Chapter 57: Commanding You to Howl
Returning to Shaded Heaven City, Ye Feng cherished the dragon-carved long blade, caressing it over and over as if he had found a priceless treasure, unable to contain his joy. Time drifted by, and after a day’s bustle, the city settled into quiet, with only Ye Feng foolishly stroking the blade again and again.
At a certain hour deep into the night, several figures appeared outside the city. Clearly, the low walls of Shaded Heaven City were insufficient to deter them. They entered unobstructed; the guards failed to notice, the gap in their strength too vast.
All the shadows slipped into the small city. Among them, two elders concealed their presence perfectly.
“Ye Fifth hasn’t returned. This is our only chance!”
The shadows avoided the homes of ordinary residents, heading straight for the Ye residence. Their movements were light and agile, unnoticed along the way.
Yet, the moment they entered the Ye estate, a cold snort reached their ears.
Assassins!
With Fifth Master absent, Ye Tianya had become the guardian. After all, Ye Feng’s strength was still too weak. With the family reemerging in the world, old enemies were bound to make moves. Vigilance was essential.
Ye Tianya’s voice rumbled like thunder, awakening everyone in the Ye estate. Such incidents had become almost routine for the family. The response was swift; Ye Feng, not yet asleep, grabbed his long blade and rushed out.
By the time he entered the courtyard, Ye Tianya was already locked in battle with the black-robed men. “Is it you? Hmph... Old ghost, it seems the Sylan Marquis’s estate wants to be erased from the capital.”
The capital was small; among experts, sensing each other was precise. With the first exchange, Ye Tianya recognized their identities, especially since the enemy had made no effort to hide.
“Tsk tsk, Ye boy, fighting two at once must be difficult. Leave this one to me!” Elder Xiao’s voice shot from the void.
“That suits me fine. Just don’t let them escape, or that brat will have trouble again when he returns!” Ye Tianya struck out with his palm, holding back with ease.
Another black-clad figure tried to advance, but Elder Xiao appeared before him.
“Damn! This one uses the Heartless Sect’s techniques—quite skillful. Old man, did you leave some tangled ties in the Heartless Sect again, bringing them here to seek revenge?” The black-robed man snorted, startled that Elder Xiao had seen through him so quickly. He was originally from the Heartless Sect, now using the name of the Sylan Marquis to shift blame.
Ye Feng, blade in hand, stood at the edge of the battlefield. Over a dozen had infiltrated, besides the two elders, several younger experts.
The Ye estate’s guards engaged them all, but even in groups of three or four to one, they were forced into perilous situations.
As Ye Feng moved to attack, a shadow flashed before him, a short blade glinting coldly and stabbing toward him.
In the courtyard, Ye Tianya and Elder Xiao held absolute advantage, their strength clearly superior. Yet even so, dominance didn’t mean a swift victory; the struggle remained tense.
Ye Feng felt no worry. The long blade he’d received today danced swiftly, and he joined battle with the black-robed youth before him.
A scream echoed from the battlefield as guards fell. Yet Ye Tianya continued to drag out his opponent, making no move to assist.
“I have to help!” Ye Feng cursed inwardly, unleashing his spiritual power.
Dragon Capture Slash…
Heartless Finger…
As Ye Feng sent out his spiritual arts, his opponent did the same. The Heartless Sect’s secret technique—three streams of spiritual force shot out, clashing with the blade’s radiance. The black-clad youth smiled, “You’re still a bit green!”
His words barely faded when a golden fist thundered toward him.
Life and death at stake, the youth’s spiritual power burst forth, shields appearing before him. His form darted back like a swallow.
Crack, crack, crack, crack...
The golden fist shattered five barriers in succession, smashing into the youth. He was sent flying, blood spraying from his mouth.
He staggered to his feet, clothes in tatters, a ghastly wound bleeding on his abdomen, intestines spilling out.
“I was toying with you! Did you think you were some immortal cockroach?” Ye Feng showed no mercy, slashing decisively and severing his head.
Turning to the battlefield, he saw the guards battered and bruised. The enemy’s strength was clear, and their killing moves were far more deadly than mere brawls. One misstep meant instant death. Last time, when Xiao Chong led his men to the estate, they’d held back, even risking themselves for a good name before the young master. But for these intruders, recklessness was less effective and often created opportunities for the enemy.
The guards attacked fiercely, three or four ganging up on one, often exchanging blow for blow, but their opponents, experienced, avoided direct confrontation, striking unexpectedly.
“Damn it, do they think I don’t exist?” Ye Feng barged into a battle circle, executing the Dragon Capture Hand. Clearly, not every enemy was immortal; one was smashed into pulp with a single blow.
“Go help others!” he shouted at the idle guards, then dashed to another fight.
“Heh heh, I’ve been waiting for you!” The black-clad youth grinned eerily, spiritual power surging.
Boom, boom, boom...
Without any visible move, the three guards attacking him collapsed, blood pooling beneath them, their lives nearly spent.
Boom, boom, boom...
At the same time, the other four battle circles followed suit. Four “youths” changed faces rapidly, and in the blink of an eye, appeared as elders.
The void roiled as two elders stepped out, immense power swirling around them.
“This is bad! Their target is Feng’er...” Sensing the shift, Ye Tianya shouted in apparent panic. Yet his acting was mediocre; though his words rushed, he made no move to fight desperately.
“Seven Spirit Emperors, two Spirit Sovereigns! You truly think highly of the Ye family.”
Inside the house, an aged voice sounded. Vast spiritual power instantly enveloped the battlefield. From the dense aura, Fifth Master and the giant ape, now the height of a normal man, emerged from the void. With each step, their power thickened.
The black-robed elder who had charged at Ye Feng turned pale. “Damn it, wasn’t this old fellow supposed to have left? How is he here?”
Stay or go? The elder gazed at Ye Feng, close at hand, his face twisted in mad resolve.
A roar thundered out before he could act, demon power engulfing him. A massive black paw print descended from the sky...
Rumble—
Ye Feng staggered back three steps, barely steady. Fear struck his heart. What kind of power was this? With a single stomp, a Spirit Emperor-level master was reduced to pulp.
“Get out!” the giant ape roared, swinging an arm like an iron barrel, battering the other elder backward.
“Beast, you court death!” The three remaining Spirit Emperors raged. Two wielded long swords, rushing at the ape. The third floated upward, his arm swinging as thick blue lightning bolts shot forth.
Furious Thunder Roar...
Crack, crack, crack, crack...
Bolts struck the ape, but… the ape closed its eyes in delight, humming contentedly.
Roar…
“Roar, my ass! Is that all? Just a little lightning, and you dare to roar...” The ape bellowed, reaching out to seize the Spirit Emperor, shaking him vigorously, cursing all the while.
Roar… the ape let out another thunderous cry, demon power blowing the Spirit Emperor’s hair away.
Crunch…
Under the horrified eyes of all, the ape tossed him into its mouth and bit down, shattering him. A mangled thigh slipped from its lips.
“Damn, tricking me! See if you’ll roar again…” Still not satisfied, the ape swatted the two stunned Spirit Emperors aside like flies.
“No passion at all! Old man, are these the experts you spoke of?” The ape cursed, pointing at the two, then turned to ask Fifth Master.
“Look... two more in the air!” Fifth Master smiled, pointing at the two Spirit Sovereigns imprisoned in the void.
In their desperate gaze, and in Ye Feng’s reluctant eyes, the giant ape stepped toward the void.