Chapter 114: The Strong Do Not Fear the Rules

Inside the Cai Family Restaurant, the members of the Water Alliance were still reveling in boisterous drinking, calling it their "blood-boiling brew"—a toast to the impending battlefield.

The disciples of the Water Alliance had eyes reddened with excitement, itching to rush out and slaughter Ling Xiao, to wipe Ghost Valley off the map.

"Fellow brothers, the Hundred Sects Tournament begins in less than twenty minutes. In twenty minutes, it will be the end of Ghost Valley! Remember, spare no one! Kill every last disciple of Ghost Valley! And make sure every single spirit crystal they owe us is recovered!"

"Whoever kills the most Ghost Valley disciples and retrieves the most crystals will be handsomely rewarded by the sect!"

"Hahaha! Our Water Alliance must be the one to wipe out Ghost Valley before any other sect, to establish our prestige through this battle!"

Just as the excitement reached its peak, a deafening crash echoed as the front doors of the Cai Family Restaurant were kicked wide open.

"Who's there?"

The crowd was startled, their gazes snapping toward the entrance. Tie Xinlan and her maid, Xiaoyu, glanced over as well. The next moment, Xiaoyu couldn't help but gasp:

"Young Palace Master, look! It’s Ling Xiao, the Young Master of Ghost Valley!"

Ling Xiao walked into the restaurant with his hands behind his back, calm and unhurried, as if he were taking a leisurely stroll.

The members of the Water Alliance frowned. "You are the Young Master of Ghost Valley?"

Ling Xiao swept his gaze across the room. "With such a pathetic rabble, you had the nerve to come to Jiangzhou looking for me? How ridiculous. How truly stupid."

Hearing this, a Water Alliance disciple slammed his fist on the table and stood up. "Hmph! You’ve got a big mouth!"

"That's right, Ling Xiao! Don't you know your death is at hand?"

"You had a path to heaven but chose not to take it; you had no door to hell but barged right in! Today is your funeral!"

Ling Xiao’s expression remained indifferent. "Too much... chatter. Kill them."

At his command, the walls of the Cai Family Restaurant were shattered into dust by multiple forces striking simultaneously. Countless disciples from the Ghost Valley War God Hall surged in, unleashing a frantic slaughter upon the men of the Water Alliance. The entire restaurant descended into absolute chaos.

"Quick! Defend! Quickly..."

Tie Xinlan and Xiaoyu watched the scene in shock. Neither of them had expected Ling Xiao to be so swift and ruthless, nor had they anticipated that the Ghost Valley disciples would be so formidable. The members of the Water Alliance stood no chance; under the steel blades of the Ghost Valley disciples, they were decimated in a single wave.

Xiaoyu turned pale as wax, her body trembling uncontrollably. Although Tie Xinlan feigned composure, her heart was pounding wildly.

"I never imagined the strength of the Ghost Valley disciples would be in no way inferior to those of my Divine Water Palace!"

No sooner had she spoken than the disciples of the Water Alliance began to shriek in terror. "Surrender! We surrender! Stop fighting! Please, stop!"

The once-arrogant disciples of the Water Alliance had crumbled in an instant, acting more cowardly than dogs. Whether it was shame or the effect of the liquor, they were so thoroughly cowed by Ling Xiao’s swift retribution that they didn't dare let out a peep. They had no choice; out of a thousand elites, fewer than a hundred remained—hardly enough for Ling Xiao to bother with.

Seeing them surrender, the Ghost Valley disciples ceased their slaughter. Jian Wusheng looked toward Ling Xiao, whose expression remained unmoved.

"Kill them."

The two words were cold and heartless. Ling Xiao never showed mercy to his enemies. Hearing this, the remaining members of the Water Alliance fell into utter despair and turned to Tie Xinlan for help.

"Young Palace Master, save us!"

"Young Palace Master, please, you are the only one who can save us now!"

Faced with the pleas of nearly a hundred men, Tie Xinlan hesitated for a moment before deciding to stand up. "Ling Xiao, stop this!"

Ling Xiao glanced at her coldly. "Did you... participate in their plan as well?"

"What?" Tie Xinlan was taken aback, then quickly explained, "I am not with them. I just happened to run into them. I..."

"If that’s the case, then why are you meddling in this?"

Ling Xiao cut her off, his blunt retort instantly infuriating her.

"Ling Xiao, watch your tone! I am the Young Palace Master of the Divine Water Palace!"

"I don't care. Get out of my way."

The calm, unquestionable tone left Tie Xinlan feeling humiliated, fueling her stubborn pride.

"I am going to meddle in this! The Hundred Sects Tournament hasn't even begun, yet you bring your men here to massacre the Water Alliance. What do you call this? If I report this to the Dragon Group, you’d better be prepared to face the consequences!"

Ling Xiao’s eyes narrowed. "Are you threatening me?"

"Hmph! It’s not a threat. I’m simply teaching you the rules!" Tie Xinlan declared proudly, as if she were a high-and-mighty princess and Ling Xiao merely a lowly servant.

Ling Xiao said nothing and walked straight toward her. Along the way, even the Water Alliance disciples dared not touch him, scrambling to get out of his path. He stopped right in front of Tie Xinlan.

Her heart skipped a beat. Facing that handsome face at such close range, she felt overwhelmed, her pulse quickening. "What... what do you think you're doing?"

Before she could finish, Ling Xiao slapped her. The blow carried his indomitable power; though it looked like a simple strike, its force was extraordinary. The slap sent Tie Xinlan flying.

*Bang!*

She stumbled back over ten paces, slamming into a broken wall and shattering it into debris.

"Young Palace Master! How dare you strike our Young Palace Master! I’ll fight you to the death!" Xiaoyu shrieked and lunged forward. Before Ling Xiao could react, Jian Wusheng backhanded her, sending her flying.

"A mere servant girl dares to be disrespectful to our Young Master! You’re courting death!"

"Xiaoyu!" Tie Xinlan cried out, then glared at Ling Xiao. "You... how dare you hit me? Do you know who I am? I am..."

"The Young Palace Master of the Divine Water Palace!" Ling Xiao interrupted her again. "So what? If you dare to provoke me, I will kill you just the same!"

Tie Xinlan’s body trembled. "You... you aren't afraid that I’ll go back and tell the Divine Water Palace? You aren't afraid that I’ll tell the Dragon Group?"

Ling Xiao turned to leave, his hands behind his back, his expression arrogant. "Suit yourself. But let me warn you: you had better weigh whether or not you can bear the consequences. Jian Wusheng, leave no one from the Water Alliance alive. Anyone who dares to interfere, kill them without mercy."