As Ye Cangtian finished his brief pleasantries and saw Tu Qi off, faint sounds drifted from the adjacent room.
“This life is unbearable. Is it just because we don't practice the Bloodthirsty Mist Formation?”
“Look at our current status! The lucrative jobs like raiding villages are gone, and we’re the ones sent to charge into death traps!”
“And look at our Hall Master Cui. He’s a Hall Master, yet he’s personally gone to Tingfeng City to scout for information…”
In the next room, a man was complaining incessantly.
“Alas, it’s true! If this continues, we’ll be trampled underfoot by the Butcher’s Hall!”
“But there’s nothing we can do! Hall Master Cui not letting us practice the Bloodthirsty Mist Formation is for our own good, after all, it consumes life force!”
“Alright, let’s keep our voices down, lest there are ears listening through the walls and we bring trouble upon ourselves…”
Another man spoke up to console him.
Heh heh.
There were indeed ears listening through the walls, and it was too late to realize it now.
Ye Cangtian couldn’t help but chuckle. He had inadvertently discovered that Cui Fengxi’s subordinates and the Butcher’s subordinates were at odds with each other. He wouldn't be blamed for using this situation to his advantage.
*Clang! Clang! Clang!*
The sounds from next door gradually ceased. However, not long after, a knock echoed from the room.
“Who is it?” Ye Cangtian asked indifferently.
“I am a subordinate of Hall Master Cui, Cui Yi.”
Cui Yi was an absolute confidant of Cui Fengxi. Upon hearing that the Hall Master had taken in a newcomer, he came specifically to introduce himself.
He also wanted to inquire about Hall Master Cui’s current situation and if there was anything he needed help with.
Cui Yi?
Ye Cangtian’s expression immediately turned grim.
He had seen Cui Yi in Cui Fengxi’s courtyard in Changyang City, so Cui Yi would recognize him.
If the two of them met now, wouldn’t his identity be instantly exposed?
As he pondered this, a cold sneer flashed in Ye Cangtian’s eyes. Since the other party had delivered himself to his doorstep, he couldn’t be blamed.
*Creak!*
The door slowly opened. Cui Yi, standing outside, instinctively reached out, but the next moment, he was frozen in place.
He was instantly dragged into the room, and a sharp dagger was held to his throat.
“How could it be you!”
Seeing a familiar face, Cui Yi was filled with horror, and cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
He naturally recognized Ye Cangtian, and it was precisely because of this that he felt fear.
The impression the other party had left on him that day was too deep. Now that his life was in the other party’s hands, he dared not even breathe heavily.
“Haha, that’s right, brother Cui Yi, it’s me, Death!”
“Didn’t expect this, did you? I’ve also joined the Black Wind Sect!”
Ye Cangtian reacted quickly, laughing heartily and speaking loudly.
At the same time, he gave Cui Yi a meaningful look, warning him to behave if he wanted to survive.
Seeing this, Cui Yi forced a smile that was more bitter than a cry and said, “Brother, you’ve also come to the Black Wind Sect. From now on, we’re our own people…”
Ye Cangtian was quite satisfied with Cui Yi’s reply. He then took out a pill from his Qiankun bag and directly stuffed it into Cui Yi’s mouth before finally lowering the dagger.
“What you’ve taken is a poison, a slow-acting poison. It will make you continuously younger.”
“Without the antidote, you’ll soon revert to the state you were in before you were born.”
“So, you need to think carefully about your choice!”
Ye Cangtian sat on the bed, crossed his legs, and said indifferently.
He didn't have any poison, of course. It was actually a youth-preserving pill, meant to deceive the other party.
This…
Cui Yi, on the other hand, did not know the truth. Ye Cangtian’s speed was too fast, and he hadn’t seen clearly at all.
However, after taking the pill, he did notice that his skin had become much fairer and more elastic, and even some dead skin had peeled off.
The effect was exactly as the other party had described.
This filled him with dread. Moreover, in such a small room, even if he shouted for help and exposed Ye Cangtian’s identity, he likely wouldn’t be able to leave alive.
