Chapter Ninety-Nine: Secrets and Promises

After the “Oath of Allegiance” was issued, Ye Pei and Zi Qingrong returned to Huasu City. The reason was simple: the proclamation completely shattered Lin Yuzhe’s composure.

He had expected the Star God to judge Ye Pei and the Eastern rebels, but unexpectedly, Bo Yi Dong had won over even more allies with the “Oath of Allegiance” and had persuaded the Star God to support him on-site. For the Star Clan, it should not have mattered—if you fight, fight; it’s none of their business. However, Lin Yuzhe didn’t know that Xing Yan was no longer a member of the Star Clan, so he could only assume this was the Star Clan’s stance.

Ye Pei had anticipated this early on, so just a few days after issuing the “Oath,” he had already returned to Huasu City and instructed Bo Yi Dong to organize his troops and quickly send reinforcements.

Meanwhile, the Lin family was far from idle. After the “Oath of Allegiance,” Lin Jingzhi issued a proclamation condemning the rebellion and began conscripting soldiers throughout their territory. The situation in Yan territory had been relatively stable, so no clan maintained large standing armies during peacetime; most people were farmers who only took up arms during war.

Now, the Lin family could no longer afford to underestimate Bo Yi Dong. This rebellion was a genuine and threatening disaster for them, so they were fully alert and prepared to respond. The earlier plan to have Lin Yuzhe gain some military merit was naturally abandoned. Lin Jingzhi ordered Lin Yuzhe to hold his forces in place and await the arrival of the main army.

At this time, Yang Tianrui revealed another crucial piece of intelligence to Ye Pei.

“Brother, I’ve been thinking, and there’s something I must tell you.”

Ye Pei, who was instructing Zi Qingrong, noticed Yang Tianrui’s serious expression and couldn’t help but smile. “Brother Yang, what is it?”

Yang Tianrui said, “Although it looks like the Lin family is retreating step by step and their combat effectiveness hasn’t been impressive—they failed in two large-scale assaults against you—the Lin family’s strength is far more complex. I worry you might underestimate them.”

Ye Pei nodded. “I’m prepared for that. I know that a large clan entrenched in the northwest of Yan territory for so long won’t be taken down easily.”

Yang Tianrui continued, “Good. But there’s an important fact: behind the Lin family, there is definitely a powerful clan supporting them. Few people know this. Every clan leader has such a hidden great clan behind them. Even among the clan’s common folk, few are aware.”

“Hm?” Ye Pei instinctively looked at Zi Qingrong. “Is that so?”

Zi Qingrong shook her head. “I don’t know…”

Yang Tianrui said, “It’s normal that Miss Zi doesn’t know; even your mother might be unaware. But it exists.”

Ye Pei frowned. “Then, Brother Yang, you surely don’t know who supports the Lin family.”

Yang Tianrui nodded. “Correct. I only know who supports the Feng family.”

Ye Pei thought for a moment. “We need to investigate who supports them and prepare accordingly.”

He paused, then asked, “Brother Yang, can we start by investigating the Lin family’s officials in the court?”

Yang Tianrui replied, “That would definitely yield clues. That clan must have someone in the court.”

Ye Pei smiled. “This arrangement is interesting… If so, the clan behind must be stronger than the Lin family itself. Then who really holds the power in that large tribe?”

Yang Tianrui explained, “That clan was established by the ancestors of the lord when founding their legacy. They entrusted their most trusted confidants to change their names and develop this clan. The two families are like one, so there’s no conflict over authority.”

Hearing this, Ye Pei laughed. “Even more interesting. I suppose it’s rare for a major lord in Yan territory to last more than ten generations.”

Zi Qingrong added, “Historically, major lords can sometimes pass down for about twenty generations. It’s hard to explain, but perhaps it reflects a kind of coexistence wisdom.”

Ye Pei asked suspiciously, “Then what prevents an ambitious and ruthless figure from arising in the clan behind?”

“That’s something you can’t understand yet.”

Suddenly, another voice rang out, and Yang Tianrui immediately looked hostile in its direction. However, upon recognizing the visitor, he relaxed.

“Ni Siguan?”

Ni Manxiu entered the courtyard with a smile. The gate was still tightly closed; nobody knew how he got in.

Ye Pei greeted him with a punch. “What are you putting on airs for here?”

“Cough…” Ni Manxiu coughed dryly, walked to the stone table in the yard, sat down, put down his cane, and rubbed his wrist. Smiling, he said, “Not just you—many people, even General Yang and Miss Zi, find it hard to understand how the hidden clans can coexist peacefully with the major lords for centuries. You’ll understand in time. I came to tell you something else.”

“What is it?”

Ni Manxiu looked at Yang Tianrui. “General Yang, please excuse us; this is a private matter for Ye Pei.”

Yang Tianrui hesitated, then cupped his fists. “Understood,” and left the courtyard.

