Chapter 88: Bound by Fate’s Chains

“A mighty warrior of the human race, would never bow so easily,” Qian Ye declared.

Tian Jin’s lips trembled, at a loss for what to do. Mill raged, roaring, “Where did this wretch come from, daring to meddle in my affairs?”

The werewolf viscount also fixed his gaze on Qian Ye, his muscles tensed, ready for action, and demanded, “Are you a vampire? Why are you interfering in this matter?”

Qian Ye’s appearance indeed leaned towards that of a vampire. Moreover, the humans of South Green City had long been accustomed to keeping a low profile, swallowing their anger. Who would risk offending both the Wolf King and the Spider Emperor over a trivial matter?

“I didn’t like it, so I interfered,” Qian Ye said coldly.

Mill sneered, “Good, someone even more arrogant than me. Die, brat!” Before he could finish speaking, he swung his axe at Qian Ye in another surprise attack.

However, the heavy axe halted mid-swing, unable to fall further. Mill was shocked, only then realizing that Qian Ye had grabbed the blade with one hand, stopping his full-strength swing dead in its tracks!

Mill could hardly believe his eyes. He tried several times to exert force, his face turning red, but the axe remained immovable, neither able to continue its descent nor to be pulled back. The werewolf viscount’s pupils constricted, fixating on a drop of blood trickling from the edge of Qian Ye’s palm.

To catch the viscount of spider demons, Mill’s, full-force axe strike bare-handed, resulting in only a single drop of blood?

Qian Ye saw the drop of blood and suddenly exerted force, pulling Mill to him. Mill’s eight segmented legs were firmly planted on the ground, plowing deep furrows, yet still, he could not resist the immense strength from the axe, being slowly dragged toward Qian Ye.

Qian Ye delivered a devastating punch to the spider demon’s abdomen, the force so great it not only shattered the demon’s carapace but also sank his entire forearm into the body!

Mill couldn’t even scream, flying backwards like a cannonball, crashing through several buildings before finally coming to a stop. He lay on the ground, his limbs trembling, unable to even crawl.

Qian Ye pointed at Mill, saying, “Take this as a lesson. Be more discreet in the future, and you might live longer.”

The werewolf viscount’s hair stood on end, crouching, his throat emitting a threatening growl, “Do you know who we are, to dare to act here? This is South Green City! Do you want to stay here anymore?”

Qian Ye sneered, “I don’t care who you are. Your background doesn’t scare me. You can make it impossible for me to stay in South Green City, but from now on, you won’t be able to leave either. If you dare to step out of South Green City, I’ll turn you into a corpse.”

The werewolf viscount’s face changed color several times, pointing at Tian Jin, and said, “For such a trivial matter, are you willing to offend the Wolf King?”

Qian Ye countered, “For such a trivial matter, are you willing to make an enemy of me?”

The werewolf viscount took a deep breath, ultimately swallowing his anger, and said, “Fine! This matter ends here; I will not interfere any further. As for what Mill does, I cannot control that.”

Qian Ye glanced at him, nodding, “Smart.”

Mill struggled to his feet, shouting, “You dare injure me! My great-uncle will not let you off. Just wait for the Spider Emperor’s warrant! And you, Tian Jin, right? Good, if South Green City doesn’t eradicate your clan, then war is inevitable. When the army arrives, the entire city will be slaughtered!”

This threat was real. Given the character of the lord of South Green City, it was quite possible that he would send Tian Jin’s head to the Spider Emperor.

Qian Ye frowned, slowly saying, “Still arrogant, do you think I won’t kill you?”

Tian Jin’s face alternated between pale and flushed, suddenly turning to the werewolf viscount and saying, “Sir, I have nothing to do with this. I don’t even know him. I think this person has ulterior motives, trying to incite tension between South Green City and the Spider Emperor. If you want to take him down, I, Tian Jin, will do my best to assist.”

Qian Ye was stunned, finding it hard to believe that Tian Jin would act this way, especially after just freeing him from the humiliation of kneeling. What he did not expect was that Tian Jin, to show his sincerity, drew a long sword from someone’s waist and thrust it at Qian Ye!

As he attacked, Tian Jin said, “I’m sorry, but please go with the sir.”

With only level eleven strength, Tian Jin was no match for Qian Ye. Qian Ye casually caught the sword, squeezing it into scrap metal. Simultaneously, his original force surged into Tian Jin’s body, causing him to turn pale, nearly spitting blood. As Tian Jin barely steadied himself, Qian Ye stepped forward, grasping his neck, lifting him up.

The werewolf viscount’s face changed, taking two steps back. His strength was only slightly better than Tian Jin’s. If he faced Qian Ye, he wouldn’t last much longer.

