"My heavens!"
The guests in the hall fell into a deathly silence, their faces filled with shock as they stared at the man and the coffin.
Everyone instinctively rose from their seats, their eyes fixed on Ye Ling in disbelief.
The black coffin Ye Ling was lifting must have required at least four people to carry!
Yet, Ye Ling held it with one hand, his breathing barely changing!
What kind of monster was this?
A few bodyguards quickly helped Li Qingshan up. Only then did Li Qingshan clearly see Ye Ling's face, his own contorting in terror.
He pointed at Ye Ling, his voice trembling, "A ghost? A ghost?"
Six years ago, he had personally witnessed Ye Ling being shot and his body sunk into West Lake!
The Ye Ling who now carried a coffin was, apart from being taller and more imposing than six years ago, identical to the Ye Ling in Li Qingshan's memory!
How could he possibly be alive?
Li Qingshan shivered uncontrollably, his fear almost paralyzing his thoughts!
"What's wrong with Li Qingshan?"
"He's probably in big trouble!"
"Perhaps today's birthday banquet will turn into a funeral."
The surrounding guests, seeing Li Qingshan's terrified expression, whispered amongst themselves, their faces shifting with uncertainty.
They had come to Li Qingshan's birthday banquet merely to show respect to the Li family or to forge connections for future business dealings.
But now... the young man carrying a coffin was clearly here for revenge.
It seemed the Li family would not have a good end today!
At this moment, no one dared to get involved in this mess. Many guests retreated to the sides, clearing a path for Ye Ling, fearing they might be implicated.
Li Qingshan and Li Ruolan, who had been the center of attention, suddenly found themselves isolated and helpless.
"Quick, stop him!"
Li Qingshan frantically ordered the bodyguards still surrounding him, terrified that Ye Ling would come for him.
However, Li Qingshan's few remaining bodyguards were also visibly fearful.
Though they were bodyguards, they were paid for their service. Ye Ling clearly looked like someone not to be trifled with. If they charged forward now, their lives might be at risk!
For a moment, no bodyguard obeyed Li Qingshan's command.
Ye Ling looked indifferently at Li Qingshan, being supported, and Li Ruolan, whose legs were trembling. He placed the wooden coffin he was holding on the ground and slammed his hand onto the coffin lid!
*Dong!!!*
The coffin lid shot out like lightning, flying past Li Ruolan and striking the bronze bell with such force that the immense sound almost deafened everyone present!
Li Ruolan turned deathly pale, her mind going blank.
"Today, I, this Emperor, am only here for the Li family father and daughter. Anyone who interferes will end up like this bell."
Ye Ling made a grasping motion in the air, conjuring a wind blade, and fiercely slashed at the great bell, splitting it directly in two!
*Hiss!*
Everyone's faces instantly turned green, and gasps of cold air filled the surroundings!
If that wind blade had struck a person, wouldn't they be reduced to dust?
"Monster! Monster!"
After witnessing Ye Ling's prowess, Li Qingshan's bodyguards dared not confront him any longer. They scattered like startled birds, leaving Li Qingshan to fall back onto the ground.
No one would risk their life for a paltry sum of money!
Ye Ling's current display was clearly beyond the capabilities of ordinary individuals.
The surrounding guests looked at Li Qingshan with pity and sympathy.
Having provoked such a divine being, it seemed no one could save the Li family today!
"You, you!"
Li Qingshan, seeing all his hired bodyguards flee, spat out a mouthful of blood in anger, his face filled with despair.
It was over!
*Thump...*
Li Ruolan knelt before Ye Ling, her hands gripping Ye Ling's windbreaker, tears streaming down her face. "I, I was wrong! We were blinded by greed back then, causing your family's ruin. We are not human!"
"Please, for the sake of our past relationship, spare our lives! Can you?"
Li Ruolan cried, begging Ye Ling for mercy, which even moved some of the surrounding guests to pity.
Such a delicate and pitiable figure, no one could refuse.
Li Qingshan also recovered his senses and quickly knelt down, kowtowing to Ye Ling. "Nephew Ye, we were actually forced! We were being used by others!"
"We return this West Mountain Villa to you, and all of the Li family's assets are returned to you!"
"You are magnanimous, do not hold grudges against us. Let the past be the past!"
Li Qingshan was completely terrified by Ye Ling's methods and only sought to buy his life with wealth.
The guests sighed at the sight of the Li father and daughter's demeanor.
When had the prominent figures of Jiangcheng ever been so pathetic?
After today, the Li family would be wiped out, no longer a prominent clan.
Hearing their pleas, Ye Ling laughed in fury. "Blinded by greed, past relationship, magnanimous... the destruction of the Ye family, spoken so lightly by the two of you!"
Ye Ling's killing intent surged, and the guests who had been sighing earlier trembled, their faces filled with fear.
Just standing there, they felt an unbearable unease!
"This is a private matter of my Ye family. The rest of you, get out."
Ye Ling's voice resonated clearly in everyone's ears. Whether guests or household staff, they all scrambled to flee the estate, wishing they could disappear from there immediately!
Before long, the vast estate became empty, leaving only Ye Ling and the Li father and daughter!
Li Qingshan and Li Ruolan knelt on the ground, filled with apprehension, their fear consuming all their reason.
At this moment, only endless regret filled their hearts.
Tonight, who could save them?
"Young friend, it is better to forgive than to pursue. They father and daughter have admitted their mistakes, why must you be so relentless?"
Just as they were in despair, an aged voice echoed from outside the estate, like a ray of dawn, bringing hope to Li Qingshan's eyes.
An old Taoist priest, clad in a Taoist robe and holding a whisk, appeared not far away.
Li Qingshan exclaimed in surprise, "Master!"
This old Taoist was named Zhang Daoyuan, a wandering hermit who had once befriended Li Qingshan.
Others might not know, but Li Qingshan was well aware that Zhang Daoyuan was different from other charlatan Taoists; he had personally witnessed the old man's abilities!
Years ago, when seeking medicine for an illness, he had led a team into the mountains to search for herbs but was attacked by wolves. His bodyguards and herb gatherers all perished in the wolf attack. Fortunately, Zhang Daoyuan passed by, drove away the wolves, and saved his life!
Li Qingshan had been despairing earlier, but he never expected Zhang Daoyuan to appear here!
Seeing the old Taoist, Li Qingshan's despair turned into elation. He quickly pulled Li Ruolan to their feet, but before they could run towards the old Taoist, Ye Ling slapped them into the coffin!
This wooden coffin was personally crafted by Ye Ling, its size just right to hold Li Qingshan and his daughter!
Seeing Ye Ling's murderous intent, Zhang Daoyuan's brow furrowed with a hint of worry. "Young friend, your karma is too heavy, and you have committed too much bloodshed. If you continue to defy the heavens, you may face divine retribution!"
Ye Ling looked at Zhang Daoyuan, his expression cold. "So, you wish to interfere in my family's affairs?"