Chapter 174 – The Irascible Long-Browed Elder

“Fortunately, you didn’t do that, or today would be your death day!”

Right at that moment, a long roar suddenly erupted from the shadows, causing the swirling snowflakes to hang suspended in mid-air, revealing a startling spectacle.

Ye Kuang’s eyes instantly sharpened at the sound, his hair whipping wildly in the fierce gust that bared his astonished gaze.

As the roar faded, an elder with long eyebrows abruptly appeared on the scene.

Close behind him, nearly twenty blurred figures swiftly came into view, their speeds astonishingly fast, each surpassing the last.

Some glided over the snow, some moved in lightning-quick steps, while others sprinted at full speed.

Meanwhile, Yuan Tianba and the others couldn’t help but turn their attention to Elder Longbrow, their expressions filled with reverence.

After all, this elder had always remained aloof from worldly affairs, dedicating himself solely to martial cultivation. Who would have thought he’d appear voluntarily today?

Moreover, this elder bore a renowned title!

“Martial Grandfather!!”

Elder Longbrow responded with a cold glance at the six disciples slumped on the ground, clearly deeply disappointed.

That single look was enough to terrify them.

“Are you Ye Kuang?” Elder Longbrow demanded.

Ye Kuang: “I…”

But before he could finish, the elder roared: “You insolent brat! Only the Xingyi Sect has the right to discipline our disciples! Who do you think you are, daring to dictate to our Xingyi Sect!”

Seeing Ye Kuang’s icy glare, the elder paid no mind, then turned to Yuan Tianba and the other five with a cold snort: “Get out of here! Do you want to keep making fools of yourselves?”

“Martial Grandfather…”

“Shut your mouth!” For some unknown reason, Elder Longbrow’s anger was palpable even as he scolded them.

Before his words fully faded, the elder turned his wrath toward the approaching crowd: “Yuan Jiaxiong! Ma Jiaying! Is this the junior you spoke of? You can’t even handle a brat who hasn’t reached the Innate Realm? You’re becoming more useless by the day!”

At this, Yuan Jiaxiong and Ma Jiying arrived with their followers.

Despite their advanced age and graying temples, they now stood like chastised children, not daring to breathe heavily.

Seeing everyone too afraid to respond, Elder Longbrow grew even more furious: “Not even twenty Innate Realm cultivators? This is what you call achievement? We were far superior in our generation…”

As Elder Longbrow continued his tirade, no one dared to speak up.

The elder’s bristling beard and glaring eyes radiated a terrifying aura that made everyone fear he might suddenly go berserk. They could only watch with grave expressions as he raged on.

Witnessing this, Ye Kuang realized the Xingyi Sect wasn’t as simple as it appeared on the surface.

While the Yuan-Ma Families seemed to handle internal and external affairs publicly, in reality, all matters required this elder’s approval.

“Who exactly is this old man? What’s his relationship with the Xingyi Sect…” Ye Kuang couldn’t help but murmur to himself.

Unbeknownst to him, Elder Longbrow caught every movement of his lips.

Suddenly fixing his gaze on Ye Kuang, the elder asked with apparent disbelief: “You mean you don’t know who I am?”But then his tone shifted abruptly, taking on an extremely chilling edge as he said, “I never expected the world to change so quickly. To dare venture into the dragon’s den without even understanding your enemy’s background—I truly can’t comprehend what you were thinking, young man. Are you exceptionally skilled and bold, or just a complete fool playing the hero…”

Upon hearing this, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but feel a shiver of fear. He had originally been fully confident, but after encountering Elder Longbrow, his heart sank straight to the depths.

Yet since he had come, whether he could leave safely no longer mattered. Even if it meant being torn to pieces, he would tear open his enemy’s chest.

“Senior, you must be a master from the Xingyi Sect, I presume? Since I’m here, just say it—what do you want?” Ye Kuang asked, steeling himself.

Upon hearing this, Ma Jiaying revealed a faint, ambiguous smile. “You should know what we want. There’s no need for us to spell it out.”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang naturally understood what Ma Jiaying was referring to.

Thinking of this, he fixed his gaze on the irritable old man before him and said, “Whether Ling Yun is alive or dead, you should at least let me see him first. Besides, for a transaction to happen or not, both sides need to have the basic chips, right? What do you say, Senior?”

“Heh heh…” Elder Longbrow clearly showed a smile upon hearing this, but in the blink of an eye, his expression turned unpredictable, making it impossible for anyone to guess his thoughts.

Just as Ye Kuang felt there was no possibility of further conversation, a faint, hidden flute sound suddenly reached his ears.

“Hmm?” He couldn’t help but look around, his eyes filled with astonishment.

Because he suddenly realized that none of the people around him, not even Elder Longbrow, seemed to notice it…

Thinking this, Ye Kuang spread his hands in resignation and said dejectedly, “Alright, you win. But how could I possibly carry the secret manual on me?”

As he spoke, his mind raced: Now that he was in such a perilous situation—if not like a lamb entering a tiger’s den, at least like being surrounded by a pack of wolves—how should he respond?

Yuan Jiaxiong: “Young man, I can guarantee that as long as you hand over the secret manual, both you and that kid Ling Yun will leave safely.”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang was inwardly conflicted. How could he fully trust the Xingyi Sect’s empty promises?

By then, they might not even know how they died.

But of course, he couldn’t say this outright. He could only force a smile and ask, “Haha, Patriarch Yuan’s words certainly carry weight. But I have an unreasonable request—could you let me see Ling Yun first?”

Elder Longbrow grew impatient upon hearing this and said coldly, “What right do you have to negotiate with me?”

Though Ye Kuang was inwardly displeased, he couldn’t show it. He could only put on an ingratiating smile and say, “Senior, as I said earlier, this is just a request, not a condition. But if you seniors are worried I might try something, then just pretend I never said anything.”

After saying this, he adopted an attitude of complete resignation, as if he had already given up.

The implication was clear:

Take my life if you must, but the secret manual? Not a chance!”Hahaha…” Elder Longbrow was certainly no fool either. Having lived to this age, how could he fail to perceive the underlying meaning in Ye Kuang’s words? He then sneered, “Though I’m well aware this is a provocation tactic, I’ve never feared heaven or earth since birth. Considering you couldn’t possibly pull off any tricks anyway.”

No sooner had he spoken than Elder Longbrow immediately turned to the other Elders and barked, “What are you standing around for? Take him to the Underground Prison to see that lad!”