C17 I Am the One in Charge of This City!

People were ignorant, unaware of the reasons behind the existence of heaven and earth, yet they undervalued themselves. They didn't understand the depths of human suffering, yet they boasted without shame. Everyone in the world has the right to live, but not everyone can live according to their desires.

Yang Huang planned to diligently cultivate at the Hidden Corpse Hall, intending to remain out of sight for three to five years. However, such decisions were not his to make. In reality, just three days after his return to the Hidden Corpse Hall, his father summoned him home.

His family's residence was in the most secure part of the city center, within a Villa District known as Imperial Jade Mansion, also referred to as the Central Villa Group. Spanning over five hundred acres, it housed fewer than two hundred families, making it the abode of some of the most influential individuals in Hanjing City.

The military had deployed a regiment of their finest soldiers around the perimeter of the Imperial Jade Mansion, all equipped with the latest in advanced weaponry. Among these soldiers, there were many Evolvers.

An officer adorned with two stars on his shoulder escorted Yang Huang into the Imperial Jade Mansion. The officer remained silent throughout their journey, casting a disdainful glance at Yang Huang upon completion of his task before departing alone.

Truthfully, Yang Huang had little desire to step foot into this so-called home. He would rather spend his days among the corpses at the Hidden Corpse Hall or face the myriad dangers that had arisen since Earth's transformation than return to this place.

His reluctance wasn't because his family members were all Evolvers, but because they had coldly abandoned him for not becoming one himself.

Yang Huang had always believed that family meant having someone by your side through hardship, embarrassment, and even when all other paths seemed closed. Yet, he had never experienced such support.

Since Earth's transformation, everything had changed. His parents' disappointment in him grew, while relatives and friends deliberately kept their distance, treating him as if he were a filthy rat that had spent its life in the sewers.

He had wanted to share everything with his parents, to tell them that even though he wasn't an Evolver, he possessed a potential and strength that surpassed theirs. But the events of three years prior had extinguished his hope, leading him to completely lose faith in the family that had brought him into this world.

In his view, once something as unfathomable as the Heaven Earth Mutation had occurred, nothing else could truly be called inconceivable. It was merely a matter of evading the facts before him and a reflection of his own lack of confidence in his worldview.

Yang Huang had lived through all of this, which is why he now harbored little fondness for his family.

Today, the Yang Family Villa was abuzz with activity. Nearly every relative had converged there, along with a few friends.

There's always a reason behind such gatherings.

Half a month prior, word had spread that Yang Buxian, Yang Huang's grandfather, had divined a prophecy, suggesting that Yang Huang would be the greatest beneficiary of the secrets of Dragon Tiger Mountain.

The news spread like wildfire throughout the Yang family, becoming common knowledge. Though the struggle for Dragon Tiger Mountain was reportedly unresolved, everyone was aware that Yang Huang had long since departed and returned to his Corpses Processing Center.

Even before the news broke, the Yang family had heard rumors of Yang Huang's potential windfall from the Dragon Tiger Mountain affair. Coupled with Yang Xiaoyan's odd behavior since her recent return, their belief in the prophecy was unwavering.

Yang Huang gazed impassively at the mansion before him, once the very foundation of his existence.

He strode past the guards and into the mansion.

Inside the first-floor hall, a long table with over a dozen seats was fully occupied. Around it stood many more individuals, all kin to Yang Huang, whether they kept their distance or hovered nearby.

"Yang Huang, aren't you going to kneel and pay respects to your elders?"

Upon Yang Huang's arrival, a young man about his age, a distant cousin and fellow Evolver, called out to him with a cold command.

"Hello," Yang Huang responded with a nod, acknowledging the middle-aged and elderly men seated at the long table, including his father and various uncles. As a younger member of the family, politeness dictated that he greet them.

Yet, having been away for so many years, his connection to the family had waned. His greeting was as perfunctory as the basic civility one would extend to a stranger.

"Yang Huang, are you asking for trouble? I said kneel. Don't you know what that means?" The young man's gaze was icy as he glared at Yang Huang, his voice laced with anger.

"Disrespectful trash like you is exactly why you can't become an Evolver. With that kind of attitude, imagine the chaos you'd cause if you had any real power," a young woman standing beside him said, her arms folded and her head cocked to the side, the scorn in her eyes unmistakable.

"Exactly. Does an ordinary person like you think the world hasn't changed? Do you still see yourself as the young master of the Yang family? You're completely out of touch, living in a fantasy," another young man jeered.

Yang Huang was taken aback by the barrage of insults from his relatives. He hadn't expected a simple "hello" to trigger such a litany of accusations, instantly diminishing his worth to nothing.

