Shocking the Nine Heavens With My Sword-Chapter 594 - 573 - Provocation, Suppression (1/3)

Zhou Heng was still unaware of what had happened, for he had been frolicking with the ladies all night yesterday and, just like before, he spent his time in the courtyard watching the leaves fluttering down and the clouds rolling by, feeling as if he could touch the sky just by reaching out, a truly wonderful feeling.

It was only when Yang Lanxin came running to him and pulled him outside that he learned Yang Tiehu wanted to see him.

If it were someone else, meeting their father-in-law for the first time would definitely cause much anxiety, but what kind of mental fortitude did Zhou Heng have? Besides, Yang Tiehu was only one of his fathers-in-law; after so many encounters, he had become indifferent.

Following Yang Lanxin through the courtyard and corridors, the two quickly arrived at an elegant garden, where a pavilion was already occupied by four people.

Yang Tiehu, Liu Zishuang, Lin Caijun, and Liu Hanye were seated there. Wang Yuanlong should have been present as well, but sadly, he had died at the hands of Star Sea bandits.

"Father, Second Uncle!" First, Yang Lanxin greeted Yang Tiehu and Liu Zishuang with a bow before tugging at Zhou Heng, a pleading look in her eyes.

Given Zhou Heng’s status as a Three Stars Pharmacist, he didn’t need to bow to Yang Tiehu or Liu Zishuang at all, it should actually be the other way around—they should be flattering Zhou Heng. How many families in Wild Horse City, stronger than the Yang family, were vying for the chance to curry favor with him and couldn’t get it!

This fellow was full of arrogance, and it took some soft tactics to make him bow his head temporarily for her sake.

Zhou Heng couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly. True, he was untamed, but he would never be rude to his elders—provided that these elders also acted their part.

He cupped his hands and bowed to Yang Tiehu and Liu Zishuang, saying, "Junior Zhou Heng, greets Uncle Yang, Uncle Liu!"

Seeing this, Yang Lanxin couldn’t help but beam with joy. Her beloved was giving her so much face, and naturally, she felt the sweetness in her heart. Meanwhile, when Liu Hanye and Lin Caijun saw her captivating, radiant smile, they couldn’t help but feel envious and their resentment towards Zhou Heng deepened.

"Hmm!" Yang Tiehu snorted through his nose. He had taken a dislike to Zhou Heng before even meeting him, and now seeing Zhou Heng, a mere Moonlight Sovereign bowing instead of prostrating himself in his presence, made him even more uncomfortable.

A Moonlight Sovereign prostrating before a Moonlight Emperor, it’s only right and proper!

"Father!" Yang Lanxin quickly ran to Yang Tiehu’s side and called coquettishly, meanwhile, subtly tugging at her father’s sleeve.

Yang Tiehu only had this one daughter and naturally adored her without limit. Her coquettish voice and act of playfulness immediately dispelled half of his anger. He disliked Zhou Heng, but what could he do if his daughter liked him?

He would bear with it for now and have a good talk with his daughter later. What was there to like about such a pretty boy? There are plenty of them everywhere in the streets!

"Sit!" He waved his hand, his face still lacking any smile, and pointed to two empty seats to indicate for Zhou Heng and his daughter to sit down.

Zhou Heng looked and immediately felt uncomfortable.

Indeed, there were two empty seats, but one was beside Yang Tiehu, and the other was between Liu Hanye and Lin Caijun! Wasn’t this a clear attempt to separate him from Yang Lanxin?

Damn it!

Zhou Heng glanced at Liu Hanye, who was sitting between the two empty seats.

Deliberate!

Without any courtesy, Zhou Heng walked over, patted Liu Hanye on the shoulder, and said, "Make some room?"

What? Asking him to give up his seat?

Liu Hanye, who had been smirking at Zhou Heng’s awkwardness in front of Yang Tiehu, found the tables turned on him in an instant. Indeed, he had purposely sat between the two empty spaces.

This way, regardless of Zhou Heng’s choice, he would have to separate from Yang Lanxin!

Yet, Zhou Heng was unwilling to accept this loss and actually ordered him to move! Why should he? He was the only son of the Head of the Yang Family’s second branch, and what was Zhou Heng? Nothing but a rough man riding on a woman’s coattails!

He despised Zhou Heng one hundred, one thousand times over.

Liu Hanye pretended to look up at the sky, acting as if he hadn’t heard Zhou Heng’s words.

As they watched the covert conflict between the two, Lin Caijun sneered to himself, hoping they would both get what they deserved, and then he could take advantage of the situation. His status was awkward, as he was only related to the Yang family by marriage, and he didn’t have as much clout as Liu Hanye, for the Yang family could kick him out at any time.

Liu Hanye had Liu Zishuang’s backing, and Zhou Heng had his cousin’s protection. Everyone seemed more confident than him, so if he wanted to seize the position of Head of the Yang Family, he would be better off if both of these detestable guys were gone!

Zhou Heng smiled faintly; he was not one to play by the rules!

Reaching out his hand, he grabbed Liu Hanye by the neck, lifted him right up, and dumped him into a seat beside them, then casually said to Yang Lanxin, "Come, sit!"

Yang Lanxin smiled tenderly and sat close to her father, while Zhou Heng sprawled out in the seat that Liu Hanye had been occupying.

Instantly, the scene fell into silence.

"You, you you, you—" Liu Hanye finally came to his senses, pointing at Zhou Heng’s nose, his handsome face flushed with anger, unable to utter a complete sentence.

