Chapter 77: Have You Figured Out How to Escape, Rats?

"Someone help! Somebody save me!"

It was the butler’s voice.

The same butler who’d been acting so arrogant not long ago was now shouting at the top of his lungs, running in this direction as he called for help.

When he spotted Ye Liuyun, his eyes lit up and he was just about to keep yelling.

But in the next instant—

"Swish!"

Ye Liuyun didn’t make a move. Instead, a black-clad assassin struck, slashing the butler from behind and knocking him straight to the ground.

The assassin even gave Ye Liuyun a glance; seeing Ye Liuyun had no intention to interfere, he turned and slipped swiftly toward the backyard.

Their target couldn’t have been clearer.

"Help—help me!"

Damn, this butler had a hard life.

He’d taken a blade to the back, but hadn’t died on the spot.

Prone on the ground, he reached a hand to Ye Liuyun, pleading for help.

Ye Liuyun never saw himself as a good person, nor did he have any ambition to be some paragon of virtue.

Ignoring the butler’s cries, he stepped forward and headed straight for the backyard. At his side, Si Nan clearly understood his master’s intentions, threw the butler a mocking smile, and hurried after him.

Like mouthing off, do you? Hope it hurts enough to learn something.

Seeing Ye Liuyun wasn’t going to even look at him,

The butler’s eyes, in that split second, changed from begging to venomous.

He stared with hatred in the direction Ye Liuyun walked away, already swearing that if he survived, he’d never let that bastard have a good time.

"Bang!"

But the next moment, searing flames suddenly ignited out of nowhere on the butler’s body.

"Wh-what’s happening?! Help! Save me!"

The burning pain made the butler’s expression instantly twist into panic, and he frantically screamed for help.

But sadly, it didn’t take long for the fire to engulf him completely, and his shouts and frantic struggles soon vanished.

Fire-igniting Magic!

Same as ever—Ye Liuyun’s way: if you’re going to do something, finish it. Leave no loose ends.

,,,

The backyard of the Minister of Revenue’s residence was utter chaos by now.

Those few Profound-level assassins from the Cyan Robe Association were like wolves among sheep. The servants and Embroidered Uniform Guards stood no chance against them.

"As long as I, Qi Yuanliang, am here today, none of you will harm Lord Wen."

That was the voice of Southern Governor Qi Yuanliang.

Qi Yuanliang stood firm, glaring at the two assassins in front of him, and as soon as he finished speaking, he sprang into action.

But just a moment later—

Qi Yuanliang was sent flying straight back.

",,,"

Damn, hitting the dirt that fast?

Others might be shocked by the Cyan Robe Association assassins’ strength; Ye Liuyun was more surprised at Qi Yuanliang’s acting. Guy could really put on a show.

A warrior with Innate Realm mastery, and he gets sent flying by two mere Postnatal Realm assassins? Who’d believe that?

And he made it look so natural.

If Ye Liuyun didn’t already know how strong Qi Yuanliang truly was, he’d probably have been fooled himself.

"Lord Wen, go first. I’ll hold them off."

The chubby middle-aged man protected by Qi Yuanliang was probably none other than the Minister of Revenue, Lord Wen.

At this moment, the Minister was truly scared out of his wits.

On hearing Qi Yuanliang’s words, he nodded precisely like a pecking chick, again and again.

"Good, good, good!"

Then gave Qi Yuanliang a grateful look.

"Lord Qi, once this is over, I swear I’ll repay your kindness."

With brains like that, probably help count money for whoever betrays him.

Once the Minister had run off, Qi Yuanliang got up again and began to ’entangle’ with the two assassins—though anyone could see he was struggling and steadily losing ground.

"Sir!"

Si Nan watched for a while.

For a moment he had no idea whether to jump in—looking around, none of these people were anyone he could take on.

No choice but to glance over at Ye Liuyun beside him.

"Step back!"

He put his hand on the Inkblade’s hilt, just the chance to test how sharp this blade really was.

"Got it!"

Understanding Ye Liuyun’s intent, Si Nan obediently shuffled out of the way.

The master’s going to make a move—if you butt in now, you’re just in the way.

As one assassin leapt forward, swinging his blade towards an Embroidered Uniform Guard—

The difference in strength was obvious; these assassins were leagues above the ordinary guards.

Ye Liuyun drew the Inkblade.

With inner strength channelled, as the Inkblade flashed from the sheath, scorching flame instantly burned along its edge.

"Slash!"

The blade swung straight towards the airborne assassin.

"Swish!"

Suddenly, a burst of fire lit up before his eyes.

The assassin’s figure was cleanly split in midair, thudding lifelessly to the ground.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard had thought his time was up—

But now, stunned by what he’d just witnessed, he turned and saw Ye Liuyun striding over, Inkblade in hand.

"Thank you for saving me, sir!"

He bowed gratefully at once.

Not an idiot—he knew Ye Liuyun had just saved his skin.

"Take your men and surround the whole backyard. Don’t let anyone slip through."

Against a powerful Martial Artist, swarming with numbers was pointless.

No use having them stay here—better to post them outside.

"Understood!"

Once the man left, Ye Liuyun eyed the other assassins.

They clearly sensed his presence too.

"Wait, his strength’s off."

"He’s an Innate Martial Artist!"

"Get him together."

Qi Yuanliang, still caught up ’fighting’ the two Profound-level assassins, clearly took note of the situation by Ye Liuyun.

He hadn’t expected Ye Liuyun to be an Innate Martial Artist.

His gaze narrowed, as if calculating something privately.

,,,

"Hm?"

Seeing the courtyard’s assassins begin to gather, forming a circle around him—

Ye Liuyun didn’t show a trace of panic. If anything, he couldn’t help but laugh, tapping each culprit with the Inkblade.

"So instead of running, you want to take me on?"

"Courting death!"

The mocking tone made it clear he didn’t think much of these killers.

Someone finally snapped, drawing his sword and charging at Ye Liuyun.

With a soft snicker, Ye Liuyun just swung his own blade in response.

"Clang!"

This time, Ye Liuyun didn’t use inner strength; the moment blades met, the attacker’s sword snapped clean in half.

"What the—"

No time for shock; Ye Liuyun’s blade kept going.

The man went down with his broken sword, split fully in two.

That one move left the rest—those Postnatal Martial Artists all ready to follow—rooted to the spot.

Even with a realm’s gap in power, they shouldn’t just be instantly slaughtered, right? Where the hell did such a monster come from?

"Not bad!"

Ye Liuyun eyed the Inkblade, clearly pleased.

This kind of sharpness truly earned its place as a mid-grade Spiritual Artifact.

"So, rats—thought about how you’re escaping yet?"

,,,,,,,