"Husband, that last move when you killed Ryūseidan Ma Shou seemed to have drained you significantly. Your face has gone pale, are you alright?"
Wang Yuyan noticed Shen Lang's physical change and hurried to his side, concern etched on her face.
"Yes, that move did consume quite a bit of energy, but it's not enough to damage my foundation. I'll be fine after a short period of recuperation."
Shen Lang gently pinched Wang Yuyan's nose and smiled, "You must be tired after rushing here from Nanling. Why don't you rest for a while? We'll be heading home soon."
"Husband, it seems you're unaware of the magnitude of trouble awaiting you."
Wang Yuyan said with a wry smile, "By challenging the martial arts of Yang Country, you've offended not just their martial artists, but all their people. I doubt we'll be able to leave so easily."
"Haha, while they might be shameless, they won't act shamelessly under everyone's gaze. We will definitely leave safely."
Shen Lang was a ruthless and brutal man, especially towards his enemies, often resorting to slaughter. However, towards Wang Yuyan, his demeanor was always gentle and his eyes filled with affection. He said, "Trust your husband, there will be no problem. Don't worry."
"Of course, I trust you, but I'm worried about the Yang Country people playing dirty tricks on you."
Wang Yuyan looked at Shen Lang and smiled, "Don't worry, no matter what dangers lie ahead, I will be by your side, never leaving you."
"Silly girl, if there's danger, you should stay far away from me, not by my side. Because I can handle all dangers. If you are near me, I'll have to keep you safe, worrying that you might accidentally get hurt."
Shen Lang stroked Wang Yuyan's raven-black hair and said gently, "Be good, go and rest. Enemies are approaching."
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Wang Yuyan turned her head and saw Showa Tenka approaching with dozens of people.
Seeing this, Wang Yuyan understood that being by Shen Lang's side would distract him. She quickly moved away from him and returned to Ye Shishi's side, sitting down.
"Ye Shishi, you seem remarkably calm. Aren't you concerned about Shen Lang's safety at all?"
Wang Yuyan looked at Ye Shishi, who maintained a composed demeanor, and asked with some bewilderment.
"We both know Shen Lang's strength. He won't lose to anyone, so there's no need for me to worry about him. Moreover, he wouldn't want us to worry. If we worry excessively, it might only distract him."
Ye Shishi smiled brightly and said, "When a man is working, his woman should observe quietly without speaking. That is what a qualified woman does."
Hearing this, Wang Yuyan chuckled, "Ye Shishi, oh Ye Shishi, do you know why out of all the women around Shen Lang, I dislike you the most?"
"Why?"
Ye Shishi asked, a look of confusion on her face.
"Because as a woman, you are too intelligent. And as an intelligent person myself, I prefer other women not to be too clever."
Wang Yuyan smiled, "If you're too smart, you'll threaten my position, and that's why I dislike you."
"Is that so?"
Ye Shishi smiled upon hearing this, "I don't think you dislike me because I'm too smart, but rather because you lack confidence."
"I lack confidence?"
Wang Yuyan acted as if she had heard the greatest joke in the world, laughing, "In terms of beauty, if you score nine point nine, I'll score ten. In terms of intelligence, you manage Zhongzhou Bank, but I'm not inferior to you."
"And in terms of my position in Shen Lang's heart, there's even less comparison. You are merely a confidante to Shen Lang, while I am his beloved wife."
Wang Yuyan's smile was as gentle as a spring breeze, yet it carried a chilling coldness. She said, "Whether you believe it or not, I have never had an opponent."
"Wang Yuyan, I was wrong just now when I said you lacked confidence. Your biggest flaw is that you are overly confident."
Ye Shishi looked at Wang Yuyan, a slight smirk playing on her lips, tinged with mockery. "You believe everything is within your control, that you have a one hundred percent chance of victory against anyone. But one day, you will suffer a terrible defeat because of it."
"Ye Shishi, I don't wish to engage in a war of words with you. One day you will realize that everyone in this world is no match for me."
Wang Yuyan took out a bottle of milk from her backpack, inserted a straw, took a sip, and said with apparent ease, "One day, you will understand a cruel truth: you will never be able to defeat me in this lifetime."
"Miss Wang, do you know the common flaw of girls raised in a honey pot?"
Ye Shishi looked at Wang Yuyan and smiled, "This flaw is exactly what you're exhibiting now: arrogance and haughtiness."
Ye Shishi stopped mid-sentence as Showa Tenka and his retinue of dozens had already arrived before Shen Lang. The atmosphere crackled with tension, like a gunpowder keg ready to ignite at the slightest spark.
"Shen Lang, you are truly remarkable. You've swept through the martial artists of Yang Country, killed the master of Shinmyō Ittō-ryū and Ryūseidan Ma Shou of Ryūseishin Kage-ryū. With your own might, you have inflicted an unprecedented blow upon Yang Country, nearly shattering the confidence of its people."
Showa Tenka looked at Shen Lang and said, "Someone who can stir up such a monumental storm at your age is a rarity anywhere in the world. However, your mischief ends here."
"Today, I, Showa Tenka, intend to kill you. Not only to restore the honor of Yang Country's martial artists, but also to avenge my son. Showa Takeo was killed by you, and I shall offer your head as a sacrifice to him. Remember, I am Showa Tenka, the King of Dong'an in Yang Country."
Upon hearing Showa Tenka's words, Shen Lang was surprised. "I truly misjudged you. I didn't expect you to be the father Showa Takeo spoke of. Interesting, very interesting. I was initially worried you'd resort to underhanded tactics for revenge, but since you've come before me now, this is much easier. We'll settle this right here, and all future troubles will be gone."
"Insolent brat, you dare to act so presumptuously even now? Do you not see the situation?"
Showa Tenka chuckled, "Behind me stand thirty Imperial Guards and twelve revered elders. If they attack simultaneously, even Shen Tianjun and Song Shadao twenty years ago might not have been able to withstand them. You are destined to die today, no matter what."
As Showa Tenka finished speaking, he waved his hand and commanded the thirty Imperial Guards and twelve Royal Elders, "Attack together! Kill this brat Shen Lang! Whoever severs Shen Lang's head will be hailed as a hero of Yang Country in the future."
"Yes—"
Upon hearing Showa Tenka's command, the forty-two individuals roared in unison and then moved.
"Showa Takeo, have you ever heard a very famous saying?"
Seeing all the people brought by Showa Tenka charging towards him, Shen Lang remained unfazed and asked with a smile.
"What?"
Showa Tenka inquired curiously.
Shen Lang enunciated each word, "Learn the techniques of the barbarians to subdue the barbarians."