Chapter 16: The Yang Family Arrives
Chapter 16: The Yang Family Arrives
By day, Ye Yun busied himself outside with family affairs. At night, after cultivation, he spent the remaining time secretly watching every move in the Ye Family, afraid someone might harm Ye Yuan.
In the blink of an eye, half a month passed. Summer gradually ended, and the world felt a touch of desolation.
Early one morning, in the main hall of the Ye Family’s south courtyard.
Six inner stewards of the Ye Family gathered in the hall. Above them sat a sixty-year-old elder. He was the Grand Steward of the Ye Family, the supreme ruler of all household affairs, known as Steward Ye.
Steward Ye had managed the Ye Family for over thirty years, longer than even Clan Leader Ye Yuan. He was one of the few remaining old servants in the Ye Family, holding a high position. Even Ye Yuan respected him.
“After reviewing this month’s accounts—sigh, the situation worsens each year. Many numbers remain unclear. I hope you can clear everything within three days,” Steward Ye said, sipping tea while glancing at the six stewards.
One steward replied, “Grand Steward, times have changed. Many accounts were verified before Elder Two’s betrayal. Since those few months, many shops were seized by the two Elders. Naturally, the accounts are messy.”
Another added, “My accounts are the same. The books are inflated; how can they match the actual goods?”
“Do you think you have justified excuses? Hmph!” The Grand Steward suddenly grew stern, his tone sharp. “You are old-timers of the Ye Family. I am grateful you still sit here, unlike those traitors. Still, numbers are numbers. If you fail to produce accurate accounts, I cannot explain it to the Grand Elder. All of you, leave now.”
“The Grand Elder?” The stewards paled instantly. Now, the one in charge was the Grand Elder, Ye Wentian—a Ninth Layer Flesh Immortal, high above them all.
As the six stewards left the main hall, Ye Yun almost slipped away too. But someone pulled him aside into a quiet corridor where the six gathered again. The gray-robed steward who had spoken to Ye Yun before whispered, “Boarding a ship is easy; getting off is hard. I don’t believe any of you never pocketed wealth! If the Grand Elder finds out, how will we survive?”
“Brother Dawei, what do you mean? If you have a plan, we’ll follow you!” one steward panicked.
“Give me all your account records. I’ll pass them to my master. Once he acquires the Ye Family’s remaining assets, we can serve a new master. The Ye Family will crumble or be wiped out soon. Without new paths, we die alongside them. Think carefully.”
“We will consider it. Farewell!” The stewards departed one by one.
Ye Yun paused, checked no one was around, then approached Ye Dawei. “Brother Wei, can your master truly protect us?”
Ye Dawei grinned. “Ha! Of course, Brother A Man! The Grand Steward values you most. The five of us combined don’t hold as many books as you do. Changed your mind?”
“Who doesn’t want to live? But first, I must meet whoever backs you.”
“I’d… have to ask my master first.”
“The moment I meet him, the account books are yours. Farewell, Brother Wei!” Ye Yun flashed him a dark smile before leaving.
“Impressive, Ye Man! For one so young, you’re tough to handle. But clever men rarely live long…!” Ye Dawei scowled and strutted away.
At night, haze clouded the sky. A cold wind howled beneath the moon, sounding like a wailing infant.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
Deep into the night, urgent drumbeats echoed through Ye Manor.
“Huh?”
Ye Yun had been absorbing the Destiny Spirit Pearl’s energy, preparing to reach the third layer. The drums startled him awake. He lit an oil lamp and grabbed his large curved blade from the wall. “Did someone invade? Could Ye He have brought men here?”
He strapped the sword on and stepped out. Nearly a hundred servants holding weapons were rushing toward the main gate. Ye Yun blended among them.
Outside the gate, over two hundred figures encircled Ye Manor like a sealed net.
Creak!
The manor gates opened. Ye Wentian and Ye Yuan emerged, the Grand Elder flanked by dozens of Ye Family warriors and almost a hundred servants. Both sides faced each other, weapons ready.
Ye Wentian locked eyes with the central group of over thirty imposing men. His gaze settled on a middle-aged man with a goatee. “Yang Yunduan. What brings you here at midnight?”
“Yang Yunduan? The Yang Clan Leader? Could it be about the Yinsha Town incident?” Hidden among the servants, Ye Yun stood unnoticed while analyzing calmly.
Yang Yunduan towered with an intimidating presence, radiating killing intent. “Ye Wentian, your people killed my Yang Family Elder and dozens of my men in Yinsha Town. I’m here to settle that blood debt.”
