Chapter 58: The Demon Forgotten Dust Incites Public Outrage

“So that’s how it was. But why didn’t you just tell the truth earlier? Why insist on taking all the blame upon yourself—are you foolish?” Meng Youyuan spoke up for Xiaoyin, feeling indignant on his behalf. Wasn’t he just wronging himself to benefit others?

“He’d already decided I was his brother’s murderer. No matter what I said, he’d think I was making excuses. And the truth is, my brother really did die by my hand. Since things have come to this, why drag someone else down with me? Isn’t this mess troublesome enough as it is?” Xiaoyin replied with a nonchalant calm, as if he didn’t care about someone seeking vengeance against him. None of them had expected that the usually calculating Xiaoyin could reveal such loyalty; it made everyone see him in a new light.

“Enough about our matters. Sister Yan, why were you so furious just now? I wanted to ask you earlier, but the place wasn’t suitable. Now you must tell us everything—what exactly happened between you and that Ye Wangchen?” Originally, Yushang had been struggling with how to broach the subject without seeming abrupt, but now Lanwu, with her straightforward nature, had beaten him to the question.

“The man with the tattoo on his face didn’t originally bear the surname Ye. His real name is Yan Wangchen. I still remember the first time he came to my home—he was in a wretched state, like a little beggar, with not a good patch on him. My father said he would be staying with us, and I was to call him brother. When I was older, my father told me that he’d been moved by his pride—even on the verge of freezing to death in the streets, he refused to beg—and so made an exception and took him in.

Later, seeing his talent and filial piety, Father not only taught him our family’s secret arts but also adopted him as a foster son. He even promised aloud to betroth me to him, which was tantamount to naming him the next family head. We all naïvely believed he was heaven’s gift to our family—since we had so few sons, the elders loved him dearly, treating him like their own. I too foolishly fell in love with him, giving him my heart.

But who could have guessed that this man we treated as kin for years was actually a plant from our enemies, placed by our side to destroy the Yan family and profit from our downfall? In the end, everything went as they wished—we were ruined by his hand. Even now, I don’t know whether my parents are dead or alive. He even sold me into a brothel. If I hadn’t managed to escape, I’d have lost everything.

But that was only the start of another nightmare. I was unfortunate enough to fall back into his hands. By the time his torment left me so broken that I wanted to kill myself, Leng Huaiyi rescued me from that endless suffering. If not for him, I wouldn’t know what I’d have become.” Yan Xuesu’s eyes glistened with tears, her voice choked with grief. Forcing herself to finish her tragic tale, she collapsed into Yu Xiaoran’s arms, sobbing fiercely. Everyone could imagine the horrors she’d suffered; no wonder she lost control at the sight of that man.

“Someone like him doesn’t deserve to live in this world. Who would have thought that beneath his sanctimonious exterior lay a heart so filthy and vile?” Lanwu fumed. No wonder they’d all said that, when Yan Xuesu first arrived in Youming City, she was icy and unapproachable. At first, she doubted that Sister Yan could have such a nature, but now she understood—after meeting such a scoundrel, it was only natural she’d close off her heart.

“How can such a despicable man exist? Even if he came to Sister Yan’s house with ulterior motives, after living together for so many years, surely there’d be some feeling? How could he be so cruel as to throw his betrothed into a place of such filth? Is he even human?” Meng Youyuan’s face was flushed with anger. She had never imagined a man could commit such vile acts: not only did he doom the Yan family, but he sent Yan Xuesu to such unspeakable torment. She wished she could tear him to pieces and feed him to the dogs, yet even that wouldn’t ease her hatred.

“Even as a man myself, I don’t want to defend him. Scheming for power is one thing, but this is too much—even an innocent woman he wouldn’t spare. You can ignore a woman if you don’t care for her, but to hurt her is unforgivable and will bring heaven’s wrath!” Yin Boxuan, visibly agitated, added.

“What level is his cultivation? If we’re to avenge you, we need to know what we’re up against,” Lan Bingxian, ever calm, brought everyone back to the point.

“Even back then, his cultivation was among the best. He had no real weaknesses for anyone to exploit. Judging by his demeanor just now, he’s determined to reach the final round,” Yan Xuesu replied with some disappointment. However much she loathed him, she had to admit his skill was remarkable. If not for that, her father wouldn’t have chosen him, only to raise a tiger who would later turn on them.

