A few minutes later, Xiao Lan and the old Bloodsmith made their way into the hall after presenting their invitation card at the door. Yan Li was the first to break cordialities. "Lady Xiao, my clan has been expecting a visit from you since the last incident." Patriarch Yan felt a sore spot, but seeing his son take the lead in avenging some enmity, he kept quiet.
"Seeing that your Yan Clan had a lot to deal with lately, I thought it was improper to intrude, but since the young lord has said so, I will visit later," Xiao Lan replied smoothly.
The Yan family's faces sank as Xiao Lan subtly mentioned the incident. "How can that be considered trouble? It is just rumors!"
"What are just rumors?" a voice interrupted. It was a young man, maybe 20 years old, with golden hair. He was tall and imposing, donning golden armor. He exhibited the fluctuations of a blood resonance being. Behind him was an equally impressive young man, delicate and pure in appearance, dressed in white with a long spear on his back. The atmosphere stilled as they stepped into the hall.
"Ha, ha, ha! Let me introduce you all. This is the star of the night, Sir Nie Li, the new captain of the Golden Warriors," the city lord announced warmly.
"Thank you, Senior. No need to be tense. My name is Nie Li. Let's all get along during my appointment," Nie Li said. He hurried to pick up a glass of wine before toasting the crowd. He then turned to the young man next to him.
"Junior Yan, you can go meet your family," he said, ushering him with a hand sign.
"Grandfather, Dad, Uncles..." Yan Bai said, bowing toward his elders.
"You have reached blood purification too. Ha ha ha, you did not waste my efforts," Patriarch Yan interjected proudly.
"You have grown so much, and you are more handsome," remarked his second uncle.
"He is definitely the most handsome in Pine City," someone said, watching the family interactions.
"A few months ago, if you had said that, I would agree, but now? I'm not so sure," another voice whispered.
"Who in Pine City is more handsome than young master Yan Bai?" someone questioned.
"What I am saying is, if the younger one is a slag, the older one cannot be much better. So, Yan Li, what did you do? Kill your wife? Or sleep with your stepmother?"
"How dare you?" Yan Li said, banging his fists on the table.
*Chuckle* "No need to get worked up, Yan Li. Discipline your brother, and you won't have trouble with me," Yan Jin said, leaning back in his chair.
"He is right, Yan Li. Your brother is too bold," Purple Spear Meng spoke for the first time.
"It seems my authority has been reduced to nothing, with you all daring to act so unrestrained in front of my guest," the City Lord finally interrupted. "Sir Jin, I apologize for the trouble. Please have a drink and enjoy the night," he continued.
"Senior is too serious! With my handicap, what cats and dogs have I not met?" Yan Jin said, turning to Gu Zhun, who was standing behind Yan Li. "I would have died of anger by now."
"Ha Ha Ha! Well said, younger brother! I, Nie Li, love your temper very much!" the new captain said. "Heroes should be bold like that. Junior Yan, it seems like Pine City is a den of dragons," he added.
"Come closer, let's drink," Nie Li invited, including Yan Bai, Wei Xi, and Yan Jin for a toast.
"Are you excluding me because I am a woman?" Meng Xiao interrupted, drawing laughter from the group.
"That's right, how can women be left behind? Back in my day, I could take on five of you maggots," said an elderly voice, drawing attention.
"That's right, grandmother is a real hero," Fu Sheng added, inserting herself into the scene.
The atmosphere gradually relaxed, but a few people couldn't ease up: Patriarch Yan, because his face had been lost; Yan Li, because his evil deed had been mentioned in broad daylight; Yan Xin, because he had been berated; and Gu Zhun, who couldn't believe that the blind ghost he used to bully was now standing on a stage he would probably never have access to.
He was indignant and unresolved, clenching his fists so hard that blood dripped out.1