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Chapter 38 - CHAPTER 37

Night had fallen over Fengming. The lanterns flickered softly, casting warm glows over the empty halls. The wedding guests had long departed, leaving only a few trusted aides and family members behind. Silence settled over the residence, broken only by the occasional crackle of the fireplace.

Ms. Ye moved quietly, her steps measured and deliberate. She carried with her the carefully prepared medicine with poison, the one that would fulfill Ye Xuan's cruel condition—but in a way that would not be immediately obvious. Master Lei had grown weaker over the past weeks, his health fragile, and she knew any misstep could cost him his life.

She paused outside his chamber, her heart heavy with conflict. Master Lei had been generous, kind, and protective—not only to his own children but to hers as well. The thought of harming him, even under duress, twisted something deep inside her. Yet, the cries of her people, trapped and suffering under Ye Xuan's hand, reminded her of the impossible choice she had to make.

Taking a deep breath, she entered the room. Master Lei lay on his bed, pale but smiling weakly as he noticed her presence.

"Ms.Ye… you're here," he whispered, his voice soft yet tinged with concern.

"I… I need to take care of something, Master Lei. " Ms. Ye said, keeping her tone steady. Her hands shook slightly as she held the cup, her mind racing for a way to minimize the harm.

Master Lei's eyes, still sharp despite his weakness, studied her closely. "Do what you must… but remember, your conscience is your own," he said. His gaze was calm, yet she felt the weight of his trust pressing upon her.

With a nod, Ms. Ye carefully administered the potion, blending it subtly into his nightly medicine. She stepped back, her hands trembling, and whispered under her breath, "I hope this won't destroy everything… I hope you can forgive me."

Master Lei's breath came in shallow, ragged whispers, yet his eyes were bright with a warmth that belied his weakness.

"I… I am nearly dying," he said slowly, a faint smile touching his lips. "But… I am happy. I have witnessed the wedding of my daughter… and that… that is enough."

Ms. Ye's hands trembled as she clutched the empty vial she had prepared. Her chest heaved as tears streamed down her face. " Master Lei… I…"

She had resolved not to continue the plan, to hold back from harming him further. But before she could act, Master Lei's gaze softened, and he lifted his hand weakly.

"It's… alright, Ms. Ye," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Whatever happens… I am at peace."

Tears blurred her vision. She stepped closer, ready to cradle him, to make sure he was safe. But her heart froze as she realized—he had already hold the cup of medicine she had prepared earlier.

Her hands fell, powerless. She watched as his eyes, still full of affection and pride, slowly closed. The warmth in his chest, the soft life she had tried so desperately to protect, slipped away.

" Master Lei…!" she cried, clutching his still form. But the room was silent, save for the faint rustle of the curtains in the night breeze.

Master Lei was gone.

Ms. Ye sank to the floor, tears falling freely now, the weight of grief and guilt pressing down on her. She hadn't noticed, in her sorrow and careful hesitation, that he had already chosen to face the end on his own terms—with dignity, with peace, and with forgiveness in his heart.

The news of Master Lei's passing spread quietly through Fengming Hall, though in truth, no words were needed—the room itself held the weight of his absence.

Feng Xiao, the eldest daughter, fell to her knees, her hands trembling as she clutched the hem of her wedding dress. Tears streamed down her face, her usual composure shattered. "Father… how… why…" she choked, unable to finish her sentence.

Feng Lingxi, standing beside her, pressed a hand to her mouth, fighting to hold back her sobs. Her eyes were sharp, yet wet with grief, scanning the room as though she could somehow find a solution in the air itself.

Feng Yangguang, normally confident and playful, leaned against a pillar, silent for the first time in years. His jaw tightened, fists clenched at his sides. He wanted to rage, to lash out, but there was nothing left to fight—only the aching void that his father's presence had left behind.

Mei'yin, youngest and most mischievous, curled into herself, unable to speak.

Madam Yan, the matriarch, covered her face, sobs wracking her frame. She had spent a lifetime watching over her family, and now the pillar of their household was gone.

In the quiet corner of the hall, Ms. Ye knelt beside Master Lei's chair, her tears flowing freely. She felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on her, heavier than any grief. She had failed to protect him, yet she knew—somehow—he had already accepted his fate, his love for his family enduring even to the end.

The daughters and sons of Fengming Hall gathered around, hands intertwined, clinging to each other. Though words failed them, their hearts spoke in unison: the legacy of Master Lei, the wind of the Feng Clan, would live on through them.

A sharp gasp echoed through the hall. One of the servants, a young man with keen senses, had caught a faint, metallic scent lingering around Master Lei's cup.

"Poison…" he whispered, barely audible, yet the words struck the room like thunder.

