"Won't you go and see for yourself if someone is there?"
Lan Yue's expression was exceptionally cold. If the other party hadn't said they were here to find Ye Cangtian, she would have definitely taught that rude mouth a lesson.
But now, she couldn't, lest she disrupt Ye Cangtian's important affairs.
Seeing Lan Yue about to explode with anger, Chang Shan revealed a triumphant smile. He ignored her and prepared to enter the room.
Creak!
Before Chang Shan could even push the door open, it swung open on its own, and Ye Cangtian stood before him.
Seeing this, Chang Shan's smile became even more smug. In his mind, it was as if the Grim Reaper had heard the commotion outside and had opened the door to welcome him.
Though thinking this, Chang Shan suddenly realized that the other party had no intention of inviting him into the room.
Huh?
Just as a hint of doubt arose in Chang Shan's mind, Ye Cangtian had already stepped out.
"Apologies, but my room is not a place for just anyone to enter!"
"You!"
Hearing the Grim Reaper's voice, Chang Shan's face immediately darkened.
He was the captain of the guards at the Imperial Dragon Villa, and he was representing Lei Ming. For the other party to call him a nobody was tantamount to insulting Lei Ming!
"How dare you! Grim Reaper, if I recall correctly, you hold no official position at the Imperial Dragon Villa!"
"For you to speak to me like this is insubordination..."
Slap!
Before Chang Shan could finish speaking, Ye Cangtian slapped him, sending him flying.
Then, Ye Cangtian slowly approached Chang Shan and said, "In front of me, even if you were like Lei Ming and became the Villa Master, you would still be nothing but an ant. Who gave you the courage to speak to me like this!"
"You... You actually dared to hit me!"
On the other side, touching his rapidly reddening cheeks, Chang Shan lost all reason.
He had finally managed to rise in status due to the Villa Master's injury, and his position had significantly improved.
Yet, today, Ye Cangtian had slapped him, which he found completely unacceptable.
He sprang up, drew his long sword, and lunged at Ye Cangtian.
Slap!
The next instant, Ye Cangtian caught the sword between two fingers and, with his other hand, swung again, sending Chang Shan flying once more.
With just two slaps, Chang Shan's face had already become swollen like a pig's head.
After being struck again, Chang Shan prepared to rise and fight back, but he saw Ye Cangtian flash before him and stomp directly on his chest.
The next moment, his chest was heavily compressed, making Chang Shan feel as if his ribs were about to shatter.
"You little bug, I told you, you are like an ant in front of me. If you truly don't cherish your life, I don't mind crushing you!"
Ye Cangtian looked at Chang Shan with disdain and continued, "Let me advise you again, you'd better behave yourself, or you will not only lose your life but also implicate Lei Ming!"
This...
With those words, Chang Shan instantly understood the other party's intention.
He had come here representing Lei Ming. If he attacked the Grim Reaper, wouldn't that be Lei Ming openly attempting to assassinate the Grim Reaper?
Even if that wasn't the case, that's how it would appear to others.
If this were to happen, it would give the other party leverage, and Lei Ming would not forgive him.
Thinking of this, Chang Shan quickly changed his demeanor and said, "Lord Grim Reaper, it is all my fault. Please show mercy!"
Hmph!
Ye Cangtian snorted lightly, slowly lifted his foot, and said, "Those two slaps were punishment for your disrespect. Now, you should kneel and kowtow to my senior sister to apologize!"
The reason Ye Cangtian had come out of his room was because Chang Shan had disrespected Lan Yue, so he naturally wouldn't let Chang Shan off easily.
"This..."
Upon hearing Ye Cangtian's words, Chang Shan hesitated. It was one thing to bow to Ye Cangtian.
But to kowtow and apologize to Ye Cangtian's subordinate was something he found difficult to accept.
Seeing Chang Shan's hesitation, Ye Cangtian let out a cold snort and said, "Chang Shan, Xiao Yue is my senior sister. Even I have to be respectful to her. If you don't apologize, I guarantee you won't be able to leave this small courtyard."
"..."
Chang Shan was slightly taken aback by this. After weighing the pros and cons, he reluctantly went before Lan Yue and knelt on the ground with a thud.
"Senior Sister Xiao Yue, I was wrong before. Please don't hold it against me!"
