Qian Ye stepped over the groaning warriors and entered the city lord’s residence. This time, a crowd of people rushed out from the inner quarters, and among them, he could finally find a few decent fighters.
Qian Ye’s gaze fell on a middle-aged man with a pale, beardless face. He scoffed, “I thought you could hold back a little longer!”
The man’s eyebrows shot up, his face stern without showing anger, and he bellowed, “You call yourself a strong fighter, yet you use your might on ordinary soldiers. What kind of ability is that? Such morals, and you dare to usurp the position of the city lord?”
Qian Ye had no interest in such a charade of accusing others while being guilty himself. “Who are you?”
“I am Du Yuan!”
Qian Ye shook his head indifferently, “Never heard of you.”
Du Yuan’s face flushed with anger. As the grand commander of the city guard, the top martial artist in the army, he commanded great respect, second only to Luo Bingfeng. Even the imperial envoy would show him some respect.
If Qian Ye had been mocking, it might have been fine, but he was dead serious, as if stating a fact.
After sizing up Du Yuan, Qian Ye added, “You do have some skills. But since Luo Bingfeng is dead, how are you still alive? Your skill in self-preservation is indeed commendable.”
Du Yuan’s face turned crimson. During the empire’s siege on Luo Bingfeng, he had fought fiercely, only to be seriously injured and fall into a coma. When he regained consciousness, the battle was already over, and his trusted subordinates had risked their lives to drag him off the battlefield, hiding him in the city until the Eternal Night army withdrew, allowing him to re-emerge and take charge.
It was only recently that Du Yuan’s injuries had healed, but his strength had not fully recovered. Both he and those around him felt he had done his best. With the empire’s overwhelming force, who could have stopped them?
Hence, Qian Ye’s sarcastic remark was particularly jarring to Du Yuan.
His brows furrowed, and he stepped forward, shouting, “Rogue! You assassinated City Lord Luo, and now you dare to come here and mock us! Do you think our city has no one left?”
Qian Ye’s expression remained indifferent. “Are you ignoring Zhang Bushou’s proclamation?”
“Is the name of the Heavenly King something you can mention casually?” Du Yuan raised his voice. From his reply, it was clear that this man was adept at avoiding trouble, steering clear of Qian Ye’s verbal trap.
Regardless, whether Du Yuan engaged or not made no difference. Qian Ye’s voice did not rise, but its range expanded. “I am Qian Ye, the City Lord of Tidetide City. Zhang Bushou personally announced this news across the Eastern Sea. This is my last warning: if anyone does not recognize me or fails to acknowledge Zhang Bushou, don’t blame me for being merciless!”
Finishing his words, Qian Ye looked at Du Yuan. “Did you hear me clearly? The last time I let you live, did you think you could keep your life here?”
In front of so many witnesses, Du Yuan could not back down. Enraged, he shouted, “You rogue, too arrogant! You disrespect even the Heavenly King. With your pitiful cultivation, you think you can wreak havoc in Tidetide City? Today, I will teach you a lesson on how to behave!”
He took a step forward, unsheathing his sword from his side, and pointed it at Qian Ye. Clearly, he meant to convey that he could easily dispose of Qian Ye with just any sword.
Qian Ye paid no mind to whether Du Yuan was truly foolish or just playing an act. He reached out, and the East Peak was in his hand, followed by a series of crackling sounds like thunder.
Hearing these deep, rumbling sounds, Du Yuan felt a foreboding sense, as if an ancient beast was awakening before him!
Before he could decide whether to stand his ground or retreat, Qian Ye flicked his wrist, and the East Peak descended upon him!
The sword move was silent, light, and almost insubstantial, making one doubt if Qian Ye had been weakened from the previous night’s indulgences, barely able to hold his sword.
However, Du Yuan and the most powerful fighters nearby all paled. In their eyes, the space around the sword blade was distorting, indicating that it was not due to weakness, but a terrifying force capable of cleaving through space.
In that instant, Du Yuan knew he could not block this strike!
Yet, he could not retreat, for if he lost his momentum, he might not even withstand one blow. Du Yuan let out a cry, swung his sword upward, and struck the East Peak. A soft crack, and his sword broke in two.
The East Peak, having been reforged, was incredibly sturdy and sharp. Even if Du Yuan had used his own sword, the result would have been the same.
The East Peak continued its descent, unaffected by the parry. However, Du Yuan, sensing danger, used his experience to instantly retreat, narrowly escaping being cleaved in half.
