A voice sounded, and many gazes looked over. The newcomer was none other than Ye Haotian's son Ye Xiu.
One contemptuous, disdainful look after another was cast his way.
These people had all come to curry favor with Yue Wuya, so of course they would not give Ye Xiu any kind face.
Ye Xiu walked up to Bei Bingxing Huang and respectfully cupped his fists. "Disciple Ye Xiu pays his respects to Bei Bingxing Huang."
Bei Bingxing Huang completely ignored Ye Xiu. With his status, he had no need to pay any mind to an outer sect disciple, moreover one who, despite his recent notoriety, still seemed frivolous and was only at the first stage of Stellar Origin. Thus, Bei Bingxing Huang held no goodwill for Ye Xiu.
"Ye Xiu, you still have the gall to come back?" Yue Wuya said resentfully, eyes full of disdain.
Ye Xiu smiled. "This is my home, why wouldn't I return? Besides, I still have to be here tomorrow to watch my father retain his post as Defender General with my own eyes."
"For such a glorious occasion, of course I had to come back."
As Ye Xiu spoke, disdainful laughter sounded around him.
Retain his post as Defender General?
Now everyone knew that because Yue Wuya was the Chosen One, the post of Defender General would certainly go to the Moon Sect's general. This was already an indisputable fact.
Yue Wuya's gaze hardened as he stood before Ye Xiu. "What can you possibly compete with me for? With just your fists?"
Ye Xiu leaned in close to Yue Wuya's ear and said coldly, "Yes, with my fists!"
Having said that, Ye Xiu brushed past Yue Wuya. Under the many watching eyes, he walked toward the Ye Estate, saying as he went, "So many people here today. Still, I should head back to congratulate my father."
Watching Ye Xiu's receding figure, an icy killing intent gradually appeared in Yue Wuya's eyes.
Your fists? How much can they possibly weigh?
Ye Estate.
Rear Garden, Lakeview Pavilion.
Clang—
A vast rainbow-like aura, bold and vigorous, rang out; the melodious warbling gave one the feeling of a peerless general solo-charging through hundreds of thousands of enemies, utterly fearless and blood-boiling. Yet, beneath the domineering melody was a hint of tragedy, the lake's surface rippled gently, leaves fluttered down, and grief drifted through the garden that should have been thriving.
At this moment, following the music, Ye Xiu slowly walked into the garden. His heart couldn't help but ache, and he squeezed out a smile. "Father, I'm back."
The music stopped abruptly. Sitting in the pavilion was Ye Haotian, his face resolute and bearing several deep sword scars. He slowly stood up. "Xiu'er."
Beside Ye Haotian and holding the Green Dragon Sword, Fan Tong also exclaimed in delight, "Young master, you've returned?"
Ye Xiu entered the pavilion, smiling. "Of course I came back. Otherwise, how could I watch Father defend his post as Defender General tomorrow?"
At these words, Ye Haotian's eyes shuddered imperceptibly.
Ye Xiu actually knew why his father was soattached to the role of Defender General. In everyone's eyes, Ye Haotian was a man of iron will, but in his mother's eyes, he was a man of great tenderness.
Eighteen years ago, when Ye Xiu had just been born, his mother suddenly disappeared. The night before she vanished, she had told Father not to look for her, that finding her would bring disaster upon the entire Ye family. She knew Father's lifelong ambition was to become the strongest general of the Canglong Dynasty, and she hoped that if she ever returned, she could witness with her own eyes Father standing at the pinnacle of the Canglong Dynasty.
From then on, Ye Haotian had fought and built up military exploits tirelessly. In just eight short years, with a hundred battles and hundred victories to his name, he became the youngest Defender General in the Canglong Dynasty's history.
But now, it was very likely that, because of Ye Xiu, Ye Haotian would completely fall from his post of Defender General.
Ye Haotian smiled. "No matter. Being able to see you grow up, I'm already very content."
Ye Xiu said nothing, but slowly sat down in front of the zither. Hooking his fingers over the strings, he resolutely said, "Father, listen to the end of this piece, and you'll understand why I'm so determined."
A peerless piece, dedicated to my father!
Clang—
The music swelled.
With the very first strumming of the zither strings, the expressions on Ye Haotian's and Fan Tong's faces instantly changed.
It was musical intent!
With just that one note, a shocking scene flooded their minds—the general riding his warhorse, alone against an army of a million!
The second note rang out, and in an instant chaos erupted, the general leading the army to battle, the sounds of slaughter reaching a thousand miles, heaven and earth changing color. The general rode alone at a gallop, just one man, yet causing the million-strong army to pale in comparison. Every swing of his sword had the momentum of a rainbow, felling tens of thousands, the music growing ever more urgent, the battle increasingly fierce, the general alone among the millions with no one able to stop him!
The song ended, the setting sun cast the world in twilight. On the vast landscape, corpses blanketed the earth, the general's Three Feet Sword pointing at the ground, blood flowing along the blade.
One man, annihilating a million elite troops.
Lording over the world!
Boom boom boom—
As the final note faded, columns of water could be seen bursting from the lake, like soaring dragons swirling around the pavilion.
At this moment, Ye Haotian was still immersed in the music.
Although Ye Xiu's playing was awful, just random plucking, the artistic conception was undoubtedly telling him that he was that unrivaled general!
Fan Tong was so shocked he couldn't speak. He would never have imagined that after just a few days at the Celestial Origin Saint Palace, the young master had grasped musical intent!
Burning flames blazed in Ye Xiu's eyes. "Father, trust me. This time when I returned, no one will be able to steal your post of Defender General. That glory belongs solely to you. I won't let anyone take it away!"
The dim light in Ye Haotian's eyes suddenly burst into dazzling brilliance.
In just ten days, Ye Xiu had comprehended musical intent!
One should know that although Ye Haotian was no pure zither master, he did often play the zither and had been doing so for over ten years now. Yet in artistic conception, Ye Xiu's just now piece was on a whole different level compared to his.
Ye Haotian threw back his head and laughed heartily, slapping Ye Xiu's shoulder in excitement. "For me, Ye Haotian, to have such an extraordinary son, what more could I not believe in!"