Pan Yang's gaze was ice-cold, his tone frigid. He regretted not bringing a gun when he left the house.

And the reason for that?

Heh heh...

With a cold laugh, Pan Yang said, "I am a fifth-rank Military General, and she is my sister! My second uncle is the main person in charge of a district in Tianque City! Tell me, aren't those reasons good enough?"

"So, you two are willingly backing her, and even if she commits a major crime, you'll cover for her?" Chen Yang cocked his head, asking with keen interest.

Why hadn't he killed Pan Xue yet? It was precisely to wait for these two to arrive. Now that they were here and their attitudes were clear, there was nothing more to say.

"Yes!" Pan Yang nodded arrogantly, the corners of his mouth curving up proudly. "With the Pan Family's status in Tianque City, even if my sister eliminates you, I could easily erase any trace of it and exempt her from all punishment!"

"Understood," Chen Yang nodded. "So, her taking money to have my friend captured is just a trivial matter, then?"

Hm?

Pan Yang raised an eyebrow, subconsciously glancing at Pan Xue. Seeing her looking down, not daring to meet his gaze, he knew the other party was likely telling the truth. What is going on with this girl?

"So what?" Pan Yang sneered disdainfully. "Kid, you look to be almost thirty. Haven't you figured out how the world works yet?

"What's your friend's status? And what's my sister's status? They're not from the same world! What right or ability do you have to trouble my sister over some wretch?

"Do you really think the Pan Family is a pushover?"

His words were crystal clear: his sister's noble status allowed her to commit misdeeds with impunity, while those of lower status must know their place, enduring whatever befell them without resistance or outcry.

It had to be said, his words were overbearing and unreasonable, but in a sense... wasn't it also the plain truth?

Chen Yang saw through it all, but what could he do? As a mere mortal, many things in life are ultimately beyond one's grasp.

Pan Hong, who had previously been wary, now stood ramrod straight. A smile slowly stretched across his somber face, gradually turning ruthless. Seeing Chen Yang's silence, Pan Xue leaped up again and jeered, "Pathetic! Weren't you acting all tough just now? Weren't you looking down on everyone? Why are you mute now? Go on, keep acting up!"

"Remember how you hit me? I will return it to you a thousand, even ten thousand times over! I'll make you understand what it means to wish for death but be unable to die!"

Pan Yang smiled, his gaze brimming with confidence as he looked at Chen Yang as if he were already a dead man.

Pan Zhuohai, who had been silent until now, said softly, "Xue'er, vent as much as you like. Your second uncle and big brother are here. As long as you're happy, you can do whatever you want."

A casual remark, yet it was a direct death sentence for Chen Yang. This was a ruthless character. Moreover, he was one who had tempered away all his outward sharpness and arrogance, leaving only refined cruelty. Compared to Pan Yang, this type of person was often the most terrifying.

For a moment, the entire Pan family laughed. The sense of superiority, of being above the common folk, was nearly irresistible.

Laughing triumphantly, Pan Xue gloated, "See this? This is the power of the Pan Family! Forget a piece of trash like you; who in all of Tianque City can stand against my family? How about it? Are you feeling hopeless now? Want to kneel and beg for mercy? Hahaha! It's useless! Today, you will definitely die!"

Her face was twisted with madness and evil, brimming with malevolence. It was hard to imagine how a young girl could become like this.

Led by Pan Zhuohai, the family began to discuss Chen Yang's fate.

"Who cares about Ren Tong? Look what he did to Xue'er! He must die!" Pan Yang declared with finality.

"The Pan Family's honor is what matters most," Pan Zhuohai commented coolly, but his words were no less lethal than Pan Yang's.

Pan Hong remained noncommittal. He glanced at Chen Yang and said, "This kid is quite strong."

"With my second uncle here, who the hell is he?" Pan Yang scoffed. "Besides, we didn't come alone."

The implication was clear: the Martial Department was outside, and not even a bird could fly out of here. Pan Hong nodded slightly, turning his head to the side without another word. Chen Yang remained silent through it all, simply watching them with a detached gaze, as if looking at a bunch of self-absorbed fools.

「Meanwhile.」

RUSTLE!

The night wind suddenly picked up, swaying the trees.

Some people out for a post-dinner stroll tightened their clothes, preparing to head home. However, as several large trucks sped onto the street, they quickly sidestepped, their mouths falling agape in shock. Upon seeing the soldiers sitting in neat rows and the striking phrase "Ten Thousand Martial Guards" emblazoned on their uniforms, everyone's heart began to pound as a chill ran down their spine.

The Ten Thousand Martial Guards? Here? A major incident was about to unfold! They had bypassed the local branch and mobilized this force of Imperial Guards directly?

A chill ran down everyone's spines at the thought. They all hurried home, locked their doors and windows, and warned their families not to gossip.

Most of the residents here were retired Martial Guards whose keen insight was far beyond that of ordinary people. They knew that in their line of work, you always walked on thin ice. Often, a single careless word could lead to imprisonment and a fate beyond redemption.

"Grandpa, who are all these people? Why have they come here in the middle of the night?" Liu Xuan asked curiously, leaning out of a window in a small building.

Liu Changzheng immediately pulled her back, his expression grave. "Go to sleep! Whatever happens outside has nothing to do with us! And don't go asking around tomorrow! Do you understand?"

Liu Xuan was terrified. She had never seen her grandfather so shocked and fearful. Involuntarily, she turned her head to look out the window again.

「At the Pan Family Villa.」

Hearing everyone agree that Chen Yang must die, Pan Xue laughed savagely. "Trash, did you hear that? The Pan Family home is Yama's Palace!"

Chen Yang's expression remained impassive as he prepared to make his move.

But just then...

THUD! THUD! THUD!

A series of heavy, thunderous footsteps approached from outside.

Hmm?

Pan Yang and Pan Zhuohai both frowned, recognizing the sound of military boots hitting the ground—and there were many of them.

"Th-this is bad!" A Martial Guard stumbled in from outside, his face pale with horror. He gasped, "Outside... outside..."

"Who is it?" Pan Zhuohai demanded, his voice grim.

"The... the Ten Thousand Martial Guards!"

Pan Zhuohai was rendered speechless.

Pan Hong spun around, his expression changing drastically.

The savage smile on Pan Xue's face froze instantly.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.