Starting Reward – A Three Thousand Assassin Network - Chapter 24

Chapter 24 – Ye Xue Returns

At this moment, Ye Dingtian was resting on the chair, time slowly passing by, soon nearing dusk. He had been pondering in his mind how to break through the current situation.

The emergence of Ye Dingtian from the Ye family had already made the imperial family extremely wary. Now with Ye Chen revealed, once discovered by the imperial family, the consequences would be unimaginable—the worst being the downfall of the Ye family.

“Right, time!”

Ye Dingtian suddenly remembered Xia Cangyun still had three years.

“As long as the Ye family can hold on for three more years, the final outcome, who wins or loses, is not yet certain!”

His confidence stemmed not only from the Ye family’s heritage but also from Ye Chen.

“Since Chen’er can expose such a card at this moment, can I think that he still has even stronger means hidden?”

The thought brightened Ye Dingtian’s eyes slightly.

“Indeed, why didn’t I think of this!” Ye Dingtian slapped his forehead, suddenly enlightened.

“With Tian Yan’s cultivation, willingly serving as Chen’er’s personal maid, it indicates the existence of an even stronger entity within this Heavenly Net, or perhaps Chen’er’s hidden methods are even more terrifying! It seems the Heavenly Net is much stronger than I imagined!”

Upon realizing this, Ye Dingtian suddenly felt extremely clear-headed, even his mood improved significantly.

At this moment, Yang Tianyu arrived next to Ye Dingtian. “Elder Brother, the matter has been arranged. However, according to the intelligence brought by the scouts, after the Divine Flame Sect was exterminated, that force seemed to have disappeared as if it had never appeared at all!”

…

“Disappeared entirely?”

“Crash!” Inside the Great Xia Imperial Palace, in the Hall of Nurturing Heart, the Emperor Xia slammed the teacup in his hand to the ground, splashing tea everywhere.

At this moment, Cao Zhengde was sweating profusely, looking terrified, trembling all over as he knelt on the ground. Beside him, Li Xiaozhong was even more trembling, not daring to take a deep breath.

“To exterminate the entire Divine Flame Sect overnight with over 1,800 people, it’s definitely not a small force. You tell Us that they have all disappeared?” The Emperor Xia, in a rage, questioned them.

“The Imperial Guards, the Dark Dragon Guards, the two major Imperial guards of the Great Xia Imperial Family, all deployed, yet they couldn’t find a single useful clue about this force. What use are you?” Faced with the Emperor’s fury, Cao Zhengde and Li Xiaozhong were extremely frightened.

“Y-Your Majesty, even though they have vanished without a trace, as long as they appeared, they would leave clues behind. The spider pattern left at the scene is the most crucial clue,” Cao Zhengde said, restraining his fear.

Li Xiaozhong, beside him, quickly reported the latest information he had received, “Your Majesty, from the Daoist Immortal Xiaoyaozi, we learned that this force is called the Heavenly Net, reportedly deduced using the Tianji Compass by the head of the Tianji Pavilion, the Tianji Zi.”

Upon hearing this, the Emperor Xia frowned, looking at Li Xiaozhong, “Is what you’re saying true?”

“Absolutely, Xiaoyaozi came from a distant place just for this matter. Although the Divine Flame Sect is, after all, a martial arts sect in the open, the complete massacre of over 1,800 people by the Heavenly Net has terrified all the martial arts sects in the Martial world. Naturally, they need to come forward to uphold justice,” Li Xiaozhong revealed all the information he had received.

“Humph, matters of the Imperial Family cannot allow others to interfere! Since they want to meddle, then let them meddle to the end! As the mastermind behind the Heavenly Net has yet to emerge, do you understand what needs to be done?” Emperor Xia glanced between Cao Zhengde and Li Xiaozhong, then narrowed his eyes, crossing his hands behind his back.

“Yes, we understand!” Cao Zhengde and Li Xiaozhong nodded repeatedly.

“Very well! Some matters don’t need to be handled too overtly. A slight guiding in the shadows suffices, understand?” Emperor Xia squinted, carrying an air of authority.

“Yes, we understand what needs to be done!” Li Xiaozhong nodded again.

“By the way, has Yan Yang woken up?” Emperor Xia asked Cao Zhengde.

“Yan Yang’s internal organs and bones were shattered, half of his bones broken, but with the care of a renowned divine physician, his injuries have stabilized,” Cao Zhengde reported.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Xia’s expression relaxed a little.