Ni Manxiu said, “Yuezhe’s forces have clashed head-on with the Star Clan. Actually, this should not have happened so soon. The real cause was that your precious daughter was nearly violated by a bully hidden in a small town of Wangmai controlled by the Star Clan…”

“She’s a Star Clan princess herself, isn’t she? Wouldn’t she just spread her wings to intimidate them?” Ye Pei asked, puzzled.

Ni Manxiu said, “You can’t blame her. After all, she grew up in Wangmai and naturally thought to handle the matter as a human would.”

“How did she handle it?”

“Let go of me! Let go!”

“…”

Ye Pei rubbed his forehead. “And then?”

“Then I arrived. Honestly, without using my secret skills, I couldn’t have defeated those Star Clan members. Luckily, Yuezhe and Leng Mujun showed up at the same time.”

“Who’s Leng Mujun?”

“Yuezhe’s little lover.”

“Huh?”

“You can ask him yourself when you return. To contain the news, we killed those Star Clan warriors, but somehow the news still leaked.”

“You killed those in front of you, but who knows if there were others hiding in the town?”

Ni Manxiu nodded. “I thought the same. Anyway, this alarmed a somewhat higher-ranking Star Envoy in Wangmai, Xing Huaili, who then learned that Yuezhe and Leng Mujun were in Qinzhou and went there to confront them.”

“Going to Qinzhou to look for trouble?” Ye Pei blurted, then remembered, “What about my daughter?”

Ni Manxiu said, “Your mother moved the Ye family to your grandfather’s manor. I sent her there. As for the fate of Xing Huaili and his group, you can probably guess. This incident also angered Yan Chuanming, who took Yin Wen to join Yuezhe and the others in challenging the Star Temple.”

“…” Ye Pei blinked. “Was that necessary…”

Ni Manxiu continued, “You might have heard about the Star Clan’s rotation recently. This time, a royal descendant came down—a Star Clan prodigy girl, Ying Huainie. She clashed with Yan Chuanming and the others in Beishan and captured Yin Wen.”

“What?!” Ye Pei was instantly alarmed. “How can that be tolerated?”

Ni Manxiu said, “Exactly. So Yan Chuanming is now provoking the Star Temple in full view of Wangmai, trying to find Ying Huainie and rescue his wife.”

“Damn… If it’s come to this, they should call everyone out—bring Feng Shuichen and Liu Zhi.”

Ye Pei was not overly agitated, but his expression revealed his displeasure.

Ni Manxiu said, “Feng Shuichen is already with them, but they haven’t involved Liu Zhi.”

“Right, Liu Zhi can’t fight and wouldn’t be safe. Oh, by the way,” Ye Pei looked at Ni Manxiu, “you mean you went to Wangmai yourself?”

Ni Manxiu nodded. “Yes, I just returned.”

Ye Pei swiftly grabbed Ni Manxiu’s shoulder. “How did you get there?”

Ni Manxiu shook his head. “Don’t even think about it. I can go, but you can’t. Only I have the means to get there this way.”

“Everyone’s already clashing head-on with the Star Clan, and I, the leader, am not there?”

Ni Manxiu raised his voice. “That’s why I’m back to tell you this. You still have more important matters in the Star Realm. Handle this trivial matter quickly and then go to the Star Realm.”

Ye Pei was stunned for a moment, then slowly said, “But the situation here can’t be resolved quickly. Taking down the Lin family will be tough.”

“I’ll help you.”

“Huh?” Ye Pei’s face twitched involuntarily. “You… can you get involved in such matters?”

Ni Manxiu said, “Technically no, but since your previous rally was well done, I, as the Star God’s representative in Yan territory, have the right to contribute.”

Ye Pei nodded. “Makes sense. But what about the Star Envoys here in Yan territory?”

Ni Manxiu smiled. “They’re already fighting in Wangmai. We just take them down one by one.”

He paused, then added, “You don’t have to wait for the fighting here to end. Once the overall situation is settled, you must immediately depart from the Necrofire Mountain to the Star Realm. Also… Miss Zi cannot go. It’s very dangerous even for him to go alone; it’s hard to protect you.”

Zi Qingrong heard this and became anxious. “Then why go at all? I’ve never known what he intends to do at Necrofire Mountain, and now the Star Realm is involved?”

Ni Manxiu said, “Not many can know about this now. Please forgive me, Miss Zi.”

Ye Pei frowned. “After I return from the Star Realm, I’ll go back to Wangmai. What about Qingrong?”

Zi Qingrong grew even more anxious. “No, I want to go too.”

Ye Pei pondered for a moment, then looked at Ni Manxiu. “Is there a way for you to send her to Wangmai?”

Ni Manxiu thought for a moment. “I can send her, but would Miss Zi be willing to leave Yan territory?”

Zi Qingrong was about to agree, but hesitated; Wangmai was still very far for her.

“If I go to Wangmai, does that mean… I’ll never come back?”

Ni Manxiu smiled. “Not necessarily. Setting aside what Ye Pei has to do, once the Demonic Valley and Tengyue Pass reconnect, you can return.”

Zi Qingrong considered this and smiled faintly, looking at Ye Pei. “Alright, you be careful in the Star Realm. I’ll wait for you in Wangmai.”