Chapter 72 I'll Treat You to a Cup of Tea
The Elegant Pavilion of the Southern River Region Jiangnan was located in a secluded area, but it was anything but simple. A narrow path lined with green bamboo led straight through, giving one a sense of serenity before even entering the place.
After the car stopped, Ye Feng got out with his usual calm and composed expression.
However, Pang Youze and Luo Keque couldn't help feeling somewhat distracted during the trip.
After all, the person Ye Feng had just injured was a master from the Martial Alliance of Southern River Region Jiangnan, and this incident was no small matter.
It was almost certain that the Martial Alliance would not let this go easily and would undoubtedly come knocking.
"And now, I wonder how Mr. Ye will face the Martial Alliance of Southern River Region Jiangnan Province. Can he handle it?" Pang Youze sighed.
Luo Keque said, "Right now, your Pang Family is already in the same boat as Mr. Ye."
"Exactly, and now it's impossible to get off. If Mr. Ye can't beat the Martial Alliance of Southern River Region Jiangnan, even if he survives, he will surely be driven out of Jiangnan Province. By that time, my Pang Family is doomed to be finished, certainly to be carved up by the other major families out of spite!"
Pang Youze shook his head and, looking at Ye Feng's back, said, "No, I still need to prepare for the worst and start moving a part of the family's assets out of Southern River Region Jiangnan."
As he spoke, he took out his phone and began to make calls. Luo Keque didn't say much, since this was a common human reaction.
In the private room of the Elegant Pavilion, after everyone was seated, the server quickly brought over a variety of pastries. It seemed they had inquired about Ye Feng's preferences in advance, so the morning tea served wasn't greasy.
But just as Ye Feng was about to pick up a crystal bun, the door of the private room was suddenly kicked open with a bang.
"Your Excellency really has fine tastes, injuring a member of our Martial Alliance of Southern River Region Jiangnan and still being able to eat so leisurely?"
A rough and burly man sneered, then strode in with the imposing air of a black Vajra, followed by two young men.
Ye Feng's chopsticks, still holding the bun, froze mid-air as he frowned and said, "Didn't those two mad dogs on their way back tell you that I don't like to be disturbed when I'm eating?"
The burly man sneered, "Don't like to be disturbed, who do you think you are, the Grand Alliance Leader of the national Martial Alliance? Quite a big talker you are, hurting a member of my Martial Alliance of Southern River Region Jiangnan. Go ahead and eat, I guarantee you'll vomit out as much as you consume later!"
Ye Feng stopped eating, not because he was worried about being beaten to vomiting, but because he had lost his appetite.
"Let me introduce myself, the one forced to come here, Hong Qitian!"
As he said this, Hong Qitian pulled out a chair and sat opposite Ye Feng, looking arrogantly self-assured.
With a strained smile, Pang Youze said, "So, it's Master Instructor Hong, Hong Qitian, of the Martial Alliance of Southern River Region Jiangnan. I am Pang Youze of the Pang Family, my apologies for any disrespect."
Hong Qitian roared angrily, "What's the Pang Family worth? Just now, when this so-called Mad Son-in-law of the Hong Family injured our Martial Alliance members, you, as a second-rate family in Southern River Region Jiangnan, not only did not stop him but instead invited him for morning tea, clearly showing no regard for the Martial Alliance!"
"Pang Family, step aside for now, you have no right to speak here. Once this lad is dealt with, your Pang Family will be my next account to settle!"
Pang Youze dared not speak again, feeling only bitterness within him.
Ye Feng, however, smiled. He couldn't help but marvel at the so-called Martial Alliance of Southern River Region Jiangnan – did they truly not see clearly at all? Despite his clearly demonstrated exceptional strength, they still repeatedly provoked him.
But this was not surprising, as the Martial Alliance had grown stronger over recent years, essentially becoming the controllers in every locality. Even local families had to be beholden to the Martial Alliance, which naturally fostered their arrogant and domineering demeanor over time.
As the saying goes, "It's the martial artists who, with their martial power, defy the law." It seems there is truth in this statement!
Hong Qitian coldly snorted, "I, the Master Instructor Hong, value my time and have no desire to mince words with you. I've come here today to present you with two paths!"
