At Ye Tianpeng’s command, every gate and exit of the Ye Residence was immediately closed.
“Master, while we have closed the main gates… our Ye Family still has many business operations outside. Many clansmen are running those industries out there. I’m afraid…” A slightly plump elder in his fifties spoke to Ye Tianpeng. This elder was the chief steward of the estate.
Hearing the steward's words, Ye Tianpeng's brows furrowed tightly. It was true. The Ye Family was one of the Four Great Families of Yuanyue City. Its household was vast, its enterprises numerous. They held many properties within Yuanyue City, and even in the surrounding townships, their business presence was extensive. Many Ye clansmen managed those assets. Now, they would most likely become targets of attack!
“Dispatch carrier pigeons immediately! Order all Ye clansmen to temporarily close every one of our family's businesses. Those who can return to the residence must do so as quickly as possible. Those who cannot return must find a place to hide on their own. Do everything possible to minimize casualties. Also, send out scouts and keep a strict watch on the movements of the Qin Family, Shi Family, Lu Family, and the City Lord's Manor.” Ye Tianpeng commanded.
“Understood, Master. I will go to carry out the orders at once.” The chief steward acknowledged and left the main hall.
“It seems Qin Xiong has decided to act against our Ye Family.” Ye Tianpeng muttered to himself, a worried expression on his face. The Qin, Shi, and Lu Families had already formed an alliance with the City Lord's Manor. The Ye Family appeared somewhat isolated and weak.
“When soldiers come, we block; when floodwaters rise, we build dams,” Ye Tianpeng sighed.
Half a day later.
“Master! Terrible news! Our Ye Family’s businesses are being vandalized! A huge amount of property has been looted, buildings burnt, and many of our clansmen… slaughtered!” The chief steward rushed in, panic-stricken, to report to Ye Tianpeng.
“They go too far! Pass on my orders! Gather our men immediately! I will demand justice from Qin Xiong! We will settle this with a decisive battle!” Ye Tianpeng flew into a rage, slamming the table as he rose to his feet.
Hardly had his words fallen when—“It’s bad, Master! The Qin Family, Shi Family, Lu Family, and the City Lord's Manor have all dispatched large forces towards our Ye Residence simultaneously! They seem intent on surrounding us!” A Ye Family servant hurriedly ran in to report.
“Qin Xiong! Since you force this to the limit, then it shall be a decisive battle! Relay the order! Prepare to meet the enemy!” By now, Ye Tianpeng had reached the peak of fury, roaring out his commands.
It was high noon. The scorching sun baked all of Yuanyue City in intense heat. Yet, under such weather, waves of troops converged on the Ye Residence from all directions. Platoon after platoon of fully armed personnel, and in a short time, the entire Ye Residence was surrounded airtight.
“Astounding news! Astonishing news! The Qin Family, Shi Family, Lu Family, and the City Lord's Manor have combined forces to besiege the Ye Residence!” Throughout Yuanyue City, people broadcast this startling news everywhere. Instantly, countless martial artists rushed over from every quarter, drawn to witness the spectacle.
Before the main gate of the Ye Residence stood Qin Xiong, Shi Tianyuan, Lu Yunxiao, and the City Lord of Yuanyue City. Each wore a cold sneer as they stared at the gate of the estate. Surrounding them were experts from the three families and the City Lord's Manor. At a single glance, they were all Earth Realm experts!
“The three families and the City Lord's Manor have deployed all their elites. Just the number of Earth Realm experts alone reaches several dozen!”
“With such an array, today, the Ye Family is doomed for sure!”
“From now on, Yuanyue City will probably only have Three Great Families. Four Great Families will soon be history.”
…
Voices of discussion rose incessantly from the onlookers. At this moment, the Ye Residence became the focal point of attention for the entire Yuanyue City!
Inside the Ye Residence.
The Ye clansmen had swiftly gathered, gleaming weapons in hand. On every face was an expression of fear, yet also a hint of grim resolution. Even some maidservants, faces pale, held swords or knives. However, none of them had any real fighting skills.
“My fellow clansmen,” Ye Tianpeng said, his gaze sweeping slowly over them. “Today marks a life-or-death moment for our Ye Family. For the sake of our family, for the honor of the Ye name, I hope every one of you will fight bravely against the enemy without retreating a single step. The people of the Ye Family are not cowards who fear death! Is that understood!”
“Understood! Fight bravely, no retreat!” All the Ye clansmen raised their weapons high, roaring in unison.
Every one of them knew that a great battle was unavoidable. Furthermore, pleading for mercy would be utterly useless. Because Qin Xiong had already proclaimed his intention: to slaughter every last member of the Ye Family, to exterminate the clan! Under these circumstances, even if they wished to shrink back, there was no room left for retreat. All they could do was stake their lives in one final struggle!
