Chapter 15: Infiltrating the Family Home

“What? A young expert of my Ye Family?”

In the Ye Manor’s meeting hall in Red Cloud City, the white-haired Ye Yuan sat opposite the Grand Elder, Ye Wentian. Ye Yu sat below them, followed by several other Ye Family experts.

A burly man in his thirties below cupped his hands respectfully. “This is absolutely true. Our scouts in Yinsha Town saw it with their own eyes. Sadly, the young man wore a bamboo hat, so his face wasn’t clear.”

“Now, everyone in Red Cloud City knows that a young member of the Ye Family, with only the Flesh Immortal Third Layer cultivation, rammed a Yang Family elder to death. They’re all debating who this young clansman is,” another person chimed in.

Immediately, Ye Yuan, Ye Wentian, and the others all looked at Ye Yu.

Ye Yu was startled and felt very uncomfortable. He immediately shook his head and explained, “That person wasn’t me. Although I have the capability, I wouldn’t recklessly endanger my body like that.”

“Send people to search everywhere at once,” Ye Wentian said, looking at the men below. They quickly left the hall, leaving only Ye Wentian and Ye Yuan.

The hall fell into a solemn silence, broken only occasionally by the brisk footsteps of servants. Ye Yuan remained deep in thought and said nothing. Suddenly, he looked up at Ye Wentian. “Uncle Tian, haven’t the two Old Masters arrived yet?”

Ye Wentian’s hair was also completely white, and several more wrinkles now marked the corner of his eyes. He looked toward the main gate. “They should still be on the road. As soon as they arrive, we can immediately deal with the traitors Ye He and Ye Xinghe. Then, the Qin Family won’t dare to easily oppose the two Old Masters.”

“The Qin Family is at the height of its power now; even the Yan Family fears them somewhat. I’m worried they might ambush the two Old Masters on the road. Even though both Old Masters are at the peak of the Tenth Layer, they would be no match for the Qin Family’s true Cultivator powerhouses.”

“All Cultivators in the White Jade Dynasty are fellow disciples from the same sect. The Qin Family has Cultivators, and our Ye Family has Ye Yu and a few others. The Qin Family shouldn’t let their Cultivators intervene. If it truly comes to that point, then we must leave.”

“I hope the two Old Masters arrive soon.”

Ye Yuan and Ye Wentian were full of worry, and the hall felt exceptionally oppressive.

Red Cloud City, North Street.

“Everyone, work hard! We must take all these spirit herbs away before dark.”

In front of the gate of a three-story building, a young man of about twenty was leading people in carrying out large wooden boxes. The multi-layered shelves inside the building were already emptied.

“A Man!”

A black-robed figure whose face was unclear suddenly appeared behind the young man, startling him so much he almost drew the sword from his waist. The young man turned around, looking at the black-robed figure with full of confusion. He felt the voice was very familiar, but couldn’t place it immediately.

The figure slowly pulled down the hood of the robe. It was Ye Yun.

“Young…” Upon seeing most of Ye Yun’s face, the young man blurted out in shock, but Ye Yun quickly covered his mouth. Understanding the intent, the young man went with Ye Yun to a corner.

Reaching the deserted corner, the young man looked at Ye Yun excitedly. “Young Master, you’re supposed to be in Qingyang Town. When did you return? Did the Master send you back?”

“I sneaked back in secretly, A Man. My father treated you well. You know how much danger he’s in now. I hope you can help me!”

“Help? I’d be willing to die for you.”

“This is what’s happening…”

The two whispered for a while, then Ye Yun and A Man went behind the corner.

In the blink of an eye, two identical-looking ‘A Man’s walked out from behind it. The first A Man instructed the latter, “A Man, go back to your hometown today. Don’t come back without my summons. Once the matter is settled, I’ll send someone to notify you.”

“Young Master… take care!” A Man put on Ye Yun’s large black robe, said his last words, and immediately scaled the wall, disappearing.

