Chapter Eight: Captured

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Ye Feng bid farewell to his father and had barely rushed out of the mansion gates when a trip rope caught his ankles, sending him tumbling to the ground. Two waist knives pressed coldly against his neck. With his capture, a sudden clamor erupted—soldiers appeared from nowhere, countless in number. Each was armored and armed, holding torches aloft, surrounding the front of the Ye mansion so tightly not even water could seep through. The scene was as bright as day.

A cackling laugh, like the cry of a night owl, echoed as two figures, one tall and one short, emerged from behind a high wall. The laughter belonged to the short man leading the way. He was so thin he looked like a bundle of sinew, limping on one leg, blind in one eye. The other eye, small and black as a bean, darted about ceaselessly.

"Ye," he sneered, "you indulge your son in murdering the warriors of the Empire and shield him in every way. I cannot join you in such villainy!"

Ye Xiaotian, seeing him, was furious beyond measure. He cursed, "Ye Zhong, you dog of a servant! I have treated you well, how dare you betray me?"

He snatched a waist knife from the hand of a nearby guard, ready to risk his life against the short man. The man, terrified, turned and hid behind the tall figure.

"Impudent!" the tall man shouted, stepping forward like an iron tower, blocking Ye Xiaotian's path.

"Master Ye, you have committed an act of rebellion and now wish to silence the witnesses with murder?"

The newcomer was clad from head to toe in armor, his eyes fierce as a leopard's, his mouth bristling with thick, needle-like whiskers, and in each hand he held a steel whip with nine joints. The murderous aura on his face forced Ye Xiaotian to retreat three steps.

It took Ye Xiaotian a moment to steady himself. He clasped his fists and said, "General Wu, your arrival honors us. Forgive me for not coming out sooner."

The man laughed heartily. "Master Ye, you truly have great composure! Such calmness! You are indeed a man of the world. Even at this dire moment, you remain unmoved. I am impressed!"

This was Wu Renfu, the Lord of Black Earth City.

"General Wu, what are you saying? Ye Zhong is thoroughly unfaithful. He was a beggar whom I pitied and brought into my home. But he stole from us, and when I discovered it and punished him, he bore a grudge. Tonight, he sneaked out and slandered me to you. How can you believe him?"

"Nonsense! You still dare to argue?" Ye Zhong pointed at Ye Xiaotian, then turned with a fawning smile to Wu Renfu. "Lord, do not believe this old villain. If you compare the wanted poster, you will recognize Ye Feng immediately."

Wu Renfu snorted coldly and ordered, "Bring the wanted notice!"

Ye Xiaotian saw he could no longer conceal the truth. He clasped his fists again and said, "Lord Wu, we have long been friends. I have something to say; perhaps we could speak privately, away from others."

Wu Renfu's face darkened as he feigned seriousness. "Master Ye, though we are friends, I have my duties and the Emperor's command. I dare not show favoritism."

He took the wanted posters handed to him by two soldiers, compared them to Ye Feng, and, once certain, turned to Ye Xiaotian. "Master Ye, what else have you to say?"

Ye Xiaotian was speechless.

"Guards, bind them!"

"You dare!" Ye Xiaotian saw the soldiers approaching to seize him, brandished his waist knife, and prepared to resist.

His household servants were not to be outdone; they raised knives and clubs, ready to fight the soldiers to the death.

"Archers, ready your bows!"

Wu Renfu, seeing Ye Xiaotian and his men determined, did not panic. At his command, the trained soldiers quickly drew their bows and aimed arrows at Ye Xiaotian and his family.

"Old villain, look at your family—so many women and children. If you will not think of yourself, at least think of them! With all these arrows aimed at you, if you move, I will order a volley, and your family will die with you!"

His threat, fierce and forceful, struck Ye Xiaotian. He turned to look at his family, his heart softening. With a long sigh, he dropped his waist knife and surrendered.

"Bind them all!" Wu Renfu commanded. The soldiers surged forward, tying up Ye Xiaotian's entire family and all his servants securely.

