Chapter 16: Mayors Wrath

Wei Estate – Early Morning

The morning air was crisp, the faint glow of dawn creeping over the rooftops of Wei Tian's grand estate. Inside, servants moved quietly, performing their daily duties with careful precision. The events of the tournament still lingered in everyone's minds, but no one dared to speak of it openly.

Inside Wei Rong's private chamber, a dim candle still flickered from the night before, casting weak shadows over the ornately decorated room. A faint scent of medicine lingered—soothing herbs meant to aid his recovery.

A servant, assigned to check on him, stepped cautiously inside.

"Young Master, it's morning," the servant announced softly, not expecting a reply. Wei Rong had been furious last night, his body weakened after his humiliating defeat at the tournament. It was best to let him rest.

Yet, something felt wrong.

Wei Rong hadn't stirred at all.

The servant frowned, stepping closer. His eyes traced over the still form of his master, covered in blankets, his breathing silent. Too silent.

With a trembling hand, the servant reached forward and touched Wei Rong's shoulder.

Cold.

An eerie stillness clung to him.

The servant's breath caught in his throat.

A second later, a blood-curdling scream rang through the estate.

The commotion spread like wildfire. Servants rushed through the halls, their hushed whispers turning to panicked cries. Guards stormed toward Wei Rong's room, pushing aside the terrified staff. The morning air, once peaceful, now crackled with tension.

The head steward sprinted to the main hall, his face pale as he knelt before Wei Tian, who sat enjoying his morning tea.

"My Lord!" the steward gasped, voice shaking. "Young Master Wei Rong… he… he's dead!"

The room froze.

Wei Tian's grip on his teacup tightened dangerously, the porcelain creaking under the pressure. His normally composed face darkened instantly, a shadow of rage creeping over his features.

"What did you just say?"

"He… he was found lifeless in his room. No sign of struggle, no witnesses—"

Wei Tian stood abruptly, the force of his movement knocking over the teacup, sending dark liquid splashing across the polished floor.

His Qi surged uncontrollably, sending a heavy pressure rippling through the hall. Fear spread like a plague. Servants flinched, their heads lowering instinctively. The air felt thick, suffocating, as the mayor's fury became a physical force.

"Take me to him. Now."

Wei Tian stormed into his son's chamber, his presence like a looming storm. The guards and servants parted instantly, clearing the way as their master entered.

Wei Rong lay motionless on his bed, his face eerily peaceful—too peaceful.

His fingers brushed against Wei Rong's wrist, pressing down to feel for something—anything. A chill ran down his spine. His son's body was cold, but not just from death. It was a different kind of emptiness, one he couldn't explain.

Wei Tian's brows furrowed deeply. He tried circulating his own Qi into Wei Rong's meridians, searching for a disruption, a lingering remnant of an attacker's energy.

There was nothing.

That was the problem.

It wasn't that his son's Qi had been disturbed—it was that it felt absent, as if something had drained it away.

He clenched his fist. It made no sense. If someone had poisoned him, there would be signs. If he had been struck down, there would be injuries. But this? This was unnatural.

Behind him, the guards shifted uneasily.

"What… what could have done this, my lord?" one of them hesitantly asked.

Wei Tian didn't answer immediately. His jaw tightened. He didn't know.

And that was what enraged him the most.

"Seal the gates." Wei Tian's order cut through the tense air. "No one leaves the village until we find the culprit."

The entire Wei estate shook with movement as his forces sprang into action. Messengers rode out, spreading the word to every corner of the village.

A village-wide search began.

Servants, merchants, and commoners were dragged from their homes and questioned. The streets were patrolled by armed guards, their presence an unspoken warning—whoever had done this would be found.

Standing alone in his son's chamber, Wei Tian clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white.

He had lost his only heir. His family's pride, power, and reputation had been shattered in one night. Someone would pay.

His voice was low, venomous, a promise filled with murderous intent.

"Whoever did this… I will hunt them down. And when I find them, I will make them wish they had never been born."

Rumors spread like wildfire. By midday, every corner of the village buzzed with whispers of Wei Rong's death.

"They found his body this morning. Just lying there—no wounds, no signs of a struggle."

"Dead? You really think someone like Wei Rong just drops dead for no reason?"

"Something about it isn't right. The mayor checked the body himself, and they say his face was… confused. Even he doesn't understand what happened."

"You think it was Jin Ye?"

