The people below had not expected that Li Dali, who had just been so immensely strong, was defeated by the man in front of them with a single move. They were stunned in place, muttering, "Heavens, how can someone be this powerful!"
Lan Yan by his side smiled and said, "My young master is invincible against all under heaven. You have angered him this time, and you will suffer greatly." She curled her lips, her gaze fixed on the stage.
The crowd continued to converse, "Judging by their attire, these are no ordinary people. It seems the marriage alliance proposed by Alliance Leader Li is not a simple matter." They assumed Jun Yelan's incredible power made him the prime candidate for this son-in-law.
On the stage, Jun Yelan continued to suppress the hammer and shot a cold glance at Li Dali, "Who did you say you were the grandfather of just now!"
Li Dali, now sprawled on the ground, could not utter a word. Seeing Jun Yelan's other foot about to land, he quickly begged for mercy, "You are my grandfather. I was wrong."
But it was too late. Jun Yelan stepped on Li Dali's back and walked over. He casually shot the arrow in his hand, embedding it in Li Dali's hand, disabling the arm that held the hammer.
Li Dali clutched his hand, crying out in pain, "Master, save me."
Alliance Leader Li had no choice but to step forward, taking a step back from Jun Yelan's imposing aura. He signaled for Li Dali to be taken away and smiled at Jun Yelan, "This young master is truly formidable. May I ask who your master is?"
"No one."
The crowd below was even more astonished. Someone with no sect or master could be this powerful!
Alliance Leader Li was similarly surprised, though he showed nothing on his face. He continued, "This young master is the strongest contender in this marriage alliance. Not only will he be able to marry my daughter, but he will also serve as the vanguard in the upcoming campaign against Jun Yelan."
Seeing Jun Yelan glance at him, he mistook it for interest and spoke with righteous indignation, "Jun Yelan, as the lord of the Dead City, has always bullied us righteous sects. We have long wished to eliminate him, but he never emerges, so we have no choice but to gather everyone and strike at his stronghold."
As he finished speaking, Lan Yan below let out a light chuckle.
The laughter reached Alliance Leader Li's ears. Reminding himself that the woman belonged to the powerful figure on stage, he suppressed his reaction. "Young master, with such unparalleled martial arts, you must help us. If you achieve merit this time, you will be a candidate for the next Alliance Leader."
He had said so much; he couldn't believe this person wouldn't be tempted.
The crowd below was also stirred, shouting, "Kill Jun Yelan, kill Jun Yelan!"
At this moment, Jun Yelan stood on the stage, slowly removing the fox mask from his face, revealing a countenance that astonished everyone. He sneered, "Then do you know where Jun Yelan is now?"
Alliance Leader Li stared at the face, as if he had seen it somewhere before. He recalled the footsteps and weaponry of the person before him, matching the information about Jun Yelan that had been delivered. His pupils contracted sharply.
"You are Jun Yelan!"
The moment these words were uttered, the crowd below, terrified, scrambled away. "Jun Yelan is here! Didn't he always stay in the city? Why has he come out!" No one answered; they rushed to escape.
Alliance Leader Li could not believe his own words. Seeing the man before him not deny it, he retreated a few steps. He shouted, "Everyone, Jun Yelan is treacherous and ambitious. Now that he is here, let us attack him together."
However, the crowd had already vanished.
"Alliance Leader Li, you truly are a hypocrite to the extreme." Lan Yan, instead of fleeing, walked onto the stage and glared at Alliance Leader Li.
Alliance Leader Li was now in utter panic. Seeing a mere young girl dare to speak to him like that, he lunged forward to attack.
However, Jun Yelan flicked his sleeve, sending Alliance Leader Li flying off the stage. He put his arm around Lan Yan's waist and leaped off the stage, saying coldly, "This City Lord will await your arrival in the Dead City."
"And ensure you never return." He shot an arrow from his palm, ten arrows flying in unison, each embedding itself in the back of those who had spoken ill of him.
As more and more people fell, Alliance Leader Li quickly retreated behind his men. He watched Jun Yelan's leisurely departing back, clenching his fist and raging, "Jun Yelan, I will not let you off easily."
He remembered the carrier pigeon from that morning and summoned a group of people, "Go, set up an ambush on that road to end him there." If someone in this dead city wanted Jun Yelan dead, he would not be blamed.
Meanwhile, Jun Yelan arrived at another restaurant, ordered a table full of dishes, and looked at Lan Yan, who was also eating opposite him.
Lan Yan had also removed her mask, as she was no longer in any danger. She had been confronting people and shooting her slingshot, and was quite tired. She picked up a few pieces of meat, put them in her mouth, and chewed slowly.
"City Lord, aren't you eating?"
"It's good that you are eating." Jun Yelan looked at the dishes; to him, they all tasted the same.
Lan Yan was not polite and ate her fill. "City Lord, let's go."
Jun Yelan rose and walked out of the restaurant with Lan Yan, heading back towards the city.
They needed to pass through a small path in the forest to reach a hidden entrance, allowing them to return safely.
As they walked, Lan Yan complained, "I've met two people from the Li family today, and neither is very capable. That daughter in the marriage alliance, I think she's not simple either. Whoever becomes their son-in-law is doomed."
Jun Yelan nodded, "Alliance Leader Li became the Martial Alliance Leader years ago by marrying into a sect's daughter. He would never let his son-in-law rise to power; he would only use him to implement his plans."
"I agree. Next time we encounter him, we'll fight him every time, so he can't bully the City Lord," Lan Yan said with a smile.
Jun Yelan was taken aback, the corner of his lips tilting upwards. Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves came from behind him. He grabbed Lan Yan's arm, pulling her to the side and hiding them behind a thicket of trees.
He frowned, "This path has been discovered. Let's speed up our return."
"Okay." Lan Yan clutched the slingshot at her waist, determined not to let anything happen here.
Jun Yelan then put his arm around Lan Yan's waist and effortlessly leaped onto the trees above, and the next moment, he jumped onto the trees ahead.
Lan Yan couldn't help but look down. She was flying! Her eyes held a trace of excitement. Instinctively, she held onto Jun Yelan's sleeve.
Seeing Lan Yan's absolute trust in him, Jun Yelan felt a warmth in his heart. At the same time, he increased his speed, flying forward.
However, the sound of horses' hooves behind them grew closer, and sounds also came from both sides; they were surrounded.
Jun Yelan landed on the ground with Lan Yan, his gaze sweeping coldly over the surroundings. Dozens of people had appeared, but none were his match. He looked at Lan Yan, "Later, you hide in the bushes and don't come out."
"Alright." Lan Yan's martial arts were currently mediocre, and she would only be a hindrance to Jun Yelan. Hiding was the best option. She looked at Jun Yelan and shouted with conviction, "City Lord, you must be careful."
With that, she walked to the side and hid in the bushes, her gaze fixed ahead.
Jun Yelan couldn't help but smile. Looking at the people appearing around him, he regained his usual composure. His eyes turned cold, ready to shoot the arrows in his hand, when suddenly a sharp pain struck his chest.
Why was his illness acting up at this moment!