Chapter 163: Xiao Kai

"Ye Cheng, you little bastard, get your ass out here!"

Outside the Zhaobin Restaurant, a massive crowd roared as they surged toward the entrance. Then, a harsh shout, wrapped in formidable elemental energy, crashed across the entire street like a thunderclap.

The murderous intent contained within the shout spread rapidly through the street, causing it to fall into an instant silence. Countless gazes immediately converged upon the incoming group.

"The Wild Wolf is back, and he's even brought his elder brother, Xiao Kai!"

"Indeed. Judging by that voice, they must be looking for the young man from yesterday."

"If you ask me, that kid is truly unlucky. Of all people to cross, he had to provoke the Wild Wolf. He's in for a world of suffering now."

"Sigh..."

Outside the restaurant, the vanguard was led by the Wild Wolf and his men. Next to the Wild Wolf stood a somewhat lean-looking middle-aged man. Judging from the faint, fluctuating elemental energy radiating from his body, this individual was undoubtedly at the Great Completion stage of the Elemental Realm. The look the Wild Wolf cast toward him seemed somewhat filled with awe.

Clearly, who else could afford to hire such a powerful expert at the Great Completion of the Elemental Realm if not the Wild Wolf's sworn elder brother, Xiao Kai?

Although the Wild Wolf's party had arrived with an aggressive aura, Xiao Kai waved a hand to halt their advance right before the restaurant doors, choosing not to barge straight inside to search for Ye Cheng.

While they were considered local tyrants in Poison Dragon Town, the restaurant's property belonged to the town's Feng family. Naturally, their backing was the Feng family itself.

The strength of the Feng family was unquestionable, boasting several experts at the Great Completion of the Elemental Realm within their ranks. Unless absolutely necessary, Xiao Kai and his men had no desire to incur their hostility. Forcibly storming the establishment would yield no benefits and would only invite a host of unnecessary troubles.

"Ye Cheng, you little son of a bitch, get out here and kowtow in apology! Maybe I'll consider leaving your corpse intact, haha!" the Wild Wolf roared frantically, his scar-marked face twisting into a hideous snarl.

The previous night, after leaving the auction house, he had managed to dig up Ye Cheng's name. The moment Xiao Kai returned, the Wild Wolf had immediately staged a comeback, evidently unable to swallow this humiliation.

As a figure of some standing and reputation, being thoroughly stepped on by a mere punk left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"Clap! Clap!"

As the sound of handclaps echoed from inside the doorway, a crisp, clear voice rang out as Ye Cheng stepped across the threshold, slowly drifting into everyone's ears.

"Whose dog is this, barking and howling so early in the morning?"

Ye Cheng's tone was unhurried. Not a trace of fear could be perceived on his face, as if the group gathered before him had nothing to do with him at all.

"You've got some guts, kid. I'll make you wish you were dead!" The Wild Wolf's face flushed a mottled green and red as he glared viciously at Ye Cheng, looking at him as though he were already a corpse. Clearly, Ye Cheng's words had struck a raw nerve.

Yet, he believed that the moment his elder brother made a move, this reckless fool would undoubtedly be carved up at will.

"I assume you already understand the purpose of my visit today, Xiao Kai. Yesterday, my brother Wild Wolf seemed to have suffered a loss at your hands, and he harbors an unvented rage. As his elder brother, I am here today to clear that grievance for him." Xiao Kai gazed coldly at Ye Cheng, speaking in a flat tone.

His words carried a hint of arrogance and confidence that slightly displeased Ye Cheng.

Hearing this, Ye Cheng did not get angry; instead, he laughed. "I care not to explain yesterday's events any further. I imagine you are well aware of your brother's conduct. Furthermore, I, Ye Cheng, did not resort to underhanded attacks. If he suffered a loss, he has only his inferior skills to blame!"

Ye Cheng's tone was calm and collected as he spoke with effortless fluency. Yet, this calmness was imbued with an air of unperturbed nonchalance and disdain. Resorting to bringing along one's elder brother after losing only made him look down on the Wild Wolf even more.

"Keep acting arrogant for a little longer. Soon enough, I'll let you taste the flavor of death." Hearing Ye Cheng's mocking tone, the Wild Wolf's face flushed crimson as he fiercely suppressed the raging fire in his chest.

The scenes of yesterday's humiliation at Ye Cheng's hands resurfaced in his mind, intensifying his desire to tear the youth to shreds.

"I am rather curious to know how you plan to clear this grievance for him," Ye Cheng said with a smile, completely unfazed by the opponent's imposing aura.

An expert at the Great Completion of the Elemental Realm was not enough to intimidate him. In the past, he had managed to slay someone of Luo Long's caliber at the Great Completion stage, and he could do the same today. Moreover, he had not wasted the past half year; his vitality and physical strength had advanced significantly compared to before.

Even without employing the third form of the Thousand Shadow Spear Technique, he was by no means certain to lose.

"My plan is quite simple!" Xiao Kai said, grinning at Ye Cheng's words, revealing a row of white teeth that sent a sudden chill through the air. "As long as you hand over the bronze iron plate you won at yesterday's auction and the spatial ring on your finger as an apology, I can let this matter go for now."

"Big Brother, we can't let this punk off just like that!" The Wild Wolf opened his mouth to protest, but a wave of Xiao Kai's hand silenced him, forcing him to stand quietly to the side.

"What do you think?" Xiao Kai asked, smiling as he looked at Ye Cheng.

"You certainly phrase it with high-sounding righteousness and a veneer of justice. But do you truly take me, Ye Cheng, for someone so easily bullied? I advise you to think carefully before making a move—is it really worth it?"

Hearing this, a strange smile curved the corners of Ye Cheng's mouth. Xiao Kai and his brother were indeed cut from the same cloth; birds of a feather. However, the former possessed far more composure than the latter.

"Oh?" Xiao Kai's eyes locked onto Ye Cheng as cold light flickered within them. "I didn't realize you had such a spine. Are you threatening me with those words?"

"You could say that," Ye Cheng said, spreading his hands with an air of utter casualness.

"Ha! How amusing. There are very few people in this town who dare to threaten me, Xiao Kai. You can count them on one hand. But a punk like you certainly isn't among them." Xiao Kai's patience was gradually wearing thin, and his voice began to carry an icy chill.

Sensing the frostiness in his brother's tone, the Wild Wolf channeled elemental energy into his palms, waiting for the command to strike at any moment.

"Whether I am qualified to threaten you is not for you to decide!" Ye Cheng replied with a serene expression, facing Xiao Kai and his group, who looked ready to attack at a second's notice.

"Since that's the case, I must see just what kind of ability you possess that gives you the nerve to threaten me!"

Realizing the young man before him had no intention of compromising, Xiao Kai abandoned further pleasantries. A flash of cold ruthlessness crossed his eyes as he suddenly slammed his foot down, shattering the floorboards and unleashing a surging wave of elemental energy.

Under his cold gaze, elemental energy concentrated in his palm and flickered outward. An energetic finger-strike shot toward Ye Cheng like a piercing arrow.

In his eyes, since gentle persuasion had failed, brute force was the only remaining option!