Chapter 68: Yu Gate (Part Three)

“What an impressive show of force from Young Master Shen! You’re ready to lay hands on my men at the slightest disagreement—am I truly so beneath your notice?”

Dao Mo narrowed his tiger-like eyes, and a formidable aura surged from him, pressing down on Young Master Shen like an army on the march. Yet before his momentum could reach its target, it was effortlessly neutralized by a middle-aged man with a moustache standing beside Shen, who radiated an equally powerful presence.

A master from the Shen family!

Young Master Shen, unruffled, broke into a smile. “How could I possibly disregard a grandmaster? People say I’m arrogant, but in truth, I’m quite reasonable. I’m here for two reasons: first, to congratulate Master Dao on his ascension; second, to seek an explanation.”

Dao Mo regarded him intently. Rumor had it that this Young Master Shen was capricious and unpredictable, a man of no fixed principles. Seeing him now, Dao Mo found the tales entirely credible.

“Thank you, Young Master Shen, but your congratulations are more than I deserve. I suppose the rest of you are here to make trouble as well? Good! Speak your minds—let us settle our scores plainly. I, Dao Mo, am ready to hear you all out!” Dao Mo declared with gallant boldness.

“Perhaps the Qi family should begin,” Qi Zhenghui suddenly said in a clear voice. “We have no interest in your personal disputes; we simply wish to reclaim our honor. That night—who was the expert who broke into our house? I am certain it was not Master Dao himself.”

A flash of anger crossed Qi Zhenghao’s eyes. That night was his deepest humiliation; as a second-tier master, he had been knocked out cold, a disgrace beyond words. He was determined to restore his reputation.

“Whether it was I or not, you’ll soon find out,” Dao Mo replied coolly, glancing at the Qi family before turning to the others. “And the rest of you? Why not speak up as well?”

His gaze swept like a blade across the four noble families and the two great gangs, lingering a little longer on the latter. Boss Bai and Madam Feng stood their ground, meeting his eyes without flinching.

“My apologies, but the Shen family has been entrusted to handle these affairs,” Shen said, adjusting his collar. “So, Master Dao, let us address a few matters. First, I hear you have an adopted son. Bring him forth—Master Sun Yuntai of the Sun family wishes to reminisce and discuss the matter of his two sons being injured at your adopted son’s hands. Second, you've demanded both the Black Flood Gang and the United Harmony Society merge into your Divine Blade Sect. Unfortunately, the Black Flood Gang belongs to the Shen family, and the United Harmony Society is closely tied to Mr. Tsukamoto here. Trying to steal another’s foundation is disgraceful. How can you do so without compensation? Third, the Shen family governs the Southeast, always striving to keep outside forces at bay. You should be grateful, Master Dao. Here’s my offer: hand over the recipes for Clear Spring Elixir and Xi Shuang, and I’ll grant you a lifetime of honor and wealth as a guest elder of the Shen family.”

At the mention of Clear Spring Elixir and Xi Shuang, every eye in the room glimmered—what fortunes those formulas could bring!

“Ha! Is there a fourth demand?” Dao Mo, far from angered, laughed aloud.

“Fourth,” Shen declared, pointing at Dao Mo, “I have you right where I want you. Submit, or today’s celebration turns into a funeral.”

“There will indeed be blood today,” came a voice, unfamiliar and male.

Qi Zhenghui and Qi Zhenghao exchanged glances and nodded, while Shen’s expression lit up with excitement.

As Gao Chao opened the door, a tall, poised young man strolled in with unhurried grace. Dao Mo immediately bowed and stepped aside, inviting the youth to take the seat of honor.

Clap, clap, clap!

Shen stood abruptly, applauding vigorously with a laugh. “I love those who hide their true strength! Do you all see? The famed adopted son of Master Dao is, in truth, his master—and a young grandmaster at that! Who would have thought?”

The crowd was momentarily stunned—some curious, some scornful, some angry, some sneering. At the center of their attention, Jiang An sat with an indifferent air, watching Shen’s performance.

It seemed the Shen family had already investigated his background before arriving—though whether they had any ties to the Dominator remained unclear. Still, this Young Master Shen was quite the actor.

“I’m not one for empty words,” Jiang An said mildly. “In the end, all is settled by strength. There are six grandmasters among you—which of you wishes to begin?”

Hurry up, I promised Xixi I’d join her for lunch.

Shen resumed his seat, retorting with disdain, “You think you can dictate terms? I’m not done speaking. I hear your wife is the most beautiful woman in Lin City. Why not invite her to dance for our amusement?”

Jiang An showed no anger, only curiosity. “What makes you foolish enough to try and provoke me?”

Shen spread his hands. “Perhaps it’s my eighteen centimeters of length!”

He laughed, a touch of mania in his voice.

“Don’t you want to strike me? Come on, give me your worst!”

Watching, Gao Chao muttered under his breath, “Did this guy not get enough fiber in his diet?”

