The entire banquet was filled with shock. In Mist City, Han Shichong was the undisputed emperor, the one and only power!
Even the three great families—the Su, Fan, and Wu families—could not contend with him if they joined forces.
Even official matters often had to bow to Han Shichong's will.
This was not only due to Han Shichong's own formidable strength but also because he was a personal disciple of the Dragon Warlord. And the Dragon Warlord was a national hero who had saved China, a figure of legend!
Therefore, no one dared to refuse a drink from Han Shichong, let alone dump it on the ground.
Anyone who dared to do so would undoubtedly be prepared for death.
All eyes were focused on the man who dared to defy death, none other than Jiang Mengxin's fiancé—Lu Ming!
At this moment, Jiang Mengxin's heart was pounding rapidly.
She had repeatedly warned Lu Ming not to speak out of turn, not to speak out of turn. But now, Lu Ming hadn't spoken out of turn; instead, he had directly dumped the drink offered by Mist City's Sleeping Dragon!
Jiang Mengxin was both angry and resentful, wondering when Lu Ming would ever change this terrible habit.
He was so naive, so utterly naive.
More naive than any village simpleton!
Originally, if Jiang Mengxin had just endured it, forced herself to drink the messy concoction, apologized to Han Shichong with a kowtow, and said a few pleasant words, perhaps Han Shichong would have let Jiang Mengxin go.
At least she wouldn't have been pushed to the brink of death.
But now, by dumping Han Shichong's drink, he had publicly slapped his face. Could Han Shichong possibly let him off?
It was over!
Jiang Mengxin cried out to the heavens, lamenting her inescapable fate.
From the head seat.
Han Shichong's eyes widened slightly as he looked at Lu Ming. Under the illumination of the lights, Lu Ming's face was clearly visible to Han Shichong, down to every pore.
Everyone believed that Han Shichong would definitely order Lu Ming to be apprehended on the spot and executed.
But to everyone's surprise, Han Shichong remained silent!
Even more peculiar was that Han Shichong's pupils instantly dilated, as if he had seen something terrifying beyond imagination. It was as if a mouse had encountered a cat.
Him?
Could it be him?
Han Shichong swallowed, his eyes fixed on Lu Ming, scrutinizing him. Several times he thought he was mistaken, but the more he looked, the more his heart pounded with dread.
Why did the man before him resemble his master, the Dragon Warlord, so much?
It was too similar.
It felt like they were the same person!
Han Shichong began to tremble involuntarily, an ominous premonition rising from the depths of his heart. The arrogance he had displayed moments before completely vanished.
"No, it's impossible. It can't be him," Han Shichong muttered, shaking his head.
Shen Dianlan had not yet noticed Han Shichong's distress. She was merely eager to distance herself from Lu Ming to avoid being implicated.
She shouted, "Lu Ming, you have immense guts to dare to overturn the drink offered by Lord Sleeping Dragon! Although you have rendered service to our Su family, your actions are truly despicable. Our Su family completely severs ties with a scoundrel like you!"
The members of the Su family breathed a sigh of relief. Severing ties was the best outcome. This way, apart from Jiang Mengxin and Su Wanran, no one else would be implicated.
However, upon hearing the name, Han Shichong trembled all over.
He stiffly turned his head and asked, "Old Madam, you called him... Lu Ming?"
Before Shen Dianlan could answer, Lu Ming spoke up, "Yes, I am Jiang family's live-in son-in-law, the tomb watcher who came with Jiang Mengxin to help Su Wanran, Lu Ming."
He said it very loudly, with measured intonation, as if afraid others wouldn't hear.
Everyone laughed, casting scornful glances his way.
"A live-in son-in-law, a tomb watcher. Heh, how dare such a dead piece of trash overturn the drink of Lord Sleeping Dragon?"
"Most importantly, look at his defiant expression, as if he's some great figure. Where does he get his confidence from?"
"Probably just giving up entirely."
"I think so too. He likely knows he's going to die, so he's just acting tough before his end."
"Heh, tough my foot. Thinks he's brave, but he's just an incompetent fool. It would have been fine if Jiang Mengxin had just drunk the wine, but now she has to die with him! Jiang Mengxin truly had rotten luck to marry such trash."
Facing the crowd's accusations and ridicule, Lu Ming paid them no mind. Instead, he stood straight, meeting Han Shichong's gaze.
They looked at each other.
As they continued to look, Han Shichong's eyes flickered, and he lowered his head.
He was afraid!
Because he now knew for certain that the man before him was his master—the Dragon Warlord Lu Ming!
Everything Han Shichong possessed was given to him by the Dragon Warlord. Without the Dragon Warlord, he was nothing!
His martial arts, his medical skills, and his so-called background.
Everything was provided by the Dragon Warlord.
The reason Han Shichong could act with impunity in Mist City, the reason even the authorities dared not touch him, was because everyone feared the War God behind him.
But how many knew that Han Shichong had long been expelled from his master's tutelage by Lu Ming? How many knew that Han Shichong had been a deserter back then, had everything confiscated by Lu Ming, and was driven back to Mist City.
The former master and disciple, meeting again after five years, did so in such a manner.
In front of others, Han Shichong was a god; but in front of Lu Ming, he was nothing!
Han Shichong's body went weak, and he lacked the strength to stand.
However, others remained unaware of this. Their attention was focused on Lu Ming, and no one noticed that Han Shichong had become as limp as a puddle of mud.
Han Yun, still smug, declared, "Lu Ming, you have quite the air of authority! I admit, your martial skills are indeed excellent, but can they possibly be better than Mist City's Sleeping Dragon? My brother is a personal disciple of the Dragon Warlord and learned his martial arts from the War God! In front of my brother, you are less than a nobody!"
Su Feiyang shouted even more confidently, "Lu Ming, you dare to overturn Lord Sleeping Dragon's drink? Heh, you are truly beyond arrogant. Today, even the Great Sage Equaling Heaven himself couldn't save you!"
Others joined in the chorus of condemnation.
The scene was chaotic.
At this moment.
Jiang Mengxin, holding onto a sliver of hope, said with a commanding tone, "Lu Ming, kneel and kowtow to apologize to Lord Sleeping Dragon!"
Her thought was that if Lu Ming was willing to kneel and apologize, perhaps Han Shichong's mood might improve, and there might still be a chance of survival.
But!
Lu Ming burst into laughter in front of everyone.
Everyone shook their heads, believing Lu Ming was beyond saving.
Only Han Shichong, sitting uneasily throughout the hall, was so nervous he couldn't even swallow his saliva, trembling as he looked at the man before him.
It felt like a primary school student who hadn't done their homework during winter break being called to the front of the class by the teacher, only to see the teacher open their holiday homework book.
That fear was a fear from the very depths of his soul.
Cold, despair.