“Good! Now we head out to meet the enemy!” Ye Tianpeng waved his hand.
This battle could certainly not be avoided. Rather than shrink back and hide, it was better to grasp the nettle and fight. This was Ye Tianpeng's character. Moreover, the strength of his Late Stage Earth Realm cultivation gave him a measure of confidence.
At this moment, before the gates of the Ye Residence…
*Bang! Bang! Bang!…*
Qin Xiong hammered viciously on the gate.
“Ye Tianpeng! What’s the matter? Don’t open the door? Is this how you welcome your guests? Hahaha…” Qin Xiong burst into booming laughter.
He did not immediately order the assault on the Ye Residence. Instead, he adopted the attitude of a cat toying with a mouse. Before wiping out the Ye Family, he would first crush their dignity with ridicule. Only then could he vent his hatred towards Ye Tianpeng and his son to the fullest degree.
“Ye Tianpeng! Looks like you really intend to be a tortoise hiding in its shell! You don’t even dare open the door! Hahaha…” Qin Xiong laughed heartily, hammering on the gate with increasing speed.
Just at that moment…
*Creak… creak…*
The two massive iron gates of the Ye Residence slowly began to open from the inside.
“The Ye Family people are coming out!” someone couldn’t help but exclaim softly.
They saw Ye Tianpeng taking the lead, striding out with a group of Ye Family forces behind him.
“Qin Xiong!” Ye Tianpeng demanded with a furious glare. “Why have you brought such a large force to surround my family’s residence? What exactly is your purpose!”
“Hahaha! Ye Tianpeng! You know very well why! Naturally, I have brought so many men to annihilate your Ye Family! To kill you, Ye Tianpeng! And that piece of trash Ye Yunfei shall not escape death either!” Qin Xiong laughed maniacally.
“Qin Xiong,” Ye Tianpeng said, his voice carrying clearly. “Fifteen years ago, during the Four-Clan Mine Seizing Competition, I beat you into heavy injury. In the end, you knelt and begged for mercy, just like a dog. That was why I spared your life. I never imagined you to be so narrow-minded. To this day, you still bear the grudge. Had I known this back then, I should never have spared you. I should have killed you right there on the arena!”
“What? So this is the history between Ye Tianpeng and Qin Xiong!”
“No wonder they’re such bitter enemies! Only now do I know the cause of their feud!”
…
Everyone in the surroundings was deeply shocked by the revelation, especially the younger generation hearing this for the first time.
“Ye Tianpeng! Regardless, you will die today! All your sharp tongue will accomplish is nothing! It will not save your Ye Family!” Qin Xiong trembled with rage, pointing a finger at Ye Tianpeng, murderous intent rolling off him.
That past incident was the greatest shame of his life. He never expected Ye Tianpeng to expose it publicly now.
“Qin Xiong! Do you think I fear you?! If battle you want, then battle you shall have! I, Ye Tianpeng, shall keep you company! Who prevails in the end remains to be seen!” Not yielding an inch, Ye Tianpeng took a heavy step forward. The pressure of his Late Stage Earth Realm spiritual energy erupted from his body, his fighting spirit boiling.
“Hahaha! Ye Tianpeng! You never mourn until disaster strikes! You think just because you've broken through to Late Stage Earth Realm, I can do nothing about you? Think again!” Qin Xiong suddenly burst into loud laughter.
As his words fell…
*Boom…*
A surge of powerful spiritual energy erupted from within his body.
“Late Stage Earth Realm! Qin Xiong… I never thought you had broken through too!” Ye Tianpeng's pupils contracted involuntarily.
“Hahaha! Correct! All thanks to the Profound Origin Pill Elder Ding of the Xiaoyao Pavilion gifted me! City Lord, don’t hold back any longer either.” Qin Xiong said, utterly pleased with himself. Then he turned his gaze to the City Lord of Yuanyue City.
*Boom…*
An equally mighty spiritual energy rippled out from the City Lord's body.
“Late Stage Earth Realm!” Ye Tianpeng exclaimed in shock.
This City Lord of Yuanyue City had always stayed out of the conflicts among the four families before, appearing low-key and mysterious. Who would have thought he, too, was an Late Stage Earth Realm expert!
“Even though Ye Tianpeng is an Late Stage Earth Realm expert… Qin Xiong and the City Lord are both at the Late Stage Earth Realm. In comparison, Ye Tianpeng stands no chance at all. The Ye Family… is truly finished.” The crowd of onlookers shook their heads in silent despair.
Ye Tianpeng’s expression darkened. He had never anticipated his enemy fielding two Late Stage Earth Realm experts!