At the Shen Family household, Ye Kang sat upright in the courtyard hall.
Madam Ye stood beside him, worry plain in her eyes.
"Kang'er, Shen Fan said the Floating Cloud Sword Sect has a lot of people, and plenty of masters who can leap over rooftops and vault across walls. You're going alone. Wouldn't it be better to bring the government troops?"
"Mother, don't worry. I'll handle everything."
"But..."
"I didn't climb to Deputy Commander by flattering people. I want to see just how bold the Floating Cloud Sword Sect is, daring to seize what they want by force."
"Alas, it's all my fault. If I hadn't insisted on visiting the landlord's home..."
"It was only right. This will also settle the Karma from back then, so you won't have to carry guilt in your hearts."
Ye Kang comforted Madam Ye for a few moments. She said no more, choosing to trust him.
Meanwhile, the Shen Family gathered in the Spirit Hall, every face full of bitterness.
"Family Head, maybe we should... run?"
"Exactly. As long as the green hills remain, there'll be no shortage of firewood. Are we really going to entrust our lives and everything we own to a stranger we've only just met?"
"Silence! Lord Ye is standing up for us. Anyone who says that again, I'll break his legs myself!"
Shen Fan's sharp rebuke silenced them all.
His own heart was pounding, but things had come to this. The Shen Family had no way back.
The night was dark, the winds high.
Time crept by.
At last, just before dawn, one after another, sword-wielding martial artists dressed in white robes streamed into Meihe Town from every direction.
Every inn and home kept its doors tightly shut, afraid of being caught in the crossfire.
The martial artists