Such leisurely and carefree days continued until Liang Shan finally found him, bringing them to an abrupt end.
When Ye Chu saw Liang Shan, the latter’s face was bruised black and blue, his arm wrapped in bandages, clearly broken. Looking at Liang Shan standing battered and bloodied at the entrance of the residence, Ye Chu felt puzzled and could not help asking, “What happened to you? Who beat you up? And how did you even find this place!”
Ye Chu remembered clearly that he had never told Liang Shan where he was staying!
“Ye Chu! I finally found you. You have to leave quickly!” The moment Liang Shan saw Ye Chu, he threw himself forward, tears and snot streaming down his face. He looked utterly pitiful.
Ye Chu swiftly dodged aside, afraid Liang Shan’s snot would smear on him. He asked, “What exactly happened?”
“Fang Xinyuan and his group have been looking everywhere for you. They swore they would make you pay! But since they couldn’t find you, they took it out on me! They beat me into this state, even broke one of my arms!” Liang Shan burst into sobs. These past few days he had been beaten at least ten times. If he had not happened to run into Pang Shao and learned that Ye Chu was here, this torment might have continued indefinitely!
Ye Chu frowned and pressed Liang Shan for details. With sobs and stammers, Liang Shan explained everything. Only then did Ye Chu understand what had happened.
It turned out that after Ye Chu had slapped Fang Xinyuan and his brother, along with the group who had attended the Qingyang Marquis Residence banquet, those people harboured deep resentment and wanted revenge. But Ye Chu had stayed holed up at Bai Xuan’s residence these past few days, so they could not find him. In their fury, they vented everything on Liang Shan, beating and kicking him mercilessly! At the same time, they demanded to know where Ye Chu was, threatening to beat Liang Shan to death if he did not tell them!
How could Liang Shan possibly know where Ye Chu had gone? Naturally he could not give them an answer! So they simply broke his arm. Without three or four months, it would not heal!
Listening to Liang Shan’s halting explanation, Ye Chu let out a long breath. A surge of anger rose in his chest. If those people wanted to come after him, fine—he would face them! But to let Liang Shan suffer such injuries because of him? That was something Ye Chu could not tolerate!
“They said if I didn’t show up, they would beat you to death?” Ye Chu asked Liang Shan.
“Mm! That’s what they said. But don’t take it too seriously! After all, I am still the heir of a marquis residence. They wouldn’t dare actually kill me! Still, judging by how aggressive they were, this time they are dead set on dealing with you! You should leave Yao City quickly!” Liang Shan urged Ye Chu.
“If I leave, what about you?” Ye Chu looked at Liang Shan. Though their relationship had started as one of wine and meat friends, this fellow was truly loyal.
“It’s fine! At worst they’ll beat me a few more times. It won’t kill me!” Liang Shan said. As he spoke, the movement tugged at his wounds, making him grimace in pain.
Looking at Liang Shan, whose body did not have a single uninjured spot, Ye Chu took a deep breath and asked, “Where are Fang Xinyuan and the others right now?”
“They’re at Dingwu Hall!” Liang Shan replied. “But now is not the time to worry about that. You need to leave quickly. Fang Xinyuan has gathered a large group, even calling in the head guards from their family clans. They are absolutely determined to take you down.”
Ye Chu smiled and glanced at Liang Shan. He patted him on the shoulder. “Come with me!”
“Hm?! Where to?” Liang Shan asked in confusion.
“To Dingwu Hall!” Liang Shan was still thinking of his safety. He had been injured because of Ye Chu. Since Liang Shan showed such loyalty, Ye Chu could not simply stand by and do nothing!
Moreover, Ye Chu had always been fiercely protective of those close to him. Seeing Liang Shan beaten to this state had already ignited raging fury in his heart.
“Ah!” Liang Shan jumped in fright at Ye Chu’s words. “Are you insane? Walking right into their trap! And you don’t even know what Dingwu Hall is, do you!”
