Chapter Forty-One: Bad News

Ye Family, Council Hall!

“What did you say? That brat Ye Wuya has disappeared?” Ye Yunlong bellowed in a rage.

“According to those two girls, Ruyue and Ruxue, that’s exactly what happened,” Ye Yunque replied calmly.

“Everyone, listen to me! Search! Go and look for him! I want everyone out searching—alive or dead, I want him found. Even if you have to dig up the earth, bring him back to me!” Ye Yunlong shouted.

If Ye Wuya could have heard his father-in-law’s words at that moment, he would probably have been moved to tears.

At this moment, Ye Wuya—

Behind the mountain.

“Is anyone there?”

“Dig me out!”

“Which heartless bastard buried your lord Wuya here?”

“If it’s a man, I’ll skin him alive; if it’s a woman, I’ll—”

It was already midday, though he didn’t know when the sun had climbed so high, its blazing heat scorching the earth. The dew on the trees had long since evaporated, and Ye Wuya, sticking out his tongue, tried to cool himself like a panting dog—“Hah, hah, hah…” His head felt as if it might burst into steam.

His body, buried beneath the ground, was chilled—the earth leeching away his warmth—while above, the sun blazed mercilessly. It was a world of ice and fire.

With a wry smile, Ye Wuya muttered, “If I’d known, I would have left a note before coming here. Then Yue’er and Xue’er would know where to find me.”

He vaguely remembered hearing a woman’s voice speaking to him yesterday, as if she had talked for a very long time…

Ye Family

“Report to the head of the family: he is not among the inner clansmen!”

“Report to the head of the family: he is not among the outer clansmen either!”

“Not found? Then go out and look! Turn Ling City upside down if you must!” Ye Yunlong roared in fury. After searching all morning, they hadn’t even found a trace!

In the hall, Ye Yunlong, Ye Ruyue, Ye Ruxue, Ye Yunhu, Ye Yunwu, and Ye Yunque were all present.

As those reporting withdrew, a heavy silence fell over the room.

As noon passed and dusk approached, it felt as if the blade was sharpened, but the one who would wield it had vanished!

“Where could that brat have gone? The guards didn’t see Ye Wuya leave the Ye household,” Ye Yunhu said gravely, lost in thought.

“Yue’er, Xue’er, did Ye Wuya leave any note or clue?” Ye Yunlong asked after a moment’s thought.

Ye Ruyue shook her head. “No, he vanished as if into thin air.”

“Second Brother, do you think someone took Ye Wuya away?” Ye Yunwu interjected.

“Hmph! Who could possibly abduct a grown man from right under our noses? Besides, there were no signs of a struggle near Yue’er’s courtyard. If there had been, Yue’er and Xue’er would have noticed—don’t forget, their cultivation is higher than us old fellows now!” Ye Yunlong snorted, his eyes clouded.

“Big Brother, could it have been that senior?” Ye Yunwu suggested, shivering at the memory—especially that phrase, “Ye Third, what a temper you have…” The recollection still sent chills down his spine.

“Yue’er already said that senior has left. It shouldn’t be him,” Ye Yunlong replied, massaging his forehead in resignation.

“Big Brother, I think it’s very likely the City Lord Lingfeng is behind this,” Ye Yunhu offered after some thought.

“That matches my own suspicion. If it wasn’t someone from the Xian Yue Pavilion, then within Ling City, only the City Lord has the means to take Ye Wuya away,” Ye Yunlong said, analyzing the situation coolly.

Ye Ruxue, hearing this, grew anxious. “Father, what should we do? If my husband was really taken by the City Lord…”

“Calm yourself. This is only your father and your second uncle’s conjecture—Ye Wuya may not be with the City Lord,” Ye Yunlong reassured her, then continued, “Here’s what we’ll do: let’s split up. Yue’er, Xue’er, you go to Xian Yue Pavilion—Ye Wuya might really be there. Your uncles and I will visit the City Lord’s residence. Little sister, you stay here and oversee the search; make sure not a single place is overlooked. Let’s depart at once!”

Lu Family

“What is Ye Yunlong up to today, sending out so many people?” Lu Wushuang demanded from the head seat.

“Family head, we couldn’t find out, but it seems they’re looking for something,” the spy reported.

“I don’t want ‘seems’! Since we’re already at odds, if you can’t find out, grab a couple of them and interrogate them! If you fail, I’ll deal with you myself!” Lu Wushuang roared.

“Yes!” The spy answered and withdrew.

“Father, calm down. Judging by the current situation, they seem to be searching for something very important. As long as they haven’t found it, they won’t make any moves against our two families. In fact, this could actually work in our favor,” Lu Jie said.

“How can I calm down? Look—look at this!” Lu Wushuang tossed a letter at Lu Jie. “That old dog Lingfeng—now that the Ye family has produced someone who can rival him, he’s turned his back on us. And to think Old Mu saved his life once!”

Lu Jie glanced at the letter, and his expression darkened.

“Don’t worry, Father. As long as we get through today, the people we’ve hired from the Kill List will take care of the Ye family. Once we’ve seized their wealth, we can deal with the City Lord ourselves…” As he spoke, Lu Jie made a slashing gesture across his throat.

