Therefore, even before noon of the second day, the whole of Nan Zhou City was already in an uproar.

Furthermore, with Yibao Commerce Guild intentionally seeking to vindicate Ye Luo, the gossip quickly spread far and wide.

Of course, this gossip was actually speaking the truth!

"Hey, have you heard? The Junior City Lord colluded with the traitors of the Nalan Family, scheming to seize the Nalan Family’s wealth, and even wanted to force the Nalan Family’s eldest daughter to become his concubine!"

"Isn’t that the truth? Can it be that the person executing such acts is our Junior City Lord? Such a disgrace; with the City Lord being so divinely martial, how could he have such an unfilial and rebellious son!"

"Let’s not discuss these matters, they are not for us to comment on. However, I’ve heard that today at noon, that Ye Luo will take the Junior City Lord to the City Lord’s Mansion for a hostage exchange. It remains to be seen whether this is true or not!"

"What’s true or not? The city gates are already completely sealed off by the guards of the City Lord’s Mansion, do you really think this could be false?"

With people discussing, the power of rumors is formidable. By noon, virtually everyone in Nan Zhou City was aware of the incident, and many had even gathered at the city gates, ready to watch the show unfold!

At noon, Ye Luo, along with the Junior City Lord, driving their grand carriage, arrived at the city gates. This time, whether it was Nalan Rou or Lu Yi, Ye Luo did not let them disembark; instead, he deliberately had the carriage modified to be drawn by four horses, as he had his own plans in mind.

Soon, a squad of guards from the City Lord’s Mansion appeared, escorting the traitors of the Nalan Family and carrying Nalan Chen with them.

"Boy, we have brought the people as you demanded, will you not release the Junior City Lord now?"

A chief officer from the City Lord’s Mansion shouted at Ye Luo, as the two parties were at a certain distance from each other, making it impossible to talk quietly.

At this moment, the sky above and the ground below were already crowded with countless figures, all of whom came to witness the truth after hearing the news spread by the Yibao Commerce Guild.

"Release him? Of course, I will, but before that, I do have a few words I would like to say!"

The Lingyun Sword in Ye Luo’s hand remained pointed at the Junior City Lord’s throat; with the Junior City Lord’s strength sealed, he truly lacked any capacity to defend himself. Of course, given his timid nature, he wouldn’t dare make any superfluous moves either.

Seeing so many people had come, Ye Luo knew this was his opportunity to clear the Nalan Family’s name.

Perhaps, even after being exonerated, Nalan Rou might not be able to stay in Nan Zhou City any longer, but Ye Luo still wished to clarify everything!

Ye Luo cleared his throat, then narrated in detail everything from his chance encounter with Nalan Rou being ambushed by assassins, to the matter at Tai’an Manor and the Junior City Lord of Yongfeng City colluding with the Junior City Lord of Nan Zhou City to suppress the Nalan Family, pushing them into dire straits, and then how the Junior City Lord stepped forward pretending to be the good guy, seeking to profit from both the people and the wealth.

Subsequently, Ye Luo also revealed how the Junior City Lord attempted to bribe him to act as a spy and how he conspired with these traitors of the Nalan Family to seize the Nalan Family’s assets, one by one!

"That’s the whole story. You might still harbor doubts, thinking I may be lying. Well then, now that the Nalan family members and the Junior City Lord are all here, feel free to ask them and verify everything!"

"Why do you think Nalan Chen, the Grand Manager, was bound at the city wall and suffered such torture? Even if he had committed a grave crime, have you ever seen such cruel punishment? Let me tell you the truth, this was all orchestrated by your great Junior City Lord; he simply wanted to coerce me and the young miss out into the open!"

"And now, as he wished, here I am!"

Confidence graced Ye Luo’s face; killing a man is no more than a nod from one’s head!

If Ye Luo wanted to kill the Junior City Lord, he could easily do so. However, Ye Luo did not intend to kill him but to destroy him, to make him live his life unable to hold his head high ever again!

Thus, Ye Luo aimed to strike him at his heart, seeking to expose the Junior City Lord’s vile truths from his own mouth!

People were abuzz with speculation, but upon seeing the silent Junior City Lord and the so-called members of the Nalan Family trembling on the ground, everyone understood the situation completely!

Suddenly, a voice rang out.

"Miss, I was forced into this. The Grand Elder colluded with the Junior City Lord and gained control of the entire family without us noticing. My own family is in their hands; I had no choice but to comply. However, I swear, I have never done anything to betray Miss!"

This was the steward of the Nalan Family.

Ye Luo faintly remembered that this fellow had not acted like this in the council hall previously; he was quite arrogant back then!

What, now trying to play for sympathy?

Too bad, it’s useless!

Nalan Rou had entrusted everything to Ye Luo. In her heart, all she wanted was to rescue Nalan Chen, especially after she saw that none of the Elders who were once loyal to her were there today; Nalan Rou had lost all hope!

Thinking a few words could gain Nalan Rou’s sympathy?

How beautifully wishful thinking they have!

"Miss, we were wrong, we were truly forced. The Junior City Lord and the Grand Elder are too powerful; we had no choice!"

Two other Elders were crying loudly, but unfortunately, Nalan Rou was completely unmoved.

At this moment, Lu Yi was by Nalan Rou’s side, whispering to her, "Miss need not be so troubled. These people deserve to die. Leave it to the young master; he will handle this properly!"

Nalan Rou nodded, but her hand was tightly grasping Lu Yi’s, obviously she was far from being unaffected deep inside.

"Enough, cut the crap, bring Chief Steward Chen over! Don’t try any tricks, or more holes might end up in your Junior City Lord!"

Ye Luo said indifferently, but his words startled the Junior City Lord.

Yesterday, Ye Luo had given him two cuts, neither of them fatal, but they made him lose much blood. The bleeding was not the key issue; what was crucial was Ye Luo’s method of stopping the blood flow, which was extremely rough!

Ever seen salt poured onto a wound?

Ye Luo had done exactly that, under the guise of disinfecting the Junior City Lord’s wounds!

Not just salt, but also strong liquor!

Ye Luo truly did disinfect the Junior City Lord’s wounds, just that the method was too brutal.

So when the Junior City Lord heard Ye Luo say he would make more holes, he shouted without hesitation: "Quick, quick, what are you waiting for? Release him!"

What a fool!

Ye Luo smiled inwardly. Did he really think that by releasing the hostage, he would be safe?

Of course, Ye Luo would not point this out, and the guards from the City Lord’s Mansion, realizing that once Nalan Chen was out of their control they would be at an even greater disadvantage, had no other choice but to follow Ye Luo’s commands.