BTTH : Emperor Yang

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**

Qingshan City sat at the edge of a vast, unending mountain range.

This mountain range was located at the very heart of the Black-Corner Region. Spanning an immense area, it rose and fell in endless waves, truly boundless in scope.

The Outer Academy of Jia Nan Academy, including the Inner Academy and the rear mountain, were all situated within this very mountain range.

In a way, this boundless mountain range could be considered Jia Nan Academy's own backyard.

Similarly, the Ancient God Mansion was also hidden deep underground within these mountains.

The mountains were teeming with magical beasts, medicinal herbs, rare heavenly treasures—innumerable riches.

Qingshan City was a small city with a population of only a few hundred thousand. Most of its inhabitants were mercenaries and adventurers.

Living off the mountains, these people primarily made their living by hunting magical beasts and searching for medicinal herbs.

The overall atmosphere of the city was relatively peaceful—less killing intent, less bloodshed.

The force that governed the city was the Mad Sand Mercenary Group.

Its leader, Sha Qi, was an Eight-Star Da Dou Shi, while the deputy leader, Meng Tuo, was a Five-Star Da Dou Shi.

These two were the peak fighting power of Qingshan City.

The City Lord's Mansion was located in the very center of the city and occupied a large area.

Within it stood grand halls, pavilions, curved eaves, small bridges over flowing streams, floral gardens, and bamboo groves—everything one would expect from a lavish manor. It was clearly a grand estate of great luxury.

Evidently, the owner here had a refined taste for life.

At that moment, high above the mansion, four figures hovered in the sky, looking down from above.

It was Wei Yang and his group.

Glancing over the manor below, Wei Yang smiled and nodded in satisfaction.

"The environment is nice."

"Let's go down. From now on, this will be our residence."

"Mm."

Whoosh!

All four figures—including the now fully humanoid Unicorn—descended swiftly from the sky.

Yet despite their bold, open descent, not a single person in the entire manor sensed their arrival.

——

Inside the main hall.

The leader of the Mad Sand Mercenary Group, Sha Qi, sat in the seat of honor. He was a refined and handsome middle-aged man.

Clad in a slightly loose and luxurious brocade robe, he lounged comfortably on a soft beast-skin chair, a cup of wine in hand, enjoying the performances unfolding in the hall before him. From time to time, he would sip from his cup with a satisfied expression.

Before him, the table was laid out with a variety of delicious dishes. A beautiful maid knelt beside him, diligently serving him—pouring wine, presenting food.

Soft music drifted through the hall, its melodious tones blending seamlessly with the ambiance.

A group of graceful dancers and singers clad in translucent veils danced enchantingly, their delicate curves barely hidden, stirring temptation as they moved with elegance and sang softly.

Sha Qi watched with contentment, gently stroking the beard on his chin, his head nodding to the rhythm. Occasionally, he even hummed along to the tune.

"Now this is what life should be," he thought, filled with satisfaction toward his current lifestyle.

After half a lifetime of fighting and killing, climbing step by step from the bottom, wasn't it all for days like this?

In Qingshan City, he—Sha Qi—was no different from a local emperor.

Everyone had to act according to his will. Here, he was the one true sovereign.

Life and death, take and give—it was all his to decide.

The Black-Corner Region truly was a wonderful place.

As long as you had strength, you were the rules.

It was like law followed your very words. What you said became the norm. No one dared oppose you.

A smug smile appeared on Sha Qi's face. He lifted his bare left foot and casually rested it in the maid's lap beside him. Feeling the soft, full, smooth sensation beneath his foot, he slowly closed his eyes in pleasure.

Sha Qi was content. He wasn't overly ambitious or driven by wild desires. All he wanted was to maintain his current lifestyle.

Expand?

Not happening.

He was well aware of his own limits.

Being a big fish in a small pond like Qingshan City was one thing. But outside this city? He'd be just another nobody.

"Man must know his own worth," Sha Qi sighed.

His foot moved slightly in the maid's arms, rubbing those full, perky mounds with a bit more force.

"Hmph." The maid gave a soft snort, her face blushing as she lowered her head.

"Haha, ah—" Sha Qi had just begun laughing heartily when, all of a sudden, it was as if someone had clutched his throat. His laughter came to an abrupt halt.

