Chapter 431: Chief Constable Yang, Do You Still Remember This Monk?

Yang Ling looked Li Ruhai up and down, his expression indifferent as he gave a slight nod:

"So it's Brother Ruhai. It's been several months since we last met. Are you heading to Fire Flood Dragon Island this time too?"

The faint, knowing smile on Li Ruhai's face froze instantly, as if someone had force-fed him a mouthful of dog shit. The discomfort was unbearable.

Just a few months ago, this junior before him had been meek and subservient, nothing more than a mere Seventh-Rank. And now he dared to call him "Brother Ruhai"?

He was an old hand in the Divine Sect! Even if his talent was average, he was still a senior!

The expressions of the few people accompanying Li Ruhai suddenly stiffened. Their eyes flickered as they instinctively halted, no longer stepping forward.

"Last time, this official won the prize through my own ability. Neither side owes the other anything."

"This junior spews arrogance today, daring to insult my Ironclad Department to my face. If he doesn't apologize, I'll slap Hua Zhuo across the face."

"If the young one doesn't understand propriety, it means the elder failed to teach properly. I won't quibble with juniors."

Yang Ling's words immediately drew considerable attention.

The giant ship he was on was one of the two core vessels in the fleet.

Not only were over half of this expedition's participants aboard, but a large portion of the accompanying Sixth-Rank martial artists from various factions heading to Fire Flood Dragon Island were also on this ship.

The ship had only set sail a short while ago, and only a handful had retreated to their cabins for closed-door cultivation.

The rest were still chatting with acquaintances and currying favor.

Quite a few people had already been watching Yang Ling's group, and now that they saw him clashing with the Nine Immortals Dao Palace and the Divine Sect, they immediately grew interested.

"Senior Brother Xie, that Yang Ling is truly arrogant. Not only does he want to slap a Nine Immortals Dao Palace disciple across the face, he even shows such disrespect to a senior Sixth-Rank from the Divine Sect!"

"Hua Zhuo can at least rank in the top three among his generation at the Nine Immortals Dao Palace. Yang Ling is probably in for a rude awakening this time."

A few young Sixth-Ranks from the Star Observation Academy exchanged words in low voices.

Xie Zhihu, however, didn't join the conversation. His gaze toward Yang Ling was deep, carrying a thick trace of wariness.

Many people didn't know the details of that day's fight. Only he, as the party directly involved, knew best.

This Yang Ling's methods were far from ordinary. Even against a top-tier Upper Sixth-Rank like himself, he could crushingly win.

He believed that among the Upper Sixth-Ranks participating this time, few would likely be a match for Yang Ling.

"But... Fire Flood Dragon Island is a free-for-all this time. Yang Ling has offended so many people. Even with the Fourth Prince backing him, he can't stir up too many waves."

On the other side, a young monk curiously observed Yang Ling's direction.

"Senior Brother Jie Hai, is that the Yang Ling who went to Water Qilin Cave back then? Unfortunately, I was already an Upper Sixth-Rank by then, so I missed the Water Qilin Cave that only opens its doors once every eighty years."

Jie Hai swept a few glances toward Yang Ling's side, forcing a stiff smile onto his face:

"It's indeed that brat."

He had actually noticed this fellow long ago. He'd also been thinking of finding an opportunity to step forward and throw out some cold mockery, but then he'd watched Li Ruhai eat shit instead.

He couldn't help but sneer inwardly. What business was it of Li Ruhai's to stick his nose into other people's affairs?

He had no intention of going over to join the commotion.

"The Bitter Awareness Temple keeps sending letters saying Jue Ming is still being held by the Ironclad Department and hasn't been released. Why don't you go chat with Chief Constable Yang this time? If Jue Ming isn't a Rong Tribe spy, ask him to let the man go?"

The young monk said:

"Didn't the Bitter Awareness Temple also send two Sixth-Ranks this time? Have them accompany you. A few kind words and the matter will be resolved."

Jie Hai's face turned awkward. He nodded very reluctantly:

"Fine, I'll go talk to him later..."

......

Hua Zhuo's expression was gloomy. In just a few sentences from the other party, two of them had named him directly, threatening to slap his face.

"This brat is indeed as arrogant as the rumors say!"

