CHAPTER 458: CHAPTER 303: YOU DON’T KNOW WHO I AM?_2

The entire market fell into silence as everyone watched the young master of the Demon Dance Family get knocked down in one swift move. A single person managed to bypass ten guards with ease.

The entire area was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. No one dared to utter a word.

After being kicked into the distance, the guards immediately rushed to assist their master, attempting to help him stand. This only infuriated the already crazed young man, causing him to unleash his wrath on those near him.

"Well done. Hahaha, very well done!" The young master trembled with rage as he glared at the indifferent young man before him. "So, you dare to stand against the Demon Dance Family?"

"I hope you don’t regret your decision. I won’t let anyone—even the Dragon Army—stop me from exacting my revenge. Just wait, that Snake Woman will become mine, and you.... you will suffer!"

Saying this, the young master prepared to leave but found himself unable to move. It was as though someone had taken control of his body, issuing commands he himself hadn’t given. At the same time, a serene and gentle atmosphere seemed to emanate from the young man standing before him, whose expression remained calm.

Yan Xiaobao hadn’t realized that the tranquil Qi he commanded could seize control of another’s body. If he had consciously tried, he wouldn’t have done it. But deep within his humiliation, a roar had erupted. That roar turned into a command. Yan Xiaobao had ordered his body to stop the young master, refusing to allow him to utter his final words.

The tranquil Qi helped him accomplish this goal. The only one aware of it was the young master himself, who now found himself unable to act. Meanwhile, everyone else in the market simply felt an inexplicable serenity—they felt calm in a situation that was anything but peaceful.

This tranquility was far more unsettling than any killing intent. The gentle air became almost oppressive, and it filled the young master with dread for his life as Yan Xiaobao slowly approached him, step by step, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Listen," he whispered, his voice low but almost growling, "I don’t care if you insult me—call me a bastard or whatever you like—but don’t you dare mention anything about my friends. Don’t think for a moment that just because scum like you exist, everyone else is the same."

The soft yet menacing tone of his voice blanketed the market in silence, leaving almost no one daring to breathe. His low voice carried to every corner of the plaza.

Behind him, Sha Yun stood, her eyes sparkling with pride as she listened to Yan Xiaobao’s words. Her heartbeat raced erratically as he protected her. Yan Xiaobao was furious because of her. A smile adorned her face, gratitude flowing from her heart as she saw how protective and caring he was. Though she knew she could not return his feelings, she cherished that he valued her so deeply as a friend, warming her heart.

Once the pale lips of the young master uttered their final words, the restraints holding him vanished. He staggered forward and collapsed to the ground before scrambling to his feet like he was fleeing an approaching demon.

Moments later, the calming air that had stilled everyone into silence dissipated without a trace, leaving the crowd motionless, afraid to make the slightest move. Yan Xiaobao turned back to his friends with a gentle smile, reminding them of why they were there in the first place.

"Time to eat!" he said, taking Sha Yun and Wang Julong’s hands and dragging the two girls toward a food stall laden with delicious dishes, with Deng Wu hurrying to catch up.

"Oi, wait for me!" Deng Wu called out after them. Laughter lit up Sha Yun’s face, and even Wang Julong smiled at the young man trying to catch up to them.

As they walked away, those who had been lingering in the food market, except for the stall owners, quickly dispersed. None of them wanted to stick around, fearing someone would come back to exact vengeance.

Yan Xiaobao seemed utterly unafraid of the family returning. Once they found a stall with a seating area, they immediately sat down and ordered an abundance of dishes, indulging together while chatting freely about various topics.

The group continued ordering more and more food, time passing swiftly as they tried to sample every delicious dish available.

As they ate, the sun gradually moved across the sky. Near sunset, the four finally stood to pay their bill and prepared to return to the Mercenary Guild, only to find the market entrance now tightly guarded in a way it hadn’t been earlier.

The guards were at least Master-level, with some ranked even higher at the Duke University level. Among their ranks were even a few experts of exceptional renown. All these individuals stood unmistakably at the command of the young master from earlier. He now sat safely positioned far away, complex emotions swirling in his eyes.

Hatred, worry, and even fear flickered in the young master’s gaze. Upon his return to the Demon Dance Family, he had informed his father of the incident. His father had then ordered him to bring guards to deal with those who’d caused trouble.

His father was indifferent to Sha Yun and entirely uninterested in his incompetent son’s antics. What he cared about was the reputation of the Demon Dance Family. Allowing low-level cultivators to trifle with them was unacceptable.

"They’re here!" someone suddenly shouted. The guards harassing civilians and challenging the original market guards promptly ceased their actions, gathering together to confront Yan Xiaobao and his companions.

Yan Xiaobao’s group consisted of four cultivators—only one of Master level, while the others were merely at the Master Level tier. The guards roared with laughter, confident they could effortlessly dispatch such insignificant opponents.

"Don’t underestimate them!" The young master shouted from his hiding place outside the market, surrounded by four Duke University-ranked experts. He looked uneasy, glancing at the fifteen cultivators standing between him and Yan Xiaobao’s group.

The fifteen cultivators laughed boisterously, clearly unshaken by the warning, their confidence bolstered by the sheer number of men and strength on their side.

"Capture the Snake Woman alive!" the young master shouted again. "Bring her to me unharmed, and I’ll pay you handsomely!"

Hearing these words, a glint of coldness appeared in Yan Xiaobao’s eyes. Slowly, he raised his hand, drawing his friends’ attention. They waited silently for his command.

"Kill them all," Yan Xiaobao said in a deep voice that carried across the area. For reasons unknown, many of the guards preparing to attack began to tremble.

"Big words for a little man," one of the guards sneered maliciously, his face twisting with disdain at Yan Xiaobao’s audacious order. Who did he think he was to command their deaths?

Deng Wu raised his scrolls. Most contained Fireball spells, but three of them held soul shadows of beasts. He began his summoning, directing the beasts at the men before them, commanding them to kill their enemies.

The appearance of the massive shadows widened everyone’s eyes in shock. Necromancers were rare in the underground world, and encountering one was often considered a stroke of dreadful luck. For the Demon Dance Family to have insulted and provoked a Necromancer was astonishing.

Until Deng Wu released the soul shadows, everyone had assumed Yan Xiaobao was the strongest of the group since he was their leader. But witnessing the soul shadows alter their perceptions entirely. All eyes turned toward the black-haired, handsome young man with newfound respect and fear.

Fear was evident on the young master’s face as he realized Deng Wu was a Necromancer. Yet, amidst the life-threatening situation, his mind raced frantically, far faster than it had ever before. He quickly stood and shouted,

"Wait!" The young master bellowed, waving his hands wildly. Seeing this, Yan Xiaobao raised his arm, signaling Deng Wu to cease his attack. The three beast souls flanking their group stood their ground, keeping the guards at bay.

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