Bleach: From the moment I was invited by Squad Zero.

Even late at night, the area around "Liuliyuan" was not completely silent.

There will be the light, rhythmic footsteps of the night patrol servants, and the faint whispers of the night shift workers coming from the kitchen or storeroom in the distance.

But tonight, those sounds seem to have all disappeared.

The night patrol servants haven't appeared near "Ruriin" for over an hour.

No sounds could be heard from afar; even the usual chirping of insects seemed to be deliberately muffled, or... simply absent.

The air seemed to freeze, carrying a stuffy, suffocating feeling that made it hard to breathe.

"Enryu," Inuryu's steady voice, tinged with a barely perceptible hint of solemnity, rang in Enryu's mind through their unique spiritual communication.

"Something's not right, it's too quiet."

"call--"

A gentle breeze quietly swept through the bamboo grove in the corner of the courtyard, swirling up a few withered leaves and sending them drifting towards the stone steps in front of the "Liuli Pavilion".

It was just an ordinary night breeze, but in this stagnant and deathly atmosphere, it seemed particularly abrupt.

The ape-dragon guarding the stone steps suddenly twitched its eyelids!

He didn't sense spiritual pressure in the wind, but rather a near-beast-like instinctual warning of danger honed through countless life-or-death battles—

The wind carried a faint, extremely subtle sound of metal rubbing against the air!

"drink!"

Without the slightest hesitation, the Monkey King unleashed a short, thunderous roar!

His massive body suddenly took a half step to the right with an astonishing speed that belied his size, while his arms, which had been clasped in front of his chest, crossed and rose in a flash, blocking the attack in front of him!

"clang--!!!"

The ear-piercing clang of metal shattered the silence of the night! A strangely shaped, long, narrow, jet-black blade emerged from the shadows in front of the ape-dragon, its target aimed directly at his throat!

At that moment, the fatal blow struck the dog-dragon's crossed arm armor as it parried! The blade collided with the heavy arm armor, exploding into a trail of blinding sparks!

The immense impact caused the ape-dragon's towering body to sway violently.

But his lower body was extremely stable, and he managed to withstand this sudden and ruthless sneak attack!

A tingling numbness ran through my arm guard, a testament to the power of the opponent's strike!

"Enemy attack—!!!"

The roar of the ape-dragon was like a thunderclap, instantly resounding throughout the entire "Ruri-in," carrying unparalleled fury and a warning.

This roar was not only meant to intimidate the attackers, but also to warn the guards around the Xia Da Road area!

however……

The roar subsided, its echo lingering in the empty courtyard before gradually fading away.

There was no chaotic footsteps as expected, no shouts or responses from other guards, and not even the most basic alarm gong that should have been sounded during a nighttime attack!

The entire "Liuliyuan," no, it seemed, the entire vast Kasumidaji family compound, fell into an eerie silence.

It was as if the enormous roar of the ape-dragon was merely a pebble thrown into an endless abyss, without even causing a ripple.

Yuanlong's heart sank to the bottom in an instant.

After blocking the strange black sword, his Zanpakuto "Daichi-maru" was already unsheathed. He gripped it tightly with both hands, holding it horizontally in front of him, its icy blade pointing in the direction from which the sneak attack came.

His rugged face was now filled with disbelief and rage.

Just then, the attacker, having missed his attack, did not continue his assault. Instead, he slowly stepped out of the shadows.

The moonlight shone down, illuminating the figures of people.

The newcomer was covered in menacing black warrior armor, with terrifying scars from his forehead to the bridge of his nose, and a black mask covering his mouth and nose.

“Kujii…Hanzaka!” Yuanlong squeezed out the name through gritted teeth, his voice filled with deep-seated hatred and fear.

Of course he recognized this person: Yun Jingyaojue's most vicious henchman, the actual controller of the assassination squad, whose hands were stained with the blood of countless loyal retainers of the family head's lineage.

The strangely shaped black sword in Guanjing Han's left hand hung casually at his side, its blade gleaming ominously in the moonlight.

His eyes calmly swept over the dog-dragon, who looked as if facing a formidable enemy, and then seemed to glance at the still-silent courtyard around them before his voice rang out:

"Stop your pointless shouting. Apart from you two stubborn fools, there is no one else in or around this 'Ruriin'."

All guards who might be in the way or not "obedient" enough were transferred away by Lord Yunjing as early as nightfall under the pretext of "strengthening perimeter security" and "being reassigned to carry out emergency missions".

Now, here we are, with you who are about to rest in peace, and... the distinguished lady in the building.

"What?!" Although Yuanlong had a premonition, hearing the other party say so bluntly that the entire "Ruriin" had become an isolated island still shocked him.

He subconsciously tried to activate his spiritual power, using the most basic communication techniques, attempting to contact other forces within the family that might still be loyal to the head of the family, or to send an alarm to the Seireitei.

However, spiritual energy was like hitting an invisible and tough wall, unable to penetrate it at all, let alone form an effective communication wave!

The entire Xia Dalu family's territory seemed to be shrouded in a huge, invisible cage!

"It's useless." As if seeing through his intentions, Guanjing Hanzai's hoarse voice rang out again, carrying a cold indifference like a cat playing with a mouse.

"When you noticed the 'quiet,' Lord Yunjing had already activated the highest level of isolation barrier inherited by his family—'Four Directions Sound Seclusion.'"

At this moment, everything happening in the Xia Dalu family—the spiritual pressure fluctuations, the sounds—is imperceptible to the outside world as long as it doesn't exceed a certain limit.

