Chapter 1116: Sister-in-Law
"Haha, I wasn't inside any restrictive barrier, nor did I seal my aura. None of my subordinates did, either. Anyone could have sensed our location with just a slight check. So why would anyone think I fled? Such high intelligence is truly a rare genius in this world."
A voice laced with laughter drifted over. Everyone turned towards its source. As the sound echoed, figures in the distance gradually approached, and by the time the voice faded, the group had arrived at the plaza, led by none other than Yang Haoran.
The young woman named Wan'er looked quite displeased, and the young man who had been fawning over her also sported a grim expression. Like everyone else present, their gazes were fixed on Yang Haoran. The reason for their sour faces was clear: Yang Haoran's words were an obvious, thinly veiled jab at their low intelligence.
For those who loved to show off, being publicly ridiculed like this meant their faces were anything but pleasant. What they found most unbearable was being so thoroughly humiliated.
It wasn't just the two young people whose expressions soured; the elders who had brought them here today also looked quite grim. Yang Haoran's words weren't just a blow to the faces of these two youngsters; they were equally a slap to the faces of their seniors.
"Heh, so the coward finally came out. How could I not sense your presence, young miss? My earlier words were merely to provoke you, lest you truly cower and flee, fearing retribution."
The young woman sneered, addressing Yang Haoran. At this moment, not a trace of her sweet smile remained; only scorn was visible on her face. As for her words, they were, of course, not the truth—she was merely trying to save face.
Hearing this, Yang Haoran's gaze settled on her. A faint smile played on his lips, unwavering despite her words. He exuded an air of complete calm and composure.
Taking a puff from his cigarette, Yang Haoran smiled faintly at the young woman.
Far from showing any fear, Yang Haoran's words only intensified the scorn on the young woman's face.
But the expression of disdain lasted only an instant. Immediately after, a look of profound grievance appeared on her face as she vigorously shook the old man's arm beside her, whimpering pitifully.
"Master, he's threatening me! He wants to kill me!"
The young woman's voice was exceedingly cloying, drawn out and brimming with both grievance and fear. The old man's brow furrowed tightly, and his gaze towards Yang Haoran turned chilling.
"There's no need to fear. Your Master is here. No one would dare harm you, nor does anyone possess the strength to do so."
The old man gently patted the young woman's hand, offering reassurance. Upon hearing his words, her expression of grievance vanished instantly, replaced once more by a smile. She turned her gaze back to Yang Haoran, her expression and eyes brimming with provocation.
Yang Haoran merely offered a faint smile, saying nothing further to the young woman. It wasn't that he feared her, or that he couldn't out-argue her; he simply didn't wish to waste time on such a minor character.
His gaze shifted, falling upon the old man beside the young woman. At the same time, the old man was also watching him.
Their eyes met. Yang Haoran's expression remained naturally smiling, his gaze devoid of killing intent, holding only a harmless gentleness.
The old man, on the other hand, wore a cold, rather unpleasant expression, his eyes even betraying a hint of murderous intent.
Yang Haoran had never encountered this old man before, yet he knew of him. This individual was named Yi Xuan, the head of the Talisman Cult in Gu Mo City. His strength was unfathomable. It was rumored that his power had reached the peak of the Black Talisman Master realm, though some whispered he had long ago surpassed the Black Talisman Master stage and entered the realm of a Gold Talisman Master.
As for his true strength, there was no definitive consensus at the moment. For many years, no one had witnessed him fight, so no one knew the extent of his current power, whether it truly matched the rumors of a peak Black Talisman Master, or if he had advanced to a Gold Talisman Master.
Behind Yi Xuan stood a number of other people, among whom was none other than Cao Ze, who had come here three days prior to cause trouble for Yang Haoran.
Cao Ze remained silent, standing respectfully behind Yi Xuan. Although he was one of the high-ranking members of the Gu Mo City Talisman Cult, with Yi Xuan present, he naturally had no right to speak.
Judging from the current situation, Cao Ze's status as a high-ranking member was clearly not as elevated as that of the young woman beside Yi Xuan.
"Divine Envoy Yang," Yi Xuan said coldly, looking at Yang Haoran. "We have come today with sincerity, but you, it seems, possess none."
Seeing this, none of the other factions present dared to interrupt. Even the younger ones eager to show off were stopped by their respective elders.
It wasn't that they feared Yi Xuan, nor, of course, that they feared Yang Haoran. Rather, they sensed an intense scent of gunpowder in the air, which prompted them to remain silent.
Both Yang Haoran's recent threatening words and Yi Xuan's current address to him carried a strong scent of gunpowder. The only difference was that Yang Haoran's words were charged, while his tone and expression remained indifferent. Conversely, Yi Xuan's words held no sharp edge, yet his expression and tone were unmistakably aggressive.
With such a charged atmosphere between them, it was highly probable that a fight would break out. The other factions, naturally, wished for nothing more, as each harbored their own hidden agenda.
If others could sense the hostility in Yi Xuan's tone, how could Yang Haoran not? He smiled faintly and asked Yi Xuan,
"Heh, Divine Envoy Yi, what, pray tell, constitutes sincerity? " Yang Haoran asked.
"Hmph, do I need to teach you what sincerity means?"
Yi Xuan scoffed, directing his question at Yang Haoran. The young woman beside him, seeing her master come to her defense and vent her frustrations, instantly grew even more smug. Her arms wrapped around Yi Xuan's arm tightened, her curves pressing snugly against his bicep.
"Heh, how about this then? I could sculpt a god statue of Divine Envoy Yi and place it right beside my own god's statue. Then, believers could worship it daily. Would you consider that sincere? " Yang Haoran asked with a chuckle.
Yi Xuan's face instantly chilled. He knew Yang Haoran's words were a direct mockery, and he felt deeply uncomfortable. But then, a cold sneer appeared on his lips.
"Fine, if you dare to do it, I certainly have no objections," Yi Xuan sneered. "I just fear you won't dare."
"Heh, 'won't dare'? " Yang Haoran chuckled faintly. "This is Yang Haoran's territory; what is there for me not to dare? Forget just you, it wouldn't be a problem even if I added this 'sister-in-law' beside you into the mix."
At these words, Yi Xuan's old face flushed crimson. He had never in his wildest dreams imagined Yang Haoran would utter such a thing in front of so many people. As he registered the insult, his expression filled with rage.
As for the young woman clinging tightly to Yi Xuan's arm, Yang Haoran's remark completely dumbfounded her on the spot. When she finally processed it, her face turned even redder than Yi Xuan's. She immediately let go of his arm, her expression utterly mortified.
The people from the other factions present also hadn't anticipated such a remark from Yang Haoran. However, their reactions differed from Yi Xuan's and the young woman's. Some secretly snickered, while others outright burst into laughter. Although they were all here today for the same reason, they were not one family; some even harbored deep grudges against the Talisman Cult. Hearing Yang Haoran's words at this moment, why wouldn't they laugh? This was a prime opportunity to see someone publicly humiliated.
Under the collective mockery, Yi Xuan's expression grew even fouler. The fury in his heart made his body tremble. The Talisman Masters behind him also looked exceptionally displeased; after all, it wasn't just Yi Xuan's and the young woman's face that had been lost, but the entire Gu Mo City Talisman Cult's as well.
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