Ye Weitian's heart was filled with questions, but he didn't dare ask Elder Qing to his face. This was the first time he had ever faced such a supreme expert, and a sense of fear was unavoidable.
Just then, Ye Tian walked over. After glancing at Ye Weitian and his daughter, he asked, "Patriarch, how we deal with the members of the Liu Family is up to you. Just say the word."
Ye Weitian's gaze swept over the members of the Liu Family, who were paralyzed with fear. "This world has always been ruled by the law of the jungle," he said. "If the venerable Senior hadn't intervened today, my Ye Family would have been completely slaughtered. Now that the tables have turned, I won't be merciful either. These people must die!"
A faint smile touched Elder Qing's lips. "Well said. One should never be merciful to one's enemies. These people deserve to die."
The moment he finished speaking, he flicked his palms. The immense wave of energy appeared once more, sweeping all the Liu Family members on the ground into the air. In the blink of an eye, they were all reduced to a mist of blood.
Annihilating over a dozen people in a single move—it was simply unheard of. The members of the Ye Family and the distant onlookers from Lisha City had their horizons broadened today. This was a true expert. To him, killing people was as easy as slaughtering chickens, utterly effortless.
"Thank you for your life-saving grace, Senior. The entire Ye Family is eternally grateful!" Ye Weitian said with deep respect. "Please, come inside so that this junior may offer you a humble toast in gratitude!"
"Patriarch, you're being too formal," Elder Qing said. "You are the Young Madam's father, which means I should be the one showing you respect. Please, don't put me in a difficult position."
Ye Tian surveyed the aftermath of the battle between the Ye and Liu Families. The Ye Family had suffered seven deaths and eleven injuries, and some of the injured were those who had rushed back to help. The losses were indeed severe.
However, it was nothing compared to the Liu Family's fate. They had been completely annihilated, not even their bones remained. It was a shocking sight. The only corpse left behind belonged to Liu Changfeng, and even he had a gaping hole in his chest, his heart having been pulverized beyond recognition.
"Patriarch, we should first focus on burying our dead," Ye Tian said. "The injured need proper medical attention as well. Besides, you're not lightly wounded yourself. As for Elder Qing, you don't need to worry about hosting him. Feifei and I will keep him company."
Ye Weitian wanted to ask how Ye Tian knew such a powerful figure, but he swallowed the words before they left his mouth. 'I can't risk displeasing this supreme expert,' he thought. 'I can always ask Feifei later.'
As a Patriarch, he naturally had his own dignity. Ye Weitian's heart ached as he looked upon the fallen Protectors and Elders of his family. 'These men were like brothers who followed me for years.' Still, the complete annihilation of the Liu Family served as vengeance for them.
"Men!" Ye Weitian bellowed to the crowd. "Give our fallen Elders and Protectors a proper burial, and place their spirit tablets in the Ye Family's ancestral hall! All who are injured, follow me to the main hall for treatment! We will deal with the Liu Family's assets in two days!"
Immediately, numerous family disciples came forward to help the injured into the residence and to assist with the burials. Before long, everyone from the Ye Family had gone inside, leaving only the stunned onlookers in the distance.
News of the Liu Family's annihilation spread through Lisha City like wildfire. The remaining Liu Family disciples fell into despair. It was the same fate that had befallen the Qin Family. They all hated the Ye Family to the bone, but they were utterly powerless.
Upon learning the news, many disciples began looting the family's wealth, even fighting violently amongst themselves. For a time, a new bloodbath erupted within the Liu Family's own walls.
The women and children, of course, were left to weep. With the addition of the infighting, the entire Liu Family descended into utter chaos. Upon hearing the news, Liu Changfeng's two sons, Liu Fei and Liu Quan, wasted no time. Without a word, they took their mother and fled the Liu Family.
'Where there's life, there's hope,' they thought. 'Sooner or later, we will make the Ye Family pay for what they've done today.'
Meanwhile, Ye Tian returned to his own residence with Elder Qing and Ye Feifei. The Eight-winged Golden Scale Python was there as well, but it too was gravely injured and in need of proper recovery.
"Elder Qing, when did you return?" Ye Tian asked slowly, taking a seat at a table.
Ye Feifei poured three cups of tea and sat down beside Ye Tian, her demeanor gentle and affectionate.
"I returned more than ten days ago, but I've been protecting you from the shadows," Elder Qing explained. "If the Liu Family hadn't shown up today, I would have remained hidden. I have also completely resolved the matter with the Black Iron Guard, so you can rest easy, Young Master."
"Thank you for your hard work, Elder Qing. Lisha City should be peaceful now, I imagine," Ye Tian said. "Your display of power today has thoroughly intimidated everyone. No one will dare to have any designs on the Ye Family anymore. Now, I plan to enter seclusion for a few months to raise my strength another level, after which I'll enroll in Linyuan Academy."
"Young Master, I also have an important matter to discuss with you," Elder Qing began. "With the Eight-winged Golden Scale Python by your side, I can mostly rest easy. As long as you don't run into a supreme expert, your life shouldn't be in danger.
Things at the Shen Li Palace are not very peaceful at the moment, and I'm needed back there to help Zhang Fengyu manage its affairs. Therefore, I may not be able to remain by your side to protect you for the time being.
However, the Eight-winged Golden Scale Python cannot be seen by others. Therefore, over the next few days, I will help it directly evolve its second pair of wings. Once it has Two Wings, it will be able to enter your body. Then, it can emerge to help you when you're in real danger.
When you are not in danger, it will remain hidden within you. Only then can I leave with peace of mind," Elder Qing said gravely.
"I understand. You can leave with peace of mind, Elder Qing," Ye Tian replied. "In fact, I also want to grow on my own. Being constantly protected is no way to live; it's a major obstacle to improving my strength. Only in a life-and-death situation can I truly stimulate my potential, grow, and achieve a breakthrough."
'He knew perfectly well that during his fight with Liu Changfeng, the Fifth Form of the Flowing Cloud Sword Technique had flashed through his mind at the critical moment. Without that form, he very likely would have been injured.'
'He also knew that Liu Changfeng's attack should have been able to wound him. It was likely the War Dragon Remnant Soul within his body that had protected him at the last second.'
Hearing Ye Tian's words, Elder Qing smiled faintly. "You've matured a great deal, Young Master. I believe that one day, you will surely lead the Shen Li Palace to glory. You are, after all, the one chosen by destiny. The Eight-winged Golden Scale Python is gravely injured, so I will take it to be healed. I shall return in a few days!"
With that, Elder Qing left the room, the Eight-winged Golden Scale Python following close behind. Ye Tian and Ye Feifei were left behind, their faces full of confusion. They had only a vague understanding of what Elder Qing meant by "the one chosen by destiny…."
Author's Note: Thank you all for your support! Thank you! I'll continue writing in the early hours of the morning! I'll only do extra updates if a whale donates! Sorry, everyone! I can't update a new book too quickly. I (Xiaoxiao) understand your eagerness, but please understand my position too!