"A’Yu…" Seeing Ye Jingyu approach, holding Luo Ling’er, Chi Yi Xiu, who already knew Ye Jingyu's plan, was about to speak a word of counsel, but was cut off by Ye Jingyu.

"Xiu, you don't need to say much. My mind is made up, and I will not change it. I have already passed the cultivation method to you. From now on, you will stay in the Southern Wilderness Forest. Don't even think about avenging me; their strength is beyond your imagination. Take good care of Ling’er, and the child in her belly…" Ye Jingyu spoke plainly, yet everyone present felt an unspeakable sorrow…

"Rest assured, as long as I still draw breath, I will absolutely not allow anyone to harm the Princess and your child!" Hearing that Luo Ling’er was pregnant with Ye Jingyu's child, Chi Yi Xiu instantly understood what he needed to do.

"Mmm…" Ye Jingyu nodded, then turned his gaze to Hu Yan Qi, and spoke again, "Qi, although you have always called me Master, I have always regarded you as a brother. This time, I don't need you to accompany me into battle. All I need is for you to protect her well. Can you do that?"

"I can…" Hu Yan Qi nodded vigorously, his eyes filled with determination…

"Very good!" Ye Jingyu nodded with satisfaction again, then looked towards Hu Yan Meng, focusing on the exceptionally beautiful woman…

Hu Yan Meng stared straight back at Ye Jingyu, looking into his dark eyes. This man, whom she once saw as nothing more than a dissolute rake—lustful, despicable, shameless, and lewd—had now grown into someone powerful and deeply loyal to his relationships. She thought of his affection for Luo Ling’er, the responsibility he bore for the Southern Cloud Empire, and the camaraderie he shared with his sworn brothers. Within Hu Yan Meng’s usually icy gaze, glints of light flickered. She had followed Ye Jingyu all these years, witnessing his rapid ascent firsthand.

It could be said that she had watched his growth with her own eyes, and because of this, she understood his thoughts better and comprehended his actions more deeply.

"Little Meng’er, don't be so cold. Come on, your young master is about to leave. Give me a smile…" Ye Jingyu suddenly lifted Hu Yan Meng's chin in front of everyone, flashing a rather wicked smile.

Seeing that Ye Jingyu still had the disposition to tease her at such a moment, Hu Yan Meng felt a pang of amusement, yet she couldn't force a smile. Instead, her heart ached more intensely, as if something precious had just slipped from her grasp.

"Hmph, do I really carry so little weight in your heart? You won't even smile for me now?" Ye Jingyu exaggeratedly opened his mouth wide…

A palpable sadness permeated the air. The muscles in Hu Yan Meng's face twitched; she tried to smile, but no expression would come. Instead, crystal tears welled up in her eyes: "Master…"

"Ha! You still acknowledge me as your Master? You won't even smile when I ask, and you call yourself Master?" Ye Jingyu kept up the jest, trying to lighten the oppressive atmosphere.

"As long as Master returns, Meng’er will do anything you ask…" Hu Yan Meng suddenly looked up, meeting Ye Jingyu's eyes with firm resolve.

"Anything I ask?" Ye Jingyu deliberately brightened his eyes, simultaneously glancing towards Hu Yan Meng's high bosom, his implication clear…

"Yes, anything!" Hu Yan Meng nodded forcefully, as if making a momentous decision.

"Hahahaha! Then rest assured, this young master will definitely return. When I do, I will certainly dote on you properly!" Ye Jingyu burst into laughter.

Yet, aside from Ye Jingyu’s laughter, no one else smiled. These were the people closest to him. They naturally knew the sheer power of the enemy Ye Jingyu was about to face, and the probability of his return was heartbreakingly slim.

Seemingly realizing his laughter failed to lift the spirits of those present, Ye Jingyu let his smile fade. Gazing upon this group of devoted followers, he sighed softly, "Alright, you all should leave now…" Everything that needed to be said had been said. He knew they would obey his commands…

"Young Master, please let me go with you!" Just then, Lin Xiao Yi rushed in front of Ye Jingyu, his face streaked with tears, looking completely unwilling to leave.

"Little Linzi, you have an even more important task. The Young Mistress carries my child. From now on, you must take excellent care of the little young master or little princess, understand?" Ye Jingyu looked at this man who had followed him since arriving in this world, his own emotions a complex mix. Facing a terrifying figure like the Lord of the Fang Kingdom this time, how could he allow these people to sacrifice themselves needlessly?

"But Young Master…"

"No buts. Am I the Young Master, or are you?" Seeing Lin Xiao Yi about to plead further, Ye Jingyu’s tone turned sharp…

Seeing Ye Jingyu’s anger, Lin Xiao Yi, though tearful, dared not say another word. He stepped forward, knelt before Ye Jingyu, kowtowed deeply three times, then swept the tears from his eyes with a determined expression, declaring, "Young Master, rest easy. As long as I, Lin Xiao Yi, draw breath, I will absolutely not permit anyone to harm the little young master or the little princess!"

"Heh, that’s better. Alright, it’s getting late. You all should leave the city!" Ye Jingyu smiled.

Everyone bowed to Ye Jingyu in unison, uttering no further protests. Hu Yan Meng helped Luo Ling’er into a carriage, and the group departed silently from the Zhenguo Mansion.

Those heading to the Southern Wilderness Forest this time included not only the warriors from the wilderness but also Lin Xiao Yi and Bing Ming. On the periphery of the Southern Wilderness Forest waited the elite warriors Ye Jingyu had painstakingly selected earlier—they were to be the hope for the people of the Dou Hun Continent to resist the rule of the Ya Meng. Regardless of whether he succeeded or failed this time, he wanted the people of the Dou Hun Continent to clearly recognize their predicament.

Whether they were members of the Ya Meng or natives of the Dou Hun Continent, they were all Han people, inheritors of the Yan Huang legacy. How could he allow one group of Yan Huang descendants to treat another group of Yan Huang descendants like lab rats for experimentation?

Watching the convoy gradually recede into the distance, Ye Jingyu’s eyes held a profound flatness. They carried away his flesh and blood; they took away the one he loved; they also took away his hope…

"Master, now that you are gone, would you approve of what your disciple is about to do?" Ye Jingyu murmured to himself, then lifted his feet and walked toward the outer streets. Before heading into battle, he still had one person he needed to see…

(Sigh, perhaps this feels a bit heavy. I felt the weight while writing it too, but everyone rest assured, this is not a soap opera. Even the greatest tragedy will conclude with a happy ending. Just bear with it, let us endure this calm before the storm. We are at 220,000 characters now; last month I updated 250,000 characters. I will surely surpass that number in the next few days—have no doubt! Throw stones at me, throw stones, and please throw more stones!)