Leaving the clinic, Ye Chu sought a quiet place to refine his medicines.
Suddenly, his phone vibrated with a message alert.
He glanced at the screen, his eyes narrowing.
"Ye Chu, I suddenly recalled there are matters concerning your parentage I have yet to reveal. If you wish to know the truth, return to the Ye family."
Though the number was unfamiliar, the tone of the message betrayed its sender.
At that moment, the phone rang—it was the same number.
Ye Chu answered.
"Ye Chu, I await you at the Ye residence."
The voice of Ye Tiancheng came through cold and brief before the line was cut.
Ye Chu's expression darkened. The Ye family truly lingered like a lingering ghost that refused to dissipate.
Though he knew this might be a trap, even the faintest chance of learning the truth about his past was not something he could ignore.
Without hesitation, he set off toward the Ye estate.
Meanwhile, within the Ye family villa—
After ending the call, Ye Tiancheng turned to the middle-aged man seated opposite him. "Mr. Su, should anything unforeseen occur, I'll be counting on your intervention."
The man's face carried an air of arrogance. "Patriarch, rest assured. What storm can a mere stripling stir? Likely, you won't even require my hand. These few men will be more than enough."
He cast a glance at the bodyguards beside him, each of whom bore the same disdainful smirk. To them, dealing with one youth was hardly worth mentioning.
This man was Su Wanshan, the Ye family's retained expert—a martial cultivator at the sixth stage of body refinement.
Though confident, Ye Tiancheng had summoned him as a safeguard.
Half an hour later, Ye Chu arrived.
Led inside by the butler, his gaze swept across those assembled, lingering momentarily on Su Wanshan before striding boldly to the sofa and sitting. He fixed his eyes on Ye Tiancheng.
"Speak. What else have you concealed from me?"
A flicker of confusion crossed the eyes of Xie Yushan and Ye Yichen. Not long ago, Ye Tiancheng had claimed he had a way to lure Ye Chu back, and they had doubted him. Yet here Ye Chu was—and his very first words hinted at secrets unknown to them.
Ye Tiancheng's eyes bulged in fury. "Ye Chu, how dare you? Is this how you address your elders?"
Xie Yushan sneered venomously. "Hmph, he's the Jiang family's son-in-law now. Naturally, he no longer places us in his eyes."
"Elders?" Ye Chu cast Ye Tiancheng a mocking glance. "And what makes him worthy of that title?"
Ye Tiancheng's expression turned black as ink. "Ungrateful wretch! Do you think that marrying into the Jiang family grants you license to defy heaven itself?"
Impatience clouded Ye Chu's face. "Will you speak or not? If not, I'm leaving."
He rose to go.
Ye Tiancheng's lips twitched, rage finally bursting its bonds.
"You there—teach this unfilial child a lesson. Let him learn the meaning of respect."
One of the hulking bodyguards stepped forward, grinning savagely.
"Boy, spare yourself a beating. Kneel and apologize to the master."
Ye Chu's reply was icy. "I told you—he is not worthy."
"Courting death!"
With a roar, the guard lunged, fist hurtling toward Ye Chu's face.
Ye Yichen and Xie Yushan smirked inwardly. Let us see if he still acts so arrogant after being pummeled.
But Ye Chu did not retreat. He raised his hand, caught the incoming fist with ease, and with a casual flick, sent the man flying like a rag doll.
The bodyguard crashed into the far wall, smashing a hole in it before collapsing to the ground, vomiting blood, unconscious.
The room fell utterly silent.
Every gaze fixed upon Ye Chu in shock.
"You… how could you—?" Ye Tiancheng stammered.
Xie Yushan and Ye Yichen stared wide-eyed as well. Such a feat was beyond the reach of any ordinary man.
There was only one explanation—Ye Chu was a martial artist.
"What's wrong? Surprised?" Ye Chu's lips curled in amusement. "Don't worry. This is only the beginning."
Ye Tiancheng drew a deep breath, stifling his astonishment. His voice grew cold. "No wonder you dare act so brazenly—you have stepped onto the martial path. But do you think such trifling skill can stand against the Ye family? In our eyes, mere martial artists are as worthless as stray dogs."
His words brimmed with contempt, bolstered by the belief that Ye Chu's youth meant shallow cultivation.
"Oh? Is that so?" Ye Chu's smile held mockery. "Then allow me to experience this great might of the Ye family."
"Hmph, as you wish." Ye Tiancheng sneered, then turned with deference toward Su Wanshan. "Mr. Su, if you would."
Su Wanshan inclined his head, his gaze locking onto Ye Chu. "Boy, when I act, blood will be spilled. If you value your life, kneel and beg forgiveness."
Ye Chu arched a brow. "The last man to boast so fell to his knees within three moves. I wonder—how long can you endure?"
"Arrogant brat!"
Su Wanshan's eyes flashed with killing intent. Rising, he strode toward the courtyard. "This hall is too confined. Let us fight outside."
Without hesitation, Ye Chu followed. The others rushed out behind them.
In the courtyard, Su Wanshan clasped one hand behind his back, curling his other in a beckoning gesture. "I do not stoop to bullying juniors. Strike first."
Ye Chu's eyes gleamed with faint amusement. "No—you should go first. For if I move, you may never have the chance."
"Such insolence!" Su Wanshan's face darkened. "Very well. Since you seek death, I shall oblige."
He sank into his stance, body low and swaying, both hands angled like the scythes of a mantis.
"Take this!"
His figure blurred, closing the distance in an instant, twin hands lashing toward Ye Chu's vital points.
Ye Chu slipped aside, quietly studying his technique.
"Mantis Fist? Interesting."
His lips curled. He mirrored Su Wanshan's posture, body weaving fluidly, evading each strike with ease.
Then, seizing his moment, he lashed out—a single blow to the ribs.
The force sent Su Wanshan hurtling across the courtyard, crashing heavily into the grass.
"This… impossible…" Ye Tiancheng and the others gaped in disbelief.
Staggering upright, Su Wanshan's face was ashen. "How could you know Mantis Fist?"
Ye Chu chuckled. "Why, I just learned it from you."
"Impossible!" Su Wanshan's pupils contracted. He had honed the art for decades, yet his execution was inferior to Ye Chu's? Nonsense. The boy must have trained in secret for years.
"Believe what you will," Ye Chu said lazily. "Well? Do you wish to continue?"
Su Wanshan's face twisted, pain wracking his side. He knew he was outmatched. At last, he gritted his teeth. "I concede."
The Ye family reeled. Their most vaunted protector—defeated in moments.
And what unsettled them most—when had Ye Chu grown so powerful? None of them had known.
Regret gnawed at Ye Tiancheng's heart. Had he known, how could he ever have cast Ye Chu out as a son-in-law?
"Ye Chu, I—" he began, attempting to soften the atmosphere.
But Ye Chu cut him off coldly. "Whatever tricks remain, bring them forth."
Ye Tiancheng fell silent. He had none left. The family did have stronger experts, but without the patriarch's sanction, they were beyond his call.
"So, nothing then?" Ye Chu sneered. "It seems the mighty Ye family is not so formidable after all."
Ye Tiancheng's face twisted in humiliation.
Ye Yichen barked angrily, "Do not grow complacent! The Ye family has more than just Mr. Su. Should we summon our other masters, dealing with you would be effortless. Yet, for the sake of kinship, we may choose to spare you—provided you render service in return."
Hearing such shameless words, Ye Chu laughed coldly. "Oh? And how exactly would you have me 'repay' the Ye family?"