He chose to remain silent, not wishing to dignify their comments with a response. He didn't even feel like taking another step; it was as if he and these people were from different worlds.

"Son, come here," a voice called from the head of the long table. A middle-aged man with a square face and a beard, Yang Guozhong, his father, beckoned to him, ignoring the young people's taunts.

With a sigh, Yang Huang resigned himself to approach. Despite his reluctance, he couldn't ignore his father's summons.

"Yang Huang, I've heard about your recent trip to Dragon Tiger Mountain. If you've found anything, bring it out now," Yang Guozhong said.

Before Yang Huang could respond, a dark-skinned middle-aged man across the table banged his fist down and demanded attention.

Yang Guozhong merely frowned, offering no further comment.

"Uncle Yang Tong, it's been years. You seem to be in good health, very spirited," Yang Huang remarked with a light chuckle, addressing the impatient man.

"Enough talk. Hand over what you've got, and you can leave," Yang Tong said brusquely, making it clear that Yang Huang wouldn't be allowed to leave the Yang family's presence without surrendering whatever he had acquired from Dragon Tiger Mountain.

"Son, how are you faring at the Corpses Processing Center? If it's not to your liking, I can find a way to bring you back. There have been some resource companies established in Hanjing City recently, and I could arrange a position for you there," Yang Guozhong said, his gaze fixed on Yang Huang, revealing a complex mix of emotions, rather than looking at Yang Tong.

He harbored an inexplicable sentiment towards this son. For one, Yang Huang struck him as peculiar, yet he couldn't quite pinpoint the oddity. Moreover, his son was incredibly intelligent but kept his talents well-concealed; many aspects of his life remained a mystery even to his own father.

Additionally, he had suffered a bout of madness three years prior and feared he might have wronged his son during that time, though the details eluded him.

Despite everything, this was his flesh and blood, and he had little patience for the biases held by other relatives and the younger generation.

"No need. I believe the Corpses Processing Center is the most fitting place for me at the moment. I've grown accustomed to life there," Yang Huang replied succinctly. As he faced his father, a surge of emotion nearly overwhelmed him, but he managed to maintain his composure, as was his nature.

"Yang Huang, don't be ungrateful. Do you really think I won't leave you to rot here with your worthless life?" Yang Tong fumed upon realizing that Yang Huang hadn't even glanced his way.

His status was esteemed, and he wouldn't tolerate disrespect from anyone.

Yang Huang gave Yang Tong a measured look, his expression unchanged. He was about to respond when a loud thud resonated through the room.

"Insolence!" Yang Guozhong had reached his limit. He glared furiously at his elder brother across the table, his anger radiating a palpable pressure that made nearly everyone present break out in a cold sweat.

Yang Huang's pupils contracted sharply, taken aback by the intensity of his father's aura, which was alarmingly formidable.

"His aura is tens of thousands of times stronger than mine..." Yang Huang felt a chill in his chest, realizing he had still greatly underestimated the world. He had believed that after cultivating the Grand Upper Essence Returning Divine One Qi, he would be without equal on Earth. He was mistaken. Now, he felt as insignificant as an ant, recognizing his perspective was far too narrow.

Yang Tong was desperately trying to withstand the overwhelming pressure, using every ounce of energy in his body to resist. He had no other option, as his legs were shaking uncontrollably. Without the flow of energy within him, he would have collapsed to his knees right there.

"How can there be such a vast difference!" Yang Tong was drenched in sweat, screaming internally.

Both were Evolvers who had emerged after the Heaven Earth Mutation, and both had begun their cultivation three years prior. Yet, he couldn't fathom why the other's strength so vastly exceeded his own.

The oppressive force, though aimed at Yang Tong, caused suffering for the surrounding family members as well. Some of the younger ones could no longer endure and had collapsed to the ground, shaking. The young men and women who had previously insulted Yang Huang were now ashen-faced and teetering on the edge of collapse.

"You all actually thought that by bringing Yang Huang here today, you could coerce him into surrendering his fortune. I am tempted to kill every single one of you!" Yang Guozhong's eyes turned a shade redder, his bloodthirsty aura filling the hall and making the once-proud Evolvers desperate to flee the room.

Yang Guozhong's statement caused Yang Huang to furrow his brow slightly. His inherent distrust, especially towards those who treated him kindly, made him question the other's motives.

"Let me make this clear. This place, this land, the entirety of Hanjing City, I call the shots!" Yang Guozhong's gaze hardened as he glared fiercely at Yang Tong.

Yang Tong, who had been barely hanging on, finally reached his limit. He toppled off the stool, rolled his eyes back, and passed out.

"And another thing. This man... is my son! Even if he has no strength, he is far more noble than any of you! Your lives put together wouldn't even amount to the value of his 'worthless' life!"