Pei Yan, whose conversation had been forcibly interrupted, did not get angry. Instead, the group opposite him led by Sifuer showed signs of rising indignation. Pei Yan looked toward the source of the noise and saw a commotion breaking out beyond the crowd surrounding the plaza. People began pushing and trying to break through the blockade set up by Sifuer's subordinates. Seeing this situation, Pei Yan leaned back in his chair, crossed one leg over the other, placed his hands on his abdomen, and watched the scene unfold with interest.

"Get back! This damned place, what the hell has gone wrong? Since Raphael, have you all forgotten about respect and manners, even the most basic etiquette? The ruler of this place, Lord Sifuer of the Kataraga Autonomous Territory, is conversing with a guest, and you dare act so recklessly and presumptuously!" Although he was quite disdainful of Pei Yan's strength, he was, after all, the confirmed partner of both Miss Sifuer and Lord Bailang. Being so rudely interrupted during such negotiations constituted a provocation and insult to Kataraga and to him. He understood clearly that Miss Sifuer's deterrent power here was insufficient at the moment, and if she backed down now, this group of people would only become more brazen.

"The ruler of Kataraga doesn't need to put on airs with us, right?"

"Exactly, this refuge was previously under Lord Mayord, designated by the Holy City itself, and later Raphael. No matter how despicable he was, he gained power through strength. On what grounds do you rely, a woman?" Sneering voices intermittently emerged from the crowd, causing Sifuer's guards to alternate between blushing and paling in anger.

"Who! Who said that, come out now!" Hel shouted as she unsheathed her longsword. With her outcry and Leohard's icy gaze sweeping over the crowd, the noise gradually subsided. Suddenly, a cold snort rang out: "Hmph, Raphael had only about three hundred people. Though he eliminated dissenters and stood supreme, he only occupied those three hundred spots. Kataraga Autonomous Territory, however, is a large dominion. If they use this refuge as a foothold and rally point, how many people would flock here? A thousand? Two thousand? A refuge can only hold so many people in total. When they come, someone else will have to leave! And when they all gather, who will be able to stand against them!"

These words immediately caused a sensation within the crowd. Previously, refugees who were merely watching the spectacle were stirred up by this statement. Just as the speaker said, when some come, others have to leave. And those most likely to be squeezed out first are the elderly, weak, and defenseless among them, who have no roots or power.

Suddenly, the elegant sound of a guitar string being plucked resonated, and the agitated crowd instantly quieted down. All eyes turned to the person playing this music.

Pei Yan was seen pulling out a guitar from his spatial ring. It was a gift from his sister when he joined the military, thankfully not destroyed during the surprise attack at the Investigation Bureau headquarters by the Divine Desire. Later, he retrieved it from the lost-and-found warehouse and brought it to the Hell Plane.

Completely ignoring the gazes focused on him, Pei Yan tuned the guitar strings while muttering, "Miss Sifuer, Mr. Bailang, I've already demonstrated my strength in front of you, proving the value of my cooperation. I also hope to work with someone whose strength matches mine." He then strummed the strings, looked up, and gave Sifuer a faint smile, "That's a reasonable request, right?" With that, he said no more and began strumming the guitar, crooning a Cantonese tune of "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies" in less-than-perfect Cantonese.

"Leohard, did you hear what Mr. Shitang said? The value of the Kataraga Autonomous Territory's existence is now being challenged and questioned!" Initially quite agitated, Sifuer calmed down upon hearing Pei Yan's words. She sat back in her chair, managing a smile while her tone remained icy.

Schwing, schwing, schwing — dozens of longswords were drawn simultaneously. The Hell Wolves behind the crowd raised their heads and let out chilling howls. Eagle-headed beasts soared into the sky, circling continuously. Leohard, whose name Sifuer had called, vaporized and charged into the crowd, thrusting his sword at the earlier provocateur.

The sound of blades clashing rang out, followed immediately by a series of explosions. The provocateur had originally intended to threaten the Sifuer Clan with the prevailing circumstances, trying to force her to hand over control of the refuge's star disk by leveraging her unstable position and secure a share in the negotiations to guarantee his side's interests in the refuge. However, no one expected that after Pei Yan's provocative words, the opposing party would tear down all pretenses and start fighting outright.

Caught off guard, the small fry who had earlier spoken provocatively was effortlessly beheaded by Leohard and thrown into the center of the field. If this had happened elsewhere, the act might indeed have been enough to intimidate petty rogues. However, in the Hell Realm, where the Demon Race is accustomed to fierce and continual private skirmishes, such a scene did not quell the situation. Instead, the bloody display further incited the bloodthirsty nature of these desperadoes. Immediately, those who had been planted within the crowd beforehand, as if having scented blood like sharks, leaped out to join the fray before their leader could issue orders.

In no time, the entire plaza was filled with the sounds of shouting, explosions, and wailing in a cacophony. As more people leapt into the fray from the crowd, Sifuer's side, with its smaller numbers, began to fall into a disadvantage. Despite her subordinates being veterans of many battles, and Leohard in particular holding his own against five attackers, the overwhelming numerical disadvantage proved costly. Soon, injuries forced some back into retreat, and with the defensive line formed by her subordinates on the brink of being overrun by the masses, Bailang could no longer remain seated. He slammed the table, ready to join the fight.

"Annoying!" It was at this moment that the incoherent singing abruptly ceased. Pei Yan patted the guitar with an expression of exasperation, and then lightly flicked his fingers to create a snapping sound. A light curtain appeared in the air, followed by a massive pillar of light sweeping over everyone's heads with a powerful shockwave, reducing the upper half of a three-story building on the street side to rubble.

Amid the flying debris of the demolished building, both sides, swept off their feet by the shockwave, immediately ceased their fighting. The townspeople were all familiar with the scene of Pei Yan's triumphant power on the day in question, and not knowing his current stance, dared not act rashly. Meanwhile, the Sifuer subordinates who had gathered at the refuge gaped in shock at the recent attack. Even Leohard turned his head, squinting as he looked toward Pei Yan, finally putting away his contempt. For the first time, a solemn expression appeared on his face.

"I truly don't understand how, given the state of your world, you still have the mind to bicker over power here. Yet, perhaps this is one face of human greed and selfishness. In this regard, there seems to be little difference between us." Pei Yan spoke while strumming the guitar strings again, then lifted his head and, casting a cold gaze over those present, said, "But I am not here to be a savior, nor a judge. I have my purposes and important matters to attend to, and I don't wish to waste time repeatedly on such trivialities. So, if you wish to negotiate, send a few representatives to state your terms and goals. Don't waste my precious time with your endless bickering!"