Chapter Sixty-Six: Commanding Awe Over the Entire Assembly

Once again, the entire audience was plunged into deep shock.

If their earlier collective silence was due to surprise, then this time, it was out of sheer awe—a sudden, consuming fear.

Everyone stared at the qilin formed from surging air currents, at that scene wreathed in what seemed to be true, blazing fire. They all knew, rationally, that it was an illusion—nothing but turbulent air—but not a soul could resist its oppressive presence. Each of them felt as if the beast might in the next instant become real and leap out to tear them to pieces.

At this moment, Su Ye radiated a murderous aura, commanding and fierce, exuding a terrifying pressure. He still gripped the severed half of a forearm in one hand.

Blood dripped steadily to the ground, making the scene even more gruesome and terrifying.

No one could have imagined that this youth, with his delicate features and scholarly air, whose build was not especially robust, could reveal such ruthless ferocity.

"It’s—it’s Su Ye who’s won!"

All eyes fell again on the head of the Zhou family, lying on the ground. He was like a fat pig sprawled helplessly under Su Ye’s foot, which pressed mercilessly on his chest, leaving him utterly immobilized.

Half his arm was gone, and perhaps due to the searing of lightning, little blood flowed from the wound. His face was twisted in agony, deathly pale, cold sweat pouring from his brow like water.

The mighty head of the Zhou family, brought low by a seventeen-year-old boy—his arm severed in a single stroke.

Everyone from the Zhou, Ou, and Yu families stared in disbelief.

The thugs who had earlier clamored to take action against Su Ye now shrank to the very back of the crowd, terrified.

Even the likes of Yu Wenhuan and Jiang Chengzhi instinctively retreated. They had always relied on their family’s power to bully Su Ye, but now, even the Zhou family head had lost an arm.

How could they possibly dare to bluster further?

The Jiang family members looked on, dumbfounded. They had always thought Su Ye’s return was an act of loyalty—after all, he had risked his life for them. In their minds, they had imagined countless scenarios where they would protect Su Ye.

But now, it was clear: Su Ye needed no one’s protection.

Even Jiang Ziyang, at the outset, had believed Su Ye incapable of killing on the island. Now, though, he was convinced.

Some people remain silent for years, only to astonish the world in a single moment.

"Family head—let go of our family head!" The Zhou family finally reacted; a dozen martial artists surged forward. They could not stand by while their family head was humiliated.

"Su Ye, you’ve gone too far! Not only did you kill our young master, now, when we come to seek justice, you act with utter disregard for reason and sever our family head’s arm. You deserve death!"

"Representative of the Martial Alliance—you saw it yourself! Su Ye has slaughtered his peers! The Martial Alliance must intervene and take him down!" Several Zhou family members, quick-witted, immediately turned to the Martial Alliance representative seated nearby.

But alas, no one was willing to interfere now.

Su Ye pressed down hard with his foot, nearly crushing the Zhou family head’s chest, and shouted, "All of you, stay where you are!"

The Zhou family halted at once, not daring to advance a single step. None of them could be sure that Su Ye wouldn’t kill right here in public.

This seemingly gentle-faced youth was, in truth, a ruthless man.

"Zhou family head—tell me, what debts remain unsettled between your family and me?" Su Ye looked down from above, his voice cold.

The Zhou family head was in such pain he could barely speak. This was a man with seven or eight wives and more lovers than he could count, father to more children than he could remember. There was no way he would risk his life for just one son—Zhou Yuyang’s death was only part of the reason they came. The real goal was to use the opportunity to eliminate Su Ye and seize the Jiang family’s estate.

But now, above all, he wanted to survive.

"Nothing, nothing at all. There is no grudge between our Zhou family and you, or the Jiang family. My son died on the island because he lacked skill. I guarantee, from now on, the Zhou family will never trouble the Jiang family again." The Zhou family head declared loudly.

