Chapter 61: Storm Within the Ye Family
The morning sun had barely risen, yet storm clouds already gathered over the Ye family estate.
Situated at the eastern edge of Oakwood City, the estate stood proud and refined—an ancestral home built on power, prestige, and generations of martial excellence. But behind its elegant walls, fury simmered like an untamed flame.
Although not everyone in the Ye family liked Ye Wenjie personally, many had been wooed by his charisma over the years and were now enraged by his humiliating defeat and Su Tianhao's meteoric rise.
Inside the ancestral hall, heavy silence loomed.
Six figures were seated around a long table carved from dark stone. The room was vast, the air thick with unspoken words and mounting tension.
At the head of the table sat a towering figure with stern expression and refined features that carried an air of natural dignity and nobility. Ye Zhenwu—Patriarch of the Ye family. His eyes were calm but cold, sweeping over the elders before him like a silent storm preparing to break. His aura was restrained yet immense—even the elders didn't dare meet his gaze directly.
Before him, the elders sat in heavy silence. No one dared speak first. News of Ye Wenjie and Ye Jianping's humiliating defeat had already spread like wildfire throughout the city. What was supposed to be a casual suppression of a talentless disgrace had instead turned into a public debacle that brought shame upon the entire Ye family name.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ye Zhenwu's voice rang out—cutting cleanly through the oppressive silence.
"First Elder, why have you called for this emergency meeting?" He asked with deceptive calm, though slight impatience colored his tone.
All eyes turned toward a middle-aged man with weathered features and long black hair streaked with grey. Ye Shiming—First Elder of the Ye family. Beyond that title, he held another identity: he was the Patriarch's older brother and father of Ye Wenjie.
Unlike most noble clans where heirs were chosen from the Patriarch's direct descendants, the Ye family had always operated under a different ancestral rule—the talent system. As long as one possessed exceptional talent and direct bloodline connection to the Patriarch, they would be granted the status of Young Master and given the chance to compete for the position of heir.
First Elder Ye Shiming was a perfect example of this system's harsh reality. Even though he was the older brother, his inferior talent compared to his younger sibling had cost him any chance of contesting for the Patriarch position—a regret he had carried for decades. Who would have thought his only son—Ye Wenjie—conceived at an age when all hope seemed lost, would bring him such tremendous shock? Ye Wenjie had awakened an outstanding six-star talent that completely surpassed even the Patriarch's own sons. According to the Ye family's ancestral rules, that automatically made him the most outstanding Young Master of the entire family.
Ye Shiming could sense the impatience in the Patriarch's tone. Though it annoyed him greatly, he couldn't voice any complaint. His younger brother was far stronger in cultivation—and strength dictated authority.
He cleared his throat before speaking with measured words. "We cannot remain silent and watch the Ye family be humiliated by an ordinary brat! Ye Wenjie represents the Ye family as our most outstanding Young Master—trampling on his dignity means trampling on the entire clan's honor!"
"Exactly!" Another voice immediately chimed in, filled with righteous rage. The speaker was a chubby middle-aged man seated beside Ye Shiming—Ye Bao Kang, Third Elder of the Ye family.
Ye Zhenwu narrowed his eyes at the two elders with a knowing, almost mocking smile.
Although the family appeared united on the surface, it was actually split deeply into two opposing factions—his own and that of his older brother. The Third Elder who had just spoken was in direct allegiance with Ye Shiming's faction, and Ye Zhenwu knew this political reality very well.
His gaze turned cold. "So what exactly do you want us to do? Go after a mere sixteen-year-old child? This is a conflict among the younger generation—it's best we leave it that way."
As Patriarch, he naturally disliked the fact that another man's son possessed talent that completely surpassed both his own sons—even causing two rival factions to form under his rule. What made it worse was that this so-called most outstanding Young Master was a manipulative and scheming brat. The thought of eventually handing his position over to such a person filled him with rage, but there was nothing he could do. Ancestral rules were absolute. But that didn't mean he would willingly help the same person—never.
Ye Shiming's expression darkened visibly. Anger swelled in his chest, but he quickly suppressed it.
"Patriarch, you must reconsider! That Su Tianhao was truly vicious—he nearly crippled my son's hand! As a father, how can I let that go so easily?" His voice carried genuine paternal fury mixed with political calculation.
"Hmph!" Ye Zhenwu snorted coldly. "Although no one wants to say it openly, we all know how manipulative and arrogant your son can be. I've already investigated this matter thoroughly—it was Ye Wenjie who went looking for trouble in the first place."
He paused deliberately, gauging Ye Shiming's increasingly dark expression before continuing with a small smile. "Perhaps this harsh experience might actually be good for him."
'You think I don't know you dislike Jie'er simply because he threatens your own sons' positions?' Ye Shiming sneered inwardly, glaring at Ye Zhenwu with barely concealed hostility.
Their gazes locked across the long table—tension crackling between them like electricity before a lightning strike.
"Everyone, let's calm down and find a logical way to conclude this matter properly. We are one family, after all."
A soothing voice cut through the mounting tension. The speaker was a middle-aged man with jet-black hair tied into a long ponytail, possessing a peculiar serene expression on his refined face. Ye Xunhai—Second Elder of the Ye family, highly respected and loyal to the Patriarch's faction.
"What exactly are you suggesting, Second Elder?" Ye Shiming asked with a slight frown.
Ye Xunhai's expression remained perfectly calm. "It's quite simple. That boy Su Tianhao is clearly not as simple as he appears. We should focus our immediate efforts on treating Young Master Wenjie's injuries properly and finding a diplomatic way to settle this conflict without bloodshed."
