Indeed, Tian Yi's words were clearly aimed at provoking Ye Long Lin, a blatant attempt at arousing his temper.
Judging by his demeanor, he had been prepared for this for a long time.
Naturally, Ye Long Lin wouldn't disappoint him; he also wished to see what fallback plan Tian Yi possessed.
"Since we're already here, it would be rude not to come in and sit for a while, wouldn't it? Wouldn't that be wasting the Tian family head's kindness, Yuan Gang."
Ye Long Lin said with a chuckle, seemingly oblivious to the underlying meaning of Tian Yi's words.
As for Tian Yi, he felt an inexplicable sense of unease at Ye Long Lin's prompt acceptance, yet he couldn't pinpoint why.
Either they were confident in their position and thus fearless, or perhaps neither was true.
Regardless of the reason, it seemed to offer them no advantage whatsoever.
"Since our esteemed guest has spoken, please lead the way."
Yuan Tian Gang narrowed his eyes slightly, a smile playing on his lips as he spoke.
Tian Yi, with an equally insincere smile, made a gesture of invitation.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side, Qin Zai Tian was gathering forces at the Martial Arts Association, preparing to march towards the Tian family.
The future of both families rested on this day!
If they emerged victorious from this battle, their two families would remain the most prominent in Qing City. However, if they failed, their families would be completely eradicated from this city.
This was the case even though one of them was a royal family!
"Is everyone ready?"
Qin Zai Tian's voice was heavy as he spoke, his gaze fixed on the ground, lost in thought.
The butler nodded from behind him, "Everything is prepared. All martial artists from the Martial Arts Association and our Qin family have been assembled. This force is immense; its appearance could very well draw the suppression of the Zhen Wu Division. Are we truly going through with this?"
The butler harbored some concern. He was acutely aware that if this force appeared all at once, in the same place, it would inevitably attract the Zhen Wu Division, and at that point, the situation would become incredibly difficult and troublesome.
Even their two families would have to consider whether they could bear the consequences.
"He killed my son. Do you think I would let him continue to live in this world? My son was killed, and the Qin family's standing in the Martial Arts Association was dragged down by him alone. Whether it's for my son or for the Qin family's status, he cannot continue to live!"
Qin Zai Tian said venomously, his eyes filled with an all-consuming hatred that seemed to spread across his eyeballs.
The butler had nothing to say and merely sighed, "I will handle it. After all, it's been so many years."
Qin Zai Tian looked at him with deep eyes, "Old friend, I appreciate your trouble."
On the other side, Hu Hai Jun sat in his office, gazing at the training grounds below through the window, his brow also furrowed.
"Boss, should we get involved in this matter? Many people have called. This issue has nothing to do with us, yet many hope we will step in to mediate."
His subordinate, clad in military uniform, stood behind him, speaking with a sense of helplessness.
It seemed this matter had caused ripples across various factions, and it appeared to have thrown the entire Qing City into a state of unrest.
Breaking a single point to reveal the whole?
"Get involved? What nonsense are you talking about! Do you have any idea how significant this matter is? Do you know who is taking action? That is a military powerhouse from the capital, and the orders were given directly from the Long Pavilion. If you wish to get involved, I won't stop you."
Hu Hai Jun immediately cursed, his subordinate's surname was Qin!
Upon hearing this, the subordinate's face turned pale with fear, his mouth agape, momentarily speechless.
He also knew what the words "Long Pavilion" represented.
"Since this morning, I've received no less than ten calls. Even the Zhen Wu Division has called to inquire if we will participate."
Hu Hai Jun sneered, "Have you not considered why no one has acted yet? Think it through with your brain!"
"Are they still waiting?"
Thinking of this outcome sent a chill down his spine.
Could this situation truly warrant so much attention? If that were the case...
Hu Hai Jun cast him a long, meaningful glance, "You need to understand our position. We are the military; we are not the pawns of any individual or family.
If you wish to go, I can grant you leave. Whether you die in this incident depends on your luck. If you survive, your path for promotion will be cut off. If you die, then there's nothing more to be said."
In reality, Hu Hai Jun had already foreseen the outcome. After all, they were from the Long Pavilion, and the Long Pavilion was fiercely protective of its own.
If both of them died here, the Long Pavilion would undoubtedly intervene, and the ensuing uproar would be far greater than this.
Inside the Martial Arts Association.
Qin Zai Tian returned to the Martial Arts Association once again, this time to enlist the help of two of their old, reclusive experts.
These two reclusive experts were powerhouses from the same era as the three old ancestors of the Tian family, and this was the strongest force he could muster.
"Elder Lin, Elder Yu, today may require your assistance."
Qin Zai Tian said respectfully to the two individuals. Coupled with the two old ancestors from the Tian family, they would have four individuals of the Zhū Bān Lóng Xiàng realm.
With such power, he refused to believe they still couldn't defeat Ye Long Lin!
"Someone dares to cause trouble on our territory? Truly disrespecting us. In that case, we should also make an appearance and remind them of the era when we ruled.
Even after so many years, we can still rule this era. A young junior dares to run wild here, and he's merely a mere Wu Ling? What is the meaning of this?"
Elder Lin snorted, a hint of displeasure in his eyes.
Elder Yu simply chuckled lightly, then asked, "Why is this young man specifically targeting the Tian family?"
Qin Zai Tian spread his hands, "Do the two elders still remember the kill order issued by the Ye family back then?"
The two exchanged glances, clearly recalling something. Elder Yu's smiling expression suddenly froze, and a killing intent instantly filled the air.
It was at this moment that Qin Zai Tian remembered a past event.
During the chase back then, the Tian family and the Yu family served as the main forces, relentlessly pursuing Ye Long Lin and his father, making it impossible for them to live in Qing City. The Yu family was the most aggressive in the pursuit.
At that time, a junior from the Yu family had nearly killed Ye Long Lin. This action had completely enraged Ye Guo Hui. After settling Ye Long Lin, Ye Guo Hui launched a retaliatory strike against the Yu family.
The entire family turned to ashes under Ye Guo Hui's long saber, ceasing to exist.
As for Elder Yu at the time, he managed to preserve his life due to his affiliation with the Martial Arts Association!
It was precisely because of the events back then that Elder Yu remained within the Martial Arts Association.
"Is this young man that child from back then?" Elder Yu asked with a frown.
Qin Zai Tian nodded, "Yes."
"Courting death!"