In the silent space, only Ma Yuan's voice echoed faintly.
"Ma Yuan? I think I remember him. He works for Master Liu Si and manages Yang Liu Road, right?"
The speaker's voice was filled with shock. Quite a few people knew Ma Yuan. He managed a large market district and was a figure of some note. More importantly, with the Liu Family behind him, even some Innate Realm experts were unwilling to offend him.
How powerful was the Liu Family? Three years ago, when the Liu Family was still a first-class noble house, they were sometimes called "Liu Ban City."
This meant that half of Luoyang City belonged to the Liu Family. These three words were enough to show the Liu Family's immense power in Luoyang City.
Even though the Liu Family was not as glorious as they were three years ago, they were still a behemoth that ordinary people dared not provoke. The Liu Family's Twelve Golden Guards alone were enough to strike fear into any second-tier family.
One had to remember, this was a massive family that had operated in Luoyang City for decades.
Even the Wang Family, a first-class noble house that had risen two years ago, was inferior to the Liu Family in terms of heritage and resources.
With the Liu Family's backing, Ma Yuan could interact with even ordinary Innate Realm experts as an equal.
But at this moment, such a prominent figure was acting so respectfully in front of a young man.
Just what was the origin of this young man who had shattered the Drunken Moon Painting Wall with a single punch?
"Brother Ma, what is the meaning of this?"
Shopkeeper Zhu's thick eyebrows knitted together tightly. He forcefully suppressed the rage that was about to erupt.
"Shopkeeper Zhu, this is Young Master Ning. My good-for-nothing little brother offended him today, and I must thank Young Master Ning for his magnanimity in not holding it against us."
As he spoke, Ma Yuan glanced at the shattered painting wall. "However, could there be some misunderstanding between Young Master Ning and the Drunken Moon Pavilion?"
"This isn't something that can be resolved with a simple 'misunderstanding'."
Shopkeeper Zhu snorted coldly. This was the Drunken Moon Pavilion, his territory. And behind him stood Master Liu, Liu Zhengkun, of the Liu Family.
Liu Zhengkun was the eldest son of Old Sir Liu. He was an Innate Realm expert himself and held considerable power within the Liu Family. In contrast, Ma Yuan's backer, Master Liu Si, Liu Zhensheng, was the least capable of the children and couldn't compare to Liu Zhengkun at all.
The Liu Family assets controlled by Liu Zhensheng were far inferior to those managed by Liu Zhengkun.
And this Drunken Moon Painting Wall was specially commissioned by Liu Zhengkun when he established the Drunken Moon Pavilion, giving the establishment its name.
One could say the painting wall represented Liu Zhengkun's honor.
Ning Jiang's punch hadn't just shattered the painting wall; it had also struck Liu Zhengkun's face.
As for why Ma Yuan was so respectful to Ning Jiang, Shopkeeper Zhu had a theory. 'He must be one of Liu Zhensheng's men, perhaps even an illegitimate son who just doesn't bear the "Liu" surname.'
Liu Zhensheng was known for his loose morals and womanizing; it wouldn't be surprising for him to have an illegitimate son or two out there.
"Brother Ma, step aside. I don't care what his background is. I'll capture him first and deliver him to Lord Kun."
An aura surged from Shopkeeper Zhu's body as he unleashed the full power of his Postnatal Peak cultivation without reservation.
Even if Ning Jiang was Liu Zhensheng's illegitimate son, he would have to answer for today's events. Otherwise, how could his backer, Liu Zhengkun, maintain his dignity?
"Capture me? I'm afraid you can't afford the consequences," Ning Jiang said, his expression unchanged.
"Hahaha, I can't afford the consequences? Even if you're Master Liu Si's illegitimate son, you have no official standing. What does that count for?" Shopkeeper Zhu's tone was grim.
"I thought you had some ace up your sleeve, but it turns out it was just Ma Yuan," Feng Xue sneered from the side. "Ma Yuan's backer is a far cry from Shopkeeper Zhu's. How can you still be so confident? Do you really think Ma Yuan can protect you?"