Similarly, within the barrier, any attempts by ghostly or spiritual means to transmit information outwards will be blocked. You cannot escape, nor can you call for help.

"The Four Directions are Silent..." From the shadows came the cold voice of Inu-ryu, who had already arrived a few steps away from Ape-ryu.

His expression was even more grim than that of the ape dragon; clearly, the existence of this barrier was beyond his worst expectations.

"Yun Jingyao... He really went to great lengths for tonight, even using a protective barrier! Isn't he afraid of not being able to explain himself to the Elders' Council and the Central Forty-Six Chambers afterward?!"

"Confess?" An old, cold voice, filled with undisguised arrogance and calculation, slowly drifted from outside the moon gate of "Liuli Courtyard".

Footsteps sounded, neither hurried nor slow.

Dressed in a deep purple family attire, Yun Jingyao walked slowly into the courtyard, surrounded by several figures.

His face was expressionless, except for his deep-set eyes, which gleamed with a cold light in the moonlight.

He glanced at the dog-dragon and ape-dragon standing side by side, his gaze finally settling on the tightly closed window on the second floor of the "Liuli Pavilion," a cold and cruel smile curving his lips.

"If Miss Ruri Chiyo 'unfortunately' dies suddenly from an 'accident,' I, as the chief elder, will be appointed to temporarily assume the position of family head and stabilize the family."

As for how to 'explain' things, and everything that has happened tonight, that will naturally be up to me.

Yun Jingyao's voice was steady, yet carried a chilling certainty: "History has always been written by the victors, hasn't it?"

Chapter 115 The Strange Power

As he spoke, dozens of figures silently emerged from the shadows around the courtyard, behind the pillars, beside the rockery, and even on the roof!

They were all dressed in identical, tight-fitting black clothes, wearing masks, and carrying weapons.

Without exception, they were all those bizarrely shaped weapons, exuding an aura of chaos and greed—the Tapir Blade!

These are the assassins secretly trained by Yun Jingyaojue and enhanced with the forbidden "Mo Yao Dao" technology—the Mo Yao Dao Clan!

They stood there silently, like lifeless puppets.

But the spiritual pressure emanating from him, mixed with madness, spread out, firmly locking onto and surrounding Inu-ryu and Enryu.

Yun Jingyao casually dusted off non-existent dust from his sleeves, his gaze returning to the dog-dragon and the ape-dragon, his tone carrying a hint of "forgiveness" as if bestowing a favor:

"Alright, enough with the nonsense. Inu-ryu and Enryu, you two are rare talents in my Kasumi-Oji family."

Especially his unwavering loyalty to Ruri Chiyo; this blind loyalty, though laughable, also evokes...a touch of melancholy.

He paused, then raised his voice slightly: "Now, I'm giving you one last chance."

Lay down your weapons and swear allegiance to me, to Yunjing Yaojue, who will lead the Xia Daji family to a new life.

So, tonight, I can spare your lives. In fact, you can still hold important positions and enjoy wealth and luxury in the future.

After all, even after Miss's passing, the family still needs capable people to assist them, don't you think?"

His words echoed in the deathly silent courtyard, carrying both allure and an irresistible threat.

Dozens of "Mo Yao Dao Clan" leaned forward slightly, their sinister blades gleaming with a dangerous purplish-black light, waiting for Yun Jingyao's command to launch a deadly attack.

The pressure came crashing down like a mountain.

However, faced with this desperate situation and Yun Jingyaojue's seemingly "magnanimous" offer of surrender, the dog dragon and monkey dragon standing side by side reacted simultaneously.

The two of them turned around at the same time and looked at each other.

There is only a tacit understanding and unspoken agreement.

"Old thief Yunjing," Inu-ryu said with undisguised contempt and resolve.

"Stop with that disgusting face! From the day we were chosen as Miss's bodyguards, our lives and honor have been with Miss!"

“Not bad,” Yuanlong added, his gaze sweeping over the menacing enemies around him.

"The Longdan Temple clan has served the orthodox head of the Xia Dalu family for generations. The concepts of loyalty and righteousness are already engraved in their blood and bones. How could they be shaken by mere threats of life and death, wealth and honor?"

"Stubborn fools!" The feigned compassion on Yun Jingyao's face vanished instantly, replaced by a chilling and murderous intent that had completely torn off his mask. He swung his hand sharply, "Kill them! Leave no one alive!"

"kill--!"

With a hoarse utterance, Guanjing Hanzan transformed into a streak of black lightning, lunging straight at the Dog Dragon! The strange black longsword in his hand tore through the air, accompanied by a shrill shriek!

Faced with Kanai Hanza and dozens of swordsmen wielding Bakuya swords, who surged forward like a tide, Inuryu and Enryu unleashed their protective beliefs and power to the fullest extent.

"Let the earth shake—Daidi Maru!"

Enryu roared first, his Zanpakuto emitting a strong, earthy-yellow light!

The light faded, and in its place were a pair of enormous metal boxing gloves wrapped around his arms!

The boxing gloves exude an indomitable and powerful aura.

This is his Zanpakuto Shikai—Daichimaru! He sacrificed agility and speed in exchange for unparalleled absolute power and defense!

With a shake of his arms, the friction between his gauntlets and the air produced a dull roar. His originally lean body seemed to expand as well, his muscles bulging and his sense of power surging!

"Bloom and dance wildly, red branches drooping!" Almost at the same time as the Enryu's Shikai, the Inu-ryu also roared.

The Zanpakuto in his hand glowed with tiny pink specks of light.