Seeing Xu Zhentai charging toward her, Ouyang Ping knew it was a lost cause. She wasn't actually unaware that Xu Ke had a Peak Level Maestro backing him up. But my logic was so simple, she thought. Since Xu Ke needed to call for help just to deal with Ye Yunfeng, that Peak Level Maestro must not be nearby. I had to take advantage of Xu Zhentai's absence and quickly force Xu Ke to hand over the antidote. By the time they came after me, Huang Sheng would have already been cured.
Unfortunately, her efforts were all for naught!
Who would have thought Xu Zhentai would rush over too... And judging by his appearance, he clearly arrived late just like we did after receiving Xu Ke's call for help. That means Xu Ke can contact this Peak Level Maestro anytime, anywhere!
Thinking of this, Ouyang Ping cursed inwardly. If you can contact this maestro at any time, why were you so arrogant as to attack with just eight Great Perfection experts, nearly causing a tragedy? Why not just call the Peak Level Maestro over directly? You even made me misjudge the entire situation!
At this moment, everyone could not help but turn their gaze toward the source of the sound, wanting to see the newcomer's face. From the direction of the overwhelming pressure, a figure slowly ascended the mountain steps, appearing at the edge of everyone's line of sight.
The person wore a mask, and their aura was violent and frenzied, exuding a terrifying power that made hearts tremble. This person was none other than Xu Zhentai, who had desperately rushed back from the high-speed rail station! He had already boarded his train, but a single message from Xu Ke had sent him sprinting back in a panic.
When Xu Zhentai arrived at the mountain summit, he sensed Xu Ke's weakened aura but no trace of any formidable enemies. He realized the situation had likely been resolved, but then he saw some old hag making trouble for Xu Ke, which infuriated him.
Perfect! he thought. Since there are no strong enemies left to fight, I can take out my frustration on this old hag. At least this trip won't be for nothing!
As Xu Zhentai walked up, everyone trembled in terror.
Xu Ke, on the other hand, was amused. Uncle arrived just in time.
At the same time, another person was also delighted. Shi Hongda, who had witnessed Xu Zhentai's humiliation of the three Fire Guards, was laughing maniacally in his heart. Perfect timing! Let's see what kind of misfortune awaits you, you old hag!
"May I ask who you are, sir?" Ouyang Ping asked, her eyes filled with terror, though she forced her expression to remain calm.
Hearing her question, Xu Zhentai couldn't be bothered to reply. He approached Ouyang Ping with a pace that seemed slow but was incredibly fast, a sneer on his face. "Are you the one threatening Xu Ke?"
"It's not a threat, I was just—AH!"
Ouyang Ping realized the newcomer had ill intentions and tried to soften her tone, but before she could finish, Xu Zhentai struck her across the face.
SLAP!
"I hit you. Convinced?" Xu Zhentai huffed coldly.
"Aren't you being a bit too domineering—"
SLAP!
Ouyang Ping received another slap.
"Convinced?"
"I..."
As Ouyang Ping tried to speak again, Huang Zhendong rushed forward.
SLAP!
Xu Zhentai sent a slap flying directly into Huang Zhendong's face.
Huang Zhendong was sent flying backward, vomiting blood.
"Zhendong..." Ouyang Ping's expression changed drastically, and her hoarse voice trembled. She never thought that Huang Zhendong, with whom she'd had a terrible relationship for decades, would take a slap for her at a time like this. In truth, the blow wouldn't have seriously injured her, but for someone of Huang Zhendong's cultivation level, the consequences would be severe.
Coughing up blood, Huang Zhendong looked at Xu Zhentai. "Senior, please allow me to take the punishment on her behalf." He was enraged to see his mother struck, but what could he do? He certainly couldn't tell Xu Zhentai to stop. All he could do was take the blows himself.
In the past, Huang Zhendong never would have stepped forward in such a situation, harboring years of pent-up resentment due to Ouyang Ping's favoritism. But now, she was being beaten for trying to get the antidote for his son. As her son, any lingering resentment he felt vanished with her actions. In the end, his resentment wasn't born of hatred for Ouyang Ping. Rather, it grew from his deep yearning for a shred of motherly love from her.
"Well?" Xu Zhentai turned to look at Xu Ke, unmoved by this display of familial piety. He only wanted to see how Xu Ke would handle it.
"Stop! Don't hit us anymore! I submit, I submit! I'm sorry, Xu Ke, I was wrong!" Ouyang Ping didn't dare say another defiant word and quickly bowed her head.
Seeing this, Xu Ke shook his head. He had established his dominance, and Ouyang Ping had submitted. There was no need to take it any further.
Xu Zhentai withdrew his hand and stood still, letting out a cold snort without striking again.
"Thank you, Senior!" Huang Zhendong said hurriedly. Shi Hongda then rushed over and helped him to his feet. Once standing, Huang Zhendong and Ouyang Ping exchanged a look but said nothing.
At this time, no one was paying attention to the mother and son's feelings. They all stared at Xu Zhentai in utter shock. They had witnessed his domineering arrival, swatting around Ouyang Ping, an Innate Great Perfection expert, as if she were a mere chick. They were so frightened they were left speechless.
Xu Ke's backer was truly unshakeable!
On their way here, some of them had received fragmented reports that Xu Ke was supported by a Peak Level Maestro. However, aside from the other Great Perfection experts, most didn't truly grasp how powerful a Peak Level Maestro was; they had no tangible concept of it.
But now, they understood. A Peak Level Maestro was someone who could beat down the Great Perfection experts they feared like tigers as if they were dogs.
In that moment, everyone understood one thing: absolutely, under no circumstances, should they ever provoke Xu Ke.
This included everyone present, Qin Wubi among them. I was planning to just watch from the sidelines and see how Ouyang Ping fared, he thought. If she could crack this tough nut, I was going to step up and demand the antidote for the Qin Family. The Qin Family Head being controlled by another? As the Great Elder, I cannot tolerate that!
However, after Xu Zhentai delivered those few slaps, Qin Wubi cleared his throat twice, averted his gaze, and stared off into the sky. Old men shouldn't get involved in fights and killing. It is better to discuss martial ethics to cultivate one's character. We must engage in peaceful exchange with Peak Level Martial Artists to advance the Martial Path!
In truth, Hu Deyao, Xu Ke, and Xu Zhentai all knew that Xu Zhentai himself was not a Peak Level Maestro. At best, he was like Ye Yunfeng after absorbing Ye Chong's power—merely Half-Step Peak.
But in this situation, who would bother to clarify the misunderstanding? Let them think what they want!
Later, after Xu Ke finally managed to properly "persuade" everyone to leave, the summit of the Ye Family's mountain was deserted. He had even sent Ye Feng and Ye Taiqing away. It couldn't be helped; Xu Zhentai had said he needed to speak with him alone and demanded the area be cleared.
Although Ye Taiqing felt it improper to be kicked out of his own home, he took one look at Xu Zhentai's proud, solitary figure and decided that a visitor was a guest. There's nothing wrong with letting a guest make himself at home.
Once everyone was gone, only Xu Ke and Xu Zhentai remained.
"Uncle, what did you want to talk about?" Xu Ke asked, walking over to Xu Zhentai's side now that he had regained some of his strength.
But after he spoke, Xu Zhentai didn't answer. Xu Ke froze for a second.
Then, he suddenly felt that something was very wrong. The aura inside his uncle's body was becoming extremely chaotic.
BOOM!
The next second, an incredibly terrifying force erupted from within Xu Zhentai, sweeping across the summit like a violent gale.
Xu Ke's face changed drastically, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Uncle, what's wrong with you?! Don't be rash! Don't kill me!"