Qian Ye stared into Tian Jin’s eyes, asking word by word, “Why?”

Tian Jin struggled to say, “I have family, old and young, all in South Green City. I… I am not in control of myself.”

“A mighty warrior, a deputy commander, is this all you can do?”

“Out of control, out of control,” Tian Jin seemed to have only these words left.

Qian Ye slapped him twice, then threw him to the ground, barking, “If you hadn’t aimed away from my vital spots, I would have cut you down already!”

Qian Ye looked around, seeing expressions of anger, shock, and fear, but no one willing to step forward. Everyone was playing it safe. Suddenly, Qian Ye felt a sense of futility, sighing and turning to leave.

The werewolf viscount’s eyes flickered but did not stop Qian Ye, nor did he send anyone to follow. By now, Mill had also climbed up. Normally arrogant and fierce, he was now unusually quiet, not blocking Qian Ye’s path. The killing intent in Qian Ye’s earlier question, “Do you think I won’t kill you?” was genuine.

Mill understood that if he provoked Qian Ye again, he would be killed without hesitation. If Qian Ye escaped, where would they find him in the vast neutral territory? Even if the Spider Emperor eventually caught Qian Ye, it would be too late for him.

A while later, Qian Ye returned to the inn. Ye Tong noticed his grim expression and asked, “What happened?”

Qian Ye sighed, “I acted impulsively. We may need to move again.”

After hearing the story, Ye Tong smiled, “I thought it was something serious. It’s no big deal. There are no divine generals in South Green City. Together, we can escape even if we can’t win. If they don’t back off, we can repeat the events in the Black Forest. Your only mistake was being too lenient with Tian Jin. You should have at least cut off one of his legs. The Spider Emperor and the Wolf King are formidable, but are we pushovers? Your kindness this time will lead to endless trouble next time.”

Qian Ye laughed bitterly, “He’s of the same race, with his own hardships. I couldn’t bring myself to do it.”

Ye Tong nodded, “It’s a small matter, not important. Let’s pack slowly. No rush. Being too hasty makes it look like we’re scared.”

Qian Ye hesitated, then shook his head. He wanted to leave quickly, avoiding being surrounded. Without using the Origin Gun, he was confident against a level fifteen opponent, but a level sixteen would be a desperate fight. The lord of South Green City was level seventeen, likely with level sixteen underlings. Even if the lord didn’t act, his top subordinate would be a challenge.

But since Ye Tong insisted, Qian Ye followed her. He found her demeanor changing lately, making decisions independently, unlike before when she always followed him.

Seeing Qian Ye’s reluctance, Ye Tong stopped packing, saying, “Qian Ye, in the neutral territories, peace is earned through strength. I think we shouldn’t leave at all. As long as the lord of South Green City doesn’t act, we can take on anyone. Even if he acts, we can flee and harass him day and night.”

“I just don’t want you to take risks,” Qian Ye sighed.

“Even in the Mullenor, my protection period is over. I must stand on my own.”

Qian Ye thought for a moment, then decided, “Fine, we’ll stay.”

The lord’s residence in South Green City was splendid, occupying four blocks, far more magnificent than Su Dingqian’s residence in Harbor City. In the rear garden, the climate was mild, with a gentle breeze, and even the violent void original force was absent, unlike the outside. The entire garden was equipped with a climate-changing original force array, an extravagant luxury, rivaling the grand clans of the Empire.

In the garden pavilion, a portly middle-aged man lay in a recliner, half-asleep. Two beautiful maids gently fanned him, while two others waited for orders. Fresh fruits, including specialties from the Empire and Evernight, filled the tables.

These fruits, transported from afar, were as valuable as gold.

Footsteps sounded, and a young man hurried in, standing at the pavilion entrance. An old, gaunt man sat in a wicker chair, dozing. He opened his eyes, glancing at the young man, then closed them again.

The middle-aged man in the recliner opened his eyes, yawning, “What urgent matter disrupts my nap? Running a city isn’t easy, even napping is denied.”

The young man nodded, staying put.

The middle-aged man was Ji Rui, the lord of South Green City. He stretched, gathering his wits, “Twelve, what is it?”

The young man was his twelfth son. Their relationship was more like superior and subordinate than father and son.

The young man, respectful, quickly recounted the conflict between Qian Ye and Mill, awaiting orders.

Ji Rui listened, his face darkening, snarling, “Offending the Spider Emperor’s envoy, and you ask me how to handle it? Shouldn’t you have seized him and presented him to the envoy as reparation? Useless! Where is that reckless fellow now?”

The young man whispered, “He didn’t flee, he’s in the Four Directions Inn in the city.”

“Not fleeing, hmm, quite bold, perfect for capture! Wait, not fleeing?!” Ji Rui sat up, his bulk jiggling.