The Strongest Dandy in the City Chapter 2364 - 2353: You Will Regret This

The two experts from the Zhou family, who had reached the Heavenly God Realm, arrived to monitor Cheng Yuanmu and the others. Their expressions remained frigid throughout the journey, showing no hint of warmth.

Cheng Yuanmu, Cheng Yiyao, and the elderly Steward had braced themselves for the worst, their brows knitted in concern the entire time. Only Ye Chenfeng, however, appeared completely relaxed, ready to face any challenge.

Within Lingfeng City, the Zhou family stood as one of the preeminent great clans. Their sprawling estate was naturally magnificent and grand, encompassing a vast area dotted with numerous palace halls and ancillary courtyards.

This grand banquet was convened in the True Dragon Hall, situated within the Zhou estate. Historically, all large-scale gatherings hosted by the Zhous had taken place here, owing to its immense capacity to accommodate a multitude of guests.

Upon their arrival at the Zhou estate, the two Heavenly God Realm experts from the Zhou family escorted Cheng Yuanmu, Ye Chenfeng, Cheng Yiyao, and the old Steward to the entrance of the True Dragon Hall before departing on their own accord.

Once inside the Zhou grounds, many banquet attendees cast curious glances at Cheng Yuanmu, Ye Chenfeng, and their companions. Word of the Cheng clan's schism had spread throughout Lingfeng City, as had the entanglement between Zhou Hongjing and Cheng Yiyao. With Zhou Hongjing's direct ancestor, a Half-step Divine Venerable Realm cultivator, now backing him, it was only natural that Zhou Hongjing would seek to reclaim any lost honor.

Just as Cheng Yuanmu, Ye Chenfeng, and their group were poised to enter the True Dragon Hall—

Cheng Nianjiang, Cheng Tongliang, Cheng Tongming, and Cheng Tonghan coincidentally arrived outside the hall. By this juncture, they had effectively severed all ties with Cheng Yuanmu's faction of the Cheng clan. This decision was made without regret, as they had no desire to be dragged down to ruin.

Confronting Cheng Yuanmu, Cheng Nianjiang and the others no longer displayed the deference they once did. Having fully pledged their allegiance to Zhou Hongjing, they felt secure that Cheng Yuanmu would not dare to act against them in this setting.

Cheng Nianjiang, Cheng Yiyao's grandfather, addressed Cheng Yuanmu with a calm demeanor, stating, "Young Master Zhou is a benevolent soul; he has already granted you an opportunity. Why do you refuse to seize it? We separated from the Cheng clan entirely for its own preservation. This act ensures that the Cheng clan can at least maintain a semblance of its legacy."

Hearing Cheng Nianjiang refer to Zhou Hongjing as 'Young Master Zhou' caused the icy glint in Cheng Yuanmu's eyes to intensify. "Young Master Zhou, is it? Cease with those high-sounding justifications. Simply withdrawing from the Cheng clan would merely paint you as cold-hearted and cowardly. But now, you have stooped to become mere lackeys at Zhou Hongjing's beck and call. While our Cheng clan is aligned with the Zhous, one must not abandon fundamental dignity and backbone. I am genuinely pleased that you have left the Cheng clan, for you are unworthy of being called Cheng clan members."

Cheng Nianjiang and his kin remained unfazed by Cheng Yuanmu's sharp words. Among them, Cheng Tonghan, Cheng Yiyao's father, turned to his daughter and remarked, "Yiyao, Young Master Zhou still extends an offer of a chance to you. If you handle this wisely, Young Master Zhou might take you as a concubine. Should you openly declare your affection for Young Master Zhou later, he will overlook past transgressions. You will still be my daughter, which benefits everyone. In what way is Young Master Zhou not deserving of you?"

Cheng Yiyao’s teeth clenched. Was this truly her grandfather and father? How had she never perceived their capacity for such cold-bloodedness and heartlessness before?

The old Steward regarded Cheng Nianjiang and his group with profound disdain. He interjected, "Your standing cannot even compare to that of an old man like me! We will remain steadfastly by Miss Yiyao's side. At worst, it means death. Since we have come here, we harbor no fear of dying."

