831: Chapter 827: Being Watched 831: Chapter 827: Being Watched Ye Zhihuan also glanced around, and although there weren’t many pedestrians on the street, he could still catch some clues—martial artists could be seen everywhere.
“As expected of the city beneath the gates of Tianmen!
There are indeed quite a few people who know martial arts here.
Whether they’re locals of Tianshan City or outsiders, it’s hard to tell.
But with so many martial artists, some strong and some weak, it’s best not to meddle in their vendettas too much!”
Just as Ye Zhihuan said, the gates of Tianmen attracted martial artists because many of them sought to settle personal scores under its shadow.
In the past, martial artists also gathered near the foot of Shaoshi Mountain or Wudang Mountain for similar reasons…
It’s worth mentioning that most of the martial artists hoping to resolve their disputes don’t actually know about the existence of Tianmen.
They’ve come to Tianshan City for the renowned Tianshan Sect.
The Tianshan Sect is considered a prestigious faction with some influence in the martial world.
But in reality, the Tianshan Sect is merely a façade for Tianmen, pushed outward as its public representation…
Only a few martial artists truly know about Tianmen.
These are those who understand the cultivation method of the force of nature, as well as the inner and outer disciples of Tianmen.
“Let’s find a place to stay first!”
Ye Tian said, and the group took a taxi to the largest hotel in Tianshan City, the Tianshan Grand Hotel.
Despite the precarious situation, Ye Tian was not short on money.
Naturally, he wouldn’t choose a subpar living environment.
At the Tianshan Grand Hotel, Ye Tian selected eight adjacent single rooms, and the group checked in one by one.
The hotel’s opulence left the four elders of the Ye Family marveling!
Ye Zhihuan exclaimed, “This hotel is incredibly luxurious!
If our Ye Family had come alone, we certainly wouldn’t afford it.
I imagine we might have had to sleep outdoors!”
Ye Zhiran quickly added, “Clan Leader, what are you saying?
With Ye Tian here, how could he possibly let us sleep on the streets?”
Ye Zhicang immediately chimed in, “Exactly!
Once Ye Tian finishes his battle with Sima Yun, we might even ask Ye Tian for some funds to aid in the development of Two Rivers Town.”
“…”
Among the four elders, only Ye Zhirong remained silent, expressing everything with silence.
Ye Tian shot the four elders of the Ye Family a sharp glare.
Beneath the guise of a martial family, they were little more than beggars…
Thus, Ye Tian secretly swore in his heart that even if he were to raise divine beasts in the future, he would absolutely never choose to rear squanderers like the mythical Pixiu!
Once everyone settled in, they all gathered in Ye Tian’s room to discuss the next course of action!
Ding Da adopted an aggressive stance and declared, “Sima Yun has taken control of all the brothers of Night King Hall.
We are irreconcilable with him!
This time, let’s climb Tianshan together and wipe out Sima Yun!”
Ye Zhihuan immediately interjected, “Absolutely not!
That would turn a loss of composure into a direct confrontation between us and Tianmen.
In such a case, our enemies wouldn’t just be the Sima Family anymore!
Tianmen is a colossal entity, and we cannot contend with it with our current strength.
We must proceed cautiously!”
Ye Zhicang agreed, “Exactly.
Since Tianmen has issued the Slaughter Order, everything can be resolved with a one-on-one fight between Ye Tian and Sima Yun.
If Ye Tian wins, the martial artists of Night King Hall would naturally be saved!
Although Tianmen acts recklessly, they at least maintain a basic sense of propriety.
Especially the Slaughter Order—it’s a matter of Tianmen’s prestige.
To preserve its reputation, Tianmen would never resort to underhanded tricks before Ye Tian and Sima Yun’s duel!”
The views of the two elders from the Ye Family met with firm opposition from the three Ding Brothers!
Ding Er countered, “They’ve already bullied their way into our home, and you’re still being so timid?!
Placing hope in whether the enemy follows some ethical code is disgraceful for a martial artist.
We would rather die than be humiliated!
Tianmen has gone too far—we must fight them!”
Ding San echoed, “Exactly!
A heinous sect like Tianmen should have been eradicated a long time ago!
If Tianmen falls, the southwest will become remarkably peaceful, and there will no longer be slaughter and bloodshed!
Tianmen is the root of evil and must be removed!”
Seeing the three Ding Brothers become emotional, Ye Zhirong immediately sought to persuade them, “Ding Da, Ding Er, Ding San, this conflict started as a personal grievance between Ye Tian and Sima Yun.
How could we involve Tianmen in this recklessly?
Wouldn’t that only create more enemies for us?”
Ye Zhirong’s words left the Ding Brothers at a loss for how to respond.
This was the truth.
Though the Ding Brothers were outer disciples of Tianmen, they had suffered humiliation within Tianmen.
Furthermore, Sima Yun’s takeover of Night King Hall had left them hunted by their fellow sect members.
The brothers were already overwhelmed with rage.
