The priceless Elixir Root, worth hundreds of millions, given away so readily, caused many to regard Ye Cangtian in a new light.
Some even secretly inquired about Mr. Ye's background, wondering if he was a scion of some top-tier aristocratic family.
Thus, when the banquet commenced, many wealthy individuals approached with their wine glasses, offering toasts.
For a time, Ye Cangtian became the center of attention for the day, overshadowing even the host, Old Master Tang, whose birthday it was.
"Mr. Ye, I, Liu Rumei, also offer you a toast!" At this moment, Liu Rumei approached with her wine glass.
The other magnates made way, astonished. Even the "Black Widow" was actively seeking conversation with him; this was an immense display of respect.
Liu Rumei, clad in a qipao, possessed a figure that exuded grace with every movement and smile, making one feel as if basking in a gentle spring breeze. She said with a smile, "Mr. Ye, this toast is to apologize for what happened before. I will definitely visit your residence next time to offer an explanation."
Ye Cangtian glanced at Liu Zhendong behind Liu Rumei, understanding her intention. He smiled and replied, "I'll drink this toast, but an explanation is unnecessary. Let bygones be bygones!"
With that, he downed the wine in a single gulp.
"Thank you, Mr. Ye, for your magnanimity!" Liu Rumei also finished her drink.
From a distance!
He Chuan gnashed his teeth as he watched the scene, muttering under his breath, "This brat is incredibly lucky, stumbling upon such a huge windfall and stealing all the spotlight!"
However, he didn't particularly care about that. The crucial point was Liu Rumei proactively associating with Ye Cangtian. With the Black Widow's capabilities, even if it was just a casual acquaintance, no one in Yangzhou City would dare to trouble Ye Cangtian anymore.
This was what enraged him!
Steward Zhong sighed beside him, but then a smile appeared. "Young Master, do not fret. Poison Dragon is bound to take his life today; he won't be alive for long!"
He Chuan nodded.
Just then, Ye Cangtian, having put down his wine glass, said to the surrounding magnates who were toasting him, "My apologies, everyone, I need to use the restroom."
As Ye Cangtian left the banquet alone, heading towards the restroom, a thin middle-aged man dressed as a wealthy patron also stood up. As he followed, he instinctively glanced towards He Chuan and Steward Zhong.
Steward Zhong whispered, "The opportunity has finally arrived!"
He Chuan's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but clench his fists, sneering inwardly, "Ye Cangtian, Ye Cangtian, so glorious today, yet you probably never imagined your end is near, wouldn't you?"
...
Ye Cangtian seemed slightly intoxicated, his steps a little unsteady.
After entering the restroom, he went directly into one of the stalls.
Following him, the thin-faced middle-aged wealthy patron also entered. He pretended to relieve himself, his viper-like eyes scanning the surroundings.
He was Poison Dragon!
At this moment, he did not rush to act, as there were still others in the restroom.
When the last person left, he slowly walked towards a closed stall. With a slight flick of his right hand, a ten-inch dagger slid from his sleeve into his palm.
Standing behind the stall door, just as Poison Dragon was about to strike, he suddenly heard a teasing voice from within: "The door isn't locked, just come right in!"
Discovered? Poison Dragon's expression shifted slightly. In the next instant, he kicked the stall door.
"Bang!" The stall door was kicked to pieces.
Inside, Ye Cangtian sat on the toilet seat, smoking a cigarette. Seeing this, he couldn't help but say, "I already told you the door wasn't locked, yet you had to smash it."
Poison Dragon frowned and asked coldly, "You discovered me long ago?"
Ye Cangtian exhaled a ring of smoke, disdainfully replying, "With such heavy killing intent, it's hard not to notice! You're not a professional killer!"
Although Poison Dragon was considered an assassin, he had worked alone for years. Besides his formidable strength and impressive escape skills, he wasn't truly a professional assassin.
Despite being discovered, Poison Dragon did not give up. He sneered, "Professional or not, you'll find out after I kill you!"
The dagger in his hand lunged towards Ye Cangtian with extreme speed. An ordinary person would not even have the chance to react or dodge.
Unfortunately for him, he was up against Ye Cangtian!
Ye Cangtian watched the incoming dagger with a faint smile. In the next moment, he lifted his foot and kicked out directly.
"Bang!" Poison Dragon, along with his dagger, was sent flying, crashing into the restroom wall, cracking even the marble tiles.
In this brief exchange, Poison Dragon suffered a significant blow. He immediately realized he was no match for Ye Cangtian. He scrambled to his feet, intending to escape.
However, Ye Cangtian directly blocked his path.
Poison Dragon had no choice but to attack again, his dagger swinging once more. His speed was fast, but Ye Cangtian was faster. He grabbed the wrist holding the dagger with one hand and twisted it forcefully.
"Crack!" The opponent's arm was disabled.
Ye Cangtian then delivered a powerful kick to Poison Dragon's lower ribs. The latter was sent flying several meters again, lying on the ground and struggling to get up.
Poison Dragon's face contorted in panic, realizing escape was impossible. He had no chance of fleeing from this man.
He quickly begged for mercy, "Mr. Ye, please don't kill me. I can tell you who ordered my assassination."
"No need!"
Ye Cangtian, smoking his cigarette, sneered. Did he think Ye Cangtian didn't know who was behind it? He said calmly, "I can give you a chance to end it yourself!"
Poison Dragon's face filled with despair. He, who had killed countless people and always escaped successfully, even while being hunted for years, had never imagined he would one day stumble.
Seeing that the other party had no intention of sparing him, Poison Dragon took a deep breath, picked up the dagger with his left hand, and suddenly lunged forward, attempting a final struggle.
"Alas, you refuse the chance to die by your own hand! I'll have to help you!" Ye Cangtian shook his head helplessly. Soon, as he dodged an attack, he grabbed the opponent's wrist and pulled forward forcefully.
Poison Dragon desperately realized his hand was moving uncontrollably towards his own neck.
"Swoosh..." Blood instantly spurted out. Poison Dragon's eyes widened, his mouth opening to speak but emitting no sound.
Soon, he collapsed heavily onto the ground.
Ye Cangtian flicked away his cigarette butt and, with a blank expression, grabbed the corpse by its collar and tossed it outside the restroom.
Recently, there had been two assassins targeting him, but their fates were vastly different!
Gu Yue had been allowed to escape multiple times by him, while the present Poison Dragon died without even a chance to speak!
Both were assassins, yet their endings were so divergent!
He wondered what Poison Dragon would think if he knew.
...
"Murder!"
Unidentified screams erupted from a woman.
The entire banquet descended into panic. It wasn't until the Tang family intervened to calm the guests that the event was saved from devolving into chaos.
Amidst the crowd, He Chuan could not conceal his exhilaration, murmuring to himself, "The guy's finally dead!"
But the next moment, his expression changed drastically, and his lips trembled slightly when he saw Ye Cangtian appearing casually before him.
"Didn't they say someone died? Who... who died?" He Chuan swallowed hard.
"It must have been Poison Dragon! Young Master, let this matter rest here!" Steward Zhong took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
Even Poison Dragon's assassination attempt had failed, and he died at the other party's hands without even a chance to escape. This meant Ye Cangtian was someone they absolutely could not afford to offend!
He Chuan's face turned pale!