BEEP!

Instantly, the entire venue erupted. Everyone stared at Chen Yang, their faces etched with disbelief.

How could this be possible?

"Young Master Leng, are you mistaken? To be blunt, with his meager abilities, he's not even worthy of polishing the Sun Family's shoes. How could he possibly be the Governor?" Sun Wen sneered dismissively, utterly unconvinced.

Though it was a bold statement, it wasn't entirely outside the realm of possibility.

Leng Aotian stared at Chen Yang for a moment before turning to Leng Lingyun. "You said that Yu personally told you this man is the Zhennan Prince?"

Leng Lingyun nodded shakily.

Leng Aotian's gaze returned to Chen Yang as he said somberly, "Have you considered that this might all be an act, a play orchestrated by Sun Yuli just to get rid of you? That she's just using the Zhennan Prince's name to scare you?"

Leng Lingyun froze. Thinking it over, he realized it was indeed a possibility. After all, the Zhennan Prince is an incredibly busy man, tasked with guarding the frontier. Why would he ever appear in a small place like Lingjin City?

But Leng Aotian was already certain of his theory. The wariness in his eyes vanished, replaced by a cold glare as he said, "Impersonating the Governor... you have some nerve!"

He himself had once claimed to have had a chance encounter with the Zhennan Prince in the Martial Department. In reality, he had only stayed in the same hotel as the Prince once. When someone later asked if he had ever met the Zhennan Prince, he naturally lied and said he had. In the mouths of the Leng Family's younger generation, this lie became a source of pride and something to boast about.

"Kid, I'll say this one last time. Kneel and kowtow to the Patriarch of the Leng Family now! Otherwise, even if Old Mr. Leng doesn't hold you responsible, I will make you regret it bitterly!" Sun Wen threatened, pointing a trembling finger at Chen Yang.

THUD. THUD. THUD.

Just then, Yang Hu, dressed in martial attire, strode into the back garden, leading two men. They were carrying a large, heavy-looking chest between them. Their thunderous footsteps were deafening, and the crowd collectively frowned, a tense atmosphere descending upon the garden.

The towering Yang Hu first smiled at Sun Yuli, then stood before Chen Yang and saluted sharply.

"Governor."

The two men carrying the chest saluted in unison. "Sir!"

Yang Hu chuckled. "Boss, we were in the middle of training, so we didn't have time to disarm. Thankfully, we're not too late."

"Yu, congratulations…"

Halfway through his sentence, Yang Hu sensed the strange atmosphere. He quickly clamped his mouth shut and fell silent.

A sudden uproar swept through the crowd. Everyone present, including Leng Aotian, shot to their feet, their gazes filled with horror, utterly dumbstruck.

"This... this..." Leng Aotian's face went white as a sheet, his mind in turmoil as he realized that disaster was imminent.

Sun Wen panicked. His legs gave out and he stumbled back several steps, cowering behind Du Jun, trembling too much to speak.

"Boss, what's going on?" Yang Hu asked, bewildered.

"Well," Chen Yang gestured to Leng Aotian. "He says I'm impersonating the Governor." He then pointed to Sun Wen and added nonchalantly, "And he demanded I kowtow in apology to that old man, or else I'd regret it dearly."

"Heh!" Yang Hu laughed, flinging his coattails aside and drawing his pistol.

A palpable chill filled the air. In an instant, the vast garden fell deathly silent. The jet-black pistol looked utterly menacing, and everyone held their breath, not daring to move.

"Say that again. I want to hear it," Yang Hu said, pointing the gun at Sun Wen with a menacing grin.

"You... you..." Du Jun's face turned ashen. What in the world is happening?

"Officer, he's just a child, he doesn't know any better! Please forgive him!" Sun Lihua said, hastily standing and wiping the cold sweat from his brow.

Yang Hu swiveled the gun towards him, a faint smile on his lips. "He's almost thirty and you're calling him a child? Are you kidding me?"

Sun Lihua was speechless.

"I... I'm Sun Yuli's grandfather!" Sun Lihua managed to say.

Chen Yang laughed. "Oh, so *now* you remember Yu is your granddaughter? Weren't you the one who just said you were going to marry her off to the Leng Family as a concubine?"

Sun Lihua had nothing to say.

Yang Hu finally understood the situation and swore loudly. "Making our little sister Yu a concubine? Did you ask for permission from us, her brothers? Which one of you blind bastards said that? Get the hell out here now!"

Leng Lingyun kept his head bowed, holding his breath, his heart pounding so hard he thought it might explode.

A warmth spread through Sun Yuli's chest. She covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face. This feeling of being cherished is wonderful!

Chen Yang signaled for Yang Hu to put the gun away. His gaze turned icy as it fell on Leng Aotian. "Old man, you were right about one thing. In my eyes, your Leng Family is nothing!"

"So arrogant, forcing a woman to be your concubine. Who do you think you are, the Heavenly King?"

"I... I..." Leng Aotian was terrified, his emotions churning. He stood frozen for a long moment before stammering, "There... there must be a misunderstanding."

"A misunderstanding? Now you're talking about a misunderstanding?" Yang Hu strode right up to him.

BANG!

He smashed the butt of his pistol into Leng Aotian's forehead. The old man staggered back and collapsed.

Leng Lingyun trembled violently, his face deathly pale.

"So the Leng Family is powerful, huh? You dare to act so high and mighty again, and I'll wipe you out, you believe that?" Yang Hu snarled, glaring down at Leng Aotian.

Leng Aotian waved his hands frantically. "No, I wouldn't dare! I'll never dare again!"

Yang Hu spat contemptuously on the ground before turning away.

"Boss, what about this gift?" Yang Hu pointed to the large chest. Chen Yang had told him to prepare it as an engagement gift for Sun Yuli, but it was obvious the engagement was off.

Chen Yang shot him a look, then feigned confusion. "What gift? What are you talking about? Get it out of here!"

Yang Hu understood immediately. He signaled for his men to quickly carry the chest away and then practically fled the scene himself.

A collective gasp went through the crowd. Everyone present had weathered their share of storms, but none had ever witnessed a scene so terrifying. For the Sun family, especially Sun Lihua and Du Jun, their hearts were a tangled mess of fear, regret, and anxiety. The Zhennan Prince they had so desperately wanted to curry favor with had appeared before them like this. After this, is there still a chance?

「Outside the Sun Family Mansion, by the Lingjin River.」

Sun Yuli caught up to Chen Yang, pouting. "You! Chen Yang, you actually prepared an engagement gift for me? When you heard I was getting engaged, you must have been so happy you could barely wait to help me into my wedding dress, weren't you?"

"Nonsense!" Chen Yang avoided her gaze. "Given our relationship, it was only natural for me to prepare a gift for your engagement!"

"Hmph!" Sun Yuli wrinkled her nose. "Your face is bright red. You can't lie to me."

Chen Yang was silent.

「Meanwhile.」

News began to circulate through certain channels that the Martial Association would be establishing a branch in Lingjin City. The specific details were to be announced at a briefing dinner that evening by Han Shaobai, the second disciple of Martial Association protector Ye Nantian.

...

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