Huo Xingchen was the only son of Huo Zheng, patriarch of the Huo family. Truth be told, Huo Zheng was something of a tragic figure in his own right. As the head of one of the Eight Great Families, he had countless concubines and spent every night tilling the fields, yet after all these years he had produced only one son — Huo Xingchen. Daughters, on the other hand, he had sired in droves, enough to field an entire legion of beauties.
In this regard, he and Hu Man, the Blood Battle Gang's master, were remarkably alike.
Though Huo Zheng was luckier, at least having a son to carry on the family line.
Because he was the sole heir, Huo Xingchen had enjoyed an incalculable measure of spoiling from birth. Whatever he wanted, he got. The entire Huo family orbited around him, and this upbringing had cultivated a rather distinctive personality.
Before the Yang family's younger generation had returned to Zhongdu, three young people in the city had commanded the most attention.
First was Liu Qingyao of the Liu family — the strongest in cultivation and the most gifted in aptitude. Second was Qiu Yimeng of the Qiu family, who was not only stunningly beautiful but also surpassed many in both talent and cunning. Such a peerlessly elegant woman naturally drew every eye.
The third was this very Huo Xingchen, Zhongdu's foremost young playboy. Drinking, gambling, and carousing were his specialties, while bullying the weak and picking fights were his signature pastimes.
Other families that propped up underground forces would never have their own people manage them directly, much less involve themselves in the squabbles between those factions. But Young Master Huo, being far too bored for his own good, insisted on showing up in person whenever any of his underlings clashed. He would stand at a safe distance and watch the fighting to stave off ennui.
With two Shenyou Realm experts guarding him — fighters whose strength was no less than that of the Blood Guards — Huo Xingchen had never worried about his safety. He had never imagined that this time he would capsizes in the very gutter, having a sword pressed to his throat right under his two guardians' noses.
Rather than being upset, Huo Xingchen was actually thrilled. While speaking with Yang Kai, he was even silently condensing his True Essence, looking for an opportunity to break free from Yang Kai's grasp.
That heart-stopping thrill of having his life balanced on a knife's edge sent his blood boiling and roaring. He felt an irrepressible urge to throw back his head and let out a wild howl.
Sensing his movement, Yang Kai's expression took on a slightly odd cast. The Crimson Blood Sword in his hand pressed just a fraction harder, drawing a thin crimson line across Huo Xingchen's neck.
"Son of a —!" Huo Xingchen cursed involuntarily. "I already told you I'm Huo Xingchen of the Huo family! You still dare treat me like this?"
The words tumbled out in alarm. He hastily dispersed the power he had been gathering, terrified that the man behind him would actually follow through and kill him. He did enjoy excitement, but he was not so reckless as to disregard his own life.
"Just who are you?" Huo Xingchen realized something was off. His name rang throughout all of Zhongdu — if the other party had no standing of his own, how would he dare act this way?
The two Shenyou Realm experts, at least, had already pieced it together. One cupped his fists from a distance and asked in a low voice, "May we ask which Young Master Yang this is?"
The young man before them was a stranger — they had never laid eyes on him. But judging from his conduct, he had to be one of the Eight Great Families. The only group of young people who would look unfamiliar to them were those of the Yang family who had only recently returned!
"Yang Kai!"
"So it's Young Master Kai!" The two men exchanged looks of understanding and hastily cupped their fists in a formal salute.
Yang Kai's expression remained cold. He gave a slight nod.
While they were exchanging words, the fighting below had already ground to a halt. With their young master's life in someone else's hands, the people of the Xuanguang Society no longer dared make any moves. They withdrew from the fray one after another, waiting for instructions.
Pang Chi and the others, having narrowly escaped death, were gulping down air in great heaving breaths. They clustered together, gazing up at the rooftop with expressions of astonished wonder, their faces flooded with gratitude so deep it bordered on tears.
They had never imagined that this new master — who had only days ago been cutting a bloody swath through their great hall — would really come to rescue them. And that he had come alone, no less.
What struck them as even more incredible was that he had actually succeeded.
Though they had long recognized Yang Kai's strength, Pang Chi now realized he had still underestimated the man's capabilities.
"Young Master Kai." One of the Huo family's experts hesitated for a moment. "Would you be willing to release our young master first, and then we can talk? Rest assured, we will not make any further moves."
The other nodded solemnly in agreement, his expression grave.
Yang Kai furrowed his brow briefly, considered for a heartbeat, then sheathed the Crimson Blood Sword.
He was not worried that the other side would renege, nor would they entertain such a thought. Both sides understood this perfectly well.
Freed at last, Huo Xingchen scrambled forward a few steps, then turned around to study Yang Kai carefully. Once he had a clear look at Yang Kai's face, he burst out, "Damn, you're this young! How old are you?"
There was a note of genuine frustration in his voice — as if someone capable of subduing him in an instant should certainly not be younger than himself.
Yang Kai regarded him with a cold gaze and did not deign to reply.
"Hey, hey! This young master is talking to you!" Huo Xingchen was brimming with frustration and kept shouting.
"Young master." The Huo family expert, utterly exasperated, pulled Huo Xingchen to his side. Until they knew what manner of temperament this Yang Kai had, he was not about to let their young master continue provoking him.
"Now, let's talk about the situation here," Yang Kai said with a light laugh.
"Young Master Kai, please speak. We are all ears."
"Pang Chi!" Yang Kai waved down toward the ground below.
Pang Chi's body jolted. He scrambled up to the rooftop at once, cupping his fists. "Your subordinate is here."
"Tally the casualties."
"Yes, sir!" With that acknowledgment, he hurried back down to begin the count.
The battlefield in the aftermath of the battle was a chaotic mess. Below, the members of the Xuanguang Society and the Bamboo Segment Gang stood in clearly separated groups. Though hostility still smoldered in their eyes, they had no will left to continue fighting.
Huo Xingchen was regarding Yang Kai with undisguised interest, a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips. Yang Kai stood with his hands at his sides, waiting in quiet composure.