Chapter 198: The Ye Clan

Ye Liuyun did not delay at all on the way, racing at full speed back to the Ye Clan's base.

When he was near, he sent out his Divine Sense from afar to scout and found the Ye Clan and the Golden Armor Guard present, which let him breathe a sigh of relief.

But when he saw the Ye residence festooned with lanterns and ribbons, and a big red paper character of joy hanging, his curiosity was piqued.

"Who's getting married? Or is it a wedding?" he laughed, and the Flying Boat flew straight to the Ye residence's gate and halted.

"Huh? Song Yi and Li Mengxi are also back!" his Divine Sense picked up their silhouettes, and he felt a surge of joy. He had originally planned to return and visit the branch academy to see them, but didn't expect to run into them here.

Ye Liuyun's Flying Boat was so conspicuous that its appearance immediately alerted a large number of Ye residence guards, who surrounded the boat.

The guard leader was Ye Yong, who had once been defeated by him. The moment Ye Liuyun stepped out of the Flying Boat, Ye Yong recognized him at once.

"Senior Brother Liuyun!" Ye Yong shouted in surprise.

"What? He's the prodigy of our Ye residence, Ye Liuyun?" some disciples who didn't recognize him shouted, all turning their gazes.

But they found they could not discern Ye Liuyun's cultivation level at all. At that moment, Ye Liuyun, in white robes and a black sword, with a pair of Golden Pupils, stood beneath the Flying Boat.

Next to disembark were two ethereal maidens, followed by a scruffy old man and two burly men. Yet their cultivation levels were also beyond the guards' perception.

"Ye Yong, have you become the guard leader?" Ye Liuyun said with a smile, greeting Ye Yong.

"Senior Brother Ye, you're back! Quickly, quickly go in!" he called, while dispatching people to inform the Clan Chief.

Ye Liuyun secured the Flying Boat and walked with Ye Yong, asking, "Who's getting married today, making such a grand scene?"

"It's… it's Miss Yu Er!" Ye Yong stammered.

"Hm?" Ye Liuyun looked puzzled at Ye Yong, then used his Divine Sense to contact Fire Wolf, only to find Fire Wolf's Divine Sense was absent.

He had been far away before and couldn't reach him; he didn't expect that now Fire Wolf's Divine Sense had vanished!

"Could Fire Wolf be dead?" a bad premonition rose in Ye Liuyun's mind.

"What's happening?" he immediately grew stern, pressing Ye Yong.

The aura of pressure he unintentionally exuded made Ye Yong feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave, unable to move.

At that moment, the Clan Chief emerged with Ye Tianci, Song Yi and others to greet Ye Liuyun.

Seeing Ye Liuyun return, some wore relieved expressions while others' faces grew even sicker!

As they approached and felt the pressure emanating from Ye Liuyun, their hearts jolted. Ye Tianci and the others were all startled by the aura.

"In just over a year, Ye Liuyun has become this strong, a figure they now look up to!"

Ye Yong looked at the Clan Chief with a pleading gaze.

The Clan Chief took a deep breath and called out to Ye Liuyun:

"Liuyun, come to the Grand Hall to speak; I'll tell you what has transpired during this time."

Hearing this, Ye Liuyun calmed down and followed the Clan Chief back to the Grand Hall to take a seat.

His Divine Sense already enveloped the entire Ye residence, confirming Yu Er was safe, so he didn't rush to see her, preferring to learn the events first.

The Ye Clan Ancestor, upon learning Ye Liuyun had returned, hurried to the Grand Hall to meet him. He realized he could not discern these people's cultivation levels, indicating they were at least far above his own.

Seeing Ye Liuyun grow stronger than himself gave him satisfaction; other matters he paid no mind to.

The Clan Chief then began recounting the events to Ye Liuyun.

"In recent months, Corpse Demons have been appearing frequently. Thus the Qitian Imperial Court, the Great Zhou Dynasty's nearby garrison, and the Golden Armor Guard united to form a defensive line against the Corpse Demons. During one of our clashes, the other two forces suddenly withdrew, leaving us surrounded by the Corpse Demon Army; Fire Wolf died fighting to save us."

The Clan Chief sighed and continued, "Later, the Great Zhou Dynasty threatened us, saying that if we didn't surrender they would send troops to annihilate us. The son of Prince Ning, stationed here for the Qitian Kingdom, saw Yu Er during the battle and seized the chance to blackmail us: if we give Yu Er to him as a concubine, he will ally with us against the Great Zhou Dynasty."

Ye Liuyun heard this, his expression growing colder. "So you sacrificed Yu Er?"

"We had no choice!" the Clan Chief kept shaking his head and sighing.

Ye Tianci, Ye Yong and the others wore guilty looks, unwilling to meet Ye Liuyun's eyes.

"Bring Yu Er to see me!" Ye Liuyun said coldly.

The Ye Clan's current predicament stems from him, so he can't truly scold the Ye family. Yet a group of grown men forcing a young girl to bear everything disgusts him.

An Elder stepped forward to explain, "We even asked Yu Er and obtained her consent! Today is the day Prince Ning's son comes to fetch the bride; you cannot…"

"Bring Yu Er here now!" the Ancestor barked at the Clan Chief, cutting off the Elder's words. The Clan Chief immediately ordered someone to summon Yu Er.

"Liuyun, if you intend to marry Yu Er off, we will compensate her later. If you take Yu Er away, the entire Ye Clan would die fighting, yet we would still protect you in your departure."

The Ye Clan Ancestor declared resolutely, clearly doubting that Ye Liuyun could now stand against Prince Ning and the Great Zhou army.

Ye Liuyun's expression softened a bit upon hearing this.

He stopped discussing Yu Er and asked Song Yi and Li Mengxi, "Senior sister, why have you returned?"

Li Mengxi replied, "We heard Corpse Demons had attacked here, and worried about the Prince, so we rushed back to see."

Both knew Ye Liuyun's temperament and feared another incident would erupt. Song Yi had already slipped away quietly to report to Prince Tianyun.

"Junior brother, this time the Great Zhou Dynasty sent fifty thousand elite soldiers, and the Qitian Imperial Court also has fifty thousand elite troops stationed, each with a Saint presiding."

Li Mengxi reminded Ye Liuyun of the opponent's strength, leaving the decision to him. Whatever he decides, she would support.

"Hmm." Ye Liuyun replied, then looked toward the hall's exterior.

Yu Er was brought in, dressed in bridal attire.

Ye Liuyun's Divine Sense had been monitoring Yu Er. Earlier he had seen her crying, but now she had composed herself. Seeing Ye Liuyun's forced smile, she proactively greeted him, "Young Master Ye, you're back!"

Ye Liuyun looked at the resilient girl, feeling reluctant. With a wave of his hand, he tore the bride's wedding attire to shreds!

Everyone inside the hall was stunned, yet no one dared to speak up. Some Elders gave the Clan Chief a sidelong glance, but the Clan Chief remained silent.

"It's my fault; I shouldn't have left you here! Wherever I go, you come with me!" Ye Liuyun comforted the surprised Yu Er.

Yu Er heard this and tears finally spilled. "But Prince Ning's side…"

"Since I'm back, you needn't worry about those matters! Just stay peacefully by my side!" Ye Liuyun said calmly.