Chapter 545: Chapter 545: I Call the Shots!

The claw imprint appeared white, yet it exuded an aura of death. At that moment, Yang Qi was enveloped by it, as if he couldn’t escape no matter where he fled.

"Die for daring to disrespect the King of Jingnan!" White Bone Claw roared. His left hand also formed a claw, and another claw imprint tore through the air, attacking Yang Qi from a different direction. Even if Yang Qi could dodge the first attack, he couldn’t possibly evade the second.

White Bone Claw’s thinking was simple: now that he had attacked, he had to take Yang Qi’s life. He absolutely could not let him live.

Watching the two claw imprints close in on Yang Qi one after the other, White Bone Claw revealed a smug smile. In his eyes, Yang Qi was already a dead man.

However, just then, a green shield materialized in front of Yang Qi. The two claw imprints slammed into it, creating a heavy thud but failing to shatter the shield.

"It seems your attacks are nothing special after all. You claim to be mightier than the Old Fisherman of Jiangnan, but it seems to me only your mouth is mighty. In my eyes, you’re far inferior to that old man," Yang Qi sneered. He activated Wind Valley and, in an instant, appeared right in front of White Bone Claw, driving a solid punch straight into his chest. "Farewell!"

The punch was an ordinary one, merely the basic Fire Fist Skill that Yang Qi had first learned. Yet, as his cultivation had increased, it had become incredibly powerful.

White Bone Claw fell, lying on the ground with his mouth full of blood. It was now impossible for him to take the lives of others for his cultivation practice.

The King of Jingnan’s body trembled. He looked at White Bone Claw’s body on the ground, his heart aching. These were all experts he had painstakingly cultivated, and just like that, they were gone.

Yang Qi went to the restroom to wash his hands, then came back out, sat down at his seat, and began to eat.

This bewildered everyone present. He made so many people kneel, slaughtered Thunderbolt Saber and White Bone Claw right in front of the King of Jingnan, and he still has the appetite to eat? Is he really just here for a meal? This is blatant disrespect for the King of Jingnan, for all of us!

All eyes turned to the King of Jingnan, but unexpectedly, the King said nothing, simply sipping his wine with a faint smile. The Heavenly Slaughter Sword also remained silent, drinking his wine as if what had just happened had nothing to do with them.

Master of the Raging Waves and the Undying Barbarian King, however, were different. They stared daggers at Yang Qi, their chests bursting with fury. Yang Qi had shown them absolutely no respect.

Ignoring their malicious gazes, Yang Qi continued to eat and drink with Ye Feng, completely unconcerned that the food and wine might be poisoned.

No one else was eating. They had no appetite, nor could most of them eat anyway—the majority were kneeling, and the rest were standing. Even the few members of the Jingnan Royal Mansion who remained seated had lost their appetites. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Half an hour later, Yang Qi wiped his mouth and smiled. "The Jingnan Royal Mansion certainly doesn’t disappoint. The food and wine are excellent. It’s a pity you all aren’t fortunate enough to enjoy it."

"There’s nothing to pity. This meal was prepared for your Star Shining Society to send you on your way," the King of Jingnan replied with a faint smile.

"Haha, send us on our way? Why so serious? All this killing intent is scaring everyone. I’m not a person who likes all this fighting and killing," Yang Qi said with a laugh.

The crowd felt like coughing up blood. You don’t like fighting and killing? You killed Thunderbolt Saber before you even walked in the door, and you just finished off White Bone Claw. Now you’re telling us you don’t like to fight? How is that any different from a rapist claiming he dislikes women?

"You keep provoking us. What exactly do you want?" the King of Jingnan asked again.

"Now you’re asking the right question!" Yang Qi laughed. "It’s simple. All of you will listen to the Star Shining Society and follow our rules. Live honest lives and do business by the book. Don’t do things you shouldn’t, and don’t take money you haven’t earned! I refuse to see Thunder City in chaos, and I certainly won’t stand for Jingnan Prefecture being in turmoil.

"And another thing: stand united against external threats! Who does the Tang Family of Sea City think they are, daring to run wild here? Aren’t you ashamed? The weakest of Sea City’s ten great families is walking all over you, and you don’t even feel humiliated?"

"Arrogant!" the King of Jingnan scoffed.

The crowd silently agreed. The Star Shining Society might be capable, but the Jingnan Royal Mansion hadn’t fallen yet. How dare he say such things? Does the Star Shining Society really intend to take over all of Jingnan Prefecture and set the rules for everyone? They’re completely overestimating themselves.

"Heh, I don’t think I’m being too arrogant. If I were truly arrogant, I wouldn’t be here wasting my breath on you. I would have just wiped you all out directly. Now *that* would be true arrogance," Yang Qi said with a laugh, taking a sip of wine.

"You’ve gone too far! Does your Star Shining Society really think it can cover the sky with one hand? That won’t fly in Thunder City, and it’s impossible in Jingnan Prefecture!" the King of Jingnan bellowed.

The others were also furious but didn’t dare speak. They still feared Yang Qi, so it was better to let the King of Jingnan be the one to stick his neck out.

"That’s right. I am the one who calls the shots! From this day forward, I will make the rules for Jingnan Prefecture! All of you will listen to me! And you have no choice in the matter," Yang Qi stated coolly, as if discussing something utterly trivial and commonplace.

"Hahahahaha!" the King of Jingnan roared with laughter.

The others also looked displeased. They admitted Yang Qi was formidable, but how many people did the Star Shining Society even have? With so many clans, sects, and companies united, they could drown the organization with spit alone. Besides, they had the backing of the King of Jingnan and the Heavenly Slaughter Sword. And Master of the Raging Waves and the Undying Barbarian King hadn’t even acted yet!

"On what grounds do you make such an outrageous and laughable claim?" Master of the Raging Waves demanded.

Yang Qi smiled. "My grounds? Me. I alone can crush all of you. If you don’t believe me, feel free to try. In my eyes, besides the King of Jingnan and the Heavenly Slaughter Sword who have some skill, the rest of you are nothing but chickens and dogs, not even worth mentioning. You can call me arrogant, but I’m merely stating a fact."

The crowd stared at Yang Qi. Crazy! He’s absolutely insane! He isn’t old, yet he’s so outrageously bold. Did he grow up eating dragon galls?

"My reason for founding the Star Shining Society is simple. I grew up in hardship, so I can’t stand to see the innocent suffer. During your recent scrambles for profit and power—your ’cake’—you’ve caused innocent people to bleed and even die. I just couldn’t watch it happen anymore. Someone has to step up and set some rules.

"I can’t be bothered with other places, but I am taking charge of Jingnan Prefecture. Whether you agree or not, you will all follow my rules. I will turn this prefecture into a peaceful and prosperous paradise," Yang Qi declared.

His friends, his family, his classmates, his entire career—they were all here. He refused to see Jingnan Prefecture descend into chaos, becoming a cesspool of corruption and filth.