Without waiting for Ye Feng to respond, Hong Qitian continued, "First, you can take your own life, and then I will bring your head to the Jiang Family to quell their wrath. By doing so, the Jiang Family won't feel obliged to take up arms and thus prevent dragging the Hong Family of Jiangdu and the Fu Family into this mess."
The implicit meaning of his words was that if Ye Feng dared to refuse, then it would not only spell death for him but might also lead to the eradication of both the Hong Family of Jiangdu and the Fu Family!
Ye Feng's expression remained unchanged as he asked, "Is this the intention of the Jiang Family? If I do not take my own life, will they annihilate both the Hong Family and the Fu Family?"
"Naturally!"
Hong Qitian declared with a stern voice, "I know you, lad, are quite capable and have a grandmaster backing you. Relying on this powerful master, you might have a chance to escape from the Southern River Region Jiangnan, but the Jiang Family has stated that if you dare to flee, the Hong Family and the Fu Family will be buried along with the deceased Jiang Youhe!"
Ye Feng nodded and said, "I see, I understand now."
"You understand? What exactly do you understand, boy?"
Hong Qitian couldn't help but grow angry, feeling that despite his lengthy explanation, the other party didn't take his words to heart at all—or was it that the other party simply didn't regard him at all?n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Ye Feng spoke again, "Tell me about the second path."
Hong Qitian huffed, "This second path is naturally much easier to take than the first."
"Yesterday, Sect Master Pang Dahai of the Divine Doctor Sect said that you, lad, have a way to eliminate Gu and Poison, but the technique of handling the needles seems to be the same as what the Divine Doctor Sect of Southern River Region Jiangnan had previously lost, so they suspect you of stealing their medical techniques!"
Ye Feng suddenly laughed, shaking his head, "I never would have thought Sect Master Pang Dahai could be so shameless. It appears this so-called Sect Master of the Divine Doctor Sect has reached the end of his rope."
"The end of his rope?"
Hong Qitian also laughed, "Whether he can sit as the Sect Master is not for you to decide, not even the Martial Alliance of Southern River Region Jiangnan has the authority to intervene. However, speaking of which, you are quite fortunate, boy, to possess the medical technique to remove Gu and Poison!"
"Some time ago, families like Cui Yan's and several others, along with the Divine Doctor Sect backed by Pang Dahai, have vouched for you. They believe that if you are willing to hand over this medical technique and use it to rid the heads of several major families of their Gu and Poison, they can negotiate with the Jiang Family on your behalf."
"Of course, the death penalty can be spared, but escaping punishment for other crimes would be difficult. After all, a Jiang Family elder was killed.
The Jiang Family, under pressure from the major families and the Divine Doctor Sect, has already agreed that if you could treat them, the families would compensate the Jiang Family, and then the Jiang Family wouldn't take your life but only both of your arms."
"To still demand the amputation of Big Brother Ye's arms for this? The Jiang Family is truly too oppressive. That Jiang Youhe, he clearly killed Big Brother Ye's foster father first, and then aggressively tried to kill Big Brother Ye himself. Such a person truly deserved death!"
Hong Qingyan, standing to the side, could no longer stay quiet and suddenly let out a cold snort.
Hong Qitian's face wrinkled with displeasure, and with a bang, he struck the table, scattering the food and dishes all over the place.
"Who do you think you are, you wretched woman? How dare you question me, the Master Instructor Hong? Kneel down and apologize this instant, or I will show you no mercy!" Hong Qitian bellowed with thunderous rage.
Ye Feng chuckled suddenly, and said with a laugh, "What stature the Master Instructor Hong holds! Why bother with a young lady? Seeing you so furious, let me offer you a cup of tea."
Hong Qitian subconsciously thought the other party was yielding and couldn't help but smile, reaching out to take the teacup.
But to his surprise, Ye Feng did not hand over the teacup he had picked up. Instead, he placed it on the table and gently pressed down with the palm, causing the cup along with the tea to sink completely into the wooden tabletop.
Even more terrifying was that the porcelain cup, having sunk into the table, did not break, and not a single drop of tea spilled out.
Upon seeing this, Hong Qitian's face instantly turned pale with fright, and his legs even began to tremble.