Chapter 78: Fighting Side by Side

When Luo Long finished speaking, he fixed his gaze on Nangong Xue, waiting for her response. The Luo family guards in purple robes standing behind him did the same, their eyes also locked on her. As the Luo family’s elite guards, their status far exceeded that of ordinary martial guards; only those who had reached the peak of the Blood Energy Realm were qualified to join their ranks. In the Luo family, only the patriarch’s orders could mobilize them, and they rarely appeared in public. Their main purpose was to carry out covert missions: eliminating key figures of rival factions, or assassinating promising talents whose future potential could threaten the Luo family’s position—someone like Ye Cheng, for example.

This time, their target was only Ye Cheng. If ordinary people became involved, they would be dealt with swiftly, but now, from the words of their third elder, they had learned that the ethereal beauty before them was the renowned eldest daughter of the Nangong family in Yongle City. Naturally, they did not dare act rashly, for offending such a force would bring them no benefit.

While everyone else awaited Nangong Xue’s answer, Ye Cheng also looked toward her. His heart remained calm, for he could more or less guess what her response would be. As expected, after a brief silence, Nangong Xue hesitated no longer. Her cool gaze met Luo Long’s, and with a graceful lift of her jade-like finger, she pointed at Ye Cheng before them and said, “It seems Elder Luo wishes to avoid further complications. In truth, I do not wish to be drawn into your conflict, but I must take him back to the Nangong family in Yongle City. May I know if Elder Luo will agree to this?”

At her words, Luo Long’s brow furrowed ever so slightly, betraying his surprise. He had not expected this famed young lady of the Nangong family to make such a choice for someone she barely knew. Such an act was unwise—she was leaping into danger of her own accord.

“Miss Nangong, are you truly set on this course? I must warn you, if you do this, it will bring you great trouble,” Luo Long said, though he kept his true thoughts hidden. His brow smoothed, a polite smile spreading across his face, showing no sign of agitation—clearly a man of deep cunning.

“Oh? Is that a threat?” Nangong Xue replied coolly.

“Hardly a threat—consider it well-meant advice. If you insist on this, we will have no choice but to take more extreme measures,” Luo Long answered, his smile a little forced.

At that, Nangong Xue arched an elegant brow, refusing to respond directly. Instead, her slender hand slipped behind her back, hidden from the Luo family’s view. With a subtle movement, a jade talisman appeared in her palm. With a flick of her delicate finger, the talisman shot forth, transforming into a streak of light that vanished into the sky.

Though her action went unnoticed by the Luo family, Ye Cheng—standing barely half a step away—saw it clearly. He glanced at Nangong Xue with admiration, understanding her intention: she was sending a message to Elder Wu. Given the current circumstances, only Elder Wu’s cultivation could possibly rescue them from this predicament. Relying on their own strength alone, escaping from the hands of a peak Origin Realm master seemed nearly impossible.

As the streak of light flew away, Luo Long finally noticed. His expression faltered, the false smile fading to a cold, grim look. He stared at Nangong Xue and said, “So Miss Nangong insists on interfering. Very well, the Luo family will have to offend you after all.”

The sudden flash of light soaring into the sky was too conspicuous to escape the Luo family’s notice. Luo Long instantly recognized it as a communication talisman and understood that she was summoning experts from the Nangong family. Her answer was clear: not only would she not withdraw, but she intended to call reinforcements to help Ye Cheng against them. Since that was the case, there was no more need for words—once the Nangong family arrived, killing Ye Cheng, whose talent threatened the Luo family, would become impossible.

“I will deal with the Ye family boy myself. As for Nangong Xue, you keep her occupied. If necessary, show no mercy,” Luo Long ordered coldly to the six elite guards behind him.

As soon as he finished, the six purple-robed figures instantly sprang into action, targeting Nangong Xue. Their movements were swift and fierce, blood energy surging from their bodies—each had reached the peak of the Blood Energy Realm, and the one leading them was at its very pinnacle.

Ye Cheng could instantly discern their level from the intensity of their blood energy. He himself was now at the peak of the Blood Energy Realm, his own energy astonishingly dense. He turned slightly, glancing at Nangong Xue’s still-cool features, and said, “I’ll leave these six to you. With your strength, that shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

Nangong Xue nodded. “These six are strong, but I can handle them. I’m more concerned about you—facing the Luo family elder won’t be easy.”

“I’ll do my best,” Ye Cheng replied gravely, his gaze fixed ahead. Behind the six charging figures, Luo Long stood poised.

“Stall them as long as you can. Once Elder Wu arrives, we’ll have a chance to escape. Be careful,” Nangong Xue murmured. Then her slender form darted into motion, intercepting the Luo family’s elite guards. White-clad, with a bronze longsword in hand, her sword danced and flashed as she clashed with the six, the battle so evenly matched it was hard to tell who held the upper hand.

Now, only Ye Cheng and Luo Long faced each other across the open ground.

“In his day, your father, Ye Shan, astonished all of Luoyang Town with his martial talent—even within Nanyang Prefecture, his name was renowned. Back then, your Ye family dominated Luoyang Town. Who would have thought, after a dozen years, his son would fall into my hands? How things do change,” Luo Long said, his eyes fixed on Ye Cheng like a man regarding someone already dead.

“Elder Luo, you seem very sure of yourself—are you so certain I’ll end up in your hands?” Ye Cheng retorted coldly, showing not a trace of fear as he met Luo Long’s gaze.

“Heh, indeed a tiger cannot father a dog. Your talent mirrors your father’s exactly,” Luo Long replied, his expression turning suddenly sinister, every word biting with icy malice: “But I will not allow another Ye Shan to rise from the Ye family. That would bode ill for the Luo family.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, a terrifying power surged from him—clearly, Luo Long could wait no longer. He was about to strike.