"Wise words," another elder chimed in with approval—a burly figure with a completely bald head and thick beard. Ye Sheng, Fifth Elder of the Ye family, also loyal to the Patriarch's faction.
"Su Tianhao has a Martial Lord backing him now. It would be extremely unwise to seek trouble with such a person. The risks are too—"
Before Ye Sheng could finish, another voice cut sharply through the air.
"It's exactly because Su Tianhao has the backing of a Martial Lord that he represents an even greater threat!" Ye Bao Kang declared in passionate disapproval. "With the emergence of that Su Tianhao, the Su family is bound to rise alongside him! The delicate power balance in Oakwood City will inevitably shift in their favor! For the Ye family's future security, Su Tianhao must be eliminated before he grows too strong!"
Ye Shiming nodded firmly in agreement, a cold gleam flashing dangerously in his weathered eyes.
The room fell into heavy, contemplative silence. But even before their thoughts could fully process the Third Elder's dire prediction, a sharp dismissive snort resounded through the chamber.
Hmph!
The source was none other than Ye Zhenwu himself.
All eyes turned toward him with anticipation.
"Although Su Tianhao holds the title of Second Young Master of the Su family, he was long ago abandoned by them and publicly ridiculed!" Ye Zhenwu declared, his words clear and precise. "There's absolutely no way the Su family can find favor from Su Tianhao's mysterious master based on their past treatment of the boy. I wouldn't be surprised if Su Tianhao decides to leave the Su family entirely in the near future. After all, what real benefits have they ever given him since he began walking the path of cultivation? Nothing!"
His sharp gaze swept authoritatively across the assembled elders.
"Su Tianhao should be left alone and this matter dropped immediately. Any objections?"
"The Patriarch is absolutely correct. There's no logical reason to enter a risky battle over a simple fight between two youngsters." Ye Xunhai said with obvious agreement.
"Exactly! I fully agree with the Patriarch's wisdom." Ye Sheng quickly chimed in.
Ye Shiming's and Ye Bao Kang's expressions had completely darkened. They found themselves unable to voice any reasonable counter-arguments without appearing foolish or overly aggressive.
Ye Zhenwu smiled triumphantly upon seeing their frustrated silence—then his gaze drifted toward an ordinary-looking old man dressed in plain, simple robes. He looked more like a friendly neighborhood elder than a dignified member of the Ye family council. But his eyes bore a profound gleam that no ordinary person should possess.
"Fourth Elder, you've been awfully quiet throughout this entire debate. Do you have anything to contribute before we conclude?"
The Fourth Elder, Ye Chongtai, finally spoke after remaining deliberately silent throughout the heated debate.
"Your words are indeed reasonable, Patriarch. As the council, we naturally should prioritize the clan's safety and future over violence and petty revenge." His hoarse voice carried surprising firmness. "But you cannot deprive a father of his personal right to vengeance. Now that would be truly unreasonable."
Although not as politically active as Ye Bao Kang, Ye Chongtai also supported Ye Shiming's faction—a matter of following proper tradition. Ye Wenjie's talent was undeniable and he should rightfully be heir according to their ancestral laws.
Hearing the unexpected intervention, Ye Zhenwu and his supporters couldn't help but frown deeply. Meanwhile, Ye Shiming and Ye Bao Kang's expressions immediately brightened with renewed hope.
"That's right, Patriarch! You cannot stop me from pursuing my own personal revenge against Su Tianhao!" Ye Shiming declared loudly, his voice firm and final. He was even willing to risk open conflict if that's what it took.
Realizing he could no longer deprive Ye Shiming of his right to revenge without appearing tyrannical, Ye Zhenwu sighed helplessly. Though he was Patriarch, his authority still had natural limits. One wrong move and the Ye family might openly split into two warring factions, leaving them vulnerable to external enemies waiting for such an opportunity.
"You may pursue your revenge," Ye Zhenwu said coldly, his tone carrying clear warning. "But anything you do falls under your own personal responsibility. Under no circumstances can you drag the entire Ye family down with you if things go wrong. Is that understood?"
"Agreed," Ye Shiming said with outward calm—but inwardly he was filled with vicious satisfaction. 'Hahaha! Finally! Su Tianhao, prepare yourself to face the consequences of offending my son—Ye Shiming's only heir!'
Ye Zhenwu raised his hand with cold finality.
"This council is dismissed."
---
The elders rose from their seats, the scraping of chairs against stone echoing through the vast chamber. They filed out slowly, each carrying their own thoughts and schemes into the morning light.
Ye Shiming lingered deliberately, his weathered hands clenching into fists as he stared at the empty Patriarch's seat.
"Brother..." he muttered under his breath, contempt dripping from the word. "You think you can suppress my son's brilliance with politics? We'll see who has the last laugh."
He turned and walked out, his shadow stretching long across the stone floor—a dark omen of the storm brewing on the horizon.
Outside the ancestral hall, Ye Xunhai and Ye Sheng stood together in the courtyard, watching the First Elder's departing figure with grim expressions.
"He's going to act recklessly," Ye Sheng said quietly, stroking his thick beard. "Su Tianhao has a Martial Lord backing him. If Ye Shiming makes the wrong move..."
"Then the Ye family will pay the price," Ye Xunhai finished calmly, his serene expression never wavering. "But we've done our part. The Patriarch gave clear warning. Whatever happens next... is karma finding its way home."
They exchanged a meaningful look before departing in opposite directions, leaving the courtyard empty save for the rustling of leaves in the morning breeze.