Chapter 112: 112.
After walking out of the shop, Yang Ze roamed aimlessly. Right now, his mind was filled with turmoil. It was not that he was feeling anger or any other negative emotion, but something entirely different. The small talk that he had with Xia Xueqi made him vulnerable. This was the first time someone thoroughly saw through him. And Yang Ze, who never faced a situation like this before didn't seem to know how to deal with it.
In a daze, Yang Ze slowly wandered the street before finding himself amidst the celebration. Looking around, the people seemed to be lighting up fireworks and singing songs. A group of people was dancing in a circle, and children were running around with smiles on their faces.
"Hahahaha... Welcome..." A man walked toward Yang Ze and after giving him a light hug, handed him some sweets before going toward the other newcomers.
Yang Ze didn't speak, but picked out a corner and sat there silently, observing the people celebrating in front of him. Looking at those people, Yang Ze lost the sense of time.
He didn't know how long he looked at them, but by the time he came out of his stupor, there was already a figure sitting next to him.
"Huh!?" Glancing at the old man sitting beside him, Yang Ze gave him a nod before looking away. The people were still celebrating, and some of the restaurant owners were distributing food for free. Even Yang Ze and the old man beside him were given two boxes full of food.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Opening the box with a smile, the old man took out the roasted chicken and slowly began to enjoy it.
"Perhaps." Yang Ze didn't agree or disagree, but opened his box to taste the food.
"You see, I have lived for a long time, and this is one of the few times that I have seen people being truly happy."
"Good for them." Yang Ze replied in a flat tone. After talking with Xia Xueqi, he wasn't in the mood to talk with someone else. At this moment, he just wanted to be left alone in peace.
"Who do you think might have done all this!?" Unfortunately for Yang Ze, the old man was hell-bent on talking.
"I did it." Yang Ze replied in a flat tone.
"Oh! And why did you do it!?"
"Because they did something they shouldn't have."
"I see." Both Yang Ze and the old man went silent.
"Have you ever thought about the repercussion of what those actions might lead up to?"
"Don't know, don't care." Yang Ze looked at the old man once more. "You seemed to be awfully interested in it old man?"
"Hahaha... You can say I am interested in you."
Yang Ze shook his head "Sorry, I don't swing that way. You should find someone else."
"I think you misunderstood me." Ignoring Yang Ze's snarky remark, the old man raised his hand and waved it slowly. The moment he did it, the sound coming from the people around disappeared instantly.
'Innate.'
The moment those voices disappeared, Yang Ze's eyes narrowed into slits. This was the power of an Innate powerhouse, using the aura of heaven and earth to insulate the area around them.
"You don't seem surprised." Looking at Yang Ze who didn't seem to be surprised by this action, the old man nodded slightly. It was just as he had thought. The young man in front of him has been used to the presence of an Innate powerhouse around him. This was the only plausible explanation for his lack of surprise or awe. If it were an ordinary person, he would have at least appeared respectful in presence of an Innate, but this young man acted as if he were an equal. This only made sense if he had someone from the Innate realm protecting him all the time.
And for an Innate powerhouse to work as a mere bodyguard... The background of this boy seemed to be much more troublesome than he had imagined.
"I don't think I am famous enough to be visited by an Innate powerhouse in person." Yang Ze didn't reply to him but asked another question.
'Sure enough.' After a brief hesitation, Xia Jian finally stated his true purpose. "Let's just say I am visiting in hopes to see the fellow Daoist who took action yesterday."
Yang Ze didn't reply immediately but looked at the scenery of celebration in front of him for a long time. "I don't think he is particularly interested in meeting anyone at this moment. I can pass your message to him."
"I see." The old man thought for a moment and then slowly nodded. "Let me introduce myself, little friend. I am the ancestor of the Xia family, Xia Jian. The thing that fellow Daoist did yesterday was somewhat excessive."
"They were the ones to act first. We did everything we could to make peace. And since they didn't appreciate it, we taught them in the only language they understood." With a mouth full of food, Yang Ze replied in a flat tone.
"Huh!?" Xia Jian narrowed his eyes slightly, "Aren't you afraid that the three families and the city lord might act against you?"
"You all are welcome to try." Yang Ze didn't bat an eye. His purpose here was already fulfilled. Even if he leaves the city now, it won't make an impact on him. On the other hand, he wasn't in a particularly good mood right now. After talking to Xia Xueqi, his emotions were already in turmoil. And right now, he was like a barrel full of explosives, ready to blow up at any moment.
"I see." Looking at his confidant expression, Xia Jian had some doubts in his heart. It seems this boy in front of him truly has a terrifying background if he was confident enough to take on the entire Mehull city. And at this moment, the only ones he knew were...
"Forgive me for asking bluntly. But, are you from Leihui Sect!?"
"You are free to think whatever you want." Yang Ze replied in a flat tone, but his eyes narrowed after hearing that familiar name. He still remembers the battle of Darati city. During his fight with the old man, he proudly proclaimed his identity as an elder of the Leihui Sect. Now, this Xia Jian in front of him had mistaken him for one of them. It seems like things weren't as simple as they might seem.
