Sarcastic Mockery of a Foolish Young Master, Undercurrents Surging

Qin Yurong's expression turned slightly cold, and she shifted half a step to the side without a trace, just enough to avoid his hand.

At the same time, she said indifferently:

"I appreciate your concern, Young Master Shen.

I am unharmed, and it is entirely thanks to this young hero Yang that I was able to escape danger."

The hand of the restless Young Master Shen fell into empty air. A flash of awkwardness crossed his face, but he immediately piled on a smile:

"As long as you are safe, Yurong, that is all that matters!

Truly, fortune favors the virtuous."

His gaze shifted, and only then did he "discover" Yang Ning standing nearby, his face showing a perfectly measured look of surprise and gratitude:

"So this must be the righteous hero Yang?

Indeed, a man of talent and extraordinary bearing!

I am Shen Lian, the second son of the branch lineage of the Wind-Chasing Shen Family in the inner city.

On behalf of Yurong, I thank you for your life-saving aid, brave sir!"

His words were enthusiastic, but his eyes swept rapidly over Yang Ning's faded, worn-out clothes, a trace of imperceptible disdain flickering in their depths.

"Forgive my ignorance, but I am unaware of any martial arts family by the name of Yang in Kuishan County. May I ask, Brother Yang, which..."

Qin Yurong frowned slightly, and Yang Ning, seeing through the young nobleman's intentions, smiled faintly:

"So you are a young master of the inner city Shen Family. I am merely a commoner from East Street, far from having a family background as illustrious as yours, Young Master Shen."

Shen Lian narrowed his eyes and smiled, about to speak.

"However, seeing your extraordinary bearing, Brother Shen, I assumed you were a direct descendant of the main lineage or an heir to the family.

To think that a man of your great talent is relegated to the lowest rank of the branch lineage—I truly feel a pang of regret for you!"

The smile on Shen Lian's face turned incredibly ugly in an instant.

"Pfft."

Two stifled laughs rang out from behind him.

Yang Ning's sarcastic remarks had successfully amused the sisters, Qin Yurong and Qin Yuhui.

Qin Yurong laughed because this toad, who usually pestered her relentlessly, had finally been put in his place.

The man was notorious for his predilection for young married women and little girls, often using his status as a disciple of the inner city Shen Family to bully others in the marketplace.

He had only started following her around after tagging along with her brother, putting on a refined, gentlemanly facade as if he had turned over a new leaf, claiming to have fallen for her at first sight.

But once she learned the truth, she found him utterly repulsive and felt uncomfortable just looking at him.

Today, Yang Ning's words had struck him exactly where it hurt; he valued his status above all else, and nothing bothered him more than being told he wasn't a direct descendant.

Yang Ning's move could be called a precise strike to his sore spot.

Qin Yuhui felt differently.

She had been rendered speechless by Yang Ning earlier, but seeing Shen Lian get mocked, the thought that someone was having an even worse day than her made her initial sadness dissipate, and she felt increasingly cheerful.

Shen Lian gritted his teeth and said slowly:

"Good, very good, you..."

But a voice interrupted his retort...

"Yurong, Yuhui! Are you both alright?"

At this moment, another group of people walked over quickly.

The leader was a man of about thirty, tall and sturdy, with features somewhat similar to Qin Yurong's, though his brow carried more composure and the air of one long accustomed to authority.

He walked with steady strides, his gaze sharp as lightning. He looked Qin Yurong over carefully, and only after confirming she was unharmed did he let out a sigh of relief.

"When I heard the news that you were attacked at Chunyuan Restaurant, I was filled with anxiety.

I immediately took my leave of Patrol Commander Gong and rode back at full speed. It is truly a relief to see you back safely."

"Brother."

Seeing this man, a genuine and relaxed smile finally appeared on Qin Yurong's face.

The newcomer was the brother of the two Qin sisters.

Qin Yuwei.

Qin Yuwei nodded at his sister, then let his gaze fall on Yang Ning, laughing heartily as he cupped his hands:

"So this is the young hero Yang Ning that my sister spoke of?

Truly, a hero among the youth!

I have already heard a brief report from those who arrived earlier. You stood fearless in the face of danger, slew Wang Teng with your fists, and saved my sister from the fire. This kindness and virtue, our Qin Family will keep in our hearts!"

His laughter was hearty and carried a natural air of heroism that made it easy for others to feel favorably toward him.

Yang Ning returned the gesture with a bow:

"Brother Qin, you are too kind.

To see injustice and act is only what is expected.

Besides, that Wang Teng was arrogant and overbearing, attempting to silence witnesses; my own family was at the scene, so my actions were also for the sake of self-preservation."

"What a fine 'what is expected'!

What a fine 'self-preservation that also saves others'!"

The look of admiration in the eyes of Qin Yuwei grew even more intense:

"Taking no credit, showing no arrogance—a truly honest gentleman!

Just for this breadth of mind and courage, young hero, you are worthy of being an honored guest of the Qin Family!"

