Hearing the frightened and sharp voice coming from the mouth of the He family’s patriarch, Xiao Yan’s eyebrows slightly raised, and he did not speak. However, the surging fighting qi that swept out from his body did not weaken in the slightest, and a faintly fierce light flashed through his eyes.
Xiao Yan’s silent affirmation made the He family’s patriarch even more chilled to the bone. At this moment, he really had the impulse to bash his head against a wall. He had angered someone he should not have, especially such a terrifying figure as the one from the Flame Alliance in the Jia Ma Empire. With the current reputation of the Flame Alliance, it would likely soon become the second “Yun Lian Sect” in status. In the eyes of such a behemoth, a mere He family could be crushed to death multiple times with just a finger.
The He family’s patriarch’s face changed unpredictably. After a few moments, sensing the increasingly overbearing oppression, he shivered all over, hurriedly dispelled all of his defenses, and bowed down respectfully, “I didn’t know that Lord Xiao had honored us with your presence. If there was any offense, please have mercy and do not hold it against me. This matter will be decided entirely by Master Xiao’s will. The He family will certainly follow it!”
From the previous icy demeanor to now being so subservient, the change was swift, and all the Blood Battle mercenary soldiers and the He family guards who were on the training field gaped at the patriarch as he assumed a servant-like posture. This sudden transformation left them somewhat stunned.
Ignoring the surrounding gazes, the He family’s patriarch, his head slightly bowed, stared at the feet not far away, while cold sweat continuously trickled down his forehead. As a person with some standing and reputation in the empire, he knew more clearly than most about the shocking battle that had taken place above the Yun Lian Sect. Therefore, he understood the true terror of the young man in black robes before him.
He did not for a moment believe that even if he exerted all his strength, he would have a chance to escape from the hand of the Flame Alliance’s leader, who had even defeated the Battle Sect level Yun Shan. Moreover, he was not alone; the entire vast He family still needed his protection. Although the He family had a slight name in this northeastern region, in the eyes of a giant like the “Flame Sprout,” it counted for nothing. If Xiao Yan truly wished for the He family to disappear from the Jia Ma Empire, it would only be a matter of a single sentence.
Thus, in this situation, humbling himself was the best means to protect both himself and the He family. On the contrary, if after guessing his identity, he still showed any sign of stubborn resistance, the consequences… he was very aware. Xiao Yan was no ordinary youth; his methods against enemies were as ruthless as those of a crafty old fox.
This action of the He family’s patriarch also caused the surrounding He family guards to dare not move. They were no fools and had heard of the “Flame Alliance,” this new monolith in the empire. In the past, they could still show off their might in front of these mercenary corps, but such an identity, in the eyes of the “Flame Alliance,” was like a gap between themselves and the mercenary corps – too vast to breach.
“Could… could he actually be Xiao Yan, the lord of the Flame Alliance, who defeated Yun Shan?” Ling-er, Ka Gang, and the others looked at the young man in black robes whose garments moved without wind, their hearts stirred as if hit by a massive storm. Though they had always held the strongest beliefs about Xiao Yan, they never imagined that he would be the new rising tyrant of the Jia Ma Empire, the lord of the Flame Alliance!
Strictly speaking, this wasn’t something they hadn’t thought of, but rather, something they dared not think of. The impression that the master of the Flame Alliance left on many people of the Jia Ma Empire was too mysterious and powerful, to the point where some treated him as a deity. In this world where the strong reigned supreme, such things were not uncommon. Moreover, Xiao Yan was a breaker of old rules, having shattered the unshakable position of the Yun Lian Sect in the hearts of countless Jia Ma Empire residents. Thus, his status was exceptionally lofty, to the point where even knowing Xiao Yan’s name and recognizing it as the same as the master of the Flame Alliance, people still did not connect the dots.
The middle-aged man swallowed hard, completely shocked. Who would have thought that a small group of mercenaries like them could make acquaintances with such legendary figures? If this news got out, it would surely make the Blood Battle mercenary group famous throughout the empire.
After a long time, the shock began to fade, and Ka Gang and Ling-er secretly wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads. Their expressions had gone somewhat stiff. Ever since Xiao Yan appeared, he had been shocking them nonstop, and now, they felt a bit numb and no longer as astounded as before.
Like the others, Xiao Yan was initially stunned by the transformation of the He family’s patriarch. He then gave the old man a meaningful look. This old man indeed knew when to read the situation well. Knowing full well that resisting was futile, he changed his attitude to achieve the best outcome.
Xiao Yan knew very well; if this old man maintained his initial hostile stance after realizing his identity, he wouldn’t hesitate to use ruthless means to erase either him or the He family from the Jia Ma Empire.