The corners of Su Ye’s mouth curled into a cold smile. "You brought a crowd to the Jiang family, caused havoc, and disturbed our peace. Do you think it ends here just like that?"

Hearing that he might yet live, the Zhou family head gritted his teeth and replied, "Compensation, I will pay compensation—"

In truth, Su Ye did not lack the desire to kill the Zhou family head. This entire crowd had come with the intention of taking him away. Everyone knew that once in their hands, he’d never survive.

Since the whole family wanted him dead, why should he pretend to be a saint? He could kill them outright.

But he had to consider the Jiang family behind him. If he killed the Zhou family head here and now, the Zhou clan would surely fight to the death, and the Yu and Ou families would follow suit.

How many Jiang family members would die in such a clash? And with Jiang Liuying still here, would she be spared if the Jiang family fell?

So, even with his fury blazing, he had to restrain himself.

"Very well! Then name a fair price—buy back your life!" Su Ye said coldly.

"Hahaha! Ridiculous, ridiculous! So young, and already resorting to blackmail! Hmph!"

Suddenly, a strong, resonant voice cut through, interrupting Su Ye and the Zhou family head.

At that moment, Yu Xingkun stood up, arms folded, his powerful aura radiating outward. He seemed wholly unfazed by Su Ye’s intimidating display.

The crowd breathed a collective sigh of relief. Among so many martial artists present, Yu Xingkun’s cultivation was among the very best. He had seized control of the Yu family through bloody struggle, unlike the Zhou family head who had bought his way to power.

Yu Xingkun gazed at Su Ye, shaking his head with a hint of pity and regret. "Su Ye, the first time you set foot in my family, I knew you were anything but ordinary. Unfortunately, your stubbornness will be your undoing, but you simply refuse to listen!"

Rage flared anew in Su Ye’s chest.

He kicked the Zhou family head aside and fixed his gaze on Yu Xingkun, his fists clenching so tightly his knuckles cracked.

He had been only ten years old when he was cast out by his clan, eventually sent to the Jiang family in Yangcheng. Even then, his talent had begun to show. He first met Yu Zhisha then, and trained with her at the Yu family home.

Back then, he had called "Uncle Yu" with utmost courtesy, and even helped Yu Zhisha break through her meridians. But in the end, it was this very father and daughter who plotted against him and took away his nine Thunder Meridians.

Though the scars on his back had been healed by Qian Lilu, the trauma in his heart—the deep, soul-searing wound—could never be erased.

At an age when he should have been arrogant and carefree, he had been branded a useless waste, scorned and insulted behind his back.

"You can stop pretending! The one I most wish to kill upon my return is you, old bastard!" Su Ye thrust an accusing finger, thunder pulsing through his veins.

Seeing the arcs of lightning coursing over Su Ye, Yu Xingkun’s eyes filled with avarice—almost fanatic. He clenched his fists and, with a crackle, bolts of lightning danced over his own body as well.

Clearly, he too possessed a Thunder Meridian!

"So you were in on it!" Su Ye instantly realized Yu Xingkun bore one of his stolen meridians. He’d been robbed of nine in total back then; Yu Zhisha only possessed one, the remaining eight had gone to Yu Xingkun.

Everyone now understood: Su Ye and Yu Xingkun were about to clash.

And it would be a duel no one could hope to interrupt—not even Jiang Ziyang.

"Su Ye, though you possess the Thunder Meridian, you know nothing of its true power. You have no idea what techniques truly complement it! In your hands, the Thunder Meridian is utterly wasted!"

Yu Xingkun advanced step by step, lightning crackling all around him. With a furious roar, he launched himself at Su Ye, fist blazing.

"Your Fire Qilin is a joke—"

Su Ye charged forward with equal fury, the two colliding head-on.

Boom!

Su Ye was sent flying, crashing hard to the ground. The fearsome Fire Qilin apparition that had surrounded him shattered like broken glass.