Chapter Five: A Night of Dark Skies and Fierce Winds (First Update, Please Add to Your Collection)

In the days that followed, Ye Feng immersed himself in rigorous cultivation, mastering the powers he had at his command. Now, with seventy-seven spirit marks, his foundation was incomparably solid—far surpassing those young men who hastily entered the Spirit Summoning realm after forming a mere dozen marks.

Of course, when it came to the quality of spiritual power, Ye Feng, still in the Spirit Awakening stage, could not rival the true strength of those who had broken through to Spirit Summoning. But in terms of sheer quantity, even most high-ranking Spirit Summoners would find themselves outmatched by him.

He exhaled softly, glancing up at the moon shrouded in a layer of silvery light. "A dark night, the perfect time for murder and plunder," he murmured to himself. Now that he possessed formidable strength, it was time to strike back.

After the day's commotion, the Ye household had fallen into deep silence. Only the occasional servant on patrol, lantern in hand, disturbed the stillness. Ye Feng returned to his room and swiftly retrieved a black garment from his wardrobe. With practiced ease, he donned it, transforming entirely in the next moment.

A composed chill returned to his eyes, and a cold, predatory aura—one unique to assassins—emanated from him. Anyone who saw him now would be rendered speechless by shock. Had the simple-minded Ye Feng vanished, replaced by a lone wolf prowling the night?

His shadowy figure glided silently from the courtyard, moving like a ghost concealed in darkness, slipping over the low fence and vanishing into the blackness beyond.

—

Unlike Ye Feng, Ye Xiu was not a direct descendant of the Ye family and thus lacked the right to his own private residence. He could only share a courtyard with several other youths of his generation. At this late hour, only Ye Xiu’s room remained brightly lit, raucous laughter spilling from within.

“Cousin Ye Xiu, are you saying that the prestigious celestial courtyard where Ye Feng lives will soon belong to your brother, Ye Li?” a youth’s surprised voice called out.

As these words were spoken, something shifted in the darkness by the wall outside, unseen and unnoticed in the gloom.

“The nerve, plotting to seize my courtyard. Unforgivable,” Ye Feng muttered quietly as he lay in wait.

“It’s been so long since I’ve done what I do best… I let that news get to me just now. Tsk, how careless,” he chided himself, but said no more, remaining in place, a silent predator waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Inside, Ye Xiu gave a self-satisfied chuckle, enjoying the delight and awe of his companions. Only in such moments did he feel his own importance was recognized, his vanity appeased. He raised his teacup with feigned sophistication and declared smugly, “Give it a few days, and you’ll see. Then I’ll be out of this dump, finally sharing a private courtyard with my brother!”

His words only drew more sycophantic laughter and flattery.

“But alas, you’ll all have to keep enduring this unpleasant place,” Ye Xiu continued with mock regret, as if he were already enjoying a life of luxury elsewhere.

“Oh, it’s nothing, Cousin Ye Xiu,” his companions chorused, shaking their heads like rattle-drums. “Just don’t forget us poor souls when you’ve moved up in the world. If we ever need a favor, we hope you’ll remember the years we’ve lived under the same roof.”

“Of course, of course!”

In the darkness, Ye Feng curled his lip in disdain. “A pack of petty fools, and one utter idiot,” he muttered.

He waited patiently. About two hours later, Ye Xiu’s door creaked open. A string of flattery continued as several youths emerged, then, after some brief goodbyes, scattered to their respective rooms. Ye Xiu’s door closed again.

“Fool. He really thinks he’s something. If it weren’t for his brother, who would bother wasting time with him?” one youth grumbled.

“Well, he is the Grand Elder’s grandson, and his brother is so powerful. Some people are just born lucky—makes you want to spit.”

The two youths, arms around each other, disappeared into their rooms, oblivious to Ye Feng’s lurking presence.

As everyone settled in, and Ye Feng prepared to act, a door quietly opened. A girl of seventeen or eighteen, dressed as a maid, glanced cautiously around before tiptoeing toward Ye Xiu’s room.

“Unbelievable… he really lives the good life,” Ye Feng nearly rolled his eyes. Anyone could guess what was about to happen.

Sure enough, Ye Xiu’s familiar voice soon drifted out, “Ha ha, darling, were you getting anxious? Tonight your young master will take good care of you.”

—

Listening to the rapid breathing inside, Ye Feng flushed, a tent rising in his trousers. “Damn, this is more nerve-wracking than assassinating a head of state in my previous life!” he grumbled.

It was no wonder—his current body, though fifteen, had never experienced such things.

“Well, well, what are you doing here at this hour, watching a live show?” a mocking voice sounded in Ye Feng’s mind—the Dragon Serpent Demon King.

“Who’s there?” Ye Feng sprang back, pressing against the wall, his voice low and tense.

But realization dawned, and he quickly ducked back, whispering, “You think I want to be here? That guy knows about the plot against me. I’m just trying to figure out who keeps trying to kill me.”

A cold sweat broke out on his forehead at the Demon King’s sudden voice, and Ye Feng gulped for air.

“You mean he’s the one who threw you into my tomb and ruined my rebirth?” the Demon King’s tone rose, full of fury. If it had a body, Ye Feng was certain the old monster would have stormed in and strangled Ye Xiu on the spot.

“My lord Demon King, please, think for a moment. With his meager abilities, how could he possibly transport me thousands of miles without anyone noticing?” Ye Feng rolled his eyes.

At last, the old saying seemed true: in moments of anger, intelligence plummets.

“True, he’s just a small fry. You—clever… wait—are you looking to die, boy, talking to me like that?” the Demon King’s voice thundered in outrage.

Creak—

Ye Xiu’s door opened once more, and the disheveled maid, after a furtive glance around, slipped quickly away.