Chapter 325: Arrogant and Overbearing (Thanks to the Red Fortune God for the Second Patron)

Chapter 325: Arrogant and Boastful (Thanks to the Second Lord of the Red Wealth God's Fate)

"Now, it's still a quarter short of the Si hour—what's the rush?!"

Qian Fengting rolled up his sleeves, holding the sundial on his wrist toward Ming Wang.

"The ones destined to come have already arrived. He hasn't shown up yet—what does that mean? Is he trying to make a scene in front of his colleagues?"

Ming Wang snapped his fingers, his voice cold: "I can't control what others think, but I, Ming Wang, won't tolerate such behavior. If you lack self-awareness, it's best not to cross this threshold."

"Perhaps Quanshan City encountered some accident on the way, who knows?"

In truth, three hours prior, Qian Fengting had been trying to reach Xie Bi'an, but received no response.

Not just him—Fan Wujiu had also lost contact.

Though Qian Fengting didn't believe much could go wrong between Quanshan City and Jōdo City for a mere meeting, the unusual circumstances left him uneasy.

"A gentleman does not stand under a crumbling wall, but villains often lie in broken eggs. Those little bastards from Quanshan City—surely they wouldn't get into trouble just for a carriage ride? That would be truly demonic!"

Qian Fengting cursed under his breath, yet still defended Quanshan City aloud.

"You said it yourself—the appointed hour is the Si hour. A quarter off means they're late. Open the door already!"

"There's no quarter-hour left. Quanshan City's Hyakutō will surely not make it."

The old man beside Qian Fengting fiddled with his sleeve, sneering coldly: "Daring to disregard the Hyakutō's command so soon after taking office. If he continues, won't he end up riding atop us and relieving himself freely?"

"Ye Lao, what are you stirring up here?" Qian Fengting glared angrily.

"I think Ye Lao isn't stirring—he's just stating the truth."

Jiao Mu Qiang rotated his thick neck, the bones cracking with a brittle sound, his grin wild: "Such a swaggering new Hyakutō—I haven't seen one in ages. Does he really think he can make a grand entrance? Doesn't he know his own worth?"

Yu Canhai, seated at the end, listened quietly to the tense exchange, a flicker of curiosity in his heart.

What kind of figure is this Hyakutō from Quanshan City? He seemed newly appointed—how had he offended so many?

While he pondered, the argument at the table continued unabated.

Unnoticed by all, the conference room doors silently split open, a narrow crack forming.

The Jōdo City's chief guard at the door noticed the disturbance behind him and spun around, slamming the doors shut with a violent push.

Thud!

The crack snapped shut, and a muffled collision echoed from within.

At the sound, everyone turned in unison, Qian Fengting leaping up excitedly: "Is it Quanshan City's men? Open the door!"

Ye Lao's cold laugh followed: "The hour has come—this door won't open now!"

Boom!

At his words, a thunderous crash erupted outside.

Two heavy wooden doors were kicked open, and the Jōdo City's chief guard was sent stumbling forward, collapsing in a most undignified heap.

Over thirty eyes, some shocked, some furious, fixed on the four figures at the doorway.

Blood-stained garments, wounds gaping.

The unusually cold-faced Fan Wujiu supported Xie Bi'an, who was nearly wrapped like a zongzi, only his eyes visible.

Painted Skin, her eye sockets filled with rage, stood beside them, clutching her swollen forehead.

Before them, Li Jun's face was sallow, his right hand dragging the massive, terrifying embroidered spring blade, while his left held a severed head with wide, glaring eyes!

The sight was jarring, drawing sharp intakes of breath throughout the hall, echoing endlessly.

The Jōdo chief guard, thrown to the ground, tried to rise, only to have his vision seized by a blinding flash of cold light.

Pfft!

A blade as broad as a door panel sliced past his ear into the floorboards, its mirror-like surface reflecting his face of terror, on the verge of death.

"Was that you blocking the door just now? How unseemly, acting as a watchdog."

A foot stamped on his chest, the dancing flames in those eyes burning away every shred of courage in his bones.

"Painted Skin, give him a few slaps. Stop when you've had enough. If he moves, cut him down."

Li Jun tossed out the words, and amid the crisp crackling sounds, lifted his gaze.

Flames of fury clashed with provocations and disdain, finally settling on a pair of eyes brimming with hatred—Yu Canhai's!

"Interesting. This Oriental district is truly fascinating." Li Jun chuckled to himself.

Under Yu Canhai's dagger-like stare, Li Jun didn't approach but walked straight to Qian Fengting's side.

Thud!

The severed head was slammed onto the table before Ye Lao, the hand atop it twisting slightly, aligning the corpse's unblinking eyes with his.

"Brother, mind swapping seats? I was wounded just now, and the wind at the door might be too much."

A blood-stained hand pressed against Ye Lao's shoulder, an electric-like chill spreading through his taut frame.

A silent scream of genes echoed in his ears, fear trembling through flesh and blood.

There was no need for instinctive reaction—Ye Lao's heart was already overwhelmed by a tidal wave of dread.

For he recognized the owner of that head!

The left and right hands of the Huāngshì Group's eastern master, Huāngshì Liè, and head of the group's martial department, Huāshì Xiya!

A fifth-rank martial artist of the sect, Rōngshǒu!

"Naturally, one wounded shouldn't endure the wind. Please, take a seat, Lord Yama."

Ye Lao forced down his terror, casting a glance at Ming Wang and Jiao Mu Qiang across the table—an unspoken plea for "a minor grievance leads to great chaos"—and rose to sit at the end.

"This world still favors the righteous, it seems."

Li Jun settled down gracefully, lifting his robe and crossing his legs, tilting his chin at Ming Wang across from him, his right hand resting before him, left hand tapping his wrist, unashamed of the provocation in his eyes.

Behind Li Jun, Fan Wujiu grabbed a chief guard of unknown origin and flung him aside, carefully supporting Xie Bi'an as he sat.

As he reached for a chair, the chief guards within a zhang radius had already obediently shifted to make space.

Reckless and domineering, with no regard for others, using ruthless methods, arrogant and boastful!

The newly established Quanshan City Jinyiwei Hyakutō office made a striking first impression on the other cities.

Those with clear minds and keen insight, the seasoned Hyakutō, had already discerned the sharp contradictions brewing between this newly appointed Quanshan City Hyakutō and the "Three Kinds" office.

This year's review meeting might prove far more provocative than any before!

Thanks to the Second Lord of the Red Wealth God's Fate!