"Illegitimate son? Shopkeeper Zhu, you must have misunderstood something." Ma Yuan's expression darkened. "Young Master Ning has nothing to do with the Fourth Master. He is a distinguished guest of Miss Liu Xianyu."
Liu Xianyu.
When those two words sounded, it was like a stone dropping into a calm lake, instantly causing ripples.
Those two words seemed to hold a magical power.
Even the aggressive Shopkeeper Zhu's expression changed.
"So, you're a guest of Miss Xianyu. In that case, I won't harm a hair on your head, but I must still ask you to come with me. If there's anything to be said, please say it to Lord Kun."
Shopkeeper Zhu quickly made his decision. After all, he was Liu Zhengkun's man.
The Liu Family was also divided into factions. Liu Zhengkun's faction was the most powerful, and although Liu Xianyu was doted on by the Old Sir, she wasn't here in person.
"Shopkeeper Zhu, don't bring trouble upon yourself."
Ma Yuan stood firmly by Ning Jiang's side. He had come here partly to apologize to Ning Jiang, but more so to befriend him. Clearly, this was his chance.
Although this move would likely offend Liu Zhengkun, Liu Xianyu now controlled the Silver Guard Team, making her practically half a Clan Leader.
"Brother Ma, don't make things difficult for me," Shopkeeper Zhu said stiffly.
"Hehe, now this is interesting. But even if he has Liu Xianyu behind him, this matter won't be settled so easily, right? Liu Xianyu is a junior of the third generation, while Liu Zhengkun is the eldest son of the second generation. When Liu Xianyu sees Liu Zhengkun, she still has to bow as a junior and call him 'First Uncle'," someone analyzed.
"Liu Xianyu must be your final trump card, right? A pity it's still not enough!" Feng Xue sneered relentlessly, assuming that Ning Jiang had now been pushed into a dead end.
However, Ning Jiang remained as calm as ever, his expression showing no fluctuation.
"Lord Kun this, Lord Kun that. I have no interest in meeting him. Shopkeeper Zhu, today, you are the one who will give me an explanation." Ning Jiang's voice was clear and crisp. "When Liu Xianyu gave me this, she said the Drunken Moon Pavilion would receive me with the highest honor. Is this your way of treating a guest?"
'He's still bringing up Liu Xianyu. Unless Liu Xianyu herself were here, how could a mere object she gave him be enough? It's laughable,' Feng Xue thought scornfully.
But when her gaze fell upon it, she froze.
Shopkeeper Zhu was speechless, his eyes glued to a Jade Order in Ning Jiang's hand. Then, the color drained from his face, bit by bit.
"Old Sir Liu's Jade Order!"
Ma Yuan's heart shook with profound shock after a single glance.
To see this order was to see Old Sir Liu himself.
Even if Liu Zhengkun were here, he would have to bow to this order!
'The Old Sir even gave this order to Miss Liu Xianyu. It seems he truly intends to groom her as the Liu Family's successor. With this order and the Silver Guard Team, Miss Liu Xianyu's rise is unstoppable.'
Ma Yuan deeply understood the immense implications and looked at Ning Jiang with even greater respect.
Liu Xianyu had even given this order to Ning Jiang. Just how highly did she value him?
Today, he had made the right choice in coming.
He had also made the right bet. So what if he offended Liu Zhengkun?
"Now, do you still want to take me away?" Ning Jiang asked slowly. His calm gaze only intensified the pressure on Shopkeeper Zhu.
"I wouldn't dare." Shopkeeper Zhu gave a bitter smile and bowed respectfully to the Jade Order.
To disrespect the Jade Order was to disrespect Old Sir Liu. If word got out, he would be chopped up and fed to the dogs the very next day.
"Very good. As I said before, I want an explanation from you. Was it you who couldn't tolerate us here? Was it you who wanted me and Sister An to leave the Drunken Moon Pavilion?!"
