Yang Chen didn't even glance at Guan Zhengshan, his calm gaze fixed solely on Wang Jian.
"I let you go home earlier so your father could come and atone for your stupidity, not so you could continue to provoke me. I don't enjoy killing, but that doesn't mean I won't."
With those words, Yang Chen flicked his wrist, and Wang Jian's body went flying.
**Bang!**
His body slammed into the central stone pillar of the banquet hall. Wang Jian's eyes rolled back, and he passed out on the spot.
Only then did Yang Chen turn to Wang Hongye. "A son's misdeeds are the father's failure. This time, I'll spare both your worthless lives. But if you dare cross me again, I won't hesitate to erase the Wang family from existence."
The entire banquet hall was silent, as if everyone were trapped in a dream. Terror filled their faces as they stared at Yang Chen. He had struck right under Guan Zhengshan's nose—utterly disregarding the man's authority.
A suffocating tension, like the calm before a storm, pressed down on the room. Wang Hongye was both furious and terrified, but Yang Chen's eerily composed demeanor sent chills down his spine, rendering him speechless.
At that moment, an elderly man in a black Tang suit materialized beside Guan Zhengshan like a shadow.
"It's Ninth Master!" someone gasped.
Many of the older attendees recognized the man. No one knew his real name, only that he was missing the pinky finger on his left hand—not from injury, but from birth. Hence, he was called "Nine Fingers."
But the reason the older generation knew him was his legendary strength. He had saved Guan Zhengshan's life countless times, earning the family head's deep trust. Even some of the Guan family's direct descendants didn't hold as much sway as Nine Fingers.
Just then, Guan Xuesong was helped into the room.
Before the birthday banquet began, Yang Chen had smashed his head into a table in front of everyone. Then, moments ago, he'd been sent flying with a single slap.
Now, his face was grotesquely swollen, twisted with rage.
"Ninth Master, I want him **dead**!" Guan Xuesong finally erupted, his voice a guttural growl, teeth grinding in fury.
The moment he spoke, Nine Fingers moved.
With a light tap of his foot, his body shot forward like an arrow, charging straight at Yang Chen.
Yang Chen smirked. "Overestimating yourself."
As he spoke, Nine Fingers was already upon him, leaping into the air for a flying kick.
Yang Chen finally reacted—but only by bending his knee slightly before snapping it forward in a counter-kick.
**Boom!**
The moment their legs collided, an overwhelming force surged through Nine Fingers' limb.
His body was sent flying backward.
**Crash!**
Nine Fingers slammed into a massive dining table meant for twenty people. The table shattered instantly, and the impact forced a mouthful of blood from his lips.
From start to finish, Yang Chen hadn't moved an inch—only lifting his foot once. With a single strike, he had defeated the Guan family's strongest fighter.
The hall was dead silent.
Every pair of eyes was wide with shock, especially among the older guests who knew Nine Fingers' reputation. Terror gripped them.
"H-how… how is this possible?"
"Was that really Ninth Master?"
"I don't believe it!"
No one in the banquet hall could process what they'd just witnessed. Their faces were frozen in disbelief.
Even Guan Zhengshan's normally unshakable composure cracked, his aged face twisting in astonishment.
Guan Xuesong's jaw hung open, wide enough to fit an egg. A deep, primal fear slithered through his entire body.
At that moment, the Guan family's hidden experts emerged from the shadows, surrounding Yang Chen.
Nine Fingers, pale-faced, returned to Guan Zhengshan's side and bowed his head. "Family Head… I'm no match for him."
"Why have you come to my birthday banquet?" Guan Zhengshan finally managed to steady his voice after a long silence.
From the moment Yang Chen had entered the hall, he'd done nothing but cause trouble. Guan Zhengshan knew this man wasn't here to celebrate.
Yang Chen smiled faintly. "Naturally, to deliver a gift."
"A gift? You've practically tried to destroy my Guan family tonight. And now you claim you're here to give a gift?" Guan Zhengshan scoffed.
"Before the gift, I have a question for you."
Yang Chen didn't wait for permission before continuing, "Is Guan Xuefeng a member of your family?"
"He's my grandson. If you have some connection with him, it doesn't matter. After what you've done here today, there's no chance I'll let you leave alive," Guan Zhengshan said coldly, as if he truly had the means to keep Yang Chen here.
Yang Chen almost laughed. Where was this confidence coming from? Even the Guan family's strongest fighter had been defeated in one move. Did Guan Zhengshan have some other trick up his sleeve?
"He kidnapped an innocent woman and held her captive for a month. Did you know about this?" Yang Chen's tone sharpened.
Guan Zhengshan frowned. "With the Guan family's status, what woman couldn't he have? Even if what you say is true, so what? She's just a woman. If my grandson wanted her, it was her honor."
"No wonder he dared to do such things—with a grandfather like you. It seems the Guan family is devoid of conscience, capable of any evil." Yang Chen's voice was icy.
"**Audacious!**" Guan Zhengshan roared. "Since when does a junior like you have the right to judge how my family operates?"
"Your family's affairs don't interest me. But your grandson provoked **me**, and that makes it my business."
Yang Chen's expression was eerily calm. "Originally, I came here just to demand an explanation. But now, I see that's unnecessary."
He paused, then added, "In that case, I'll simply erase the Guan family from Jiangzhou. Consider it… divine justice."
The moment these words left his mouth, the room erupted in shock.
This man truly had no filter.
"Boy, do you really think the Guan family's only capable fighter is Nine Fingers? That just because you defeated him, no one else can touch you?"
Guan Zhengshan's eyes narrowed to slits, murder gleaming in their depths. "The Guan family has stood at the pinnacle of Jiangzhou for decades. If we were as easy to topple as you claim, do you think we'd still be here?"
Many in the crowd sneered at Yang Chen. Sure, he was strong—even Nine Fingers had lost. But bringing down a family like the Guans wasn't as simple as defeating one man.
If it were that easy, any upstart family could just hire a top-tier fighter to wipe out their rivals and take their place.
Yang Chen only smiled faintly at their ignorance. How could mere mortals comprehend the power of a god?
**Clap! Clap! Clap!**
Suddenly, Yang Chen began to slowly applaud, his smile widening as he looked at Guan Zhengshan. "Enough talk. Let's present your birthday gift first."
As soon as he finished speaking, commotion erupted outside the hall.
Moments later, under the stunned gazes of everyone present, a towering figure appeared, dragging a limp body by the leg through the banquet hall doors.
A trail of blood marked the path where the body had been hauled in.
"Present the gift. Let's see if the Guan family head is satisfied," Yang Chen said, his voice dropping to a glacial tone.
At his command, Ma Chao flung the bloodied figure forward, sending it sprawling at Guan Zhengshan's feet.
"Xuefeng!"
Guan Zhengshan recognized the man instantly and let out a roar of fury, his entire body radiating killing intent.