Du Yuan stood ten meters away, holding the broken sword, staring at Qian Ye, his face pale. Just surviving such a close call would rattle anyone.
As he was about to leave, he felt a strange itch on his face, then saw a drop of blood appear, sliding down his nose.
Du Yuan’s hand trembled as he held the broken sword up to his face. In the reflection, he saw a red line between his eyebrows, oozing more blood.
His hand shook even more, realizing that he had just narrowly escaped death. If he had reacted a moment later, he would have been cut in half.
Despite being a higher-level Origin user than Qian Ye, Du Yuan, driven by the situation and to preserve his reputation, believed he could at least match Qian Ye. He also thought others would intervene.
But Du Yuan never expected to nearly die in a single strike.
Qian Ye was unfazed by the missed strike. Du Yuan, having long served Luo Bingfeng, was one of the strongest fighters in Tidetide City and the Eastern Sea. Qian Ye knew he could not guarantee a one-hit kill against such a seasoned opponent.
Since he had started, Qian Ye did not intend to stop. He stepped forward, the East Peak sweeping horizontally, aimed at Du Yuan’s waist.
Qian Ye had activated the Mountain Opening technique, and the force was almost irresistible. The sword moved like lightning, heavy as a mountain, reaching Du Yuan’s waist in an instant!
The strike was too fast, and Du Yuan, still in shock, could not block it. He managed to dodge, but the East Peak was already above his head.
With no other choice, Du Yuan leaped into the crowd. This caused a commotion.
Qian Ye adjusted his sword’s direction slightly, and a streak of crimson gold sword energy extended dozens of meters, chasing Du Yuan, disregarding the crowd.
Du Yuan was fast, but Qian Ye’s sword energy was faster. The onlookers scattered, those unlucky enough to be near Du Yuan were desperate, trying to block the sword energy with their weapons.
A wave of blood appeared in the crowd, those caught in it were instantly shredded.
Du Yuan roared, a trail of blood gushing from his back as he fled.
Qian Ye did not pursue, slowly sheathing the East Peak. He glanced at the street in front of the city lord’s residence, his gaze lingering on the windows of the buildings. Then, he walked through the dead and wounded, entering the inner quarters.
Soon, Qian Ye sat in the center of the council hall, a makeshift platform with a high-backed chair serving as the city lord’s throne.
Luo Bingfeng had always lived in seclusion, rarely staying at the residence. Thus, the city lord’s mansion was more of an office for the city guard and various administrative departments. The council hall was set up in a long-table format, which Qian Ye had ordered cleared, for he did not intend to “discuss matters” with anyone.
Though Qian Ye sat high, there were only a dozen or so low-ranking officers below. He did not mind; the city guard had suffered significant losses during the empire and Eternal Night occupations. After crippling Du Yuan, he doubted anyone else would challenge him.
“Have the bodies outside been cleared? What about the casualties?”
“Lord Qian Ye, eleven have died, fifty-five are severely injured, and one hundred and twenty are lightly injured.”
Qian Ye sneered, “Died in combat? So, you still see me as an enemy, the city lord?”
The officer broke into a cold sweat, stammering, “My lord, we wouldn’t! But…my lord, they were just following orders. And besides, with their meager skills, you could easily kill them. Why bother with these ants? My lord, perhaps you should tend to the injured first, then punish them?”
Qian Ye tapped the armrest, saying, “Does any family treat rebellion with such leniency?”
At the word “rebellion,” the officer went pale, beads of sweat rolling down his face. He knelt, pleading, “My lord, they were misled! Killing them would harm your reputation!”
“Does my reputation in Tidetide City matter much?”
“It does, my lord!” The officer replied quickly, “Many stayed away not out of disrespect, but fear. They will come to understand soon.”
Qian Ye smiled, looking at the officer, who, despite his drenched back, spoke coherently, “You are thoughtful. But aren’t you afraid I’ll cut you down?”
The officer said, “I have no skills, and killing me would only dirty your hands.”
Qian Ye laughed, “You are bold. Well, since you’re so fearless, I’ll spare their lives. But punishment is necessary. The dead shall be thrown outside the city, no burial. The injured shall be treated, then expelled from the city, never to return.”
“Yes, my lord!” The officers agreed, and after a quick discussion, some went to carry out the orders.
Qian Ye watched them, knowing these veteran officers did not expect him to last long. Once he left or was forced out, the exiles could return.