"I will be sure to give your message to him. And if there's nothing else, I wish to go back." Patting the dust off his clothes, Yang Ze stood up and slowly walked out, leaving Xia Jian alone in his deep thoughts.
.
.
.
.
Yang Ze wandered for a long time throughout the city. The news about him being responsible for the murders of the Beggar Sect wasn't made public. According to the news released by the city hall, it was the work of three families combined who were tired of the Beggar Sect doing ill deeds in the city. The younger generation marveled at this news while the older generation scoffed at it. In their eyes, the three families were taking credit for someone else's work.
The celebration went on for the entire day. It wasn't until the night that the people stopped and went back home. And just like them all, Yang Ze made his way back too. But unlike the people, he wasn't happy...
The memories of his past life were overwhelming him. In the past, he never thought about it, but now that Xia Xueqi brought up this topic, he was feeling overwhelmed. With a heavy heart, he closed his eyes and went to sleep. Not caring about the turbulence going on in the outside world.
.
.
.
.
"Did you meet up with them?" Xia Wen who was waiting for Xia Jian's arrival asked the question as soon as he saw him.
"I met up with the boy. As for the people behind him....." Shaking his head in helplessness, Xia Jian sighed.
"Anything about his background? Is he from the Leihui Sect?"
"I don't know. He wasn't particularly interested in the talk. I left a message to the person behind him, but I doubt we will be meeting anytime soon."
"...."
"...."
"Of course, he is not from our sect."
Just when the two of them were lost in their train of thoughts, a hoarse voice sounded behind them.
"Who!?"
"Hmm!?"
Before they could react, the figure of a person clad in black arrived in front of them. From his outer appearance, it was impossible to guess his age and gender. However, the moment Xia Wen and Xia Jian saw him, their eyes narrowed into slits. They were too familiar with this person in front of them.
"Senior." Xia Wen gave him a respectful bow while Xia Jian gave him a nod.
"Fellow Daoist Jian." The man greeted Xia Jian before slowly walking forward.
"Fellow Daoist Seven." Xia Jian returned the greeting. "Please take a seat."
Xia Wen who was standing behind them hurriedly arranged the chairs and table for them before respectfully standing behind them. In the presence of two Innate powerhouses, he didn't dare to be careless.
After taking their respective seats, Xia Jian was the first one to speak.
"Daoist Seven, is that boy from the Leihui Sect!?" Now that an elder from that sect was in front of them, they didn't need to go around assuming on their own. They could just directly ask him.
"Whoever they are, they are not from our sect."
After a brief pause, he looked at Xia Wen who was standing there, and spoke in a cold tone "Instead of paying attention there, you should focus on the things that we told you."
The more he spoke, the colder his voice became. "As for them, I will take care of this matter. We can not have any variables at this moment. This is our one and only chance, so if there is something that may disturb our plan, I have to deal with it."
Xia Jian and Xia Wen both looked at each other with grim expressions. Even though both of them had some doubts, they didn't dare to voice them out. The person in front of them belongs to an organization they couldn't dare to offend.
"Have you prepared everything we asked you to?"
"It is done." Coming forward, Xia Wen respectfully nodded before continuing further "Seven days later, we will hold the banquet for Ancestor. At that time, we will make an announcement."
"Good." The man nodded. "Do as we asked and all the promises we made to you will be fulfilled."
With these last words, the figure of the man disappeared into the darkness, leaving the two alone.
"Is... Is he going to take action right now!?" Looking at the night sky, Xia Wen asked with a frown. If this person decided to take action against Yang Ze and the people behind him, then the entire city might be destroyed. It will even alert the City Guard and then Xuanwu Academy, throwing their entire plan into the gutter.
"I don't think so..." Xia Jian looked into the distance where his figure disappeared and spoke in a low voice. "He is not an idiot, and he knows the consequences better than us. As for how he is going to deal with them... It's his headache. We just need to focus on our part.
Have you talked with the Yuwen and Feng clans?"
"Yes... They are ready too." Xia Wen nodded in reply.
"Good... Then let's begin at the right moment."
"Ancestor..." Xia Wen hesitated for a long time "What about that Hua Ji and the business!?"
"FOCUS..." With a loud shout, Xia Jian snorted. "Also... Forget about those profits from the business. Don't accept them and don't ever talk about them."
"HUH!? But Ancestor...."
"Did you not hear me clearly? Do I need to speak again!?" With a snort, Xia Jian left the scene leaving behind Xia Wen who was gritting his teeth in frustration. However, no matter how courageous he might be, he didn't dare to go against the ancestor's wishes.
Xia Jian on the other hand couldn't guess about the future outcome if both sides clashed. On one side was a faction equally powerful and frightening as the Xuanwu Academy, and on the other side was someone unknown with Innate powerhouse as a bodyguard. And whichever side it was, it wasn't something the Xia family was willing to offend. So, their best choice was to be a passerby and keep themselves low.
With these thoughts in mind, Xia Jian slowly walked inside his room before closing his door and merging with the silence...
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone