Chapter 103: The Humiliation of Qi Xian!

Tiger Roar Manor.

As the largest private estate in Shucheng, it was famous for being nestled at the foot of Tiger Roar Mountain in the eastern part of the city. It was said that the owner of the manor was a mysterious tycoon who kept an extremely low profile, careful never to offend anyone. This had earned the manor an impeccable reputation, which was why all the major families in Shucheng chose to hold their grand banquets there.

Today was the most bustling day in its history. The seventieth birthday celebration of Qi Changling, the patriarch of the Qi family, was being held in grand fashion at the manor.

From early in the morning, the entire estate was adorned with lights and colorful decorations, brimming with festive cheer. The Qi family had made preparations well in advance; from the inside out, and from the main gate to the banquet hall, red silk banners fluttered everywhere. The entrance, in particular, was packed with flower baskets sent to honor the birthday man.

Luxury cars arrived in a steady stream—Bentleys, Ferraris, BMWs, Audis, Porsches—turning the scene into a dazzling exhibition of wealth that left the guests mesmerized. Members of the Qi family stood at the main gate and the entrance to the banquet hall, greeting guests with radiant smiles.

By mid-morning, an ordinary Hongqi sedan pulled slowly into view. The door opened, and Tang Qiong stepped out. She wore casual attire with light, exquisite makeup that was elegant rather than garish. Her fair cheeks held a faint pink glow, and beneath her arched willow-leaf brows, her beautiful eyes carried a hint of martial intensity. She possessed both the gentle grace of a woman and the spirited, heroic charm of a soldier.

"It’s General Tang Qiong of the Tang family!"
"As expected of the Great Xia’s only female star general—so beautiful, so dashing!"
"The Qi family must have massive influence to have General Tang Qiong come to honor their patriarch!"
"Wait? Why is General Tang Qiong opening the car door? Heavens, the man for whom General Tang Qiong would personally open a door..."
"Who is this man?"

The guests whispered among themselves, having clearly seen Tang Qiong refrain from leaving after stepping out, choosing instead to open the rear door. Ye Tianci stepped out from the back seat.

Tang Ying, Yuan Zhonghuang, and Lei Hong were all following Ye Tianci’s instructions, carrying out their respective tasks, while Tang Qiong had accompanied Ye Tianci to Tiger Roar Manor first.

Stepping onto the red carpet, Ye Tianci surveyed the manor before him, a slight curl at the corner of his lips. "What a grand estate."

The gazes of the numerous guests immediately shifted from Tang Qiong to him, sparking a wave of hushed gossip.

"Mr. Ye, it seems you’ve become the center of attention," Tang Qiong said with a playful smile.

"When I’m with you, I’d be the center of attention even if I didn't want to be," Ye Tianci replied with a laugh.

Tang Qiong tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes dancing with light. She took the initiative to step forward and hook her arm through Ye Tianci’s. "Then let’s make you the absolute center of attention. Hehe, don't blame your subordinate, Sect Master."

It was an unexpectedly playful side to her. Ye Tianci chuckled but said nothing, allowing her to hold his arm.

As the two walked side-by-side along the red carpet, Qi Xian led a group to block their path. "General Tang, please stay your hand."

"What is the meaning of this, Young Master Qi?" Tang Qiong asked coldly.

The arrogance and disdain in her eyes made Qi Xian deeply uncomfortable. In the past, he would have surely resorted to biting sarcasm, as he had never thought much of Tang Qiong, even as a female general. But now that he was a broken man, he no longer had the standing to look down on her. He felt only envy, jealousy, and hatred toward both her and Ye Tianci. Seeing her now, openly clinging to Ye Tianci’s arm, made his teeth ache with suppressed rage.

Suppressing his hatred, Qi Xian maintained a calm expression. "General Tang, I mean no offense. It is an honor for the Qi family that you have come to celebrate my grandfather’s birthday." He pointed at Ye Tianci. "You may enter, but he cannot."

Tang Qiong asked, feigning ignorance, "And why is that?"

Qi Xian gritted his teeth. "General Tang, this man has previously harmed members of the Qi family. He is our enemy! Anyone in Shucheng may come to honor my grandfather, except for him. I hope you will not make things difficult for us."

Ye Tianci spoke calmly, "Qi Xian, it is your family's honor that I have come to your grandfather’s birthday banquet."

Qi Xian turned livid, his eyes bulging as he glared at Ye Tianci. "You! Don't push your luck, you bastard!"

Ye Tianci’s lips curled into a mocking smile as he watched the enraged Qi Xian.

Tang Qiong did not let go of Ye Tianci’s arm, refusing to back down. "Qi Xian, Ye Tianci is my friend. I brought him here. If you do not allow him to enter, I will not enter either. Furthermore, I will refuse to pay my respects to your grandfather."

Qi Xian, not expecting such staunch support for Ye Tianci, was left speechless with frustration. "You..."

Before he could recover, a red Ferrari roared up to the entrance. Before the car had even come to a complete stop, Shen Ying, the daughter of the "Southern God of Wealth" Shen Wanshan and Qi Xian’s ex-girlfriend, jumped out.

Shen Ying spotted Ye Tianci immediately and excitedly approached him. "Ye Tianci, what are you doing at Tiger Roar Manor?"

Qi Xian’s mouth opened, his voice bitter as he called out, "Yingying."

Shen Ying didn't even notice him, only turning her head when she heard his voice. "What do you want?"

Shen Ying pouted and huffed impatiently, then turned back to Ye Tianci with a bright smile. "You really opened my eyes yesterday. I thought I could stump you, but I never expected you to settle things with my fourth uncle’s family in just a few words." She spoke almost to herself, making no mention of how she had intentionally tried to make things difficult for him by using her father, the Mayor.

Ye Tianci couldn't be bothered to engage with her. "Shen Ying, please keep your distance from me in the future."

Shen Ying frowned, only then noticing that Tang Qiong was holding his arm. She looked at Tang Qiong with slight surprise. "Tang Qiong, why... why are you holding Ye Tianci’s arm?"

"Is that any of your business?" Tang Qiong glanced at her indifferently. It was clear they knew each other, and their relationship was far from friendly.

Just as Shen Ying was about to retort, Qi Xian stepped forward. "Yingying, I want to talk to you." He reached out to grab her arm.

"Slap!"

Without a second thought, Shen Ying swung her hand and struck Qi Xian across the face.

Qi Xian stood frozen, clutching his cheek in stunned disbelief. "Yingying, you... you struck me in public?"

"So what if I did? I already told you, we broke up! We have nothing to do with each other anymore! Why are you still pestering me like a stray dog? You have no manliness at all! Just looking at you makes me sick!" Shen Ying shouted, leaving him with no shred of dignity.

Everyone could hear the bitterness and the underlying tension in her words, as if she had been provoked by something.

Qi Xian clutched his face, his muscles twitching. Humiliation! Endless humiliation filled his heart. He wanted to kill Shen Ying right there and then, to torture her to death! But he knew it wasn't the time yet. He had to endure.

Gritting his teeth, he forced down his rage and turned to look at Ye Tianci and Tang Qiong with a blank expression. "The two of you, welcome to my grandfather’s birthday banquet."

Ye Tianci’s lips twitched slightly; this Qi Xian was truly a character.

Just then, a roar of noise erupted from all around as the guests began to shout in excitement. A luxurious motorcade was approaching from the distance!