The noble families’ faces were ashen.
Ye Wushuang gave them two choices: end their own lives, or take their entire families with them.
Either way, death was inevitable.
Despite their usual high status and pampered lives, when faced with life and death, they were no different from ordinary people.
“What do we do?”
“Are we really all going to die here?”
“I don’t want to die…”
“Quick, beg Ye Lao and Tang Lao. If they speak for us, Ye Wushuang might spare us.”
The noble families turned to Ye Lao and Tang Lao for help.
“Ye Lao, please persuade Ye Wushuang. As long as we live, we’ll follow the Ye family’s lead.”
“Ye Lao, we’ve known each other for years, worked together. For old times’ sake, please plead for us!”
“Ye Lao…”
Ye Lao’s face was expressionless, “Everyone, if you knew this day would come, why act as you did?”
“To be honest, even if Wushuang didn’t seek revenge, I’d settle scores with you eventually.”
With no other choice, they turned to Tang Lao.
“Tang Lao, Ye Wushuang wants to kill us. Please say something!”
“If we all die, it’ll cause chaos.”
“Tang Lao, we beg you.”
To their despair, Tang Lao’s response was even colder.
“Everyone, Wushuang has given you two paths. For your families’ sake, I advise you to end it yourselves.”
“After your deaths, I’ll announce to the world that Zijin Cheng plotted rebellion, and you died protecting me.”
“As meritorious figures, I’ll award each of your families an honorary medal.”
Their hearts sank.
One family head wept, “Tang Lao, I don’t want to be a hero or receive awards. I just want to live! I just want to live!”
Tang Lao glanced coldly at the speaker, “At this moment, do you think you can still live?”
“Ending it yourself is the most dignified way.”
“If you don’t seize this chance, I’ll announce you conspired with Zijin Cheng in rebellion and died in the chaos.”
“Then, you’ll be forever nailed to the pillar of shame, cursed by millions, and your families will become pariahs, hunted by all.”
“Is that what you want?”
Despair set in.
Some trembled, others wept, and some glared at the figure on the wall, their eyes filled with deep-seated hatred.
“Everyone, time to go!” Ye Wushuang’s voice rang out again.
“Ye Wushuang, I’ll end my life, but if you touch my family, I’ll haunt you as a ghost, argh…”
An elder roared, plunging a dagger into his heart.
With one leading, others followed.
They had no choice.
Soon, over forty noble family heads lay in pools of blood.
Ye Wushuang leapt from the wall, landing lightly on the ground.
“Father, how are your injuries?” Ye Qiu asked urgently.
Ye Wushuang smiled faintly, “No matter.”
Tang Lao said, “Wushuang, Zijin Cheng still has a powerful Hucheng Ren, whose strength is no less than the Guardian’s. I’m worried…”
“No need to worry. The Hucheng Ren isn’t in Zijin Cheng now,” Ye Wushuang said.
“Oh?” Tang Lao asked, surprised, “Where is he?”
Ye Wushuang replied, “If I’m not mistaken, the Hucheng Ren left this world long ago. Otherwise, with Zijin Cheng’s people slaughtered, he would’ve appeared.”
“Left this world?” Tang Lao said, shocked, “Wushuang, you mean the Hucheng Ren is dead?”
“No,” Ye Wushuang shook his head, “A master of his level can live two or three hundred years. He wouldn’t die easily. He likely left the mortal world for the cultivation world.”
Cultivation world?
Not just Tang Lao, even Ye Qiu and others were intrigued.
Could there really be immortals in this world?
“The Hucheng Ren won’t return soon, so no need to worry, Tang Lao,” Ye Wushuang continued, “Please handle the aftermath of these family heads.”
“Alright,” Tang Lao agreed, then said, “Wushuang, with the Guardian dead, I fear neighbouring countries’ hidden masters may act. We may need your help.”
Ye Wushuang stated firmly, “In times of national crisis, as a descendant of Yanhuang, I’m duty-bound.”
“Since I killed the Guardian, it’s my responsibility.”
“Tang Lao, rest assured, the Ye family will always follow your orders.”
“I can also promise, no matter what, the Ye family won’t act like Zijin Cheng, arrogant and lawless, above royal authority.”
Tang Lao sighed in relief, smiling, “In that case, go heal your injuries. I’ll handle the rest.”
“Thank you, Tang Lao,” Ye Wushuang said.
“Tang Lao, we’ll leave this to you. I’ll take Wushuang back,” Ye Lao said, preparing to leave with Ye Wushuang and the others.
“Oh, Tang Lao, I have a request,” Ye Qiu said suddenly.
“What is it?” Tang Lao asked.
Ye Qiu said, “I hope you can seal off Zijin Cheng, leaving everything untouched. I’d like to visit later.”
Tang Lao smiled, “A small matter, leave it to me!”
“Thank you, goodbye,” Ye Qiu said, following Ye Lao and the others.
As he stepped out of Zijin Cheng’s gate, he saw Tangtang in red.
She hadn’t left.
“Ye Qiu!”
Seeing Ye Qiu emerge, Tangtang ran over, ignoring the onlookers, and threw herself into his arms, crying with joy.
Ye Qiu, embarrassed, gently pushed her away, “Why are you still here?”
“I was waiting for you,” Tangtang said, her already flushed face reddening further as others stared.
“It’s resolved, no need to worry,” Ye Qiu said.
“Mm,” Tangtang smiled, “Ye Qiu, I…”
Before she could finish, Ye Wushuang’s voice cut in, “Qiu’er, get in the car.”
“Tangtang, I’m heading back. You should too. We’ll talk later,” Ye Qiu said, quickly getting into the car.
He rode in Ye Lao’s grand Hongqi.
Ye Wuwei drove, Ye Lao sat in the front, leaving the back for Ye W Laxu and Ye Wushuang.
The car was quiet.
Everyone had a thousand words to say, but no one spoke.
After a short drive, Ye Qiu suddenly sensed something wrong and turned to see Ye Wushuang’s black hair now shockingly white, like snow.