“From his moves on the stage, he’s clearly a formidable opponent. He’s likely to become the leader among the competitors, and in the end, there might be a bloody duel between him and Brother Yu. What do you think?” Leng Huaiyi analyzed, then looked to Yushang.

“What’s there to think? Just go up and finish him off—one strike and everyone’s happy!” Xiaoyin blurted out before Yushang could reply.

“You think it’s as easy as gutting a fish? We’re talking about killing someone here—not just an ordinary person, but a master with formidable skills. Please, take this seriously!” Lanwu shot Xiaoyin a glare. They’d all witnessed that villain’s prowess; she couldn’t fathom where Xiaoyin got such confidence that Yushang would win.

Yushang ignored the two, who could quarrel anywhere and anytime, and said softly to the others, “When I first saw Ye Wangchen, I had a hunch he’d be the one I’d face at the end. Honestly, I consider myself a good judge, but watching the matches, I couldn’t find a single flaw in him. It frustrates me—I’m not at all certain I can win. But I’ll give it my all, not just to avenge you, but to challenge my own limits.” His heartfelt words comforted Yan Xuesu and the others, though they couldn’t help but worry for his safety.

“Brother Yu, even if you think me nagging, I have to remind you—know your limits in all things,” Yu Xiaoran said seriously. This was something he should have handled himself, but now Yushang had to bear it for him. If anything happened to Yushang, he could never forgive himself. But since that man dared harm his beloved, he would not let him have a good day ever again.

“Yes, Brother Yu, your safety is most important. This is my personal matter; no matter what, I should resolve it myself. Please, don’t risk your life on my behalf, or I’ll never be at peace!” Though Yushang could be headstrong and sometimes a bit cunning, he was a friend worth having. If he were hurt avenging her, she’d be plagued by guilt forever.

He knew their words were out of concern, but still he couldn’t help but feel exasperated. “Am I really that hopeless in your eyes? I just said I’m not certain, that doesn’t mean I’ll lose miserably! Have some faith in me, instead of always doubting!” At this moment, Yushang wanted to give everyone a good thump—was he really that weak? Did they think his years of cultivation were for nothing?

“Sigh… Brother Yu, take care of yourself!” Yin Boxuan shook his head with mock regret, patting Yushang on the shoulder teasingly.

“I think you’d better worry about yourself, Yin—otherwise I might just give you a slap!” Now Yushang understood Yin Boxuan’s knack for riling people up—it was no wonder he often drove the girls mad with fury; now even he wanted to teach him a lesson.

“Haha, Yin, don’t provoke the rascal—he’s already exasperated enough!” Xiaoyin, instead of defending Yushang, laughed gleefully, clearly enjoying the spectacle. Yushang felt he’d made a poor choice in friends, but was grateful for these companions who could share joy and hardship, and still find moments to amuse themselves.

“By the way, Xuesu, do you know Ye Wangchen’s true identity? Or is he actually the young master of some family?” Yushang suddenly asked, as if struck by a thought—perhaps, amid their banter, she’d thought of a way to defeat him.

Though uncertain why Yushang asked, Yan Xuesu answered honestly, “He always claimed to be an orphan, with the worst possible background, and we, naïve as we were, believed him. Later, after some investigation, I learned he’d been secretly fostered by the leader of the Nightshade family, though no one knows what their real relationship is.” The Nightshade family’s secrecy was impressive—even Youming City had been kept in the dark. But often, the more flawless something appears, the more devastating the truth when the mask is ripped away.

“Could he be the Nightshade patriarch’s illegitimate son?” Xiaoyin speculated mischievously, letting his imagination run wild.

“That was my first thought too, but when I saw the slave totem on his face, I dismissed it. Who would tattoo such a mark on their own son? It makes no sense,” Yan Xuesu said, troubled. Ye Wangchen’s origins were truly an unsolvable mystery.

“Maybe you’re overthinking it. Perhaps their relationship is simply master and servant. He wiped out your family and was amply rewarded—that’s why the patriarch values him so highly,” Lan Bingxian remarked indifferently. He didn’t understand why, at such a critical moment, they wasted time discussing this man’s background instead of training. Did the answer to this matter hold the key to victory? He certainly didn’t see it.