Ning Jiang's voice was faint and light, like a gentle breeze. But the final few words crashed like rolling thunder, booming through the entire Drunken Moon Pavilion.
Shopkeeper Zhu's mouth twitched. He glanced at Ning Yu'an, then at Feng Xue beside her, and sighed inwardly.
"I didn't know this Miss Ning was Young Master Ning's sister. I did indeed order my subordinate to inform Miss Ning to leave. The fault is mine." Shopkeeper Zhu knew he couldn't hide the truth; in front of the Jade Order, he didn't dare to.
"Since you admit your mistake, then tell me: I shattered the painting wall and demanded an explanation from you. Do you accept this?!" Ning Jiang demanded.
"I accept," Shopkeeper Zhu said, lowering his head.
All this trouble just because he tried to make Ning Yu'an leave. He was now regretting it so much his guts were turning green.
"Make this woman scram. I don't want to see her again." Ning Jiang didn't even glance at Feng Xue, as if she wasn't worthy of his sight.
"You dare!" Feng Xue's pretty face changed as she shrieked, "I am friends with Liu Feng! Who dares to throw me out!"
Liu Feng was one of Liu Zhengkun's children. It was precisely out of respect for Liu Feng that Shopkeeper Zhu had tried to make Ning Yu'an leave. Otherwise, who was Feng Xue to order him around?
It was also because of Liu Feng that Feng Xue could stay in a Heaven-grade room. Otherwise, with the exorbitant price of a Heaven-grade room, a mere Postnatal Realm cultivator could hardly afford it.
To this day, Feng Xue hadn't spent a single coin on her stay in the Heaven-grade room.
Seeing Shopkeeper Zhu frown, a haughty look appeared on Feng Xue's face. Feeling secure in her backing, she said fearlessly, "Hmph, it's just a little Jade Order. What's it worth? Shopkeeper Zhu, why are you making such a fuss..."
"Insolent!"
Suddenly, Shopkeeper Zhu's roar exploded like a clap of thunder.
"You bitch, how dare you insult this order!"
Shopkeeper Zhu's figure blurred. With fury in his eyes, he appeared before Feng Xue in an instant.
As Feng Xue's eyes filled with terror, he raised his palm and slapped her viciously across the face.
CRACK.
With Shopkeeper Zhu's Postnatal Peak cultivation, how terrifying was a slap filled with rage?
Feng Xue screamed as she was sent flying like a straw doll, landing heavily on the street outside.
One side of her face was swollen high, her mouth was full of blood, and several of her teeth had been shattered.
"You... you dare hit me?" After all, Feng Xue had a Postnatal Realm cultivation and wasn't knocked unconscious by the slap.
Her hair was disheveled, her previous arrogance completely gone, and her eyes were filled with pure fury.
"Get lost, or I'll kill you," Shopkeeper Zhu said, his killing intent chillingly cold.
"Fine! We'll see how you explain this to Liu Feng." Feng Xue's eyes were filled with hatred as she immediately left.
"A fool who doesn't know life from death," Ma Yuan cursed with disdain.
This Jade Order represented the Liu Family's Old Sir. Since Feng Xue had dared to speak so disrespectfully, if Shopkeeper Zhu hadn't done something, he would have been held accountable later.
If not for his apprehension about his relationship with Liu Feng, Shopkeeper Zhu probably would have killed Feng Xue with that slap.
Right now, with the Jade Order in his hand, even if Ning Jiang tore down the Drunken Moon Pavilion in a fit of rage, no one would dare say a word against it.
This order was absolute authority!
'So, that's the source of his confidence.'
Someone's heart trembled. Most people here didn't know the origin of this order, but they understood one thing.
This order could not be insulted!
"Sister An, should we forgive him?"
In the vast space, Ning Jiang's voice echoed softly.
Shopkeeper Zhu's body trembled.
Then, as if he had aged several years, he cupped his fist and bowed to Ning Yu'an. "Please forgive me, Miss Ning!"
The entire hall fell silent.