Chapter 72: Counterattack, Turning the Tables

In the days that followed, various nobles and aristocrats came to visit Ye Feng, paying their respects. As for those closest to him, they hardly needed an invitation—they practically took up residence in the Ye household, lingering there every day.

Regarding the matter of Duke Billis, everyone tacitly avoided the subject. After all, they were mere juniors; someone of Duke Billis’s stature was far beyond their reach.

During these days, the demon king’s core within Ye Feng’s body kept whirling ceaselessly, sending waves of energy that washed over him. It was like a warm current, meandering slowly through his form.

Wherever that heat passed, it brought an unbearable itch to his whole body. At the same time, his wounds healed rapidly under its influence. By now, he was nearly fully recovered.

Yet, since the assassination attempt remained unresolved, Ye Feng prudently stayed ‘bedridden,’ with no one aware of his true condition.

Lying quietly, Ye Feng pondered the series of events:

If this was a trap laid by Duke Billis, why go to such lengths to involve Princess Anran?

“Have you ever considered that someone might be deliberately sowing discord between the Ye family and the royal court?” As Ye Feng closed his eyes in contemplation, a young woman clad in black appeared, her figure slowly materializing from the void.

Strangely, despite the abrupt voice, Ye Feng was not startled in the least. It was as though the voice was meant to arrive at just that moment.

He opened his eyes slowly. Upon seeing the black-clad girl, all the restlessness in his heart vanished in an instant. With a faint smile, he murmured, “An outsider sees things clearly. Help me analyze—what is the old Duke’s ultimate goal?”

“You pig, wounded as you are, and still smiling!” she chided with playful annoyance, stepping to his bedside. She gently pulled the quilt higher over Ye Feng and then, quite naturally, sat beside him.

Ye Feng’s thoughts shamelessly wandered. At times like this, who cared about Duke Billis or assassination plots? In his mind, the scene of the girl adjusting his blanket replayed again and again, looping endlessly…

“Is this silent affection?” With drool at the corner of his mouth, Ye Feng was secretly delighted.

Seeing his piggish expression, the girl shook her head in resignation, rising as if to leave. “Looking at you now, I suddenly don’t feel like talking to you anymore.”

“No, no… I’m listening… go on…” Ye Feng cried out in alarm.

She turned back and sat once more at the bed’s edge. “Let me ask you—who could know the moment Princess Anran left the palace?”

Without hesitation, Ye Feng replied, “It must be the inner court…” Mid-sentence, he remembered Duke Billis’s identity. Suddenly, he squinted, muttering to himself:

The Seventh Prince is Duke Billis’s grandson. If the Seventh Prince informed Duke Billis of the princess’s departure, and then Duke Billis dispatched his agents…

Moreover, when I left the house, a tail was always shadowing me.

Furthermore, the spies sent to monitor the slaughterhouse by Lie Kuang were discovered long ago.

If I connect these three pieces of information, could it be that the old Duke orchestrated a scheme to kill three birds with one stone?

After sorting through it all, Ye Feng’s mind cleared. The chain of events unfolded in his thoughts:

Upon learning I had left the Ye household, the old Duke had me followed. Then, he stirred up the palace through the Seventh Prince, prompting Princess Anran to leave for some peace and quiet, which led to our ‘accidental’ encounter. Afterward, assassins attacked the princess. I intervened heroically, and then met a noble demise…

“A brilliant plan! Not only did he keep himself clean, but everyone’s attention was drawn to the power struggle among the princes. As for me, who would even care at that point…”

Ye Feng believed he had untangled the whole affair, but the black-clad girl shook her head slowly. “Your deduction is correct, but there are several crucial points you’ve missed.”

Ye Feng was taken aback.

“First, the old Duke’s men were busy clearing out spies at the slaughterhouse at the time—they couldn’t possibly have acted. Second, how could the Seventh Prince alone throw the palace into chaos? Is he performing a one-man show? Third, and most important: if you were to die in the midst of the princes’ power struggle, how would Lord Ye the Fifth react?” The girl smiled, counting the points on her fingers.

“A divide-and-conquer scheme!”

At last, everything was laid bare. The attack on Princess Anran was merely a diversion. Their true aim was to eliminate Ye’s second brother, thus causing a rupture between the Ye family and the royal court.

Understanding this, Ye Feng was astounded. “The old ones are cunning indeed—these monsters who’ve lived a hundred years, even their eyebrows are hollow!”

“Someone’s coming—I must leave.” Suddenly, the black-clad girl spoke. Her form quickly faded, merging with the air until she vanished without a trace.

“My name is Huan Qingwu!” Her voice came again, faintly from the void.

Sure enough, not long after she disappeared, there was a knock at the door.

Xiao Zhu handed Ye Feng a sealed letter, whispering, “Young master, someone from the inner palace delivered this. They said only you may read it.”

………………………………………..

That night, Ye Feng turned the letter over dozens of times, fuming at the old foxes…

In the morning, the sky was cloudless—a rare, beautiful day. The sun rose slowly, promising a wonderful day ahead.

After the initial panic, the capital returned to its lively self. Wherever you are, life goes on; even if the emperor is assassinated, ordinary folk must still live.

The gates of Ye’s household opened slowly. Several servants bustled about, helping Ye Feng outside and settling him in a grand chair prepared at the entrance.

There was no helping it—he adored basking in the sunlight.

Yet from afar, some people cast strange looks his way. How could he be so relaxed? Wasn’t he planning revenge?

Ignoring the bustling crowds, Ye Feng reclined in his chair, eyes closed, enjoying the peace.

In his mind, the letter from the royal court resurfaced: The plot was devised by Duke Billis, carried out by agents from the Sacred Land. If you wish for true retribution, wait for our arrangements, and we will capture all hidden agents from the Sacred Land in one sweep.

It was a strategy of exchanging time for space. Duke Billis’s scheme had been thoroughly exposed. Next would be the royal counterattack.

Yet, tragically for Ye’s second brother, he would still have to play the vanguard.

But what could be done? All these conspiracies revolved around him.

“A duet—I love playing both parts!” With a dark smile, Ye’s second brother crossed his legs, basking contentedly in the sun.