182: Chapter 182 Applying Pressure

With an indifferent expression, Ye Jing stood amidst a group of fallen Cultivators, flanked by two powerful Yao Beasts.

Bai Qian hadn't expected this old man to reach such a level of Cultivation in less than a year; he was already showing signs of catching up to him.

The nearby Law Enforcement Cultivators, seeing that Bai Qian had finally arrived, hurriedly stepped forward in a panic: "Market Master, Ye Jing is slaughtering Cultivators at will in Tiangong Market, and we couldn't stop him!"

Bai Qian’s gaze swept over the mess and the corpses strewn across the ground.

His brow furrowed, and the power of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator weighed down so heavily that the surrounding onlookers hardly dared to breathe.

"Ye Jing, do you realize your crime?"

Bai Qian’s voice was icy.

"Tiangong Market has stood for over a hundred years with strict rules. Private duels and slaughter are strictly forbidden. Today, you publicly killed Li Family Cultivators and ignored the warnings of the Law Enforcement Cultivators. Are you trying to start a rebellion?"

Ye Jing sneered. "The Market Master must be joking. I was minding my own business, running my shop to make a living, when these Cultivators—who knows who sent them—came to smash my shop and heavily injured my grandson. If I hadn't acted, some people might think I'm an easy target!"

As he spoke, Ye Jing looked coldly at Bai Qian’s complex expression, his manner making it clear that he did not fear even him.

Bai Qian’s gaze fell upon the Yao Beasts by Ye Jing’s side, his eyes filled with wariness. Everyone knew by now that Ye Tianhao and Ye Tianyao of the Qingyun Sect were Ye Jing’s grandchildren; they had both passed the Sect competition and were in secluded Cultivation to Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.

Offending Ye Jing would result in more loss than gain.

However, if he didn't handle today's matter properly, it might invite even greater trouble.

Seeing this, a Law Enforcement Cultivator quickly added, "Market Master, it was indeed the Li Family Cultivators who provoked the trouble first. It’s just that Ye Jing was too heavy-handed, killing them in public, which truly violates the market rules!"

They no longer possessed their previous toughness. On one side was the Market Master, and on the other was Ye Jing, who was seeing red and protected by Yao Beasts.

Caught in the middle, their only option was to avoid offending either side.

"Hmph, provoked the trouble?" Bai Qian snorted coldly, turning his gaze toward the trembling Law Enforcement Cultivators.

"As market law enforcement, your duty is to maintain order and protect the safety of the merchants. Yet when the Li Family Cultivators provoked trouble, you turned a blind eye. You only jumped out to put on an act once Ye Jing started killing people. Your enforcement is truly laughable!"

The Law Enforcement Cultivators' Faces flushed red and white. They lowered their heads, unable to say a word, knowing full well they were in the wrong.

It was only because the Li Family had secretly bribed them that they had intentionally delayed. They hadn't expected Bai Qian to expose them publicly.

However, this was also because Bai Qian, the Market Master, was on good terms with the Li Family Head, making it difficult to intervene. These subordinates were simply following the lead of their superior.

Bai Qian felt a headache coming on. Looking at Ye Jing, he said, "Boss Ye, come with me to the pavilion to discuss this further."

He wanted to resolve the matter quietly by downplaying its importance.

Ye Jing saw right through him, but he had no intention of letting the matter drop. He said, "Market Master, why don't you question your Law Enforcement Cultivators right here and find out the background of those who came to cause trouble at my Ye Family Shop?"

"Otherwise, my shop is a small matter, but if other merchants operating here in the future can have any random Cultivators come to cause trouble, it won't look good!"

His words caused the surrounding onlookers to break into whispers.

Among them were several nearby vendors.

"Boss Ye is right. If management isn't strict, it'll be hard to do business here."

"Exactly. Look at the state Boss Ye's shop was left in. His grandson is only a few years old and was beaten like that, yet the Law Enforcement Cultivators did nothing."

"I say they were killed rightfully! Who knows who sent those Cultivators? It would be bad if our shops were targeted next."

"In the end, we're just small merchants without a backer. These Law Enforcement Cultivators only act based on who is involved. They didn't say a word during the smashing, but they were faster than rabbits once someone fought back!"

The discussion grew louder, every word piercing the Law Enforcement Cultivators' sore spots.

At the same time, Bai Qian’s expression became increasingly unsightly.

As the Market Master, what he valued most was the market's reputation. Now that the vendors were full of grievances, this matter would not be easily settled.

Ye Jing stood his ground with an indifferent look. He wanted to know exactly who was targeting the Ye Family in the shadows. Even without the Qingyun Sect's involvement, he, Ye Jing, was not to be trifled with.

"Quiet, all of you!" Bai Qian shouted sternly, his spiritual energy applying pressure that silenced the entire area.

"Tiangong Market has its own rules; do not speak nonsense!"

His gaze swept over the vendors and finally settled on Ye Jing, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness and compromise.

"Boss Ye, today's matter was my fault. Since you insist on finding out who caused the trouble, I will conduct a thorough investigation in public to give you—and all the merchants—an explanation!"

Ye Jing nodded slightly. "The Market Master is reasonable. I shall await the good news."

Bai Qian took a deep breath and looked warningly at the Law Enforcement Cultivators, who kept their heads down and didn't dare to speak. His voice was bone-chillingly cold.

"Speak! Who ordered those Li Family Cultivators to cause trouble? Why did you turn a blind eye and intentionally delay?"

"If there is a single word of falsehood, I will surely cripple your Cultivation and expel you from Tiangong Market!"

A Law Enforcement Cultivator said in a panic, "Market Master, have mercy! These Cultivators were unworthy sons of the Li Family who came to pillage. They also used their Family to pressure us, saying that Boss Ye was just an old man without a backer and that even if things got out of hand, he wouldn't be able to cause any trouble!"

As he spoke, the Law Enforcement Cultivator couldn't help but look at Bai Qian, as if trying to confirm if his explanation satisfied the Market Master.

Ye Jing frowned at the sight. He knew the matter was definitely not that simple, but from Bai Qian’s attitude, it seemed he intended to cover for the Li Family.

Seeing this, Bai Qian said to Ye Jing, "How about this, Boss Ye? Are you satisfied? You've already killed the Cultivators who caused the trouble. Let's consider the matter settled, shall we?"

"Since the Market Master has put it that way, I'll just treat it as if I were bitten by a dog," Ye Jing said disdainfully.

He looked coldly at Bai Qian. "Market Master Bai."

Ye Jing’s voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear, piercing through the dead silence of the scene. A cold light flickered within his indifferent eyes.

"Today's matter, I can let pass for now, but I'll put my blunt words first. My Ye Family is not a soft persimmon that can be squeezed by anyone."

He looked up, his gaze sweeping over the Law Enforcement Cultivators who still had their heads down, hardly daring to breathe, before slowly returning to Bai Qian’s Face. His tone carried blatant mockery: "The Market Master said he would investigate thoroughly, yet in the end, he just blames a few unworthy Li Family sons. Do you even believe that yourself?"

Bai Qian’s Face turned various shades of green and white, and the spiritual energy around him fluctuated. He naturally knew this wasn't just a whim of the Li Family sons; it was surely authorized by someone higher up in the Li Family.

But the Li Family had operated in the market for many years and had deep, secret connections. If he truly delved into it, it might shake the Foundation of the market and offend the forces behind the Li Family.

He had thought Ye Jing would take the offered out, but he hadn't expected this man to be so unyielding, giving him no Face at all.

"Boss Ye," Bai Qian suppressed the displeasure in his heart, his tone softening a bit more. "This matter is already settled. The troublemakers are dead, and the Law Enforcement Cultivators will be punished. Why do you insist on holding onto it?"

"If this truly blows up, it won't benefit the Ye Family or the entire market."

"Benefit?" Ye Jing sneered, turning his gaze to his grandson, who was being supported by a shop assistant and whose Face was still pale.

The indifference in his eyes was instantly replaced by heartache and ferocity. "My grandson is only a teenager, yet he suffered such a calamity for no reason. My Ye Family Shop was smashed, and countless goods were destroyed. These things cannot be wiped away with a simple 'settled.'"

He took a step forward. Although there were no powerful spiritual energy fluctuations around him, he possessed a daunting Aura that made the Cultivators present involuntarily take a half-step back.

"Market Master Bai, I am giving you Face today by not arguing with you or pursuing your cover-up."

"But remember, from now on, if anyone dares to touch even a single hair of my Ye Family—be it the Li Family or any other power, even if it means becoming enemies with the entire Tiangong Market—I, Ye Jing, will surely see it through to the end!"

His words were powerful and without exaggeration. The merchants present felt a shock in their hearts, and the way they looked at Ye Jing was filled with a bit more awe.

Previously, they had only thought of Ye Jing as an old merchant without a backer. Now they knew that this seemingly gentle old man hid such ruthlessness in his bones."