Chapter 66 0068: Death May Be Escaped, but Life Cannot Be Spared

But! It seemed Chu Yun would not let them off so easily.

“There are some people—when they make a mistake, you demand their lives. But when you make a mistake, I can spare you the death penalty.” Chu Yun paused, his gaze settling on the three family heads. In the next moment, his voice dropped low: “But you must at least pay the price for your recklessness!”

As he spoke, he suddenly struck. Caught completely off guard, his palms landed squarely on the heads of the Cui, Jin, and Duanmu families. The three men were sent flying backward, coughing up blood, and landed heavily on the lawn in the Ye family courtyard.

“Patriarch!” The skilled younger members rushed down from the platform in panic to help their respective family heads.

Some of the young men, hot-blooded and impulsive, gritted their teeth, wanting to risk everything against Chu Yun—especially those from the Duanmu and Cui families. But the two old men held them back.

“Stop!”

Seeing his descendants about to throw their lives away, the Duanmu patriarch shouted, then steadied himself with the help of his clansmen. Bowing deeply to Chu Yun, he said, “Thank you, senior, for sparing our lives.”

The Cui and Jin family heads followed his lead, not daring to act rashly.

Chu Yun stood atop the arena, looking down at them, his tone commanding: “For the sake of the City Lord and the Ye family, who are willing to let this go, I will spare you from death. But do not think this matter is so easily resolved. In two days, I want you to clean out the Cao family with the same ruthless speed they used against the Ye family. I want the Cao family erased from existence! If you dare play at the level of family wars, then be prepared for annihilation when you lose!”

The three family heads could only bow and accept the order. “Yes!”

Such was the law of this world: if you are strong, your word is law. If not, and you dare cross someone, be ready to lose everything.

As the three were carried away, Ye Linglong watched the mysterious man’s silhouette. For some reason, she found it oddly familiar.

A sense of loss welled up in her heart. Though she was safe and felt happiness for her family, she could not summon any sense of having survived a disaster. Perhaps, she still cared deeply whether Chu Yun would come as he promised.

Yet until now, he had not appeared.

Ye Linglong ignored the masked man who was the focus of everyone’s attention, instead glancing around the crowd, searching for a familiar figure.

When Chu Yun finished speaking, he walked over to the Ye family.

Ye Zhenhuan and his wife quickly pulled Ye Wuwei and Ye Wuzhao into a deep bow. Ye Linglong stood there, staring at Chu Yun’s mask, trying to see if Chu Yun was beneath it.

“You little girl, what are you staring at?” Ye Zhenhuan scolded his daughter for her lack of manners, standing eye to eye with their benefactor. “Hurry and thank our savior.”

Chu Yun made his voice hoarse and elderly, waving his hand dismissively. “No need, no need. Don’t call me savior. Our two families have been friends for generations—there’s no need for such courtesy. In the future, if Chu Yun stays with your family, please look after him.”

“Senior, do you already know about Chu Yun’s engagement?” Ye Zhenhuan hurried to explain, “That’s not how it is—we never meant to force him, it’s just that my daughter…”

Chu Yun waved him off. “I know about it. The boy agreed of his own accord. I don’t wish to meddle in trivial matters. In any case, learn to take care of yourselves. I’ll take my leave.”

“Thank you, Senior!” The Ye family bowed deeply.

Only now did Ye Linglong bow and watch the mysterious man depart, feeling once again that his silhouette was so like Chu Yun’s.

But soon, she laughed at herself. How could that be? Chu Yun was far too young to possess such strength. The masked man’s power today was at a monstrous, legendary level—something Chu Yun could never attain.

As the masked man prepared to leave, Kurt grew anxious, quickly catching up, bowing low, and speaking excitedly, “Senior, please wait!”

Chu Yun ignored him and continued forward. The crowd parted before him, their eyes burning with awe.

That reverence for the strong spread throughout the square.

“Senior, I love magic deeply. May I… Could you take me as your disciple? Teach me magic?” As Kurt spoke, he suddenly knelt with a thud on the cement, right behind Chu Yun.

Master Kurt—publicly kneeling and begging to become a pupil!

Chu Yun paused, his back to Kurt.

After a moment, he turned and looked at Kurt, speaking coldly: “I do not accept disciples. You are not worthy to be my student.”

Kurt’s body trembled. He watched as the masked senior’s silhouette vanished into the sunset.

On the platform, City Lord Guo walked over to the Ye family. “Rest assured. With me as your witness, those three families will not dare move against you again. For the trouble they caused your household, I will make them pay the price for repairs and compensation.”

“Thank you, City Lord.” Ye Zhenhuan bowed in gratitude.

Ye Linglong took her two younger brothers, still weak and shaken after the day’s ordeal, back inside. As she passed Chu Yun’s temporary room, she paused for a moment. Soon, she seemed to come to terms with things, laughing softly. “Well, it was always a marriage of convenience. He has every right to choose not to come.”

After leaving the Ye family, Chu Yun wandered the city, shaking off several curious pursuers before sneaking back to the slums.

He quickly removed the long white wig, pulled off the mask and false beard, and was about to shower when someone knocked at the door.

“Old Yun, are you in?” It was Mo Yu’s voice.

Chu Yun sighed in relief, thinking it was a pursuer. When he opened the door, Mo Yu punched him in the chest. “Damn it! Why didn’t you tell me you had such a badass ancestor? I saw the whole thing today. Your Chu family elder—my god, you missed it! With a wave of his hand, everyone else was like ants. Two words—in-vincible!”

Excited, Mo Yu barged in and flopped onto a chair, looking at Chu Yun. “I was worried you’d get yourself killed, and there was nothing I could do. Now it’s finally over.”

He crossed his legs, shaking his foot. Then he noticed the clothes, wig, and mask Chu Yun had just taken off, sitting in the corner. He froze.

Chu Yun followed his gaze and realized he hadn’t had time to put the disguise away.

Mo Yu got up, picked up the props, examined the wig, clothes, and beard, then looked at Chu Yun, disbelief and shock in his eyes.

Chu Yun slapped his forehead, helpless at his own carelessness.

Mo Yu stepped in front of him. “Don’t move.”

Then he put the wig on Chu Yun’s head, draped the clothes and mask over him. Before he could finish putting on the mask, Chu Yun gave a wry smile. “What ancestor? There’s no such person!”

Mo Yu slapped a hand over his mouth, breathing hard, pacing back and forth several times. He looked at Chu Yun and asked, “Can I scream now?”

Chu Yun said, “You’d better not. The walls here are thin. With your level-six warrior’s voice, you might bring the house down.”

Mo Yu shot back, “Get lost! If my yelling could collapse the house, then with your strength, a single stretch would send it flying!”