* * *
With a *poof!* just as the Young Master of the Sky Net lunged forward, a flash of black light streaked past.
The outstretched arm, before it could even touch Ye Cangtian, was cleanly severed by the black light, spraying blood frantically.
Tang Xinwan couldn't bear to watch such a bloody scene. She closed her eyes and buried her head in Gu Yue's embrace.
She did not stop Ye Cangtian.
Although she disliked blood and killing, dealing with such a heinous and utterly evil person required decisive action.
This was how to rid society of a menace!
*Boom!*
Ye Cangtian delivered another kick to the Young Master of the Sky Net's chest, sending him flying again.
The momentum the Young Master of the Sky Net had gathered for a counterattack was instantly scattered. Clutching his bleeding shoulder, he rolled on the ground, emitting piercing screams.
"Bug, how does that feel?"
Ye Cangtian looked coldly at the Young Master of the Sky Net and continued, "Don't rush. This is just to vent anger for those three. The main event is yet to come!"
"Kill me, please kill me..."
As Ye Cangtian's voice fell, the Young Master of the Sky Net, enduring intense pain, begged for death.
He could see that Ye Cangtian would not let him go today.
But he could not bear the torment of such pain and only wished for death.
"Not yet."
A cruel smile appeared on Ye Cangtian's face. He had already learned from Gu Yue that countless women had been ravaged by this man over the years.
Since he had fallen into his hands today, Ye Cangtian decided to vent his anger on behalf of those innocent women.
"Bastard, that's enough."
"I want to go home..."
Just as Ye Cangtian was preparing to act, Tang Xinwan's voice was heard. She had underestimated her own resilience.
Especially after smelling the blood and hearing the Young Master of the Sky Net's plea for death, she immediately felt pity.
"Alright, I'll take you home right away."
Ye Cangtian turned to Tang Xinwan and said gently.
The next moment, with a wave of his hand, a silver light instantly pierced the Young Master of the Sky Net's neck, ending his sinful life.
Even though his anger had not been fully vented, Ye Cangtian would not refuse Tang Xinwan's request.
Having finished everything, Ye Cangtian then went to Tang Xinwan's side.
He intended to take her away but hesitated, his outstretched hand frozen in mid-air, as if time had stopped.
Tang Xinwan had just witnessed his brutal methods, and he wasn't sure if she could accept it.
On the other side, seeing Ye Cangtian's actions, Tang Xinwan proactively extended her small hand and said, "Don't overthink it. I will support you no matter what you do..."
Her words sent a stream of warmth through Ye Cangtian's heart.
He could feel the coolness and trembling of her small hand, yet she had seen through his thoughts and was comforting him instead.
With a wife like this, what more could a man ask for?
...
Not long after Ye Cangtian left, members of the Dragon Group arrived at the scene.
Although the Dragon Group tried their best to suppress the news, it still leaked out.
In a Japanese hotel in the city.
Sasaki's face was extremely grim as he stared intently at Onbu, who was bowing her head.
"Onbu, how dare you! I gave you the first command authority not for you to act recklessly!"
Sasaki was about to explode. He had just received news that the Young Master of the Sky Net's residence had been raided, and the Young Master of the Sky Net had died tragically in his room.
Recalling the night before when the Shinobi department had investigated the Young Master of the Sky Net's residence, he immediately understood that Onbu was surely involved.
This was why he had summoned Onbu to question her.
Onbu, knowing she couldn't hide it, confessed everything.
It was then that he learned Onbu had not returned all night because she had been captured by Ye Cangtian. To save her life, Onbu had no choice but to cooperate with Ye Cangtian.
Being captured by an enemy was one thing; it was a matter of skill.
But cooperating with the enemy to save one's life was unacceptable. This was a matter of integrity.
"Teacher, I know I was wrong. Please give me another chance!"
Onbu gritted her teeth and said.
She knew her actions had brought shame to the entire Shinobi department, but she couldn't help it. She was unwilling to be defeated by Ye Cangtian.
Only by preserving her life could she have a chance to turn things around in the future.
"Why don't you go die!"
Sasaki roared upon hearing this.
If the other party had chosen to commit suicide out of guilt, he might have felt better. But admitting fault and begging for leniency to save her life made him even more furious.
