72 Banquet and Beating Ye Han

At the grand banquet held in the Snow Wind Family's manor, Ye Zong, the patriarch of the Snow Wind Family, had spared no expense.

The spacious banquet hall was adorned with elegance, and a feast of exquisite dishes, crafted from the meat of rare and powerful beasts, was laid out for the guests.

The aroma of delicious foods filled the air as it mingled with the lively chatter of the attendees.

As the evening progressed, Ye Zong took the opportunity to introduce his adoptive son, Ye Han, to the gathered guests. This was an excellent occasion for Ye Han to reconnect with the nobles of Glory City and strengthen his family's ties.

Amidst the festivity, Alan, Ye Ziyun, and Xiao Ning'er enjoyed each other's company. Ye Ziyun had spent the previous night at the Winged Dragon Family's manor, so it was her first meeting with Ye Han after his return.

Ye Han couldn't help but feel slightly surprised by the close rapport between Ye Ziyun and Alan. The rivalry between the Sacred Family and the Snow Wind Family was well-known, and seeing Ye Ziyun in good spirits with Alan raised his eyebrows.

After introducing Ye Han and sharing a bit about his journey away from Glory City, Ye Zong raised his glass to call for everyone's attention.

"Let us eat, drink, and enjoy this splendid banquet!" Ye Zong declared with a warm smile, signaling the start of the feast.

In attendance were not only the members of the Snow Wind and Sacred Families but also the patriarchs of other influential noble families, including the Divine Family, Huyan Family, Winged Dragon Family, and the Long Family, among many others.

As the banquet progressed, Ye Zong made his way to engage in conversations with the other family Patriarchs. With the opportunity presenting itself, Ye Han decided to approach the group comprising Alan, Xiao Ning'er, and Ye Ziyun.

He drew nearer, and it didn't take long for them to notice his presence.

"Ziyun," Ye Han greeted his sister with a warm smile.

She acknowledged his arrival with a nod, "Call me by my full name, Brother Ye Han."

In a gracious gesture, he extended a Frozen Jade Bracelet toward her. "I brought back a little something for you, as a gift."

Ye Ziyun, however, looked at the bracelet with a cold expression and declined the offer. "I don't need it."

Alan, who had been quietly observing the interaction, chimed in. "There's no need for such a shabby gift. I've already given her a Frozen Spirit Ring, which has a much better effect than the Frozen Jade Bracelet."

Ye Han's gaze shifted from the bracelet to Ye Ziyun, a hint of concern in his eyes. "Ziyun, it might not be a good idea for you to be seen with someone from the Sacred Family. Our family and the Sacred Family are rivals, after all."

Ye Ziyun responded with a cold determination. "I appreciate your concern, but I don't need advice on whom I should or shouldn't talk to. It's not your place."

Ye Han seemed taken aback for a moment, but he eventually nodded, accepting her response. "Very well, I understand."

Alan's voice was tinged with a cold, warning tone as he addressed Ye Han. "Remember this well, Ye Han. It's not your place to advise Ye Ziyun on anything. If I hear such nonsense again, I will beat you so bad that no one will ever recognize your face."

Ye Han met Alan's gaze and spoke with a wry smile. "I see that your courage has greatly risen since we last met, Shen Yue."

Alan nodded with a smirk. "That's not the only thing. Do you want to test that out? I can make this banquet of your return into something…more interesting."

Ye Han sneered in response but maintained his composure, choosing not to escalate the situation any further. He turned and walked away.

With the tension diffused after Ye Han's departure, Xiao Ning'er decided to break the ice with a cheerful, "Let's not ruin the party over some petty matters. We're here to enjoy the food, right?"

She playfully picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks and held it out to Alan. Her eyes sparkled with affection as she fed him, and a small, amused smile graced her lips.

Ye Ziyun, not wanting to be left out, followed suit. She too used her chopsticks to select a choice morsel of food and fed it to Alan, her gaze a mixture of tenderness and a playful challenge.

Alan, between mouthfuls of food fed by both Xiao Ning'er and Ye Ziyun, couldn't help but let out a hearty laugh. It was a laughter of contentment, a feeling that everything was just right in that moment.

As the banquet drew to a close, the attendees began to make their way home, sharing parting words and exchanging pleasantries.

Ye Zong, the City Lord of Glory City, however, remained dissatisfied, the puzzle of the Divine Family's downfall gnawing at him. He couldn't help but express his concerns, cautioning the Patriarchs of the other Noble Families.

"We must remain vigilant," he told them, his voice firm. "Though we point our fingers at the Dark Guild, there may be more to this than meets the eye."

The Patriarchs nodded in agreement, sharing the City Lord's unease about the recent events.

The next day came swiftly, but it brought with it some changes in Ye Ziyun's living arrangements. The presence of Ye Han in the Snow Wind Family's manor made it an uncomfortable place for her to stay.

In response, Alan made a decision to ensure her safety and comfort.

Given that the Sacred Family had a less-than-friendly relationship with the Snow Wind Family, it was deemed unwise for Ye Ziyun to remain in the Sacred Family.

As a result, it was decided that Ye Ziyun would temporarily take up residence with Xiao Ning'er in the Winged Dragon Family's manor.

Alan himself took the initiative to meet with the elders of the Winged Dragon Family. He made it clear that he expected Ye Ziyun to be treated with the utmost respect and care, ensuring that no problems would arise during her stay.

The day had arrived, and Ye Han's foolish challenge was set into motion. Alan had been expecting this, knowing that Ye Han intended to make a spectacle out of it.

Ye Han began with a tone of feigned innocence. "I propose a little spar, Shen Yue, to assess your capabilities. As my sister's boyfriend, it's only fair, don't you think?"

Alan accepted the challenge, a calculated calm in his eyes. "Sure, I'll indulge you."

Ye Han, who was a Three Star Gold Rank cultivator, assumed his victory was certain. He offered a small, condescending smile. "I'll be generous and let you make the first move. It won't change the outcome."

The spar unfolded like lightning, movements too quick for most to track. In the blink of an eye, Ye Han was left in disarray.

His shocked expression told the tale as pain surged through him. "What—"

Before he could finish his question, Alan's fist connected with Ye Han's face, and the resulting shockwave of impact reverberated through his body.

Ye Han's chest and leg bones were shattered in an instant, rendering him incapacitated.

"…Don't underestimate me next time, Ye Han," Alan's words were spoke and they lingered in Ye Han's mind.

~~

[A/N: Please check out the novel 'The Rise of a True Villain'. It's on webnovel. I will do a mass release of 7 chapters of this fanfic once there are 50 reviews on the 'The Rise of a True Villain' novel. Also, I am sure you are going to like that novel.]