Uncle Han’s ancient voice echoed, “Little Yun, to truly seal his lips, you should have killed him.”

His gaze lingered on the high wall. “Uncle Han, A Man was my study companion, he grew up alongside me since we were children. Our bond is like brothers… I still hope he is that loyal A Man. By the way, Uncle Han, could this ‘Bone-Shifting Art’ be discovered?”

“The Bone-Shifting Art is a Divine Ability only of the Heavenly Immortal level. But you practice the Indomitable Blood Body, which allows you to freely control your physique and use this art. Normally, the Bone-Shifting Art can be detected by experts, but you are different. Because both the surface and interior of your body are filled with the vigor of Blood Essence Qi, even ordinary Heavenly Immortals wouldn’t be able to perceive it.”

Assured, Ye Yun immediately began adjusting his attire.

A Man’s surname was Ye. Orphaned young, he was later purchased by the Ye Family. A Man grew up accompanying Ye Yun, being loyal and honest. Later, he was not only entered into the Ye Family registry and given the surname Ye, but also practiced martial arts with Ye Yun since childhood. He was a rare fighter among the servants, someone Ye Yun trusted deeply.

A Man had a medium build and ordinary looks, with thick eyebrows and small eyes, giving a friendly impression.

Ye Yun, disguised as A Man, doubted anyone could notice the discrepancy, and he was confident about this.

After finishing everything, ‘A Man’ appeared unnoticed among the convoy. He gave a wave. “Back to the manor.”

Ye Manor, back alley.

Servants were unloading the goods. Several dozen servants appeared at the back gate, starting to move the cargo into the backyard. ‘Ye Man’ was checking accounts with a middle-aged servant in gray clothes, about forty years old. Suddenly, the gray-clad servant pulled him aside to a corner. “Brother, have you thought it over clearly?”

Ye Yun frowned thoughtfully, seeming to already understand. He glanced around cautiously. “If the Head Steward and the other three internal stewards also agree, then I will agree as well.”

“Heh, brother, you really are shrewd. Impressive. Rest assured, our people will privately persuade the Head Steward. If he agrees, the other stewards won’t matter. Brother, wanting to die isn’t difficult, heh heh!” The gray-clad servant snickered, patted Ye Yun’s shoulder, and turned to leave.

“When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. Even servants dare to rebel and embezzle herbs. Fine, you won’t be hopping around for long, hmph!” Ye Yun sneered at the servant’s retreating back, feeling fortunate that A Man had explained everything clearly. Otherwise, encountering this person would have revealed his identity.

After verifying the accounts, the many horse-drawn carts were led away by the servants.

A Man was one of the Ye Manor’s six internal stewards, answering to the Head Steward. His daily duties were not fixed, and he had much free time. Lately, though, he had been busy, mainly with auditing, taking stock of the Ye Family’s few remaining shops and assets.

Walking through the familiar courtyards of the Ye Manor, scenes from the past flooded Ye Yun’s mind. He was filled with immense emotion. If not for this internal upheaval, he might never have returned here.

Northern Compound, the residence of the Ye Family head. A figure hid within the bushes by the high wall, observing everything in the courtyard. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. He saw two maids helping Ye Yuan appear in the courtyard.

Ye Yuan’s white hair fluttered gently in the sultry summer breeze. Several more wrinkles marked his face, making him look more than ten years older than before. A sense of deep suppression emanated from his profound pupils.

“Father, your son has returned. Rest assured, your son will not let the Ye Family fall into ruin.” In that moment, Ye Yun seemed to read so much in his father’s empty gaze. His eyes instantly welled up with tears.

Ye Yun left the Northern Compound and returned to the Southern Compound reserved for servants.

Entering A Man’s room and shutting the door, Ye Yun immediately began practicing the Indomitable Blood Body.

The entire Ye Family was in turbulent times. Only strength could turn the tide and settle the situation.

