The moment Ouyang Ping's gaze focused on Xu Ke, the atmosphere shifted.
Shi Hongda had just emerged from closed-door cultivation, so it was understandable that he was unaware of the situation. Chen Xiong, Yuan Shang, and the others, however, were well aware of how Xu Ke, with only the cultivation of a Postnatal Martial Artist, had stepped beyond his rank to kill Ouyang Shuang. And that incident had only happened last month.
Now, seeing Ouyang Ping's hostile expression, everyone instinctively assumed she meant Xu Ke harm.
Seeing Ouyang Ping step forward, Xu Ke remained calm and replied with a smile, "I'm the one. What can I do for you, Madame Huang?"
Ouyang Ping walked up to Xu Ke and asked in a sinister voice, "I heard you're the one who killed my sister. Is that true?"
Xu Ke simply raised an eyebrow, his smile unwavering. "I am."
As he spoke, he noticed Qin Wubi's gaze shift in their direction. Catching the movement from the corner of his eye, Xu Ke silently reflected on how fortunate it was that it was broad daylight. Because of Qin Wubi's dark complexion, his every move stood out in the sun. At night, Xu Ke wasn't so sure he would have noticed him at all.
"What?" Shi Hongda's eyes practically bulged from their sockets. Xu Ke killed this petty old woman's sister? Does that mean he's going to suffer the same fate as her son... and be hated for the rest of his life?
"Madam, don't be rash! This is Xu Ke we're talking about!" Shi Hongda quickly stepped forward to warn her. His meaning was clear: everyone knew how powerful Xu Ke was now. He was advising Ouyang Ping not to be a fool and to watch herself.
Ouyang Ping glanced at Shi Hongda, a chilling smile spreading across her skeletal face. "Shi Hongda, you've become quite adept at speaking up for Xu Ke. It seems I wasn't wrong about you. Since you don't share the Huang name, your loyalty was never guaranteed!"
Shi Hongda's eyes widened as he erupted in anger. "What nonsense are you spouting?"
Witnessing the two powerhouses of the Huang Family begin to bicker, the crowd could barely contain their excitement. They quickly feigned indifference, covering their faces to cough while sneaking glances at the unfolding drama. There's no Ye Yunfeng to fight, but at least there's a good show to watch... This trip wasn't a waste after all!
Standing to the side, Huang Zhendong was completely stupefied. He rushed forward, pleading, "Please, stop talking..." He was mortified. Why are we airing our family's dirty laundry in front of everyone?
But Ouyang Ping paid him no mind. "Am I spouting nonsense? Tell me, was I wrong to call you a traitor? Wasn't it your own stupidity that pushed the Huang Family into this pit of fire?"
Ouyang Ping was seething. Huang Zhendong and Huang Sheng had just returned to the family and informed her that the Huang Family would now be subjugated, which was enough to infuriate her. But what truly sent her into a rage was learning that the father and son had been forced to take poison. Huang Zhendong was one thing, but how could Huang Sheng be poisoned? When the enraged Ouyang Ping discovered that Shi Hongda was the root cause of it all, she wanted to kill the old man on the spot.
Shi Hongda's face flushed crimson with humiliation and suppressed fury. As Ouyang Ping had said, it was indeed his foolishness that allowed Xu Ke to deceive him. But knowing you were a fool was one thing; having Ouyang Ping announce it to the world was another entirely. Feeling he had lost all face, he could no longer bear it. He was about to attack.
As Ouyang Ping saw Shi Hongda's True Qi begin to brew, she sneered, and her own True Qi began to roll and rise within her. The onlookers were first stunned, then their expressions turned to pure excitement. Fight! Fight! No one had any intention of intervening; they were all eager to watch the show.
But just as things were about to escalate, Xu Ke suddenly spoke. "Old woman, let's be clear. My place is no pit of fire. That's a rather biased statement."
At his words, the True Qi that Shi Hongda had just summoned immediately subsided. The excited looks on the faces of the crowd froze. Well, that's that. The show's over!
