"Bastard, what's the situation with the Moonlight Sect disciples in the city?" asked the man. His tone was dismissive, as if addressing an insignificant being.
"Master, we have lured them into the south district with some of our Mind-Binding Gu puppets," Ru Shi reported.
"When they realize it was a distraction, the second phase of the plan will start. They will be stuck handling that until we finish the third phase and begin the fourth."
"Bastard, you are doing a good job," the man said with cruel satisfaction.
"Thank you, Master," said City Lord Ru Shi respectfully as he bowed. But in his eyes, there was only hatred and rage that he tried desperately to hide.
"Bastard, it feels quite good that I can speak freely. I don't have to pretend to be another man who spends his time cultivating in seclusion to sustain his life," the man said, facing Ru Shi who was still bowing before him.
Looking at Ru Shi, the man's smile stretched wide. He couldn't help but feel pleased seeing him in this helpless state, unable to do anything against him.
Ru Shi felt utterly helpless. This monster had come ten years ago when his son was only eight years old.
They had been celebrating Ru Hei birthday at that time. He didn't know then that this was the Witch Spawn that the entire Moonlight Sect was searching for.
The witchSpawn appeared as someone he knew. It perfectly imitated that person's looks and mannerisms. That's why Ru Shi wasn't able to tell that this pretending human was actually a WitchSpawn.
The monster had somehow managed to control his son Ru Hei. His son had just turned eight and stepped into the cultivation life. But it was already too late. Ru Hei had become a victim of the Mind-Binding Gu.
The Witch Spawn threatened Ru Shi to do whatever he commanded. Otherwise, he would make his son Ru Hei detonate his own cultivation core to take his own life.
As proof, he demonstrated this on their household butler, who was at the fifth stage of the Elemental Disciple Realm.
The poor butler suddenly shook as a deep, muffled boom came from inside him.
His body burst open from within. Skin ripped like soaked paper, and bones snapped into sharp pieces.
Blood shot out in every direction, covering the stone walls and wooden beams in red. Bits of flesh and torn clothes flew through the air, falling like a red rain.
In the end, nothing was left but a bloody mess where the man once stood.
Ru Shi couldn't go against the Witch Spawn. The creature had disguised himself as someone he trusted and was holding his son hostage with the power to kill him with a single command.
Ru Shi had even thought about fighting this Witch Spawn to the death. But he discovered that despite being injured, the witchSpawn could still hold his own against Ru Shi. So Ru Shi didn't take any step that could cost his son's life.
The Witch Spawn didn't plant a Mind-Binding Gu on Ru Shi himself. Ru Shi had to meet with different people regularly.
Such a change could be discovered by the Moonlight Sect or other high-cultivation cultivators who might sense something was wrong.
So having his only son as hostage was enough to bend Ru Shi to the Witch Spawn's will.
The Witch Spawn had promised him that he would leave the Azure sky city in the future. He would free his son and even offer rewards.
He couldn't help but do what the Witch Spawn said. The witchSpawn had even aid his son breakthrough to the Elemental Disciple Realm.
With his son's limited talent, it was impossible to breakthrough naturally, so Ru Shi was quite delighted and carried out the Witch Spawn's orders.
But he still got angry every time he was called not by his name, but "bastard."
So today would be the day many people would lose their lives. But what did that matter to him? The only thing he cared about was his family—his only son. If his son was safe, he didn't care about who lived or died.
Ru Shi looked at his son. His son's eyes were fixed on the Witch Spawn with the glazed look of complete devotion. Those eyes showed he would follow that person anywhere, even if he had to kill someone or die for the Witch Spawn.
.
.
.
Back to Ye Estate
Ye Xian and Sheng Qianying left Ye Xian's residence. As they walked out of the Ye estate, they saw only two carriages left. Only a young girl was standing there.
She was Ye Ling'er, Ye Xian's childhood friend and the Ye clan patriarch's adopted daughter.
She wore an elegant dress of half white and blue silk that flowed down to her feet.The fabric clung softly to her curves before cascading downward, with a slits that opened from her knees, offering glimpses of her smooth, pale thighs with each graceful step.
The dress hugged her slender waist perfectly, accentuating the gentle swell of her hips and the delicate curve of her neck.
Though only two years older than Ye Xian, she possessed an intoxicating beauty—her innocent face paired with a blossoming feminine form that stirred something deep within anyone who gazed upon her.
Every movement sent ripples through the silk, the fabric dancing against her skin in a way that was both pure and utterly captivating.
"Ling'er, why are you still here?" Ye Xian asked as they approached.
"I was waiting for you, naturally," she replied with a bright smile.
"The others have already left for the City Lord's gathering, except for Uncle Feng. We sent someone to call him, but his servant said he's still in seclusion. His old injuries are acting up again, so he'll join us later once he's feeling better. I thought you might want to travel together."
Ye Xian nodded understandingly. This wasn't unusual. Ye Feng's old injuries would flare up from time to time, forcing him into seclusion until he could get them under control. It always took him a while to stabilize his condition, but he eventually managed it.
Sheng Qianying felt a little disappointed. She had thought she would spend more time alone with Ye Xian as they traveled to the city lord mansion through carriage.
But seeing Ye Ling'er's beautiful, happy smile, she quickly pushed the feeling aside.
She couldn't help but smile at such an adorable girl.
"Of course we can travel together," Ye Xian said warmly.
"It would be my pleasure to have two beautiful ladies accompany me."
Ye Ling'er blushed slightly at the compliment, while Sheng Qianying felt her heart flutter at being called beautiful.
"Then let's not keep the City Lord waiting," Ye Ling'er said with giggles, gesturing toward the carriages.
Sheng Qianying had already told Ye Xian about the invitation that had been sent to the Ye clan from the city lord.
It was for the coming-of-age ceremony of the city lord's son, who had just entered the Elemental Disciple Realm.
To celebrate his son's coming of age and breakthrough, he had sent invitations to the Ye family and others.
The coming-of-age ceremony was held when a child turned 18, and Ru Hei was the city lord's only son.
His loving wife had passed away when the boy was born, so the father had doted on him ever since.
He didn't let his son feel the lack of a mother's love, as he was known as a devoted father who would do anything for his son.
He had invited all the big and small families in Azure Sky City.
As they approached the carriage, Ye Xian helped both ladies climb in. The carriage was spacious enough for three people, but it would still be a cozy ride to the City Lord's mansion.