Chapter Forty-Two: The Night of Spring Disperses

"We're fine. Have you found that boy yet?" Ye Yunlong asked.

Ye Ruyue and the other woman shook their heads. "No, we haven't. But an old grandmother at Immortal Moon House told us that Husband is cultivating a supreme martial art in a very quiet place. She said we shouldn't disturb him, and that he would come back naturally when he's finished."

Ye Wuyá was speechless.

"We're out of time! Give the order—everyone must be ready for battle at a moment's notice!" Ye Yunlong commanded, sinking heavily into his seat at the head of the hall.

"Father, what's happened? Weren't we supposed to attack the Lu and Mu families tonight?" Ye Ruyue asked, puzzled by the change in schedule.

"City Lord Lingfeng said the Lu and Mu families have hired help arriving early tomorrow morning, so the time has been moved up." Ye Yunlong replied gravely.

"City Lord Lingfeng? Isn't he on the side of the Lu and Mu families? Why would he tell us? Could it be false information?" Ye Yunque frowned.

"It shouldn't be false. There's no reason for that. If it were a trap, he could have kept us at the City Lord’s mansion. Even if my three brothers together could fight him to a standstill, we'd still be the ones to fall in the end. So regardless of whether the information is true or not, send the order—all Ye family members are to assemble and await orders. Recall everyone outside and have them hurry back with all speed!" Ye Yunlong ordered.

"But Father, our overall strength..." Ye Ruyue expressed her worry. Without Ye Wuyá, even though their top-level fighters outnumbered the Lu and Mu families by two, their overall power was still significantly lacking.

If their top fighters couldn’t swiftly end the battle, the Ye family would be doomed.

"We can’t wait any longer. Even if Ye Wuyá comes back, it won’t turn the tide. Any assassin who makes it onto the Kill List is at least at the Form Condensation level. All we can do now is fight to the death!" Ye Yunlong sighed. "Yue’er, if the worst comes to pass and there’s no hope for the Ye family, we’ll cover your retreat. Take Xue’er and find that boy. Only return when you’re strong enough!"

"Father, we don’t—"

"Enough! Listen to your father. If things come to that, Ye Tian and the others will leave as well. You are all the pride of the Ye family. When you have the strength, return and avenge us!" Ye Yunque interjected sternly.

"Yunque, while we were out, did anything happen?" Ye Yunlong asked.

"Yes! Five direct descendants of the Ye family have disappeared. There’s still no word from them," Ye Yunque replied.

...

City Lord’s Mansion.

"Xiao’er, it’s almost time. Send the order—lock down the city. Ordinary citizens must bar their doors and windows. Anyone who disobeys, their life and death is their own affair," Lingfeng said, glancing at the sky.

"Yes, Father. I’ll go right away..."

The Lu Family.

"Report!"

"What is it?" Lu Wushuang sat leisurely at his table, sipping tea.

"Master, our spies have returned. All Ye family shops, markets, and ranches have been closed. Everyone is gathering at the Ye family estate!" the spy reported rapidly.

"What! Damn it, some news must’ve leaked," Lu Wushuang cursed, then steadied himself. "Notify the Mu family at once, and gather everyone. Prepare for battle!"

"Yes, sir!" someone replied, rushing out to carry out his orders.

"Elder, hasn’t Li’er returned yet?" Lu Wushuang asked.

"Patriarch, the young master went out to train five years ago. He was accepted as the last disciple by an elder of the Blazing Sun Sect. We notified him as soon as our family was in trouble. The letter said he’s already broken through to the Form Condensation level and is rushing here overnight. He’ll arrive in Ling City by dawn at the latest," the elder replied.

"What? He’s broken through to the Form Condensation level?" Lu Wushuang was stunned, then overjoyed. "At last, some good news! If we can hold on until Li’er and the expert we hired arrive, with two Form Condensation level fighters, Ling City will be ours! Hahaha!"

"By the way, did those Ye family captives confess anything? What are they searching for?" Lu Wushuang asked.

"Alas, Patriarch, we caught five Ye family members. Four are already dead. The last one refuses to say a word," the elder sighed.

"The Ye family—always so stubborn, preferring death to betrayal. If he won’t talk, then silence him for good! We don’t need him anymore. Once we get through today, even that silver-haired brat won’t be a threat," Lu Wushuang declared.

"And where’s Jie’er? I haven’t seen him," Lu Wushuang asked.

"Patriarch, the young master took some Spring Night Powder from me and is still in the young lady’s room. He told us not to disturb him, no matter what we hear," the elder said, giving Lu Wushuang a knowing look.

