126.

Listening to the young boy addressing him like an equal, Xia Jian's brows raised slightly. Judging from the boy's face, he didn't seem to take him seriously. And it could only mean two things... Either he was confident or he was a fool.

"The birthday celebration is tomorrow. Are you here in advance to congratulate me!?" Speaking to Yang Ze, Xia Jian looked at him with a nonchalant expression. Compared to the last time, when he appeared to be a gentle old man, this expression of his was clearly filled with arrogance.

"I would love to. But..." With a shrug, Yang Ze looked at Xia Wen. "But unfortunately today I am here to find Xueqi and fatty Pang."

"You are late. They have left for some family matters." Xia Wen shot a glance at the man in the middle before answering his question.

"If you have no other query, you can take your leave."

"What's the hurry!? He can go after having a drink with us." However before Yang Ze could reply, the man in the middle suddenly looked at Yang Ze before speaking out.

"Senior!?" Xia Wen looked at the man in frustration. From the moment he met this man, he had a lingering feeling of disgust. He didn't know why, but every time he saw this man, his mind would be filled with feelings of fear and loathing. Unless absolutely necessary, he didn't want other people to meet this man. Especially, people who are in a business relationship with their family.

"Aren't you going to give me face little friend!? Come, join us." Signaling Yang Ze to sit beside him, the man took out a bottle from his storage bag before placing it on the table in front of him.

During this entire event, Yang Ze stood there emotionless. After thinking for a while, he took a step forward and sat on the ground above the soft mattress beside those four.

"Heh... That's what I am talking about." Nodding his head, the man took out four more glasses and placed them on the table in front of him. After filling them all, he picked up one cup and looked at the others in the room.

The three ancestors, Xia Jian, Yuwen Tai, and Feng Jianyu frowned upon seeing a young boy taking a seat beside them. In their eyes, only people in the same realm were worthy enough to sit beside them. The act of this hairless brat sitting so nonchalantly beside them didn't sit well with them. Yet, no matter how dissatisfied they were, they didn't dare to voice it out. After all, the person who gave the order was someone one realm above them and their future boss. Unless they were thinking of betraying him too, they didn't dare to voice against him.

"Hmm..." Satisfied with their behavior, the man nodded his head and looked at the young boy in front of him.

"Hua Ji, right!?"

Yang Ze looked at him without speaking a word.

"Terrific work you are doing there with the Vault of Heaven." Taking a sip, he continued with a smile "I have to say, this business model of yours is impeccable. I have seen a lot of things throughout my life, but none came close to the business you are operating."

"Thank you." Neither humble nor arrogant, Yang Ze replied calmly.

"Don't thank me. It's not like I did something."

"You see, I am the new city lord. And I was thinking about proposing a new plan in the city. One that might help people greatly. At this time, when disasters are becoming more common and mortal lives are hard, this will be of great help.

But you see... Implementing this plan comes at a great price. And as you already know, with how corrupt the previous city lord was, there aren't many things he left for us. So, the three families and many small businesses are helping out by making small donations.

Of course, In the future, they will get the respective benefits and offers. And out of all the business, I didn't see the name of your shop."

"Tch... Tch... Tch... You are missing out so much." With a smile on his face, the man emptied the glass in one go as his narrowed eyes were stuck on Yang Ze. The meaning behind his words was obvious. He was asking for a hefty sum of money from Yang Ze.

"Don't worry... If you don't want to, you won't have to. I believe that one should be satisfied with what they receive. I can understand if your business took a hit from the recent disaster. After all, it is not easy to run a business with two more employees.

What was her name again!? Ah yes... Yao Xiang. Truly a wonderful child... Especially her eyes...." Speaking till here, his eyes narrowed into slits as a menacing smile formed on his face. At this moment, even the three ancestors sitting in front of him felt their hearts tremble.

"I actually came here to just talk with the patriarch of the Xia Family. But since you want to have a conversation, I am more than happy to talk with you."

"We will..." The smile on the man's face disappeared "How about we toast to my new position first!?" Filling the cup, he slid it towards Yang Ze.

"No thanks. I don't drink." With his extraordinary senses, he was able to smell the heavy blood scent in it. It was as if, the entire wine was fermented from human blood. And knowing the Leihui sect, Yang Ze was fully sure that this was the case.

Looking at the three ancestors who were gulping down one glass after another, Yang Ze didn't stop them or spoke any words of caution.

"JUNIOR..." The man's voice slowly became hoarse as his face became colder and colder. "You should cherish what's given to you."

"What should I call you!?" Instead of replying to him, Yang Ze asked in a grim tone.

"This seat is called Zhang Gen, the fourth elder of the Leihui Sect." There was a hint of pride in his voice.

"Okay Zhang Gen. Since we both are now familiar with each other, let me ask you for something."

"OH!?" Zhang Gen narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Next time keep your dogs on leash."

"Huh!?" Zhang Gen couldn't understand the message that Yang Ze was trying to convey, but before he could say a word, the boy in front of him stood up and left towards the exit.

"Oh! And one more thing..." Stopping in front of the door, Yang Ze moved his head as he spoke slowly. "Congratulations on becoming the new city lord. I have prepared a gift for you. Hope you will like it."

It wasn't until he left the room that Xia Jian spoke up. "What do you think senior!?"

"I can not be sure, but I think he is the one responsible." The previous arrogance from Zhang Gen disappeared, replaced by a gloomy expression. "From the moment he entered the room, he was carefree. I doubt he was even taking all of us seriously."

"Then..." Yuwen Tai hesitated for a moment.

"Then it means." Zhang Gen spoke further "He has strong support behind him. Someone strong enough to fight on equal terms with us."

"Is he from some other big sect!?" Speaking with hesitation Feng Jianyu looked at Zhang Gen, waiting for him to explain.

"I... I don't know." Zhang Gen shook his head. "According to intelligence, the Beggar sect and the sixth elder Tao Chen both took action against him. The former has been erased while there is no news about the sixth elder. I am afraid he is more unfortunate than fortunate."

"Should we make a move!?" Xia Jian sipped from the cup as he gave out the suggestion he came up with.

"No... Not now." Zhang Gen shook his head. "Since the opposite party can make an elder of the Leihui Sect disappear without a trace, then I don't need to explain to you guys what might happen if we just move without a proper plan."

"Then!? Then what are we going to do till then!?"

"Wait..." Putting the bottle back in his storage bag, Zhang Gen slowly spoke. "We will wait for some time. After the fair, we will take action."

"MASTER."

"MASTER."

Xia Wen who was listening to them frowned with unhappiness after looking at a new group of servants carrying a small box inside the room.

"What is it!?" First, it was that brat, and now there are servants. For a moment Xia Wen was seriously considering an overhaul in the family rules.

"Vault of Heaven sent a gift for the new city lord."

"Interesting." Zhang Gen stood up from his position and walked in front of the small box. slowly caressing the box he nodded his head. "Isn't it the vault that people normally use to store spirit stones in their shops!?"

"Heh! Just how many spirit stones did he send us!?" The more he thought like that, the wider his grin became. At this moment, he was impressed by the young boy's ability to make decisions. In the future, when their plan comes to fruition, he would give him a quick death as a form of mercy.

With a wide grin, he walked in front of the small safe and slowly unlocked it. After taking a deep breath, he grasp the handle and pulled it open.

However, as soon as he opened the box, the smile on his face froze as the entire room plunged into a deathly silence. Even the three ancestors who were all talking a moment ago stopped their discussion and looked at the content inside the box.

To their horror, instead of the spirit stones like everyone hoped, the entire box was filled with human flesh and blood...

And attached to it was a small letter.