Yin Lesheng had assumed that a crafty person like Yang Kai would never accept his challenge, which would have given him the perfect opportunity to humiliate Yang Kai and vent his frustration. He never expected Yang Kai to agree outright!
This filled him with wild elation.
In a head-on clash, he wasn't certain he could match Yang Kai. But he still had his trump card — once he deployed it, Yang Kai would die without a doubt.
He secretly made up his mind: the moment the fight began, he would unleash his trump card immediately, giving Yang Kai no chance to resist.
While his thoughts raced, Yang Kai suddenly pointed a finger at the several dozen people nearby and said, "Since Brother Yin enjoys one-on-one duels so much, why not duel this bunch of friends instead? I'm sure they'd be more than happy to play with you."
Yin Lesheng's expression froze.
The several dozen warriors were equally stunned.
Lan He stood rooted to the spot as well.
Chang Hao's face turned cold. He said in a deep voice, "Yang Kai, don't push it too far. We've already handed over our spatial rings — what more do you want?"
"Exactly. Whatever grudge you have with Yin Lesheng, settle it yourself. Dragging us into it is out of the question!" Chang Xian also called out, his tone firm. "We will absolutely not help you."
"Yeah, yeah — don't treat us like fools."
The crowd immediately erupted in clamor, each person voing their indignation.
Yin Lesheng sneered, "If Brother Yang lacks the courage to fight me, just say so. No one's going to mock you, so why beat around the bush?"
Yang Kai chuckled. "Brother Yin is the Personal Disciple of the Sect Master of the Yellow Spring Sect in the Eastern Region, while I, Yang Kai, am nothing more than a lone wanderer. Of course I don't have the nerve to challenge you. If I accidentally killed you, wouldn't that cause an unimaginable disaster?"
"You don't dare fight Yin Lesheng, so why should we? We won't do it!"
"Right, we won't! If you want to fight, go yourself!"
"Do you really think we're idiots? This brat wants to use us as wolves to devour the tiger — absolutely laughable."
The group had already been deeply resentful of Yang Kai for being forced to hand over their spatial rings against their will. Now that he wanted them to take on Yin Lesheng, there was no way they would agree. They all shouted over one another, their voices thick with outrage.
Lan He watched Yang Kai with a worried expression, afraid he would push things past the point of no return. He had already achieved a miracle by threatening everyone with the Mountain and River Bell and strip-mining so many spatial rings. If he went any further, it could invite truly unnecessary trouble.
She secretly caught his eye, signaling him to quit while he was ahead — better to stop early than overdo it.
Yang Kai ignored her. His expression turned icy as he spoke. "It seems like none of you heard what I said at the very beginning."
"What did you say?!"
"Go on then, brat — tell us what exactly you want!"
Yang Kai snorted. "This Young Master said that whoever refuses to hand over their spatial rings will die!"
"That's right, you did say that. But we've already handed them over — what more do you want?"
Yang Kai said, "Now that Yin Lesheng refuses to cooperate, this Young Master wants him dead. Does anyone here have a problem with that?"
Chang Hao said, "Naturally we have no objection. Your grudge with Brother Yin — settle it yourselves. There's no need to drag us into it."
"Good!" Yang Kai grinned broadly, then bellowed, "This Young Master is now going to strike the Mountain and River Bell and crush that little bastard Yin Lesheng to death! If any of you still want to live, get out of here immediately — this Young Master will absolutely not stop you!"
"What?"
"He's going to strike it again?!"
"No, Brother Yang, please calm down!"
The moment these words left his mouth, everyone's faces changed simultaneously, their hearts seized with terror.
Yang Kai sneered, "Since you've all handed over your spatial rings, this Young Master will keep his word and let you live. I only need to deal with Yin Lesheng now — if you don't want to die, then scram!"
Chang Hao fumed, "The formations here are far too complex! If we could leave, we never would have been at your mercy in the first place. Yang Kai, are you blind to your own blatant nonsense?!"
Chang Xian also cried, "A person simply cannot be this shameless!"
Yang Kai remained perfectly at ease, speaking in a leisurely drawl. "That's not my concern. If you lack the ability to escape and end up crushed by the Mountain and River Bell, you can only blame your own misfortune — it has nothing to do with this Young Master!" His tone then turned sharp as he wheeled on Yin Lesheng and roared, "Surnamed Yin, this day next year will be the anniversary of your death! Have a safe journey on the road to the Yellow Springs!"
Even as he spoke, his Million Sword swept down toward the Mountain and River Bell with full force.
Lan He's eyelids twitched frantically as she hurriedly circulated her Source Qi to shield herself.
The crowd was equally horrified, all of them screaming.
"Stop! Stop!"
"Damn it, stop! Let's talk about this properly — we can always try to convince Yin Lesheng for you!"
"Exactly, exactly! We can have a nice chat with Yin Lesheng and get him to hand over his spatial ring!"
Amid the chaos, Yang Kai's Million Sword came to a halt less than an inch from the Mountain and River Bell. He looked at the crowd and asked, "You want to have a chat with Yin Lesheng?"
The group broke into a cold sweat, and upon hearing this, they nodded frantically over and over.