A roar was accompanied by the sound of something tearing through the air.
WHOOSH!
A single pebble shot out, knocking the dagger from the hand of the leader in black.
"Who's there?!"
They all spun around in alarm, expecting reinforcements from the Wang Family but finding only a single man.
"Jiang Ce?" Seeing the newcomer, Wang Xinyao could hardly believe her eyes. Realizing the danger, she quickly shouted, "Jiang Ce, run!"
The leader of the men in black was stunned for a moment before he sneered. "I thought it was someone impressive, but it's just some fool coming to die. Kill him!"
At his command, the other men in black surged toward Jiang Ce.
Jiang Ce's expression was impassive as he strode forward. He could tell with a single glance that these men were only at the Fourth or Fifth Stage of the Postnatal level.
He didn't take them seriously in the slightest. He threw a punch at the man closest to him.
A surge of qi sent the man flying, and a sweeping kick struck the next man in the neck. With fists that seemed to generate their own wind, he charged directly into the crowd.
Faced with Jiang Ce's immense strength, the men didn't even have a chance to cry out before they were knocked unconscious.
The leader's pupils contracted.
He never imagined this kid was actually a master!
"You're... at the Postnatal Peak?"
Jiang Ce smiled. "Wrong guess."
His figure moved like a phantom, appearing before the leader in the blink of an eye.
He threw a punch.
BOOM!
The leader didn't even see Jiang Ce move before he was sent flying like a kite with a severed string.
In less than thirty seconds, all the assassins were neutralized.
Wang Xinyao stared, completely stunned.
When did Jiang Ce start cultivating? And how did he become so strong? How could I know nothing about this?
"Are you alright?" After dealing with the assassins, Jiang Ce turned to Wang Xinyao, his expression filled with concern.
Wang Xinyao ran to him, her heart aching with fear and indignation. She couldn't help but throw her arms around him.
"Jiang Ce, I really thought I would never see you again..."
"Oh, right! Uncle Jiang! Jiang Ce, you have to save Uncle Jiang!" Wang Xinyao hurriedly wiped her tears and rushed to Jiang He's side.
At that moment, blood was gushing from a wound on Jiang He's chest. His life was hanging by a thread, and he had already lost consciousness.
Jiang Ce quickly knelt and examined him. "He's in critical condition. Stand back, I need to treat him immediately!"
Without a second thought for his expensive Armani suit, Jiang Ce tore off a sleeve and used it to bind Jiang He's wound. He then formed a sword sign with his fingers, pressing various acupoints on Jiang He's body in rapid succession.
Soon, the bleeding stopped.
Jiang Ce then began to slowly transfer his Inner Strength into Jiang He to aid his recovery.
Finally, after nearly twenty minutes of treatment, Jiang He's eyes fluttered open. He was awake.
"Uncle Jiang!" Wang Xinyao exclaimed, rushing to his side.
"Miss... why are you still here? Are we... on the Netherworld Path?" Jiang He asked, his expression weak and confused as he came to.
"No, we're not dead! Jiang Ce saved us!"
"Jiang... Ce," Jiang He muttered. He then looked up and saw Jiang Ce's face, along with the bodies of the men in black. He finally understood what had transpired.
"Young Master Jiang," Jiang He said in astonishment. "You're actually a... Martial Artist?! When did this happen?"
Jiang Ce shook his head. "That's a story for another time. Right now, we need to figure out who these people are and why they targeted you."
Hearing this, Jiang He's expression became conflicted, and he seemed unsure whether to speak.
Wang Xinyao, however, let out a breath and said, "Uncle Jiang, it's alright. Tell him."
"Young Master Jiang, you're not an outsider. These people were indeed here for us, with the goal of killing the miss. We thought our tracks in East Sea City were well hidden, but we still couldn't escape their notice."
Jiang Ce was puzzled. "Who wants to kill Xinyao? With the Wang Family's power, who would dare touch her?"
Jiang He shook his head and sighed heavily.
"The one who wants to kill the miss is her own sister, Wang Cihuan!"
Jiang Ce was stunned.
The person who wants to kill Wang Xinyao is from her own family?
Jiang He continued, "Young Master Jiang, I'm sure you know that powerful families have many collateral lines, divided into several branches. Our miss is the eldest daughter of the Second Branch, while that Wang Cihuan is the daughter of the first wife of the First Branch."
"Wang Cihuan has always been jealous of the miss. This isn't the first time something like this has happened, but I never imagined she would be so vicious as to directly send assassins to wipe us out completely!"
Jiang Ce was still confused. "Wait, I know this might not be the right time to ask, but... why would Wang Cihuan be jealous of Xinyao?"
Jiang Ce had a point. Although Wang Xinyao seemed to enjoy a high status and a life of luxury, that was only true in East Sea City. Within the Wang Family of the Capital City, she was like a caged bird; otherwise, she wouldn't have been forced into an arranged marriage. As the daughter of the First Branch, Wang Cihuan had no logical reason to be jealous of Wang Xinyao.
Jiang He knew what Jiang Ce was thinking, but he hesitated to explain with Wang Xinyao present.
"I'll explain," Wang Xinyao said unexpectedly, her expression calm as she took the initiative.
"While it's true my status in the family can't compare to hers, I've been pushed into an arranged marriage with Young Master Zhang of the Zhang Family, one of the Upper Eight Families. That woman is probably afraid that if I marry him, I'll wield great power and threaten her position. That's why she made a move against me."
That made sense.
The Capital City had countless families, but the sixteen at the very top were divided into the Upper Eight Families and the Lower Eight Families.
Every family in the Upper Eight possessed terrifying power; they were either wealthy enough to rival a nation or wielded regional authority.
The Wang Family, though powerful, was merely one of the Lower Eight Families, and a minor one at that.
Marrying into the Zhang Family would naturally make Wang Cihuan feel threatened.
However, there was not a trace of joy in Wang Xinyao's voice.
Jiang Ce understood. She didn't care about power or the distinction between the Upper and Lower Eight Families. From the very beginning, she had never wanted to marry Young Master Zhang; she was simply being used by the Wang Family as a bargaining chip.
Caught in a maelstrom, she was helpless, unable to control her own destiny. An expression of sorrow and helpless despair washed over her face.
Seeing that look, Jiang Ce was deeply moved. Although he didn't yet harbor romantic feelings for Wang Xinyao, he couldn't bear to see her become a mere tool, forced to give up her lifelong happiness.
At that moment, Jiang Ce made a silent vow.
It seems I must increase my strength as quickly as possible, not just to return to the Jiang Family, but also to free Xinyao from this tragic fate!
By now, Jiang He had recovered significantly thanks to the treatment. He stood up and made a call, asking his men to come and clean up the bodies on the riverbank.
After finishing, Jiang He came over to Jiang Ce and hesitated for a moment.
"Young Master Jiang, there's something I wish to say, though I'm not sure if I should."
"Please speak, Uncle Jiang."
Jiang He nodded and looked Jiang Ce up and down. "Young Master Jiang, your aura has become incredibly powerful. If I'm not mistaken, you've already reached the Innate Realm, haven't you?"
Jiang Ce considered this for a moment. "You could say that," he replied.