“Hah!” Ye Wentian laughed thunderously. The sound almost made members from both families vomit blood. The Yang delegation instantly shrank back timidly. Ye Wentian roared with authority, “I was about to find your Yang Clan! Since you delivered yourselves to me—good! Hand over all Ye Family assets you stole in Yinsha Town! Otherwise… after tonight, the Yang Family disappears forever from Red Cloud City.”
This was raw, unyielding dominance.
Ye Wentian held the Yang Family in utter contempt, even as they vastly outnumbered him.
“Such is the Grand Elder!” Confidence surged among Ye servants. This was the Ye Family! Who was the puny Yang Clan to challenge them?
Ye Wentian’s arrogance was grounded. The Ye Family knew the Yangs well. They had no Xuanwu Sect disciples. Not even an Eighth Layer Flesh Immortal. Clan Leader Yang Yunduan was just Sixth Layer Flesh Immortal. Against Ye Wentian, a Ninth Layer powerhouse, the Yang Family wasn’t worthy of regard.
“Hah! Ye Wentian,” Yang Yunduan mocked, “you remain as overbearing as ever! Do you think the Yang Family is prey?” He stepped aside then. Another elder strode forward, radiating dominance.
Ye Wentian’s eyes widened. Shock washed over him as he sized up the newcomer. “Yang… Yang Danhou?! You! Didn’t you die thirty years ago… at Broken Sword Mountain Range? How…?!”
“So, someone remembers me. Indeed. At Broken Sword Mountain Range back then, I nearly died. But fate favored me. I escaped against all odds… even reaching the Ninth Layer of Flesh Immortal. What’s wrong, Ye Wentian? Lost your bark?” Yang Danhou stepped to the center, facing Ye Wentian coldly.
Yang Danhou!
The Ye clan members stared in disbelief. Yang Danhou was a legend! Thirty years prior, his fame shook Red Cloud City. Back then, he was already a Seventh Layer Flesh Immortal. The Yang Family was mighty then too. Rumors claimed his demise. Now, he emerged like unearthed treasure… with Ninth Layer Flesh Immortal might!
“Kill my Yang men? Still so insolent? Ye Wentian! Now, let us end generations of Yang-Ye hatred!” Yang Danhou threw down the challenge.
Ye Yuan tensed, thinking, “If only Ye Yu hadn’t returned temporarily to Xuanwu Sect… his presence could deter Yang Danhou… Uncle Tian’s injuries linger…”
Helplessness boiled within Ye Yuan. At this life-or-death moment for the Ye Family, he felt powerless.
Ye Wentian gestured for Ye clan members to step back. A vacant circle formed, just one zhang apart. Slowly, he met Yang Danhou’s gaze. “Back then, you lost to me. Today, I’ll still trample you.”
Yang Danhou smirked mysteriously. “Not necessarily!”
Whoosh!
Both vanished from spot.
Lightning erupted from Ye Wentian, thunder rumbling through the night air. Instantly, everyone’s heads throbbed.
Another ripple tore across the void. A massive tiger phantom manifested, lunging like a beast devouring its prey toward the lightning shroud.
Peng!
Air blasted! Colliding forces exploded like a savage storm. Everyone reeled back. Some even vomited blood and fainted dead away.
“Marvelous, Yang Danhou!” Ye Wentian landed, crackling with electric light. “To attain such brutal martial arts! Good! Today, witness Thunder Heart Palm—Lei Family’s three great ultimate skills—Thunder’s Fury’s Palm!”
He charged at Yang Danhou. Between his hands, a massive electric palm print formed, spilling strange, soul-shaking cries!
Nearby, many clasped hands over ears—the sound felt like Hell’s demons wailing! The Divine Ability Ye Wentian showed now far surpassed mortals.
“Old ghost! Taste my new ultimate skill too!” Yang Danhou radiated icy aura. His steps dazzled. Crucial was his right palm—a cold Sword Qi had condensed into a terrifying blade, roughly a foot long!
“To condense Vacuum Sword Qi?! Only Tenth Layer Foundation Building cultivators wield such Divine Ability! Yang Danhou… is just Ninth Layer Flesh Immortal! Impossible!” Watching this, Ye Yuan felt dread rise.
Boom!
The ground shook! Many around collapsed!
“Divine Ability! That’s true power!”
Almost all Ye servants fell. Only a few stood firm. Among them was Ye Yun. His mind flooded with unreachable concepts—the Divine Abilities both Ye Wentian and Yang Danhou displayed were beyond comprehension.