Chapter Fifty-Nine: Judgment of Life and Death?

“So many ships! It seems a lot of people have arrived!” Su Ye followed the others in silence back to the shore of the island. At a glance, he saw more than a dozen yachts floating on the sea under the afterglow of the setting sun.

There was a constant flow of martial artists coming and going.

Many family prodigies, upon seeing their own family members had arrived, rushed over in tears. The past few days had been pure torment for them, a harrowing brush with death.

Su Ye, on the other hand, stood alone, isolated. Though he spotted the Jiang family’s yacht, he felt only a growing sense of estrangement. He recalled Jiang Ziyang saying this was just a simple training exercise.

Yet in the end, so many people had died, and the supposed rule that no one at the Qi Gathering stage was allowed on the island had turned out to be nothing but empty words.

“Su Ye, are you hurt?” A middle-aged man spotted him and hurried over.

“Uncle Zhong! You’re here! I’m fine, don’t worry.”

Su Ye forced a wry smile. How could he possibly share the bitterness of his experiences with Uncle Zhong? Besides, the last time at the bridge beneath Nansha, Uncle Zhong had gone searching for the Kirin statue with sword in hand and was already injured. He must have barely recovered before rushing here.

A rare smile appeared on Uncle Zhong’s solemn face. He patted Su Ye’s arm and said in a low voice, “Good, as long as you’re safe! Come aboard, have something to eat. Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”

Su Ye followed him onto the yacht, washed his face, and changed into clean clothes. He had no appetite, so he simply nibbled a little and let it be.

When he walked out onto the deck, he saw Yan Tian berating several servant martial artists, clearly enraged.

Whether intentional or not, Yan Tian’s voice carried clearly to Su Ye’s ears.

Yan Tian scolded, “Do you all still have complaints? You think I enjoy making these demands? Hmph, you think I want to be the villain here? But since I brought you out, I’ll see you safely home, and you must do as I say! If you want to blame someone, blame that certain person who behaved recklessly on the island, disregarding the consequences for the Jiang family…”

The servants hung their heads, not daring to retort. Yan Tian was currently the most favored by the Jiang family head, with rumors even suggesting he would become the family’s son-in-law.

Who among them dared offend this future master?

Yan Tian barked, “Are you all mute? The Martial Alliance will be coming to take someone soon—do not interfere! He killed in public, and if we try to shield him now, what do you think will happen?”

“Yes, understood!” the servants replied in unison.

Uncle Zhong, confused, quickly asked, “Yan Tian, what happened? Why are you so angry?”

Yan Tian exhaled deeply, his gaze sweeping toward Su Ye. He spoke with a weary helplessness. “The Martial Alliance wants to take Su Ye for questioning. There’s nothing I can do—I had to agree. They’re being forceful; I’ve done all I can.”

“What? How could you agree?” Uncle Zhong’s face changed abruptly. He said urgently, “We still don’t know what exactly happened on the island. If you send Su Ye away now, it’s like delivering him to the wolves! How can you let him out of our sight?”

Yan Tian shook his head, disappointed. “Uncle Zhong, at your age, are you still so naive? If Su Ye had listened to me and not killed Zhou Yuyang, I could have smoothed everything over. But his temper—he wouldn’t listen and killed a man in public!

Uncle Zhong, do you think I don’t want to protect him? He grew up under the Jiang family’s roof, and I’ve always treated him like a brother. But now, we simply can’t cover for him! Don’t worry, the Martial Alliance probably just wants to question him. If anything happens, I, Yan Tian, will do everything to get him out!”

Uncle Zhong grew more anxious, pacing back and forth, glancing worriedly at Su Ye. If it were just a matter of fighting, he’d not lack for courage. But now? Before they set out, the family head had said everything here would be handled by Yan Tian. If they refused to let Su Ye go, wouldn’t that mean opposing the Martial Alliance?

“Su Ye, it’s too dangerous. Why don’t I delay them until nightfall, and you use the chance to escape?” Uncle Zhong suggested cautiously.

Yan Tian flew into a rage. “Are you mad? How could the Jiang family do such a thing? If he flees, what will happen to the whole family? What about the Yu, Zhou, and Ou families demanding justice? Uncle Zhong, I know you mean well, but trust me, nothing will happen! Su Ye is still young—one rash moment is understandable. Let him go; a little hardship will help him grow…”

Uncle Zhong wanted to argue but was interrupted by Su Ye calling out from afar.

“Uncle Zhong! Enough! If they want to question me, I’ll go see them!” Su Ye knew escape was impossible. He clenched his fists and said in a low voice, “I’ve survived until now without fear. Whatever comes, I’ll bear it to the end!”

Uncle Zhong’s body trembled at these words; he hadn’t expected such resolve from Su Ye, and he was moved. Yet, remembering Liu Ying’s plea before they left, he felt a pang of unease.

Soon, several Martial Alliance members came to take Su Ye away.

As Su Ye was escorted off the yacht, many family members witnessed it.

Their eyes reflected a mix of emotions—regret, satisfaction, schadenfreude, and sorrow.

“That’s Su Ye, the genius from three years ago—defeated Yu Zhisha and killed Zhou Yuyang! He’s ruthless, all right.”

“Indeed. But it’s a pity—didn’t they say the tallest tree in the forest is felled by the wind? He loved the spotlight too much, acted without thinking, made too many enemies. Now even the Jiang family can’t protect him.”

“If Ouyang Yunfeng from the Martial Alliance is taking him for questioning, how many people ever return alive? Looks like the Alliance wants to settle things once and for all.” The crowd buzzed with speculation.

Step by step, Su Ye walked on, eventually boarding another luxurious yacht.

His steps grew heavier. He couldn’t understand how things had come to this. He’d only fought back, only acted in self-defense, yet now his life hung on the verdict of others.

Power. Without power, not even one’s life and death are one’s own to decide.

Still, Su Ye was no fool. If the Martial Alliance wanted to see him, so be it. If they couldn’t distinguish right from wrong, he’d carve a bloody path out.

He would never surrender meekly.

Entering the cabin, Su Ye frowned slightly. Despite the yacht’s opulent exterior, inside there was no hint of festivity. Even the sofas were of an aged color, and the television on the wall was switched off, as if untouched for a long time.

Everything here was stark and bare.

Three figures sat before a table, examining calligraphy and paintings, occasionally nodding and marveling at such masterpieces. One of them, a young man, looked frail, as if he hadn’t seen sunlight in ages.

“Young master, the person you wanted to see has arrived,” the martial artist escorting Su Ye announced solemnly.

The three turned slowly to look at Su Ye.

Su Ye also studied them: two were martial artists nearing sixty; the sickly-looking young man in the center appeared in his twenties and wore glasses.

On the way, Su Ye had learned the man he was to meet was Ouyang Yunfeng, also known by the special title “Demon Surgeon”—strange that he should appear so refined and scholarly.

Ouyang Yunfeng spoke at last, “Su Ye, I am Ouyang Yunfeng. Your story is quite something—to emerge alive after fighting jellyfish in the cave. You might be the first.”

Su Ye didn’t understand his meaning, but it was clear this man was no friend. There was no point wasting words; best to get straight to the point.

In a steady voice, Su Ye asked, “What does the Martial Alliance want to know?”

“Oh? In such a hurry? Is it a guilty conscience after the killing, hmm?”