Beyond the Horizon, We Are Neighbors; On the Yellow Springs Road, We Shall Keep Each Other Company!

"Yang, keep going!"

Ye Wudi's feelings were extremely complicated at that moment. Just moments ago, he had received reliable news: someone had bought his son's life through the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion!

Looking at the youth standing so close before him, the words that had reached his lips were swallowed back down. It was not that he did not want to tell him—the truth was simply too cruel.

The distance from here to White Cloud City of Central Province seemed short, but in reality, the journey passed through several perilous places. It was a road of nine deaths and one life, filled with murderous intent at every turn.

"Father, go back. You don't need to see me off anymore. Even after sending someone a thousand miles, there will still come a parting. Why keep agonizing over this?"

Ye Yang had long since noticed the other man's emotions; he simply had not exposed them. He knew that the road ahead was just like the Yellow Springs Road.

If he broke through it, he would live. If he failed, he could only become a lamb waiting to be slaughtered, left for others to manipulate.

My fate is mine to control, not Heaven's. Naturally, he would not resign himself to fate. He would seize his destiny with his own hands.

"Old fox, no matter what tricks you play, I won't be afraid. In one sentence: soldiers will be stopped by generals, and water will be blocked by earth. Let's see who can laugh until the end."

The blazing sun burned like fire, and a new day began. This time, he wasted no words. After greeting the man behind him, he set out on his journey.

One day later, Peaceful Town...

"Everyone, have you heard? A mysterious name suddenly appeared on the Blacklist Hit List recently?"

After hurrying for an entire day, Ye Yang had begun to feel hungry. As luck would have it, he had arrived at the market of a small town.

The streets were packed with people, presenting a lively scene. Those who were doing business did business, and those who were hawking goods shouted their wares. No one paid any attention to the ordinary-looking youth.

"Grrr..."

At that moment, he looked at the steaming buns before him, and his stomach began to growl.

"Forget it. Since I'm here, I'll find a place and fill my stomach first. Perhaps I can obtain some useful information."

Just as he was pondering where to go to fill his belly, news about him had already begun spreading throughout the martial world.

"Guest, would you like to come in and have something to eat?"

Looking up, he happened to see several flamboyant characters reading Yuelai Inn.

"A guest from afar is always welcome. Please take the best seat; we'll make arrangements at once."

The waiter wore a beaming smile, a white cloth draped over his shoulder as he led Ye Yang into the inn.

"Sure enough, it still tastes familiar." Ye Yang's original body had fallen into despair after his fiancée's betrayal, his meridians becoming blocked and his breakthrough failing. He had indulged in wine and women until everyone saw him as a frivolous wastrel.

While everyone else was awake, he alone pretended to be drunk. In truth, he had been forced to play dumb and act foolish, allowing him to escape the vicious hand of the Law Enforcement Grand Elder, Ye Wushuang. Unfortunately, the cunning old fox had ultimately seen through him and begun an endless pursuit to kill him.

"What a fragrance. No wonder this century-old establishment has such an excellent reputation."

The moment he stepped over the threshold, a warm scent mingling the fragrance of wood with that of food rushed toward him, instantly making him forget the weariness of the journey.

Inside the inn, several rough wooden tables were arranged in an orderly fashion. An oil lamp sat on each one, its dusky halo spilling over the busy diners and chattering martial travelers, adding a touch of warmth and mystery.

"Please take a seat, guest. Wait a moment; your food will be served shortly."

The waiter led Ye Yang to a seat by the window. Outside lay a bustling street, with the occasional neigh of a horse or laughter from children drifting in.

Inside, the inn was lively yet orderly. Everything seemed so harmonious and vivid. What he did not know was that someone had already set their sights on him.

"Here. No nonsense. Put this in his wine. Once it's done, you'll receive plenty of benefits."

Just as the waiter was returning, a mysterious black figure suddenly darted out and pressed a dagger against his head.

The blade flashed coldly. With the slightest misstep, it could send his head rolling and blood spraying everywhere, glittering like stars. The figure's purpose was exceedingly simple: to take down Ye Yang.

When had the waiter ever seen such a situation? He had encountered plenty of martial-world figures, but never one who drew a blade at the slightest disagreement.

"Big brother, I think this is all a misunderstanding. I can do what you ask, no problem—but put your knife away first."

Facing the danger, the waiter's face was taut with fear. This was no joke. One careless move, and his head would be separated from his body.

"Enough nonsense. I doubt you can pull off any tricks. Why refuse easy money? Don't you think you should consider your own interests?"

He immediately unleashed a barrage of sweet words and promises. Under the man's fierce offensive, the waiter finally softened and sank completely.

"Big brother, no problem. I'll do it. As for taking this money, you can forget it, right?"

The man knew his own limits. He understood that even if he managed to take the money, he would not live long enough to spend it. Rather than that, he might as well do the other man a favor. Perhaps his own fate would be a little better afterward.

"Guest, your food is ready. Please enjoy."

The waiter was extremely nervous at that moment, terrified that he would give himself away. If that happened, he would offend both sides and be unable to afford the consequences. It would be disastrous!

Three pounds of beef, a jug of fine wine, and some excellent drinking snacks became his lunch.

"Go on, what exactly is going on? Who is the mysterious dark horse who recently appeared on the Blacklist Hit List?"

Impermanence came to claim lives, and when King Yama decreed that you would die at the third watch, you would never live past the fifth. Just as he was about to eat, he suddenly heard the discussion beside him.

"Who exactly is that person? You have to tell me his name. Are you expecting us to guess?"

"That's right, brother. Stop keeping us in suspense. Just say it—there's no one else here, is there?"

They had been successfully drawn into the matter. After all, this was his business, this was the very trade he practiced—and it was also one of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion's methods.

"Go on, who is it?"

As they drank and exchanged cups, the atmosphere suddenly grew lively.

"Fine, fine, I'll tell you. But remember, you owe me a drink."

The man let out a loud belch, his body reeking of alcohol and his eyes bleary with drunkenness. He looked directly toward Ye Yang.

"I don't know who he is, but I do know that he is the Young Sect Master of the Ye Household in Central Province, once the strongest prodigy of his generation—unmatched among them."

He belched again while looking toward Ye Yang, wearing a half-smiling, half-mocking expression.

He thought to himself, Kid, stop pretending. I'm talking about you. Let's see whether you'll still be alive to see tomorrow's sun.

"Interesting. It seems some people can no longer hold themselves back. I merely participated in a simple arena battle, yet I never expected to attract so much attention."

Ye Yang did not take it to heart. He understood one principle: on the Tianyuan Continent, the strong were revered. So long as one possessed strength, one possessed a greater right to speak.

Before overwhelming strength, all schemes and plots were futile. If these people wanted his life, if they wanted to create trouble and obstacles for him, they would have to bring out their own strength. Otherwise, it would all be nothing more than flowers reflected in a mirror and the moon reflected in water.

When night fell, Ye Yang finally finished dealing with some trivial matters. Just as he entered secluded cultivation, the room before him suddenly stirred with strange movement.

"Kid, though the ends of the earth may be near, on the Yellow Springs Road, we shall keep each other company. Time to hit the road."

Then, flashes of cold light scattered through the air like flowers cast by a celestial maiden and came rushing straight at him.