Upon hearing the old Steward speak, Cheng Nianjiang and the others visibly frowned. Cheng Tongliang, Cheng Yiyao's paternal uncle, retorted sharply, "Old servant, is this a venue for your pronouncements? In days gone by, you were naught but a guard dog at our Cheng clan's gate. What, do you fancy yourself someone important now? You will soon be nothing more than a dead dog."

Cheng Tongliang then shifted his gaze toward Ye Chenfeng. "Is this pursuit truly worthwhile? Ultimately, you will face death accompanied only by an old dog and a piece of worthless trash. What is so terrible about becoming Young Master Zhou's woman?"

A murderous aura contorted Cheng Yuanmu's features. These members of the Cheng clan were utterly incorrigible. "Do you believe I won't dare to act just because we're here? Vacate my sight, immediately! Otherwise, the worst that can happen is I'll take a few of you down with me as I depart!"

Sensing the potent killing intent radiating from Cheng Yuanmu, Cheng Nianjiang and the others, well-acquainted with his temperament, swiftly retreated into the True Dragon Hall. As they reached the threshold, Cheng Nianjiang uttered a parting shot: "You will come to regret this."

After Cheng Nianjiang and his contingent had departed, Cheng Yuanmu placed a hand on Cheng Yiyao's shoulder, offering reassurance. "Yiyao, let's proceed. Regardless of what transpires, you still have us by your side!"

The True Dragon Hall itself was magnificently vast.

Upon entering the hallowed hall, Cheng Yuanmu, Ye Chenfeng, and their companions found suitable seating arrangements and took their places.

The surrounding guests immediately began to distance themselves, and within the confines of the True Dragon Hall, they found themselves effectively ostracized.

As an increasing number of guests commenced their arrival—

By the time nearly everyone had assembled—

Two elder figures made their entrance into the True Dragon Hall. They proceeded with a leisurely gait to the foremost central area of the hall and occupied the two sumptuously gilded chairs. These two individuals were the Zhou clan's current Half-step Divine Venerables.

The Half-step Divine Venerable positioned on the left bore the name Zhou Yongwang; he served as the direct ancestral patriarch supporting Zhou Hongjing.

The young man standing in close proximity to Zhou Yongwang was none other than Zhou Hongjing himself. Zhou Hongjing's cultivation base rested at the Middle Stage of the seventh layer within the Earth God Realm. A single sweep of his gaze across the hall quickly alighted upon Cheng Yuanmu, Ye Chenfeng, and their group.

He had just received intelligence from Cheng Nianjiang and the others; he was aware that Cheng Yiyao remained defiant and unwilling to submit. This defiance, he mused, was no longer his concern. A cold, wry smile materialized at the corner of his lips.

The other Half-step Divine Venerable, situated on the right, was named Zhou Zhande, and the young man standing beside Zhou Zhande was his direct descendant, Zhou Tianlu.

Zhou Tianlu held the esteemed title of the number one genius within the Zhou clan, possessing a formidable strength at the Middle Stage of the first layer of the Heavenly God Realm.

This grand banquet had been convened to commemorate Zhou Yongwang's momentous breakthrough into the Half-step Divine Venerable Realm. With the principal figure now present, the festivities were naturally set to commence.

As the banquet officially began—

The assembled major powers, one by one, stepped forward to tender their congratulatory tributes to Zhou Yongwang.

Swiftly thereafter, every attendee who had graced the banquet had presented their offerings; only Cheng Yuanmu's faction remained conspicuously without a gift.

For a fleeting moment, all gazes converged upon Cheng Yuanmu's contingent.

Cheng Yuanmu had indeed prepared a congratulatory gift. In this critical juncture, maintaining composure was paramount. He resolved to meticulously observe all established protocols, thereby denying the opposing faction any pretext for deliberate harassment.

Calming his inner turmoil, Cheng Yuanmu rose from his seat and advanced towards Zhou Yongwang at the front of the True Dragon Hall. Simultaneously, a finely crafted, rectangular wooden box materialized within his grasp; it contained the congratulatory gift he had meticulously prepared for this auspicious occasion.

While the tribute might not possess the intrinsic value to truly appease a Half-step Divine Venerable, it represented the most substantial offering he had been capable of assembling.

... (To be continued. If you find this work compelling, you are cordially invited to visit Qidian (qidian.com) and cast your votes using recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your unwavering support serves as my greatest impetus. Mobile users are encouraged to experience the story at m.qidian.com.)