The Black Hawk unit leader's full name was Jin Ling. He was the leader of Black Hawk Special Forces Unit 1. Since childhood, he'd faithfully performed assigned duties without fail.
This time he received very special orders from above. Because yesterday's incident with the huge wave of power spreading throughout City A made the military restless.
In this era, even Tier 4 treasure was considered valuable. Never mind pills or treasures Tier 5 or higher. Because they were like legends—no one in this era could create or concoct them.
Only inherited items remained.
Therefore, the military gave it great importance. If it was an unknown pill, that meant opening new doors that might push cultivators' power beyond Grandmaster level.
That made the military go to such lengths. Willing to be rude without caring about anything.
Jin Ling was truly just an unfortunate man. He merely had to unavoidably follow his duty and received orders.
So what kind of being did he provoke this time?
Jin Ling ground his teeth. His 5th-stage Martial Master cultivation power was like a useless toy before this young woman. He didn't even have strength to stand. Could only kneel like a subject swearing allegiance to royalty.
The rest in the room were no different. Black Hawk soldiers lay trembling on the floor fearfully. They were well-trained special forces. But facing one young woman, they couldn't even look up.
As for Han Xiaoyi, Yifan, and Ting Kangming, their condition looked worse than anyone. As if the pressure where they were was heavier than elsewhere. Because besides lying on the floor, their faces couldn't be pulled away.
One side of their faces was flattened by the pressure until pig-like. Especially Han Xiaoyi whose cultivation power was lowest—she could only move her limbs while tears streamed down.
All haughtiness and young miss attitude gone.
What was happening!?
The Tang house's servants and caretakers watched the scene without understanding. Suddenly soldiers and noble guests all lay trembling on the floor. Those beside them were shocked and looked at each other.
Tang Tianjie behind Bai Fanxian watched the scene with trembling body. Because the Tang people on that side weren't affected by Grandmaster Bai's pressure at all. That meant she could control pressure to the level of distinguishing friend from foe!
He glanced at the young woman fearfully. That noble face was icy cold in a way he'd never seen. Normally Grandmaster Bai was quite simple and extremely kind to her people.
Today he saw what happened if she was truly displeased!
Bai Fanxian watched the scene before her with calm, unshaken gaze. She crossed one leg and sat cross-legged with the bearing of a queen. The ordinary guest chair suddenly looked like a throne. Her nobility and authority burst forth as if she were a great empress looking down on all under heaven!
This was one of her faces!
Another reason why she was called "Empress" ten thousand years ago!
Don't think she was simple and kind. Because she was only kind to her own people! See from the first—she didn't care about Hui'er lying by the roadside at all. If not because she was impressed by those determined eyes and felt fate, even a little girl like Hui'er she'd be too lazy to care about!
But once she considered someone hers, as long as they didn't betray the trust she gave, she was ready to take their side and help without caring about any consequences!
The Tang Clan right now—she considered them half hers. Because they facilitated her in many ways. And importantly, they didn't cross lines she set.
She quite liked people who knew how to conduct themselves appropriately like this Tang Clan.
Moreover, the tea they served had quite good taste...
"..."
Bai Fanxian stared at the Black Hawk unit leader Jin Ling. The one being watched felt his whole body trembling. Jin Ling realized he was intruding on a being he shouldn't intrude upon.
The young man swallowed dryly. He used all his strength to raise both hands together as martial world people did to apologize.
"E-Elder Bai, please calm down first..."
He tried to plead. And didn't dare call the young woman before him Miss Bai like Tang Xiuhan, fearing rudeness. For a being possessing this level of power, he didn't know what term to use besides Elder.
But Elder only in martial terms.
He didn't know this still-young woman's actual age exceeded his by hundreds of times!
Though she herself only had 25 years of normal memories.
"...What to do with you?"
Bai Fanxian uttered only 4 words. But these four words rang into listeners' souls. Both ice-cold and indifferent, as if they had no value in her eyes at all!
"...Th-this time we were wrong. Please forgive our rudeness!"
