TNIBFT -Chapter 227 The Vengeance for a Father’s Death—Blood Feud

Outside, the servants’ alarmed shouts rang out. Xiao Xun’er widened her eyes, tears streaming down her face.

She looked at Xiao Haoyang, shaking her head, her eyes silently pleading.

Xiao Haoyang sneered coldly, then turned with a sinister glance toward his confidants behind him. With a wave of his hand, the armored mansion guards inside immediately concealed themselves within the room, while the archers took their positions.

Outside the door,

Ye Tian’s gaze fell on the crimson carved wooden door. His expression was calm as he looked at Duan Qingshan beside him.

Their eyes met.

Duan Qingshan remained impassive, slowly drawing his sword.

A servant followed behind Ye Tian, lowering his head: “The young lady is inside, Manager Ye. You should go in.”

Ye Tian nodded.

Step by step, he climbed the stairs.

Through the snow-white oiled paper windows, a shadow seemed to flicker. With a swift motion, Duan Qingshan struck like lightning, taking out a nearby servant with a single sword stroke, then leapt forward, kicking open the crimson wooden door.

Whoosh!

Whoosh, whoosh!

Feathered arrows rained down. Duan Qingshan removed the straw hat from his head, holding it in one hand and his sword in the other, deflecting the barrage.

Seeing that Ye Tian had brought reinforcements, Xiao Haoyang stopped pretending. He hid in a safe spot and pointed at Ye Tian outside the door, shouting, “Whoever kills Ye Tian will be the next Iron-Clad General!”

“Hundred taels of gold as reward!”

“Kill him! Kill him!”

Xiao Haoyang screamed wildly.

Outside, the mansion guards, previously lying in ambush, surged forward like a flood. Each held a long blade, moving to encircle Ye Tian.

“Hahaha…”

Xiao Haoyang laughed with excitement, looking at the lone Ye Tian with contempt. “Ye Tian, if you surrender and slit your own throat, I might let your body remain intact. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being merciless.”

Bang!

The next moment, a long sword sliced past Xiao Haoyang’s nose. His vision blurred, legs weakening in terror. On a nearby pillar, a gleaming sword was lodged.

The previously hidden archers were all down, lying in pools of blood.

Xiao Haoyang’s eyes widened in disbelief.

No matter how skilled Ye Tian’s allies were, fists alone couldn’t fend off hundreds of enemies—but he still had the entire army of Sifang City backing him.

“Let’s see who dares!”

Duan Qingshan stood behind Ye Tian and shouted toward the doorway: “I am Duan Qingshan!”

“Step forward, and die!”

Duan Qingshan’s body was covered in blood, radiating killing intent.

From the earlier fight, his chest heaved violently; he resembled a ferocious lion, roaring with indomitable spirit.

The mansion guards exchanged glances. Upon hearing Duan Qingshan’s name, many of their leaders immediately dropped their long blades and knelt on the ground.

Clatter, clatter!

Clatter, clatter…

In an instant, everyone in the courtyard threw down their armor and helmets, kneeling without a single movement.

“You…”

“Are you all planning a rebellion?”

“Kill him! Kill him! Kill Ye Tian!” Xiao Haoyang panicked, hiding behind his confidants, pointing at the kneeling guards and shouting. But no matter how he roared, those on the ground remained unmoved.

Ye Tian stood expressionless among the crowd, watching Xiao Haoyang’s tantrum.

Duan Qingshan said coldly, “I’ll see who dares!”

“All the troops in the city are on their way to the lord’s mansion. If anyone wants to die, feel free to try!”

Silence fell.

At this moment, what could Xiao Haoyang possibly not understand?

The soldiers in the city were already under Ye Tian’s control. How had he managed that in such a short time?

These lowlifes… were they not afraid of death?

In Xiao Xun’er’s bedchamber, corpses littered the floor, blood flowing like rivers.

Xiao Haoyang’s face went pale. His eyes darted to his bound daughter, and in a flash, he leapt forward, drew the dagger at his waist, and pressed it against Xiao Xun’er’s fair neck. “Ye Tian, let me go, or I’ll kill Xun’er right now!”

The dagger pressed against her neck, and crimson blood trickled down.

Ye Tian froze at this turn of events.

He frowned, looking at Xiao Xun’er, who was full of despair, her gaze complex as it met his.

“You really are shameless, Xiao Haoyang!” Duan Qingshan said in disgust.

Ye Tian said calmly, “Step aside.”

“Release Xiao Xun’er.”

Ye Tian didn’t even glance at Xiao Haoyang, as if he didn’t exist. With Sifang City under his control, Xiao Haoyang had no way to escape with Xiao Xun’er.

Distrusting Ye Tian, Xiao Haoyang now saw his daughter as a shield. In a few quick moves, he cut the ropes binding her and tried to flee.

At that moment, Xiao Xun’er’s tearful eyes met Ye Tian’s, guilt overwhelming her, leaving her speechless.

The next second:

Xiao Haoyang shoved Xiao Xun’er toward Ye Tian. Taking advantage of Ye Tian’s momentary distraction, he shouted, “Die!”

“You despicable bastard—”

Before he could finish, Duan Qingshan pierced his neck with a sword. Blood streamed down the blade, dripping onto the floor. Xiao Haoyang’s eyes widened, his face twisted in terror. He looked down at the sword in his neck, then at Ye Tian. As he opened his mouth, blood gushed out from the corners of his lips.

With a muffled “thud,” Xiao Haoyang collapsed to the ground, dying with his eyes wide open.

Duan Qingshan, expressionless, withdrew his sword and looked at Ye Tian. “Master, Xiao Haoyang was cunning—”

He wanted to explain.

Ye Tian raised a hand to stop him. Xiao Haoyang had to die today; sparing him would only bring trouble in the future.

“Father!”

“Father, father!”

Xiao Xun’er knelt beside Xiao Haoyang, wailing heartbreakingly, shaking his body.

Ye Tian glanced once, then stepped out of Xiao Xun’er’s room.

He recalled their first meeting—under the sunlight, she had been spoiled, defiant, bright and bold, dressed in red, riding a fiery horse, laughing freely. Though a woman, she had faced great danger, staying in the city to live and die alongside its people.

A father’s murder must be avenged; it cannot go unpunished.

Friendship… would no longer be possible!

Ye Tian looked at the palace soldiers kneeling throughout the courtyard and said, “From now on, no one is to mistreat Miss Xiao. Sifang City shall allow her free passage.”

“Do you understand?”

Ye Tian’s voice carried authority, the presence of a true leader.

The soldiers trembled, kneeling as they acknowledged the order.

Xiao Xun’er listened to his voice. Tearfully, she watched Ye Tian’s back, helplessly closing her eyes. Tears traced her cheeks, unsure how she would ever face Ye Tian again.

…

Within Sifang City, large groups of palace soldiers lined the streets, surging toward the city.

The people panicked. With such a large-scale movement, something serious was bound to happen.

“Big brother, where are you going?”

Seeing Ye Yunting heading out, Ye Shuangxue immediately followed. Old Yang trailed behind the two children. “You’re not allowed to go anywhere. Master ordered it; I must keep an eye on you.”

Inside the hotpot restaurant, everyone was on high alert.

The restaurant had closed for the day, and all inside held whatever weapons they could grab, faces tense.

“I’m going to find Lord Meng!” Ye Yunting said, looking at Old Yang. “These people are heading straight for the city lord’s mansion. They’re likely after my father. The only one who can save him now is Lord Meng!”