Chaos erupted. Feng Xiao's hands flew to her mouth, eyes wide in disbelief. Feng Lingxi's usual composure faltered as her gaze darted toward Ms. Ye.

Ms. Ye, realizing she had been discovered, froze for only a heartbeat. Then instinct took over. She bolted, her figure darting through the hallways of Fengming. Her robes flared behind her as she ran, feet barely touching the ground.

"Ms. Ye!" Madam Yan's voice rang out, sharp and commanding, cutting through the clamor. "Stop her! Bring her back!"

Feng Yangguang, furious, clenched his fists. "How could she—after everything?!"

The family, stunned, exchanged shocked glances. Could this really be true? Ms. Ye—someone they trusted—now running from them after what seemed like an attempt on Master Lei's life?

Madam Yan's voice cut through the panic, icy and commanding:

"Everyone! Don't let her escape. Bring her back! Now!"

The servants and guards surged after Ms. Ye, while the Feng siblings were frozen for a moment, torn between grief for their father and disbelief at the betrayal they thought impossible.

Outside, Ms. Ye's heart raced. The weight of her actions pressed on her chest. She hadn't intended to truly harm Master Lei… but now, with the scent of poison revealing her, there was no turning back.

Ms. Ye ran through the winding paths of Fengming, her breaths coming in sharp, hurried gasps. The distant shouts of the Feng family and their guards echoed behind her, each step pushing her closer to panic.

Just as the courtyard opened up to the outer gates, a dark figure stepped out from the shadows. Before she could react, strong arms lifted her effortlessly.

" Ye shen?!" she gasped, startled and relieved at once.

"I've got you," he said, his voice steady, calm, but carrying an edge of urgency. "No one will catch you if you stay with me."

She had intended to handle the situation discreetly, but now the consequences were spiraling out of control.

Dushen guided her into a hidden alley, keeping low and moving swiftly. The shouts from the pursuing guards grew fainter as they doubled back, confused by the sudden disappearance of Ms. Ye.

Finally, they paused in a secluded courtyard, surrounded by tall walls and shadowed trees. Ms. Ye sank to the ground, hands trembling.

"I… I didn't want to hurt him," she whispered, voice breaking. "I just… I just wanted to keep him safe from Ye Xuan's demand. But now—"

Dushen kneeled beside her, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I know. That's why I came."

Ms. Ye looked up at him, her eyes filled with both gratitude and sorrow.

For a long moment, they sat in silence, the distant chaos fading, leaving only the two of them—and the weight of what had just happened.

------

The four clans had gathered in solemn assembly, their expressions heavy with concern and tension.

The air was thick with whispered accusations, each voice weighed with distrust and fear.

"She's surrendered herself to Ye Xuan," Master Jian said, his tone sharp, almost accusing. "If she is allowed to roam free, not only will she face punishment, but her people will suffer as well."

A murmur of agreement ran through the gathered masters. Plans and strategies were discussed in low voices, each clan weighing the risks, debating the best way to act.

"Capture her," Master Yue said firmly. "And punish those under her influence. We cannot allow the enemy to gain ground through deception."

Eyes flicked nervously around the room. Mei'yin's absence was noted, though no one dared comment aloud. Her loyalty, like her presence, had been assumed, but her sudden disappearance only deepened the unease.

Master Lei's legacy, now left vulnerable, was a shadow over the gathering. Though his passing had been a quiet relief for some, for others it marked a turning point—a call to decisive action.

Ms. Ye and Ye Dushen arrived at Ye Xuan's territory, their steps heavy with tension. The walls loomed tall, shadows of soldiers moving like silent predators. Ms. Ye's heart thumped—not from fear alone, but from the weight of responsibility pressing down on her shoulders.

Ye Xuan sat on his high seat, a dark smile curving his lips as his eyes swept over them. His aura was suffocating, black tendrils of power curling in the corners of the room.

"You think I don't see?" Ye Xuan's voice dripped with amusement. "You carried out the condition… yet Feng Lei is dead before he could even drink the cup. Hah! How amusing. You are not the one who killed him, yet everyone will believe you did. Poor thing… you've been accused before even lifting a hand."

Ms. Ye stiffened, shock and rage warring in her chest. Dushen stepped slightly forward, his gaze cold, protective.

Mei'yin who's been following them, hidden behind a nearby wall, watched in silence. Her eyes widened as the words sank in. The scene unfolded like a nightmare she had hoped never to witness. She saw the mixture of frustration, helplessness, and quiet fury in Ye Sibling's face, and something in her chest clenched painfully.