"Yang Ling, don't get cocky! With your pathetic three-legged cat skills, you want to slap Senior Brother Hua Zhuo's face?"

That Nine Immortals Dao Palace disciple saw countless eyes fixed on this spot. How could he let the Nine Immortals Dao Palace lose face?

He opened his mouth and stood his ground hard!

Yang Ling's figure moved like a ghostly shadow. A flash in place.

Smack—

Hua Zhuo's cheek instantly turned red.

Yun Ruo froze for a moment, her expression suddenly turning very strange.

Li Ruhai and the other senior Sixth-Ranks were also completely stunned.

They... couldn't even see Yang Ling's movements?!

A chill burrowed up from the soles of their feet, shooting straight to the tops of their skulls!

"You're despicable! Senior Brother Hua Zhuo just wasn't prepared..."

That Nine Immortals Dao Palace disciple's face flushed red.

Yang Ling's figure flickered again.

Smack—

Hua Zhuo's other cheek turned red as well.

Chi Qingyao was filled with shock, finding it somewhat hard to believe.

Although she'd long heard that this Yang Ling had been promoted to Upper Sixth-Rank.

But hearing about it was one thing; seeing it with her own eyes was the real deal!

The one who had once been able to trade blows with her evenly in the martial arena now possessed strength terrifying to this degree!?

She couldn't even see his movements?

That Nine Immortals Dao Palace disciple took a deep breath, two flames of rage burning in his eyes. He slowly opened his mouth:

"..."

Hua Zhuo's hand landed on his mouth, stopping him from speaking.

"Those two slaps just now, consider them my apology and acknowledgment of fault on behalf of my junior brother. What he said was somewhat inappropriate."

Hua Zhuo's expression quickly returned to normal. His tone was calm, even carrying a hint of gentleness, showing not the slightest trace of anger.

Then he nodded toward Yun Ruo and turned to leave.

Seeing this, Li Ruhai and the others didn't go looking for trouble either and dispersed on their own.

The various experts were all somewhat shaken, only now snapping back to reality.

"Hua Zhuo got slapped twice!?"

"And he didn't even get angry?"

"The Nine Immortals Dao Palace's skill at nurturing composure is truly first-rate!"

Faced with these whispers, Hua Zhuo's pace unconsciously quickened slightly.

Out of the corner of his eye, he happened to catch sight of many Ironclad agents stowing away their heavy crossbows, and he felt a slight sigh of relief inwardly.

Just moments ago, he had clearly seen at least a hundred Ironclad agents, from all directions and angles, watching this area while also aiming hand crossbows at him.

These hand crossbows were immensely powerful. Not Seventh-Rank crossbows, but Sixth-Rank crossbows!

If they loosed a volley, he'd be in deep trouble!

What was even more terrifying was the other party's movement technique!

After being struck with that first slap, he had already focused all his attention, staying vigilant against any follow-up moves.

And yet, he still couldn't dodge the second slap!

It was only at that moment that he realized just how terrifying the other party's footwork truly was.

When all factors were considered together, if he really made a move, he would definitely suffer a great loss!

"Yang Ling isn't some wandering martial artist. He's a Sixth-Rank Ironclad. If I attack him, the Ironclad Department can completely retaliate in kind."

"I'm so calm. I defused a disaster without spending the slightest effort."

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"Had it been anyone else, today they'd have suffered several more rounds of humiliation at the very least."

Thinking this way, Hua Zhuo's expression grew increasingly serene, a faint trace of pride and transcendence lingering between his brows.

Catching sight of several good friends in the distance, he smiled and walked over to greet them, as if nothing had ever happened.

Yang Ling withdrew his gaze and asked Yun Ruo curiously:

"Director Yun, is this Hua Zhuo one of the core disciples cultivated by the Nine Immortals Dao Palace?"

Yun Ruo nodded with a complicated expression:

"He can rank in the top three among his generation at the Nine Immortals Dao Palace."

"Makes sense. That guy reacts damn fast."

Yang Ling nodded gravely, offering his acknowledgment.

At that moment, another group of people walked over.

A uniform row of shaved heads.

Jie Hai walked at the very front, his expression wary. When Yang Ling looked his way, Jie Hai suddenly burst into laughter and hurried forward:

"Chief Constable Yang, do you still remember this poor monk?"