Chapter Twenty-Four: The Disciple of the Lord of the Manor

“There are many demons in the forest. You must be careful.”
As they ventured into the deep mountains nearby, Ye Yun spoke to his companion, Ye Qian.

“If you’re scared, you can always turn back,” she replied, her red lips curling with a hint of pride. “Ever since I succeeded in cultivating my qi, I’ve often trained in Sunset Mountain. A few petty demons can’t frighten me.”

As one of the outstanding talents among the younger generation of the Ye clan, Ye Qian had her own pride. The Ye clan especially valued the training of their core disciples, and countless members perished each year during their trials. Yet every one who survived the bloody crucible became a formidable expert, a fact Ye Qian relished.

Hearing her words, Ye Yun realized his concern was unwelcome and said no more. He strode wordlessly deeper into the forest.

…

With the White Tiger Sword drawn and ready in his hand, Ye Yun’s gaze was alert. Barely had he and Ye Qian entered the ancient woods when a small wolf pack emerged.

Their fur bristled like needles, and their savage eyes glowed green in the shadows. Six black wolf demons leapt from the underbrush, radiating an invisible pressure that bore down on Ye Yun and Ye Qian.

The stench of blood and killing intent hung heavy in the air. Even Ye Yun, who had faced such dangers before, found his breath catch in his chest.

“Watch out for the alpha!”
Though he knew Ye Qian cared little for his caution, Ye Yun still called out in warning.

Among the six wolves, one stood taller and more robust, its thick pelt shimmering faintly with silver light. This was the pack leader, far more powerful than the ordinary black wolf demons. The silver gleam meant it was on the verge of advancing from a peak qi-refining beast to a Foundation Establishment demon.

Once it reached the Foundation Establishment realm, its intelligence would blossom. Though it could not yet assume human form, it would be able to speak and display cunning far beyond that of a mere beast.

The alpha lingered behind, while the five lesser wolves fanned out ahead, ready to attack. Clearly, it already possessed a degree of cunning.

“Die, beast!”
Unsurprisingly, Ye Qian seemed not to hear Ye Yun’s warning. The scarlet sash at her waist shot into the air, charged with inner energy and snapping like a whip toward the five wolves that lunged at her.

A howl tore through the air as the alpha leapt, shaking the nearby trees and sending a shower of dead leaves to the ground.

Ye Yun dared not be careless. With a flourish of the Roc Soaring Steps, his movements became swift as the wind. In a flash, he engaged the alpha, the White Tiger Sword flashing with lethal light.

—

Blood sprayed as the blade bit deep into the alpha’s chest, making the wolf’s eyes blaze red. Its claws flashed with icy light, whistling through the air toward Ye Yun.

Ye Yun had faced such scenes countless times and met the attack without the slightest panic. His footwork was solid and powerful as he braced the White Tiger Sword, crimson inner energy surging.

Sparks flew as claws struck steel. Ye Yun retreated a few steps, dissipating the force of the wolf’s assault, while the alpha’s paws bled from the impact.

The White Tiger Sword, though not of the highest grade, had been personally forged by Ancestor Ye Yu—a master’s work that set it apart from ordinary weapons.

Seeing Ye Qian beset by five savage wolves and in imminent danger, Ye Yun resolved to end the fight quickly. He lunged with the short sword, aiming to finish the alpha at once.

The wolf, sensing its foe’s strength, was driven by its feral nature to fight desperately. Man and beast clashed in a flurry of direct, brutal moves, both seeking a swift resolution.

A blazing crimson arc swept through the air—the sword’s edge like fire. The wolf’s massive head flew free, and a fountain of hot blood gushed forth. Ye Yun twisted in midair and landed lightly on the ground.

The headless carcass crashed into a pool of blood. Though only a hair’s breadth from becoming a Foundation Establishment demon, the wolf had fallen to a human youth.

A burning pain throbbed along Ye Yun’s body. Although his footwork was exquisite, he had prioritized speed and suffered a few shallow wounds from the wolf’s claws. Fortunately, none struck a vital spot.

He glanced at Ye Qian. The five black wolves, though formidable in their coordination, were no match for her. As a master at the peak of qi-refining, she had the upper hand from the start, and the battle was nearly won.

Ye Yun made no move to help her. In their time together, he had learned that Ye Qian was fiercely independent; if he intervened, she would only resent his interference.

There was a reward of elixirs for the demon-slaying mission issued by the clan lord. Ye Yun gathered several fangs from the alpha as proof of his kill.

“You’re pretty impressive—killing the alpha that quickly.”
As Ye Qian finished gathering her own trophies, she noticed Ye Yun’s wounds and said, “Are you all right? If you’re hurt, you can head back first.”

“It’s nothing, just a scratch,” Ye Yun replied with a smile and a shake of his head.

A mere wolf not yet a Foundation Establishment demon could hardly have wounded him. He’d only taken the hits because he’d rushed to finish the fight, worried for Ye Qian’s safety.

Ye Yun did not explain; some things were better left unsaid.

“Then let’s see who can slay more demons—what do you say?” Ye Qian’s competitive spirit flared again.

She had always brooded over her defeat by Ye Yun in Sunset Mountain. Now, with a chance to redeem herself, she was eager to win.

—

She was the favored daughter of the Ye clan, Elder Ye Min’s cherished disciple—pride was in her very bones.

“As you wish,” said Ye Yun, “I just want to exchange demon fangs for some elixirs.”

“Looking for elixirs? That’s easy enough! Just bring me the right herbs and ask nicely, and I’ll make them for you,” Ye Qian answered loftily.

Among the younger generation, she was the sole alchemist. Though she could only refine the most basic Spirit-Boosting Pills, it made her a shining star within the Ye clan.

Ye Yun gave a wry smile and said nothing, striding forward once more.

Ask? I am Ye Yun—a man. Why should I beg a woman for anything?

Encountering a wolf pack on the outskirts was a stroke of luck. As more Ye clan disciples entered the forest to hunt demons, the weaker monsters had gone into hiding or fled deeper into the woods.

“Who is that?”

In the distance, a youth clad in a silver moon robe stood on a grassy field, surrounded by numerous Ye clan disciples, both male and female. They clustered around him like stars encircling the moon.

“As a member of the Ye clan, you don’t know who he is?” Ye Qian cast Ye Yun a sidelong glance, as if he were some oddity.

“I’ve been training outside since I was eight. I don’t know much about the main family’s affairs,” Ye Yun admitted sheepishly.

Since his return, he had studied alchemy under Elder Ye Min and was indeed unfamiliar with the clan’s inner workings.

“Boastful, aren’t you? Out training since eight—what could you possibly have done at that age?” Ye Qian scoffed, but let the matter drop. “That’s Ye Peng, gifted with a dazzling seventh-grade talent—the clan lord’s personal disciple!”

“Him?”
A childhood memory surfaced in Ye Yun’s mind, but he quickly turned his gaze away.

As a child, he hadn’t understood, but now he realized that Ye Peng’s cold snort back then had been filled with disdain for his father, Ye Zili, and his second uncle, Ye Zicheng.

“Yes, the clan lord’s disciple—the top expert among the younger generation,” Ye Qian continued, unaware of Ye Yun’s thoughts.

“Qian? You’re here too…”

At that moment, Ye Peng noticed them. The crowd parted, and he approached with a gentle smile, his sword-like brows and star-bright eyes making him appear every inch the elegant young nobleman.