Applause, applause, applause!
Clapping resounded inappropriately within the great hall of the Shangguan Family, as a young man stood outside the hall. This person was handsome, with a tall and straight figure and an extraordinary bearing, yet he carried a hint of malice.
Clearly not a member of the Shangguan Family, many furrowed their brows, and some even questioned loudly.
"This is the territory of my Shangguan Family. Who are you to cause such a disturbance!"
The young man's clapping had no doubt ignited dissatisfaction, as members of the Shangguan Family stood up one after another, pointing the finger of blame.
Seeing the young man, Shangguan Tanglong's face drastically changed, and he almost cried out.
"Who I am is not important. However, the performance you all just put on was quite spectacular!" said the wickedly charming youth with a sneer, his eyes filled with disdain as he looked upon everyone from the Shangguan Family.
As a representative of the younger generation, Shangguan Yunyang couldn't stand idly by. Witnessing such arrogance, he pointed directly at the young man's nose and shouted, "Get out!"
As Shangguan Yunyang yelled out, Shangguan Tanglong's face changed and he sharply rebuked Shangguan Yunyang.
Shangguan Yunyang and other family members watched Shangguan Tanglong in disbelief, unable to understand why he would react in such a way, even speaking up for an outsider!
Meanwhile, the young man watched the scene with interest, his disdain growing deeper.
Is this the Shangguan Family? What a joke!
Had the young man spoken his thoughts aloud, it certainly would have provoked a storm of verbal attacks from the members of the Shangguan Family.
"Huayang Young Master, you've traveled from afar. How come you didn't notify us in advance? It's truly an oversight, truly an oversight!"
Shangguan Tanglong glared at everyone, then approached Teng Huayang with a flattering smile and spoke courteously.
The people of the Shangguan Family were shocked, unable to fathom why their top expert, Shangguan Tanglong, would show such a deferent attitude to such a young man. Seeing his respectful manner, many were filled with anger.
"Heh heh heh, I have indeed seen the hospitality of the Shangguan Family today. This lad here seems like the type you favored, isn't he?"
Teng Huayang was anything but polite, completely disregarding the feelings of others, including Shangguan Yunyang himself. He was arrogantly dismissive, not even deigning to give Shangguan Tanglong a glance and putting on quite a high and mighty air.
"Kid, watch your mouth!"
Shangguan Yunyang cursed angrily, who did this person think he was, daring to be so rude!
But Shangguan Tanglong coldly glared at Shangguan Yunyang as a warning not to offend the man.
Having no other choice, Shangguan Yunyang reluctantly lowered his hand, but he still glared fiercely at Teng Huayang.
Teng Huayang laughed heartily, then suddenly said in a cold voice, "Shangguan Tanglong, I come to visit you today without prior notice, which was indeed my mistake, but your family's way of receiving guests is really too impolite!"
He was clearly nothing more than a junior who had not reached the Object-Manipulating Realm, stuck at the peak of the True Qi Realm, yet Shangguan Tanglong had to hang his head low, enduring the humiliation in his heart while continuously forcing a smile, "Young Master Huayang, about today's matter, it was our fault, please be more forgiving!"
"Hmph, more forgiving? How should I be more forgiving?"
Teng Huayang, seizing the advantage, spoke aggressively to Shangguan Tanglong, utterly unconcerned with the angry stares of the Shangguan Family members.
Seeing his elder humiliated and being the person involved, Shangguan Yunyang immediately felt anger burning within him, nearly unable to restrain himself from striking Teng Huayang.
Shangguan Tanglong's face twitched as he struggled to maintain his smile, his heart full of rage. Since when did a young man in the True Qi Realm dare to speak to him ?
If Teng Huayang hadn't been the son of Teng Zhuhai, Shangguan Tanglong would have split him in half with his palm long ago. Otherwise, would he have tolerated this brat's shouting here?
A mighty expert at the peak of the Object-Manipulating Realm had to plaster a smile in front of a junior. If this got out, many would surely laugh their heads off. For Shangguan Tanglong, it was also a humiliation.
But now, being at the mercy of others, the Shangguan Family had not dared to offend the Yunteng Family in the past, and now even less so. With the Shangguan Family having suffered a great loss of Vital Energy, the Yunteng Family could crush them with the flick of a finger.
Teng Huayang was arrogant, but he had the capital to be so!
"Hmph, can't say anything anymore, huh? Teng Dong, give that kid a good lesson, slap his face!"
As Teng Huayang's words fell, a shadow darted into the hall, flew in front of Shangguan Yunyang, and with two slaps, sent him flying to the ground.
With a cry of agony, Shangguan Yunyang's face swelled with blood, he spat out fresh blood, and rolled on the ground in pain.
Teng Dong was an Object-Manipulating Realm expert of the Yunteng Family, and even a casual slap from him was more than Shangguan Yunyang, who was at the Object-Manipulating Realm, could bear.
These two slaps were loud, not simply because they landed on Shangguan Yunyang's face, but they were a slap to the entire Shangguan Family's dignity. Shangguan Tanglong almost couldn't help but act and take down both Teng Huayang and Teng Dong.
Yet, he still forcibly held back. Teng Huayang was a young master of the Yunteng Family, and with Teng Dong, an Object-Manipulating Realm expert, by his side for protection, taking him down wouldn't be easy. Moreover, doing so would greatly offend the Yunteng Family and he would end up becoming the criminal of the entire Shangguan Family!
"Young Master Huayang, are you satisfied now?" Shangguan Tanglong said with a forced smile that didn't reach his eyes, his heart filled with unspeakable frustration and rage.
Shangguan Tanglong's tone began to quiver, reflecting just how much he was restraining himself.
Teng Huayang glanced disdainfully at Shangguan Yunyang rolling on the ground and sneered, "Remember your place. The Shangguan Family is nothing more than a dog of our Yunteng Family. If my father hadn't asked me to come, I wouldn't have bothered coming to this dump!"
This statement made everyone's anger seethe even more, but due to Shangguan Tanglong's deterrent presence, they dared not speak up, waiting for Teng Huayang with eyes that could almost kill. If looks could kill, Teng Huayang would have died many times over.
"Then, may I know what matter brings Young Master Huayang here by the order of the Yunteng Family Head?"
Shangguan Tanglong asked in a subdued tone, his face showing neither anger nor joy, giving away nothing.
Seeing this, Teng Huayang also put aside his contempt, considering that among the others in the Shangguan Family, this Shangguan Tanglong was quite capable.
"Doesn't your Shangguan Family have a few broken dogs that can't move? I've come to set their bones so that, hopefully, they can continue to bite," Teng Huayang said with a laugh, ignoring everyone else's gazes.
"Oh, then I truly thank the Yunteng Family Head. May I know when Young Master Huayang plans to start treating them?"