Only Huang Zhendong breathed a sigh of relief.
Ouyang Ping's face turned a shade of purple. "Who are you calling 'old woman'?"
"You. Are you not satisfied?" Xu Ke replied. Looking at her furious expression, he added mockingly, "Or would you prefer I call you 'young miss'?"
"You!" Ouyang Ping was incandescent with rage. The rumors were true. This brat really is an infuriating, sharp-tongued pest!
Xu Ke said calmly, "Madame Huang, this is not the Huang Family estate. Please don't resolve your disputes with Elder Shi here. I assume you came looking for me for a reason. So, what is it? Are you perhaps seeking revenge for your sister?"
The moment he finished, the relaxed atmosphere vanished, replaced by a thick tension. Everyone's expression changed as they turned to Ouyang Ping with wary eyes. In that instant, nearly every Great Perfection expert's aura flared, focusing squarely on her.
Shi Hongda was the only one left feeling wronged. Are you kidding me? When I was the one being targeted, you all sat back to enjoy the show. But the second it's Xu Ke, you all jump to high alert?
Seeing every eye fixed on her, Ouyang Ping's expression turned grim. She managed a smile that didn't reach her eyes and said, "You jest. My relationship with my useless sister was mediocre at best. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been a mere guest elder in the Huang Family. Moreover, she lost to you in a life-and-death duel. I have no choice but to accept that outcome. How could I possibly seek revenge for her?"
Hearing this, the expression of Huang Zhendong—who had also just been victorious in a life-and-death duel—soured.
Shi Hongda simply pursed his lips. What a load of nonsense from that old hag.
Mimicking her strained smile, Xu Ke replied, "It seems you are quite the paragon of fairness, then!"
Ignoring Xu Ke's sarcasm, Ouyang Ping stated her purpose. "I came to you to discuss a certain matter."
"Speak."
"The Huang Family has now entered a long-term, amicable partnership with the Wang Family. Furthermore, I contributed to the great battle against the Ye Family. Given this, shouldn't you give me the antidote for Zhendong and Sheng?" Ouyang Ping demanded.
Huang Zhendong was taken aback. He hadn't expected his mother to demand the antidote for him.
Meanwhile, a fresh wave of hurt and rage washed over Shi Hongda, making him tremble. You damn old hag, I was poisoned too! Why didn't you think to ask for an antidote for me?
Xu Ke burst out laughing. "So, you've come to cash in on your merits?"
Her intentions laid bare, Ouyang Ping showed no trace of shame. She said grimly, "And do I not deserve to?"
"Of course you don't!" Xu Ke had no intention of humoring her. He scoffed, "What makes you think you're worthy? If we're talking about contributions, it was Elder Shi who represented the Huang Family here. He's the one who should be making requests, not you. Besides, you know full well what your Huang Family has done. What gives you the nerve to ask me for an antidote?"
Xu Ke nearly laughed out loud. The Wang Family is on the verge of unifying Tianhai, but I haven't found a good opportunity to establish my dominance. Now this old woman has served one up on a platter. It would be a terrible waste not to make an example of her!
"I'm only asking for the antidote, not for the Huang Family to escape your control. How dare you be so arrogant! I offer you respect, and you throw it back in my face!" Ouyang Ping exploded with rage, her killing intent flaring as she shrieked, "You're courting death!"
Seeing this, several Great Perfection experts immediately went on high alert, preparing to intervene.
But just then, a booming voice echoed from the distance. "What's wrong with being arrogant? He has my backing, so why can't he be? I'm the one who gives him the guts to be arrogant! You dare say he's courting death? Who the hell do you think you are?"
The voice struck the crowd like a thunderclap, and they whipped their heads around, their faces masks of disbelief. An overwhelming pressure rolled in from the distance, crushing down on everyone present. The expressions on their faces changed dramatically as their bodies were instinctively forced to stoop.
Ouyang Ping's face drained of all color, and her body began to tremble uncontrollably in sheer disbelief. How many years has it been... since I last felt fear?!