“Good, you’ve handled this matter well. Remember, Yan Yang must not die, We have great use for him! Furthermore, increase the number of people protecting him!”

…

Liangzhou, Luocheng, Ye Residence.

At this moment, a convoy stopped at the gate of the Ye Residence.

Two graceful figures stepped down from the carriage, none other than Ye Xue and Zhao Ling’er.

Looking at the familiar gate, a happy smile spread across Ye Xue’s lips.

“I’m back!” Ye Xue immediately shouted.

Beside her, Zhao Ling was startled, patting Ye Xue’s arm, “You scared me to death! You brat, you nearly gave me a heart attack!”

“Ah, haha, sorry, I didn’t notice, got carried away in the moment!” Ye Xue awkwardly chuckled.

“Is this the Ye family? Doesn’t look that impressive, not as grand as my Zhao family!” At this moment, Zhao Hao appeared from somewhere.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ling’er immediately knocked on Zhao Hao’s head, showing a fierce expression, “You want a beating, huh? Speak politely! Otherwise, I’ll skin you alive!”

“Ah, uh … I got it, big sis,” Zhao Hao rubbed his head, somewhat intimidated.

Zhao Hao was like a little tyrant in the Zhao family, fearing neither heaven nor earth, but he was a bit afraid of this sister, perhaps an overpowering influence due to their bloodline.

Ye Xue glanced at Zhao Hao and suddenly conceived an idea: if the little tyrant from the Zhao family encountered the little prodigy from the Ye family, who would be stronger?

Thinking of this, Ye Xue felt a bit anticipatory.

Just then, a vigorous voice came from inside the residence.

“Back already and making such a racket! Have you no sense of decorum? Can’t a girl have a little restraint?” Needless to say, it was Ye Wudao.

“Little Xue hasn’t been home for two years, can’t you say a few less words?” Lin Wan’er glanced at Ye Wudao.

“Fine, you two always think alike, I can’t argue with you!”

“What nonsense are you spouting, so shameless!”

At the gate, Ye Xue looked at Ye Wudao and Lin Wan’er, “Father, Mother, I’m back, I missed you!”

After speaking, Ye Xue walked up to Lin Wan’er and immediately hugged her.

“It’s the same old scent, so comfortable!” Ye Xue smiled in Lin Wan’er’s embrace.

Lin Wan’er gently patted Ye Xue’s head and then patted her back, “Alright, there are guests, you’re already this grown-up and yet haven’t changed a bit!”

“Oh right, Mother, Father, let me introduce you. This is Ling’er, you’ve met her before. As for this little brat, he’s Zhao Hao, the little tyrant from the Zhao family.”

Hearing Ye Xue’s introduction, Ye Wudao and Lin Wan’er turned their gaze towards the Zhao siblings.

“Truly, how much a girl changes with time. That little girl from back then has grown into such a graceful lady,” Ye Wudao sighed.

“Uncle Ye, it’s been many years, but you’re still as dignified! Aunt Lin, still as gentle and beautiful,” evidently, what Ye Wudao said just now had reached Zhao Ling’er’s ears.

“Uh, haha!” Ye Wudao felt a bit embarrassed.

At this moment, Zhao Ling’er tapped Zhao Hao’s head, “What, cat got your tongue?”

“Ah, uh. Greetings, Uncle Ye, Aunt Lin!” Zhao Hao hurriedly bowed.

“Haha, a young lad from the Zhao family, eh!” Ye Wudao immediately patted Zhao Hao’s shoulder. “You’re quite sturdy, not bad! A good seedling for martial arts.”

“Of course, I am an exceptional martial arts genius among a million. Just three years, and I’ve mastered our family’s ultimate technique to a certain degree. Impressive, right?” After speaking, Zhao Hao crossed his arms, raised his head, looking rather proud.

“Hmm, quite impressive. Looks like the Zhao family has produced an outstanding talent.” Ye Wudao earnestly remarked.

He was aware of the Zhao family’s inherited ultimate technique, the Thunderous Roar Technique.

As its name implied, it was a heaven-tier martial art, specializing in thunder techniques. When mastered, it could evoke thunder from the heavens, immensely powerful.

The current head of the Zhao family, Zhao Donglai, had already reached this level. If he could comprehend it further, reach the Transcendence Realm, he would break through his limitations and ascend beyond ordinary mortals.