That night, the impact of Ye Yu's actions at the Imperial Capital's parade grounds during the day quietly rippled through the entire city, bringing the Arm-Swallowing Demon, renowned for severing countless arms, to everyone's attention.
Inside the Emperor's bedchamber, a middle-aged man with sunken cheeks and a frail physique sat in bed. Standing beside him was an old veteran carrying a broad sword, a chain extending from the pommel.
In the middle-aged man's withered hands was a sheet of paper—the list of talented individuals who had stood out in the Martial Arts Tournament trials. Ye Yu's name was circled in red.
"The Arm-Swallowing Demon... *cough, cough*." The middle-aged man murmured softly, looking terminally ill as he began coughing before he could even finish the sentence.
"Your Majesty, please take care of your imperial health." Seeing him cough, the old veteran hastily handed him a cup of water.
After taking a sip of water, the middle-aged man's complexion eased somewhat. He handed the cup back and slowly said, "Enide, what do you think of this Arm-Swallowing Demon?"
This sickly-looking middle-aged man was none other than Modeer, the current Emperor of the Empire, while the old man was Enide, the Empire's strongest.
"In this subject's view, this young man is of use." Enide bowed, then continued, "He was born in Linluo City, far from the Imperial Capital, so he hasn't been deeply affected by the capital's corruption. He was raised by an old woman in his childhood."
Pondering his phrasing, Enide went on, "After that old woman was murdered by local nobles, he lived in hardship until he killed Kuro, the police chief of Linluo City, not long ago, and traveled all the way north to the Imperial Capital."
"Though it's unclear where he learned such formidable martial arts, we can at least be certain that he won't lean toward the Prime Minister's faction."
"Oh? Why do you say that?" Modeer murmured.
Enide looked around and, seeing that the surroundings were secure and free from eavesdroppers, stepped close to Modeer's ear and whispered, "Someone once saw him in Guangxi Town with Lox, the former City Guard instructor who was persecuted by the Prime Minister."
"I understand. You may withdraw first."
Enide bowed to Modeer and quietly left the Emperor's bedchamber. Modeer stared fixedly at Ye Yu's name on the list, muttering lost in thought, "Can you really stand against Prime Minister Honest?"
***
Meanwhile, inside an extremely luxurious palace, Gohzuki stood before a massive, obese mountain of flesh. The mountain kept shoving meat into its mouth, completely unconcerned with the meat juices staining its white beard, surrounded by a cluster of beauties.
"You're saying that brat named Ye Yu is dangerous?" This gigantic mountain of flesh was none other than Prime Minister Honest, the only person currently capable of directly commanding the Four Rakshasas.
"Yes. Do we need me to eliminate him? If he were merely an alchemist who had undergone rejuvenation, it wouldn't matter much. What's terrifying is that his age matches his appearance! If that's the case, his room for growth is simply too immense!" Gohzuki said with lingering fear.
He never denied human potential; he himself had been called a genius by his master since childhood. Yet Ye Yu was the only person he had ever seen possess such formidable strength at such a tender age.
Prime Minister Honest stopped chewing, casually reached out with his free hand to grab one of the beauties, pinched her shapely buttocks ruthlessly, and then snatched her dress right off to wipe his mouth.
The beauty could only use her hands to cover her body, curling up in shame without daring to utter a sound.
"His Imperial Majesty needs a magnificent Martial Arts Tournament! If he vanishes, what will I do when His Majesty blames me?!" Prime Minister Honest suddenly stood up and roared at Gohzuki.
Gohzuki seemed accustomed to this kind of exchange and made no movement.
"However, if he were to die at the hands of an ordinary person, a fighter like that wouldn't even be worthy of performing for His Majesty." Prime Minister Honest's tone softened as he sat back down in his oversized chair, saying indifferently, "If he dies, he dies."
At that moment, a beauty trembling beside him while kneading his arm and giving him a massage was suddenly grabbed by the head by his large hand and hurled directly to Gohzuki's feet, as he roared, "Too much strength! Are you trying to massage me to death?!"