"Let them go! My father and family are innocent—what right have you to arrest them?"

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Ye Feng's eyes reddened with desperation. He struggled fiercely, trying to save his kin. But he was bound as tightly as a rice dumpling, unable to break free.

Wu Renfu laughed triumphantly, directing his soldiers to escort Ye Feng and his family back to the mansion in high spirits.

With Ye Feng's family seized, chaos broke out on the mountain stronghold when they discovered Ye Feng had snuck away.

Murong Bao blamed his sister for her unfair handling, saying she had angered Ye Feng and caused him to escape.

Murong Yan retorted, "When heaven bestows a great task upon someone, it first tests their will, wears down their body, and starves them. If Ye Feng cannot endure even this hardship, how will he ever shoulder great responsibility?"

She continued, "Don't panic. Ye Feng is not someone who fears death. Even if he is in danger, he will never betray our secrets on the mountain. This is not the time for blame. What matters now is sending people down the mountain to find Ye Feng."

With that, she ordered her trusted followers to search for Ye Feng. These were the soldiers who had willingly followed the siblings up the mountain. When Murong Yan had them line up, splitting them into those willing to rebel and those wishing to return home, it was to test their true loyalty against the demon troops.

As the stronghold lacked soldiers in its early days, Murong Yan had used threats to force the reluctant ones to stay.

Her soldiers acted swiftly. Within two days, they discovered that Ye Feng's entire family had been seized by Wu Renfu.

The news shocked the Murong siblings, who immediately discussed rescue plans.

They deliberated long but found no clever solution, so they ordered their people to disguise themselves and infiltrate the city to locate Ye Feng and his family's prison.

That night, they rode down to Black Earth City in haste.

Early the next morning, they blended into the city.

Meanwhile, Ye Feng and his family had been locked in the city lord's dungeon for four days.

During those days, the jailers, who had been kindly treated by Ye Xiaotian, did not trouble them.

But one night, Ye Zhong, limping as always, came in reeking of alcohol, dressed in a new head jailer's uniform, with a whip in hand. He slurred, "Ye... Ye... do you... have... any... money... left? Hand... it... over... so I don't... have to... search you..."

Ye Xiaotian, seeing him, was furious. "Dog servant, you sold your master for riches. When I get out, I will make you pay!"

Ye Zhong's laugh was as harsh as a night cat's. He mocked, slurring, "Old... villain, you... think... you... can... still... get out? Now... all your shops... have been... seized by Lord Wu... your family's wealth... confiscated... who... who... can... save you?"

He grew increasingly pleased with himself, swaying drunkenly, barely able to stand, but still straightening his clothes to boast, "See... see? Lord Wu... made me head jailer. These last days before you die, whether you suffer or enjoy depends... entirely... on me! You'd best... beg for mercy! If you give me enough treasures to make me happy, you might suffer less!"

"Bah!" Ye Xiaotian shouted in anger. "You ungrateful beast! To utter such words, you are less than an animal. You will not escape retribution!"

No sooner had he finished than a loud crack sounded—Ye Zhong whipped Ye Xiaotian.

Ye Xiaotian clenched his teeth, silent, but blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

The whip struck Ye Xiaotian's body, but the pain was felt in Ye Feng's heart. Ye Feng shouted, "Dog servant, what skill is there in bullying my father? If you have guts, come at me!"

"Ho!" Ye Zhong turned to look at Ye Feng, his small eye bloodshot and red from drink. "Little... bastard, so tough. Truly... Ye Xiaotian's son!"

He belched, breathing out an unbearable stench.

"Since... that's so, you... will taste... my whip!"

He grabbed Ye Feng's collar, raising the whip to strike. But suddenly, he felt something on Ye Feng's chest. He paused, put down the whip, and reached into Ye Feng's clothes.

Ye Feng struggled with all his might, but bound so tightly, he could not resist.

Ye Zhong quickly found a finely crafted gift box on Ye Feng, inscribed with five large characters: "Immortal Herb for Strengthening Muscles."