Seeing this, Ye Tian smiled and said, “Ding Da, Ding Er, Ding San, don’t be so agitated.
As the leader of Night King Hall, I cannot abandon my brothers!
However, as the elders of the Ye Family have pointed out, Tianmen is a colossal entity, and if we can avoid direct conflict, I would prefer not to clash with it head-on.
Therefore, for this matter, we should first abide by Tianmen’s rules.
Since the Slaughter Order has been issued, we’ll find a way to contact Tianmen and arrange the opportunity for me to engage Sima Yun in a life-and-death duel!”
Ye Tian’s stance brought joy to Ye Zhihuan!
“Ye Tian, it’s excellent that you think this way.
It wasn’t in vain for us to analyze the stakes for you!
Since the matter hasn’t escalated yet, allow us four elders of the Ye Family to head to Tianshan and negotiate with Tianmen.
We’ll arrange the time and place for your confrontation with Sima Yun.
Of course, beforehand, we must make everything clear—that regardless of the outcome, Sima Yun must release the martial artists of Night King Hall!”
Ye Zhihuan spoke deliberately, his words clearly representing the opinion of the four elders of the Ye Family.
The Ding Brothers remained indifferent; their gazes collectively fell upon Ye Tian…
Ye Tian glanced around and said, “Clan Leader, this time, I’ll tentatively trust you.
I’ll trouble your Ye Family to make the trip on my behalf—arrange the time and place for my duel with Sima Yun!
Naturally, the terms of the duel are as you mentioned: regardless of the outcome, the martial artists of Night King Hall must be released.
However, I’d like to add one more thing.
Please pass along a message: as the Black Night King, my patience has limits.
Above all else, no one should harm my comrades.
If anyone dares touch my reverse scale, even if they’re a god, I’ll destroy them!”
Ye Tian spoke coldly, exuding a chilling killing intent.
Even the seasoned Ye Family elders couldn’t help but shiver at its intensity…
Once the plans were settled, the four elders of the Ye Family set out for Tianshan early the next morning.
Ye Tian and the Ding Brothers stayed behind at the hotel to wait.
However, two days passed without any sign of the Ye Family elders returning…
Ye Tian asked the Ding Brothers in puzzlement, “Could the journey to Tianmen be particularly far?
Why haven’t those four elders returned yet?”
Ding Da also seemed bewildered and said, “With the lightness skill of the four elders, summiting the mountain should only take half a day.
If it’s just negotiating the time and place for your duel with Sima Yun, it wouldn’t take long either… Given the timeframe, they should’ve come back by now.”
The Ding Brothers, who were familiar with the terrain of Tianmen from previous emergency assemblies, also began to harbor suspicions about the elders’ delay.
“…”
Ye Tian’s expression grew grim.
The prolonged absence of the Ye Family elders was not a good sign.
Ding Er, displaying his usual aggressive nature, shouted, “Could those four old men have betrayed us?”
“Impossible.”
Ye Tian shook his head firmly.
The Ye Family, a martial family with a thousand-year legacy, wouldn’t betray their allies no matter what.
Even as he spoke, Ye Tian sensed something amiss.
He pressed a finger to his lips, signaling the Ding Brothers to stay silent.
They understood and immediately ceased talking.
Ye Tian then used his clairvoyant ability to investigate the situation outside the room.
A hotel employee stood directly at the door, staring at the room, his demeanor strangely suspicious.
“These people…”
Ye Tian ground his teeth in anger, his fury igniting within.
This employee’s behavior was clearly an act of surveillance.
Knowing that Ye Tian and the Ding Brothers were martial artists, the would-be spy avoided eavesdropping at the wall, which would easily be detected, opting instead for this covert surveillance.
“Boss, what’s wrong?”
Ding Da noticed Ye Tian’s odd expression and asked immediately.
Ye Tian whispered, “Ding Da, Ding Er, Ding San—the three of you must be extremely cautious while moving about the hotel.
Absolutely do not let anyone follow you.”
“Yes!”
“Understood!”
“As you command, Boss!”
The Ding Brothers acknowledged in unison.
As loyal subordinates, they obeyed Ye Tian’s every instruction.
Ye Tian watched the Ding Brothers.
Their presence in Tianshan City carried risks, which was why they had disguised themselves—to avoid recognition by their fellow sect members within Tianmen.
In this hotel, who exactly was spying on him and the Ding Brothers?
Was it Tianmen, or some other force?
What was their aim?
Were they targeting the Ding Brothers’ lives, or coming after him?
Ye Tian’s mind swirled with questions, but he couldn’t immediately piece everything together.
After all, beneath the shadow of Tianshan, he was in someone else’s territory.
Every action had to be carried out with utmost caution…
“Go back and rest!”
Ye Tian said.
The Ding Brothers promptly left his room.
Ye Tian used his clairvoyant ability again to observe the spy at the door, who, upon hearing the sound of the door opening, quickly lowered his head and walked away.