Someone capable of shattering a pavilion with a single palm strike must, at the very least, be a Martial Saint. Why would someone at that level bother troubling themselves with people like us? I’m merely a minor City Lord. Even in a war between nations, they wouldn't casually deploy a Martial Saint.

City Lord Xuanyuan Hai was visibly trembling, yet his arms tightly clutched a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl—one of his many concubines, clearly one he held dear...

As for the four Grandmasters standing before the City Lord, cold sweat had already soaked the lining of their inner garments. Judging by Ye Jingyu’s casual act of demolishing a pavilion, and the immensely powerful aura that seemed ready to vanish at any moment, perhaps he wasn't merely a Martial Saint...

An existence beyond the Martial Saint realm—that... that was the realm of legend...

Such a being, by all rights, should remain hidden. Why had he come here? Was he some kind of ruthless, bloodthirsty demon?

Yet, whether it was the Grandmasters or the others, they could not detect a shred of killing intent from Ye Jingyu. Especially since Ye Jingyu possessed smooth, fair skin and a slender build; he looked more like a refined young nobleman than a murderous fiend. Had they not witnessed him shattering a pavilion with one blow, they would never have believed he possessed such terrifying power...

Even though Ye Jingyu no longer radiated any overtly powerful aura, his composed demeanor still imposed an oppressive weight upon them...

He seemed less like a demon incarnate and more like a divine king descended from the heavens. Before him, the thought of resistance simply could not take root in anyone's mind...

The only reason they remained standing there was less for resistance and more to await Ye Jingyu's decree...

As for Yao Rao, seeing the look of utter despair on everyone’s faces, her own heart began to beat faster involuntarily. She understood this was the shockwave that true power generated, and her gaze toward Ye Jingyu grew even more intense...

“Where is Ruohan? Where have you confined Ruohan?” Just then, a white blur shot forward, face etched with anxiety—it was none other than Huangfu Buyue!

Everyone turned to look at Huangfu Buyue. They truly couldn't fathom how this man had managed to enter undetected. Of course, given Huangfu Buyue’s skill, slipping past observation would have been effortless...

“Hmph, I thought with your legendary abilities you would have already rescued the hostage, turns out you still need to come ask them,” Ye Jingyu muttered to himself, before suddenly fixing his gaze upon the City Lord surrounded at the center...

“Hey, I’m asking you, fatty!”

“Ah...” What angered Xuanyuan Hai the most was being called fat, but at this moment, he dared not feel any anger. He merely froze for a second... then catching sight of Ye Jingyu’s eyes, his whole body jolted...

“Han'er is in the rear courtyard, the Lily Courtyard. Esteemed seniors, wait a moment, this humble one will fetch her immediately...”

“No need for that...” Huangfu Buyue, upon hearing those few words, vanished again, only to reappear instantly beside the portly City Lord a moment later...

“Where is the Lily Courtyard?” Huangfu Buyue’s eyes were completely bloodshot, like a rabbit’s, and he seized Xuanyuan Hai—all three hundred-plus pounds of him—lifting him bodily off the ground...

Seeing Huangfu Buyue materialize behind them in an instant, the faces of the four Grandmasters turned ghostly pale once more. Another expert at or above the Saint level? What terrible luck had befallen them that these powerful figures all showed up today?

Ye Jingyu, meanwhile, rolled his eyes skyward, inwardly despising Huangfu Buyue's haste. Didn't the fool realize that Xuan Yuan Ruohan had two Martial Saints guarding her?

Yao Rao, trailing behind Ye Jingyu, covered her lips and stifled a chuckle at Huangfu Buyue’s sudden return...

As for Xuanyuan Hai, held captive in Huangfu Buyue’s grasp, he was so terrified he lost control of his bladder, and the woman in his arms fainted from fright...

“Th-that... that courtyard filled with lilies is the one!” The fatty managed to gasp out those words bravely before promptly passing out himself...

Huangfu Buyue paid him no mind, tossing him onto the ground, and his figure flashed away, disappearing without a trace...

“Alas, this young man. He’s usually so composed, why is he so agitated today?” Ye Jingyu remarked with a sigh...

“Heh heh, that’s because his heart is preoccupied, isn’t it? If Princess Yongle were in danger, perhaps Young Master would be even more frantic?” Seeing that Ye Jingyu still had the leisure to tease Huangfu Buyue at this moment, Yao Rao couldn't help but let out a soft laugh...

“Er, that is true. Right, Yao Rao, what do you suggest we do with these people?” Ye Jingyu smiled faintly, smoothly shifting the conversation to the current predicament...

“Ah...” Hearing Ye Jingyu say this, Yao Rao gasped, and the gazes of over a hundred people present instantly converged upon her. Innumerable eyes held pleading expressions, begging her to spare them...

At this moment, not a single person among them still harbored any lustful thoughts toward her; their spirits had clearly been broken by Ye Jingyu’s terror...

Faced with so many supplicating eyes, Yao Rao's exquisitely beautiful face went through a rapid succession of expressions...

Why would he leave such a decision to her? Was it a test for her? Or simply a whim of his?

And what should she do? If she decreed that they all be executed, would he consider her ruthless? But if she let them go, would he chastise her for being too lenient?

For a moment, countless thoughts churned in Yao Rao’s mind. Yet, no matter the thought, she was analyzing Ye Jingyu’s potential feelings. This was less like a subordinate trying to fathom a superior's thoughts and more like a young girl agonizing over the sentiments of the man she admired...

These intricate considerations even escaped her own notice...

“Yao Rao is utterly unqualified to advise the Young Master; it is best that the Young Master make the decision himself!” In the end, Yao Rao found herself incapable of making a choice and promptly deferred the matter back to Ye Jingyu...

“Heh heh...” Ye Jingyu suddenly let out a faint smile. Before Yao Rao could grasp the meaning behind that smile, several sharp streaks of blade energy burst forth from his body...

Like falling rain, they shot out toward the hundred-plus people assembled in the courtyard. The speed of the blade energy was extreme, its power immense; in the blink of an eye, it sliced through the entire courtyard...

“Chih chih chih...” Countless jets of blood erupted from within the bodies of the crowd. Every eye was filled with a mixture of absolute despair and shock...