Chapter 229: Chapter 229: Ye Xuan’s Arrival

"Zhanyun, didn’t I tell you all to run?" The old man’s eyes flew wide, and he was so furious he spat out another mouthful of blood.

Ye Zhanyun and the others stood with resolute gazes. "Father, the men of the Ye family die in battle; they don’t run like cowards."

"Heh heh, ’men who die in battle.’ Is that so? Then you can go die!" The black-cloaked man gave a savage grin and lunged, locking Ye Zhanyun in combat.

Compared to Ye Batian, although Ye Zhanyun was also only at the First Layer of the Celestial Martial Artist realm, his strength was a cut above. For a short time, he actually fought Ouyang Feng to a draw.

’This kid is good. What kind of Cultivation Technique does the Ye family practice? An Earth Grade one? A Celestial Grade one? No, even a Celestial Grade technique couldn’t be this absurd, could it?’ Ouyang Feng was both shocked and delighted.

The two fought in a frenzy, surging Profound Power blasting out in every direction. Despite the strength of Ye Zhanyun’s Cultivation Technique, the difference in their realms was apparent, and Ouyang Feng forced him back step by step.

"You can’t even take down a single Ye family? Useless trash."

Wei Guang, who had been watching for some time, showed a hint of displeasure. Suddenly, he moved.

SWISH!

He abruptly threw a palm strike. A tyrannical power tore through the air and slammed into Ye Zhanyun, who was currently locked in an all-out battle with Ouyang Feng.

Ye Zhanyun was already losing ground to Ouyang Feng. Hit by Wei Guang’s sneak attack, he immediately spat out a mouthful of blood and was sent flying like a kite with a snapped string.

A dense crowd of City Guards swarmed in, and in moments, all the Ye family members were captured and bound.

"Wei Guang, the Wei family is so despicable, you’ll all die horrible deaths!" the Ye family members shouted, their faces contorted with rage.

"A horrible death? Hahaha! I’d love to see just how horrible my death will be." Wei Guang roared with laughter, his face a mask of mockery and contempt.

The Ye family’s Pills were miraculous. Even though they were only the lowest-grade Pills, their value was immeasurable. Now that he had captured the entire Ye family leadership and obtained their secret formulas, he was sure of it. With the Wei family’s connections and status, they could sell these three special-effect Pills to every corner of the Liuyun Kingdom, and even throughout the entire Thirteen Nations Alliance.

When that day came, what would it matter if his father lost his position as Governor of Tianxu Province? The Wei family would become a pivotal force within the Thirteen Nations Alliance.

At this thought, joy swelled in Wei Guang’s heart, and he couldn’t stop himself from laughing aloud. "You should be more concerned with your own futures! In Tianxu Province, the Wei family is the sky, and I, Wei Guang, am the law! In this entire world, no one can take my life! Men! Take them all away! Lock them in the garrison jail. I, Wei Guang, will personally interrogate them. We’ll see how this Ye family dared to act so recklessly in my province, selling illegal Pills."

"Yes, sir!" A group of City Guards began marching the Ye family members out of the marketplace.

"It’s over. The Ye family is done for."

"I guess this means we can’t buy any more of the Ye family’s amazing Pills."

"Sigh. It’s a rare thing to have a conscientious family like the Ye family in Tianxu Province. It’s a real shame the Wei family set their sights on them."

"I don’t know what’s gotten into the Wei family lately, seizing the assets of every other major family. Do you think they’re in some kind of trouble?"

"What kind of trouble could they be in? Count Wei Hong is the Governor of Tianxu Province and has incredible connections in the Royal City. They’ve run this province for so many years, they’re practically local emperors. What could possibly happen to them?"

The crowd in the marketplace murmured amongst themselves, their faces filled with emotion.

Suddenly, a loud RUMBLE echoed from outside, followed by angry shouts and the sounds of a commotion.

What was happening?

Everyone looked up in astonishment and saw an unbelievable sight. The few City Guards leading the Ye family members had collapsed at the marketplace entrance, screaming. They were missing limbs, blood was pooling around them, and they were wailing in agony.

Before them stood a Martial Artist in silver armor, holding a war blade. He was blocking the entrance, radiating an Evil Qi so thick he seemed like a War God. The aura he emanated was terrifying.

"Who are you? How dare you harm the City Guard—"

A City Guard captain shouted and stepped forward, but before he could finish his sentence, a blade flashed. The captain was instantly sliced in two at the waist. He didn’t die right away, instead collapsing to the ground, howling in agony.

Wei Guang, who was walking behind, felt his eyes narrow. He himself was an expert at the Second Layer of the Celestial Martial Artist realm, yet he hadn’t even been able to see the man’s strike. This silver-armored man’s power was clearly terrifying.

"Young Master, be careful." Ouyang Feng’s expression turned grave as he moved to shield Wei Guang.

"Who might you be? I am Wei Guang, son of the Governor of Tianxu Province. If I have offended you in some way, I hope you will enlighten me," Wei Guang said, cupping his fist and narrowing his eyes.

Wei Guang was unwilling to rashly make an enemy of such a powerful expert without first knowing his origins.