Ye Yibao's laugh echoed through the hall, dark and cruel. "Do you think your little schemes matter? Do you think anyone will believe your innocence? Hahaha…"

Mei'yin's hands clenched into fists. She wanted to rush in, to intervene, but she knew any sudden move could put them in more danger. She remained hidden, listening, her mind racing for a plan—anything to save Ms. Ye and the people trapped under Ye Xuan's control.

Dushen's voice broke the tension, calm but sharp: "We will not fall for your tricks, Ye Xuan. We came here to demand our people's release. Enough games."

Ye Yubao tilted his head, amused. "Ah, the righteous one speaks. And what will you do? Fight us? Or will you simply bow and accept the blame for things you did not commit?"

Mei'yin's jaw tightened.

The hall fell into a tense silence, broken only by the soft shuffle of armored feet and Ye Xuan's mocking laughter. The game had only just begun—and Mei'yin now carried the dangerous knowledge of the truth.

Ms. Ye's eyes darted toward the cages where her people were held—friends, subordinates, and villagers she had sworn to protect.

"Release them," she said, her voice steady but sharp, carrying an unyielding authority. "They are innocent! They have done nothing wrong."

Ye Xuan leaned back, his smile cold and cruel. "Release them? Do you think freedom comes without a price? Do you think loyalty to your masters grants them mercy? They belong to me until the condition is fulfilled… and until then, they remain here."

Dushen's jaw tightened. "This is tyranny. You hold innocent lives to manipulate us. You will pay for this."

"Ha!" Ye Xuan's laughter echoed across the hall. "Pay? Do you even understand what is at stake? Your precious Feng Lei is gone. You failed to follow through. The power is mine. The people are mine. And nothing you can do will change that… not yet."

Ms. Ye clenched her fists, fury and despair intertwining. Her mind raced for a solution. She could not—would not—let her people suffer for her failure.

Mei'yin, watching from her hidden vantage, felt a pang of helplessness. Her heart ached for the innocent lives trapped in Ye Xuan's cruel game.

Dushen's eyes glinted with resolve.

Ye Yubao's eyes sparkled with malice, leaning forward like a predator savoring the tension. "Fight, if you dare. But remember… the price of defiance is high. Very high."

The caged people pressed closer to the bars, some whispering prayers, others silently hoping for a miracle. Outside the hall, the wind howled, carrying a sense of foreboding. Mei'yin's gaze hardened. She had witnessed the injustice—and she would not stand by idly.

Mei'yin had been quietly observing from the shadows, her mind racing with ways to help Ms. Ye and the captured villagers. But before she could slip further into a safe hiding place, a firm hand gripped her shoulder.

She spun around, eyes wide, to find Su Yeng, Ye Yubao's right hand, standing behind her, his expression unreadable but unmistakably authoritative.

"You shouldn't be wandering around here, little lady," Su Yeng said, his voice low and warning. "Curiosity can get you killed—or worse, used."

Mei'yin struggled for a moment but realized resistance would be futile. Su Yeng's grip was iron-strong, and his presence alone radiated a threat that even her keen senses could not ignore.

"You…" she whispered, trying to keep her voice steady,

Su Yeng's lips curled into a faint, cruel smile. "I serve Ye Xuan's family. And anyone meddling in his affairs, knowingly or not, becomes a problem."

Mei'yin's heart pounded. She thought of Ms. Ye, of Dushen, and of the villagers trapped inside. "Let me go! "

"You'll have to come with me," he said simply, dragging her away from her hiding place. "And I suggest you stop thinking about helping anyone unless you want to end up in a cage yourself."

Her mind spun as Su Yeng led her deeper into Ye Xuan's territory. Mei'yin realized that now, more than ever, the stakes were higher—and her own safety had become another piece in Ye Xuan's deadly game.

Hidden within her fear, however, a spark of determination flickered. She would find a way. She had to.

When Su Yeng appeared with Mei'yin in tow, Dushen's eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening. He stepped forward, voice low but icy:

" Lady Mei'yin,... Release her!"

Su Yeng's grip didn't falter. "She's involved now. I can't let her wander freely."

Dushen's hand twitched, but he didn't attack immediately. He glanced at Ms. Ye, whose face had paled. Her mind raced—Mei'yin was strong-willed and clever, but alone, she was vulnerable against Ye Xuan's forces.

"Dushen…" Ms. Ye's voice was a whisper, urgent but restrained. "If you act now, they'll use her as leverage. We have to think strategically."

Dushen's eyes flicked to Mei'yin. She struggled slightly but held her composure, defiance burning in her gaze.

"You'll pay for this," Dushen said under his breath, a warning not just to Su Yeng but to Ye Xuan himself.

Ms. Ye placed a steadying hand on his arm. "We need a plan. Hurting him now won't save her—or anyone else. We need her alive to act later."