After much deliberation, Cui Yi directly knelt on the ground.
“Lord Ye, from now on, this humble one is willing to stay by your side, serving you day and night…” Cui Yi said repeatedly in a low voice.
“Heh heh, it’s easy to get things done with someone smart.”
“However, if you want to follow me, you need to provide a token of allegiance.”
A satisfied smile appeared on Ye Cangtian’s face, and he continued, “Also, from now on, call me Death. Remember that.”
Cui Yi’s expression changed. He knew that Ye Cangtian wouldn't let him off so easily.
However, when one is under the roof of another, they must bow their head. With his life in the other party’s hands, how could he dare to say anything!
After a moment, he opened his mouth and said, “I wonder who Lord Death dislikes. This humble one can take care of him now and show my loyalty.”
“Very good.”
“Then, just pick a minor captain from the Butcher’s subordinates!”
Ye Cangtian nodded with satisfaction and said.
“Lord Death, this humble one fears he is unable to fulfill this task!”
Cui Yi’s face immediately fell. In the past, such a task wouldn’t have been difficult. Their strength was roughly the same.
But it was different now!
The other party had practiced the Bloodthirsty Mist Formation. This formation could be used by individuals or by a group, and once unleashed, it would greatly enhance combat power. At that time, he would not be an opponent.
Moreover, the minor captains were currently within the manor. If there was too much commotion and the Butcher was alerted, he would have no chance of survival.
“Useless!”
“Do you think I’m asking you to duel?”
“You don’t need a fair fight. You can use any means necessary – poisoning, stealth attacks, assassination, I won’t interfere. All I want is a token of allegiance!”
Ye Cangtian glanced at Cui Yi and said somewhat impatiently.
At these words, Cui Yi’s expression relaxed considerably. If it were like this, he actually had some hope.
Although there were some unpleasantries between the Butcher’s subordinates and Cui Fengxi’s subordinates, it had little impact on him, as he was Cui Fengxi’s absolute confidant.
If others didn’t show him personal respect, they would still have to respect Cui Fengxi.
Cui Yi nodded, turned, and walked out of the room, not forgetting to say at the doorway, “Brother Death, if you need anything in the future, remember to find me!”
“Heh heh, will do!”
Ye Cangtian responded, then lay back on the bed to rest.
…
“Someone!”
“Lord Tu Liu has been assassinated!”
After an unknown amount of time, a noisy commotion awakened Ye Cangtian from his sleep.
He immediately smiled. He hadn’t expected Cui Yi to be so honest and efficient. In such a short time, Cui Yi had eliminated someone.
It seemed he was indeed quite intimidated by a youth-preserving pill.
On the other side, due to Tu Liu’s assassination and the fact that the killer had not been caught, the Butcher immediately began a thorough investigation.
He first questioned the guards at the entrance to the secret realm. Since it wasn’t time for their shift change, no one had entered or exited.
Next, the Butcher gathered all the minor captains.
Although Tu Liu was assassinated, his strength was not weak. Even in his sleep, it would be difficult for most people to get close to him. Those who could assassinate him were at least minor captains.
Therefore, in the Butcher’s opinion, by gathering the minor captains, he could find the murderer.
“My lord, it must be people from Hall Master Cui’s faction. They are dissatisfied with their current treatment and often make sarcastic remarks…” Tu Wu said fiercely.
“Nonsense! We were all resting in our rooms. Which of your eyes saw our people making a move?”
Cui Yi retorted angrily. Although he was the one who had acted, his psychological fortitude was quite good, and he withstood the pressure.
Furthermore, as Cui Fengxi’s most trusted confidant, he naturally had to step forward to speak for all his brothers. This also served as his best demonstration.
“Damn it, why are you still quibbling? Cui Si and Cui Wu are whispering in their rooms all day. Do you think we’re all deaf?” Tu Wu said angrily.
Cui Yi’s expression turned cold and grim. “Tu Wu, as a fellow minor captain, you actually sent people to spy on us? It seems you’ve been wary of us for a long time!”