The city was in chaos.
Seeing Elder Liu casually withstand the full-force attack from the City Lord, everyone in the City Lord's Mansion realized the situation had taken a dire turn. The City Lord, the strongest individual in Songyang City, was no match for Elder Liu.
How powerful was Elder Liu, exactly? Was he an eighth-grade martial artist? A ninth-grade martial artist? Or perhaps the legendary and seemingly unattainable Martial King?
Ye Hao's expression grew heavy. His strongest attack had struck Elder Liu's casually arranged barrier as though hitting cotton—powerful yet futile. This man's strength far surpassed his own.
Initially, Ye Hao had believed Elder Liu was at most a ninth-grade martial artist, but it was clear his strength exceeded that.
Could he truly be a Martial King?
A powerful Martial King had descended upon Songyang City, and no one in the vast city could possibly contend with him.
"Martial King?" Ye Hao stared at Elder Liu, the words barely escaping his lips.
Elder Liu stood with his hands behind his back, offering no response. But the silence spoke volumes. Everyone understood the truth—this was a Martial King, a true Martial King!
As expected of the Kaoshan Sect, a towering force in the Tianfeng Kingdom, rivaling even the royal family. Their foundation was terrifying, producing a Martial King as their first move.
As the arrogance of the City Lord's Mansion dissipated, Wang Chong immediately stepped forward and shouted, "Ye Hao, you must withdraw from this marriage today. Ruyan is already my woman!"
He then embraced Liu Ruyan tightly, his intimate demeanor making Ye Hao grit his teeth.
Liu Ruyan had betrayed him and their engagement. Judging by the pair's behavior, they had likely conspired long ago.
"You traitor!" Ye Hao's eyes burned red as he gritted his teeth.
"Ye Hao, a wise man submits to the circumstances. If you agree to break off the engagement, I can spare your life," Wang Chong declared, emboldened by Elder Liu's backing. His newfound arrogance made him appear as though he were the Martial King himself.
"Oh? And what if I refuse to cancel the engagement?"
A sudden voice rang out from beyond the reception hall, drawing everyone's attention to the door.
A young man clad in a black robe strode in slowly. His face was slightly youthful and handsome, but his eyes seemed to hold the stars, deep and mysterious.
The young man stopped in front of Ye Hao, bowing as he spoke apologetically, "Father, I've made you worry."
"It's nothing. I'm glad you're back," Ye Hao replied. Though anger had consumed him moments ago, seeing his son return softened his expression slightly. Yet, as he recalled the humiliation his son had endured, his brows furrowed once more. Protecting Ye Yu behind him, he said solemnly, "Yu'er, let your father handle this matter."
Ye Hao's face was determined, prepared to risk everything for his son.
Ye Yu looked at his father, who shielded him, feeling a surge of emotion. His nose tingled, and his heart was touched.
Stepping forward, Ye Yu addressed his father firmly, "Father, let me handle it myself."
Ye Hao saw the rare resolve in his son's eyes and simply replied, "Yu'er, everything is up to your father!"
No further words were necessary.
Ye Yu turned his cold gaze upon the Wang and Liu families, as well as Elder Liu. His eyes were icy and unyielding. Though he said nothing, his presence conveyed everything.
From the moment Wang Chong heard Ye Yu's voice, he had been staring in disbelief, his face pale with shock.
"Impossible! How are you still alive?" Wang Chong's trembling hand pointed at Ye Yu.
He had personally ensured Ye Yu's death and confirmed it. So who was this person standing before him now?
"You're not Ye Yu. You're supposed to be dead!" Wang Chong shouted in disbelief.
"Disappointed to see me alive?" Ye Yu responded coldly, watching Wang Chong's panicked display with indifference.
The mockery in Ye Yu's gaze struck deep, and Wang Chong roared, "Even if you're alive, it doesn't matter. If you obediently cancel the engagement today, I'll leave your body intact."
Wang Chong quickly regained his composure, adopting a domineering stance.
Standing behind Ye Yu, Ye Hao pieced together the truth from their brief exchange.
So it had been Wang Chong all along, nearly robbing him of his son.
Anger surged through Ye Hao, and he prepared to unleash his spiritual power to kill Wang Chong.
But Ye Yu raised a hand to stop him, whispering, "Father, let me handle this."
Those simple words pulled Ye Hao back from his fury. Reluctantly, he stood down, ready to fight if necessary.
"An intact body? It seems you've already planned your own fate," Ye Yu said, his tone light but laced with mockery.
Wang Chong burst into laughter, as though he had heard the most ridiculous joke. "You? A useless waste who can't cultivate? You think you can kill me? That's the biggest joke in the world!"
As the City Lord's son, Ye Yu was born with a frail body, incapable of cultivation. Despite fifteen years of effort and resources, he had remained a mere first-grade martial artist, unable to advance.
The title of "waste" had spread throughout Songyang City. Though whispered in private, no one dared say it openly.
Today, Wang Chong openly insulted Ye Yu in the City Lord's Mansion, humiliating the family.
"Waste?"
Ye Yu's expression turned icy. A black-clad figure suddenly appeared from the shadows, slapping Wang Chong away with a single strike.
The figure returned to Ye Yu's side, standing silently as though nothing had happened.
This masked figure, dressed in black, revealed no features, making it impossible to identify him. Yet the aura he had momentarily exuded spoke volumes—he was undeniably powerful.
This figure was none other than Ye Yu himself, transformed to conceal his identity. With his unparalleled strength, disguising as a Martial King was effortless.
Why hadn't Ye Yu acted openly?
He wanted to preserve an air of mystery. After all, a life of absolute power could grow dull. Games were more enjoyable when played slowly.
The sudden appearance of the mysterious powerhouse caused Elder Liu's heart to tremble. His expression grew grave.
The aura emanating from this individual was on par with his own. Resolving this matter peacefully seemed increasingly unlikely.