At the same time, he wracked his brain, trying to identify the silver-armored man. In the provincial capital, an expert of this caliber could only have come from one of the other five great families, besides his own Wei family.

But the silver-armored man ignored Wei Guang completely. Instead, his gaze swept over the bound figures of Ye Zhanxiong and the others. He strode quickly over to them and asked in a booming voice, "Are you all members of the Ye family?" 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"We are. And you might be...?" Ye Batian and the others asked, their faces a mask of confusion.

SNAP!

With a flash of his blade, the silver-armored man shattered the chains binding Ye Batian and the others. Then, he dropped to one knee. "This subordinate, Ouyang Xiaoshan, greets you, sirs."

The scene left everyone present completely stunned.

Even Ye Batian and his family were utterly bewildered.

"Sir, you..." Ye Batian stammered.

He could tell at a glance that this man was a powerful expert, at least at the level of a Celestial Martial Artist. ’When,’ he wondered, ’did our Ye family gain such a master?’

"Father! Grandfather! Uncle!"

Just then, a familiar voice reached their ears. Ye Batian and the others turned in astonishment to see Ye Xuan striding into the marketplace from outside.

"Xuan’Er, what are you doing here?"

Ye Batian and the others could scarcely believe their eyes.

Wasn’t Ye Xuan studying at Profound Spirit Academy in the Royal City? What was he doing in the capital of Tianxu Province?

"Father, Grandfather, you’re..."

Seeing the bloodstains and their wretched state, Ye Xuan’s heart sank. An unquenchable fire of rage ignited within him. He took out several Pills and gave them to his family to consume, then his icy gaze landed on Wei Guang and his men.

"Young Master Xuan, I arrived too late. The masters were already injured and bound. This subordinate has failed. Please, punish me," Ouyang Xiaoshan said, his voice full of self-reproach.

After hearing that his family members had been surrounded, Ye Xuan, fearing the worst, had sent Ouyang Xiaoshan ahead. That was what led to the scene just now.

"And here I was wondering who it could be. Just another remnant of the Ye family." Seeing that the newcomer was one of them, the caution in Wei Guang’s eyes was replaced by a savage glint. "It’s true what they say: heaven has a path, but you refuse to walk it; hell has no gate, yet you insist on breaking in. Since you’re here, you may as well stay for good."

"All men, hear my order! Surround them! If any of them resist, kill them on the spot—but leave the core members of the Ye family barely breathing."

"Yes, sir!"

Hundreds of City Guards swarmed forward, surrounding Ye Xuan’s group so tightly it was impossible to break through.

Wei Guang had brought several hundred City Guards with him to seize the Ye family Pharmacy, precisely to ensure that not a single family member would escape.

A cold sneer touched Wei Guang’s lips. That silver-armored man might be strong, but in Tianxu Province, his own men could drown the man in spit. ’To act so brazenly here... he clearly has a death wish.’

Several hundred City Guards, their blades drawn, closed in, surging with killing intent.

At a time like this, Ye Batian had no time for questions. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Xuan’Er, when the fighting breaks out, you stay back. Find a chance and get out of here. Remember, you absolutely cannot stay here on our account. Do you understand?"

"Don’t worry, Grandfather." Ye Xuan shook his head. His eyes swept over the encroaching City Guard, and he suddenly shouted, "Hold!"

Wei Guang sneered. "What? You have last words? Save them for the dungeons. I have no time for your nonsense. What are you all standing around for? Seize them!"

As his words faded, the surrounding City Guards charged ferociously at Ye Xuan’s group.

Ye Xuan’s gaze hardened. ’There are no top-tier experts among these City Guards, but there are a lot of them. There are even a few Celestial Martial Artists. And Wei Guang and that cloaked man are both powerful masters within that realm.’

’I’m not afraid for myself, and with Ouyang Xiaoshan, we could wipe them all out. But in the chaos, my father and the others could get hurt.’

Just as Ye Xuan was pondering a solution, Chen Xing’s loud voice suddenly rang out from outside. "Young Master Xuan, are you in there? Damn, why are so many people here? I’m being crushed!"

Ye Xuan’s heart leaped. His gaze turned frigid, and he bellowed, "I’m in here! All of you, on my command—cut your way in! Kill anyone who tries to stop you without mercy!"

"Hahaha, boy, have you lost your mind?" Wei Guang was stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter. But his laughter hadn’t even died down when a massive commotion erupted from outside the market, followed instantly by the sounds of fierce fighting.

"Who are you people? We are the City Guard! Retreat at once!"

"AHH!"

"Damn it, stop!"

SCHLICK!

"Run! Everyone, run!"

"Young Master Wei Guang, look out! Experts are breaking through!"

The commotion from outside shocked everyone. Looking up, they saw a troop of Martial Artists in silver armor carving a path of slaughter into the marketplace. Each one was a master, attacking any City Guard they saw.

The well-trained City Guards were like vegetables being chopped down by these men. They couldn’t withstand a single blow, falling one after another, their bodies and heads parting ways as they bled out on the ground.

In the space of a few breaths, nearly a hundred silver-armored men, all radiating a potent killing aura, had assembled behind Ye Xuan.