abnabooks Chapter 90 Unable to Resist
Chapter 90 Unable to Resist
He could only try to avoid eye contact with Li Yunrui, and pretend not to know about her little actions. But he had already made up his mind that after the banquet, he would find an opportunity to give this increasingly lawless princess a good "lecture".
The grand wedding banquet proceeded slowly in this strange atmosphere, which was outwardly festive and luxurious but inwardly filled with complex emotions and undercurrents.
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At the wedding banquet, amidst the clinking of glasses and the melodious sounds of music, an invisible tension and oppression lingered in the hearts of every guest. The unabashedly intimate interaction between Ye Tian and Li Yunrui, and Emperor Qing's somber expression that it seemed almost dripping with gloom, all contributed to an inexplicable eeriness in what should have been a joyous occasion.
As everyone was carefully exchanging pleasantries with their own thoughts, Emperor Qing, holding a wine cup and wearing a meaningful smile, slowly walked towards Ye Tian and Fan Ruoruo, "protected" by Hong Sixiang (who was being supported by someone, his face still pale, but he could barely stand) and Ye Liuyun (the splints on his arms were not conspicuous under his large master's robes, but his movements still showed signs of unnaturalness).
"Minister Ye, my niece Ruoruo," Emperor Qing's voice sounded quite gentle, as if all the previous unpleasantness had vanished, "Today is your joyous day, and I am very pleased. Minister Ye is young and accomplished, having made many great achievements, and now you have found a wonderful wife. It is truly a cause for celebration."
Ye Tian and Fan Ruoruo quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty." Fan Ruoruo blushed even more, her heart filled with excitement and happiness.
Emperor Qing offered a gesture of support, smiling, "No need for formalities. This is a family banquet; there's no need to stand on ceremony." He then changed the subject, his gaze falling on Ye Tian with a hint of inquiry: "Minister Ye, you are now the Prince of Qin and the Grand Marshal of the Armed Forces. I have high expectations for you. I wonder what your plans are for the future? The Northern Qi, that tiger and wolf, has always been a major threat to our dynasty. I hope you can share my burdens."
These words were a reassurance, a test, and an urging for Ye Tian to lead his troops out to war as soon as possible, away from the troublesome capital.
Ye Tian's face revealed a perfectly balanced blend of respect and sharpness: "It is a subject's duty to share His Majesty's burdens. I have already made plans regarding the affairs of Northern Qi, and I will be ready to serve Your Majesty at any time after the wedding." His answer was watertight, demonstrating his loyalty without revealing any of his true thoughts.
Emperor Qing nodded in satisfaction, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then turned back to his seat. He sneered inwardly, "Little fox, let you be smug for a few more days. Once you're in Northern Qi, I have plenty of ways to ensure you never return!"
However, before Emperor Qing could even begin his plan, Ye Tian made a move that caught everyone, including Emperor Qing himself, completely off guard.
After finishing his conversation with Emperor Qing, Ye Tian did not sit down immediately. Instead, his gaze shifted and landed on Ye Liuyun, who was sitting upright not far away with a complicated expression.
"Master Ye!" Ye Tian's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly echoed throughout the banquet hall, instantly silencing the previously noisy scene. All eyes turned to him.
Ye Liuyun frowned slightly, looking at Ye Tian, wondering what he was up to. He had been severely injured by Ye Tian in the Cold Palace, both his arms broken. Although the imperial physicians had provided emergency treatment and his own Grandmaster cultivation had suppressed the damage, making him appear physically harmless, his true combat strength was less than one-tenth of what it used to be. Now, being publicly called out by Ye Tian, a sense of foreboding rose in his heart.
Ye Tian's lips curled into a smug smile as he proclaimed, "I have long admired Grandmaster Ye's divine swordsmanship, especially his 'Flowing Cloud Scattered Hands,' which is unparalleled in the world. He is hailed as one of the Four Grandmasters, a legendary figure in martial arts. I, however, am unworthy, having only recently entered the Grandmaster realm. I feel my cultivation has improved somewhat, and I am itching to spar. I wonder if Grandmaster Ye would do me the honor of exchanging a few blows with me, perhaps offering some pointers? This would add a touch of merriment to today's celebratory banquet and bring joy to my wife and me!"
These words shocked everyone in the room!
"What?! His Highness Prince Qin wants to challenge Master Ye?"
"Has he gone mad? That's Ye Liuyun! One of the Four Grandmasters!"
"While His Highness Prince Qin is formidable, he is ultimately young. Master Ye, on the other hand, has been renowned for decades, and his cultivation is unfathomable. Isn't this just inviting humiliation?"
"Shh! Keep your voice down! Didn't you hear? There was such a commotion in the palace before, it seems, it seems Master Ye was also there."
The guests erupted in a frenzy of discussion, their faces filled with shock and disbelief. Many had heard rumors of Ye Tian's massacre in the palace and knew of his power, but that was only against ordinary experts and imperial guards. Ye Liuyun, however, was a living legend, a symbol of the pinnacle of martial arts! In their eyes, Ye Tian's actions were tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock! They were unaware of the brief but brutal battle in the Cold Palace, and even less aware that Ye Liuyun was already at his last gasp.
A flicker of surprise crossed Emperor Qing's eyes, which quickly turned into a deep, cold laugh. He wanted to see what tricks Ye Tian was up to. If Ye Tian was arrogant and ignorant, being publicly taught a lesson by Ye Liuyun would at least dampen his arrogance.
Fan Ruoruo tugged at Ye Tian's sleeve with a worried expression and whispered, "Husband, Master Ye is a highly respected senior."
Ye Tian patted her hand to reassure her, but his gaze remained fixed intently on Ye Liuyun.
Ye Liuyun's mood at this moment was extremely bitter. How could he not hear the provocation in Ye Tian's words? If he were in his prime, he would naturally not be afraid. But now, he glanced at Ye Tian, who had a smile on his face but whose eyes revealed an unyielding determination, and then at Emperor Qing, whose eyes were unfathomable, and sighed deeply in his heart.
He knew he couldn't avoid this battle. Regardless of Emperor Qing's intentions, since Ye Tian had publicly issued the challenge, if he didn't accept, not only would his decades of accumulated prestige be destroyed, but the royal family's reputation would also be utterly ruined.
"Since Your Highness Prince Qin is in such a good mood, this old man will gladly oblige." Ye Liuyun slowly stood up, his voice slightly hoarse. "However, this old man is getting on in years and his fists are no longer discerning. I hope Your Highness will show mercy." His words were both polite and carried a hint of helpless self-mockery.
"You're too kind, Grandmaster. I will do my utmost to show my respect!" Ye Tian laughed heartily.
Seeing this, everyone stood up and quickly cleared a large area in the courtyard of the Prince's mansion. The atmosphere instantly became extremely tense.
Ye Liuyun took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his internal injuries. Although his arms still throbbed with pain, his grandmaster's demeanor remained. He slowly raised his hands, which seemed to still be able to move (in reality, they were only supported by his inner energy), and assumed the starting stance of the "Flowing Cloud Scattered Hands." In an instant, his entire aura became ethereal again, as if he might ride the wind and disappear at any moment.
"Please!" Ye Liuyun said in a deep voice.
"Please!" Ye Tian's eyes narrowed.
The next instant, Ye Tian moved! Without the slightest politeness or probing, his attack was earth-shattering! He moved like lightning, throwing a punch that created a piercing explosion in the air, aimed directly at Ye Liuyun's chest!
Ye Liuyun's eyes narrowed; he could sense the terror of Ye Tian's punch. He dared not be careless, his footwork shifting as he slid to the side like a ghost, while his palms transformed into countless cloud-like shadows, attempting to entangle Ye Tian's fist.
However, he was still severely injured. Ye Tian's speed and strength far exceeded his expectations!
"Bang!"
With a muffled thud, Ye Tian's punch, seemingly blocked by Ye Liuyun's palm shadow, unleashed an even more violent force at the moment of contact! Ye Liuyun felt an irresistible force surge towards him, his barely condensed protective true energy was instantly torn apart, and excruciating pain shot through the broken bones in his arms, causing him to stagger backward uncontrollably!
"Ugh—!" A mouthful of blood, which could no longer be held back, spurted from Ye Liuyun's mouth, staining the white clothes on his chest red.
Just one move!
All the guests present, including Emperor Qing, were dumbfounded!
They had considered countless possibilities, but they never expected that Ye Liuyun, one of the four grandmasters, would be unable to withstand even a single move from Ye Tian!
This is no longer a friendly competition, but a one-sided crushing defeat!
Ye Tian, having landed a successful blow, did not stop. He pressed forward, his fists raining down like raindrops.
Each punch carried the force of thunder, yet just as it was about to strike Ye Liuyun's vital points, it was cleverly deflected by half, only deflecting the violent force around his body.
Under Ye Tian's relentless and storm-like attacks, Ye Liuyun was caught off guard and in a sorry state. He wanted to retaliate, but he was powerless; he wanted to dodge, but he was no match for Ye Tian's speed. His prized "Flowing Cloud Scattered Hand" technique seemed utterly laughable in the face of Ye Tian's absolute power and speed.
Click to begin the wondrous journey of "Joy of Life: Ye Qingmei, the birth mother, raised by Li Yunrui".