Chapter 40: A Tiger Bullied by Dogs in the Lowlands

The person speaking at this moment was a middle-aged man whom Su Zhenglong recognized—he was the head of the Luo family, a second-tier clan.

His name was Luo Tong, and in his youth, Su Zhenglong had beaten him mercilessly more than once.

"So it is Head Luo Tong. Since you are still alive, how could I, Su Zhenglong, die so easily?"

Even though Su Zhenglong was currently heavily injured, he remained full of imposing momentum when facing Luo Tong.

*Bang!*

Just as his voice fell, a heavy thud erupted from Su Xuefeng's direction, followed by his aged voice: "Su Zhenglong, how dare you speak to Head Luo like that? Apologize to him immediately."

Su Zhenglong stood there, stunned. His father was actually making him apologize in public to a member of a second-tier family—a former loser to his fists?

And all he had done was offer a verbal retort.

Clenching his fists tightly, Su Zhenglong kept a cold face and did not respond.

Beside Su Xuefeng, Su Zhengtao's leisurely voice rang out: "Big brother, don't you remember that your serious illness affects your hearing? Did you not hear Father's words clearly?"

Meanwhile, sitting beside Su Xuefeng, Luo Tong let out continuous sneers, his face full of mockery.

The Su family's recent days had not been easy. The Chu family had severed all ties with them, and the other two major families were equally unfriendly. Therefore, Su Xuefeng had to place importance on these second-tier families.

If the Luo family wanted to lean on the Su family, the condition was precisely this: Su Zhenglong had to improve his attitude toward them.

Su Zhenglong gritted his teeth hard. Remembering that he had come here today to reconcile, he finally lowered his voice and said, "I am sorry, Head Luo."

"What did you say? I didn't hear you clearly," Luo Tong pushed his advantage, his voice arrogant.

At this moment, the unable-to-restrain Sikong Jing wanted to take a step forward, but Su Zhenglong blocked him and said again, "I am sorry, Head Luo. My words were unpleasant and caused you distress."

"Ha, hahaha..." Luo Tong burst into loud laughter, utterly brazen.

The entire crowd followed suit, laughing along. This was the genius who had once been invincible in the Yunye region!

Suddenly, a new voice rang out: "Su Zhenglong, I heard your son-in-law is a criminal. I wonder what crime he committed?"

Su Zhenglong's jaw tightened.

Su Xuefeng continued to bark, "If your ears are not broken, then answer him."

Taking a deep breath and suppressing his rage, Su Zhenglong replied as best he could, "He merely offended someone; he did not commit any crime."

He didn't know exactly what crime Sikong Jing had committed to be exiled.

But it was obvious, given his temperament, that he had merely offended someone and was certainly not truly guilty.

"Master Su, your daughter is so ugly; how do you have the face to bring her to Old Master Su's birthday banquet? Aren't you afraid of scaring the guests away?" another middle-aged woman asked with a flirtatious laugh.

This woman was none other than Luo Tong's wife.

At this moment, a murderous intent flashed in Sikong Jing's eyes, but he was held back firmly by Su Yuexi and Mei Xiaofang, who shook their heads vigorously at him.

They had to endure today. In their hearts, if they did not endure, Sikong Jing would surely die.

Then, one humiliating question after another came crashing down upon them.

Su Zhenglong felt as if his chest were about to collapse under the pressure, and Mei Xiaofang was on the verge of tears, her eyes bloodshot.

As for Sikong Jing, he was etching every single one of these faces into his memory. More importantly, he was waiting for Su Xuefeng's reaction after seeing the gift for his father-in-law to see if he could be moved.

Of course, regardless of whether Su Xuefeng remained obstinate, Sikong Jing would make these people pay the price!

"Enough. My son's health is not good; stop asking."

Su Xuefeng seemed to realize that he was also losing face, so he stopped the crowd from continuing their questioning.

At this time, Su Zhenglong finally let out a long breath. Staring intently at Su Xuefeng, he said, "Father, I wish you longevity like the Southern Mountains and blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea. This is your birthday gift from your son."

As he spoke, he signaled the hired workers to push in the statue of Su Yuexi's grandmother.

Of course, it was still inside a large crate, so for the moment, no one except them knew what was inside.

Su Xuefeng froze for a moment, then waved his hand dismissively. "Such a large thing... I suppose you were sincere in your plea for forgiveness. Just leave it there."

He then ordered the workers to toss it into a corner, where gifts were already piled like mountains.

Seeing this, Su Zhenglong hurriedly asked, "Father, won't you open it and take a look?"

As soon as the words fell, Su Xuefeng said irritably, "There are so many guests right now; how do I have time to look at your gift? The best gift you could give me right now is to get rid of this criminal."

Having said that, he ignored Su Zhenglong entirely and didn't care what was in the large crate.

"Grandpa, this is my birthday gift to you."

Just then, Su Yun walked out gracefully and handed over a long box.

The smile immediately returned to Su Xuefeng's face. He opened the box in front of everyone, revealing a blade inside.

Taking it out without hesitation, Su Xuefeng smiled, "A fine blade! Xiao Yun truly is my little sweetheart. Grandpa likes it very much."

Compared to Su Zhenglong earlier, his attitude was completely different.

Then, Su Yun looked toward Su Yuexi and asked triumphantly, "Su Yuexi, what gift have you prepared for Grandpa?"

Hearing this, Su Yuexi immediately looked at Sikong Jing.

Without a word, Sikong Jing immediately handed the box he had prepared to Su Yuexi.

Then, Su Yuexi carried it to Su Xuefeng's front and said softly, "Grandpa, this is the gift from Jing-gege and me. We wish you..."

Before she could finish, Su Yun suddenly snatched the box from Su Yuexi's hands, shouting, "Let me see what you two sent!"

Before Su Yuexi could react, Su Yun had already opened it.

She didn't believe Su Yuexi could have sent anything good, and she intended to humiliate her in public upon opening it.

"A green jade slab?"

When Su Yun's gaze fell upon the contents of the box, she cried out instinctively.

The entire hall fell silent once more. Then, Su Yun took the green jade slab out and inspected it, saying, "It really is a green jade slab, and the lowest quality kind at that—three for a hundred copper crystals."

Su Yun had expected Su Yuexi's gift to be poor, but she hadn't expected it to be this bad.

At the same time, Su Xuefeng's expression turned extremely unsightly.

Su Zhenglong and his wife were stunned, looking at Sikong Jing in disbelief.

Hadn't he said this gift would make Su Xuefeng overjoyed? What was the meaning of sending the lowest quality green jade slabs?

No one believed that there could be anything good inside a green jade slab; it was impossible to engrave good martial techniques on them.

"Ha, hahaha..."

Suddenly, Luo Tong clutched his stomach and roared with laughter. "Old Master Su, is this granddaughter of yours trying to kill me with laughter? Of all things to send, she sends this junk? A green jade slab? Even a few sheets of high-quality green jade paper would have been better!"

It wasn't just Luo Tong; the entire crowd went mad with laughter.

Su Xuefeng's face turned bright red. He didn't feel ashamed when the crowd insulted Su Zhenglong, but when Su Yuexi and Sikong Jing presented the green jade slab, he felt as though his dignity had been completely stripped away.

"Su Yun, smash it!" Su Xuefeng barked harshly, showing no mercy.