On the third floor of the Abundant Source Restaurant, Zheng Haitao's head exploded so swiftly that no one had time to react.
Once everyone realized that the Shallow Water Gang's Grand Steward had been killed, time in the restaurant seemed to freeze. The oppressive atmosphere left the representatives of the major powers struggling to breathe.
Still holding the pose he had struck while slapping his thigh, Zheng Haitao tipped backward for half a heartbeat, then crashed down, smashing half the chair and table. His flesh and bone fragments sprayed over the porcelain cups and dishes, while wine mingled with blood and spread across the blue-brick floor.
The banquet hall was so quiet that they could hear the candles crackling.
At last, someone moved.
Iron Pot Jiang's hand froze in midair, still holding his wine cup. Wine trickled over its rim without him even noticing.
Leng Sheng pressed his spine against the back of his chair. His Adam's apple bobbed, but not a word came out.
Even Steward Xue of the Mo Family, who had weathered countless storms, was now white as paper, his teeth chattering audibly.
They finally realized that, whatever else he might be, the old man before them was an Inner Qi Realm expert. Crushing them to death would be as easy as crushing an ant.
Everyone present had merely assumed that Yi Yang would fear the powers behind them and would not dare act.
But Yi Yang had shown them that he was a man who recognized neither law nor heaven.
Zhou Tao, the Wei Family's chief steward, was now thinking faster than anyone else.
Only moments ago, he had judged Yi Yang's strength to be at the first Inner Qi Level, with an unstable foundation. If the old man had listened to some of what he