He opened it—inside, the herb glowed with a faint red light.

Ye Zhong sobered up, grinning so wide his thin eye squinted into a slit. "A treasure! A treasure! Heaven favors me! If I take this herb, might I be reborn and cured of my disabilities?"

Ye Feng was alarmed and cried, "No! With your constitution, you cannot handle such a herb! If you take it, the immortal energy will overwhelm you, and you will die horribly!"

Ye Zhong rolled his eyes and said, "You think I'll believe your lies?"

He prepared to swallow the herb.

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"Dog servant, put down my treasure!" Ye Feng shouted as Ye Zhong was about to consume the Immortal Herb for Strengthening Muscles.

"Feng, let it go. It's just an object. If we get out, I can find you another," Ye Xiaotian said calmly, comforting Ye Feng.

Ye Feng had not agreed, but Ye Zhong hesitated. He looked at Ye Xiaotian, then at Ye Feng, uncertain whose words were true. Finally, he glanced at the herb in his hand and returned it to the box.

"Fine! If I can't use it, I'll present it to the Lord and earn a great reward!"

He carefully tucked the gift box into his clothes. "Today, I won't trouble you. Tomorrow, I'll come for you again!" With that, he limped out of the cell.

"Dog servant, come back and return my treasure!" Ye Feng shouted angrily as Ye Zhong walked away.

But Ye Zhong paid no heed and left.

As his figure disappeared, Ye Feng fumed. Suddenly, he saw Ye Zhong backtracking into the dungeon.

"Dog servant, you—!" Ye Feng started to curse him again, but then he saw a green sword pressed against Ye Zhong's neck.

Behind Ye Zhong appeared a masked figure in black. As Ye Feng wondered who it was, the figure lowered the mask, revealing a charming face.

"Miss Murong, is that you—?!"

"Shh!" she whispered.

It was Murong Yan. After entering the city, she had gathered information and learned Ye Feng's family was imprisoned here. She had come to break them out that night.

She held a finger to her lips, signaling Ye Feng to keep quiet. He understood and turned to look at the jailers.

The jailers saw Murong Yan and raised their blades, preparing to attack. But an older jailer stopped them. "Don't move. Master Ye has always been good to us. This girl is here to rescue him. We must not betray our conscience or return kindness with treachery. Lay down your weapons!"

The others thought it over and agreed, putting down their weapons and stepping back.

Ye Zhong was furious. "You fools! How dare you collude with criminals! If the Lord finds out, you will be punished!"

Before he could finish, Murong Yan snapped, "You want to die?"

The sword at Ye Zhong's throat drew blood. He pleaded, "Miss, please, I dare not speak further. Spare me!"

Murong Yan shoved him toward the cell door. "Release Young Master Ye and his family!"

Ye Zhong staggered to the door, turned to look at Murong Yan, and heard, "Quick!"

The green sword pressed to his throat again. Terrified, Ye Zhong fumbled out the keys, unlocked the cell, and untied Ye Feng and his family.

"Dog servant, I'll kill you!" Ye Feng grabbed a waist knife from the ground, ready to strike Ye Zhong.

"Young Master, please, spare me! Have mercy on a dog!"

Ye Zhong immediately knelt, knocking his head on the ground. Seeing Ye Feng's rage, he crawled to Ye Xiaotian, begging, "Master, you brought me home. I am cursed by fate, with only myself left in the world. You always pitied me. Please, spare me!"

He pulled out the Immortal Herb for Strengthening Muscles and handed it to Ye Xiaotian. "Return this to Young Master, so he'll spare me. I promise never to do wrong again!"

He wept profusely.

"Feng—?" Ye Xiaotian's heart softened, and he hesitated, looking to Ye Feng.

Ye Feng saw his father's compassion and felt his own anger ebb. He lowered the knife.

Seeing the father and son relent, Ye Zhong seized the chance. He leaped up and limped toward the dungeon exit.

Just outside, he shouted, "Help! Help! There's a jailbreak! The prisoners are escaping!"

Everyone was stunned, looking at each other in alarm.