"You are from the Huang family?" Su Yi's eyebrows slightly furrowed, but he remained composed.
The black-robed elder showed no expression as he replied, "Since Sir Su has already figured it out, it's best to cooperate and come with us. It will be beneficial for everyone."
Su Yi asked, "Where are we going?"
The black-robed elder's tone was firm as he said, "To Ju Xian Lou."
Su Yi couldn't help but be surprised. Where did Huang Qianjun plan to stumble and then rise from?
"Let's go," Su Yi turned around and walked towards Ju Xian Lou.
The black-robed elder and his group were momentarily stunned. They did not expect Su Yi to be so cooperative and proactive. It was unexpectedly straightforward.
"Keep a close eye on him on the way. Don't let him escape!" the black-robed elder secretly ordered, leading his men to follow.
The anticipated event did not occur. Throughout the journey, Su Yi maintained a relaxed and leisurely demeanor, showing no intention of escape.
Upon arriving at Ju Xian Lou, they found the place eerily quiet and empty, despite it being the busiest time of day. Only one familiar figure stood behind the counter – the owner of Ju Xian Lou, Yue Tianhe.
"Su Yi, the patriarch of the Huang family personally prepared a banquet for you in one of the private rooms yesterday. He's been waiting for you," Yue Tianhe said with a smile, a hint of schadenfreude apparent in his demeanor as if he had already foreseen what would happen next.
"Aren't you afraid that Ju Xian Lou will be wrecked later?" Su Yi casually remarked upon seeing Yue Tianhe.
Shaking his head, Yue Tianhe wore an indifferent expression and said, "Since the patriarch of the Huang family personally extended the invitation, I naturally dare not refuse. Besides, Ju Xian Lou has not offended you, Sir Su."
Su Yi smiled faintly without saying more. He understood that Yue Tianhe's actions were to protect himself, letting the Huang family know that there was some connection between Su Yi and Ju Xian Lou to prevent any harm befalling the establishment.
After entering the private room, Su Yi saw Huang Qianjun already waiting there, his face filled with anger and gloom.
"Su Yi, apologize to me!" Huang Qianjun shouted in anger.
Su Yi smiled lightly and asked, "Apologize? Why should I apologize?"
Growing even more furious, Huang Qianjun roared, "How dare you ask why? Don't you know that everything you've done is an insult to me? Your actions in the Wen family, your insult to my father! I demand an apology from you, or else you won't leave here today!"
Su Yi raised an eyebrow, his gaze coldly fixed on Huang Qianjun, and slowly said, "Huang Qianjun, who do you think you are? Why should I apologize to protect your self-esteem? Your Huang family bullies the Wen family, and yet you demand an apology from me? It's truly laughable!"
Huang Qianjun's anger turned into mocking laughter as he sneered, "Haha, well said, Su Yi! Do you think you have any right to mock the Huang family? You are just a useless son-in-law, a worthless waste!"
Su Yi's gaze flickered, and he replied coldly, "In that case, I want to see how audacious the Huang family is and whether they dare to make a move."
Tension filled the air as both sides brimmed with hostility.
Yue Tianhe's expression froze for a moment, but he quickly burst into laughter. "Rest assured, Sir Su. Ju Xian Lou's signboard is very sturdy. Ordinary people can't damage it."
Pausing for a moment, he added with pity in his tone, "It's you, Sir Su, who should be worried today. The odds are not in your favor."
Su Yi also smiled and replied, "Mr. Yue, it's fine to enjoy the show, but if anything happens to Ju Xian Lou today, I won't compensate for it."
With that, he walked straight up the stairs towards the second floor of the restaurant.
Yue Tianhe furrowed his brow. Why did this young man appear so confident and fearless? Does he have some hidden card up his sleeve?
But today, it is Huang Yunchong who will deal with him – the patriarch of the Huang family, one of the most powerful figures in Guangling City!
"I want to see if you, a useless son-in-law of the Wen family, can walk out of my Ju Xian Lou intact!" Yue Tianhe thought to himself.
In the private room on the second floor, the door was wide open, and three individuals were already seated inside.
