Chapter 127: The Blood Fiend Gang's Interference

Watching Nangong Xue approach with hurried steps, Ye Cheng could not help but feel a sense of unease. In his memory, she was always composed and cool-headed; to see her looking so anxious made him wonder, "Could it be that something has happened to my Ye family?"

As Ye Cheng speculated to himself, Nangong Xue reached him. "Ye Cheng, a few days ago you asked me to look into the situation of your family. The reports from the scouts are not good. It seems your Ye family has run into some trouble."

Nangong Xue did not delay, speaking directly to the point. From their time spent together, she knew he was a man who valued loyalty and affection, and she felt he should be informed about matters concerning his family as soon as possible.

"What exactly is the situation? Does it involve the Luo family?" Ye Cheng’s expression darkened. In Luoyang Town, his Ye family was one of the top titans; few would dare to provoke them. He racked his brain, but the only power comparable to his own with a history of conflict was the Luo family.

"The Luo family is damned. Sooner or later, I will wipe them out!" Upon seeing Nangong Xue nod, Ye Cheng’s face turned frigid. The chilling words spilled from his lips, brimming with murderous intent.

Sensing the killing intent in his voice, Nangong Xue was not surprised. She suspected that the reason he had risked his life for the inheritance of the ancient cave master was to protect those close to him. This motivation was what made him fearless.

"When will they strike?" Ye Cheng suppressed his murderous intent and looked at Nangong Xue, pressing for an answer.

"Don't worry, they aren't moving yet. Eliminating the Ye family seems to be a plan for the near future. We only managed to uncover this information thanks to the Blood Fiend Gang," Nangong Xue replied.

"The Blood Fiend Gang?" Ye Cheng questioned, "Are they involved in this too?"

"Yes. It seems the Luo family paid a heavy price to hire experts from the Blood Fiend Gang as reinforcements. Because of the constant clashes between my Nangong family and the Blood Fiend Gang, we have scouts monitoring their every move. That is how we discovered the Great Elder of the Luo family meeting with them and learned of the plan." Mid-sentence, she caught sight of Ye Cheng’s grim expression and quickly added, "But you don't need to worry too much. The Luo family won't act so quickly. The Great Elder only just left the Blood Fiend Gang; even traveling at top speed, it will take seven or eight days for him to return to Luoyang Town."

Hearing this, Ye Cheng nodded, though the weight in his heart did not lift; it only grew heavier. "This is disastrous. With the Blood Fiend Gang involved, my family is doomed. Any expert they send from the Ancient Dan Realm would be enough to sweep through all of Luoyang Town."

The power of the Blood Fiend Gang was unquestionable; otherwise, they wouldn't dare to openly challenge a hegemon-level power like the Nangong family in Yongle City. To this day, even the Nangong family had to choose to wait and see, not daring to trigger a full-scale war. If they lacked strength, the Blood Fiend Gang would have been wiped out long ago. Furthermore, besides Tie Muqiu, the gang possessed other Ancient Dan Realm experts, and now the True Martial Sect and Flying Sword Sect stood on their side, making their influence even more formidable.

"Which members of the Blood Fiend Gang are they sending to help the Luo family? Are there any Ancient Dan Realm experts?" This was his primary concern. If they sent such a master, his family would be helpless even if he returned.

"I don't think so. The Blood Fiend Gang has to guard their own base right now. With my father having awakened, they wouldn't dare act rashly. Their Ancient Dan Realm experts must stay within their headquarters. Besides, hiring one would likely cost the Luo family their entire fortune. I suspect they are sending someone at the Protector level," Nangong Xue said, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her silver-earring-adorned ear.

"Protector level?" Ye Cheng breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing no Ancient Dan Realm experts were coming, but his brow furrowed again at her next words. "A Protector would be a Yuan Realm expert, right?"

"Indeed," Nangong Xue confirmed. "In the Blood Fiend Gang, anyone who reaches the Yuan Realm is called a Protector, much like the nine commanders in my own family, just with a different title. Of course, once a Protector reaches the Ancient Dan Realm, they are promoted to Elder. As far as I know, there are only eight Protectors: four in the early Yuan Realm, three in the middle Yuan Realm, and one at the peak of the Yuan Realm. If they send those from the early stage, it won't help the Luo family much, but a middle-stage expert would be a game-changer for the situation in Luoyang Town. As for the Great Protector at the peak, I hear he is in deep seclusion, so I suspect they will send one of the three middle-stage experts."

Ye Cheng nodded, feeling a surge of gratitude toward Nangong Xue. To gather such detailed intelligence on an enemy force must have taken considerable effort. He took a deep breath and said softly, "Thank you." He kept this gratitude tucked away in his heart.

"You don't need to be so formal with me. You've saved me many times; I owe you quite a debt," Nangong Xue replied. "Are you leaving now?"

"Yes. The situation is urgent. I must return before things change for the worse." Ye Cheng nodded. His strength had grown significantly since he left Luoyang Town, and he was no longer the man who couldn't withstand a middle-stage Yuan Realm fighter. Now, if he unleashed all his hidden cards, he could hold his own against one. He looked at Nangong Xue and suddenly asked, "Will you come with me?" He didn't know why he had asked.

His words caused a flicker of hesitation on her beautiful face, but she ultimately declined. "I'm afraid I cannot. My family is also facing many crises, and I cannot leave easily. Even if I went, I couldn't help much. However, the Third Commander will accompany you. I'm sorry, Ye Cheng; my family cannot spare many high-level experts right now, but the Third Commander is a middle-stage Yuan Realm expert and should be of some assistance."

She looked apologetic. It wasn't that she didn't want to go, but the situation forced her hand. If she left and were captured by the Blood Fiend Gang, it would only give the enemy more leverage and put her family in grave danger.

"I understand," Ye Cheng nodded. "I am already very grateful to have the Third Commander's help."

The atmosphere remained silent for a moment before Nangong Xue remembered something. "The nominations for the Heavenly Selection have been finalized. You, me, and Nangong Lin will head to the Prefecture in six months for the trials. Nangong Lin and I may leave in three months. If you can't make it in time, just go directly to the Daqian Hotel in Nanyang Prefecture and look for us."

Ye Cheng was not surprised by the selections. Nangong Xue was the eldest daughter of the Nangong family with peerless talent, and while Nangong Lin was only at the middle-stage Yuan Realm, his immense physical strength made him a prime candidate to be chosen by the masters of the Prefecture.