"What? Colluding with demons?!!"
"Really? Is that true?"
……
As soon as Xiao Wancheng uttered those words, an instant uproar broke out among the guests present.
In today's extreme climate, anything linked to demons, once seized upon by others, could never be washed clean even if one jumped into the Yellow River.
"Your deputy commander told me he saw with his own eyes that you secretly released a demon who came to steal from the mine, and that you even accepted gifts from that demon on multiple occasions. Is this true or false?"
Xiao Wancheng's move was utterly vicious. As long as he held onto the fact that the Yang family's son-in-law had colluded with demons, he could use this person as an opportunity to splash dirty water onto the entire Yang family and leverage his momentum to overthrow them.
Once the son-in-law's collusion with demons was proven a fact, and he was forced to confess that releasing the demon had been ordered by the Yang family, then even the esteemed Tianyan Yang Family would be at Xiao Wancheng's mercy to do with as he pleased!
"Yes, but..."
Upon hearing this, Yang Qingyuan below slowly closed his eyes.
At a time like this, whatever reasons he might have had for letting that demon go no longer mattered at all.
All Xiao Wancheng wanted was this single word: "yes."
Sure enough, before the Yang family's son-in-law could finish speaking, a smile appeared at the corners of Xiao Wancheng's mouth.
"Confessed on the spot. Men, take him away."
The moment Xiao Wancheng's voice fell, the Obsidian Enforcers behind him flashed their swords and charged straight toward the son-in-law on the platform.
"Let's see which of you dares!"
Yang Yan shouted angrily, immediately shielding her husband behind her.
At this critical juncture, Yang Yitan and Wangquan Hongye, who had been watching from below, stepped in.
Though both were still young, their cultivation was formidable. With just two or three moves, they beat back all the charging Obsidian Enforcers.
It was almost laughable. On this day, the Yang family's hall was packed with distinguished guests, every single one of them a master of the Taoist League, yet the only ones who dared stand up for Yang Yan were three children.
As subsequent events unfolded, just as in the anime, seeing that their young master had made a move, Steward Fei naturally stepped forward as well.
With just a few words, he not only covertly mocked Xiao Wancheng but also explicitly pointed out the biggest flaw in Xiao Wancheng's move: a complete lack of evidence!
Merely having the testimony of a single deputy commander was absolutely not enough to convict someone.
Otherwise, if they just dragged someone off the street tomorrow and claimed that the number one demon-slaying family—the Wangquan Family—was actually a lackey of demons, would they have to arrest all the members of the Wangquan Family too?
Having helped to this extent, Steward Fei could definitely be said to have done everything in his power.
As long as Xiao Wancheng could not produce evidence today and could not take anyone away, there would be plenty of room for maneuver after the fact.
At this point, the one who should have been caught in a dilemma was Xiao Wancheng. Yet, as fate would have it, there was one thing Steward Fei could not control: the tempers of Yang Yifang and the son-in-law.
Under the gaze of the crowd, Yang Yifang slowly stood up, his face dark as he glared at the son-in-law on the platform.
"Tell me, did you brat secretly release a demon or not?"
"I..."
The son-in-law was slightly startled, just about to speak, when suddenly, from an unnoticed corner, a figure bolted toward the high platform.
The figure moved with blinding speed. Coupled with the fact that everyone's eyes were fixed on the son-in-law, even Wangquan Hongye failed to react in time.
"So fast!" A flash of surprise crossed Wangquan Hongye's eyes.
Bang!!!
Accompanied by a flash of silver light, to everyone's utter shock, the son-in-law spat a mouthful of blood the very next second, his body sent flying backward through the air.
"Husband!!!"
Panic flashed across Yang Yan's face as she rushed over to check on her husband's injuries.
The son-in-law was coughing up blood and had already lost consciousness.
"Audacious!"
Steward Fei shouted angrily, forming sword incantations with his fingers to conjure countless sword shadows, blocking that figure in its tracks.
As the crowd regained their wits and looked closely, they saw a graceful youth standing calmly in place beneath the canopy of sword shadows.
"A celestial eye on his forehead, is that a child of the Yang family?"
"Whose child is this? Why have I never seen him before?"
"I've never seen him either, but judging by his celestial eye, he is undoubtedly a member of the Yang family."
……
"Yang Qingyuan! You have a lot of nerve!"
Recovering from his shock, Yang Yifang charged onto the high platform with a face full of furious rage.
"Greetings, Family Head."
Faced with Yang Yifang's wrath, even trapped beneath Steward Fei's sword array, Yang Qingyuan did not show a shred of panic. Instead, he calmly and steadily bowed to Yang Yifang.
This composed demeanor prompted Steward Fei nearby to cast a thoughtful, extra glance at Yang Yifang.
"Hey, it's you!" exclaimed Wangquan Zui, who stood behind Wangquan Hongye.
"Why did you launch a sneak attack on him?" Yang Yifang demanded harshly.
"Why? Simply because I possess the bloodline of the Yang family, yet over the years the family has always treated me like a servant, refusing even to tell me who my real parents are. Does the Family Head find this reason satisfactory?"
Yang Qingyuan replied calmly.
"You!!"
Yang Yifang flew into a rage, raising his hand to strike Yang Qingyuan across the face.
Just then, Steward Fei spoke up from the side.
"Ahem, Old Yang, you'd better deal with your family matters after today."
With that, Steward Fei turned his gaze toward Xiao Wancheng below.
"Family Head Xiao, you saw it too. The Yang family's son-in-law is currently unconscious and naturally unable to answer your questions anymore.
How about this? Why don't you wait until he wakes up before coming back to question him?"
"Damn it!"
Down below, Xiao Wancheng gritted his teeth, glaring fiercely at Yang Qingyuan on the platform.
That idiot was just about to confess! Who could have foreseen that a brat would burst in halfway and ruin his big plan?
With things developed to this point, even Steward Fei of Wangquan Manor had stepped in.
Now, without evidence, trying to take the son-in-law away today was clearly out of the question.
At this thought, Xiao Wancheng let out a cold snort.
"In that case, Xiao will come another day to pay a visit. Family Head Xiao—ah, Family Head Yang, before I leave, I wish your beloved daughter a happy wedding. Hahaha..."
With that, Xiao Wancheng turned and strode away with his men in tow.
Watching Xiao Wancheng's arrogant figure gradually disappear, Steward Fei withdrew his sword shadows and cast a meaningful glance at Yang Qingyuan before him.
"Old Yang, for today's affair to end up like this can already be considered the best possible outcome.
As long as he wasn't hauled away on the spot today, it will be much easier for us old fellows to help out afterward..."
"Indeed, Old Yang, don't give in to that stubborn temper of yours. Even if not for your own sake, think of Yan'er." The head of the Li family also stepped forward to comfort him.
"Everyone's kind intentions are deeply appreciated by Yang."
Yang Yifang cupped his fists, took a deep breath, and then cast a cold glance at Yang Qingyuan before him.
"Men, take him away and lock him up."
"Yes!"