Returning after 10000 Years Cultivation - Chapter 68

“Rong Shao…” Zhao Xueqing gasped, her face paling with fear.

When Liu Jinrong had proposed to her years ago, she had thoroughly investigated his background. The man was ruthless, vicious, and even had blood on his hands—facts that had filled her with dread.

Instinctively, she tightened her grip on Jiang Tian’s warm hand, drawing a sliver of comfort from his presence. Forcing a polite smile, she shook her head and said,

“Thank you for your kindness, Liu Shao, but I’d rather stay here with my husband to watch the fights.”

“Come with me. It’s too noisy here, and the view is terrible,” Liu Jinrong replied with a strained smile, reaching out to grab Zhao Xueqing’s snow-white wrist.

“Liu Shao, please behave yourself!” Zhao Xueqing jerked her arm away in alarm.

Liu Jinrong’s expression darkened, his eyes burning with fury.

Xue Feiyang smirked and interjected, “By the way, Miss Zhao, since this Mr. Jiang is your husband, he must be someone remarkable. Why don’t you introduce him properly?”

“Oh, this is Jiang Tian, from the Jiang family of Jinling,” Ye Ziwei cut in, sensing the hostility. She hoped the mention of his family name would deter them.

“Jiang Tian of the Jinling Jiang family…”

Liu Jinrong paused, then burst into laughter.

“So it’s him—the idiot who got himself disowned for beating up that young master from the Chen family in Yanjing!”

Had Jiang Tian’s identity remained unknown, Liu Jinrong might have hesitated. But now, knowing the truth, he found it utterly laughable.

After Jiang Tian had assaulted the Chen family’s young master, he had become a pariah, abandoned even by his own family.

And with the Jiang family itself on the brink of collapse, they wouldn’t—or couldn’t—lift a finger to protect him.

“Take your refund and get the hell off this yacht!”

Xue Feiyang sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.

“A nobody like you has no place in a high-class venue like this. If you don’t leave now, I’ll throw you into the sea to feed the fish!”

Truth be told, Xue Feiyang’s father ranked far below Liu Zikun in Ye Gufeng’s inner circle—nowhere near the influence of an elder like Liu Zikun. This was his chance to curry favor with Liu Jinrong.

“The Jinling Jiang family? Who’s that? This guy’s done for.”

“He might actually drown!”

Whispers spread across the deck as the crowd exchanged uneasy glances.

Just that evening, Xue Feiyang had thrown a man named Fan Tao overboard, nearly drowning him.

“Rong Shao—”

As Zhao Xueqing, Zheng Li, and the others tensed, ready to plead for mercy—

SMACK!

A sharp crack echoed through the air.

Xue Feiyang, who had been gloating moments earlier, was sent flying by Jiang Tian’s slap.

He spun like a top midair, crashing into several tables before landing in a heap five meters away.

The crowd gasped.

Xue Feiyang’s face was a bloody mess, and he lay motionless, completely unconscious.

Stunned silence fell over the deck.

Is this guy insane? He actually hit Xue Feiyang—his father is one of Ye Gufeng’s most trusted men!

“Pathetic ants, daring to bark in front of me.”

Jiang Tian picked up a napkin, wiped his hands calmly, and sat back down as if nothing had happened.

“You—you hit him?!” Yang Mi stammered in disbelief.

Even if Xue Feiyang wasn’t as influential as Liu Jinrong, he was still Liu Jinrong’s lackey. This was a direct slap to Liu Jinrong’s face.

Liu Jinrong’s smile vanished, replaced by icy fury.

“Xueqing, your husband has quite the temper.”

“Say one more word, and I’ll kill you. Believe me?” Jiang Tian replied coldly, not even bothering to look at him.

The deck went dead silent.

Everyone stared at Jiang Tian as if he were a madman.

Most of the wealthy guests present were second- or third-tier figures. Those who had met Jiang Tian in Linzhou before were all attending the banquet inside.

Apart from Zhao Xueqing and Zheng Li, no one knew his true capabilities.

To them, an insignificant son-in-law of the Zhao family daring to provoke Liu Jinrong like this was nothing short of suicidal.

“Fine, Jiang Tian. You’ve got a death wish. Guards! Throw this bastard overboard!”

Liu Jinrong’s rage boiled over as he pointed at Jiang Tian and roared.

