TNIBFT -Chapter 228 Lord Ye of the City, Your Highness

“But… didn’t Master say to go find Lord Meng?”

Old Yang frowned.

Ye Yunting didn’t want to pay him any attention. His small face was anxious: “Miss Xiao has been injured—it’s a trap. If we delay any longer, my father could be in danger.”

Everyone in the shop suddenly held their breath.

Xiao Wang quietly opened the window, peeking through the gap. Outside, squads of armored city soldiers, expressionless and moving in a hurry, passed by the door.

Old Yang frowned, unable to decide what to do.

Creak!

Ye Yunting opened the door, and Ye Shuangxue immediately followed him. Old Yang had no choice and hurried after the two children: “We’ll go together!”

…

After a short while.

Ye Yunting and Ye Shuangxue were flushed and panting, their little faces red from running.

Seeing the soldiers of Great Zhou outside the courier station, Ye Yunting stepped forward: “Uncle, we want to see Lord Meng!”

“Can you help us notify him?”

The Great Zhou soldier looked down on them. He wasn’t Qin Fengyi’s man, but someone assigned to Meng Yuquan by the Left Chancellor. He glanced at the two little ones with impatience: “Go, go! Where did these little brats come from? Do you think you can just see Lord Meng?”

“We really have something important!”

Ye Shuangxue stepped forward anxiously: “Tell Lord Meng we’re here—he’ll definitely want to see us.”

“Get lost!”

“If you keep pestering, I’ll make sure you regret it!”

The soldier flicked his arm, shaking off Ye Shuangxue’s hand.

Lord Meng had already instructed yesterday that no visitors were to be admitted for the next two days. Letting anyone in now would mean he’d given up on life. At this moment, these two little brats were practically looking for death.

The soldier’s face was cold; he didn’t even glance at Ye Yunting and his sister.

“Damn it!”

Old Yang rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward, about to get rough, when someone outside the station called: “Are you children of the Ye family?”

Zhao Ming shouted from afar, his gaze falling on Ye Yunting and Ye Shuangxue as he studied them.

Old Yang stepped forward to block the children, eyes sharp with caution: “Who are you?”

“I’m Lord Meng’s man. He sent me to wait here. I never expected to actually meet you.” Zhao Ming’s expression was respectful, but Old Yang remained suspicious, his face full of doubt.

Ye Yunting asked, “Lord Meng isn’t here?”

Zhao Ming looked around carefully, and seeing no one nearby, he finally said: “The Lord has gone out for the past two days.”

Ye Yunting and Ye Shuangxue exchanged a glance.

The siblings’ faces were full of urgency.

What should they do?

What should they do?

…

Elsewhere.

Since Xiao Haoyang returned to the city, Tao Lichun had been sidelined. Over the past few days, his position had been replaced by one of Xiao Haoyang’s trusted aides, leaving him idle. At this moment, he was in his study, flipping through books.

“Father!”

“Father, something’s wrong!”

Tao Ling’er burst into the study in a panic. Seeing his daughter, Tao Lichun immediately put down his book, frowning: “What’s the matter? Why are you so flustered?”

“There are so many city soldiers outside, all gathering at the City Lord’s mansion. I heard that Ye Tian entered the mansion early this morning and hasn’t come out yet.”

Tao Ling’er stomped anxiously.

Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were urgent: “Is it Xiao Haoyang?”

“He’s jealous of Ye Tian’s talent, jealous of the contributions Ye Tian has made to Sifang City recently… that old schemer—”

“Ling’er!”

Tao Lichun scolded sharply, and Tao Ling’er finally fell silent.

She paced back and forth like an ant on a hot pan: “No, I have to go to the City Lord’s mansion and see for myself.”

After speaking, Tao Ling’er didn’t even glance at Tao Lichun. She turned and lifted her skirts, running off.

Tao Lichun stood up, staring after his daughter’s retreating figure. After a moment of thought, he decided to go check on her.

