Chapter Sixty-One: The Assassination Plot

Listening to Ye Yun recount what had happened, Ye Wubao nodded, his expression showing no sign of doubt. For only this explanation made sense—otherwise, in the hands of someone like Wu Kun, even if Ye Yun survived, he would at least have been wounded, wouldn’t he? Yet not a mark could be seen on Ye Yun anywhere.

“Senior, you still haven’t told me why Wu Kun wanted to kill you,” Ye Yun pressed, returning to the point.

“Damn it, how should I know why that bastard wanted me dead? I just went into Sunset Mountain to look for some spirit herbs, and that’s when I ran into Wu Kun!” As he spoke, Ye Wubao’s voice was full of pent-up grievances. It truly seemed that meeting Wu Kun in Sunset Mountain had been pure coincidence.

“After all, I am the steward of the Ye family’s treasury. When I return, I will report this matter to the elders and demand an explanation from the Wu family!” Puffing with anger, Ye Wubao leapt up, slapped the dust from his broad hands, and then dashed off toward Cloudwater City like a gust of wind.

“Kid Yun, come by the treasury later—I have something for you!” Wubao shouted back as he left, not forgetting to call out to Ye Yun.

Ye Yun was speechless. He thought to himself that there truly were all kinds of people in this world, and that Wubao’s temperament was certainly unique.

Ye Yun did not immediately return to Cloudwater City. Instead, he turned and went back into Sunset Mountain, searching for the spot Wubao had described as his first encounter with Wu Kun.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something strange, something suspicious, about the whole incident.

The site where Wubao and Wu Kun had fought was a chaotic mess. Ye Yun searched everywhere for clues, but in the end found nothing.

By sunset, as he returned to Cloudwater City, he learned that compared to the attempt on Wubao’s life, something truly earth-shattering had occurred in the Ye clan that day.

On that very day, more than ten members of the Ye clan had been attacked, including four elders of consummate Foundation Establishment cultivation.

“Brother Yun, my master was attacked by two Foundation Establishment experts. He’s gravely wounded—he won’t last much longer.” Ye Xian came to Ye Yun in tears, her beautiful face streaked with sorrow.

Her master was Elder Ye Deshui. Three other elders had also been attacked—one died on the spot, and Ye Deshui along with the other two were severely wounded, their lives hanging by a thread.

More than ten inner disciples, core disciples, and Foundation Establishment cultivators had also been attacked. The identity of those who struck from the shadows remained unknown.

The assailants were cautious, striking from the darkness and retreating with each blow—a clearly premeditated scheme.

In the great hall of the Ye clan residence, the clan head remained in seclusion. Revered Elder Ye Deyin presided over the emergency meeting, with all the elders present. As the chief disciple of the clan head, Ye Peng was also eligible to attend.

“This is a grave matter—we must find out who’s behind it!”

“In this region, only the Wu family of Flying Dragon City would dare such a thing. Could they be taking advantage of the clan head’s seclusion to wage war on us?” The elders argued heatedly, almost all suspicion falling squarely on the Wu family of Flying Dragon City.

“Those attacked were scattered—some in Sunset Mountain outside the city, some in their city residences, and some attacked even within our main estate!” Elder Ye Deyin’s face was dark as he spoke slowly.

“Brother Deyin, what are you getting at?”

“Is it possible we have a traitor in our midst? These assassinations were clearly premeditated—what better explanation than a traitor?”

“We must root out this traitor, tear him to pieces, burn his souls as lanterns, and damn him to eternal torment!”

The elders flew into a rage, cursing and fuming, deeply shaken by the calamity.

For over seven centuries, the Ye clan had ruled as the unchallenged power of the region. Never had such a slaughter occurred—over a dozen dead, four of them elders, one killed on the spot. The loss of a consummate Foundation Establishment cultivator struck at the very core and foundation of the clan.

“Elders, I suspect there’s someone within who is likely our traitor!” Suddenly, Ye Peng spoke up.

“You know who? Speak!”

All eyes turned to him, some burning with fury, eager to seize the traitor for punishment.

Ye Deyin and several elders frowned. Given past events, they had never much cared for their clan head’s disciple.

Seeing he had captured the elders’ attention, Ye Peng allowed himself a faint, knowing smile. “All of you are experienced—think about it. Among all our disciples, who is often away from the clan?”

“Often away?” the elders murmured. One questioned, “Does that alone make a traitor? That’s a flimsy accusation.”

“Heh, you’re right—it’s not enough on its own. But let me lay out my reasoning,” Ye Peng continued, smiling.

“Go on, if your logic holds, we’ll listen,” Elder Ye Deyin said gravely.

Ye Peng nodded, then paced before the assembled elders, hands clasped behind his back, affecting a sage-like air. “If we look at recent events, I believe core disciple Ye Yun is the prime suspect.”

“Ye Yun?”

At the mention of that name, the elders’ faces froze.

“Oh? You don’t believe me?” Ye Peng saw their skepticism and felt a pang of bitterness. He couldn’t understand what made Ye Yun so special that, after the incident with Ye Qian, nearly every elder sided with him. If not for the clan head’s unwavering support, Ye Peng might have had no place left in the Ye clan.

“Utter nonsense!” a hot-tempered elder bellowed, jabbing a finger at Ye Peng.

Ye Peng himself had no idea of Ye Yun’s true identity—but the elders and the clan head knew full well. He was the grand ancestor’s disciple—how could he possibly betray the clan? If Ye Yun were a traitor, would that not make the grand ancestor one as well, or imply he had chosen the wrong person? The elders, seasoned as they were, found Ye Peng’s suspicion utterly absurd.

“Ye Peng, do you have any evidence? If you’re using this to settle personal grudges, don’t blame us for showing no mercy!” Ye Deyin, the eldest, said coldly.

Seeing the elders’ hostility, Ye Peng’s heart wavered, but he was prepared for this outcome and quickly regained his composure. “Of course I have evidence!”

“Let’s hear it. If you’re framing someone, even as the clan head’s disciple, I’ll see you ousted from the clan!” the elder who had cursed earlier snorted.

“First, when Wu Lie was killed, Ye Yun was also in Sunset Mountain at the time! Second, Ye Yun often enters Sunset Mountain, supposedly for training, but regularly ventures deep into those dangerous parts—why would a mere Peak Qi Condensation cultivator dare enter, when those places are crawling with Foundation Establishment demons? I suspect he uses those trips to contact the Wu family of Flying Dragon City across the mountains—he’s harbored treasonous intent for some time now. Third, when Steward Wubao was attacked, Ye Yun was present. Even though Wubao, with his mid-Foundation Establishment strength, was gravely injured, Ye Yun emerged completely unscathed—how is that possible? As for his supposed rescue of Wubao, that was nothing more than an attempt to clear himself, a cover for his guilt!”

“With these three pieces of evidence, is that not enough?” Ye Peng declared.