Chapter 5 Wang Chengjie

“Zhang Shihao, how shameless you are, bullying the few with the many!” Though Zhou Xiaoxiao still felt a trace of resentment toward Ye Tian, he was, after all, their savior. Seeing the situation unfold, she became anxious. “Sister, let’s help him!”

“Don’t worry, Xiaoxiao. Since Ye Tian saved us, I won’t just stand by and do nothing.” Zhou Manyun nodded and called out with a clear, commanding voice, “Stop!”

“Miss Zhou?” Zhang Shihao turned, frowning. “What do you mean by this?”

“Young Master Zhang, I have no intention of making an enemy of you. However, Ye Tian saved both my sister and me, and since we brought him here, we’re obliged to protect his safety,” Zhou Manyun replied. “I ask if you could show us some consideration and let this matter end here. There will be other chances to talk.”

“If I give you face, who will give me mine?” Zhang Shihao’s anger surged.

The Zhou sisters were famed beauties of Zhongdu, and under ordinary circumstances, he would have relished the chance to befriend them. Yet now, they were siding with Ye Tian—protecting him, even! The thought made his mood even fouler.

“Respect is mutual, Young Master Zhang,” Zhou Manyun retorted coolly, her own patience thinning. “If you refuse, then let this be a declaration of war!”

“Very well, the martial experts of my Zhang family are just outside the door!” she declared. “Don’t forget, my family boasts three martial masters!”

“Three…” Zhang Shihao’s expression soured as if he’d swallowed something foul. He wanted to lash out, but didn’t dare.

The Zhou family was an old, established clan in Zhongzhou, far more influential than the Zhangs, who had only recently risen by allying themselves with greater houses. If war truly broke out, the Zhou family would suffer, but so would he.

“Zhou Manyun, there’s no grudge between us. Why make enemies over Ye Tian?” Zhang Shihao ground his teeth to keep his temper in check. “Besides, today’s my wedding day. It was Ye Tian who barged in, ruined my ceremony, and sought vengeance first!”

“That’s not my concern. I told you: Ye Tian is a benefactor to the Zhou family,” Zhou Manyun replied impassively. “Besides, it seems to me that Li Muqing didn’t marry you of her own free will—she was coerced, wasn’t she?”

“Nonsense!” Zhang Shihao’s voice quavered with guilt. “Li Muqing isn’t a puppet—how could I force her? Zhou Manyun, stop twisting things. Tell me, are you really willing to take this so far?”

“Whether we go that far depends on you,” Zhou Manyun answered. “But know this: to be Ye Tian’s enemy is to be mine. I, Zhou Manyun, have said I’ll protect him, and I will!”

Ye Tian glanced at her, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

These Zhou sisters, it seemed, valued loyalty above all.

Just then, as the tension reached its peak, a sonorous masculine voice rang out, “Well, well, Zhou girl, it’s been years, and you’ve grown bold! I remember when your father came to pay his respects during the New Year, and you two were just little girls. Now you dare stand on your own?”

A man with graying temples and a square, dignified face strode in from outside, dressed in a casual short tunic. Every gesture radiated quiet authority.

“Uncle Wang!” Zhang Shihao’s delight was immediate. He rushed forward like a lapdog. “Uncle Wang, you’re finally here! These Zhou sisters have gone too far. Everyone in Zhongdu knows I follow you—defying me is defying you!”

Zhou Manyun and Zhou Xiaoxiao’s faces turned sallow at the sight of the newcomer.

Wang Chengjie—the patriarch of one of Zhongdu’s first-tier families. His influence was vast, his connections endless. Unless one belonged to the city’s few great houses, few dared to cross him.

“It’s over, sister. Wang Chengjie himself has come!” Zhou Xiaoxiao whispered anxiously. “We can’t handle this alone. Maybe we should call on Sister Qingcheng? If she intervenes, even Wang Chengjie wouldn’t dare cause trouble.”

“I’ve already messaged her. Let’s hope she arrives in time,” Zhou Manyun replied, biting her lip. She leaned toward Ye Tian and murmured, “Ye Tian, this man is no ordinary figure. It’s best you remain silent and let me handle things.”

“No need. This is my personal affair…” The moment Ye Tian saw Wang Chengjie, a murderous intent bloomed in his heart.

If his memory served, the Wang family had indeed taken part in the Ye family massacre five years ago.

Since Wang Chengjie had come uninvited, this was the perfect time to settle accounts.

“Ye Tian, don’t act rashly at a time like this. My sister and I owe you our lives; protecting you is only right!” Zhou Manyun interjected, then looked steadily at Wang Chengjie. “Patriarch Wang, everyone must stand on their own eventually. I wonder if you’ll give me the chance to show my sincerity.”

“Oh?” Wang Chengjie’s brows rose.

“I’m willing to cede part of the Zhou family’s assets to settle this feud. What do you say?” Zhou Manyun offered.

“Zhou Manyun, do you think your Zhou family is some great house? Who cares about your meager assets? You little wretch, daring to openly declare war on me—if you sisters don’t become my maids today, I’ll change my surname!” Zhang Shihao spat, his words venomous. “As for that Ye Tian, the remnant, he must be rooted out completely!”

“Ye Tian!” Wang Chengjie’s gaze suddenly fixed on him. “So, you’re alive after all, even though your heart was cut out! I never expected you to survive.”

“Wang Chengjie, I am alive—and there are those who must die,” Ye Tian stepped forward. “You were part of the massacre that destroyed the Ye family, weren’t you? Today, I’ll start with you—to honor the souls of my kin.”

“What did you say?” Wang Chengjie’s face twitched with fury and a hint of dread.

After all, the Ye family had once been the foremost clan in Zhongdu. Though destroyed, their shadow lingered. For Ye Tian to return alive after five years—clearly, he was no ordinary man. If he wasn’t eliminated, disaster was sure to follow.

“Ye Tian!” Zhou Manyun hadn’t expected him to confront Wang Chengjie directly. “Didn’t we agree I’d handle this? You—”

“Miss Zhou, I appreciate your kindness, but this is something I must resolve myself,” Ye Tian replied.

“Zhou sisters, you heard me. If you withdraw now, I’ll let bygones be bygones. But if you persist, don’t blame me for what happens next!” Wang Chengjie’s voice was chilling.

Their faces pale, Zhou Manyun and Zhou Xiaoxiao exchanged a glance, then gritted their teeth and stood firm beside Ye Tian. “Patriarch Wang, Ye Tian is our benefactor. We’ll stand or fall with him!”

“Very good. Excellent!” Wang Chengjie drew a deep breath. “In that case, there’s nothing more to say. Old Six, deal with Ye Tian.”

A man with a hooked nose suddenly appeared, his presence unleashing a violent gust through the hotel’s grand hall.

“A grandmaster! He’s a martial grandmaster!”

“No wonder the Wang family is a first-tier house—they send a grandmaster into action!”

“Unless a master of the highest order appears, how can Ye Tian and two frail Zhou girls resist?”

Zhou Manyun and Zhou Xiaoxiao’s faces grew even whiter, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.

A martial grandmaster—a true master of the martial arts. A single slap would probably be enough to kill them.

“A grandmaster? He’s nothing!” Ye Tian snorted coldly, shielding the sisters behind him. “Come, let’s see what you’ve got!”