"The Grand Elder asked me to inquire about your arrangements."
Ning Qi was asking about Ye Longlin's plans for tomorrow, which was the funeral of the Second Elder. If anyone intended to cause trouble, they would definitely ask him!
After all, Ye Longlin was considered his student.
"Ten thousand Imperial Guards, specifically the Second Elder's personal guards!"
Personal guards referred to the most trustworthy and loyal individuals!
"Understood."
After Ning Qi left, Ye Longlin looked at the letter in his hand and locked himself in his study.
He only called Mu Hanqi down after knowing she had finished cooking.
Six people sat at the dining table, and by the end, the meal had gone cold, untouched.
...
In fact, there was another prevailing sentiment in the capital.
Ye Longlin shouldn't have come!
With the Second Elder gone, Ye Longlin had lost his backing. If anyone were to cause trouble at the funeral, Ye Longlin himself might leave with the Second Elder on the spot.
His former confidant, why would he not stay far away during this crucial period, but instead dare to attend the Second Elder's funeral so openly? Was he truly not afraid of death?
Even more people were observing whether Ye Longlin would show up, but the strongest opinion was that Ye Longlin would definitely appear, given his temperament.
"Ye Longlin? What good can he do even if he's back? Without the Second Elder's support now, what does he have besides his cultivation?"
"Forget him, even if he stood in front of me now, I'd dare to slap him twice!"
The air was thick with animosity.
After some inquiries, the person who spoke was Xu Tian'en, one of the heirs of the Xu family.
Elder Xu of the Xu family was the closest to the position of the Sixth Elder. He had been on the waiting list for his entire life and now finally saw an opportunity to rise, naturally becoming one of the happiest.
That evening, such words spread from the Xu family, and no one even refuted them. This undoubtedly made many feel that the matter was not simple.
The Xu family seemed to lack the courage and honor to openly confront the Hall of Honor. It appeared that someone was backing the Xu family.
Ye Longlin's suppression of the Martial Arts Association had just concluded, and someone was already coming out to provoke him. If this wasn't seeking death, then it meant they had backing.
At least, for now, the Xu family had backing.
And the most likely possibility was the Ye family!
"If Ye Longlin were sensible, he wouldn't cause trouble at the funeral. Regardless, the Second Elder was his teacher. If he causes trouble, wouldn't that mean Ye Longlin disrespects his teacher?"
"I think tomorrow will be the more interesting day. If he behaves, I might even let him pay respects to his teacher."
Various taunts belittled Ye Longlin to worthlessness, elevating the Xu family to the forefront.
Many secretly slandered Xu Tian'en, noting that while the Second Elder was alive, the Xu family didn't dare to utter a single word. Now that the Second Elder was gone, the Xu family was acting up, truly believing no one could deal with them?
"I'm afraid tomorrow will bring a good show."
However, Ye Longlin had no news that night. Instead, rumors spread among the public that Ye Longlin had shed blood in the inner court and, combined with his actions against the Martial Arts Association, had sustained internal injuries, making him absolutely unable to act.
But regardless of how the outside world buzzed with rumors, the protagonists, the Xu family and the Marshal's Mansion, remained silent.
The next morning.
The sky was dim, and dignitaries from all positions and directions had arrived. Chang'an Avenue, ten miles long, had been sealed off since midnight, allowing entry but not exit.
On both sides of the street stood countless ordinary people, holding white chrysanthemums. In the long procession of mourners, one could hear a pin drop.
This illness and passing had come too suddenly, catching countless people off guard.
After the deceased's resume was made public, people realized that there was indeed such a divine being existing in the mortal world.
At a certain funeral home.
The venue was filled with people wearing suits and Zhongshan suits. At a glance, besides the dense crowd, there were soldiers standing on both sides.
Among the many people present, no one knew how many were genuinely there and how many were there to witness Ye Longlin's downfall.
At this moment, at the center of the main road.
Ye Longlin, dressed in a Zhongshan suit, entered calmly, with Mu Hanqi, dressed in a black qipao and wearing a white flower on her chest, at his side.
A light rain suddenly began to fall.
The confidantes of the dignitaries present stood there, their assistants holding umbrellas over their masters.
Yuan Gang also wanted to take out a black umbrella, but Ye Longlin waved him off, "No need."
A battle saber hung at his waist.
Why was he here today?
To mourn the Second Elder.
And then?
And then, to kill a group of people!
"Last night, who said they would slap me, Ye Longlin, twice? Step forward and let me see which young master it was."
At the entrance.
Ye Longlin stopped, his hands clasped behind his back, his head slightly raised.
The aura he exuded was absolutely incredible!
No one spoke.
Since no one spoke, he continued, "The former Marshal of the three armies, arriving with a battle saber."
"I dare not hold an umbrella, so who gave you the audacity to stand with umbrellas?"
This statement startled everyone present, causing them to exchange glances.
Born to be a king, destined for glory.
Where Ye Longlin was, he was undoubtedly the center of attention.
Perhaps this was his unique charm.
"He really showed up, Marshal Ye has arrived, and he's so imposing right from the start. I love it, it's so passionate!"
"Damn it, even though he's retired, this man single-handedly pacified the Martial Arts Association. Who on earth dares to share the stage with him without considering how many days their heads will remain on their necks!"
The crowds on both sides instantly erupted!
"Xu Tian'en, the young master of the Xu family!"
"You threatened to slap Marshal Ye last night. Now that Marshal Ye has appeared, aren't you going to step out and curb Marshal Ye's might?"
Xu Tian'en cursed inwardly. Upon hearing this, he couldn't help but step forward.
There was no choice. Since he had been called out by name, if he didn't step forward now, wouldn't it be seen as him being weaker than Ye Longlin?
"You said you wanted to slap me?"
"I'll give you a chance."
Ye Longlin said in a calm tone, his right hand resting on the hilt of his saber, pressing it down.
Xu Tian'en took a deep breath, his eyes full of apprehension. Standing before him, after a long pause, he finally said, "Ye Longlin, today is the Second Elder's funeral. I believe you wouldn't want to see bloodshed at the Second Elder's funeral, would you?"
Ye Longlin simply said calmly, "How old are you?"
Xu Tian'en honestly replied, "Twenty-five."
"At twenty-five, I had already founded the Dragon Pavilion and led it in battles overseas for several years. What were you doing?"
This statement left Xu Tian'en speechless.
"Slap!"
Ye Longlin suddenly struck, his palm connecting with Xu Tian'en's face.