Dushen's shoulders tensed, but he nodded reluctantly, his mind already calculating ways to turn the situation in their favor. Mei'yin's courage gave him hope; her survival was now intertwined with their mission.

Mei'yin, sensing their silent communication, allowed herself a small, sly smile, even as Su Yeng led her away. She had been caught—but the spark of rebellion in her heart was far from extinguished.

Mei'yin was brought into the heart of Ye Xuan's hall, the dark shadows curling around him like living smoke. Su Yeng stepped back, leaving her face-to-face with the tyrant who had held her people captive.

Ye Xuan's gaze swept over her, a cruel smirk tugging at his lips. "So… the little Feng girl dares to show herself. Tell me, what brings you here? Courage or foolishness?"

Mei'yin straightened, lifting her chin. Her voice was steady, clear, and carried the weight of unshakable resolve. "I'm here for their people. Release them, or face the consequences yourself."

Ye Yubao laughed, a low, rumbling sound that echoed across the hall. "Consequences? You think a single girl can threaten us? I hold power, influence, lives in my hands… what can you possibly do?"

"I may be just one," Mei'yin replied, her eyes blazing, "but I have the courage, the wits, and the determination of those who are innocent. You underestimate them—and me—at your own peril."

Ye Xuan's eyes flickered with something unreadable—a hint of amusement, perhaps respect, or maybe a deeper calculation. "Brave… I'll give you that. Foolhardy, but brave. Tell me, little Feng, how far would you go for them? How much are you willing to risk ?"

Her fists clenched. "Everything. I will not let you harm innocent people, not while I still draw breath. You may have walls, soldiers, shadows… but you will never break my resolve."

For a brief moment, Ye Xuan's expression faltered, his smirk giving way to a thin line of consideration. Then he chuckled darkly. "Very well… we shall see if your resolve is enough. Perhaps this will be entertaining."

Mei'yin's gaze did not waver, though her mind raced. Every word, every stance was a calculated message—not only a confrontation but a warning. She would not bow. She would not yield.

The whispers of the captive villagers reached her ears. Their hope, fragile yet persistent, bolstered her courage. She took a deep breath, her presence a silent declaration: she was here to fight, not with weapons alone, but with the unbreakable spirit of those she swore to protect.

Ye Xuan leaned back, folding his hands, intrigued. "Let us see how far your spirit can carry you, little Feng. The game has begun."

Mei'yin's eyes narrowed. "Then let it begin."

Mei'yin's lips curled into a mischievous, almost mocking smile. Her body was battered, her mouth tasted of blood, but her eyes glinted with a fire that no one dared underestimate. She knew she had no power like the others, yet she had to make them believe she could be dangerous—intimidating enough to keep them on edge.

Su Yeng and the others had not held back. Their strikes tore at her, yet she twisted and dodged with a wild grin, almost laughing at the pain. The scent of the caged spirits, mingled with the harshness of Ye Xuan's men, fueled her. It was as if their agony and fear had ignited something inside her.

Dushen lunged forward, ready to protect her, but a surge of dark energy from Ye Yubao blocked his path, sending him staggering back.

Mei'yin coughed, spitting blood, yet she remained standing, her grin widening into something unhinged. "You think this scares me?" she said, voice low and trembling with suppressed fury.

The cries of the caged villagers pierced through the hall. Each sob, each shout of pain stabbed at her heart like a thousand daggers. Something within her snapped. In an instant, her aura shifted—no longer playful or mischievous, it became commanding, raw, and uncontainable.

"Release them!" Mei'yin's voice boomed, reverberating through the hall. Her tone was no longer teasing; it carried authority that seemed impossible from someone so small.

The men hesitated, unwilling to meet the storm in her eyes. Ye Xuan's caged people cried louder, shaking the bars, and the sound seemed to feed her energy.

Suddenly, a black bird with glowing red eyes swooped from above, circling her. Mei'yin raised a single hand, and the ground beneath their feet trembled violently, cracks forming as though the earth itself obeyed her. From the fissures, skeletal hands clawed their way up, dead bodies long buried now rising, summoned by her will.

The hall froze. Su Yeng, Ye Yubao, and the rest of Ye Xuan's men stared in disbelief. The spirits of the dead moved with deliberate precision, forming a protective barrier around Mei'yin and the caged villagers.

Her eyes shone with unyielding resolve. "I will not let a single life suffer for your tyranny," she said, her voice cold and commanding. "Release them—NOW."

The echoes of her command carried through the hall like thunder. Even Ye Xuan, seated high above, felt the shift in power, the tangible weight of her determination pressing down. For the first time, doubt flickered across his face.

Mei'yin stood tall, bloodied but unbowed, controlling the rising dead and the shadows of the earth itself. The caged villagers, sensing her strength, quieted their cries, hope rekindling in their eyes.

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