Chapter 528: Righteous Release

Ye Hang's face showed despair. He hadn't expected Ren Xingchun to be so unreasonable, truly heartless enough to kill his own son-in-law.

Back then, he had no choice. He and Ren Hongling were in love, but Ren Xingchun absolutely refused to agree, simply because Ye Hang's background was too humble.

Ye Hang's talent wasn't bad, but he lacked sufficient resources and powerful techniques.

So compared to Ren Hongling, Ye Hang was utterly insignificant.

Yet Ye Hang's tenacity and sincerity touched Ren Hongling's maiden heart, and from then on, she fell hopelessly in love with this penniless young alchemist.

Ye Hang sighed to the heavens, "I have lived my life with a clear conscience, never expecting to end up like this! Enough, enough. Returning this life to that heartless Ren Xingchun will settle the grudge."

With that, Ye Hang closed his eyes and said, "Go ahead!"

Xu Zihui had been getting impatient, thinking the kid was rambling before death.

Suddenly, the name Ye Hang sounded familiar. He thought again and jolted awake.

Wasn't Ye Hang the person Young Master Ye had entrusted him to find?

Could it be such a coincidence?

"Stop!"

Xu Zihui bellowed, flicking a strand of Yuan force that knocked the sword from the executioner's hand.

At that moment, the sword was less than half an inch from Ye Hang's chest.

Ye Hang looked at Xu Zihui in confusion, unsure what this man intended.

Xu Zihui stared at Ye Hang and asked in a low voice, "You are Ye Hang?"

"You don't know who I am?" Ye Hang paused, then understood and laughed bitterly. "Right, my existence is a disgrace to the Ren family. How could he let his servants know of me? Yes, I am Ye Hang."

With confirmation, Xu Zihui's heart skipped a beat. He fixed his gaze on Ye Hang and asked, "Then... what is Ye Yuan to you?"

Though Ye Yuan hadn't said who Ye Hang and Ren Hongling were to him, anyone with half a brain could guess their relationship.

Hearing Ye Yuan's name, Ye Hang trembled. "You know Yuan'er?"

Xu Zihui thought, Damn, what a small world!

He had nearly killed Ye Yuan's father!

If that sword had struck, he would never have been able to face Ye Yuan again.

Xu Zihui's son had smoothly broken through to the next realm after taking the elixir Ye Yuan had given him.

For a martial artist, a minor realm was trivial, but the time saved was priceless.

He had received Ye Yuan's favor, yet killed Ye Yuan's father—that would be the epitome of repaying kindness with enmity.

But... Ye Hang was someone the City Lord had personally ordered executed. What... what should he do?

Xu Zihui was torn, caught in a dilemma.

Kill, or not kill?

Ye Hang looked at Xu Zihui, full of doubt.

This man was far too powerful; he had no chance to resist. But from his tone, he seemed to know Ye Yuan.

Could Ye Yuan be in Wufang City now?

At that thought, Ye Hang felt a surge of excitement.

But soon he grew dejected. He was about to die; even if Ye Yuan were in Wufang City, how could they meet?

Ye Hang knew Ren Xingchun too well. This strong man before him would never defy his orders.

"You can go!" While Ye Hang was lost in thought, Xu Zihui suddenly spoke.

"Huh?" Ye Hang was stunned, not quite processing.

"I said, you can go!" Xu Zihui said in a low voice.

As soon as he said that, several subordinates grew anxious.

"Sir, he is someone the City Lord personally ordered killed! If you let him go, the City Lord won't spare you!"

"Yes, don't you know the City Lord's temper?"

"You can't let him go, sir!"

Xu Zihui grew irritated and roared, "I said let him go! Are you all deaf? If the City Lord blames anyone, I'll take full responsibility!"

The subordinates tried to persuade him further, but Xu Zihui glared and snapped, "Say one more word, and I'll wipe you out!"

Seeing that Xu Zihui wasn't joking, the subordinates finally fell silent.

Ye Hang looked bewildered. "Senior, you're taking such a big risk to let me go. May I ask why?"

Xu Zihui waved his hand. "I have received favors from Young Master Ye and cannot bring myself to do it. Go!"

Ye Hang's spirits lifted. "Is Yuan'er really in Wufang City?"

Xu Zihui nodded. "Young Master Ye is indeed in the city! He had previously entrusted me to find a couple, but I had no leads. I never expected you to be imprisoned in the City Lord's mansion."

"Is Yuan'er... well?" Ye Hang felt a mix of anxiety and anticipation.

"Heh, Young Master Ye is now a prominent figure throughout the Boundless Region, of course he's well." Xu Zihui briefly recounted how he had invited Ye Yuan to Wufang City.

Over the past two days, the Boundless Region's high-level officials had been discussing the formation of the Boundless Alliance. Many details hadn't yet leaked out, and given Xu Zihui's status, he didn't know what had happened at the meeting.

If he knew that Ye Yuan's standing was now comparable to those sect leaders, he probably wouldn't be so worried.

Ye Hang found it hard to believe. It had been over a year since he last heard from Ye Yuan.

Had Ye Yuan really grown to such heights in that time?

But thinking of Ye Yuan's incredible performance in the Qin State, perhaps it was possible?

After a moment's thought, Ye Hang cupped his hands to Xu Zihui. "Senior, I have an impertinent request. Could you take me to see Yuan'er?"

Xu Zihui looked at Ye Hang. "The City Lord has tight control over Wufang City. If you go back, you'll likely fall under his surveillance. Are you sure you want to return?"

Ye Hang nodded. "My wife and child are in the city. How can I leave alone?"

...

Outside Wufang City, Ye Yuan pushed his movement technique to the limit. Behind him, Ren Yujie was secretly alarmed—he was struggling to keep up with Ye Yuan!

Ren Yujie lacked talent and was only a junior pill king, but even so, he was a genuine Soul Sea Second Layer.

At his level, he couldn't keep up with a Sea of Qi Second Layer?

No wonder this nephew had stirred up trouble at the Boundless Region high-level meeting—his strength was formidable!

His sister Ren Hongling had lost the ability to become an alchemist, yet she had given birth to such an extraordinary son.

Truly, misfortune is where fortune depends, and fortune is where misfortune hides!

Suddenly, Ye Yuan stopped.

"What's wrong?" Ren Yujie also halted, curious.

Ye Yuan let out a long breath. "Heaven has eyes. It's Xu Zihui in charge of the execution. It seems I'll owe Brother Zihui a huge favor."

As he spoke, a group of people emerged from the dense forest...