…

At this moment, Ye Tian stood in the center of the City Lord’s mansion.

Wherever he went, the mansion’s soldiers immediately laid down their arms and surrendered. One by one, they knelt on the ground in obedience.

Duan Qingshan followed behind Ye Tian. Seeing the soldiers prostrate on the ground, his blood boiled. He felt as if he had become the man from his memories. Ever since childhood, he had watched his father clad in armor, imposing and majestic.

He, a wandering assassin, had never imagined that one day he could, like his father, restore the glory of his ancestors.

The only difference was that Ye Tian was rebelling.

“Xiao Haoyang is dead!”

“From today onward, all city soldiers will follow my orders,” Ye Tian said calmly. The kneeling soldiers were confused, defiant, or fearful. After all, Ye Tian had bribed the heads of the soldiers and killed the City Lord—acts punishable by death. What he was doing was nothing short of rebellion.

“Why should we obey you?”

“Because I pay all your monthly wages!”

Ye Tian’s statement was irrefutable.

Several of the soldier leaders followed Ye Tian, fawning and flattering: “Master Ye, there’s no need to explain further. With us here, none of these men would dare disobey.”

Ye Tian remained silent.

He was waiting for someone.

Silence reigned for a moment.

“Ye Tian!” A furious roar shattered the stillness. Ye Tian turned to see Xiao Tianyi approaching with a large contingent, wielding a long sword, eyes blazing with fury as he shouted: “You’ve committed treason! Bribed the city soldiers and used the opportunity to kill the City Lord—you are a traitor of the highest order!”

Xiao Tianyi’s eyes were bloodshot.

He feared Ye Tian would seize the position of City Lord from him.

Here they came!

Xiao Tianyi’s men were all Xiao Haoyang’s most trusted aides—the real foundation. If they were wiped out, only then could order be secured.

The two forces faced each other.

The atmosphere was tense, like a drawn bowstring.

Ye Tian stood among the people, his gaze sharp as he addressed them: “May I ask, what is the meaning of being a City Lord?”

“The ruler of a city?”

“Is it to serve the people? To protect the citizens and bring them prosperity? What has Xiao Haoyang done all these years?”

The people exchanged glances.

Xiao Tianyi, red-faced with rage, raised his sword at Ye Tian: “Stop making excuses! Those who commit insubordination deserve death!”

Ye Tian smiled and continued: “Xiao Haoyang extorted the people, leaving the citizens of Sifang City in misery. He allowed the powerful to buy and sell the population, tearing countless families apart. Don’t any of you have children or siblings who were sold? When enemies approached, Xiao Haoyang and his cronies fled. When has he ever cared for the people?”

“When everything is calm, he returns to exploit you. Are the people nothing more than cattle and horses to him?”

“Today, Xiao Haoyang schemed to kill me. Tomorrow, it could be any one of you!” Ye Tian’s voice turned cold and sharp. The people looked at each other nervously. Xiao Tianyi’s face burned red with fury: “Kill him!”

“Kill him!”

“Kill him!”

The next moment, Duan Qingshan’s sword flew out. Its cold gleam pierced directly into Xiao Tianyi’s chest.

“Bang!” Xiao Tianyi collapsed, dead on the spot.

Everyone watched in horror.

Many of the soldiers who had come with him dropped their weapons and knelt, surrendering. Only a few remained, wary, their eyes fixed on Ye Tian.

Ye Tian said: “If I am the City Lord, the world will be just. All lands will be shared. Men who fight enemies will gain honor and glory. I will defend Sifang City to the last!”

“Every household will eat their fill. Roads will be safe. Doors will remain open at night!”

The people gazed at him with longing.

All these years, Sifang City had been abandoned by Daliang. Whenever war came, no one cared if they lived or died.

Ye Tian’s words were like seeds planted in their hearts. Many raised their fists and shouted: “Lord Ye of the City!”

“Lord Ye of the City, long live!”