This time, the mission was to intercept and eliminate Qin Yunxiao, and Ye Jingyu had not brought too many men. Chi Yi Xiu and the remaining twenty-odd Chi Yi warriors were all stationed at the Zhenguo Residence, as were Hu Yanmeng and Gongsun Xiangyi. Ye Jingyu was accompanied only by Hu Yanqi, Xue Hengzhi, Ying Xiaoxiao, Ye Longyi, Lin Xiaoyi, and the silent Bing Ming, who remained perpetually at Ye Jingyu's side in shadows...

After all, this was an assassination, not a war. Bringing too many people would be an obvious declaration to Qin Yan that he intended to kill his son, wouldn't it?

Although even if they knew he was the killer, what could they do as long as no evidence was left behind?

Two Grandmasters, two young experts on the cusp of reaching the Master realm, a formidable presence capable of contending with a Grandmaster, and a divine archer who could slay a Master—this level of strength made eliminating Qin Yunxiao, who was at most a Master, far too easy...

Forget Qin Yunxiao; even if Qin Yan himself showed up, Ye Jingyu was fully confident he could keep him here...

Therefore, Ye Jingyu kept the operation quiet...

Of course, if Hei Ming Shixuan had remained in the residence, she would naturally have accompanied him. However, the girl had left Yunjing City riding Ni Bo several days ago, and her destination was unknown. Still, Ye Jingyu felt no concern for her safety...

Few people in this world could injure her, capable as she was of forcing the Grandmaster-level Xue Hengzhi into a position where he couldn't even fight back. Even if she encountered real danger, with Ni Bo’s unmatched speed, who could possibly catch up?

Watching the approaching convoy, the killing intent within Ye Jingyu intensified...

Just then, a figure rushed towards them with lightning speed. Ye Jingyu looked up and saw Ying Xiaoxiao, clad in fitted attire, arrive before him...

For the past half-month, he had been diligently practicing Soul Chasing and Spirit Snatching. His current speed was more than double what it was before. Ye Jingyu had assigned him today to scout whether anyone was following Viscount Baiyun's convoy...

"General, there's no one for three miles out, no sign of any ambush either..." Ying Xiaoxiao relayed the intelligence he had gathered to Ye Jingyu...

"There are over thirty people in their escort. Old Xue, any issues with that?" Ye Jingyu nodded and addressed Xue Hengzhi beside him...

"Hmph, what issue could there be? That small contingent isn't enough for me to poke down with a single finger. But hey, Ye Boy, I’m a Grandmaster. Can’t you let me kill more than just these petty characters every day?" Xue Hengzhi rolled his eyes and grumbled with evident dissatisfaction...

"Heh heh, it’s just killing. Why care if they are big shots or small fries? Besides, dealing with these minor figures is always safer, isn’t it? When you’re alive, the fewer dangers, the better, wouldn't you agree?" Ye Jingyu smiled faintly, subtly conveying the threat that his life was still in Ye Jingyu's hands, so he shouldn't be so discontented...

"Hmph..." Xue Hengzhi snorted coldly and turned away from Ye Jingyu...

"Alright, Old Xue, you’ve been with me for quite some time now. You should know what kind of person I am. Here is the antidote for the Soul Severing Pill. After taking this, all residual poison in your system will be purged. Afterward, if you wish to stay, you may; if you wish to go anywhere, I won't stop you..." Ye Jingyu then produced a white pill and offered it to Xue Hengzhi...

"You trust me that easily?" Taking the white pill Ye Jingyu offered, Xue Hengzhi swallowed it in one gulp. He immediately felt a cool sensation enter his body, with no drastic reaction, only the faint sense that the poison suppressing him was gradually dissipating. Recognizing it as the genuine antidote, he asked, perplexed...

"Heh heh, though you are bloodthirsty and even somewhat cruel, I can see that you are also a man of deep loyalty and righteousness. Otherwise, you wouldn't have defected from the Heavenly Sword Sect back then. I, Ye Jingyu, am no great hero, but I deeply respect men of your character, so I won't make things difficult for you..." Ye Jingyu chuckled...

"You’ve got guts, kid. I’ve been your follower for so long now; what’s wrong with continuing to be your follower?" Hearing Ye Jingyu's words, Xue Hengzhi nodded inwardly. It had to be admitted that aside from the threat of the Soul Severing Pill, Ye Jingyu had treated Xue Hengzhi exceptionally well. Fine wine, gourmet food, and women—he lacked nothing. He had even handed over the Heavenly Sword Sect martial arts manuals obtained from Bing Ming...

"Heh heh, then let's make our move... Leave no one alive..." Ye Jingyu wasn't particularly surprised by Xue Hengzhi's reaction. He judged people by their hearts, and he had long since thoroughly understood what kind of person Xue Hengzhi was these past few days. He had given Xue Hengzhi enough benefits, trusting that he was inherently a man of loyalty. For such a person, relying on poison for control would never win their true allegiance; poison could only command obedience, not win the heart...

What Ye Jingyu desired was not mere compliance, but his wholehearted assistance...

"Rest assured, with him here, how could these men possibly escape?" Xue Hengzhi replied coldly, his figure already surging toward the convoy below. Since he had agreed to be Ye Jingyu's follower, he might as well follow thoroughly...

This life was infinitely more exhilarating than his solitary existence in the valley. Moreover, he believed that if he ever encountered trouble beyond his ability to resolve, Ye Jingyu would certainly help him. Even a Grandmaster needed companions, didn't they?

Ye Jingyu followed closely beside Xue Hengzhi and shot forward. Ye Longyi and Ying Xiaoxiao exchanged a look and did not linger, accelerating towards the carriages at full speed...

Only Hu Yanqi remained on the hilltop, taking down the long bow from his back. As Ye Jingyu had instructed, his presence was solely for handling unexpected developments; under normal circumstances, he would not need to act...

After all, with a Grandmaster present, slaughtering a group of Martial Masters should be effortless...

As for Lin Xiaoyi, he had earnestly begged Ye Jingyu to allow him to come. His own strength was far too low, but he was still from the Ye Family Village, and how could he be absent from such an act of revenge? Even just witnessing it brought him immense satisfaction...

Without any cover, any concealment, and no ambush, Ye Jingyu and his group charged openly toward the convoy...

Their speed was incredible. Xue Hengzhi's body seemed to glide; every step covered several meters. Ying Xiaoxiao’s movements were exceedingly light; although his power didn't match Xue Hengzhi's, thanks to Soul Chasing and Spirit Snatching, his speed was nearly comparable to the Grandmaster's...

Ye Longyi lagged behind the others, his movement techniques being significantly inferior...