Chapter 2 Showing Strength

Inside the main hall, the air was stagnant, the atmosphere oppressive.

The spiritual energy surging around Ye Tianjiao made Ye Chen’s clothes flutter without wind.

Those eyes, burning with anger and humiliation, were locked onto Ye Chen, as if ready to tear him apart the next instant.

Yet, Ye Chen simply gazed back quietly.

In his clear eyes, Ye Tianjiao’s twisted face was reflected, but not a ripple stirred.

“Enough!”

Just as Ye Tianjiao’s reason was about to be consumed by fury, a steady, low voice resounded from the head seat.

Ye Nantian slowly stood up.

The pressure belonging to a Golden Core Realm expert silently spread, instantly calming Ye Tianjiao’s restless spiritual energy.

His gaze was like lightning as it swept over his son, his voice carrying an unquestionable authority.

“Tianjiao, what are you trying to do? Do you intend to strike him?”

Ye Tianjiao’s body stiffened.

He forcibly suppressed the churning blood within him, his voice hoarse with unwillingness.

“Father! He…”

“How about him?”

Ye Nantian interrupted, stepping down from the platform.

“He is but an ordinary mortal, without a trace of cultivation. You are the chief of the Ye Family, a future pillar of the Immortal Path. Would you raise your hand against a defenseless clansman here, bullying the weak with the strong?”

“Your sword is meant to point at stronger foes, not at a mere mortal.”

His words fell with weight, dignified and righteous.

Ye Tianjiao was taken aback.

He looked into his father’s deep eyes and instantly understood the hidden meaning.

His father was reminding him to consider the bigger picture, to maintain the bearing of a genius.

Staining his hands over a worthless person would only bring ridicule.

He took a deep breath.

The killing intent in his eyes faded, replaced by a cold, lofty pity.

He withdrew his aura and bowed to Ye Nantian.

“Yes, Father, your child… has been taught.”

Ye Nantian nodded in satisfaction, then turned his gaze to the silent Ye Chen, his tone softening slightly.

“Ye Chen, this matter is settled. You… conduct yourself well.”

Ye Chen’s gaze withdrew from the drifting dust outside the window, as if everything that had happened was unrelated to him.

He didn’t spare Ye Tianjiao another glance.

He simply gave Ye Nantian a slight nod in response.

Then, he turned and walked away.

This time, no one stopped him.

His slender figure disappeared through the hall’s doorway, leaving not a trace behind.

Watching his departing back, Ye Tianjiao finally couldn’t hold back and lowered his voice.

“Father, why did you protect him? With his attitude just now, if I crippled him—”

“Foolish!”

Ye Nantian snorted coldly.

“I’m not protecting him. I’m protecting you! That your heart could be so shaken by a useless person is your greatest weakness!”

“In three months, the Shangzong envoy will arrive. What you need now is unwavering focus, not distraction over an ant at your feet.”

Ye Tianjiao fell silent.

His father’s words were like a bucket of cold water, making him calm down.

“As for him…”

A hint of ridicule flashed in Ye Nantian’s eyes.

“He probably thinks he’s gained some great fortune, able to form a Marriage Alliance with the Xiao Family’s Miss. He has no idea what kind of mess he’s inheriting. Let him live in his own beautiful dream.”

At these words, Ye Tianjiao’s tense lips finally curled into a cruel, cold smile.

Yes, he understood.

A fool who knows nothing, a pitiful wretch about to marry the city’s infamous ‘ugly and useless’ woman—why should he be angry with such a person?

Let him enjoy his pride.

In three months, when Ye Tianjiao ascended to the Shangzong and soared to the heavens, while this Ye Chen would be left to rot with that useless woman in the mire of Qingyang City.

When the time comes, it won’t be too late to watch the show.

—

The small courtyard remained unchanged.

The leaves of the old locust tree rustled in the gentle breeze, the sunlight just right—neither harsh nor cold.

As Ye Chen stepped through the courtyard gate, a petite figure in a light green cotton dress greeted him.

She was a girl of about fifteen or sixteen, with delicate features, twin buns in her hair, and large eyes filled with concern.

“Master, you’re back? Are you hungry? Xiao Xiao will go warm up some food for you.”

The girl’s name was Xiao Xiao, an orphan adopted by Ye Chen’s parents.

Since childhood, she had always stayed by his side.

Ye Chen looked at her, a rare, faint warmth flickering in his eyes.

