Ye Wushuang was about to strike.
Instantly, all eyes were on him, hearts in throats.
Dragon Lady’s gaze was heavy with tension.
If earlier Ye Wushuang had seemed like an unremarkable middle-aged man, now he was like an unsheathed divine sword, unstoppable and invincible.
At the same time, within a ten-metre radius around him, the wind and snow stood still.
Seeing this, fear crept into Dragon Lady’s heart.
In a martial artist’s duel, losing momentum meant losing a third of the battle.
“Dragon Lady, draw your weapon,” Ye Wushuang said.
Dragon Lady remained silent, not drawing her weapon.
Regret surged within her.
Had she known Ye Wushuang was still this terrifying, she would never have provoked him into action.
She cursed herself inwardly for lifting a rock only to smash her own foot—utterly foolish.
Unbeknownst to her, her silence angered Ye Wushuang.
“Hmph, after twenty years out of the public eye, even a junior dares to disrespect me. Courting death.”
Ye Wushuang raised his long sword and shouted coldly, “Kill!”
Boom—
A deafening roar.
The sword in Ye Wushuang’s hand melted, transforming into a ten-metre-long sword qi that slashed out with thunderous force.
The sword’s momentum was earth-shattering.
Utterly terrifying.
It seemed capable of cutting through all things in the world.
Beneath her mask, Dragon Lady’s stunning face turned ashen. This strike from Ye Wushuang brought a lethal sense of danger.
She didn’t dare meet it head-on. Dropping Ye Wudi from her shoulder, she retreated swiftly.
Yet the sword qi Ye Wushuang unleashed seemed to have eyes, chasing straight after Dragon Lady.
It was about to reach her.
“Stop!”
Suddenly, Ye Wudi shouted, “Big brother, stop!”
As he spoke, Ye Wudi darted forward, positioning himself in front of Dragon Lady, shielding her.
“Hold!” Ye Wudi called softly.
Instantly, the ten-metre-long sword qi halted in mid-air, radiating sharp brilliance.
The crowd was stunned.
All were awestruck by Ye Wushuang’s skill.
Ye Wushuang looked at Ye Wudi, his gaze softening slightly, and asked, “Wudi, why do you stop me?”
Ye Wudi said, “Big brother, can you spare Dragon Lady?”
Everyone was astonished at his words.
No one expected Ye Wudi to plead for Dragon Lady.
Dragon Lady was equally surprised, her almond eyes fixed on Ye Wudi’s back. His figure felt as solid as a mountain, filling her with a sense of security.
Xiao Jiu shouted, “Ye Wudi, why are you pleading for her? Have you forgotten she was hell-bent on killing us?”
Ye Wudi didn’t respond, his eyes locked on Ye Wushuang.
Ye Wushuang was silent for three seconds before saying, “Give me one reason not to kill her.”
Ye Wudi replied, “Dragon Lady is the leader of Brahmin. If she dies, Brahmin’s people will surely seek revenge, and who knows how many more will die.”
Ye Wushuang smirked disdainfully. “No matter. After I kill her, I’ll wipe out Brahmin.”
“Big brother, you mustn’t!” Ye Wudi said urgently. “If Brahmin is destroyed, it will enrage the neighbouring country. If they march on us, the border will know no peace.”
Xiao Jiu said coldly, “Ye Wudi, you’re overthinking. With me guarding the Northern Territory, if the neighbouring country dares invade, I’ll ensure they never return.”
“Xiao Jiu, stop boasting. If we hadn’t saved you, you’d be dead already.”
“Look at yourself now, gravely injured. If the neighbouring country attacks, how will you command the army?”
Ye Wudi added, “Besides, I’m talking to my big brother. What right does an outsider like you have to interrupt?”
“You—” Xiao Jiu was so angry he couldn’t speak.
Ye Wushuang’s voice rang out: “With me here, who dares invade!”
Seven short words, brimming with boundless dominance.
If anyone else had said this, it would be laughed off. But coming from Ye Wushuang, no one thought it was a joke, nor did anyone find him arrogant.
After all, over twenty years ago, this man had single-handedly stormed Great East, slaying countless masters.
During the upheaval in the capital, thousands fell to his sword.
If Ye Wushuang was that formidable back then, today, twenty years later, he would only be more so.
If the neighbouring country dared invade the Northern Territory and provoked Ye Wushuang, he might perform a feat like slaying a general amidst a million troops.
Hearing Ye Wushuang’s words, Ye Wudi sensed trouble and continued to plead, “Big brother, I still believe Dragon Lady shouldn’t be killed.”
“Step aside!”
Before Ye Wudi could finish, Ye Wushuang barked.
Ye Wudi gritted his teeth and spoke again, “Big brother—”
“I told you to step aside. Are you deaf?” Ye Wushuang said coldly. “Brahmin’s people ambushed Xiao Jiu and defiled the hero’s monument—an unforgivable crime.”
“As Brahmin’s leader, Dragon Lady’s guilt is even greater.”
“Wudi, if you don’t move, don’t blame me for dealing with you too.”
Ye Wushuang’s stance was firm, his killing intent surging.
Seeing this, Dragon Lady said softly, “Ye Wudi, thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”
“I’m deeply touched.”
“But in this life, I fear I won’t have the chance to repay you. I hope we meet again in the next life, so I can repay you then.”
Ye Wudi turned to see tears in Dragon Lady’s eyes.
For some reason, his heart ached. Then, he dropped to his knees before Ye Wushuang and said, “Big brother, I beg you, spare Dragon Lady.”
“The ambush on Xiao Jiu by Brahmin’s masters wasn’t her doing.”
“And earlier, Dragon Lady had multiple chances to kill me but didn’t.”
“I beg you, let her go this once, please?”
“If you insist on killing her, then kill me too!”
Ye Wushuang frowned and said, “Give me a reason! A reason to stay my hand!”
Ye Wudi bit down hard and said, “I like her.”
What?
Ye Wudi likes Dragon Lady?
At those words, everyone’s jaws nearly hit the ground.
Ye Qiu looked at him with disdain. Third Uncle, oh Third Uncle, she threw herself at you before, and you didn’t want her. Now you say you like her? How pathetic.
Ye Wushuang declared loudly, “Dragon Lady, for my brother’s sake, I’ll let today’s matter rest.”
“But you must not seek revenge in the future, or I won’t spare you.”
“Get lost!”
Ye Wudi turned to see Dragon Lady staring at him, tears in her eyes, dazed. He shouted, “Hurry up and leave!”
“Ye Wudi, I’ll come find you.” With that, Dragon Lady vanished from sight in a few flashes.
Ye Wushuang pointed a finger and said, “Dissipate.”
Crack—
The sword qi suspended in the air shattered inch by inch, dissolving into nothingness in an instant, as if it had never existed.