But during his brief moment of hesitation, the He family’s patriarch had already chosen the most favorable mindset. Casting aside the dignity of a family patriarch, he displayed utter humility towards Xiao Yan. While this transition might seem disgraceful to outsiders, to Xiao Yan, this old man was capable of taking decisive actions and would not jeopardize his family for temporary pride—truly a qualified family leader.
The immense fighting qi that surged out from his body gradually receded, and Xiao Yan said with a half-smile, “So, you don’t want the ‘Fire Lotus Vase’ anymore?”
Upon hearing this, the He family’s patriarch broke into a cold sweat and laughed dryly, “You jest, Lord Xiao. It was the pig fat that clouded my mind, making me target you. Now that I know your identity, I dare not offend you even with a thousand more daring.”
“What is your name?” Xiao Yan asked with a faint smile.
“He Gan,” the He family’s patriarch answered hastily.
Xiao Yan nodded slightly and glanced at the Blood Battle mercenaries on the training ground, saying calmly, “I have a slight connection with the Blood Battle mercenary group. Today’s matter shall be let go. In the future, if your He family takes any covert actions, I won’t hesitate to deal with it harshly.”
“We will listen to Lord Xiao’s words. If I had known that the Blood Battle mercenary group was acquainted with Lord Xiao, even with a thousand more daring, I would not have dared to cause trouble. Today’s offense is on me, He Gan. In the future, I will find an opportunity to make amends with the Blood Battle mercenary group’s members.” He Gan nodded repeatedly and then turned to the crowd, smiling kindly.
Seeing He Gan’s smile, the middle-aged man hurriedly clasped his hands. He knew that with He Gan’s strength, it would take little effort to wipe out the Blood Battle mercenary group. If not for Xiao Yan’s sake, He Gan would have washed them with blood long ago, and he certainly wouldn’t be talking to them so politely. Thus, even with Xiao Yan’s backing, he dared not show any disrespect.
Xiao Yan nodded slightly. This He Gan indeed knew how to handle people. Although he could have killed He Gan with a thought, considering the He family behind him, and Xiao Yan’s upcoming seclusion, he was unwilling to cause more trouble.
Making him retreat in deference was a decent outcome. “Hehe, Lord Xiao, a few days ago, our He family also received an invitation from the ‘Flame Alliance.’ I pondered for a long time, and we will likely join the ‘Flame Alliance’ and contribute to it. When that time comes, hehe, I will be under the alliance lord’s command, and I will need your support.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yan was stunned but then chuckled inwardly. This old man was quite interesting. Their relationship had swiftly reached a master-servant level. From his words, Xiao Yan faintly grasped his older brother’s plan. He praised him silently in his heart; it seemed his older brother wanted to gradually bring all the major forces in the empire under the ‘Flame Alliance,’ and if so, its strength would advance by leaps and bounds.
“As long as you are loyal to the Flame Alliance, I will remember it. In the future, if you achieve significant accomplishments, I can’t promise to elevate you directly to Battle Emperor, but reaching the peak of Dou Wang should be no problem,” Xiao Yan said with a faint smile.
Hearing Xiao Yan’s promise, He Gan’s eyes flashed with delight. At his age, it was difficult to improve even a single star. Battle Emperor was a level he had never dreamed of. Achieving the peak of Dou Wang was already a much-desired feat. He hurriedly replied respectfully.
“Today’s matter is hereby concluded. I have business in the Monster Beast Mountains. I trust you will handle the aftermath here,” Xiao Yan said slowly.
“I will not disappoint the alliance lord,” He Gan said respectfully.
Xiao Yan nodded slightly and turned to face Ka Gang, whose face was pale, and smiled. He flicked a pill in his direction, “Uncle Ka Gang, this pill will heal your injuries in a short time. In the future, the He family will not bother the Blood Battle mercenary group.”
“I’m not worthy, I’m not worthy… I never thought Xiao Yan, the little brother, would be the alliance lord of the Flame Alliance. Ka Gang…” Ka Gang stammered, overwhelmed. For a simple mercenary, the alliance lord of the “Flame Alliance” was incredibly distant. He never thought the boy he met in the mountains years ago would become the most powerful force in the Jia Ma Empire.
Xiao Yan smiled, clasped his hands, and said, “Today’s matter is settled. I still have business to attend to, so I will take my leave.”
With that, he paused his gaze for a moment on Ling-er, who had been staring at him with her bright eyes. Smiling, he moved, turning into a shadow and shot straight up into the sky.
Ling-er’s beautiful eyes flashed with a strange light as she watched the rapidly disappearing shadow. The earlier display of power, which made a Dou Wang bow, was a great attraction for many girls. A powerful figure was always the most captivating, and now, Xiao Yan had this qualification!
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