Chapter 317: No One Can Be Saved Translator: Tim Editor: Fish Creek

At this moment, in the Ye family mansion, ten coffins lay inside, each containing a direct descendant of the Ye family. Ye Beirong sat in the meeting hall, his face bleak, saying nothing.

The words of the visitors still echoed in his ears: “Ye Beirong, ten people today, fifty tomorrow. If we don’t see Ye Mo by the third day, the Ye family will disappear from Beijing.”

This was the second day. Many riot police were present, but no one dared to open fire. No one knew when or where the assassins would appear. They were ostensibly protecting the Ye family, but lacked orders to engage the perpetrators.

Ye Beirong understood the situation. The country's agreement with the hidden sects stipulated that neither side could initiate conflict. If the government attacked the hidden sects or killed their members, the sects could retaliate against the offender, and the government couldn't intervene. Conversely, if a sect harmed the government's interests, the government could eliminate the sect at any cost, and other sects could not intervene.

The government tolerated the hidden sects' existence because of their power—they could easily destroy anything—but more importantly, because they were vital to the country. In international affairs, the country's power primarily stemmed from the hidden sects.

Ye Mo had feuded with the He Liu sect, killing seven members. The He Liu sect sought revenge. Had Han Zaixin not intervened, they would have likely annihilated the Ye family on the first day. His intervention only delayed the inevitable for two days, at the cost of many Ye family lives.

Ordinary citizens were unaware of the hidden sects' existence, let alone the crisis facing the Ye family.

…

“The He Liu sect is too arrogant. Do they think we’re afraid?” Zhang Jue fumed. He had been the first to arrive when the incident began, but was injured yesterday. Had he not been important, he might have been killed like the others.

Han Zaixin shook his head. “Of course we’re not afraid, but we can’t annihilate them. If they truly want to eliminate the Ye family, no matter how many riot police we send, it's useless. You can kill one or two, but can you kill every member of the hidden sects? The country can't simply wipe out the hidden sects.”

“Elder Tan’s a Greater Heaven now, right? Wouldn’t it be easy for him to deal with the He Liu sect?” Zhang Jue hesitated before speaking. He was close to Ye Mo, and wouldn't stand by while the He Liu sect killed the Ye family. But he was no match for them, and could do nothing to stop them entering the mansion. He knew Han Zaixin was right—if they truly wanted to kill the Ye family, guarding the mansion was futile.

Han Zaixin didn’t directly answer. “Elder Tan and Elder Feng are both from the hidden sects. There are many masters among them. Who knows how many Greater Heaven level masters exist? Plus, the hidden sects have always contributed to the country. Siding completely with the Ye family isn't appropriate.

The Ye family, however, is unlike the Ou family. Elder Tan won’t ignore this. He’ll likely persuade the He Liu sect to let them go. But Ye Mo hasn't appeared, so he can't act yet.”

“Hmph, the Ye family is too arrogant. That Ye Mo dared kill several He Liu sect members. I heard he annihilated the Broken Fist Hall as well. Unless Ye Mo gives an explanation, I won’t interfere,” a cold voice echoed. Han Zaixin and Zhang Jue were shocked.

Zhang Jue rushed into the mansion, then returned. “That was Elder Tan. He’s gone.”

Han Zaixin frowned, then sighed. “Ye Mo killed too many, angering Elder Tan. Zhang Jue, don't contact him. Even if Ye Mo returns, it won't help, only get him killed. The Ye family… sigh…”

“But Elder Tan said that if Instructor Ye returns, he’ll mediate,” Zhang Jue insisted.

Han Zaixin shook his head, but remained silent. Zhang Jue didn't understand Tan Jiao as well as he did. Tan Jiao was loyal to the country, but also to the hidden sects. He couldn't forgive Ye Mo for killing so many from the He Liu sect, one of the six major sects. With the Broken Fist Hall's annihilation, Tan Jiao was prejudiced against Ye Mo. He would use the He Liu sect to kill him.

…

At that moment, in a bamboo building by Mi Yang Lake in Beijing, two men in their fifties sat opposite each other. A woman of twenty-five or twenty-six stood beside them, elegant and serene.

“Elder Tan, your temper’s worsened after a year of seclusion. Are you really going to let the He Liu sect kill the Ye family?” the man in grey robes asked worriedly.

The leaner man in white sneered. “Ye Mo is arrogant and cruel. Yuanyi was likely murdered by him. I suspect he annihilated the Qiao family, but Han Zaixin is covering for him. This time, he not only annihilated the Broken Fist Hall but killed several He Liu sect members. If I let him live, how can I face my Dao colleagues?”

The man in grey sighed. “The President has spoken. The Ye family’s situation is different from the Ou and Song families. Those two were suspected of treason, but not the Ye family. Annihilating them would be unacceptable. We can't just exterminate one of our major families… even the Song family lives well in another province. Besides, the President has a good impression of Ye Mo.”

Tan Jiao’s face fell. “I owe Song Yuanyi. This is my repayment. I never expected such a monster to appear during our seclusion. I’ll speak with the President. The Ye family needn't be completely annihilated, but murder must be repaid. We’ll let the He Liu sect kill some to appease them, but Ye Ling and Ye Zifeng must die. Why can Ye Mo kill, but not be killed?”

The man in grey fell silent, then spoke. “I know you feel this way because Song Yuanyi and Gong Zizai died at Ye Mo’s hands. But the country has laws. If we always act according to hidden sect customs, the government won't allow it. The hidden sects are strong, but if they fight the army, ambitious forces will attack our country. Then what's the point of martial arts cultivators? What face do we have to meet our ancestors?”

Seeing Tan Jiao's grim expression, he continued, “And you reached Greater Heaven first during our seclusion. You're at the pinnacle. The more powerful you are, the more careful you need to be. One mistake could be fatal.”

“Wait another day. If Ye Mo still doesn’t return, Ye Ling and Ye Zifeng must die. The rest depends on the He Liu sect. They wouldn’t attack now, but wait until night,” Tan Jiao stated.

The man in grey sighed disappointedly. “Old Han said Ye Mo is valuable, but too aggressive. He needs to learn a lesson. Young people… too much arrogance.”

…

“Second Uncle, let Ye Ling and Ye Zifeng leave,” Ye Long suggested in the suffocating meeting room.

Ye Beirong shook his head. “No use. Ye Zifeng’s leg is broken. If anyone leaves alone, they'll be killed immediately. We can't see them, but they’ll appear the moment anyone leaves.”

“I won’t go. My brother will return,” Ye Ling said, wiping her tear-stained face. A clear palm print marred her cheek. Yesterday had been disastrous. If Elder Han hadn’t arrived, even more would have died.

Her second brother’s legs were broken for merely speaking. They spared him to wait for Ye Mo. The same was true for her. They would kill her and her brother before their elder brother to show the consequences of defying the hidden sects.

Some glared at her. This was all Ye Mo’s fault. If not for him, the Ye family wouldn’t face this catastrophe. Yet he hadn’t returned. If not for fear of his revenge, they would have cursed him already.

Ye Beirong saw their thoughts. He stated plainly, “This is a life-or-death situation, not a time to complain. If not for Ye Mo, the Song family would have devoured us long ago.”

“Grandpa, why isn't anyone here?” a young family member asked.

Ye Long scanned him. “The Flying Snow and riot police are protecting us, but is it enough? When they left, did anyone catch a culprit? And they’ll come again today, unnoticed.”

“You’re right. We arrived unnoticed. If the He Liu sect wants to annihilate your family, not even the Heavenly Emperor can stop them,” a bleak voice interrupted. Four men suddenly materialized in the room. No one saw them enter.