A few minutes later, Xiao Lan and the old Bloodsmith made their way into the hall after presenting their invitation card at the door. Yan Li was the first to break cordialities. "Lady Xiao, my clan has been expecting a visit from you since the last incident." Patriarch Yan felt a sore spot, but seeing his son take the lead in avenging some enmity, he kept quiet.
"Seeing that your Yan Clan had a lot to deal with lately, I thought it was improper to intrude, but since the young lord has said so, I will visit later," Xiao Lan replied smoothly.
The Yan family's faces sank as Xiao Lan subtly mentioned the incident. "How can that be considered trouble? It is just rumors!"
"What are just rumors?" a voice interrupted. It was a young man, maybe 20 years old, with golden hair. He was tall and imposing, donning golden armor. He exhibited the fluctuations of a blood resonance being. Behind him was an equally impressive young man, delicate and pure in appearance, dressed in white with a long spear on his back. The atmosphere stilled as they stepped into the hall.
"Ha, ha, ha! Let me introduce you all. This is the star of the night, Sir Nie Li, the new captain of the Golden Warriors," the city lord announced warmly.
"Thank you, Senior. No need to be tense. My name is Nie Li. Let's all get along during my appointment," Nie Li said. He hurried to pick up a glass of wine before toasting the crowd. He then turned to the young man next to him. "Junior Yan, you can go meet your family," he said, ushering him with a hand sign.
"Grandfather, Dad, Uncles…" Yan Bai said, bowing toward his elders.
"You have reached blood purification too. Ha ha ha, you did not waste my efforts," Patriarch Yan interjected proudly.
"You have grown so much, and you are more handsome," remarked his second uncle.
"He is definitely the most handsome in Pine City," someone said, watching the family interactions.
"A few months ago, if you had said that, I would agree, but now? I'm not so sure," another voice whispered.
"Who in Pine City is more handsome than young master Yan Bai?" someone questioned.
"You don't know? Money God's appearance does not pale in comparison," another replied.
"Ah, Junior, they are saying someone is more handsome than you. I do not believe it. You already have a peerless look. If someone is above you, how can we mortals live?" Nie Li said out loud, garnering chuckles and laughs from the guests.
"It's just a blind fool. Brother Yan Bai is definitely more handsome," Fu Shang yelled, feeling indignant.
"So who is this Money God?" Bai Li questioned again.
"That would be me," a voice resonated, ushering in a tall silhouette. He was wearing a black fitted robe with a purple-gold inner shirt, decorated with fine embroidery, highlighting his fine figure and well-balanced muscles. His long hair was braided in a high top, held together with a purple jade hairpin matching the single earring on his left ear. His pale skin contrasted perfectly with his apparel, complementing the masterpiece that was his face: a sharp nose, plump lips, chiseled jawline, and a ribbon covering his eyes.
Yan Jin had made his entrance, and the room fell silent, every eye fixed on him. He exuded an air of mystery and elegance, a stark contrast to the opulence around him. Despite his blindness, his presence was commanding, and the whispers in the room quickly transformed into awe-struck murmurs.
"Pardon my retard, greetings everybody. Congratulations on your appointment, sir," Yan Jin said, filling the void of silence with his voice.
"Oh my, you are definitely a mesmerizing creature," said the second son, Yan Xin, with a perverse intent.
"Really? I wouldn't know; I am blind. And who might you be?" Yan Jin asked, turning toward Yan Xin.
"This young master is Yan Xin from the Yan Family. How about it, beauty? Why don't you come sit next to me? Let this young master tell you about your pretty face?" Yan Xin doubled down, drawing a frown from everyone present. It was a known fact that Yan Xin was a slag, but no one expected him to be so blatant right in front of such a crowd.
Yan Jin sat down at his designated spot with Lan Zhan's guidance before saying to Yan Xin, "With such uncouth manners, I can see that the rumors about your Yan family are not unfounded."
"What are you trying to say?" interjected Yan Li.
"What I am saying is, if the younger one is a slag, the older one cannot be much better. So, Yan Li, what did you do? Kill your wife? Or sleep with your stepmother?"
"How dare you?" Yan Li said, banging his fists on the table.
*Chuckle* "No need to get worked up, Yan Li. Discipline your brother, and you won't have trouble with me," Yan Jin said, leaning back in his chair.
"He is right, Yan Li. Your brother is too bold," Purple Spear Meng spoke for the first time.
"It seems my authority has been reduced to nothing, with you all daring to act so unrestrained in front of my guest," the City Lord finally interrupted. "Sir Jin, I apologize for the trouble. Please have a drink and enjoy the night," he continued.
"Senior is too serious! With my handicap, what cats and dogs have I not met?" Yan Jin said, turning to Gu Zhun, who was standing behind Yan Li. "I would have died of anger by now."
"Ha Ha Ha! Well said, younger brother! I, Nie Li, love your temper very much!" the new captain said. "Heroes should be bold like that. Junior Yan, it seems like Pine City is a den of dragons," he added.
"Come closer, let's drink," Nie Li invited, including Yan Bai, Wei Xi, and Yan Jin for a toast.
"Are you excluding me because I am a woman?" Meng Xiao interrupted, drawing laughter from the group.
"That's right, how can women be left behind? Back in my day, I could take on five of you maggots," said an elderly voice, drawing attention.
"That's right, grandmother is a real hero," Fu Sheng added, inserting herself into the scene.