Jin Ling's voice shook. Each word spoken was gritted out with difficulty. Because Bai Fanxian's pressure pressing on their bodies still hadn't decreased at all.
"...Hmm?"
Bai Fanxian raised an eyebrow.
"...You think it's that simple?"
Bai Fanxian's final words came with pressure increasing nearly double! Even Jin Ling-level being had to use both hands to brace the floor. Otherwise his face would definitely go flat on the floor!
It was certain Bai Fanxian's power wasn't just this!
This was truly only a fraction of her power!
"The-the military apologizes for intruding on you, Elder... At least please release my people. I-I'll accept this fault myself..."
Jin Ling tried to speak pleadingly. He looked toward Bai Fanxian while begging.
"Ch-Chief..."
"No... I'll stay."
The Black Hawk unit people, though lying trembling on the floor, when hearing their chief plead to release them, quickly used all their strength to stop him.
"No... Elder, I gave the orders myself... They have nothing to do with it."
Jin Ling spoke with difficulty. But after speaking, he looked at Bai Fanxian with determination.
He was their leader. These people entrusted their lives to him. Therefore he must take responsibility for bringing them back alive!
Bai Fanxian narrowed her eyes at Jin Ling and all the Black Hawk people. At that instant, her pressure suddenly shot through the sky for a brief moment. But it secretly planted pressure and fear in their minds.
Jin Ling felt as if he'd just faced death in a blink. All body hair stood on end. Cold sweat poured from his body until his uniform was soaked.
"...Mm."
Whoosh.
The pressure pressing on Jin Ling and Black Hawk soldiers disappeared instantly as if it had never existed. They slowly sat up with dazed faces. Especially Jin Ling, who was so surprised he couldn't speak, then turned to look at Bai Fanxian with an incredulous face.
"E-Elder?"
"You may go..."
Bai Fanxian merely waved lightly in dismissal. Making them who could stand see that besides the Black Hawk unit, people from the Han Clan, the three bodyguards, Yi Clan, including Ting Kangming still lay trembling on the floor as before.
That made Jin Ling understand something. This young woman could control pressure extremely skillfully! At first, because of the pressure making him not notice that Tang Clan people on the same side weren't affected at all!
Grandmaster... and might even be a high-level Grandmaster!?
Thinking of that possibility, Jin Ling couldn't help trembling again. This time he'd almost mistakenly led the military to intrude on a powerful being!
"...Thank you for your mercy... Elder Bai. May I presume to know your full name?"
Before leaving, Jin Ling bowed and asked politely. He still feared that tremendous power.
Bai Fanxian merely raised her tea to sip again, with Uncle Huang knowingly pouring anew.
"Bai Fanxian..."
"I'll remember... and will prepare gifts to apologize for our rudeness both to you, Elder, and the Tang Clan properly."
Jin Ling didn't forget what he'd said. And knew Bai Fanxian was subtly protecting the Tang Clan. So didn't forget to mention the Tang Clan too.
"We take our leave. Thank you for Elder Bai's mercy!"
"Thank you, Elder Bai, for your mercy!"
Black Hawk officials bowed in unison and quickly left as fast as possible. Each face still filled with fear, so they hurriedly rushed out of this house fastest.
What made her release them easily was because they merely had to follow orders from above. They were military people. Couldn't disobey orders. Moreover, she was somewhat impressed by Jin Ling's sacrifice and honesty.
Because he'd said he wouldn't damage anything.
They inspected carefully and nothing in the Tang Clan was damaged.
He said he'd compensate the Tang Clan.
He truly hadn't forgotten.
That made her willing to release him and his people this easily.
Though he pressed until the little girls behind her almost cried, that certainly wasn't intentional. He intended to pressure her. Just because both little girls clung behind her and wouldn't go anywhere, they got that pressure too.
"Now then..."
Bai Fanxian set her teacup on the table. Her extremely calm gaze full of authority swept to look at remaining people in the room.
"...What to do with you all?"