Neither Yang Tiehu nor Liu Zishuang had expected such a maneuver and were both taken aback. However, having experienced all manner of situations, they quickly regained their composure after the initial shock.

Just like his name, Yang Tiehu was fierce as a tiger and put everything out there. He immediately barked, "Zhou Heng, show some respect!" However, Liu Zishuang seemed much more sullen. Despite it being his son who had suffered a disadvantage, he actually revealed a smile and tried to smooth things over with Yang Tiehu, "Big brother, young people should have sharp edges—that’s what gives them vitality!"

"Vitality? I think it’s more like thuggery!" Yang Tiehu, a man who couldn’t stand the smallest slight, glared at Zhou Heng. As a Peak Moonlight Emperor, his presence was as oppressive as a mountain once he unleashed his aura.

"Dad—" Yang Lanxin quickly called out in a coquettish voice, looking pitifully at her father.

The fury within Yang Tiehu melted when he saw his daughter’s pitiful appearance. After all, she was his only daughter and nothing was more important than her in his heart!

He had prepared to rebuke Zhou Heng and even throw him out, but he couldn’t ignore his daughter’s plea. He sighed inwardly, waved his hand, and said, "Hanye, you’re magnanimous, don’t take it to heart!"

With just a bit of praise, the matter was considered closed!

Fuck!

Liu Hanye was dumbstruck, his face showing his grievance.

So, I’m just set aside like a chicken snatched by an eagle, and that’s it? My magnanimity is nothing at all; don’t think too highly of me, go ahead and punish Zhou Heng harshly!

But Yang Tiehu had let the issue go, and if he clung to it, he would undoubtedly tarnish his own image in Yang Tiehu’s eyes! He couldn’t help but look over to his father, Liu Zishuang, who subtly shook his head at him, signaling him not to make a scene.

With even his father acting this way, he had no choice but to swallow the insult for now.

Lin Caijun sneered inwardly. The more Zhou Heng and Liu Hanye fought, the better—it would be ideal if they both were ruined!

"The Starwind Trial starts in just ten days. Prepare well; work together and seize your own fortunes!" Yang Tiehu, for his daughter’s sake, did not pursue Zhou Heng’s actions, but he still felt the need to sound a warning, especially with Liu Zishuang sitting right there.

With Yang Lanxin, Liu Hanye, and Lin Caijun each having a spot in the Starwind Trial, Yang Tiehu saying this in front of Zhou Heng was like rubbing salt in his wounds.

Liu Hanye finally showed a trace of a smile, looking at Zhou Heng with eager anticipation, unable to wait to see him show a disappointed and sad expression.

But to his disappointment, Zhou Heng still had that same smile on his face as if he hadn’t heard a word from Yang Tiehu.

Puh, what an act!

"Uncle, I will definitely strive for the best ranking for our Yang family and make it into the top hundred!" he claimed unabashedly.

Pfft, Lin Caijun couldn’t help but let out a sneer.

Top hundred? Bullshit. The Yang family had participated in eight Starwind Trials before, and their best ranking was beyond a thousand! This wasn’t just a competition within Wild Horse City, it encompassed the whole Xihai City!

"Haha, a man should have ambitions!" Yang Tiehu praised half-heartedly, fully aware that with Yang Lanxin and the other two’s abilities, it was impossible to reach the top hundred. Yet how could he say anything discouraging to their faces?

"Then aim for first place!" Zhou Heng interjected.

At that remark, everyone fell silent.

Liu Hanye had been boasting, but Zhou Heng took it to another level, inflating the boast to the sky! First place? He really dared say it, as if it were as easy as picking up a rock from the ground!

The look on Yang Tiehu’s face darkened considerably, his displeasure with Zhou Heng reaching an extreme point.

He only flattered Liu Hanye as a matter of courtesy; how could he take it seriously? But there was Zhou Heng, grandstanding in front of him and audaciously claiming he would take first place. The young man was truly presumptuous, arrogant, and completely tone-deaf!

Besides, the Starwind Trial had nothing to do with him. Why should he interject, make a statement, or set a target?

How could his daughter fancy such an extravagant, puffed-up embellishment?

He absolutely did not want this kind of son-in-law!

Liu Hanye and Lin Caijun, both gloated as they watched Zhou Heng embarrass himself before Yang Tiehu. Of course, they were happy to see him making a fool of himself.

"Young man, it’s fine to have ambitions, but the most important thing is to stay grounded and know what you can and can’t do!" Yang Tiehu spoke gravely, his tone conveying unmistakable dissatisfaction.

Yang Lanxin sighed. She hadn’t had the chance to explain Zhou Heng’s abilities to her father. If Yang Tiehu knew that Zhou Heng was not only a Three Stars Pharmacist but also had the Twenty-One Wheels Moon when he was the Moonlight King, he probably would not have spoken in such a manner.

She placed her delicate hand under the table, grabbing Zhou Heng’s large hand, and gently shook her head, urging him to keep his cool.

Zhou Heng couldn’t help but smile; his capacity for patience was not so small.

"Indeed, uncle, some people these days truly regard themselves above all, not realizing how vast the sky is or how deep the earth is!" Liu Hanye, having suffered too much at Zhou Heng’s hands, naturally wanted to kick him while he was down.

"Such a person is a scourge to the group, a burden to the entire family!" Lin Caijun chimed in as well.

Zhou Heng’s expression turned cold, were they trying to provoke his anger? (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)