He waved his hand toward the young gentlemen following behind him, who had clearly been attending the banquet with him and had rushed back upon hearing the news:

"Gentlemen, my sister had a fright tonight, but fortunately, thanks to Young Hero Yang, the danger was averted.

I must settle my family and handle the aftermath; I apologize for ruining your evening.

Another day, I shall host a banquet at the mansion to properly apologize and thank you all. For today, please return home and rest."

The young gentlemen bowed one after another.

While exchanging polite pleasantries like "Brother Qin is too modest" and "It is good that Miss Qin Yurong is safe," their gazes all lingered on Yang Ning for a moment longer than necessary, each with a different expression.

That young master from the Shen Family, in particular, gave Yang Ning a deep look before taking his leave with the others.

Only then did Qin Yuwei turn to Qin Yurong, Qin Yuhui, and Yang Ning:

"Outside is not the place for conversation. Let us enter the mansion to talk further. Young Hero Yang, please!"

South Fourth Street, deep within a secluded alley.

The old house looked no different from the dilapidated dwellings surrounding it, but inside, the doors were tightly shut and the curtains were heavy, allowing not a sliver of light to escape.

A figure wearing a black veil, their form indistinct, arrived before the house as silently as a ghost.

Then, the person's blood energy surged, and a sound came from the tightly shut door; they gently pushed open the ajar back door and slipped inside.

The room was unlit and pitch black, with only the vague outlines of several other figures shrouded in darkness, who had been waiting there in silence.

The air was stagnant, permeated with a stifling atmosphere.

The newly arrived figure walked to the center of the room and spoke in a voice altered by special techniques to sound hoarse and unrecognizable, breaking the silence:

"The matter at Chunhua Restaurant has been exposed.

The Blood Ape Gang has been defeated, and Wang Teng is dead.

Qin Yurong was not abducted and has returned safely to the Qin Mansion.

The plan has changed, and the connection with the Blood Ape Gang...

The risk of exposing our sect has increased significantly; we should consider abandoning it early and cutting all ties."

No sooner had the words fallen than a low, dissenting voice sounded from another part of the darkness:

"It is merely one failure; why go so far?

This branch of the Qin Family moved here recently, their roots in the Outer City are shallow, and their strength is limited.

The Blood Ape Gang is an important pawn we have cultivated for many years, controlling many underground channels in East Street. To abandon it now would be a massive loss, rendering all our previous efforts in vain."

"Indeed,"

Another cold, sinister voice chimed in:

"The Blood Ape Gang has now gained momentum, with over a thousand members, controlling thirty percent of the gray industries and black market channels in East Street.

Although Wang Teng is dead, his father Wang Han's foundation remains, and that man is known for his vindictiveness. He will never let the death of his son go unavenged.

Perhaps we can use this opportunity to further intensify the conflict between the Blood Ape Gang and the Qin Family, and we shall reap the rewards."

"Intensify the conflict?

What if the Qin Family decides to be ruthless and joins forces with the local authorities or other powers to wipe out the Blood Ape Gang in one fell swoop?

I have heard that a new County Magistrate is coming from the Inner City. He is not some incompetent member of a noble family, nor is he a puppet pushed forward by other factions.

He was sent by the Prefecture! Do you understand?

This County Magistrate sent by the Prefecture will surely want to make a name for himself; he might just stir up a 'storm' in this city.

If we are not careful at a time like this, won't our years of investment go down the drain?

We must be decisive!"

"It may not come to that. This branch of the Qin Family has only just arrived in the Outer City; they may not dare to act so ruthlessly..."

In the darkness, several people held differing opinions, arguing in low voices.

"Enough."

An aged voice drifted from the main seat in the deepest part of the room.

This voice was calm and ripple-free, yet it silenced all arguments instantly.

"The Blood Ape Gang lead is to be kept for now, but lower the contact level, cut the allocated resources, and wait to see how things develop."

The figure in the main seat spoke slowly:

"Wang Han's reaction, the Qin Family's response, and... that 'Yang Ning' who suddenly appeared."

See clearly how the situation evolves from here.

If the Blood Ape Gang can withstand the pressure, or even cause enough trouble for the Qin Family's forces in the outer city, they still hold value.

If they collapse quickly, or expose risks that might implicate us..."

The voice paused, spitting out two icy words:

"Cut ties."

The group remained silent for a moment before bowing their heads in unison:

"As you command."

The brief meeting concluded.

No one moved, yet several different exits opened quietly in the corners of the room and within the shadows of the walls.

In the darkness, the figures vanished one after another without a sound, merging into the night outside as if they had never gathered at all.

A moment later, a faint, firefly-like oil lamp in the corner of the room was lit, illuminating only a tiny patch of space.

On the main seat, only the leader, wearing a veil, remained.

His withered, thin fingers tapped lightly against the cold tabletop, his gaze behind the veil deep and unfathomable as he stared at the flickering flame, as if gazing into the chaotic vortex of East Street.

After a long while, a barely audible whisper drifted through the empty, silent room:

"East Street... Yang Ning?"