Qian Ye gave further orders, “Inform the families in the city that the heads of the households must come to the city lord’s residence this afternoon. Any absence will be considered rebellion. Also, assemble the guards and take me to Commander Du’s residence.”
These commands were met with fear, but no one dared to defy him after seeing Du Yuan’s fate.
Soon, several military vehicles left the city lord’s residence, heading to Du Yuan’s home.
The vehicles were crude trucks, with few soldiers, looking rather desolate. The higher-ups were absent, and the lower ranks, though not openly defiant, were certainly dragging their feet.
Qian Ye sat in the lead vehicle, scanning the streets, occasionally sensing hostile gazes from the buildings. Yet, no one dared to attack, much to his disappointment.
Du Yuan’s residence was in the west district, a large mansion occupying half a block. Its high walls and deep courtyards gave it a dignified appearance. However, chaos reigned within, with cries and screams. People were fleeing, carrying bags, disappearing into the alleys.
Qian Ye got out of the vehicle, eyeing the black-and-gold plaque, then walked to the gate.
“Halt! This is the commander’s residence. Who dares to intrude, unafraid of death?” Two guards were still at their posts, despite the chaos inside.
Qian Ye shot two blood lines from his fingertips, instantly piercing their hearts. The guards collapsed, lifeless.
Qian Ye, along with the officer and a few soldiers, shattered the gate and entered the courtyard.
Servants were running in and out, leaving a mess. Qian Ye grabbed a servant, demanding Du Yuan’s whereabouts.
The servant, trembling, managed to say, “Master just returned, covered in blood. He packed up and left with his children. Once he left, the concubines also took what they could and fled.”
Qian Ye shook his head, laughing, “He runs fast! How could Luo Bingfeng trust such a man as the grand commander?”
Qian Ye searched the residence, finding nothing of value. The truly valuable items were either taken by Du Yuan or his concubines, and the rest were looted by the servants.
He had no interest in the property, so he ordered, “Burn it.”
“What?” Everyone thought they misheard. Though Du Yuan had fled, they could still occupy the place, better than burning it.
Qian Ye repeated, “Burn it.”
The officer, understanding, signaled the others to set fire.
Flames erupted, quickly engulfing the residence, visible from the entire city.
Qian Ye watched, then directed the guards to create a firebreak. Once the flames engulfed the mansion, he turned to the vehicles.
The officer followed, cautiously asking, “My lord, where to next?”
Qian Ye stopped, looking at the fearful faces, “No one came to put out the fire. A pity.”
Their faces turned awkward, especially the officer. Qian Ye asked, “What’s your name?”
“Duxinchu, a distant relative of Commander Du.”
Surprised, Qian Ye found it interesting, “You admit this, and you’re not afraid I’ll kill you?”
“Killing me would only dirty your hands, serve no purpose.”
Qian Ye nodded, “Then tell me, why didn’t anyone come to put out the fire?”
Duxinchu hesitated, “My lord, after you injured the commander, the news must have spread. Without certainty, no one would dare to risk it.”
Qian Ye smiled, motioning Duxinchu to sit beside him, “Why do you think some don’t want me as the city lord?”
Duxinchu said, “Three reasons. One, they doubt your strength. To be city lord, you need to be a divine general. Two, the city, like elsewhere, is divided. After the battles, many positions are vacant, and some see opportunities. Three, the Heavenly King won’t let you stay, likely using covert means.”
Qian Ye, surprised by his directness, said, “Telling me this seems risky.”
Duxinchu sighed, “I have some insight. Seeing your sword, I know even the city’s best couldn’t match you. Tidetide City is already in ruins, and your rule is better than being swallowed by the Wolf King.”
Qian Ye smiled, “You have faith in me.”
He looked ahead, “Stop.”
The vehicles halted, and Qian Ye walked to a crossroad.
Before him lay a long, narrow street, lined with shops but few people. Banners flapped in the wind, and store clerks were busy, though with few customers.
The street was long and narrow, flanked by tall buildings. The sunlight was dim, the atmosphere oppressive.
Qian Ye turned into the street. Duxinchu, alarmed, tried to stop him, but Qian Ye was already a dozen meters in. Duxinchu froze, looking at his hand and then Qian Ye’s back, his face grim.
Entering the street, Qian Ye felt a chill, the light dimming. The wind carried a biting cold.
Not far in, windows on the third floor shattered, black figures leaping down. At the same time, store clerks uncovered tables, revealing crossbows.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage