The Crime of Betraying Country and Clan

The dust had yet to settle over the Training Ground, and Ye Qingyao's departing figure carried an air of solitary pride.

"Remember, this is the glory of your lifetime." Those words struck every Martial Cultivator who fancied himself extraordinary like an invisible slap, leaving their faces burning.

At the seats of honor, the atmosphere had not eased with the end of the first match. Instead, Lu Changsheng's next words made it stranger still.

"Hong Tianbao, is the Ye girl all right?"

Lu Changsheng leaned forward slightly. His clouded eyes turned meaningfully toward the rear courtyard, his tone sounding like an elder's concern for a junior.

Back in his seat, Hong Tianbao let some of his smile fade. His usually smiling eyes narrowed, revealing a chill that made hearts tremble.

"Qingyao has a big heart. What's a little storm to her?" Hong Tianbao's tone was mild, but there was an edge beneath it.

"You, on the other hand, rarely leave home, Elder Lu. You've hardly set foot outside Linjiang County, yet your sources are remarkably good."

The spectators, still savoring the match, pricked up their ears.

Gossip was human nature. And a revelation involving great families, grudges across nations, and the top fighters of the previous generation was irresistible.

Yagyu Kanjō was a renowned Demon Blade Wielder of the Eastern Seas. Ye Wanshan was a fallen prodigy of the Southern Ye Family. How could two names with no apparent connection belong to the same man?

Lu Changsheng gently stroked the braided demonic tail hanging down his chest, rubbing his fingertips over the coin's ferocious ghostly face.

"What Ye Wanshan set in motion twenty years ago caused quite an uproar. It even drew the attention of several Sage Patriarchs." Each word of his voice burst beside their ears like thunder.

"You could