Chapter 85: Arranging a Meal

Bang!
The brick covered in black energy struck Zhang Lingyu’s face with immense force. Under the powerful impact, the brick instantly shattered into pieces.
Zhang Lingyu’s forward momentum was abruptly halted; even the thunder law enveloping him was destroyed in that single blow.
The brick seemed ordinary at first glance.
But in truth, Ye Yan had used it to unleash the signature move of the Night Watchers, “A Timely Kick.”
Anyone struck by it would inevitably fall into a state of unconsciousness. That was why Zhang Lingyu’s thunder law was instantly dispelled.
His resistance to dizziness simply wasn’t maxed out.
He took the hit full-on and couldn’t withstand it.
Zhang Lingyu’s body, charging forward, went limp and collapsed to the ground in an undignified posture.
From start to finish, the battle lasted only a few seconds. The onlookers were stunned by this sudden turn of events, staring with wide eyes and gaping mouths.
“No way, is Ye Liangchen really that strong? He took Zhang Lingyu out in a single move!”
“That’s the True Person Lingyu!”
“You don’t know? There’s a rumor going around online that Ye Liangchen is actually Ye Yan himself, the true leader among the younger generation… Don’t tell me you haven’t heard?”
“Ye Yan, Ye Liangchen?”
“Is that for real?”
…
The hushed discussions spread through the crowd, as those in the know explained to those who weren’t.
If Ye Liangchen’s identity had been merely speculation before, it was now thoroughly confirmed. Who else but Ye Yan could defeat Zhang Lingyu in a single move?
Even Zhuge Qing probably couldn’t do it.
Listening to the chatter around him, Ye Yan realized his true identity was probably impossible to hide now.
But he had no intention of admitting it.
As long as he didn’t acknowledge it, no one could claim with certainty that he was Ye Yan. Once the Great Luo Heavenly Ceremony ended, let the world do as it would—as long as he didn’t feel awkward, it would be others who felt embarrassed.
No need to care.
After the commotion between Ye Yan and Zhang Lingyu, the atmosphere around them froze completely.
It was no longer as joyful as before.
Ye Yan paid it no mind. He simply drained the last mouthful of beer, then left the bonfire gathering under everyone’s gaze.
Leaving behind a crowd exchanging bewildered glances.

…
…
Not far from the bonfire gathering, the old Grandmaster Zhang Zhiwei pushed General Tian Jinzhong’s wheelchair and watched the entire scene unfold.
“Senior brother, you just stood by and watched Lingyu get defeated like that? Such a sharp gap—this must be a heavy blow for him.”
Tian Jinzhong was worried about Zhang Lingyu’s situation. He feared the young disciple wouldn’t be able to handle the setback and might lose heart.
After all, the difference between him and Ye Yan was not slight, but vast as the heavens.
The old Grandmaster was unfazed, speaking calmly, “A blow is good. In life, if you don’t go through some setbacks, how can you grow?”
“In my eyes, Lingyu is a promising seedling. He’s strong, resilient, but his personality is too proud. Among the younger generation, he’s rarely matched. He’s been this way since childhood.”
“One who’s never tasted defeat can never climb to greater heights.”
“Senior brother, you’re not wrong, but Lingyu is still so young. You’re being a bit hasty.”
“Lingyu, young?”
The old Grandmaster said quietly, “When I was Lingyu’s age, Master secretly taught me the Huaiyi Thunder Law to temper my heart.”
At those words, Tian Jinzhong sighed.
He knew this well. As the senior disciple of Dragon Tiger Mountain, Zhang Zhiwei had indeed received “special treatment” from the previous generation of Grandmasters.
There was no argument about that.
When he was young, Zhang Zhiwei also dominated his peers—but unlike Zhang Lingyu today, his pride was born from deep self-confidence.
Confident and unrestrained.
How could Tian Jinzhong not understand his senior brother’s intentions?
But he was still worried. He had watched Zhang Lingyu grow up and didn’t want to see him become depressed or give up.
“Don’t worry, junior brother. I believe Lingyu won’t be defeated by such a trivial matter.”
“Stop fretting.”
“Alright.”
Tian Jinzhong shook his head. Though his heart was anxious, the matter had already happened; there was little point in dwelling on it.
One step at a time.
Seeing his junior brother in such a state, Zhang Zhiwei sighed helplessly, keeping his thoughts to himself.
Even without this unexpected event, he had already discussed with Ye Yan that he would let Zhang Lingyu suffer some setbacks during the Great Luo Heavenly Ceremony.
He simply hadn’t expected the conflict to erupt so quickly.
Though abrupt, the effect was the same.

…
…
Leaving the bonfire gathering, Ye Yan walked alone. Before he reached his quarters, his phone vibrated—an incoming message from Wang Ye.
“You just can’t sit still wherever you go, huh?”
The message was brief, just one sentence, but Ye Yan understood his meaning.
He smiled knowingly and quickly typed a reply: “Why didn’t you attend?”
Ye Yan hadn’t seen Wang Ye at the bonfire. As a contestant, Wang Ye should have been invited, but clearly hadn’t shown up—probably by choice.
“Not really my kind of scene.”
Wang Ye’s reply was expected. Ye Yan thought for a moment and asked, “What are you up to now?”
“Just hanging out.”
Wang Ye responded casually.
“Want to grab a drink?”
Ye Yan figured it was a good opportunity to get together—they hadn’t met since the start of the Great Luo Heavenly Ceremony.
“Sure.”
Wang Ye replied. Compared to the noisy gathering, a quiet drink with friends was far more appealing.
“Alright, get ready—we’ll meet at the front mountain. I’ll introduce you to a friend.”
“See you at the front mountain.”
After closing the chat, Ye Yan contacted Tang Wenlong.
“Out for drinks?”
Tang Wenlong replied quickly: “Location?”
“Front mountain, Three Bowls Tavern.”
“I’ll be there soon.”
After inviting Wang Ye and Tang Wenlong, Ye Yan changed clothes and headed straight for the back mountain.
Because of the bonfire gathering, the path was deserted, with almost no passersby.
Ye Yan crossed the back mountain, heading for the bustling front mountain. Soon, he saw Wang Ye and Tang Wenlong waiting at the entrance to the Three Bowls Tavern.