He wondered, was this still his beloved disciple? How had she become like this?
Thinking of this, he said fiercely, "Your command authority is revoked. As for the specific punishment, it will be decided by the Shinobi department upon our return!"
In the end, Sasaki softened. Facing his beloved disciple, he couldn't bring himself to act, but instead gave her a chance to atone for her mistakes.
After all, Onbu was a rare talent in Japan, rarely seen in centuries. It would be a true pity if she were to perish like this.
"Thank you, Teacher."
Onbu quickly bowed, and the stone that had been weighing on her heart was temporarily lifted. As long as she performed excellently in the upcoming missions, her life could be saved.
...
In the villa.
After dinner, Gu Qin and Gu Yue were clearing the dishes, while Tang Xinwan secretly pulled Ye Cangtian into the room.
"Bastard, what exactly happened to me?"
"Why am I invulnerable to blades and spears? Even my clothes are the same..."
"You must know something, right?"
As soon as they returned to the room, Tang Xinwan voiced the questions that had been weighing on her mind.
She could hardly believe her own experience. And when the Young Master of the Sky Net had attacked her, Ye Cangtian had not only not stopped him but had let him proceed.
It was clear that Ye Cangtian knew she would be fine.
Uh...
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian felt as if he had something stuck in his throat.
To be honest, he had never intended to reveal the existence of the Golden Leaf and protect Tang Xinwan secretly.
He was worried that Tang Xinwan would leak this matter.
If that happened, Tang Xinwan's treatment would likely be the same as Shangguan Yanran's – she would not only lose her freedom but also be sought after by various forces.
But with what had happened now, it was hard to keep it a secret.
As he pondered how to speak,
"Why are you hesitating? Speak quickly! What do you know?"
"And what is that voice in my mind?"
Seeing Ye Cangtian's inaction, Tang Xinwan became more anxious. She raised her small fists and began to threaten him.
"Alas, fine."
"This is a long story, and it might shatter your understanding. You need to be mentally prepared."
"Most importantly, this is a matter of life and death. You absolutely cannot reveal a single word of it!"
Ye Cangtian sighed and, after a stern warning, slowly told her everything.
Of course, for someone like Tang Xinwan, who had no understanding of what ruins were, he had to start from the ruins, then the Heart of the Ruins, and finally the Golden Leaf.
"Ah? The Golden Leaf has consciousness?"
"And it recognized me as its master and is protecting me closely?"
"How come I don't know any of this? And I don't feel anything abnormal about my body!"
Listening to Ye Cangtian's words, Tang Xinwan's understanding was indeed shattered, but her ability to accept was strong. She was merely very curious about her own experience.
Alas!
Ye Cangtian sighed helplessly and said, "If you discovered it, others would have discovered it long ago."
After a pause, Ye Cangtian said lightly, "Miss Ye Zi, Xinwan already knows. You can show yourself."
"Hmph! You two lovebirds, always calling me to watch you show affection! I'm not a third wheel!"
A light hum came from somewhere.
Just as Tang Xinwan was wondering where the voice came from, she suddenly saw a flash of golden light, and a golden leaf appeared on the back of her hand.
The next moment, with another flash of golden light, a figure appeared before them.
She wore a retro-style golden dress, with black hair cascading like a waterfall, and possessed an extremely beautiful face.
"..."
Seeing the Golden Leaf before him, Ye Cangtian's mouth twitched instantly.
He had called out to the Golden Leaf countless times, and each time he was scolded. This was the first time he had seen the Golden Leaf's appearance!
He thought, isn't the difference too great?
Thinking this, Ye Cangtian said unhappily, "Miss Ye Zi, isn't this a bit too much? Why are you still treating me differently?"
"Hmph! I'm treating you differently, so what can you do about it?"
The Golden Leaf glanced at Ye Cangtian and snorted, as if to say, I just don't like you!
"You're ruthless!"
Ye Cangtian's face turned red instantly. After a long while, he gave a thumbs-up and squeezed out two words from between his teeth.
He couldn't help it; he really didn't dare to offend the Golden Leaf, especially since she would be protecting Tang Xinwan's safety in the future!