An untimely voice suddenly rang out at the entrance of the Bai family villa.
“Touch him if you dare!”
Though the voice wasn’t loud, it struck like a stabilising force, stunning everyone present.
The crowd couldn’t help but feel curious. Who could be so bold as to speak to Long Jiu in such a way?
Was he not afraid of death?
The guests turned their heads towards the entrance. The next second, their eyes filled with profound shock.
“It’s Ye Wudi!”
“Good heavens, Ye Wudi is actually here!”
“Wasn’t he accompanying the Supreme Leader on an overseas visit? When did he return to the country?”
Upon hearing the voice, Ye Qiu turned his head and glanced at Ye Wudi.
This was the first time he had seen Ye Wudi in person.
In the past, he had only caught glimpses of him on the news broadcasts, where Ye Wudi, dressed in casual attire, would be seen closely protecting the Supreme Leader during local inspections or foreign visits.
Ye Wudi was a striking figure—his chiselled, resolute face bore sharp, defined lines, exuding a calm yet commanding presence.
His physique was well-proportioned, and he wore a fitted black Mao suit, which made him appear both imposing and upright.
“So this is my Third Uncle?”
Ye Qiu’s eyes flickered for a moment. He hadn’t expected that, at this life-or-death juncture, Ye Wudi would step in to save him.
Long Jiu halted his steps, glaring coldly at Ye Wudi standing at the entrance. “What do you mean by that?” he asked.
“Touch Ye Qiu again, and I’ll kill you,” Ye Wudi replied, his face expressionless.
The guests were taken aback.
“Ye Wudi is fearless!”
“That kind of guts isn’t something just anyone has!”
“Worthy of the Ye family—truly formidable!”
Long Jiu’s expression darkened. “Ye Wudi, are you looking to challenge our Forbidden City?”
“So what if I am?” Ye Wudi met Long Jiu’s gaze head-on, utterly unafraid.
Long Jiu’s face immediately twisted into an ugly scowl.
Ye Qiu and the others had completely lost their ability to fight; they were now lambs awaiting slaughter. For Long Jiu, finishing them off was a certainty—until Ye Wudi unexpectedly appeared out of nowhere.
Though Long Jiu had remained within the Forbidden City for years without venturing out, he was intimately familiar with the power dynamics of the capital, especially regarding the Ye family, which he kept under close watch. Naturally, he knew Ye Wudi was the Supreme Leader Elder Tang’s personal bodyguard.
“I want to know, who are you representing? The Ye family, or the Supreme Leader?” Long Jiu asked.
He had already made up his mind. If Ye Wudi was here on behalf of the Ye family, he would press his advantage to the fullest—perhaps even use this as an opportunity to wipe out the capital’s top family, sending a clear message that the Forbidden City was inviolable. Anyone who dared challenge it would meet one fate: death.
But if Ye Wudi was representing the Supreme Leader, he’d have to reconsider.
Though the Forbidden City didn’t fear the Supreme Leader, the latter was still the ruling authority. Crossing him outright would be a bad look.
Moreover, the Forbidden City’s domineering ways had already bred discontent among recent leaders. Offending the current Supreme Leader as well wouldn’t be a wise move.
Thus, Long Jiu needed to clarify exactly whose authority Ye Wudi was acting under.
To his surprise, Ye Wudi responded with unrelenting defiance.
“Who I’m representing is none of your bloody business.”
Ye Wudi showed Long Jiu no courtesy whatsoever.
Long Jiu’s tone grew heavy. “Ye Wudi, think carefully. Cross the Forbidden City, and you might end up dead without a grave.”
“Are you threatening me?”
Ye Wudi’s sword-like brows shot up. In the next instant, the crowd’s vision blurred, and before they knew it, Ye Wudi was standing in front of Long Jiu. With a single slap, he struck Long Jiu across the face.
Smack!
Long Jiu was sent flying over ten metres, crashing to the ground, blood streaming from the corner of his mouth.
The guests witnessing this scene felt a chill run down their spines.
The Ninth Master of the Forbidden City.
A peerless expert of his generation.
Publicly slapped by Ye Wudi.
This…
Wasn’t this just too domineering?
Bai Yujing was the first to snap out of his shock, shouting furiously, “Ye Wudi, you dare hit my master? Do you have a death wish?”
“Not convinced, are you?”
Ye Wudi turned his head, staring coldly at Bai Yujing.
In that instant, Bai Yujing felt the hairs on his body stand on end, a shiver coursing through him as if he were being targeted by a ferocious beast.
Whoosh.
Ye Wudi stepped sideways, closing the distance to Bai Yujing. He asked again, “Not convinced, eh?”
Bai Yujing stammered, “I…”
Smack!
Smack!
Ye Wudi delivered two slaps to Bai Yujing’s face.
Bai Yujing was left dazed.
Smack!
It wasn’t until the third slap landed that Bai Yujing came to his senses. Stumbling back a step, he clutched his cheek, glaring at Ye Wudi with venomous resentment. “You dare cause trouble in my Bai family? I won’t let this go!”
“What are you, anyway, to shout at me like that?”
Ye Wudi’s face was full of disdain. “Bai Yujing, you hired assassins to ambush Ye Qiu. That alone is a crime worthy of death.”
“If I didn’t respect Old General Bai’s character, I’d have killed you today.”
“I’m warning you—keep your head down and behave yourself from now on. As long as I, Ye Wudi, am alive, don’t even think about stirring up trouble.”
Ignoring Bai Yujing further, Ye Wudi’s gaze settled on Ye Qiu. After studying him for a moment, he barked, “Useless!”
Useless?
Ye Qiu froze. Why was he scolding me?
Had I provoked him?
The guests were equally puzzled. Hadn’t Ye Wudi come to save Ye Qiu? Why was he now berating him?
“Bai Yujing sent people to ambush you. You knew it was him—why did you put up with it until now?”
“Haven’t you heard that revenge should be taken before the night is out?”
“If it were me, I’d have stormed the Bai family last night and finished Bai Yujing off.”
Ye Wudi continued, “My motto is simple: if no one crosses me, I don’t cross them. But if someone does, I uproot them entirely.”
“Thanks for the advice. From now on, I’ll do as you say.”
Ye Qiu grinned. Though Ye Wudi was a bit overbearing, his temperament was to his liking.
Ye Wudi snapped, “Calling you useless isn’t an exaggeration. Your enemy’s right in front of you, and you’re talking about ‘from now on’? Has a donkey kicked your brain?”
Ye Qiu stared at Ye Wudi, stunned.
He suddenly realised that, though Ye Wudi’s tone was harsh, there seemed to be a deeper meaning in his eyes.
In an instant, Ye Qiu understood.
“They say a gentleman’s revenge can wait ten years, but sadly, I’m no gentleman.”
Ye Qiu took a deep breath, straightened up, and then, gripping the Emperor’s Sword, began walking towards Bai Yujing.
One step, two steps, three steps…
Though his pace was slow, he drew closer to Bai Yujing with each stride.
Bai Yujing, having just been slapped several times by Ye Wudi, had a swollen face resembling a pig’s head, looking utterly wretched.
Now, seeing Ye Qiu approach, a glint of ferocity flashed in his eyes. He quietly slipped his right hand behind his back, clenching his fist, silently waiting for Ye Qiu to get closer.
“You want to kill me? Then I’ll take you down with me,” Bai Yujing thought darkly.
But at that moment—
A sudden twist unfolded.
