Of course, this was exactly what Ye Luo had hoped for. Without a shred of hesitation, Ye Luo led his people in fleeing toward another direction!

In truth, those who followed Ye Luo knew very well that most of them would likely perish, yet they remained steadfast and unwavering.

Because in their hearts, if not for Ye Luo, they, too, would have had no chance of survival!

Even if they lived, they would lack freedom, living as mere pawns, no better than playthings!

Thus, they would rather die with freedom!

Ye Luo had not disclosed his true identity; after all, among these people, Ye Luo couldn’t be certain who was genuinely loyal to him, and who might be agents of the Yingchen Family!

Therefore, at this moment, everyone referred to Ye Luo simply as "Young Master."

"Young Master, fleeing in this manner is no solution. Our group’s strength varies greatly. If we remain concentrated like this, it’s just a matter of time before the enemy catches up. It might be better if you take the stronger companions and go ahead, leaving the rest of us behind to cover your retreat and buy you time!"

One individual stepped forward and addressed Ye Luo, clearly voicing a proposal that had been discussed among the group.

But would Ye Luo agree?

Ye Luo was ruthless and unreserved when dealing with enemies, killing without so much as a furrowed brow.

But that was toward his enemies!

Toward his own people, Ye Luo had always been fiercely protective!

Even though these servants had just recently joined him, and were people he had rescued, Ye Luo could never abandon them!

In Ye Luo’s heart, since these people had chosen to trust him, then he bore the duty to do his utmost to protect them!

Even if he couldn’t save everyone, saving one was better than saving none!

Ye Luo smiled faintly but said to them instead.

"You go. I’ll stay behind to cover the retreat! Remember, without my order, none of you are to return!"

"Young Master, please don’t! Your life is far too precious, while we are merely lowly servants. You must not risk yourself for our sake!"

Ye Luo glanced at the man speaking. He knew that these words were not wrong; they were indeed mere servants, the lowest class in the Great Tang Empire.

But so what? In Ye Luo’s eyes, they were not lowly. They had flesh and blood, their own thoughts, and their own pursuits—they were human too!

"Enough, no more arguing! If you stay behind, you’ll only drag me down! Go quickly!"

Ye Luo waved his hand fiercely and issued orders to the group directly.

By dividing his forces again and again, Ye Luo was doing it only to save as many people as possible!

"Young Master, let the others leave. We’ll stay behind to assist you!"

The speakers were several guards. They had chosen to follow Ye Luo either because they disdained the ways of the Yingchen Family or because their own families had suffered from Yingchen Family’s oppression!

Ye Luo nodded. These guards, at least, had some strength and were capable of fighting. As for the others, Ye Luo would not keep them behind.

Receiving Ye Luo’s orders, although the group felt hesitant, they knew, deep down, that Ye Luo’s words were true. Even among servants, they might be considered strong, but their strength remained too insignificant. Staying behind would only drag Ye Luo down, leaving them no choice but to leave!

After this latest division of forces, fewer than a hundred people remained at Ye Luo’s side.

Any further reduction was no longer feasible!

After all, if the numbers continued to decrease, the enemy might also split their forces, creating even more unnecessary trouble!

Ye Luo understood this, so he positioned his group squarely in the middle of the road!

Waiting for Yingchen Dao’s arrival!

And soon enough, Yingchen Dao arrived, leading his men with killing intent radiating fiercely. In truth, Yingchen Dao was fully aware of Ye Luo’s reasons for splitting his forces, but he simply did not care!

Standing before Ye Luo, Yingchen Dao took one look at him and immediately recognized his identity!

Perhaps for these servants, whose access to information was limited, Ye Luo’s identity was unclear—but for Yingchen Dao, a City Lord no less, how could he not know Ye Luo?

Yingchen Dao’s brow furrowed slightly. Instead of attacking immediately, he secretly sent out a message.

The Ninth Prince of the Great Tang Empire, trespassing into his territory and rescuing his slaves—no matter the perspective, the situation seemed unusual. Thus, Yingchen Dao dared not act rashly before understanding the whole situation.

However, the response he received was swift and decisive.

Just three words!

"Kill without mercy!"

This directive came directly from the Yingchen Family Head.

As a City Lord of the Yingchen Family, Yingchen Dao naturally held a core position and was well aware of some inner workings of the clan.

At this moment, upon hearing the Family Head’s orders, Yingchen Dao quickly understood his intentions!

Firstly, Ye Luo was the aggressor who had instigated conflict with the Yingchen Family, meaning there was no room for negotiation. Should the Yingchen Family let Ye Luo go today, it wouldn’t be long before Ye Luo returned, potentially wiping out the Yingchen Family entirely!

Secondly, the Yingchen Family secretly pledged allegiance to the Third Prince. On the surface, there seemed to be no major conflict between Ye Luo, the Ninth Prince, and the Third Prince. Yet, now that Ye Luo had established the Western Palace independently, he had nearly reached a status equal to the Crown Prince, completely overshadowing all other princes besides the Crown Prince. Therefore, not only the Third Prince but virtually every prince would kill Ye Luo if given the chance!

Yingchen Dao smirked slightly. "You seek the Netherworld though its gates are closed. If so, don’t blame me for my ruthlessness!"

The Imperial Family? Perhaps others viewed them as sacred, but to the powerful families, the Imperial Family was nothing special, regarded no more highly than a somewhat stronger version of their own clan!

Coupled with the blood feud of a child’s death, it was clear to Yingchen Dao: Ye Luo must die!

"Attack!"

With a casual wave of his hand, Yingchen Dao directed his guards to strike!

In his eyes, while Ye Luo had to die, he did not wish to shoulder the stigma of slaughtering a prince. Even though the order came directly from the Family Head, should he follow it through, he might one day end up as a scapegoat!

The guards, who knew nothing of these intricacies, didn’t care. To them, the City Lord’s orders were absolute!

In an instant, hundreds of soldiers from the City Lord’s Mansion took to the air, charging toward Ye Luo.

"Engage!"

Ye Luo unsheathed the Lingyun Sword, its tip aimed diagonally toward the sky, issuing his command indifferently.

At once, those by Ye Luo’s side launched themselves into the air, clashing with the Yingchen Family’s guards!

However, at that very moment, suddenly, a dozen individuals who had just sworn their allegiance to Ye Luo shifted their targets, shockingly turning their attacks toward Ye Luo and his companions!

Damn it!

These scoundrels couldn’t resist scheming after all!