Such relaxed and carefree days came to an abrupt end only when Liang Shan found him.
When Ye Chu saw Liang Shan, the man’s face was bruised and swollen, one arm bound in bandages. Clearly, it had been broken. Seeing Liang Shan standing battered at the gate, Ye Chu felt puzzled and could not help asking, “What happened to you? Who beat you? And how did you find this place?”
Ye Chu remembered that he had never told Liang Shan where he lived.
“Ye Chu! I finally found you. Run, quick!” The moment Liang Shan saw Ye Chu, he threw himself forward, tears and snot flowing freely. He looked utterly pitiful.
Ye Chu quickly stepped aside, afraid of getting smeared, and asked, “What on earth is going on?”
“Fang Xinyuan and his lot are all looking for you. They swear they’ll make you pay. But they couldn’t find you, so they took it out on me. They beat me like this. One arm is broken.” Liang Shan began to cry. Over the past days, he had been thrashed at least ten times. If he had not bumped into Pang Shao and learned Ye Chu was here, the beatings might have continued indefinitely.
Ye Chu frowned and pressed Liang Shan for details. Between sobs, Liang Shan explained everything, and only then did Ye Chu understand.
It turned out that after Ye Chu had slapped Fang Xinyuan, his brothers, and the group who attended the Qingyang Marquis banquet, those people harboured resentment and wanted revenge. But Ye Chu had been staying with Bai Xuan these past days, so they could not find him. Their anger turned on Liang Shan instead. They punched and kicked him, demanding to know where Ye Chu was, threatening to beat him to death if he did not tell.
Liang Shan had no idea where Ye Chu had gone, so naturally he could say nothing. As a result, they broke his arm. It would take three or four months to heal.
Listening to Liang Shan’s halting account, Ye Chu took a deep breath. Anger surged in his heart. If they wanted trouble with him, fine. He would face it. But making Liang Shan suffer because of him was something Ye Chu could not tolerate.
“They said if I don’t show up, they’ll beat you to death?” Ye Chu asked.
“Yes. That’s what they said. But don’t take it seriously. I’m still the heir to a marquis household. They wouldn’t dare kill me. Still, from the way they’re acting, they’re determined to deal with you this time. Leave Yao City quickly.” Liang Shan urged.
“If I leave, what about you?” Ye Chu looked at him. Though he and Liang Shan were only drinking buddies, the man had shown real loyalty.
“It’ll be fine. Worst case, a few more beatings. I won’t die.” Liang Shan said. Speaking tugged at his wounds, making him grimace.
Seeing not a single spot on Liang Shan’s body unharmed, Ye Chu drew a deep breath and said, “Where are Fang Xinyuan and the others?”
“At Ding Wu Hall.” Liang Shan replied. “This isn’t the time to worry about that. Run. Fang Xinyuan has rallied everyone. They’ve gathered the chief guards from their families. They’re dead set on sorting you out.”
Ye Chu smiled, glanced at Liang Shan, and patted his shoulder. “Come with me.”
“Huh? Where?” Liang Shan asked, confused.
“To take a look at Ding Wu Hall.” Liang Shan was worried for his safety and had taken injuries on his account. Since Liang Shan was loyal, Ye Chu could not ignore it.
Besides, Ye Chu had always been protective. Seeing Liang Shan beaten like this, rage already burned inside him.
“Ah!” Liang Shan jumped at Ye Chu’s words. “Are you mad? Walking straight into their hands? And you probably don’t even know what Ding Wu Hall is.”
“What it is doesn’t matter. Worst case, I smash it.” Ye Chu said calmly and started walking ahead.
“…”
“Ye Chu… Ye Chu…” Liang Shan panicked, tried to grab him, but Ye Chu strode too quickly to catch. In desperation, Liang Shan stamped his foot and hurried after him.
…
Ding Wu Hall stood beside Cold Lake in Yao City. With beautiful mountains and water, plus gathering half the city’s young cultivators, it was very famous.
At that moment, two figures stood before it. One calm, one terrified.
“Ye Chu! Don’t do anything stupid. Ding Wu Hall has half Yao City’s cultivators. And the hall master is Ding Kaiwei. You can’t have forgotten him. Even three years ago, before you were driven from the Ye family, you didn’t dare provoke him. These years he’s grown terrifying. He’s among the top three of Yao City’s younger generation. The king even granted him the title of warrior. He loathes you. If you walk in, he’ll break your legs at best.” Liang Shan warned anxiously.
Ye Chu smiled at him, said nothing, and continued up the steps.
“Idiot.” Liang Shan regretted telling Ye Chu about the beatings. He had not expected Ye Chu to be so impulsive. “Ding Wu Hall has royal backing. Rumour says a prince is involved. Ye Chu, don’t act rashly.”
Ye Chu ignored him and climbed the steps to the hall.
Two people happened to emerge. None other than Zhang Su’er and Su Rong. Seeing Ye Chu, they froze briefly, then noticed Liang Shan behind him and seemed to understand.
“Ye Chu! Don’t be rash. Leave Yao City.” Zhang Su’er warned.
“Step aside.” Ye Chu said calmly to the two women blocking his path.
“If you want to stand up for Liang Shan, find somewhere else. Ding Wu Hall is where Yao City’s young generation gathers to cultivate. Going in is suicide.” Zhang Su’er snapped, deeply displeased. This fellow truly had no regard for his life.
Ye Chu stared at Zhang Su’er. His face remained calm, but he spoke word by word. “If Ding Wu Hall dares interfere in my affairs, I’ll smash it.”
The words stunned Su Rong and Zhang Su’er. They had not expected such arrogance from Ye Chu.
Ye Chu passed them and reached the doors. Two guards stretched out arms to block him. “Show your gold card to enter.”
“Get lost.” Ye Chu said, eyeing them.
The pair blinked. Never scolded like this before, they briefly froze, then fury erupted. “Where did this ignorant brat come from? Ding Wu Hall isn’t a place for you to cause trouble. Know what’s good for you and scram.”
Ye Chu said nothing more. He simply slapped one across the face. The crack echoed through the air, shocking everyone.
Liang Shan’s face drained of colour. He nearly collapsed, one thought left. It’s over.
Su Rong and Zhang Su’er gaped, eyes wide with disbelief, staring as Ye Chu slapped the second guard.
The slaps also startled passers-by. They stood stunned, then looked at Ye Chu as if he were a ghost. “Someone dares cause trouble at Ding Wu Hall? Who is that? Tired of living?”
They found it unbelievable. Ding Wu Hall was one of the untouchable places in Yao City.
“Ye Chu! Run!” Even Su Rong could not help shouting. She did not want to watch him die and urged him to flee.
But the outcome surprised her. After sending the two guards flying with slaps, Ye Chu strode inside. The three exchanged glances, terrified yet compelled to hurry after him.