Ye Yun’s body periodically turned crimson. Blood flowed through his bones, meridians, muscles, and cells, suddenly forming a vast Blood Sea within him, like a swirling vortex of blood.

Instantly, Ye Yun felt a surge of power so immense he thought he might explode, leaving him bewildered.

“Ha! Excellent! Wonderful! Little Yun, you’ve cultivated a Blood Mansion. With a Blood Mansion, you can cultivate the Blood Body. The Blood Mansion is the precursor to condensing the Blood Body.”

Uncle Han’s hearty laughter sounded in Ye Yun’s mind.

“Blood Mansion?”

Ye Yun pondered hard, and a great deal of information about the Indomitable Blood Body surged into his mind. He was immediately overjoyed.

Blood Essence Qi was transformed from the body’s blood, the most refined blood energy. When Blood Essence Qi fully integrated with the flesh body, a sea of blood would appear within it—a slowly rotating, flowing vortex. That was the Blood Mansion.

With the Blood Mansion vortex, one could form the Blood Body.

Sensing the Blood Mansion inside him, Ye Yun declared confidently, “The Blood Mansion has just formed. Once it’s full, I can break through Blood Refinement and reach the Blood Body level. From then on, my physique will be the strongest among all Tenth Layer Flesh Immortals.”

“Little Yun, next, quickly push your physique to break through the fourth layer, Qi Nurturing. Fuse and refine the power from the Life Spirit Pearl into your Dantian’s Inner Essence. Only then will you have the foundation of an Immortal.”

“Flesh Immortal Fourth Layer… I never thought the day would really come when I’d reach the fourth layer again. Could this be Reincarnation?” Countless scenes flashed through Ye Yun’s mind, especially the scene when he broke through to the Flesh Immortal Fourth Layer at age fifteen. Back then, he was unrivaled in Red Cloud City, aspiring to the peak, who could match his edge?

And it was all an illusion, a nightmare.

That nightmare forced Ye Yun to cultivate from scratch—starting from the basic Iron Forging Art to train fundamentally, strengthening every part of his body step by step. Next came techniques, then practicing various martial arts, until he met Uncle Han, studied the Indomitable Blood Body, and finally, he once again gained a Cultivator’s Immortal fate and was about to step into the Flesh Immortal Fourth Layer again.

The First to Third Layers of Flesh Immortal were one stage, focusing on the physical foundation; their power was equal to that of mundane martial artists. Crossing into the Fourth Layer, Qi Nurturing, meant entering a new stage. One could only have spiritual awareness and connect with the myriad spirits by possessing inner breath.

Suddenly, the Destiny Spirit Pearl within his body trembled slightly. Ye Yun only felt a momentary daze, as if he had comprehended something, yet couldn’t grasp it.

“Little Yun, why can’t I sense your presence all of a sudden? What happened just now?” As Ye Yun was still perplexed, Uncle Han’s astonished voice came through.

Ye Yun was utterly taken aback. Hearing this, he thought carefully for a long while before shaking his head. “Uncle Han, I don’t know either. I just suddenly felt something, like I woke from a dream, but can’t remember what I dreamed about. It’s very strange overall.”

“Hmm…” Uncle Han slowly breathed a sigh of relief, then fell silent, as if sinking back into slumber in that mysterious space once again.

“Just now, in that dazed dream-like state, there was a figure, but I couldn’t see it clearly. So strange. It feels somehow related to the Destiny Spirit Pearl Uncle Han gave me. But Uncle Han refined the Destiny Spirit Pearl himself, so why can’t even he explain it clearly…?”

Mysteries, for Ye Yun, everything was a mystery.

Ye Yun quietly began cultivating his Blood Mansion, letting it steadily solidify and start merging with his physical body. Simultaneously, he drew out the mysterious power from the Destiny Spirit Pearl and fused it with his inner strength, transforming it into a unique form of Inner Strength.