The other beauties still standing quickly lightened their touch, terrified they might end up like the woman on the floor.
Gohzuki glanced at the beauty lying at his feet with blood trickling from her head and said indifferently, "Understood."
He turned and left the room.
Prime Minister Honest lay back comfortably, enjoying the attentions of the beauties.
***
After a peaceful day passed, there was only one more day left before the official start of the Martial Arts Tournament.
Ye Yu was wandering the main streets with Luoying. He had almost mapped out the entire layout of the Imperial Capital by now, and had even explored the slums yesterday, where he spotted Leone playing with some children.
However, Ye Yu did not disturb her. After all, Leone had kept this hidden from him all along, and there was no need for Ye Yu to intentionally puncture that bubble.
Later, he also saw Berkeley patrolling the main streets of the Imperial Capital. The two exchanged a few words on the roadside and got along quite harmoniously, and Ye Yu even bought a crêpe for little Seryu.
Despite being just a child, she was able to patrol the streets with her father every day. One had to admit that Seryu's inner resolve was indeed remarkably strong.
Ye Yu went to a children's clothing store and bought a large quantity of clothes. Now that he seemed to be hitting a growth spurt—changing practically day by day—he needed to stock up on clothes to avoid suddenly having nothing to wear.
He changed his clothes quite frequently; sometimes he would discard several pieces in a single day.
After all, there was no need to keep wearing blood-stained clothes.
After packing dinner for Lox and delivering it to his room, Ye Yu returned to his own room carrying bags of all sizes.
He tossed the clothes into a corner and began working out, continuing until evening.
After taking a shower, Ye Yu walked out of the bathroom, drying his hair with a towel.
Just then, a dart flew in through the open window. Ye Yu sidestepped to dodge it, his eyes instantly turning sharp.
Hearing the commotion in Ye Yu's room, Lox quickly rushed over from his own room and asked alertly, "Young Master, what's going on?"
Gazing at the dart, Ye Yu quickly changed into black clothing, picked up Luoying, and walked toward the window, preparing to observe the situation outside.
Let's assess the situation first.
As soon as he appeared at the window, several more darts shot toward his newly poked-out head. Ye Yu glanced in that direction and quickly ducked down.
"Old Lox, go back first. They are here for me; you haven't been exposed yet." Ye Yu leaned against the wall and said to Lox.
Lox hadn't been attacked when he came through the window just now, which meant the opponent's sole target was him alone.
"Understood, Young Master. Please exercise utmost caution." With that, Lox prepared to walk out of the room; he would always obey Ye Yu's orders.
"Wait, if I haven't come back in half an hour, come look for me." Ye Yu frowned. He had felt uneasy ever since the dart appeared, and just to be safe, he needed to arrange a backup plan.
"Yes." Lox checked his pocket watch and watched Ye Yu leap gracefully out the window.
As Ye Yu vaulted past the window, several darts grazed over his head. Using a roll to cushion the impact of the jump from the upper floor, he plunged into a thicket of bushes without hesitation to conceal his figure.
In a quiet grove not far away, five figures dressed in black scanned their surroundings alertly, moving slowly toward the spot where Ye Yu had landed.
That brat had vanished from his room without a trace, instantly heightening their vigilance. After all, with the past two days of spreading rumors, Ye Yu's moniker as the Arm-Swallowing Demon was now practically a household name throughout the Imperial Capital.
"Hell, where did that kid hide?"
"Keep your voice down! What if he finds out where we are?"
"He figured it out long ago! He's in the shadows now, and we're out in the open!"
"It's all your fault for throwing those darts! Didn't that completely expose our position?"
"Stop arguing, the mission comes first!"
"..."
Following a sharp reprimand, the five-person assassination squad instantly fell silent. The leader cursed inwardly: how could anyone dare speak so loudly on an assassination run? Were they in that much of a hurry to die?
Damn it, I'm never going on a mission with these four idiots again!