One of them was Huang Qianjun dressed in a mysterious black robe, sitting beside a middle-aged man wearing a python-patterned long robe.
This man had a tall and imposing figure, with a rugged face that resembled a rock. Sitting there casually, he exuded a powerful aura, as if a dragon coiled and a tiger crouched.
On the other side sat a man in a green robe, with a long knife hanging from his waist. He appeared to be in his forties, with a pale yellow complexion. He was playing with a silver dagger in his palm, making it flip and jump, dazzling the eyes.
When Su Yi's figure appeared, the man in the green robe squinted his eyes and observed for a moment, then sneered with a hint of mockery or disappointment.
"Su Yi, you finally showed up!" Huang Qianjun's eyes filled with deep hatred as he spoke coldly.
"I said yesterday that I would give you a chance for revenge. Since you have decided to take it, how could I not come?" Su Yi replied, confidently walking into the private room.
He casually sat in a chair, his gaze sweeping over the middle-aged man in the python-patterned robe and the man in the green robe, without saying a word.
Perhaps Su Yi's calm and composed demeanor surprised the middle-aged man.
Suddenly, he couldn't help but sigh, "As the former Sword Master of the Qinghe Sword Sect's Outer Sect, you indeed possess extraordinary courage. Now I can be sure that Yue Tianhe, that old fox, was right. In this past year, everyone in Guangling City has underestimated you."
His voice was deep and carried the authority of someone in a position of power.
Su Yi lightly tapped the empty dining table with his hand and said casually, "It's already noon. If you want to chat with me, you can serve a meal first. We can talk while eating."
Huang Qianjun's face turned angry. Did this guy really think he came here to have a meal?
The man in the green robe remained indifferent, still playing with the silver dagger, seemingly uninterested in everything that was happening.
The middle-aged man in the python-patterned robe smiled and said, "After we settle this matter, if you still have the appetite, I guarantee you'll be satisfied."
After a pause, he introduced himself, "I am Huang Yunchong. I heard that you were here yesterday and taught my useless son a lesson. Regardless of who was right or wrong in that matter, as his father, I can't stand idly by when my son is bullied. What do you say?"
Su Yi nodded casually and said, "When the younger generation fights, the elders often get involved. It's normal."
Huang Yunchong leaned forward, his eyes suddenly sharp, staring at Su Yi. "I can see that you are a clever person. So, I'll be frank. If this matter is not resolved, my son will become a laughingstock in Guangling City because of what happened yesterday. After all, as a man, being frightened to the point of wetting his pants doesn't sound good when it spreads."
Huang Qianjun beside him showed a mix of embarrassment and indignation, his gaze towards Su Yi becoming even more resentful.
"How do you propose to resolve this?" Su Yi calmly asked.
Huang Yunchong possessed a strong aura. It was evident that he was a formidable individual in the Gathering Qi Realm. Every move he made could intimidate others.
But this aura had no effect on Su Yi's composure. He even felt a little amused.
Intimidation?
That depends on who it is facing!
Su Yi's indifferent response once again surprised Huang Yunchong.
After pondering for a moment, he smiled and said, "Apologize."
"Apologize?"
"Yes, kneel down here and kowtow step by step until you reach the outside of the Ju Xian Building," Huang Yunchong casually pointed to the ground outside the private room. His voice was gentle, and he had a smile on his face. "The sound of the kowtows must be loud enough for every private room on all three floors of the Ju Xian Building to hear."
Huang Qianjun couldn't help but reveal a delighted smile, his eyes filled with excitement.
The silent man in the green robe couldn't help but sigh lightly, "Chieftain, you are truly merciful."
Huang Yunchong's smile grew even more intense as he said, "You don't understand. The conflicts between young people are not worth being too harsh."
This wasn't considered harsh?
Huang Qianjun couldn't help but gasp, shocked by how casually his father mentioned it.
Huang Yunchong kept his gaze on Su Yi as he continued, "Once you kowtow to the outside of the Ju Xian Building, you will slap yourself in the face while kneeling there. Remember, the slap must be loud enough to be heard clearly from thirty feet away."