He shook his head.

“Not hungry.”

Before the words had fully left his lips, a commotion of footsteps and foul language sounded outside the courtyard.

“Bang!”

The already dilapidated courtyard gate was kicked open, and three ruffian youths swaggered in.

The leader was a burly man with a face full of scars, his gaze roaming lecherously.

Xiao Xiao’s face turned pale, but she immediately stepped forward, spreading her arms to shield Ye Chen and shouted at the intruders.

“Who are you people?! Do you know where this is? This is the residence of the Ye Family’s Young Master! If you don’t get out, you’d better worry about your lives!”

“Oh, Ye Family’s Young Master?”

The leader laughed exaggeratedly.

The other two echoed him, their laughter filled with disdain.

“Which Young Master? The one whose parents are dead and who can’t cultivate, a useless noble?”

“Hahaha! Hiding behind a little girl—what great prestige!”

“Little girl, your master is just a cowardly turtle. What future is there in following him? Why not…”

A rat-faced thug’s gaze slid over Xiao Xiao’s fair face and budding figure, licking his lips.

“Why not come with your brother here? I’ll make sure you eat well and live well!”

“You… you’re talking nonsense!”

Xiao Xiao trembled with rage, her eyes reddening.

“My family’s Young Master is not a useless person! If you… if you keep spouting nonsense, I’ll call the authorities… no, I’ll report to the Family Head!”

“Family Head?”

The leader acted as if he’d heard the world’s funniest joke.

“Little girl, you really are naive and cute. We’re here today under the orders of ‘Young Master Ye’ to ‘teach a lesson’ to your useless master. Tell me, do you think the Family Head will care?”

He deliberately emphasized the words ‘Young Master Ye.’

Xiao Xiao’s face instantly went as white as a sheet.

No matter how innocent she was, she understood the meaning behind those words.

“That’s enough.”

The burly man stopped his companions from further harassment.

“Ye Da Shaoye gave instructions—just give this brat a lesson he’ll never forget. But don’t touch the girl. Even a dog has its master. She’s still a member of the Ye Family. If we lay a hand on her, we’re all dead.”

As they spoke, they had already surrounded Ye Chen and Xiao Xiao.

Throughout, Ye Chen simply stood there, as if the farce before him had nothing to do with him.

Only now did he finally raise his eyes.

His gaze passed over the jeering thugs and landed on Xiao Xiao’s small face, tight with fear and grievance.

“I’ll give you one chance.”

Ye Chen spoke.

His voice was soft and calm, but it reached every ear clearly.

“Apologize to her. Then kneel here and repent for three days and nights. Finally, crawl out yourselves.”

He paused, adding the final words.

“Otherwise, leave your lives behind.”

A brief silence.

Then, raucous laughter.

“Hahahaha! Did I hear that right? Did this useless guy just say that?”

“Has he gone mad with fear? Telling us to kneel?”

“Enough talk! Get him! Break his damn legs!”

The three thugs grinned viciously and lunged forward, fists and feet flying at Ye Chen’s face and vitals.

Xiao Xiao squeezed her eyes shut in terror, a short scream escaping her lips.

But the expected screams never came.

Instead, three sharp ‘crack’ sounds rang out almost simultaneously—the sound of bones breaking.

Xiao Xiao opened her eyes, trembling.

The scene before her made her freeze in shock.

The three fierce thugs now lay twisted on the ground in bizarre poses, their limbs bent unnaturally, groaning in pain but unable to even stand.

Her Young Master, Ye Chen, stood in the same place, not even the hem of his robe disturbed.

He merely lowered his right hand, two slender fingers pressed together like a sword being sheathed.

A trace of sharp energy lingered at his fingertips before vanishing.

He didn’t even glance at the writhing figures on the ground.

He simply turned his head slightly and spoke softly to the petrified Xiao Xiao.

“Did they disturb you?”

Then, he cast his gaze down at the moaning trio, his tone as indifferent as ever.

“I told you, this was your only chance.”

“Xiao Xiao, drag them out. Dispose of them however you wish.”

“Ah… Oh! Yes!”

Xiao Xiao’s mind was blank.

She simply obeyed her Young Master’s command on instinct.

She stared at Ye Chen in a daze.

Under the sunlight, her Young Master’s profile was as elegant as an immortal from a painting.

In those usually empty, indifferent eyes—was there something different?

So…

Young Master… was this strong all along?