With no one joining in his mockery, Shen grew bored. Suddenly, he pulled a gleaming dagger from his clothes and, in a swift motion, slashed behind him. The two attendants at his back clutched their throats, faces frozen in disbelief as they collapsed, the metallic tang of blood filling the room.

“You wouldn’t laugh with me—so awkward,” Shen said nonchalantly, wiping the crimson from his blade in a self-mocking tone.

The moustachioed man’s expression soured. “Jun’er, that was a bit much.”

Shen grinned instantly. “Sorry, Third Uncle, I lost control. And to the rest of you—I hope I didn’t frighten anyone. I’m actually quite compassionate.”

The crowd watched coldly, each thinking this man a madman—and a dangerous one at that.

“Boy, you kill in my house, and I’m left to clean up the mess!” Jiang An, having seen all manner of eccentrics, was unfazed by such theatrics. Smiling, he said, “Very well. Why not wager your uncle’s life as payment?”

Shen’s delight grew, and he laughed heartily. “Third Uncle, did you hear? He wants your life! Too funny! He really thinks the National Guard Villa or the military will rush to his aid. It’s hilarious!”

The man called Third Uncle, with his moustache, sneered as well. “So you truly believe you’re the demon who single-handedly destroyed four mighty foes? Others might be fooled by such rumors, but in the Shen family’s domain, nothing escapes us. The truth is, the National Guard Villa and the military played pivotal roles—yet you claim all the credit, hoping to intimidate us. I know you belong to the National Guard, but the Eastern Marquis Shen family fears no one! Do you truly think you can take my life?”

Others in the room were puzzled, sensing there were matters about which they had not been informed. The Divine Blade Sect, too, seemed lost—perhaps the Shen family was involved with the previous assassin, but their intelligence was outdated. Gao Chao, bemused, muttered, “With brains like that, how do you play the villain?”

“Enough!” Shen was about to retort when a pale-faced man beside him suddenly barked a command. He looked around thirty, wore a pointed black hat, and was clad in flowing white robes—distinctive garb of an Onmyoji from the island nation.

“Shen, you Chinese are so long-winded! Allow me. Master Jiang, I hear you’re only twenty-seven. My name is Tsukamoto—an Onmyoji of the first rank from my country, equivalent to your own first-tier grandmaster. I hereby challenge you!”

Tsukamoto, sleeves billowing, exuded a noble air, but now his eyes blazed with fighting spirit as he looked at Jiang An, clearly unconvinced.

How could someone so young be ranked so high on the God List, ahead of me by so many places? Let me expose his true abilities! Tsukamoto thought.

“Excellent, straightforward!” Jiang An nodded slightly and gestured. “Please—let’s do it here.”

At his words, the crowd rose and parted, leaving the center of the room clear. Fortunately, the space was large enough.

Qi Tiancai glanced at Tsukamoto, then asked Qi Zhenghao, “Second Uncle, we’ll get to see Jiang An’s strength firsthand.”

“Hmph. I’d wager Tsukamoto is no match for him,” Qi Zhenghao replied with a cold smile.

“They mentioned Jiang An wiping out four masters, some connection with the National Guard Villa and the military—what was all that about?”

“I’m not sure either—what about you, Elder Brother?” Qi Zhenghao shook his head.

Qi Zhenghui frowned. “I haven’t heard anything either. Our intelligence network must have missed something, or perhaps someone’s deliberately blocking information.”

Just then, the burly, short man beside Qi Tiancai spoke up, his voice gravelly. “So are you taking your revenge or not? If not, I’m leaving.”

“Don’t! Master-Uncle, of course we’ll have our revenge. But let’s see how strong Jiang An is first.”

“Heh, a mere wandering cultivator—how strong could he be?” the burly man sneered.

Meanwhile, Jiang An and Tsukamoto faced off.

The entire villa had been imbued with Jiang An’s minor array, keeping it warm as spring. But as Tsukamoto released his aura, a chill swept through the room, icy winds biting to the bone. Suddenly, Tsukamoto formed a hand sign; the silver bracelet around his wrist began to glow, lifting into the air and spinning into a large circle. Then, the bracelet dropped to the ground and morphed into a pitch-black hole. From within came a demonic howl—and to everyone’s horror, a ghastly demon clawed its way out.

The specter had a greenish face, blood-red eyes, and black tendrils of evil energy swirling around its body. Its arms hung past its knees, ending in razor-sharp talons; drool dripped from a gaping maw, each drop sizzling holes in the floor, sending up wisps of green smoke. Such a sight would terrify the faint-hearted to death.

“This is my spirit familiar. Not quite a shikigami, but it shouldn’t disappoint you, Master Jiang,” Tsukamoto said, hands pressed together, voice brimming with confidence.

Exorcism?

Jiang An stroked his chin, then beckoned to Gao Chao. “Gao Chao, this round is yours. I’d rather not dirty my own hands.”