By Xu Ke's hand, only one chopstick remained from what was once a neat pair.

It was Xu Ke's doing.

But no one saw how he had made his move.

Huang Zhenyang's breath came in ragged gasps, his soul nearly leaving his body. In that moment, he could even smell the scent of death.

As for Huang Sheng, his face betrayed no joy or sorrow, but the slight adjustment in his posture revealed the unrest within him.

He was already speculating that Xu Ke had orchestrated the counter-kidnapping of Huang Qi and Ye Chen yesterday. Now, it seems…

With Xu Ke's powerful cultivation, it became increasingly certain that last night's events had been a setup of his own design.

Chen Xiong's expression, meanwhile, grew solemn. He realized he had underestimated Xu Ke.

That skill with Hidden Weapons alone couldn't have been mastered in a day or two.

Although Chen Xiong couldn't discern Xu Ke's technique, he could still sense his True Qi…

Innate Middle Stage. To possess the power of the Innate Middle Stage at such a young age!

Chen Xiong's expression darkened completely.

With such cultivation and skill with Hidden Weapons, how could the Ye and Huang Families possibly have captured him alive?!

"Uncle Wu, could I trouble you for another chopstick?" Xu Ke asked with a slight smile.

"Of course." Wang Wu moved to the side to fetch a new utensil.

As Wang Wu turned, Huang Zhenyang finally snapped back to his senses and exploded with rage. "Kid, are you fucking trying to kill someone?"

The bodyguards brought by the Huang Family immediately stepped forward, glaring ominously at Xu Ke.

"Kill someone?" Xu Ke looked at Huang Zhenyang. "If I wanted to kill you, do you think you could have dodged?"

Huang Zhenyang's face turned ugly. "What are you trying to say?"

"I'm not trying to say anything," Xu Ke shook his head. "I'm just saying, you couldn't even take a single strike from me. What makes you qualified to have 'The Dialogue' with me?"

"The weak should just stay on the sidelines and listen quietly."

As he finished speaking, Xu Ke let out a scornful laugh. Since the Huang Family intended to humiliate him, he didn't mind returning the favor with even greater humiliation.

Huang Zhenyang was furious, so furious his teeth were about to shatter.

This was contempt! Utter and absolute contempt!

"You're courting death, kid!" Huang Zhenyang roared.

But Xu Ke's next move froze him in place.

"Thank you, Uncle Wu."

Xu Ke pinched the chopstick Wang Wu handed him between his fingers, staring at Huang Zhenyang with a half-smile.

Humiliation. Huang Zhenyang had never felt such humiliation!

A single gesture from Xu Ke had been enough to make him afraid to move. He wanted to shout, just as he had a moment ago, "Who the fuck do you think you're threatening?"

But he didn't dare.

The fiery pain on his face and the chopstick embedded motionlessly in the wall behind him sent a chill down his spine.

"Alright, let's continue," Chen Xiong finally intervened. He had still been processing the news of Xu Ke's formidable cultivation, which was why he had allowed Xu Ke to intimidate Huang Zhenyang. Only now did he remember his role as the peacemaker.

"Okay." Xu Ke nodded and turned to Huang Sheng. "Alright, let's continue."

Huang Sheng's expression darkened slightly. "First, apologize to my Fourth Uncle."

"Apologize?" Xu Ke laughed. "On what grounds?"

"Among the six great families, seniority is of the utmost importance," Huang Sheng said with a cold smile. "You show no respect for your elders. Don't you think you owe an apology?"

"Is that so?" Xu Ke feigned surprise, turning to the still-shaken Huang Zhenyang. "Brother Zhenyang..."

At this address, Wong Qifu couldn't help but chuckle.

"Boy, what did you call me?" Huang Zhenyang's face was livid.

"Zhenyang, is your name not Huang Zhenyang?" Xu Ke asked, feigning confusion.

"Don't push it," Huang Zhenyang gritted out.

First, he's humiliated by this brat, and now he's being forced to be his contemporary? Every word from Xu Ke's mouth was like a mouthful of shit being shoved down his throat.

"Surely your seniority isn't two generations higher than Huang Sheng's?" Xu Ke asked again with a look of surprise.

Huang Zhenyang, unable to bear it any longer, was about to erupt.

That's not how seniority works at all!

Just then, Huang Sheng held him back, shaking his head. "Fourth Uncle, it's not necessary."

The furious roar rising in Huang Zhenyang's throat was forcefully pushed back down by Huang Sheng, and he felt so enraged he nearly had a stroke.

Huang Sheng was struggling to maintain his composure. Based on Xu Ke's performance yesterday, he had assumed the man was not good with words. Today, it was clear that was not the case.

He had thought he could teach Xu Ke a lesson about seniority by forcing an apology, but the move had backfired and left him feeling disgusted. What apology? Forget it.

"It seems Brother Zhenyang doesn't need my apology after all," Xu Ke said with a slight smile. "In that case, let's discuss the matter of Ouyang Shuang and Huang Qi."

Seeing the conversation finally getting to the point, Chen Xiong couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. These two groups had been talking nothing but nonsense since they had arrived. If it weren't for his advanced age and the composure he'd gained from years of cultivation, he would have already lost his temper.

"Impossible," Huang Sheng stated immediately, shaking his head. "Huang Qi is my older brother. Ouyang Shuang is a revered retainer of my Huang Family and a senior I respect immensely. Absolutely not."

"I haven't even finished my proposal. What's the rush?" Xu Ke smiled.

"Let's discuss something else," Huang Sheng said, refusing to take the bait. He had no intention of being led by the nose. "Look, Uncle Xu, I heard you used to work in the fitness industry. The Huang Family happens to own several decent gyms.

"They can all be yours. You'll be the boss, no longer at risk of being kicked out and blacklisted by the entire industry. What do you think?

"Also, I hear you're currently living in an urban village. Our Huang Family happens to own an entire street there, which will also be yours. You can live in any house you want. How about it?

"And I'm told you still take the subway. While the Huang Family may not have the money to buy a subway system, we can certainly afford a car for you. Ten million, your choice. How does that sound?

"Lastly, when you go out with Auntie Wong, you'll naturally need a suitable wardrobe. I know you're a frugal man, Uncle Xu, but you can't look as down-and-out as a recent college graduate. So, as a little bonus, we'll give you a shopping card with a one-million-yuan credit for our family's largest mall.

"All of this in exchange for my brother's life. What do you say, Uncle Xu?"

Although Huang Sheng's words and tone were respectful, every offer was designed to slight Xu Ke. Each one was a form of contempt, not just for Xu Ke, but also intended to disgust Wong Qifu.

Hearing this, Xu Ke smiled faintly. "Not bad. It's quite tempting."

A smirk touched Huang Sheng's lips.

Xu Ke continued, "The heir of the Huang Family is indeed worth only this much. If we had kidnapped you instead, I doubt your brother would have been willing to pay even this amount."

Huang Sheng's face turned ugly.

Wong Qifu, on the other hand, remained silent. She hadn't wanted to negotiate in the first place and was content to let Xu Ke antagonize them. If it weren't for Xu Ke's desire for a life-and-death duel, she wouldn't have even come today.

As the verbal sparring continued unabated, Chen Xiong's expression grew increasingly grim.

He realized now that there was no chance of a successful negotiation with this group. With that in mind, he decided not to waste any more time.

Chen Xiong spoke up, "Everyone..."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.