With Chiyi Xiu leading the way, the formidable group departed the Southern Savage Forest. Upon reappearing on the land of the Shu Yun Kingdom, Luo Ruofeng and the others felt as if they had been reborn.

Had it not been for these people from the Southern Savage tribes guiding them this time, even if they hadn't encountered those feral beasts, they would never have navigated the miasma-filled swamps and toxin-laden jungles. They truly couldn't fathom the sheer luck that had allowed them to enter the Southern Savage Forest previously.

If one survives a great disaster, fortune must follow...

This phrase perfectly captured Luo Ruofeng's current state. Gazing at the tall, imposing Chiyi warriors and the long-armed Fox Yu archers, his eyes burned with intense light.

Though numbering only a hundred, the combat effectiveness of these individuals was equivalent to an army of at least a thousand ordinary soldiers—undeniably a force not to be underestimated.

When his gaze fell again upon Ye Jingyu, the delight in Luo Ruofeng's eyes deepened.

All of this was thanks to the young man before him; it was he who had reignited Luo Ruofeng’s confidence in vying for the throne.

As the son of Luo Xiaofeng, the Young Master of the Shu Yun Kingdom, they had never lacked wealth or power, having grown up in luxury. What they lacked was formidable fighting experts.

Beyond the necessary protective detail, Luo Xiaofeng would never easily allow his sons to command excessive martial force, primarily to prevent infighting. Thus, Luo Ruofeng, despite being the Third Young Master of the Shu Yun Kingdom, only had four Innate Martial Masters accompanying him, alongside a mere twenty-odd Martial Masters. This level of force was barely enough for self-preservation in the capital city of Yunjing, making any significant action utterly impossible.

But now, these hundred warriors, though few in number, were all elites. Although none could cultivate True Qi, their physical strength had all reached the level of a Martial Master. This was equivalent to gaining one hundred Martial Masters out of thin air. To a major sect like the Baiyun Villa (for full text novel reading, visit .1.(1.m.literature.net), this strength was negligible. However, for him, a Young Master still struggling to gain the King’s favor, it was an immeasurable treasure.

It was something no amount of wealth could ever purchase.

“Brother Jingyu, are you planning to return directly to Yunjing with me? Or perhaps…” Luo Ruofeng asked with a smile, observing Ye Jingyu who was gazing thoughtfully into the distance.

“Young Master, I wish to return to Longya Village first, to see my old father. After that matter is settled, I will join the Young Master in Yunjing,” Ye Jingyu withdrew his gaze, suppressing the excitement stirring within him as he replied.

“That is acceptable. Though Baiyun Villa has been purged, and my father has arranged for Qin Yan to be stationed in Yunjing, his spies are surely still around here. You must be extremely careful. Take this token of mine; if you encounter any trouble, seek out the local officials. We can discuss the rest once you reach Yunjing.” Luo Ruofeng nodded, not pressing Ye Jingyu. This was, in fact, the best decision for him; bringing such a large contingent of one hundred men back to Yunjing rashly would certainly draw the attention of other factions, and this force was meant to be his final trump card.

“Thank you, Young Master…” Ye Jingyu still offered Luo Ruofeng a polite bow.

“We are brothers, why stand on ceremony? It is getting late, I shall set off now. Be careful in all things.” Luo Ruofeng clapped Ye Jingyu casually on the shoulder, signaling the closeness between them.

“En…” Ye Jingyu nodded, saying no more, merely watching Luo Ruofeng and his retinue depart.

“Master, this Young Master is deeply calculating and treacherous. Are we certain about cooperating with him?” Only after the figures of Luo Ruofeng and his men had completely vanished below the horizon did Fox Yuyi speak.

Willingly becoming Ye Jingyu’s retainer, Fox Yuyi’s primary objective was to repay the debt of gratitude for Ye Jingyu saving the Fox Yu tribe. Naturally, he did not wish to see anything happen to Ye Jingyu. While the Fox Yu tribe was not as militarily powerful as the Chiyi tribe, they were not as straightforward as the Chiyi warriors. The Fox Yu—though not as cunning as foxes—possessed a certain depth of thought.

“Rest assured, he needs my strength, and I need his influence. Our relationship is merely a mutual cooperation. Brothers, let us be on our way, I shall show you this wonderful, dazzling world.” Ye Jingyu said lightly, then turned and strode toward Longya Village.

Those behind him shouted and followed Ye Jingyu, hurrying toward Longya Village.

The Southern Savage Forest was dense with trees and thick jungle, utterly unsuited for riding mounts. But upon reaching the plains of the Shu Yun Kingdom, traveling without mounts became an agonizing affair, especially with the blazing sun overhead—the heat was something ordinary people could barely endure.

After traveling less than ten li, Ye Jingyu began to regret not capturing some mounts from the jungle. Never mind a Rain Worker, even capturing some second-tier feral beasts for transport would have been better than walking like this.

However, glancing at the hundred men behind him who seemed completely unfazed, Ye Jingyu sighed inwardly. He summoned his full focus and sped toward Longya Village, remembering that he was their leader and should not lag behind.

Longya Village lay at the junction of the Southern Savage Forest and the Tiangang Mountain Range. Thus, after exiting the forest and traveling west for less than twenty li, they arrived within the territory of Longya Village.

Seeing that familiar land, the plump figure of Ye Fugui involuntarily surfaced in Ye Jingyu’s mind. He wondered what expression his cheap old father would make upon seeing him return with a troop of ‘savages.’

The joy in his heart accelerated his pace; he practically dragged the group back to the Ye Family Estate. But when he arrived, he saw no daytime prosperity, no bustling activity, and none of the tenant farmers who daily shouted ‘Master Ye’ in front of their faces while cursing ‘Ye Zong’ in their hearts. The entire estate appeared desolate and silent. Apart from the occasional sound of a dog barking, there was absolutely no human sound.

The few people who peered out from doorways were all strangers to Ye Jingyu. Upon seeing the group of ‘savages’ behind him, these people immediately slammed their doors shut, denying Ye Jingyu any chance to ask questions.

Witnessing this scene, an ominous feeling settled in Ye Jingyu’s heart. He could ignore everything else and rushed back to the Ye family manor. When he saw the condition of the manor, his face froze in utter stupefaction.