Chapter Twenty: The Ye Family’s Upheaval

After walking for a long time…

“Xue’er, how much farther is it to the Ye family estate?” Ye Wuyá, being dragged along by the two women, asked.

The two women still walked ahead, each holding one of Ye Wuyá’s hands, skipping along cheerfully. Xue turned her head and replied, “Almost there, husband. Once we cross this street, we’ll be within our family’s territory—most of what you see ahead belongs to the Ye family!”

Ye Wuyá stopped in his tracks after hearing Xue’s words. He pulled the two women back and said, “Yue’er, have you noticed something strange about this area?”

Luyue, who had been silent until now, nodded gravely. “The closer we get to home, the quieter it becomes. Something might have happened to the family.”

“What? Sister, let’s hurry! Father and Mother could be in danger!” Xue cried anxiously. She released Ye Wuyá’s hand and sprinted towards the Ye family estate. Having reached the Spirit Gathering Realm, her speed was astonishing—she was over twenty meters away in the blink of an eye.

“Xue’er!” Ye Wuyá called out.

But Xue was already nearly out of sight.

He grabbed Luyue’s hand and chased after her, saying as he ran, “Yue’er, let’s catch up! That silly girl, I hope nothing happens to her!”

Ye Wuyá ran swiftly, but to his surprise, Luyue, also at the Spirit Gathering Realm, was actually slower than him. Anxious, he gave a powerful tug with his left arm, lifting Luyue clear off the ground.

In her startled cry, he scooped her up in a princess carry and dashed forward, channeling his energy. With each step, his powerful legs shattered the hard blue flagstones beneath them, and the force of his jump propelled them seven or eight meters at a time!

Ye Wuyá, who had never used his strength this way before, was shocked—cradling Luyue in his arms was purely instinctual, but to leap so far with someone in his arms? And he hadn’t even exerted himself, it was as easy as walking.

He leaped again, this time using only thirty percent of his strength, and felt as though he were flying. This jump covered more than ten meters. Pushing these thoughts aside, he sped up, leaping high onto rooftops, carrying Luyue as he bounded over the buildings, landing again and again…

The wind howled past them! The girl in his arms buried her face in his chest, and a cold spiritual energy emanated from her, spreading out and enveloping Ye Wuyá as well. The wind’s force lessened and even the resistance of the air decreased. So this was the Spirit Gathering Realm’s protective aura? Ye Wuyá thought.

Moments later, Ye Wuyá caught sight of Xue, running swiftly ahead. He increased his speed to catch up.

As he ran, Ye Wuyá sniffed the air, his brow furrowing. “Why does it smell of blood? Has something really happened to the Ye family?”

He no longer held back. Summoning all his strength, he raced and leaped across the rooftops.

…

With a crash, a figure dropped from above, landing on the stone road with such force that a small pit appeared, his feet sinking into the ground—evidence of the power behind the fall.

Ye Wuyá set Luyue down and looked ahead, where Xue stood frozen, having stopped running.

He led Luyue over.

Standing at Xue’s side, Ye Wuyá too was stunned. The two women clung to each other, retching uncontrollably.

Ahead, the street between the shops was strewn with corpses—bodies sprawled in all directions, severed limbs, split bellies, and pale, glistening intestines spilling out with blood, which slowly flowed to pool at Ye Wuyá’s feet.

The dead all wore clothing marked with the characters for Ye, Mu, or Lu—signifying the Ye, Lu, and Mu families. People from all three clans.

Even Ye Wuyá, who had killed before, felt nauseous. These were not zombies, but living people—life cut short. Was this world truly so cruel? He frowned slightly.

But there was something else—a surge of excitement, yes, excitement, as though his body had an instinctive thrill at the sight of so much carnage. Something within him seemed ready to erupt, his very blood seething.

That bloodlust again. Ye Wuyá was startled and quickly suppressed the urge.

He walked over to the two women, gently rubbing their backs. “Are you alright?”

“Husband, we’re alright. Let’s hurry home. These people haven’t been dead long—the fighting must have only begun. We might still be in time. Please, take us home!” Luyue said, her face pale.

“Have you ever killed anyone?” Ye Wuyá asked instead.

Both women shook their heads.

A flicker of murderous intent flashed in Luyue’s eyes. “Now I want to. The Lu and Mu families—they cannot be spared.”

Seeing their determination, Ye Wuyá knew there was no stopping them, nor should he. He thought for a moment and said, “Alright, I’ll take you back. But first, steady yourselves. When we get there, things may erupt immediately. As you are now, you’re not ready. You must listen to me—stay close and do as I say.”

The two nodded, immediately beginning to regulate their breathing.

Ye Wuyá glanced around. A few meters ahead was a smithy with the Ye family crest. He entered, looked around, and picked up a heavy sword and two lighter ones, then returned to the women.

They stood up as he emerged, their complexions much improved. They took the swords he handed them and placed them into their spatial rings.

He looked at them gravely. “Once we get there, remember to keep your swords at the ready—they are your second lives.”

Seeing the seriousness on Ye Wuyá’s face, the two nodded solemnly.

Ye Wuyá scooped them both into his arms, dashed forward a few steps, then leaped high into the air. “Yue’er, show me the way!”

“East!” Luyue pointed east.

At once Ye Wuyá carried the two women, speeding eastward.

…

After a few minutes of running at full speed, the clangor of weapons and the cries of battle reached their ears.

Ye Wuyá halted and set the women down.

Looking into the distance, he saw a vast square several hundred meters away, dense with people—a scene reminiscent of an ancient battlefield. The combatants were divided into over a hundred small engagements, blood flying as they fought. The Lu and Mu families’ forces greatly outnumbered the Ye family, surrounding them in a siege.

In the inner circle, several skirmishes raged with particular ferocity, spiritual techniques flashing and the ground shattering beneath their power.

On the outer edges, most were brawny commoners wielding all manner of weapons, locked in desperate combat.

Ye Wuyá turned to the women, his expression grave. “Ahead is a smaller skirmish, with about a dozen fighting on each side. We’ll head there first to join your family and get a sense of the situation—but you must stay alert and never leave my sight.”

The two nodded and followed Ye Wuyá toward the smaller battlefield.

As they drew near, the combatants caught sight of the three newcomers.

A burly man wielding a broadsword shouted at Ye Wuyá, “Stop! Who are you?”