At the entrance of the great hall, four figures cloaked entirely in black robes had appeared silently, without him noticing.

Sha Qi quickly retracted his foot, instantly sat upright, and with a wave of his hand, the music and dancing in the hall ceased immediately.

"Who are you?" Sha Qi frowned, his expression growing serious.

This was his own residence—the grand City Lord's Mansion.

Yet somehow, these people had appeared before him without warning, without a sound. He had every reason to be cautious.

The four robed figures stepped into the hall. The one who appeared to be the leader raised his hand and pulled back his hood, revealing a strikingly handsome young face.

"You're the City Lord here?" the handsome young man asked softly.

"Yes, I am Sha Qi. And you are?" Sha Qi gestured for the songstresses to withdraw and asked solemnly.

"My name is Wei Yang," the handsome youth replied with a smile. Hands clasped behind his back, he slowly strolled through the lavishly decorated hall, taking in the grandeur. After a moment, his eyes settled on Sha Qi, the corners of his lips curled in a faint smile. "You certainly know how to enjoy life."

"You flatter me, Young Master Wei." Sha Qi stood up with a smile, stepped away from his seat, and spoke with a hint of respect, "May I ask what brings you here, Young Master Wei? Do you have any instructions?"

Sha Qi was sharp. He could tell that he had run into a tough character today. As such, he didn't dare show the slightest sign of disrespect or displeasure. On the contrary, he acted with utmost humility.

Wei Yang gave him a sidelong glance, slightly surprised. He hadn't expected the man to be so perceptive.

Then again, to survive in a place like the Black-Corner Region and even rise to become a local tyrant—how many of those could really be fools?

Knowing the current situation—that was good.

"We've just arrived in the Black-Corner Region and need a place to settle," Wei Yang said plainly, directly stating his purpose without the slightest attempt at subtlety.

Upon hearing this, Sha Qi's mouth twitched, and he furrowed his brows slightly.

He understood what the other meant.

To put it bluntly, they were here to take over his turf.

The realization stirred a trace of dissatisfaction in his heart.

He had been minding his own business, sipping fine wine and enjoying music and dance—how had he provoked anyone?

Truly, disaster falls from the sky when least expected.

Sha Qi hesitated, lips parting as if to speak.

"You'd best think carefully before saying anything," Wei Yang said as he raised his hand, and from his palm, a wisp of black flame quietly rose, flickering playfully.

Sha Qi's pupils shrank sharply, a chill sweeping through his heart. He felt as though he had been plunged into an icy abyss.

"I don't like handling trivial matters," Wei Yang said, "and I need a sharp subordinate to run errands and handle things for me."

Sha Qi immediately jolted to attention, then dropped to one knee and respectfully cupped his hands. "Sha Qi greets the lord!"

"Quick on the uptake," Wei Yang nodded. The black flame in his hand dissipated as he said, "Arrange a quiet place for us to stay. Don't disturb us unless necessary. If I need anything, I'll give the order. As for Qingshan City, whatever it was before, it remains the same now. Understand?"

"Yes, yes, I understand." Sha Qi nodded repeatedly, sweat beginning to bead faintly on his forehead.

"No need to be so nervous. I'm actually quite easygoing," Wei Yang said as he looked down at him. "As long as you do your job well, I won't treat you unfairly."

"Of course, of course."

"Get up," Wei Yang waved his hand.

"Thank you, my lord." Only then did Sha Qi carefully rise to his feet.

By now, his back was already soaked in sweat.

Earlier, at the very moment that black flame appeared, he had smelled the stench of death. He had no doubt that if he had hesitated even a second longer, he'd be a corpse by now—without even a trace left behind.

After all, in a place like the Black-Corner Region, such incidents were all too common.

He couldn't help but feel a surge of relief—thankfully, he still had some value.

Just then, Xian'er and Qing Lin also removed the cloaks covering their heads and walked forward.

The moment the two women's appearances were revealed, Sha Qi's eyes involuntarily lit up with astonishment. But he quickly lowered his head again, not daring to look too long.

"My lord, the rear courtyard is quite serene and elegant. Will that suit you?" Sha Qi asked carefully.

"Just call me Young Master Wei under normal circumstances," Wei Yang replied flatly. "Go arrange it."

"Yes, of course."

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