"Why can't we go in? We're with Ryan Ling!" Harvey Jin couldn't help but shout.
"Arrogant fools! Do you even know where you are? This isn't a place for you to act wild!" The burly steward barked, and the surrounding security guards immediately closed in, each one looking like a tiger from the mountains.
"What did you say? Who do you think you are?" Harvey Jin was a wild one himself, but Jason Lin next to him saw things getting out of hand and quickly held him back.
"Let it go, Old Jin. The Hong family isn't just any place—don't make trouble!"
"Ryan, the Hong family has strict rules. Since they only invited you, just go in. I trust that with Old Master Hong there, no one would dare act recklessly!" Samuel Su quickly chimed in.
Ryan Ling nodded slightly. He’d dared to storm a demon snake’s lair before—this place was nothing. He didn’t feel the slightest bit afraid, and strode confidently into Hong Manor.
As soon as he stepped inside, the main gate slammed shut with a bang.
At that moment, in a shadowy corner nearby, a servant hurried over to a short, fat man whose face was swollen like a pig’s head. That man was none other than Hong Manor’s steward, Leo Liu.
"Boss Leo, that kid actually showed up—he’s already inside!"
"Good, good. Damn, he’s got guts. Is everyone in position?" Leo Liu slammed his fist into his palm, looking especially excited.
"Relax, Boss Leo. Everyone who should be here is already in place, lying low around the banquet hall. Old Master Hong, his two sons, the Xingyi master Tiger Fang, Western sword champion Thomas—they’re all here. Plus, the Qiu and Dai clans from Wuzhou are waiting in the guest rooms next door, just waiting for Old Master Hong to give the signal!" The servant reported eagerly.
"Good, very good, excellent. That little bastard dared to mess with me like this—today, I’ll carve him up piece by piece!" Leo Liu stroked his swollen face, his teeth grinding with rage.
"Relax, Boss Leo. The net is set—he walked right into it, so there’s no way out now!" The servant finished, grinning obsequiously.
"Good, stick to the plan!" Leo Liu said, then headed straight for the banquet hall.
Meanwhile, Ryan Ling, led by two Hong family retainers, walked down a long, winding corridor. The Hong family really was filthy rich—just the pillars in this hallway were covered in gold leaf. No need to ask, all this luxury was wrung from the blood and sweat of ordinary people. With such gaudy decor, Stanley Hong must be terrifyingly ruthless.
As he walked, the two rows of retainers lining the corridor all wore grim faces, and it felt like there were more hidden ambushers lurking nearby. The suffocating killing intent in the air made Ryan feel a little short of breath.
Clearly, Ryan had been way too optimistic before—this was no Hongmen banquet, it was a dragon’s lair and tiger’s den.
Ryan gave a cold little smile, already clenching his fists tight.
"Alright, just stand here for a bit. I’ll go announce you." One of the retainers said curtly, then walked into the hall.
Ryan swept his cold gaze over the crowd—everyone was dressed to the nines, but one old man sat at the north end of the room, facing south, eyes closed and humming something. No doubt, that was Stanley Hong. Behind him, two handsome young men massaged his shoulders and legs, looking like he was enjoying himself to the max, while everyone else in the room radiated arrogance and pride.
It was like this whole show was staged just for Ryan Ling.
"Old Master wants you to come over. Remember the rules: sit when you're told, stand when you're told—got it?" The servant soon returned, reminding Ryan nervously.
Ryan snorted and ignored him, walking straight in.
All that so-called nobility meant nothing to him.
"Hey kid, I just told you—" The servant panicked and hurried after him.
"Enough! Stop shouting. Don’t you know the guest I invited today is a distinguished one?" Stanley Hong slowly opened his eyes. The servant quickly agreed and backed out, but the hostility in his eyes was obvious.
Since Ryan was here, he didn’t bother with formalities. He saw an empty seat and sat down right away.
The people around glared at him, some even gritted their teeth, but with Stanley Hong keeping calm, nobody dared to act.
"I assume this young man is the recently famous Harbor City hero, Ryan Ling? I must admit, I didn’t expect our city to be hiding such a dragon. Don’t worry, I appreciate talent—I’d never let someone like you come to harm. I’ll negotiate with Wuzhou on your behalf!" Stanley Hong said, forcing a laugh.
"Thank you for your concern, Old Master Hong. Much appreciated," Ryan replied flatly.
"No need to be polite—we’re all locals, all on the same side! I, Stanley Hong, am loyal to my own people and would never mistreat them!" As Stanley Hong spoke, he gave a subtle look. Leo Liu slowly shuffled out, holding a cup of wine.
"Ryan, it was my servant who disgraced the family yesterday. You taught him a good lesson—today, I’ll have him apologize to you!" Stanley Hong said, and Leo Liu brought the wine right up to Ryan.
"Brother, I was wrong yesterday. Please accept this apology drink." Leo Liu forced a smile, but as Ryan glanced at the cup, he noticed a faint green vapor rising from it.
These people were really vicious—serving up poisoned wine!
Ryan never liked Stanley Hong, but he never expected this so-called spiritual leader of Harbor City, a man everyone respected, to be so despicable.
"Come on, drink up! The Hong family is showing plenty of sincerity—don’t tell me you won’t even give us this much face?" A spoiled young master nearby couldn’t wait any longer.
"Fine, I’ll drink it—right now!" Ryan sneered, snatched the cup, and forced Leo Liu’s mouth open, pouring the wine straight down his throat.
"Drink? Drink my ass! You think you can poison me with a cup of wine? Too bad I’ve got fire-eyes and golden vision!" Ryan said, the poisoned wine already down Leo Liu’s throat. Leo turned pale with fright and clawed at his own throat, but before he could vomit, Ryan kicked him flying, sending him rolling on the ground with his eyes rolled back.
"Useless fool! Why aren’t you all attacking yet?" Stanley Hong shouted, leaping to his feet, his face turning green with rage—the mask was off now.
In an instant, Tiger Fang the Xingyi master, Thomas the Western sword expert, and the restless Qiu and Dai clan fighters from Wuzhou all charged at Ryan. At least a hundred top martial artists poured in from all directions, sealing off the luxurious banquet hall in a ring of steel.
"Stanley Hong, the so-called most respected elder of Harbor City—I never thought you’d be a wolf in sheep’s clothing, with a heart this vicious!" Ryan swept his gaze at Stanley Hong, who had retreated behind layers of bodyguards.
"You’re just figuring that out now? Too late. Sure, you’re talented, but you must be brain-damaged to kill the only heirs of the Dai and Qiu clans from Wuzhou in broad daylight! They’re personal disciples of Logan Long, Hall Master of the Azure Dragon Society. You keep opposing the Azure Dragon Society—how could I let you live?" Stanley Hong said, as if he was perfectly justified.
"You think killing me won’t be noticed? There are at least two hundred people outside who saw me enter Hong Manor. Aren’t you afraid of public backlash?" Ryan asked, clenching his fists.
"Relax. I’ll just say you couldn’t handle the pressure and killed yourself. Or maybe the Dai and Qiu clan kids got carried away and accidentally hit your vital spot—bad luck, you died. I’ve got a million ways to spin it, you think I can’t cover it up? Hahaha!" Stanley Hong laughed to himself.
"Alright. Now I finally know what ‘despicable and inhuman’ really means. Since that’s how it is, I have every reason to go on a killing spree—none of you shameless bastards are leaving here alive today!" Ryan took a deep breath, his mind made up. In the blink of an eye, sword qi erupted wildly around him, and ghostly wails filled the banquet hall, as if countless evil spirits were pouring out of Ryan’s body...