The Reaper

"Smells so good!"

Hu Liena, who had been given a chicken leg, sniffed it and eagerly took a bite.

The addition of pepper created a tingly, numbing sensation in her mouth. Combined with the fragrance of the chicken, Hu Liena was immediately astonished.

Her big eyes widened to the extreme: "This is too delicious!"

Li Jiuchuan couldn't stop praising it either.

"I often eat Fire Spirit Chicken at home, but I've never had anything this tasty!"

She looked at the chicken leg in her hand and then at Ye Tian: "Is this the young master's special recipe?"

Ye Tian chuckled softly and waved a few small bottles of seasoning in his hand, saying, "This is called a standardized cooking method."

"When every seasoning is measured to the gram, and the grilling time is strictly controlled, creating a unique flavor of roasted Fire Spirit Chicken is really no big deal."

"Standardized cooking method?" The two women blinked, their faces full of confusion.

Ye Tian smiled slightly but didn't explain further. He stood up, walked to Bibi Dong's side, and handed her a chicken leg.

"Sister, here."

Bibi Dong, who had been lost in thought, was interrupted by Ye Tian's gesture, and a faint smile appeared on her fair face.

She accepted it with one hand.

"Thank you, Xiao Tian."

"Ah, there's no need for politeness between us." Ye Tian replied sincerely.

A subtle smile curled at the corner of Bibi Dong's lips as she gazed deeply at Ye Tian's face.

...

That night.

On a farm road, Bibi Dong leisurely strolled along.

Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves approached, getting closer to her.

Eventually, someone dismounted from the horse.

It was Hu Liena.

She spoke, "Teacher, the secret message has been delivered to the Paladin Order."

Bibi Dong, her expression indifferent, nodded slightly: "Leave the next steps to Elder Ghost."

After that, Hu Liena hesitated as if wanting to say something.

Noticing this, Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes. "What's on your mind?"

Hu Liena's temperament was ultimately too shallow. Any small matter would immediately show on her face.

Bibi Dong knew that the arrival of Li Jiuchuan had likely stirred Hu Liena's competitive spirit.

In that sense, Li Jiuchuan coming to find Ye Tian could be considered a good thing.

She smiled gently at Hu Liena: "Make sure to seize the opportunity."

Hu Liena's cheeks flushed: "Teacher, what are you talking about?"

She straightened her chest and protested, "I've only known Ye Tian for less than a week; it's way too early to talk about that! I can't act rashly."

Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong smiled but said no more.

Her disciple truly was walking further down the path of being overly reserved.

But that might not be such a bad thing.

At least, she had already secured one aspect.

Next, it was time to find an opportunity to speak frankly with Ye Tian.

No matter what, this marriage must be settled.

She then raised her head and asked, "When you handed over the secret message to the Paladin Order, did they send any updates from East Sea City?"

"Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. The Four Great Families are mobilizing, and in two days, they will move against Ye Tian. As for Ye Tian's side, there seems to be no response."

At this point, Hu Liena couldn't help but feel worried. She looked up and asked.

"Could it be that Ye Tian thinks the Four Great Families won't act against him, so he hasn't made any preparations?"

With Ye Tian's strength, dealing with the Four Great Families of East Sea City would be more than manageable.

The fact that there's no action yet may be because Ye Tian is underestimating the situation.

She hadn't expected someone as meticulous as Ye Tian to overlook this.

Perhaps his heart was too kind, and he hadn't anticipated the Zhou family's retaliation.

To be a Soul Master, holding power in a region, one must be battle-hardened and ruthless.

Showing mercy to such people is cruelty to oneself.

Hu Liena stepped forward and said, "How about letting the Paladin Order step in and arrest the Zhou family to preemptively control the situation, so Ye Tian isn't caught off guard?"

Bibi Dong pondered for a moment before raising her hand. "No need to rush. If Ye Tian hasn't noticed anything by tomorrow, we'll make arrangements then."

Hu Liena nodded lightly.

With the Paladin Order's spies watching over East Sea City, there shouldn't be any major issues.

It wouldn't hurt to arrange things tomorrow.

She hooked her arm through Bibi Dong's and leaned closer, saying, "Teacher, one more thing. Tomorrow, Ye Tian is going to the Li family on Golden Ao Island. I want to go with him."

Bibi Dong smiled and asked, "What, afraid Ye Tian will run away?"

"Of course not," Hu Liena stuck out her tongue.

"I'm just worried he might encounter danger. If I'm by his side, I can help look after him."

"Alright."

Bibi Dong nodded in agreement, not exposing Hu Liena's true intentions.

With Ye Tian's influence, even if he wanted to travel without guards, his subordinates wouldn't allow it.

It wouldn't be up to Hu Liena to protect him.

The reason Hu Liena wanted to go was likely because of Li Jiuchuan.

That's fine, Bibi Dong thought, it can be treated as a trip.

She could also take the opportunity to handle some state affairs.

...

East Sea City.

In the Zhou family's council hall.

Zhou Qiankun swept his gaze coldly across the people in front of him, his voice icy: "How are the preparations coming along?"

Zhou Doupo stepped forward and bowed: "Father, we've already located Ye Tian at Butterfly Farm, and we've thoroughly investigated his major industries."

After speaking, Zhou Doupo clenched his fists, his heart bleeding.

His only son, Zhou Wu, had been injured so severely that he was left in a vegetative state after a brief trip to the countryside.

And all because of a mere farm girl!

To a family like theirs, non-Soul Masters were nothing more than ants. Such peasants weren't even worthy of serving the Zhou family.

Yet, Ye Tian attacked Zhou Wu over a peasant girl!

This was a direct provocation!

He was sure that Ye Tian's true goal wasn't to avenge a mere farm girl.

To challenge the Zhou family's status was to invite death!

For daring to oppose the Zhou family in East Sea City, the only outcome is death!

Just then, footsteps were heard outside the council hall.

Zhou Qiankun's face turned cold, and he unleashed his soul power: "Who dares loiter near the council hall?!"

No one answered.

Instead, a series of 'bang, bang, bang' sounds followed by screams filled the air.

A group of men in black stormed in, their strange weapons raised.

The leader's voice was icy.

"The ones who won't live are you!"

"Goodbye!"

(End of Chapter)

Advance 30 Chapters are up on my Patreon.

pat reon.com/ReidAstrea