C33 The Commotion Caused by Yama

Ye Xiao's string of challenges and decisive victories left the audience thoroughly entertained, and the name Yama became a byword, quickly spreading throughout all of Night City. In the modest Night City animal fighting ring, there were numerous arena masters, yet it was rare to encounter such dominant figures. Someone who could effortlessly secure five consecutive wins was even scarcer; this year, Blademaster was the sole individual to achieve this feat. However, today, another name was added to that short list: Yama.

The news of Blademaster's impending challenge to Yama sent shockwaves through Night City. The clash between these two top-tier arena masters captured the rapt attention of many.

The rise of Yama also sent tremors through the city's two major families. One of them was, of course, the Wang Family, which had previously pursued Ye Xiao. Wang Jiang, leading a contingent of the Royal Guard, had set out to eliminate Ye Xiao but instead faced a humiliating defeat, allowing a Primitive-level individual to elude a Yuan Master-level expert without a scratch.

The Wang Family was incensed by the return of Wang Jiang and his battered troops. A mere Primitive had not only thwarted the Wang Family's plans but also inflicted significant losses. How could the Wang Family, the overlord of Night City, accept this?

Wang Jiang faced severe repercussions, and the Wang Family's Great Elder, Wang Yihao, took matters into his own hands. He ordered the head of the Royal Guard to lead the investigation and issued a directive to the city's guards to aid in the pursuit.

Despite nearly ten days of relentless searching, which turned Night City upside down, not a trace of Yama was found. It seemed as though he had no history, with no information about him outside of his appearances in the animal fighting ring and the marketplace. This left the Wang Family simmering with frustration and unable to vent their fury.

Inside the Wang Family's outer residence, a flurry of urgent footsteps approached, followed by the sharp sound of a door being flung open. The man who entered was none other than Wang Jiang, the very one who had been hunting Ye Xiao.

In recent days, Wang Jiang had been consumed by a mix of rage and helplessness. His brother had been slain, the murderer had slipped through his fingers, and his men had suffered grievous losses. Upon his return, the Wang Family had punished him and stripped him of his captaincy.

Days of fruitless searching had passed without so much as a glimpse of Yama, leaving Wang Jiang mired in deep frustration. It seemed likely that their quarry had already fled Night City. After all, few would dare to remain within its bounds after crossing the mighty Wang Family.

Startled awake by the sound of the door being pushed open, Wang Jiang leapt from his bed and barked, "Who's there?"

"Captain, it's me!" It was one of Wang Jiang's former subordinates. Despite Wang Jiang having been stripped of his captaincy, his formidable cultivation skills still commanded respect and fear from his previous underlings.

"What's the matter?" Seeing his own subordinate, Wang Jiang's anger subsided, but a trace of irritation lingered in his voice.

"Captain, I've located Yama's trail!" the man announced urgently.

"What?" Wang Jiang was taken aback. Yama, whom he had been searching for days, had resurfaced. Fueled by a thirst for vengeance and a desire to clear his name, Wang Jiang was electrified by the news. "Where?"

"At the animal fighting ring. I've just learned that Yama won four consecutive battles yesterday and today, claiming the title of arena champion. And there's more—news just came in that the renowned Blademaster is set to challenge Yama!"

Momentarily stunned, Wang Jiang quickly composed himself and strode out of the room, making a beeline for the inner courtyard.

With the family already aware of the situation and Ye Xiao's whereabouts now discovered, Wang Jiang knew better than to act alone.

He approached a small courtyard entrance and, with due respect, offered a fist-and-palm salute to the disciple guarding the gate. "Please inform the Great Elder that Wang Jiang has urgent matters to report."

No longer a captain but still a Yuan Master, Wang Jiang was not someone the gatekeeper could afford to slight. The disciple nodded and went inside to relay the message.

Shortly thereafter, the disciple returned and addressed Wang Jiang, "The Great Elder is not in meditation; you may enter now."

Taking a deep breath, Wang Jiang crossed the threshold. There, a grey-robed elder stood, hands clasped behind his back.

Wang Jiang bowed deeply, "Disciple Wang Jiang pays his respects to the First Elder!"

Wang Yihao, the Great Clan Elder of the Wang Family, was one of the two King Yuan experts and held sway over the clan's rewards and punishments. All disciples of the Wang Family regarded him with a mix of reverence and fear.

"Why have you come instead of reflecting on your actions?" the elder's voice, tinged with age, drifted to Wang Jiang's ears.

"Great Elder, I bring news of Yama, whom we've been tracking these past days. I came immediately to report," Wang Jiang replied, his gaze lowered in deference.

"Oh?" Wang Yihao's voice carried a trace of surprise.

He was well aware of Yama, the minor Primitive-level figure who had embarrassed the Wang Family, but he didn't consider him significant. To Wang Yihao, a Primitive level, even one that defied the heavens, was akin to an ant.

"Yama is now in the animal fighting ring, acting as the arena master!" Wang Jiang, noticing the Great Elder's silence, bowed his head and continued.

"Animal fighting ring?" Wang Yihao finally turned his attention.

"Very well, accompany me. We're going to the animal fighting ring to fetch this person!"

Master Teng of the Ye Family, who seldom left his courtyard, ventured out today. The recent marketplace incident had Ye Xiao's father, Ye Pingnan, and Master Teng feeling uneasy. The Wang Family, unable to stand the current peace, seemed poised to strike at the Ye Family.

Teng Yunhu, the sole King Yuan of the Ye Family, was under immense pressure.

Luckily, the emergence of the mysterious Yama had thrown the Wang Family's plans into disarray, providing the Ye Family with a brief respite.

Reflecting on his encounter with Ye Xiao, Master Teng sighed softly. If the Ye Family had such a promising descendant, they could rise again, no matter how fallen. But now, Ye Xiao, the Ye Family's only scion, was... With that thought, he released another resigned, lengthy sigh.

Today, Teng Yunhu found it impossible to settle his mind during meditation and, feeling restless, stepped out of his courtyard to wander the mansion grounds.

Two old servants, just returned from outside, greeted Master Teng with a bow. He nodded and continued on his way.

But their conversation abruptly halted Master Teng's steps.

"Wait!" Master Teng called out to the old servants.

Startled, they turned around and asked, "Is there something you need, Master Teng?"

"Were you discussing Yama?" he inquired.

The old servants exchanged puzzled glances. Could it be that Master Teng, always engrossed in his cultivation, was aware of Ye Xiao's renown?

One of them stepped forward and said, "We're discussing Lord Yama. He's triumphed in five straight matches, all against top-tier Origin Beasts. Now he's the reigning champion of the animal fighting ring, and there's buzz that the Blademaster himself is looking to challenge Lord Yama. The question is, will Lord Yama accept?"

Upon hearing this, Master Teng's gaze flickered. He had naturally looked into Yama's background after their encounter, but came up empty. And now, Yama had surfaced in the animal fighting ring.

Master Teng was well aware of the Blademaster's reputation. Though he had only met Yama once, he couldn't shake the feeling that Yama was a cut above the rest.

After a brief reflection, he waved his hand to dismiss the two elderly servants. With a swift motion, he vanished from sight.