"You with the Ma Family?" Ian Song glanced at Warren Ma, eyebrow raised.
"That's me."
Warren Ma nodded, then pointed to Easton Ma. "This is Easton Ma, the boss's fourth son—just got back from overseas."
"Figures," Ian said, suddenly getting it. He stood there, hands behind his back, and smiled lightly. "If he hadn't just come home, he wouldn't dare make a move in front of me."
"You're way too cocky, aren't you? What, you think my Ma Family's just a joke to you?" Easton Ma shot back, clearly annoyed.
Off to the side, Cynthia Murong tugged Faye Shangguan's hand and whispered, "Faye, is this Ma Family really one of those Ten Great Families you talked about?"
"Pretty sure," Faye nodded, looking serious. She couldn't help wondering if Ian could really handle this crowd.
Ian spoke up again, voice calm like he was just stating a fact: "Even your dad, Martin Ma, wouldn't dare pull anything in front of me."
"Mind if I ask your name?" Warren Ma said, trying to keep his tone polite, though he was a little put off by Ian's swagger—even if he was grateful for the earlier mercy.
"Ian Song."
Easton Ma quickly ran through the surnames of the other nine families in his mind, but found no 'Song' among them. Instantly, he relaxed and cursed, "Who do you think you are, daring to compare yourself to my father!"
He failed to notice Warren Ma's stunned reaction upon hearing Ian Song's name. Shock and horror flashed in Warren's eyes, but when he heard Easton's outburst, his expression turned panicked. He quickly turned and shouted, "Fourth Young Master, don't be rude to Mr. Song! Apologize to Mr. Song at once!"
Seeing Warren Ma's terrified expression, Easton Ma felt a sudden chill in his heart. Could it be that this Ian Song is really someone important?
"Fourth Young Master, apologize quickly! Even the patriarch and Mr. Song treat each other as equals!"
Warren Ma urged again, his tone full of anxiety. He had never met Ian Song in person, but he had heard his reputation—this was a ruthless man who single-handedly suppressed the Immortal-Dao Alliance. Every disciple who died by his hand was exceptionally talented, including several Innate Ninth Layer experts, and even the heads of two sects—one dead, one crippled. Yet the Nine Great Sects could do nothing to him.
Any one of the Nine Great Sects is many times stronger than any of the Ten Great Families, especially since the Immortal-Dao Alliance has legendary experts. If Ian Song hadn't suppressed them, even the vast Yanhuang Republic would be exploited by the Immortal-Dao Alliance.
Now, Ian Song is the minister of the Dragon Guard Directorate, a vice-national-level figure. Even the patriarch would have to greet him respectfully. If you angered him, he could kill Easton Ma and the Ma Family would have to accept it in silence.
You have to realize, the Ma Family has quite a few elite members cultivating in the Dragon Guard Directorate right now. If Ian Song used his authority to expel the Ma Family, it would cause them serious losses.
After Warren Ma's urgent warning, Easton Ma's face turned deathly pale. Anyone who stands equal to his father is far beyond his reach. No matter how unhappy he felt, he could only bow his head and apologize.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Song!"
Faye Shangguan and Cynthia Murong watched the scene unfold, their eyes wide with shock.
The next moment, Faye grabbed Cynthia excitedly and said, "Xiaoyue, you're saved! If Ian Song is willing to help, your little problem is nothing at all!"
Hearing that, Cynthia instinctively looked at Ian Song. For some reason, his not-so-burly figure suddenly seemed immensely tall in her eyes.
"Maybe if I ask him, he really could help me," she thought.
"You can go. He stays!"
Ian Song glanced at Eric Han as he spoke.
"Thank you, Mr. Song," Warren Ma said gratefully.
"Thank you, Mr. Song," Easton Ma echoed, then led his men away with long strides. As for Eric Han, he deliberately ignored him. It wasn't that he didn't want to help; Eric had brought this on himself. If he hadn't provoked Mr. Song's woman, none of this would have happened. Easton almost got dragged down himself. He decided that once he left Greenview Manor, he'd cut all ties with Eric Han—never again!
But after walking some distance, Easton couldn't suppress his curiosity anymore. He quietly asked, "Uncle Yuanzhong, just what is Mr. Song's background? How come I've never heard of him before?"
Warren Ma thought for a moment and said, "He hasn't been around long, but he's someone no family can afford to provoke. In short, if you ever run into him, it's best to back away three steps."
On the other side.
Seeing Easton Ma leave with his people, Eric Han suddenly collapsed weakly to the ground. He knew Easton's identity—if even Easton had to bow and apologize, how could he possibly afford to provoke someone like that?
"Let's go!"
Ian Song ignored Eric Han and spoke to Faye Shangguan and Cynthia Murong.
"Okay!"
The two women nodded reflexively.
Seeing the three about to leave, Eric Han panicked. He scrambled up from the ground and dropped to his knees in front of them. "Miss Murong, I was wrong, please give me another chance!"
As he spoke, Eric Han slapped his own face repeatedly. He hit himself so hard that after just two slaps, his cheeks were already turning black and blue.
"Now you know you were wrong? What about earlier?"
Faye Shangguan looked at him with contempt and said, then reached out and hugged Ian Song's arm. "Brother Yan, let's go. Don't bother with this trash!"
As Faye Shangguan hugged Ian Song's arm, she shot Cynthia Murong a meaningful look.
The two were extremely close friends. Cynthia Murong understood the look immediately, her cheeks flushing red. After a moment's hesitation, she also reached out and hugged Ian Song's other arm.
"What's this? Have two beauties been captivated by my handsome charm and decided to offer themselves to me?" Feeling the softness on both arms, Ian couldn't help but joke.
Faye Shangguan rolled her eyes. "Keep dreaming! This is just your reward for performing well earlier!"
"That's a pretty special reward!" Ian joked.
While Ian and Faye were joking around, Eric Han didn't dare stop. He kept slapping himself, and after more than ten slaps, both sides of his face were swollen.
"That's enough. Get lost, and don't block our way!" Faye Shangguan said coldly.
"Misses, I really know I was wrong. Please forgive me!" Eric Han begged pitifully.
"If you dare block our way again, you won't get off so easily. Move it!"
As she spoke, Faye Shangguan kicked Eric Han aside.
Five minutes later.
Ian Song, flanked by Cynthia Murong and Faye Shangguan on either side, entered the banquet hall where the evening party was being held.
A square-faced, well-dressed middle-aged man was chatting with two others. He happened to glance back and saw Ian Song and the two women enter. When he noticed Faye clinging tightly to Ian's arm, he found it particularly irritating. Anger flashed in his eyes as he excused himself from the conversation and strode toward them.