With that, he tapped the table with his finger and smiled leisurely, "When the onlookers disperse, that's when this matter will be considered finished."
Huang Qianjun suddenly became excited, full of anticipation for what would happen next.
"In my opinion, this punishment is still too light. However, since the chieftain is unwilling to resort to drastic measures, then so be it. This kid got off lightly," the man in the green robe said, playing with the dagger. His narrow eyes were as sharp as blades as he looked at Su Yi. "Will you do it yourself, or should I do it for you?"
His voice was hoarse and chilling, like a venomous snake, sending chills down one's spine.
Both Huang Yunchong and Huang Qianjun turned their gazes towards Su Yi.
The atmosphere in the private room suddenly became oppressive in that instant.
However, Su Yi's expression remained calm and unruffled. He said indifferently, "I never thought you would dare to kill. I only expected you to come up with some petty tricks."
Huang Qianjun was stunned, almost unable to believe his ears.
Huang Yunchong's brow furrowed slightly.
The man in the green robe's eyes turned cold, and he suddenly stood up, emanating a terrifying aura as if he was about to attack directly.
But at that moment...
A deep and heavy footstep resounded urgently, followed by a rough voice saying, "Huang brother, give me face and let Su Yi go."
While the voice was still echoing, a burly figure, exuding a powerful aura, appeared in front of the private room. His eyes were bright like lightning.
"Nie Beihu?"
Huang Yunchong's brow furrowed deeply as he snorted coldly, "I'm quite puzzled. As the commander of the City Lord's Mansion Guard, why would you step forward to help a son-in-law who came to your doorstep?"
"So it's him, Nie Teng's father..."
Su Yi suddenly realized and recalled what Nie Teng had said when they left the Ju Xian Building yesterday. He would repay this favor!
Apparently, after Nie Teng returned home yesterday, he went to seek help from his father.
This was probably the reason why Nie Beihu appeared here at this moment.
Indeed, Nie Beihu entered the private room and said in a deep voice, "My son was humiliated here yesterday, thanks to Su Yi's help. How can I, Nie Beihu, not repay this favor?"
Huang Yunchong glanced at his son, Huang Qianjun.
Huang Qianjun hurriedly said, "Father, yesterday I only scared Nie Teng a bit, I didn't lay a hand on him, let alone humiliate him."
"Brother Nie, you've also heard it. This matter has nothing to do with your son," Huang Yunchong said with an indifferent expression, his voice turning cold. "On the contrary, it was my son who was being bullied. If this matter is simply dropped, how can my son hold his head up in Guangling City in the future?"
Nie Beihu's face darkened, about to say something.
Huang Yunchong directly interrupted, "Brother Nie, there's no need to say more. Even if the head of the Wen family, Wen Changjing, were here, he wouldn't be able to save Su Yi!"
His voice was resolute and powerful.
Nie Beihu's expression turned ugly. He had personally come here, only to be rejected like this, which made it difficult for him to maintain his dignity.
Seeing this, Su Yi couldn't help but shake his head. He never expected to rely on others to resolve this matter.
However, regardless of the circumstances, Nie Beihu couldn't just stand idly by while Su Yi was in trouble.
Before Su Yi could react, suddenly, there was a rush of footsteps coming from the staircase.
Huang Yunchong furrowed his brow, displaying his displeasure.
The JuXian Tower was under Yue Tianhe's control, and with him present, he had expected no one to disturb them. But now, one incident after another was testing Huang Yunchong's patience.
The others in the room were also puzzled, wondering who could be arriving this time.
Soon, a figure appeared outside the room.
It was a middle-aged man in a wide-sleeved Confucian robe, with a flowing beard under his chin. He exuded an exceptional temperament, but there was a trace of anxiety in his expression and sweat on his forehead, indicating that he had hurriedly rushed over.
Upon arriving, he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Su Yi sitting there unharmed.
Under the gaze of everyone's astonished eyes, the middle-aged man in the Confucian robe hurriedly approached and respectfully greeted Su Yi, saying, "Master Su, have they harmed you?"