Ye Qiu’s domineering voice echoed across the field.
In the woods—Tang Fei—Qilin—and the others were stunned.
No one expected that the Witch God’s three disciples would be so easily dispatched by Ye Qiu.
The warriors stood dumbfounded—jaws dropped.
Especially Ye Qiu’s final kick—crushing the middle-aged man’s head—so forceful and commanding—it sent a surge of adrenaline through the warriors.
“Dr. Ye is bloody incredible!”
“Practically a war god!”
“If only I were as strong as Dr. Ye!”
“…”
The warriors thought to themselves.
They wanted to cheer and applaud Ye Qiu—but without orders from above—they didn’t dare make a sound.
Just then—Ye Qiu turned and gestured toward where Tang Fei and the others were.
Tang Fei understood—immediately issuing orders: “Snipers—stay here on standby.”
“Everyone else—follow me.”
With that—Tang Fei and Qilin led the group swiftly out of the woods—arriving at the plaza.
The atmosphere was heavy.
Not because of the blood and corpses littering the ground—but because of the figure in green robes lying there.
Tang Fei looked at Cao Yuan’s body—sighing inwardly. A generation’s hero—fallen like this—what a pity.
Then—
Tang Fei adjusted his attire—stepped forward—and bowed three times to Cao Yuan’s body—saying: “Ninth Thousand Years—safe travels.”
The accompanying Hades Hall warriors bowed in unison.
Qilin’s eyes were red—fighting back tears.
Ye Qiu looked at Su Xiaoxiao and said: “You heard my conversation with the Witch God’s disciples—didn’t you?”
“Do you still dispute your identity?”
“Ninth Thousand Years is right here—won’t you call him Father?”
Su Xiaoxiao stared at Cao Yuan’s body—her expression complex—silent for a long time. Even now—she struggled to believe she was Cao Yuan’s daughter.
As for calling him Father—she couldn’t do it.
Raised in the Witch God Sect—Su Luoying and her adoptive father were her true family. For years—Cao Yuan had been her enemy in her mind.
Now—asking her to call an enemy Father—she couldn’t.
Even if that enemy was her biological father!
“Ninth Thousand Years died for you—and you still won’t call him Father?” Qilin said—eyes red.
Ye Qiu saw through Su Xiaoxiao’s thoughts—saying: “I know it’s hard to accept right now—but it’s the truth.”
“I won’t force you.”
“I only hope—before Ninth Thousand Years is laid to rest—you’ll call him Father—so he can pass in peace.”
Ye Qiu instructed Qilin: “I’m entrusting Ninth Thousand Years’ body to you now. No matter what—it must not fall into the Witch God Sect’s hands again—or you’ll face sect punishment.”
“Yes!” Qilin responded loudly.
Ye Qiu turned to Tang Fei: “Old Tang—assign thirty warriors to assist Qilin in protecting Ninth Thousand Years’ body.”
Tang Fei nodded: “Got it.”
“Do you know where the Witch God is in seclusion?” Ye Qiu asked Su Xiaoxiao.
Su Xiaoxiao pointed to a stilted building at the cliff’s highest point—saying: “There’s a stone cave in that room—where the Witch God stays in seclusion.”
“Old Tang—I’m leaving this place to you. Stay vigilant.” Ye Qiu said—preparing to leave.
Just then.
“Thud—thud—thud…”
Uniform footsteps suddenly rang out—like an army of thousands—approaching the plaza.
The ground shook.
The massive commotion made Tang Fei and the warriors uneasy.
“Alert—prepare for battle!” Tang Fei shouted.
Ye Qiu turned to look into the distance—his face grim. If these were Witch God Sect disciples—it would be trouble.
Moments later.
An army appeared—at least a few thousand strong.
From afar—a war flag rose in their midst—emblazoned with a massive dragon head—fluttering in the wind.
“It’s the Dragon Gate!” Qilin exclaimed—overjoyed.
Ye Qiu exhaled in relief.
Soon—the army reached the plaza—led by Han Long and Zhao Hu—the boss of Yangcheng.
They looked exhausted—covered in blood.
“Boss!”
“Brother Ye!”
Han Long and Zhao Hu’s faces lit up seeing Ye Qiu—but their eyes soon fell on Cao Yuan.
“Godfather!”
Han Long cried out in grief—rushing to Cao Yuan’s body—kneeling and kowtowing.
Zhao Hu and the other Dragon Gate disciples knelt as well.
“Pay respects to Ninth Thousand Years!”
Thousands roared in unison—their voices like thunder.
“Boss—who killed my godfather?” Han Long stood—brimming with killing intent.
“Some of the Witch God’s disciples—they’re already dead.” Ye Qiu asked: “Was your journey smooth?”
“Very smooth,” Zhao Hu said: “Every Witch God Sect disciple we met—one dead—two dead—a pair. Han Long and I wiped out thousands.”
Han Long added: “Old Zhao and I—under Zhuque’s orders—led the Dragon Gate disciples here—killing most of the Witch God Sect along the way. Boss—you all okay? Where’s Qinglong?”
Ye Qiu said: “Qinglong’s injured.”
Han Long and Zhao Hu’s faces shifted.
“Is Qinglong’s injury serious? Is he alright?” Han Long asked urgently.
“Don’t worry—the master’s treated Qinglong—he’s been sent back,” Qilin said.
“Master?” Zhao Hu frowned. Ninth Thousand Years was dead—where was this master?
Qilin explained: “Before Ninth Thousand Years died—he left word for Ye Qiu to succeed as Dragon Gate master. Qinglong—Zhuque—and I all know this.”
Ye Qiu produced the master’s token.
“Congratulations—Brother Ye… no—pay respects to the Master!” Zhao Hu said—kneeling before Ye Qiu in reverence.
Han Long knelt—saying respectfully: “Pay respects to the Master!”
Thousands of Dragon Gate disciples knelt—shouting: “Pay respects to the Master!”
Ye Qiu looked at them kneeling—feeling no joy—only a heavy weight.
From today—he was no longer just a doctor—but the master of China’s largest faction. Every move he made would shape the Dragon Gate’s future.
“No need for formalities—brothers—rise!” Ye Qiu said softly.
Everyone stood.
Ye Qiu continued: “Though this attack on the Witch God Sect cost the Dragon Gate dearly—with heavy losses—I’m heartened. You faced hardship—fought bravely—and pressed forward.”
“You’re the pride of the Dragon Gate!”
“If Ninth Thousand Years’ spirit sees your courage—he’d surely cheer for you!”
“Han Long—Zhao Hu—you led our brothers thousands of miles to Miaojiang—fighting your way here—your contributions are immense.”
“It’s been a hard journey.”
“Rest now—and let the brothers rest. I’ve got something to handle.”
Ye Qiu turned to leave.
Han Long asked: “Boss—where are you going?”
Without looking back—Ye Qiu uttered two words—
“Kill God!”
