Chapter 8 The Storm is Brewing

Ye Xuan's expression suddenly turned cold, and a look of surprise emerged in his eyes.

Han Qiu Yun, who was also Ye Xuan's mother, had been merely a maid of the Ye Family, specifically tasked with taking care of the third young master's daily needs. One night, after a bout of drunkenness, Han Qiu Yun's chastity was taken.

When the Ye Family patriarch discovered this, Han Qiu Yun's belly had gradually begun to swell, revealing that she carried the flesh and blood of the Ye Family.

With no choice left, she was made a concubine; and within the following two years, she bore Ye Ling'er and Ye Ping, a pair of twins.

One might reason that, although Han Qiu Yun came from a maid's background, with the offspring of the Ye Family, her future life should have been carefree. Yet in these great families, matching of social statuses matters.

How could the family of Ye Xuan's birth father, who wed the precious jewel of another family, ever accept him and his mother?

When Ye Xuan was five, the Ye Family found an excuse to cast him and his mother out of their home.

Even four years ago, when Ye Xuan was stricken with a terminal illness, teetering on the brink of death, his heartless father had not spared him a glance.

Ye Xuan fell silent for a long while, then spoke directly to his mother, "With that woman in the Ye Family, how could they accommodate Ye Ping?"

Faced with Ye Xuan's question, his mother let out a self-mocking laugh and said, "That man and she have no children."

As his mother finished speaking, Ye Xuan instantly understood; the Ye Family was a major clan in the Capital City, the Ye Family elder had three sons, and by now he must be quite old. If his uncaring father had no heirs, the struggle for the position of the Family Head would certainly be at a disadvantage.

At that, Ye Xuan had fully grasped the cause and consequences of the situation.

"Mom, has my brother come to see you over the years?"

The moment the words left his mouth, Ye Xuan regretted asking them. If Ye Ping had truly visited his mother, how could their home be in such straits?

As Ye Xuan had guessed, his mother's bitter smiles followed. This pierced Ye Xuan's heart, and he softly said, "Mom, don't worry. In a little while, I'll go to the Capital City and bring my brother back. Then we can be reunited as a family."

Hearing Ye Xuan's words, his mother's expression changed, and a trace of fear crossed her eyes. She quickly warned Ye Xuan, "Xuan'er, let it be. We cannot afford to offend the Ye Family. You must not go."

"Cannot afford to offend them?"

Ye Xuan murmured to himself as a streak of blood flashed across his eyes. He didn't care if his Ye Family was a major clan of the Capital City or even if they belonged to the world of Ancient Martial Arts. At his command, he could reduce them to ashes.

He did not let this emotion show in front of his mother, because he did not want her to worry.

Buzz!

A ripple bloomed in the void, as if a mysterious space were opening, and two white elixirs quietly appeared in Ye Xuan's hands. This phenomenon naturally went unnoticed by his mother.

"Mom, these are elixirs gifted to me by an extraordinary person. They grant longevity and health. You and my sister should each take one, as they will greatly benefit your health." As he spoke, Ye Xuan placed the elixirs in his mother's hand.

"Good, good, Xuan'er is still so filial." His mother did not ask for the name of the elixir and took it immediately, showing unconditional trust in her son.

Yunling Pill.

That was the name of the elixir. It was refined from various Spirit Essences and Exotic Beast Essence Blood. Those who consumed it could extend their lifespan, ward off hundreds of diseases, and regain youthful vitality.

Such elixirs, for Ye Xuan, were merely the most basic items in his storage space; it wasn't because he was stingy with his own mother, but rather, the more potent elixirs would be unbearable for her.

By now, it was deep into the night.

Ye Xuan's mother had cleaned out a room for him to stay in, and then she returned to her own room.

Moonlight flowed like water, stars speckled the sky.

Standing in the room, Ye Xuan gazed through the window at the bright moon and stars, his thoughts adrift.

The sight of his mother's aged face, his sister's desperate accusations, these scenes echoed in Ye Xuan's mind. He knew what he needed to do—to change everything before him.

"I need money, that's the most fundamental thing," Ye Xuan murmured, frowning.

In the Blood Sea Battlefield, Ye Xuan was known as the Undying Venerable. To him, money was merely a joke; beyond that gate, only power was respected. If you wanted anything, then take it by force, plunder it.

Yet, since Ye Xuan had returned to the Human World, he couldn't act in such a manner. It wasn't because of any reservations; he simply wanted to take good care of his family. Eventually, he would have to resolve the issue of his stagnant cultivation, and during that time, he didn't want to attract anyone's attention.

But as a fearsome cultivator, could Ye Xuan really avoid capturing the attention of the world as he wished?

Time passed quickly. Ye Xuan pondered deeply, how would he earn his first sum of money?

An elixir auction?

Ye Xuan immediately rejected the idea. Not to mention whether anyone would believe in such a thing, causing a sensation among the people would only bring trouble upon himself.

Ye Xuan also considered teaching his mother and sister the methods of immortal cultivation, but with spiritual energy being nonexistent in this world, it was nothing more than a delusion. His current cultivation level was something that couldn't be replicated.

Suppressing his tumultuous thoughts, Ye Xuan decided that he would go out tomorrow. He didn't believe that with his status as a cultivator, it would be difficult to earn a bit of money in the Human World.

Ye Xuan sat in meditation, circulating the Undying Immortal Scripture. Although his cultivation could not advance even an inch, he still persevered, hoping to see a glimmer of light on the path of cultivation.

...

The Li Family mansion.

Li Zongshan's face was gloomy as he leaned back on a luxurious sofa, facing a middle-aged man about forty. This man had copper-colored skin, his sharp, triangular eyes gleaming with a villainous light—it was clear he was no kindly sort.

"Old Dragon Head, didn't you say back then that you were withdrawing from the Beichuan Gang, severing all ties with us? Isn't it a bit childish of you to want to use our power now?" the man sneered.

"Wu Jun, I was the one who brought you into the gang. You owe your position at the top to me to some extent. Let's cut to the chase—what do you want?" Li Zongshan said with narrowed eyes.

"Eighty percent of the Li Family's wealth," Wu Jun stated bluntly, his face shining with confidence.

"You've got quite an appetite—that's a full three billion Xia Country Coins." Li Zongshan's face reddened with anger as he barked back.

Watching Li Zongshan's flushed face, Wu Jun let out a cold laugh, "Old Dragon Head, it's not too much at all. You should remember that the one who killed your children is no ordinary person. Unless one is an Ancient Martial Artist, even the Beichuan Gang, with me at helm, would pay a price if the assailant proves to be ruthless."

"Wu Jun, you yourself are an Ancient Martial Artist and a master of Dark Force. Our Beichuan Gang is one of the top three underworld powers in Jiangnan City. Even if the assailant is an Ancient Martial Artist, at most, he's on par with you, another master of Dark Force. How could he pose a threat to the Beichuan Gang?"

"Asking for eighty percent of my family's wealth—isn't that a bit too much?" Li Zongshan said, clearly struggling to accept Wu Jun's terms.