Chapter Sixty-Two: The Cuckoo in the Magpie’s Nest

On the broad avenue, Ye Feng walked leisurely toward the eastern city. He was certain that everything that had happened today would soon spread throughout the imperial capital.

His forceful return would surely bring both joy and worry. As a super clan, the Ye family had many rivals, among them some formidable powers. Naturally, these adversaries did not wish to see the Ye family rise again because of Ye Feng’s appearance.

Yet there were just as many who rejoiced: some influential dukes, outside factions, and even the emperor himself favored the Ye family’s resurgence. Anyone with dignity and backbone resented being under another’s thumb. Only the Ye family’s powerful return could lead them in resisting the Holy Land.

The Holy Land was the strongest force across the continent, and its ambitions were anything but modest. Over the years, it hadn’t been idle; rumors said it now controlled all of the Western Continent.

“What a grand estate!” Ye Feng didn’t actually head to the Xiao family; instead, he stopped before the gates of the Ye residence. He was curious to see what his home looked like.

Reputation was no substitute for meeting in person, and seeing surpassed all tales. Standing on the avenue, his eyes shone as he gazed at the distant structure—yes, he was looking at his own home.

The Ye residence sprawled wide; the gate alone was ten meters across. Through the open doors, Ye Feng could see many male and female servants inside, and quite a few ‘Golden Scale Guards’ clad in shimmering gold armor.

Though there had been no master for twenty years, the Ye family remained itself, still a clan none dared underestimate.

“Not bad,” Ye Feng nodded, striding forward.

“Welcome home, young master!” At the gates, the guards bowed deeply, their faces complicated.

At their words, all the servants in the front courtyard halted as one, bowing to Ye Feng. Their expressions varied: some male servants kept their heads down, muttering with obvious reluctance, clearly not speaking kindly. The female servants, meanwhile, appeared shy and awkward—something Ye Feng found rather strange.

Ye Feng wore his trademark smile, saying nothing as he walked directly toward one of the muttering servants.

This man was about thirty and, judging by his attire, seemed to hold some status among the servants.

“Tell me, do you have any complaints against me?” Ye Feng bent forward, his smile gentle.

“Hmph! You’re the master; how could a mere servant have complaints…” The man lifted his head, impatience in his tone.

“Young master! I have work to do, orders from Duke Billis himself. If you have nothing for me, I’ll be on my way!” With that, he straightened, ready to leave.

Ye Feng smiled, but there was a chill to it. What was this? With the master gone, the servants had begun to think themselves the masters, even competing for status…

A cold gleam flashed. The man’s arm fell to the ground.

“Ah! My arm… you bastard… you dared cut off my arm… I’m working for Duke Billis now… ah…”

Ye Feng’s smile remained as he walked closer, pointing at the man’s nose and speaking loudly, “A Ye family servant, and you think you’re above me! Claiming to serve Duke Billis? Remember this: even if you die, you’re a corpse of the Ye family. Let alone while you live!”

In that instant, all the servants, male and female alike, were struck silent.

They were stunned. Many of them were barely in their twenties; since moving into the Ye residence, there had never been a master. So, they’d come to see themselves as the masters.

None of them took Ye Feng seriously, this youth who had suddenly appeared. Perhaps the Ye family had once been prominent, but now? In their eyes, the Ye family was just this palace-sized estate—a place for them to live, nothing more.

But now, the master of the estate had returned. No one expected this fifteen- or sixteen-year-old boy to be so violent, so capricious—smiling one moment, then severing the arm of the second steward’s nephew the next.

It was common knowledge: the stewards were the highest authority in the Ye family these days.

“You bastard! You dare harm me—when my second uncle returns, he’ll tear you to pieces! You’re dead!” The man screamed, cursing Ye Feng, his eyes filled with venom.

Reason was useless now. After more than twenty years, habits had taken root—no matter how eloquently Ye Feng spoke, he couldn’t change their deepest instincts.

So, he was direct: “I don’t think you’ll live to see that day. But I promise, when your uncle returns, I’ll send him to join you!” With that, his dagger flashed again, slicing the man’s throat.

Blood frothed from his lips; his eyes wide, he stared at Ye Feng, clutching his neck and pointing at him in disbelief before collapsing.

“Listen well, all of you. Alive—you are Ye family people. Dead—you are Ye family corpses! The Ye family is ruled by those who bear the Ye name. Don’t think you’re the master just because you’ve lived here so long.”

Ye Feng had come to the capital to deal with the noble houses; he had no intention of reasoning with the servants, so his methods were blunt.

Only fear would make them obedient, for everyone knew: a life can only be lost once.

As for winning their affection—that would come later. Ye Feng never believed anyone would like him at first sight.

“That fat one—yes, you, come here…” Ye Feng pointed at a plump servant, because he alone had kept silent when Ye Feng arrived.

As he walked inside, Ye Feng noticed the fat man still standing dazedly. “What are you staring at? Come here!”

The fat man shuffled over, trembling, voice thick with tears, “I have no complaints against the young master… I always keep the place clean, the Ye family has treated me well, I eat my fill every day… I really have no complaints… truly…”

“What’s your name?” Ye Feng looked at him, wondering if he really was so wicked.

“My name is Xiao Zhu!” The fat man answered sincerely, bowing with every reply.

“Follow me. Remember, from now on, besides me, you’re the top here!”

As they walked, Ye Feng was struck by the vastness of the estate—it was far larger than the Ye family’s domain in Covering Sky City. After all this walking, he was still on the main path.

In this capital, where every inch of land was precious, such a grand estate could not be had by wealth alone. Without immense power, living here was courting disaster—the palace was less than eight hundred meters away.

“Young master! Up ahead is the main hall. Beyond it, past the lawn, is your private courtyard; my lowly status doesn’t allow me entry!” After about a quarter of an hour, Ye Feng saw a low floral fence ahead.

“Remember, your status is no longer just that of a servant!” With that, Ye Feng suddenly whistled loudly into the air.

A shadow flashed by like lightning. In the next moment, a silver-furred monkey appeared on Ye Feng’s shoulder.

“Take it, and gather everyone for a meeting. From now on, besides me, you’re the highest in the Ye family. If anyone resists, hand them over to the monkey!”

He handed the monkey to Xiao Zhu.

“Yes, I obey!” Xiao Zhu grinned foolishly. His parents had both served the Ye family, and he’d been here since birth. He felt happy living here, always eating his fill… though often bullied.

When word came that the master was returning, he hadn’t joined the others in plotting to give the master a hard time. While they conspired, he simply stayed quietly in a corner. His only worry was that the master might cut back his food.

But hearing Ye Feng’s words, Xiao Zhu knew his springtime had arrived.

“You’re getting fatter by the day. Later, if anyone’s hair isn’t smooth, just kill them…” Stroking the monkey’s soft fur, Ye Feng handed it to Xiao Zhu.