The name passed between lips like a curse and a revelation.

Jin Ye had fought Wei Rong. Jin Ye had humiliated him. And now, Wei Rong was dead.

Some nodded grimly, convinced of his guilt. Others looked away, unwilling to say aloud what they had long wished for—Wei Rong's cruelty was finally gone.

In the darkest corners, some quietly celebrated.

"Serves him right. That bastard terrorized the village for years."

"Maybe now we can live without fearing his temper."

But there were also those who trembled at what was coming.

"If Wei Tian finds out who did this, there will be blood."

"The mayor won't care about guilt. He'll punish whoever he suspects."

The air was thick with fear and tension.

And at the heart of it all, Jin Ye knew he had to leave.

Before sunrise, Jin Ye woke, his mind already settled.

The moment Wei Rong's body was found, he knew it was only a matter of time before suspicion turned toward him. He couldn't wait for that moment to come.

He had to act first.

He packed quickly—only essentials. The Refined-Grade sword he had won from the tournament, a few precious cultivation pills, and whatever rations he had left.

Then, he sat cross-legged, entering a deep meditation.

Qi flowed through his meridians, and within him, the lingering traces of Wei Rong's stolen essence were settling. He could feel it—his cultivation had sharpened, his control more refined than ever before. His body, still in the 4th Stage, carried a strength that hadn't been there yesterday.

He exhaled slowly.

This was just the beginning.

Jin Ye stood, gripping the sword at his waist. He had spent his entire second life preparing for the next step—now, it was finally time.

The kitchen smelled of warm rice and herbs when Jin Ye stepped inside, his mother preparing breakfast while Jin Mei sat at the table, swinging her legs as she hummed softly.

For a moment, Jin Ye hesitated.

This was the last time he would see them in who knew how long.

Lin Xian turned, her sharp eyes immediately locking onto his expression. She had already sensed something was wrong.

"You're leaving," she said quietly, her voice steady despite the weight behind it.

Jin Mei stopped humming, her legs stilling. "Leaving?" she asked, confused.

Jin Ye nodded. "The Azure Sky Sect's entrance exam is soon. I have to go now if I want to make it in time."

Jin Mei's eyes widened. "But... why so soon? The village is tense right now. Shouldn't you wait?"

Lin Xian placed a gentle hand on her daughter's shoulder, silencing her softly. She looked at Jin Ye, her gaze piercing.

"It's because of Wei Rong's death, isn't it?"

Jin Ye didn't answer right away, but the truth hung between them like an unsaid word.

"I didn't kill him," he said at last. "But staying here will only bring trouble. Wei Tian will be looking for someone to blame."

Lin Xian sighed. She knew this day would come.

She walked to him, adjusting the collar of his robe, like she always had when he was a child. "You've grown too fast," she whispered. "Stronger than I ever imagined. But no matter how far you go, you are still my son."

Jin Ye felt something tighten in his chest, but he refused to let it show.

"I'll return," he promised. "And next time, I won't be running. I'll be strong enough that no one can threaten us again."

Jin Mei swallowed hard, her eyes misty but determined.

"You'd better," she muttered. "Or I'll be the one to hunt you down."

Jin Ye chuckled softly. He reached out and ruffled her hair one last time before stepping away.

It was time to go.

Meanwhile, at the Wei estate, Wei Tian stood before a line of guards and villagers.

"Who saw anything suspicious last night?" he demanded.

The village head stepped forward reluctantly. "There were no direct witnesses, but… some saw Jin Ye walking alone last night."

Silence fell over the room.

Wei Tian's expression darkened. "Jin Ye."

"It isn't proof," Elder Ming interjected, voice careful but firm. "You cannot accuse someone based on rumors alone."

Wei Tian's rage flared, but he knew Elder Ming was right. He couldn't act recklessly.

Yet, in his heart, he knew Jin Ye was involved.

"No matter how long it takes," Wei Tian swore, his voice low and venomous. "I will find out the truth."

Before the sun had fully risen, Jin Ye left the village behind.

He moved quickly, his pace steady but silent. The weight of his sword was firm at his waist, the cool morning wind brushing against his face.

As he reached the top of the hill that overlooked the village, he paused.

His home. His past. The place where he had died once and been reborn.

And now, he was leaving it all behind.

He exhaled, turning away from the life he once knew.

The path to the Azure Sky Sect stretched ahead.

His true journey to power began now.