“What it is doesn’t matter! Worst case, I’ll smash it!” Ye Chu said calmly, already striding forward.
“…”
“Ye Chu… Ye Chu…” Liang Shan was shocked. He tried to grab Ye Chu, but Ye Chu’s pace was too fast to catch. In desperation, Liang Shan could only stamp his foot and hurry after him!
…
Dingwu Hall was built beside the Cold Lake in Yao City. With its scenic mountains and waters, and gathering more than half of Yao City’s young cultivators, it enjoyed great fame!
At this moment, two people stood before the entrance of Dingwu Hall. One looked perfectly calm, the other anxious and fearful!
“Ye Chu! Don’t do anything stupid! Dingwu Hall is where most of Yao City’s young cultivators gather. And their hall master is Ding Kaiwei! You must remember Ding Kaiwei. Three years ago, even when you were still in the Ye family, you didn’t dare provoke him. In these years he has grown terrifyingly strong. He ranks among the top three of Yao City’s younger generation! Even the king bestowed upon him the title of ‘Warrior.’ He despises you to the extreme. If you walk in there, he’ll break your legs for sure!” Liang Shan anxiously warned.
Ye Chu smiled at Liang Shan without replying and continued walking up the steps.
“Damn it!” Liang Shan regretted everything. He had never expected Ye Chu to be this impulsive. If he had known, he would never have told Ye Chu about being beaten. “Dingwu Hall has connections to the royal family. Rumour has it even a prince is involved. Ye Chu, you must not act recklessly!”
Ye Chu ignored Liang Shan’s words and stepped onto the stairs leading into Dingwu Hall.
Just then, two people walked out from inside. They were none other than Zhang Su’er and Su Rong. Seeing Ye Chu, they froze for a moment. Then, noticing Liang Shan behind him, they seemed to understand something!
“Ye Chu! Don’t be impulsive! Leave Yao City!” Zhang Su’er warned.
“Step aside!” Ye Chu looked at the two women blocking his path and said calmly.
“Even if you want to stand up for Liang Shan, do it somewhere else. Dingwu Hall is the main training ground for Yao City’s young cultivators. Going in there is walking to your death.” Zhang Su’er shouted, deeply displeased. This fellow really did not value his life!
Ye Chu stared at Zhang Su’er. Though his expression remained calm, he spoke each word clearly and deliberately. “If Dingwu Hall dares to interfere in my business, then I’ll smash it!”
These words stunned both Su Rong and Zhang Su’er. They had never expected Ye Chu to speak such wildly arrogant words!
Ye Chu stepped past them and walked straight to the entrance of Dingwu Hall. Two guards immediately reached out to block him. “Show your golden card before entering!”
“Get out of the way!” Ye Chu said to the two men.
The guards froze. No one had ever dared speak to them like this. After a brief moment of shock, rage surged up. “Where did this arrogant brat come from? Do you think Dingwu Hall is a place you can cause trouble? If you know what’s good for you, get lost right now!”
Ye Chu said nothing more. He simply swung his palm.
The crisp sound of the slap echoed through the entire space, shaking everyone present.
Liang Shan’s face drained of all colour. His entire body nearly collapsed to the ground. Only one thought remained in his mind: “It’s over!”
Su Rong and Zhang Su’er stood with their mouths agape, eyes filled with disbelief as they watched Ye Chu deliver another slap.
The sound of Ye Chu’s slaps also startled the passers-by nearby. They stared at him as though seeing a ghost. “Someone dares to cause trouble at Dingwu Hall? Who is this? Does he have a death wish?”
They found it utterly incomprehensible. Dingwu Hall was one of the places in Yao City that no one dared provoke.
“Ye Chu! Run now!” Even Su Rong could not help shouting. She did not want to watch Ye Chu get beaten to death and urgently warned him.
But the outcome was beyond her expectations. After slapping the two guards aside, Ye Chu strode straight into Dingwu Hall. The three exchanged glances, shocked and terrified, and could only hurry after him.