Chang Shan apologized while kowtowing, but he did not receive any pleasant response from Lan Yue.
Helpless, Chang Shan looked at Ye Cangtian, his meaning clear: he had apologized, but the other party did not forgive him, and there was nothing he could do.
Seeing this, Ye Cangtian let out a cold laugh and said, "Chang Shan, an apology requires sincerity. Think about how you apologize to your master..."
Slap! Slap! Slap...
As the words fell, Chang Shan gritted his teeth and slapped his own swollen red face fiercely, saying, "Senior Sister Xiao Yue, please forgive me. I will never dare to do it again..."
"Hmph! I will let it go this time!"
"If there is a next time, beware of your dog life!"
Only after Chang Shan had knocked out two of his own teeth did Lan Yue snort coldly and let him go.
On the other side, seeing that Lan Yue had spoken, Ye Cangtian finally said, "Alright, now you can tell me what Lei Ming sent you here for."
"It's like this, some families from Frost City have come to visit, and the Villa Master is planning to host a banquet in the evening."
"He asked me to come and ask Lord Grim Reaper if he has time in the evening and whether he would like to attend the banquet..."
Huh?
Hearing Chang Shan's words, Ye Cangtian's brows furrowed, especially when the other party mentioned Frost City.
Could it be that Lei Ming was planning to make a move on Frost City?
Thinking of this, Ye Cangtian said, "I have nothing planned for tonight. Go and tell Lei Ming that I will be there on time."
Hearing this, Chang Shan quickly responded and then retreated from the small courtyard.
"Junior Brother, why would the families from Frost City come looking for you? It's likely a trap set by Lei Ming, isn't it?"
After Chang Shan left, Lan Yue immediately came before Ye Cangtian and said in a low voice.
"Aren't we just waiting for him to make a move?"
"Besides, since he mentioned Frost City, I have no choice but to go!"
Ye Cangtian smiled as he looked at Lan Yue and spoke slowly.
Although Frost City had been returned to the Hidden Group, the Hidden Group's influence was still much weaker than the Imperial Dragon Villa. Once the two sides went to war, both would suffer losses.
This was a scene Ye Cangtian did not want to see.
Therefore, no matter what, he had to attend the banquet tonight.
"Yes, you're right. Then we'll just have to take it as it comes tonight!"
Hearing Ye Cangtian's words, Lan Yue nodded slowly and then spoke.
...
Night fell, the moon was high in the sky, and the stars were brilliant.
In the main hall, tables were already set, laden with delicious food.
According to the banquet time, Ye Cangtian arrived punctually.
As soon as he entered the main hall, Chang Shan came to greet him. At this moment, he seemed to have applied some sort of medicinal balm, and the swelling on his face had completely disappeared.
He bowed to Ye Cangtian and said, "Lord Grim Reaper, please follow me."
Chang Shan led Ye Cangtian and the other two to the first table below the stairs. According to etiquette, the people seated here were of a status second only to the Villa Master.
Ye Cangtian did not dwell on this. His purpose for coming today was to see what tricks Lei Ming was up to!
On the other side, Chang Shan arranged Lan Yue and Yao Baoer at tables adjacent to Ye Cangtian before slowly retreating.
Thus, Ye Cangtian chatted with Lan Yue while waiting.
After a long wait, Lei Ming finally arrived and took his seat at the head of the table.
Accompanying Lei Ming was an elder.
The elder wore a black robe and had white hair, appearing somewhat aged, but his eyes were remarkably sharp.
The elder directly went to the tables below and took a seat.
"Everyone, allow me to introduce you. This is the patriarch of the Han family, the foremost family in Frost City, Old Master Han Wensheng..."
The Han family? Han Wensheng?
As Lei Ming introduced him, Ye Cangtian's brow furrowed.
He had stayed in Frost City before and naturally inquired about its situation. He had some understanding of the Han family.
After the Hidden Group recaptured Frost City, they had visited many families.
The Hidden Group's original intention was to mend relations with these families and gain their support and recognition.
The Han family was among the first to support the Hidden Group.
Seeing Han Wensheng here now, Ye Cangtian was somewhat surprised.
But he also understood: the Han family either pretended to support the Hidden Group while actually serving the Imperial Dragon Villa, or they were playing both sides, ensuring they benefited regardless of which side emerged victorious.