Chapter 158: With You, With Me, With Brothers

Inside the room, Xiao Ye's fury was uncontrollable. He slammed his fist against the solid wall, causing dust from the ceiling to fall.
“Let’s go... to find Ye Feng. Even if he kills you, I won’t stop him!” Xiao Ye roughly grabbed Xiao Ying’s arm and stormed out of the room.

...

In the courtyard, dozens of people were densely gathered, yet not a single word was spoken. All eyes anxiously fixated on Ye Feng, who lay with his eyes closed in the grand master’s chair.

After Xiao Ye had told him everything, Ye Feng wished he could tear Xiao Ying apart limb by limb.

But the last shred of reason restrained him.

“Everyone makes mistakes; it’s just that the magnitude differs. Xiao Ying made a grave mistake, but one that can be forgiven… one that can be forgiven...”

Clenching the armrests of the grand master’s chair with all his might, Ye Feng suppressed his anger, repeatedly trying to convince himself.

Everyone could see the fury blazing beneath Ye Feng’s calm exterior, yet no one dared to plead on Xiao Ying’s behalf. After all, her mistake had nearly brought the entire Tianwu Empire to ruin.

“Big brother, I’m willing to take the punishment instead of Ying’er. If you have any anger, vent it on me! Once we rescue sister-in-law, I’m willing to serve her like a beast of burden, just please don’t kill Ying’er!”

With a loud thud, Ye Long knelt heavily before Ye Feng, gritting his teeth as he spoke.

“This place has become too crowded. Let’s build another city! After all, as the Tianwang Alliance grows, this courtyard can no longer hold so many!” Ye Feng opened his eyes, stood up, and helped Ye Long to his feet, abruptly changing the topic.

Hearing this, everyone exhaled deeply. Ye Feng’s unwillingness to dwell on the matter was proof enough that he had no intention of killing Xiao Ying.

Yet no one dared to follow his lead in conversation. They all knew that such words were merely a distraction.

“Forget it. We’ll deal with this later. You all go about your business. I need some time alone.” Ye Feng lay back in the grand master’s chair and slowly closed his eyes again.

One by one, the others quietly left. Even the monkey, unusually, lay still on Ye Feng’s lap, refraining from tugging at his hair.

Scenes of Qingwu flickered in Ye Feng’s mind like fleeting shadows.

The first time they met was on the grassland in the capital. Qingwu had been found and, without realizing it, had claimed the only grand master’s chair.

From that moment, Ye Feng became captivated by this girl just a year or two his senior. Her every smile, every frown, even her expressions when angry, all played vividly in his memory.

Tears slowly streamed down, while the rage inside him had no outlet.

He stroked the monkey’s soft fur repeatedly and murmured, “I can tell Xiao Long really likes Xiao Ying. I can’t let him hate me! I can’t hurt Xiao Ying either. Why did she do this... What did Qingwu ever do to her... why...”

Ye Feng whispered over and over, tears uncontrollably flowing. At this moment, he resembled a wronged child, his face soaked with sorrow.

In front of everyone, Ye Feng had always been bold and decisive—powerful and sharp-minded. No matter what happened, as long as he was present, the problem would be solved.

Like the struggles against the Holy Land. Although everyone knew Ye Feng couldn’t single-handedly face three elite Spirit Emperors of the enemy nation, his presence alone gave them hope of victory.

But everyone had forgotten that Ye Feng was just a sixteen-year-old boy. They knew nothing of the two lives he had lived, nor how deeply he cherished family.

Back in Zhetian City, when he feigned ignorance, every cousin had looked upon him with disdain. Yet in the end, Ye Feng chose to forgive them all.

No reason—simply because they shared the same surname, because they were his kin.

He trained hard, not to stand atop the peak for himself, but to gain the strength to protect his family and brothers.

Squeak... squeak...

The monkey slowly stood, its furry paw gently wiping away Ye Feng’s tears.

Gradually, night descended. Ye Feng lay silently in the grand master’s chair, motionless.

From the shadows afar, dozens of Tianwang Alliance members stood just like him, silently guarding.

No one left, no one spoke; they didn’t even know each other’s presence in the darkness.

Finally, Zhou Yi stepped forward.

“Boss, I know you’re hurting, but rest assured, as long as I, Zhou Yi, am alive, I will find sister-in-law and bring her back to you safe and sound!” Standing before Ye Feng, Zhou Yi pounded his chest and vowed resolutely.

One by one, members of the Tianwang Alliance emerged from the shadows.

“I’m not good with words, but don’t worry, as long as you need me, I won’t hesitate!” The Killer Demon also pounded his chest as he spoke.

“You know my story—how in pursuit of power, I slaughtered my own brothers and failed to serve my mother even in death. You showed me that there is a bond called protection; no matter how strong you become, it is all for guarding those you care about. Trust me, there’s no obstacle we can’t overcome, as long as hope remains in our hearts!” This was Galo’s voice.

Ye Feng slowly opened his eyes, gazing at each brother who either pledged their loyalty or silently stood by.

“Thank you all. With you by my side, my life has no regrets!” Bowing deeply to the gathering, Ye Feng finally smiled for the first time.

“The creatures there are powerful, but I will not be discouraged. I will grow stronger step by step and bring Qingwu back!” His voice rang out as he stared into the endless starry sky.

“And we’re here with you!” the crowd shouted in unison.

In the days that followed, everything within the Tianwang Alliance proceeded in orderly fashion. After more than a month of relentless battles, nearly a hundred members returned with the heads of Holy Land warriors.

Ye Feng accepted He Tao’s suggestion to divide the Tianwang Alliance into an inner and outer council.

The initial members were all placed in the inner council, as were those who ranked mid-level Spirit Emperor or above and had slain more than five Holy Land warriors. The entry criteria for the inner council became mid-level Spirit Emperor or higher, and the elimination of five or more Spirit Emperor-level Holy Land enemies.

Recruitment continued. Some young strong cultivators who failed to claim Holy Land heads underwent rigorous selection by Galo and others, eventually forming a group of two hundred cultivators ranked Spirit Emperor or above.

“Our Tianwang Alliance now has over six hundred brothers. But I believe, in the future, we will have even more! This courtyard alone can no longer contain us! Therefore, I have decided to establish a city belonging to the Tianwang Alliance, twenty miles to the west—Tianwang City!”

In the vast courtyard, over six hundred members stood in neat formation, their eyes burning with fervor as they looked toward Ye Feng, who stood at the forefront, commanding with the vigor of a true leader.