"Who you are is irrelevant to me. What matters is that you shouldn’t have kidnapped my people, and you most certainly shouldn’t have harmed them. For that, you will pay with your lives!"

After he spoke, the other two men were also pinned to the trees. Only Yang Taining was left.

"Do you know why I dealt with you last?" Yang Qi sneered. "Because I wanted you to watch them die, powerless to do anything. I wanted you to suffer and to feel panic!"

Yang Taining trembled all over as a realization struck him. Jin Xing severely underestimated the Star Shining Society... he underestimated the martial artists of Thunder City. I’ve never heard of anyone so terrifying... and crucially, someone who can fly! With such abilities, even a Fourth Rank Overlord might not be his match, let alone us. We truly, truly screwed up this time.

"You are incredibly powerful, sir, and I am no match for you," Yang Taining said, attempting to use the reputation of his backer to intimidate Yang Qi. "But do you have any idea who you’re dealing with? Do you understand the consequences of your actions?"

"Unfortunately for you, I know exactly who you are. Ordinarily, I would welcome your group to develop in Thunder City; no one would complain about more investment. But you never should have done this," Yang Qi said coldly. "Using the families of the Star Shining Society to threaten us... that is a line you do not cross with me."

He had to make an example of them, to let everyone know the consequences of such actions.

"Kneel and await your death!" Yang Qi had no more words to waste.

In that instant, Yang Taining found himself kneeling on the ground, not even knowing why he had done it. When he came to his senses, a feeling of immense humiliation washed over him.

"Damn you! How dare you make me kneel!"

Yang Taining desperately tried to stand up, but it was pointless. His legs felt as though they were no longer under his control.

"So what if I made you kneel?" Yang Qi walked contemptuously to Yang Taining and patted his cheek lightly, a sneer on his face.

"A warrior can be killed but not insulted! If you have any courage, give me a chance to fight me head-on!" Yang Taining roared.

"Alright, then!"

Yang Qi smiled. In an instant, Yang Taining felt control return to his legs. He abruptly shot to his feet, staring fixedly at Yang Qi as his hands clenched around his long saber. There’s no other choice. He’s never going to let me go. I might as well give it everything I’ve got.

"Kill!"

His figure flashed forward. The long saber stirred the air with a whoosh, leaving a trail of afterimages in an impressive display.

"Interesting!" Yang Qi smiled. "Your Sword Skill isn’t bad. I can tell it comes from a prestigious school. But what a pity... in my eyes, it’s utterly worthless."

Then, twelve feathers shot out and stabbed toward Yang Taining.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Yang Taining’s Sword Qi instantly collapsed. The twelve golden feathers remained hovering in the air, a deeply intimidating sight.

"Why don’t you just kill me?" Yang Taining asked. He knew those twelve feathers could end his life with ease.

"Heh, you? You’re not worthy," Yang Qi laughed. "You’re the leader of these men, so it’s only right that your death is more miserable than theirs!"

Yang Taining grew furious. Though he knew he was no match for Yang Qi, the constant humiliation enraged him. Fine, if you won’t kill me, then I’ll kill you!

The icy blade of his long saber slashed out once more! Yang Taining completely abandoned his defense, betting that Yang Qi would only defend against his attack and not kill him with the feathers.

In that instant, Yang Taining’s body seemed to be enveloped by the phantom of a fierce tiger. Fierce Tiger Saber Technique! It was an overbearing and invincible Sword Skill, unmatched in its ferocity. It carried the heroic resolve of a warrior charging to their death, for this Sword Skill had no defense, concentrating all its power into the attack.

Yang Qi watched with indifference. The vast gap in their Realms made Yang Taining insignificant in his eyes.

Golden wings enveloped Yang Qi’s entire body.

The saber strike landed squarely on the wings, yet left not a single mark!

"Alright, my turn. Go!"

The next moment, Yang Qi waved his hand. Yang Taining, still dazed, suddenly realized his surroundings were swarming with poisonous scorpions.

"Gu Insects! Aren’t those Sir Gu’s Gu Insects?" Yang Taining was dumbfounded. Sir Gu’s Gu Insects... how can they be attacking me? Why? I don’t understand!

But at that moment, his body was already crawling with poisonous scorpions. Their sharp Poison Needles pierced his skin, and he was instantly paralyzed. He could only watch as the insects swarmed over his body and began to devour his flesh.

"AHHH—!"

Yang Taining screamed like a pig being slaughtered, causing Ye Feng and the others watching from a distance to wince. It’s a truly miserable fate to offend the boss.

Yang Qi looked down at Yang Taining, his eyes devoid of any sympathy or pity. "Do you know what despair is? This is it!"

These poisonous insects were what these people had prepared for his group; he was merely returning the favor.

"Spare me! Please, spare me! I don’t want this! You can kill me, just not like this! Please, no!" Yang Taining’s voice was laced with terror and trembling, all his former bravery gone. I regret it. I regret taking this mission. This is a death sentence... This man is terrifying. If I’d known, I would have never come to Thunder City. I would have never done this, no matter what!

"Give me a quick death! Stop torturing me, please!" he cried and begged.

"So now you know pain? Now you know suffering? When you kidnapped our families, did you ever stop to think this day would come?" Yang Qi’s expression was colder than ever as he looked down at Yang Taining. "But don’t you worry. It won’t be long before your Young Master Jin Xing joins you down there. I promise I won’t let you be lonely!"

Aside from his anger, Yang Qi felt a deep sense of vexation. If he hadn’t been strong enough, if they had fallen for the enemy’s trap, then today, everyone in the Star Shining Society would have shared Yang Taining’s fate.

Ignoring Yang Taining, Yang Qi rose into the air and approached the injured. Several of them had already passed out.

"Boss, my son... is he alright?" the King of Jingnan asked, his voice fraught with worry for his only, cherished son.

"Rest assured, he’s just lost too much blood! I have Divine Medicine for this: Qi Blood Pills. Give one to each person."

Yang Qi smiled and distributed the pills.

After taking them, everyone slowly began to stir and wake up. Seeing the familiar faces around them, they all breathed a collective sigh of relief. Some burst into tears, throwing themselves into the arms of their loved ones and crying inconsolably.

"Ye Feng, after this incident, I am very disappointed," Yang Qi said, his tone serious. "Thunder City may be in our hands, but our protection of it is insufficient. I want you to use every resource available to establish a comprehensive intelligence network across Jingnan Prefecture. I must be made aware of the slightest disturbance, anywhere, the moment it happens. This is especially true for anyone connected to our Star Shining Society. They are to be protected at all costs!"