Chapter 52

"Old Sir, you are joking," Li Yuntian laughed dryly. He certainly could not agree with this, or it would confirm the rumor that the City Lord's residence was full of arrogance.

"Joking? Hmph, I am not joking at all!" Suddenly, Old Yun stood up, and a pressure as overwhelming as a tidal wave surged from his body, enveloping Li Yuntian and the others.

His face turned cold, a stark contrast to his previous amiable demeanor. "When I came to the Imperial City many years ago, even the Crown Prince was not as arrogant and tyrannical as your nephew!"

"Forcefully marrying a civilian girl and being rejected, he even sent people to cause trouble at the tavern, trying to force her granddaughter to return. Such a ruffian! If not for the sake of the City Lord's residence, I would have killed him with one palm long ago!" Old Yun took a step forward, his eyes flashing with cold light. "Do you think I am joking?!"

"Old Sir, please calm down." Li Yuntian was drenched in cold sweat. In that instant, he felt the terrifying aura of Old Yun. It was as if a mountain was pressing down on him, or a vast sea was surging to engulf him.

He was extremely shocked. The aura was so powerful that it made him feel as if he were stuck in quicksand, requiring immense effort to move even a little.

"Truly a peak elder!" Li Yuntian sighed inwardly. He himself had great talent and was never short of treasures, and he considered himself a strong cultivator. However, compared to Old Yun, the difference was like that between heaven and earth!

He could not match it!

Li Yuntian was helpless. If his cultivation could rival Old Yun's, he might have been a bit more defiant, but the gap between them was too large. Even though he had been in a high position for a long time, he had no temper now.

Beside him, Li Xinyu's body trembled, and she bent slightly. Her face was pale, and she looked terrified, with sweat dripping down like rain.

At this moment, in Li Xinyu's perception, Old Yun had transformed into a terrifying beast, exuding a predatory aura that seemed ready to tear her apart at any moment.

There was also a strange feeling, as if Old Yun had become the supreme ruler, with the power of life and death in his hands. Just a wave of his hand could make her vanish into thin air!

This feeling made Li Xinyu's soul tremble uncontrollably, and she had an urge to retreat, but her body was frozen in place.

The scene was surprising to those who had come with Li Yuntian. They could see that Li Yuntian and Li Xinyu were struggling, but they themselves felt nothing.

They exchanged glances, and a few of them stepped forward, wanting to help. However, Old Yun just glanced at them casually, and they felt as if struck by lightning, their bodies trembling, unable to move.

"This... It's too terrifying! Who is he?"

"Just a glance, and I feel as if I am in a sea of blood, my soul trembling!"

Someone widened their eyes, fear and respect in their gaze. He muttered, "I remember now, it's him! No wonder, no wonder..."

Jiang Han muttered on the side, not knowing what shocking deeds Old Yun had done in the past to make people look at him with such awe and respect.

"Old Sir, please listen to my explanation." Li Yuntian extended his hand with difficulty, bowing to Old Yun, his forehead drenched in cold sweat.

"Explanation? Hmph!" Old Yun flicked his sleeve, giving him a cold glance, and sat back down. "I don't need your explanation. Let your nephew come and talk to me!"

All the pressure was withdrawn, and everyone felt a sudden relief, their bodies feeling much lighter.

"This..." Li Yuntian had just relaxed, but Old Yun's words made him choke, his face hesitant, unsure how to respond.

He smiled bitterly, understanding Old Yun's meaning. It was as if he was saying that Li Yuntian did not have the qualifications to discuss matters with him. Of course, Li Yuntian knew his place; even his father was a junior to Old Yun, let alone him.

"What, do you have doubts?" Old Yun looked at him indifferently, his gaze calm but piercing, making Li Yuntian unable to meet his eyes.

Li Yuntian lowered his eyes, his mind racing, thinking of a way to respond.

At this moment, Li Xinyu suddenly bit her lip and stepped forward, saying, "Old Sir, all the fault is mine. I am willing to accept any punishment, but I beg you to spare my son!"

"Hmm?" Old Yun's gaze turned cold, and he gave her a cold look, making her body tremble, and she took several steps back. But she still lifted her head, looking at Old Yun defiantly.

"Do you have the face to ask me to spare him?" Old Yun sneered. "If not for your indulgence and protection, he would not dare to be so arrogant and tyrannical! Spare him?"

"If I had not happened to be here, the tavern owner's family would have suffered. Who will spare them if I spare him?!" Old Yun's voice was stern, each word carrying a weight that pressed into her heart.

Li Xinyu stood there, stunned, her mind shaken, but she still muttered, "I... I am willing to take the blame for Chier, I beg Old Sir to spare my Chier..."

Suddenly, she fell to her knees, kowtowing to Old Yun, repeatedly saying, "I beg Old Sir to spare my Chier, I beg..."

"Xinyu!" Li Yuntian's eyes showed pain, and he reached out to pull her, but could not move her.

He hesitated for a moment, then sighed deeply, turned to Old Yun, and bowed, saying softly, "I beg Old Sir to spare my nephew this time. I will teach him properly in the future. I am deeply grateful, Li Yuntian."

Old Yun remained silent, looking at the two of them indifferently. After a moment, he said, "I don't care about your family affairs! As for your nephew, let your father handle it!"

Almost as soon as Old Yun finished speaking, the air in the tavern trembled, and a figure appeared before everyone.

The figure glanced around, pausing briefly on Wu Chi, then focused on Li Xinyu, sighing lightly, and struck out with a palm.

Li Xinyu, who had been kowtowing, suddenly trembled, fell to the ground, and tears still lingered in the corners of her eyes.

"Yuntian, take Xinyu back. Watch over her, and do not let her step out of the residence without my permission!" the figure said coldly.

"Then... what about Chier?" Li Yuntian hesitated, asking.

The figure waved his hand, "You don't need to worry about him!"

"Yes, Father!" Li Yuntian respectfully addressed the figure, bowed to Old Yun, turned, and carried Li Xinyu away, transforming into a streak of light.

"You have come." Old Yun's lips curled into a smile.

"Ah!" Li Ao sighed, shaking his head and smiling bitterly. "Lax discipline, making a fool of myself in front of Uncle Yun."

This person was none other than Li Yuntian's father, the "proud young man" mentioned by Old Yun earlier.

"You have been lax in discipline." Old Yun's face turned slightly cold. "I did not expect that the City Lord's residence would also bully the weak!"

Li Ao's face was full of shame. "This is my fault. I will handle it when I return." His gaze shifted to Jiang Han, showing a hint of confusion.

"This young brother looks familiar." He looked at Jiang Han suspiciously, feeling as if he had seen him somewhere before.

"You are mistaken. I assure you, you have never seen me." Jiang Han rolled his eyes.

He guessed the reason Li Ao found him familiar was because he looked a lot like his father when he was young, hence the familiarity.

"Is that so." Li Ao did not believe it, staring at Jiang Han continuously, as if trying to recognize him.

"No need to look. You will understand in the future." Old Yun shook his head and smiled, then extended his hand, and the unconscious Wu Chi floated up, drifting toward them.

"You tell me, how will you handle your grandson?" Old Yun said indifferently, looking at Li Ao with a half-smile.

Li Ao frowned and fell silent.

...

PS: Two classes in the morning, two exams in the afternoon, my head is a mess. I spent over 5 hours in front of the computer to write this chapter, and even after multiple revisions, it still feels off. Sorry!