Inside the upright coffin, a young man was bound all over with iron chains, the chains piercing through his body and pinning him tight. At each corner, massive iron nails stabbed through the coffin floor, nailing him in place.
At a glance, his body was covered in wounds.
'Is that the head of the Wang family?' someone cried out in the crowd.
'He looks so young!' someone exclaimed, staring in disbelief.
Among the Five Families, the Wang clan has always been mysterious, rumored to hide deep in the woods. For him to become their patriarch, he must be pretty strong—but even so, he's nailed in that coffin, unable to move. Looks like the Ancient Martial Ma Family is dead set on sweeping Rivercrest clean this time.
People glanced at the coffin, and waves of chatter rolled through the hall.
Tanya Zhan looked at the frail Eric Wang, her eyes full of pity. She sighed—she'd wanted to save him, but never got the chance.
On top of that, Maran Ma had threatened her with her grandfather and brother Zane Zhan's lives, leaving Tanya Zhan no way to save Eric.
Seeing Eric Wang like that, Tanya Zhan's heart was full of bitterness.
Patriarch Yun glanced coldly at Eric Wang, then looked at Yuna Pu and asked mildly, 'Is he your classmate?'
Yuna Pu glanced at Eric Wang; she naturally remembered him, since he'd always been Evan Lin's roommate.
This time, Yuna Pu just looked at him, saying nothing and showing no reaction.
Right now, Yuna Pu couldn't even protect herself, let alone worry about anyone else's safety.
Maran Ma stepped forward, sweeping his gaze across the hall, and declared loudly: 'This Wang family head is reckless beyond belief—last night he snuck into the Zhan estate and tried to kidnap my wife.'
Not only that, the Wang family head even told my Ancient Martial Ma clan to get out of Rivercrest. Such youthful arrogance—I almost admire him.
As Maran Ma finished speaking, the hall erupted in an uproar.
'Isn't this Wang family head way too arrogant?'
The Wang family may be one of the Five, but against the Ancient Martial Ma clan, they don't stand a chance.
He's way too young—looks like the Wang family will be the first of the Five to get wiped out.
A bunch of people shook their heads and sighed, while others looked on with schadenfreude.
The Five Families have dominated Rivercrest for ages, their reputation legendary.
Most people here never had a chance to cross paths with the Five Families, but watching a big clan fall is a real spectacle—it's the kind of drama everyone loves.
I used to wonder—after all, my Ancient Martial Ma Family always acts above board, and we've never had any beef with the Wang clan.
As the Wang family head, he showed up with cultivation at the Xuan-point stage, demanding to take my wife and ordering my Ma Family out of Rivercrest. That's some real domineering style.
From what I know about the Five Families, they wouldn't do something like this for no reason. Then it hit me.
Maran Ma paused here, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall.
At that moment, all eyes turned to Maran Ma, waiting for what he'd say next.
Yuna Pu instinctively tensed up, and Tanya Zhan also looked over at Maran Ma.
He—the Wang family head—only dared to mess with my Ma Family because he was following orders from Master Lin of Seacrest!
Master Lin of Seacrest conquered the Five Families, earning their respect with his strength. So the Wang family head became his pawn.
That Master Lin of Seacrest—what a move! Too scared to show up himself, so he sends his underlings to die?
Maran Ma sneered: 'It's almost funny—he actually trusts that so-called Master Lin from Seacrest. No matter how strong he is, he's still just a nobody from some small backwater.'
He dared to incite people to stand against my Ma Family? If I'm right, Master Lin is probably hiding somewhere now, scared we'll come for him.
Maran Ma laughed out loud as he finished.
The crowd nodded along, one after another.
'I've heard of Master Lin from Seacrest, but no matter how tough he is, he can't beat an Ancient Martial Clan.'
Before, Master Lin always handled the Five Families himself. This time, he sends the Wang clan as cannon fodder—maybe he's just not confident anymore.
Looks like Master Lin from Seacrest is actually scared of the Ma Family now!
Everyone chimed in, and suddenly, all the comments about Master Lin turned sharp and nasty.
Maran Ma was clearly pleased with the chatter. He turned to Patriarch Yun and said coolly, 'Patriarch Yun, if I say all this alone, it might sound biased.'
Your Yun Family has dealt with Master Lin before—why not share a few words yourself?
As soon as Maran Ma said this, the hall went silent, and all eyes turned to Patriarch Yun.
The Yun Family might not be one of the Five, but they're the most mysterious force in Rivercrest—and their reputation is nothing to sneeze at.
Master Lin from Seacrest has crossed paths with our Yun Family before.
Patriarch Yun nodded and said, 'That young man is a monster-level talent with terrifying strength.'
But compared to the Ancient Martial Ma Family, or even to Maran Ma himself, he's still way out of his league.
If you ask me, Master Lin from Seacrest is just a reputation-chaser. If he were here today, I'd love to call him out in front of everyone.
Patriarch Yun spoke slowly, but his presence was overwhelming.
With those words, he made his stance crystal clear.
A satisfied smile crept across Maran Ma's face as he glanced at the cold-faced Yuna Pu and the pale Tanya Zhan.
He turned away, and his voice instantly turned icy.
Today, I'll execute this Wang family head who dared to challenge my Ma Family, right here in front of everyone.
If anyone here thinks I'm wrong, or still supports Master Lin from Seacrest, now's your chance to stand up.
As soon as he said that, everyone instinctively took a step back.
'Is he crazy? Who'd stand up now? That's just asking to get killed,' the guy with glasses snorted and shook his head.
'Master Lin from Seacrest? More like Master Dead Lin if he goes up against the Ma Family.'
The cold-faced guy folded his arms and looked around—of course, no one dared to move.
'Good.'
Maran Ma nodded, about to keep talking when—
Suddenly, at one of the tables, a young man slowly stood up.
His expression was calm, as deep and still as an ancient pool—no ripples, no emotion, just an unfathomable quiet.
Beside him, Bella Bai suddenly looked up, startled.