Lu Wushuang instantly understood and nodded with a wicked grin. “You’re a clever one, Jie’er. Let’s finish this once and for all and make ourselves the City Lords. We’re far from the emperor’s reach, and as long as we pay our tribute, the Emperor of Yan won’t care what we do.”

“Exactly, Father. As long as we get through today, that blasted Ye family and the City Lord—they’ll both be dead by this time next year,” Lu Jie chuckled.

“By the way, Jie’er, have you dealt with that Yanran girl yet?” Lu Wushuang asked.

“Not yet, Father. Yanran is quite a handful,” Lu Jie replied.

“Jie’er, the current situation is unfavorable to our Lu family, so you must win Yanran over quickly and tie the Mu family to us. I know you like that girl, but remember, those who achieve great things cannot be squeamish. If it requires less honorable means to achieve our goals, so be it,” Lu Wushuang advised, his words carrying a double meaning.

“Thank you, Father. I understand,” a flash of cruel excitement in Lu Jie’s eyes.

Ling City

City Lord’s Mansion

“City Lord Lingfeng, it’s been a while. Your cultivation seems to have deepened once more—soon, you may rank among the ten greatest masters of Yan,” Ye Yunlong said, laughing heartily and clasping his fists in greeting.

“Ah, Head of the Ye Family, you honor me. Please, come inside,” the City Lord gestured with a welcoming motion.

The group entered the mansion.

“Please, take a seat! Someone, bring tea!” At the City Lord’s command, several maids appeared, pouring tea for Ye Yunlong and his companions.

“Haha, City Lord, you’re too generous! This Hundred Flowers Tea must be quite priceless,” Ye Yunlong laughed, raising his cup and draining it in one gulp, then flipped the cup upside down to show his host.

Ye Yunhu and Ye Yunwu stood silently behind Ye Yunlong, unmoving.

“Head of the Ye Family, such boldness! No wonder you are known as the finest swordsman in Ling City. Meeting you in person is truly remarkable,” Lingfeng praised, before changing tone. “But what brings you here today with such a retinue?” He glanced at Ye Yunhu and Ye Yunwu, smiling faintly.

“No need for such formality. It’s just that Ling City has been a bit unsettled lately. I wouldn’t dare step out without a few companions—I might encounter a master like the City Lord and never come back! Ha!” Ye Yunlong replied with a forced smile.

“No need to worry—why not state your purpose directly?” Lingfeng saw through the barb, knowing Ye Yunlong was expressing his displeasure over the City Lord’s previous intervention on behalf of the Lu and Mu families.

“It’s nothing major. I just wanted to ask how my son-in-law is doing?” Ye Yunlong fixed his gaze on Lingfeng.

“Oh? Your son-in-law? He’s a man of profound cultivation, handsome, promising—” Lingfeng began to extol Ye Wuya at length, not missing an opportunity to flatter. That young man had connections with Dao Tower, after all; currying favor now could mean a meteoric rise in the future.

Clearly, Lingfeng had misunderstood Ye Yunlong’s intent.

“Ahem!” Ling Xiao, unable to watch any longer, feigned a cough.

Ye Yunlong and his party couldn’t help but twitch at the corners of their mouths. It seemed they’d come to the wrong place after all. Now it was up to Ye Ruyue and Ye Ruxue to see if their search would yield better results.

Lingfeng, realizing he may have overdone the flattery and damaged his dignity as City Lord, corrected his demeanor. “Forgive me, Head of the Ye Family. I will no longer meddle in the affairs between your family and the Lu and Mu families. You need not worry.”

Since Ye Wuya was not at the City Lord’s mansion, there was no reason to stay. Ye Yunlong stood and saluted. “Very well. We’ll take our leave, City Lord.”

“Wait! Please, Head of the Ye Family, don’t go just yet,” Lingfeng called after them.

“What, City Lord? Are you intending to detain us?” Ye Yunlong’s face immediately darkened, his tone cold.

“No need to be alarmed. I just have bad news to share,” Lingfeng said.

“What bad news?” Ye Yunlong asked.

“The people hired by the Lu and Mu families should be arriving in Ling City by tomorrow morning, so you had best prepare,” Lingfeng said, unhurried.

“What?!” Ye Yunlong and his companions were stunned. Weren’t they supposed to arrive in three days? How has it happened so quickly?

Seeing their shock, Lingfeng said, “Xiao’er, see our guests out.”

“Uncle Ye, let me escort you,” Ling Xiao offered.

“Thank you,” Ye Yunlong replied, recovering his composure. He led Ye Yunhu and Ye Yunwu out.

In no time, they reached the gates of the City Lord’s mansion. Ye Yunlong paused. “Nephew Ling Xiao, no need to go further. Visit the Ye family when you have time.”

“Take care, Uncle Ye.”

……

Ye Family

Outside the gate, Ye Yunlong returned with his two companions.

“Father, are you alright?” Ye Ruyue and Ye Ruxue hurried out to meet them.