"That rascal, finally coming to his senses! Though, at such a critical moment... Ah, let him be. The Mu family is just as important," Lu Wushuang chuckled wryly.

The sun gradually set.

In one of the Lu family’s rooms—

"Yanran, I really like you," Lu Jie gazed longingly at the woman before him.

She was resplendent in a blazing red wedding dress—the upper robe a double-layered brocade with golden embroidery and patterns of mandarin ducks and pomegranates along the rim, fastened at the chest with a ruby-inlaid golden clasp. Over this, a deep pink cloud cloak, embroidered with twin peacocks that seemed almost to come alive. Her sash, embroidered with paired birds and flowers, hung down over a celestial skirt adorned with a hundred blessings motif, the trailing hem reaching three feet behind her, finished with golden thread and five-colored beads that chimed as she moved. Her hair was styled in an elaborate chignon, crowned with a lotus and mandarin duck hairpiece, with dangling pearls and tourmaline tassels on either side, a pair of golden mandarin ducks at the center holding a radiant pearl and jade, dazzling in the lamplight.

Her eyes were bright as spring water, brows arched like willow leaves, long lashes trembling, her fair skin tinged with a delicate pink. Her lips were as fresh as rose petals, her long hair coiled high with a single strand left free to enhance her allure. She wore a peony-embroidered gauze and a trailing red skirt, a gauzy crimson shawl draped over her shoulders. On her head, a phoenix coronet swayed with every movement, her beauty as radiant as the full moon. The fiery red wedding gown accentuated her allure, the dignified crown making her appear almost regal, but the loose hair softened the effect, adding a touch of liveliness. Her eyes were large and lustrous, her nose delicate, her lips as red as vermillion—she was a beauty to rival kingdoms. Even with only light makeup, she was naturally stunning. The seductive red gown did not diminish her innocence, but instead added a mature charm, bewitching in its own right.

"Lu Jie, I do not like you. I may only be a tool for the Mu family’s marriage alliance, but that doesn’t mean you can touch me," Mu Yanran said coldly, her face frosted over.

"Yanran, can’t you give me a chance? After all these years, my feelings for you have never changed. Isn’t that proof enough of my love?" Lu Jie pleaded, his face twisted with anguish.

"Love? If you loved me, would you resort to such despicable means?" Mu Yanran retorted with bitter laughter.

"Yanran, you’ve been married to me for over half a month now. Have I ever forced myself on you? Every day I come to see you, to talk with you, trying to win your affection. Haven’t you noticed?" Lu Jie said, mocking himself.

"Let me tell you, Lu Jie: it’s impossible. Stop pretending. Get out," Mu Yanran stood, turning away, raising her hand and refusing to spare him another glance.

Lu Jie’s face immediately darkened, his thoughts turning venomous: Little harlot, if you won’t accept my genuine feelings, don’t blame me for using force. Once I have you, I’ll make you regret every moment, you wretched woman, worthless slut...

He took out the Spring Night Powder he’d gotten from the elder—a small white bottle with a red stopper. The powder was colorless and tasteless, dissolving instantly in water. Ordinary people who drank it would be overcome with burning desire, unable to find release; even a Body Tempering cultivator could only resist for four or five minutes before losing all restraint, and even a Spirit Gathering cultivator would succumb within an hour, the drug slowly robbing them of control over their spiritual power. Under its effect, even a mortal could do as they pleased to a Spirit Gathering expert.

Skilled and practiced, Lu Jie opened the teapot, removed the stopper from the Spring Night Powder, and poured it in. He capped the pot, shook it gently, and glanced at Mu Yanran, who did not look back.

He quickly smoothed his expression into a bright, handsome smile, picked up the teapot, and poured two cups.

"Yanran, since you truly don’t like me, I won’t force you. Drink this cup of tea, and I’ll tell my father to let you go. After that, you may go wherever you wish," Lu Jie said sincerely, offering her the cup.

"Really?" Mu Yanran eyed him suspiciously.

"Of course. You know my character—my word is my bond. Have I ever gone back on a promise? Don’t you trust me?" Lu Jie said, feigning pain.

Seeing that he didn’t seem to be lying, Mu Yanran accepted the cup.

"If, after drinking this, you still wish to leave, I swear I won’t stop you. I’ll personally escort you out," Lu Jie declared, raising his own cup and draining it in one gulp.

"Very well," Mu Yanran said, raising her cup to her lips and drinking it down.