Raising Orphans, Not Assassins

In the village engulfed in the flames of battle, a figure suddenly appeared on the narrow path.

He wore a simple yellow hemp shirt and a red mask with white patterns.

Hearing the soft sigh, everyone present turned to look at the figure.

Tie Ying’s eyes lit up when he saw the man, and he laughed. “Brother Hua? You’re here to join the fun too?”

Tie Ying vividly remembered this young man who had managed to block his Eagle Claw earlier.

Chen Ye said nothing. Instead, he reached into his robe and pulled out a silver mask with a leaf motif engraved on its edges.

In the next instant—

The figure on the village path vanished. All that remained was the red mask with white patterns, which fell to the ground with a soft “plop.”

At the same time, a calm and gentle voice rang out from behind the Wanjin Hall group.

“Come back with me.”

Monk Qingyuan, Fire Dragon King, Tie Ying, and the three Tang Sect disciples all turned their heads in unison.

Their faces twisted in shock as they locked onto the yellow-robed figure now standing in the midst of the Fengyu Tower assassins.

The mask on the man’s face had turned silver, its edges adorned with the leaf motif.

Chen Ye gently reached out and ruffled Xiao Lian’s hair.

The assassins from Fengyu Tower stared at the masked man who had suddenly appeared among them. Their hearts pounded, and their pupils contracted.

So fast!

Such terrifying speed!

If this man had come with murderous intent, they would already be dead!

Xiao Lian froze, feeling the warmth of his touch on her head.

Then, she heard that familiar, gentle voice—filled with joy and disbelief.

“D-Director?”

Chen Ye smiled faintly and patted her head.

Tie Ying’s eyes were wide as saucers as he stared at the masked man who had appeared so effortlessly in the center of the Fengyu Tower assassins. His jaw dropped, his face a picture of utter astonishment.

“Hua Dong…”

“Dong Hua…”

“So that’s it!”

He murmured to himself, his expression a mix of realization and shock.

So Hua Dong was Dong Hua all along!

Tie Ying’s expression turned awkward.

Earlier that afternoon, he had been bragging endlessly to “Hua Dong.”

Now Tie Ying wished he could find a hole to crawl into and hide.

The others present, hearing Tie Ying’s words, also realized the identity of the yellow-robed masked man.

“Dong Hua?”

Monk Qingyuan slightly squinted his eyes, his expression retracting into a serious one.

Fire Dragon King also directed his gaze towards Chen Ye, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

The steel ball that had been constantly twirling in his right hand suddenly came to a stop.

The three Tang Sect disciples looked at Chen Ye with curiosity.

Was this the Dong Hua of the trial? Wasn’t he out of worldly affairs? Why was he here?

With Chen Ye's appearance, the atmosphere in the area strangely quieted.

“Whoosh… Whoosh…”

The sound of light footsteps echoed from behind the Wanjin Hall group.

The other hall masters and five Tang Sect elders had already killed off the remaining second-grade assassins and had arrived at the scene.

A middle-aged man dressed as a wealthy merchant, his face adorned with a smile, gracefully landed next to Monk Qingyuan and Fire Dragon King, using qinggong.

On his right thumb, he wore a ruby ring, which he slowly rubbed.

“What’s going on?”

The wealthy merchant looked at the injured assassins with a grin, his gaze briefly lingering on Chen Ye.

When no one responded, the wealthy merchant turned his attention to Tie Ying. “Xiao Ying, what’s going on?”

Tie Ying’s mouth twitched, and he gritted his teeth, speaking through clenched jaws, “Hall Master Jin, that man is Dong Hua.”

The middle-aged merchant narrowed his eyes slightly, a trace of caution flickering in his gaze.

He was the Hall Master of Wanjin Hall's Jinchan Hall, a first-grade martial artist himself.

“Dong Hua?”

The newly arrived hall master and Tang Sect elders turned to look at Chen Ye.

Xu Xiaolin, upon seeing Chen Ye, showed a look of surprise.

It was him.

Xu Xiaolin remembered the ghost-like agility of Dong Hua’s light body technique when they had encountered each other outside of Jiangning City.

Chen Ye, dressed in yellow, with a tall and slender figure, and a silver leaf-patterned mask on his face, stood calmly at the center of the crowd.

At that moment, a cold mechanical voice rang in Chen Ye's ears.

[Ding!]

[Daily settlement initiated!]

“Skip.”

Chen Ye silently thought to himself.

Now was not the time for the daily settlement.

[Ding!]

[Total points earned: 105]

[Remaining points: 4077]

A phantom blue light screen popped up in front of Chen Ye’s eyes.

[Ding!]

[Xiao Lian’s gratitude level has increased!]

[Current gratitude level: 85%]

[Ding!]

[Congratulations! You have obtained one opportunity for the Director's skill draw!]

A trace of surprise flashed in Chen Ye's eyes.

It had reached 85%!

Without hesitation, he silently thought, “System, draw the skill!”

[Ding!]

[Skill draw in progress...]

…

“Crack, crack…”

“Boom!”

The sound of buildings collapsing and burning echoed around the village.

The air was thick with the stench of blood and the smell of charred bodies.

“It’s him!”

Qin Yi's face turned pale as she whispered to herself.

She recognized the ghostly agility of Chen Ye’s movements, recalling the night she had spoken with Xiao Lian in Yuhang County.

There had been a person who appeared then.

His movements were like that of a ghost.

Other assassins also turned their attention to Chen Ye, their eyes filled with concern and uncertainty.

No one knew what Dong Hua was here for.

The hall master of Wanjin Hall and the Tang Sect elders remained silent.

They merely watched Chen Ye.

Anyone who could be considered a peer of Qing Xuzi was certainly no simple figure!

Chen Ye didn’t speak. He stared at the phantom blue light screen before him.

[Ding!]

[Congratulations, host! You have drawn the skill: Origin of Qi Body]

[Origin of Qi Body: The body is filled with innate Qi, boundless and endless, and can be used as internal strength.]

At the moment the skill was drawn—

“Boom!”

A deafening sound rang out.

Yuyu: Hi, guys. So I have a little challenge for y'all.

1) For every 10 votes on NU, we'll give out a bonus chapter.

2) If we reach 400 people on reading list ( NU reading list), we'll give out another 2 chapters

3) For every 2 reviews on NU, we'll give out a Bonus chapter till 10 reviews.

Thanks, guys.