By now, Xue Feiyang had regained consciousness. Clutching the railing, he spat blood and snarled,

“You dare hit me? I’ll make sure you die for this!”

A group of burly bodyguards immediately closed in on Jiang Tian.

“Oh, and don’t forget to toss him a lifebuoy—let him swim back to Linzhou!”

Liu Jinrong added mockingly, shrugging with a smirk.

“Rong Shao, you’re hilarious!”

Lu Biyao giggled, shooting Jiang Tian a scornful look.

“Jiang Tian, you’ve got no idea what you’ve just done. You’re finished!”

“Time to test your swimming skills. Try not to drown halfway!”

Hu Dong, the catering tycoon, smirked darkly.

“Don’t you dare!”

Ye Ziwei slammed the table and stood, her eyes blazing as she pointed at Liu Jinrong.

“You mangy dog! If you lay a finger on Jiang Tian, I swear I’ll destroy you!”

“You bitch! Who the hell do you think you are?”

Liu Jinrong’s patience snapped. He jabbed a finger at Ye Ziwei and bellowed,

“Keep running your mouth, and I’ll have my men gang-rape you right here!”

Meanwhile…

“Listen carefully—when you see Jiang Tian, you will show respect. Mr. Ye is only inviting him for a talk, so mind your manners!”

Liu Zikun descended the stairs, briefing his men and bodyguards.

“And one more thing—Ye Ziwei is Boss Ye’s daughter. That’s not public knowledge. For the next few days, you’re to protect her with your lives. Understood?”

“Yes, Brother Kun!” the bodyguards chorused.

Just then, Liu Zikun glanced up—and froze in horror.

His son was yelling at Ye Ziwei.

Oh god. If Boss Ye finds out my son spoke to his daughter like that, we’re both dead!

He rushed forward, bellowing,

“Jinrong! What the hell are you doing? Have you lost your mind?!”

“Dad! This bastard just hit Feiyang—look at his face! It’s bleeding!”

Liu Jinrong stormed over, livid.

SLAP!

Without hesitation, Liu Zikun backhanded his son across the face.

“Disgraceful little shit! Get out of here!”

“Dad! What’s wrong with you? Not here, in front of everyone!”

Humiliated and confused, Liu Jinrong clutched his stinging cheek.

“Shut your mouth!” Liu Zikun snarled through gritted teeth.

“One more disrespectful word to Mr. Jiang or Miss Ye, and I’ll kill you myself!”

“Wh-who’s ‘Mr. Jiang’?”

Liu Jinrong recoiled at his father’s fury. His father had never been this angry with him before.

“Yeah, who is this ‘Mr. Jiang’?” The crowd murmured in confusion.

Then, to everyone’s shock, Liu Zikun approached Jiang Tian, bowed deeply, and forced an apologetic smile.

“Mr. Jiang, my deepest apologies. My son is an ignorant fool. Please forgive his insolence!”

The onlookers gaped, stunned.

Liu Zikun—infamously nicknamed “Mad Dog Kun” for his vicious temper—was one of the most feared men in Jiangbei, second only to Ye Gufeng.

Yet here he was, bowing to this unknown young man.

“Liu Zikun actually bowed to Jiang Tian… called him ‘Mr. Jiang’… What the hell is going on?”

Lu Biyao’s mind reeled. Her pretty eyes widened in disbelief.

Is this his trump card? Boss Ye of Jiangbei?

No wonder he dared to slap Xue Feiyang and brush off Liu Jinrong!

If he’s on speaking terms with Ye Gufeng, and even Liu Zikun fears his companions… If he decides to retaliate against me, I’m dead!

Later…

“Mr. Jiang, we’re here. Now, don’t be nervous—or impulsive. Just talk things out.”

At the entrance to a lavish hall on the yacht’s top deck, Liu Zikun gestured mockingly, his smile laced with menace.

“Ye Gufeng is my sworn brother. If you disrespect him… well, heh…”

Though Liu Zikun had scolded his son and acted deferential earlier, it was all for Ye Ziwei’s sake.

In his eyes, Jiang Tian was just a disowned loser from a declining family—beneath his notice.

Jiang Tian ignored him and stepped inside.

Ye Gufeng stood before a floor-to-ceiling window, his tall frame silhouetted against the churning Pacific.

Here, alone, he exuded the aura of a true hegemon—unyielding and indomitable.