C2 Ten Days' Time(2)

A sharp slap echoed, leaving a vivid red handprint on the wealthy man's face. He tumbled to the ground, his head spinning.

"A guest of the Ye family? Quite the spectacle!" Bai Yeh's foot connected with the man like he was kicking a bouncy meatball.

As the rich man's body quivered with fat, he struggled to rise, only to have Bai Yeh's foot come down on his head once more.

"Mercy, sir, I beg of you... mercy..." the man pleaded.

"Mercy? Weren't you just about to finish me off?" Bai Yeh pressed down harder, the man's eyes popping, his face flushed, his cries growing louder.

"Bravo!"

Applause erupted from the onlookers who had suffered bullying themselves.

Bai Yeh couldn't help but feel like a hero championing justice.

He was about to further his lesson when a chaotic clatter of hooves approached from down the street.

"Lord Chen, as a guest of the Ye family, who would dare to lay a hand on you in Lo City?" A melodious voice cut through the street's clamor, standing out distinctly.

He looked up to see the crowd parting as the Ye family entourage closed in.

Then, a young girl on a snow-white steed made her way toward them.

Clad in a purple gown, her beauty was otherworldly—hair like flowing silk, skin fairer than snow, and eyes sparkling like celestial bodies. She exuded both valor and beauty, captivating the onlookers who couldn't tear their gaze away.

"It's Miss Ye of the Ye family..."

"She's stunning! Truly Lo City's foremost beauty!"

Admiration filled the murmurs of the crowd.

"Ye Qian is truly a vision," Bai Yeh admitted to himself.

"Miss Ye, save me..." Lord Chen cried out, desperate as if clinging to a lifeline.

"Lord Chen, rest assured. In Lo City, no one would dare harm you," Ye Qian stated calmly, her gaze settling on Bai Yeh. "You're Bai Yeh, the so-called waste of the Bai family?"

"I am Bai Yeh, but I am no waste," Bai Yeh replied with a nonchalant shrug.

"You think you're something special for beating a few worthless guards? You're not even a Heavenly Soul Cultivator, yet you have the audacity to mess with a guest of the Ye family? Get over here and help me up now!"

"You want me to help?" Bai Yeh was clearly displeased.

"Who else?" Ye Qian retorted with arrogance. "Help me to my feet, then kneel and bow your head. Perhaps then I might overlook your transgression."

"How amusing!"

Bai Yeh chuckled, slowly lifting his foot as if he was about to comply.

Seeing this, the wealthy man burst into a smug laughter, taunting, "You little punk... I told you I'm a guest of the Ye family, you can't touch me. Got cold feet now, huh? What are you waiting for? Help me up! Hahaha..."

But his laughter was cut short as a foot brutally connected with his head.

Thud!

The sound echoed as the man's body tumbled across the ground, rolling over a dozen times before slamming into a nearby stall. His head lolled to the side, blood oozing from every orifice, his breathing ragged and faint.

The force behind that kick was unimaginable!

The onlookers were stunned into silence!

Ye Qian's expression turned icy, her eyes flashing with deadly intent.

"Oops, my foot slipped," Bai Yeh said, feigning innocence as he rubbed his head.

"You... Well done!" Ye Qian seethed, her eyes alight with murderous rage. "You've got some nerve defying me."

"Defy you? Perish the thought. It was truly a slip of the foot. After all, the Ye family rules Lo City now. Just a Ye family henchman strutting around like he owns the place. Now that the head of the Ye family is here, how could I possibly defy you?" Bai Yeh's voice dripped with irony, his words laden with biting sarcasm.

His statement resonated with the bystanders, and murmurs of agreement began to ripple through the crowd, growing louder and more frequent.

"Bai Yeh's got a point. That guy's just a guest of the Ye family."

"If it's like this now, what's going to happen in the future?"

"Thank goodness Bai Yeh was here this time, or who knows how many others would have suffered."

Upon hearing this, Ye Qian's face contorted with anger. She glared at the wealthy man sprawled on the ground like a lifeless pig, wishing she could rip him to pieces.

"Don't you dare defame the Ye family. We had no knowledge of this man's vile deeds!"

"Wasn't he a guest of the Ye family?" Bai Yeh challenged, gesturing toward the rich man.

"He's too overbearing. The Ye family will no longer acknowledge him as a guest," Ye Qian quickly retorted.

She couldn't bear the thought of the Ye family's reputation in Lo City being tarnished because of this scoundrel.

"That's a relief!" Bai Yeh nodded, his demeanor shifting abruptly as he scoffed, "In that case, my issues with this man are none of your concern, Miss Ye, are they? Why do you insist on interfering?"

Ye Qian was momentarily at a loss for words, realizing she had been unwittingly manipulated by Bai Yeh.

Biting back her frustration, she clenched her pale fists and hissed, "Bai Yeh, consider this a friendly warning: know when to quit while you're ahead! I could take your life effortlessly! I'm offering you one final opportunity to drop this matter and disappear. If not, you'll live to regret it!"

Ye Qian's claim was no idle boast. As Lo City's premier prodigy with a limitless future, her status far exceeded Bai Yeh's, who, unable to awaken his Heavenly Soul, was limited to physical prowess—enough to intimidate low-ranking guards at best.

In that instant, Bai Yeh's thunderous command resonated deep within Ye Qian's soul.

"Leave!"

His voice boomed, reaching the ears of everyone on the street.

Ye Qian, taken aback, her eyes wide with shock, exclaimed, "How dare you insult me?"

"Did you not hear me? Leave this instant!" Bai Yeh demanded, his face a mask of indifference.

He had lost all regard for Ye Qian; her beauty did nothing to mitigate his revulsion.

Fuming with rage, Ye Qian's soul power surged chaotically. She was poised to strike, but the murmuring crowd around her brought her to a composed standstill. Yet the malice in her eyes remained undiminished. "Bai Yeh, I'm well aware you lack soul power. Like a dead pig not fearing scalding water, killing you here won't erase the shame you've brought upon me and the Ye family today. But do you really think you've left me without recourse?"

"Disgrace? This is a mess of your own making," Bai Yeh stated icily.

With a frosty expression, Ye Qian retorted sharply, "Enough talk, Bai Yeh. Hear me out. In ten days, I will personally establish an arena at the Bai family's estate to challenge your younger kin. The humiliation I endured today will be repaid twofold to your family, and it will be your fault that the Bai family's honor is utterly ruined! I will make you the pariah of the Bai family, scorned by all."

Her declaration sent a chill through the onlookers, prompting murmurs of disbelief.

"Is Ye Qian seizing an opportunity to strike at the Bai family?"

Bai Yeh, undaunted by her words, simply chuckled, "You want a battle? You'll have it! But let's keep our personal grievances separate from our families. If you're setting up a challenge, I'll be there to meet it."

Ye Qian had hoped to intimidate Bai Yeh, yet he remained unfazed.

"Fine!" she huffed coldly. "You may be bold now, but we'll see if you still have that courage in ten days. Don't you dare go into hiding!"

"Rest assured, I'll be the first one on that stage," Bai Yeh replied calmly.

"Then it's settled. I'll see you at the arena," she said, her tone icy as she turned and strode away.

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