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"The Wei family?" Wang Teng was taken aback. "Isn't the Wei family one of the top families under the Panlong Great Clan? How could they resort to something as shameless as riding on our coattails?"
"Who knows what's gotten into them?"
Wang Teng let out a deliberate sigh and swept a look of feigned disappointment — the kind one gives when something is "beyond saving" — across the Wei father and son before striding toward the entrance.
"What a performance. All dressed up and playing the part."
The Wei father and son hadn't said a word, but these eight words from Jiang Chen rang out crisp and clear, carrying across the entire square with startling prominence.
Wang Teng, who had been wearing his usual expression of aloof superiority, saw his face change in an instant.
The entire entourage of the Royal Court Great Clan came to an abrupt halt, their murderous gazes snapping toward the Wei side.
"Who was that?"
"Which bastard just spoke?"
"Step forward if you've got the guts!"
The Royal Court Great Clan's people walked sideways through Liuli Royal City — that was the kind of power they wielded. The Seven Great Emperors rarely involved themselves in worldly affairs, so the Great Clans were essentially the strongest forces in the city. And among the Great Clans, the Royal Court Great Clan stood at the very top.
At an occasion like today, even the Wei family wouldn't dare say a word against the Royal Court Great Clan.
And so Jiang Chen's eight words, as sharp and satisfying as they were, had undeniably lit the fuse on a powder keg.
Facing that wolfish, predatory aura, Jiang Chen merely smiled faintly, stepped forward, his face a picture of utter nonchalance. "Did I say something wrong?"
"From the planning stages to today's grand opening, my Taiyuan Pavilion has been a full month in the making. We sent out invitations ages ago, and the name was decided long before that. So who exactly is shamelessly copying whom? Who exactly is riding whose coattails? Don't you dare twist things around with your shameless excuses — everyone here knows the truth. If you're going to copy us, fine, copy us. But why put on this whole charade? You just can't resist biting the hand that fed you and stomping on it, can you? Would you all just die if you couldn't put on airs for one day?"
Jiang Chen had been sitting on a belly full of fury for far too long, and at this point, it didn't matter if it was the young lord of the Royal Court or the patriarch himself — he wasn't going to hold back.
Without question, these people's use of the name "Taiyuan" had struck directly at Jiang Chen's most sensitive nerve. That was his father's legacy. How could he let these lowlifes tarnish it?
After letting those words rip, Jiang Chen felt an immense weight lift from his shoulders. Ever since arriving in Liuli Royal City, he had kept a low profile. Even when he'd been wronged, he had done his best to endure it with composure.
But there was a limit to everything.
If the Royal Court Great Clan wanted to use the Longevity Pill to swagger around and stir up trouble, that was one thing.
If they wanted to open their own "Taiyuan Tower" right across the street and turn it into a head-to-head contest, that was also something he could tolerate. If it were pure competition based on real skill, Jiang Chen might never have erupted.
But these people had gone too far. They had stolen the name, stolen the Longevity Pill, and then tried to stomp all over him to boot. It was this final straw that sent Jiang Chen's accumulated rage boiling over.
If this could be tolerated, what could not?
Jiang Chen's outburst left the entire square stunned into silence for a long moment. Then, from across the street, a wave of furious shouting erupted.
"Kid, who do you think you are? Since when does someone like you get to speak here?"
"Young man, you clearly don't know your place. I think you've got a death wish."
"Young Clan Head, let me go silence that brat! And we can teach the Wei family some manners while we're at it!"
Jiang Chen let out a cold laugh, quietly gathering his strength. Today, even if it meant tearing off the mask of civility entirely, he wouldn't hesitate. An incense stick matters even to the Buddha, and a man must fight for his pride.
This was one breath he simply could not swallow. When a man can endure no more, there is no need to endure further.
It was at this moment of swords drawn and bows bent that a loud shout rang out from the distance: "Wang Teng, you've been getting pretty full of yourself lately, haven't you? What's this, planning to put on a little show today?"
At the sound of that voice, the Wei father and son were overcome with joy.
Third Young Master Ji! That was Third Young Master Ji's voice!
In the distance, Third Young Master Ji appeared with a massive entourage — easily five or six times the number of people flanking Wang Teng. They weren't just his personal retainers; many were trusted forces of the Panlong Great Clan, prominent and recognizable figures throughout Liuli Royal City.
They followed behind Third Young Master Ji, streaming over in a steady procession.
When Wang Teng saw Third Young Master Ji step forward, his expression darkened. "
Third Young Master Ji let out a hearty laugh. "Are you talking in your sleep? The Wei family is a ninth-rank noble house under my Panlong Great Clan. For the grand opening of the Taiyuan Pavilion, I've come personally to stand guard — specifically to keep an eye out for certain troublemakers looking to cause a scene. And sure enough, right on cue, here I am."