City, no one will dare to touch you. This is my promise."
Shen Xuan inclined his head once more.
"Then I accept Senior Hei's goodwill."
Hei Yan turned to leave, then paused at the entrance.
"One more thing," he said without looking back. "If the Ji Clan sends assassins from now… I will pretend not to see."
With that, he disappeared into the void.
Silence returned to the inn.
Xiao Ding exhaled slowly and stepped closer. "Young master, the City Lord values you highly."
Shen Xuan looked at the empty doorway, his eyes deep and unreadable.
"Not me," he said softly, shaking his head.
"He values what he cannot see yet."
+-----+
Is there anyone reading the book???
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