Chapter 7: An Audience with the Lord of War

Hearing Taisui's words, Ye Qinghai's face darkened. As the head of the Ye family, he held a certain status in Phoenix City, but now he had been called a fool by a young man. Where could he put his dignity after such humiliation? Yet, anger was one thing—he dared not show the slightest sign of it. After all, the events that had just transpired were still fresh in his mind. To be on equal footing with Jiang Qin in combat was not something the Ye family could afford to provoke.

“Dad, I think we should continue discussing the Huayi Group matter,” Ye Kai broke the awkward silence in the hall.

“Yes, the most urgent matter now is to discuss how we might secure cooperation with Huayi Group,” Ye Qinghai replied with an embarrassed smile, returning to his seat.

“There’s no need to discuss this any further,” Ye Shihan interjected as the topic shifted back. “I already said, getting this partnership doesn’t depend solely on Li Minghao’s connections.” She was determined not to let the family tie her fate to Li Minghao once again.

“Shihan, you can’t say that. Huayi Group is beyond our reach. Without Li Xian’s help, we might not even get through their door,” Ye Kai said, knowing what was on her mind.

“Since you refuse to believe me, fine. Let me handle this matter myself,” Ye Shihan declared, stunning everyone present.

Let her handle it? What right did she have to think she could manage such an important deal? For the Ye family, this cooperation was a rare opportunity. If they succeeded in building ties with Huayi Group, they might leap from a second-rate family to a first-rate one overnight.

“Shihan, this isn’t just talk. If you fail, who will clean up the mess you leave behind?” Ye Xuan frowned.

“And what do you suggest, Uncle?” Ye Shihan’s gaze was fixed on him.

“If you’re so confident, why not make a formal pledge in front of the entire family? That way, we’ll be comfortable entrusting the matter to you,” Ye Xuan suggested with a probing smile.

Ye Kai, knowing his brother’s character, wanted to stop her, but it was already too late.

“Very well! Since you insist, I, Ye Shihan, swear before all the Ye family’s relatives and friends that I am determined to secure this contract. If I fail, I will leave the Ye family and never set foot in the ancestral hall again!” she declared solemnly.

Hearing this, Ye Kai nearly wanted to slap her. Leave the family? Did she consider her parents’ feelings when she said that? They had dreamed of returning to the ancestral hall, but now, if she failed, there would be no hope for them at all.

“Hahaha, good! Since you’re so confident, it’s settled then. Dad, what do you think?” Ye Xuan, pleased his scheme had worked, laughed and looked to Ye Qinghai.

Ye Qinghai pondered for a moment, then nodded slowly. “Alright, if you’re confident, you may handle this matter. And if you succeed in securing this partnership, all future projects will be under your sole charge.”

He said this because, like the others, he didn’t believe in Ye Shihan’s abilities. The significance of Huayi Group in Phoenix City was such that even some first-rate families couldn’t establish ties.

After Ye Qinghai’s words, Ye Shihan nodded firmly, then stood up. “Grandfather, since it’s settled, I’ll take my leave. I have some materials to prepare.”

Without waiting for his reply, she took Xiao Yu by the hand and left the ancestral hall.

“You said you could help me handle this. You weren’t lying, were you?”

Outside the ancestral hall, Ye Shihan looked at Xiao Yu seriously.

He chuckled, reached out to gently rub her cheek, and said, “You’re my wife. How could I lie to you?”

She nodded resolutely. At that moment, she believed him.

Hand in hand, they walked towards the parking lot, with Taisui silently following behind. As they reached the car and prepared to get in, a group of burly men surrounded them—rough-looking men who were clearly up to no good.

“Our boss requests your presence,” said a bald man to Xiao Yu and Taisui.

“Jiang Qin?” Taisui asked coolly.

“That’s right. Please, don’t make this difficult for us. Our boss insists we bring you back,” the leader said, his fierce appearance belying his rather pleading tone.

“We should go,” Xiao Yu said, releasing Ye Shihan’s hand. “You drive home yourself. Taisui and I will go with them. Don’t worry—we’ll be fine.”

Though worried, Ye Shihan saw the resolve in his eyes and nodded. She got into the car and drove away.

Xiao Yu and Taisui were then respectfully ushered into a business van by the leader. The vehicle started and soon left the ancestral hall behind.

After about ten minutes, the van pulled up before a restaurant. As the door opened, a familiar face appeared—Jiang Qin, waiting at the entrance.

He led them to a private room. After instructing his men to guard the door, Jiang Qin closed it and immediately turned, bowed, and knelt on one knee. “Your subordinate greets the War King! Greetings to the Heavenly Instructor!”

The usually imposing Jiang Qin was now visibly excited. He had long revered the legend of the War King, never imagining he would one day share a room with the War King and one of the Twelve Celestials.

“Get up. I’m no longer the War King. There’s no need for these formalities,” Zhang Chutian said as he took a seat.

Jiang Qin rose and sat opposite Xiao Yu at his invitation.

“War King, how is it that the Ye family treats you with such disregard? Are they all fools?” Jiang Qin inquired as they talked about the situation in the southwest. Xiao Yu shared some details about himself as well.

“Hmph, that’s only because they don’t know who my brother is. If they learned he was the War King, they’d probably be scrambling to cling to him,” Taisui sneered.

“Enough. These are my private affairs. Don’t trouble yourselves over them,” Xiao Yu said, sipping his tea. He was well aware of the Ye family’s attitude, but it mattered little. The woman he loved was there; he would not harm the Ye family for their unfairness.

“Why not reveal your identity?” Jiang Qin wondered.

“What else? The boss told me it’s all for love,” Taisui replied with a laugh, while Xiao Yu smiled wryly and shook his head.

Jiang Qin scratched his head, not quite understanding the intricacies of love—such matters were beyond a rough man like him. A thought occurred to him—should he perhaps find a woman to experience love as well?

“War King, there’s something I’m not sure I should mention,” Jiang Qin ventured.

“Speak. There’s no need to hold back with me. In my eyes, every son of Yanxia is a brother, a kinsman,” Xiao Yu replied warmly.

“It’s about your wife’s family. It seems they’re not in a good situation,” Jiang Qin said. Having been in Phoenix City for many years, he knew all its affairs.

“That was in the past. Now it’s different—because I am by her side,” Xiao Yu said, his expression softening as he spoke of Ye Shihan.

Jiang Qin was stunned. Was this truly the legendary guardian of Yanxia?

“Don’t worry, War King. I still have some influence in Phoenix City. I’ll watch over your wife’s family in secret,” Jiang Qin promised, thumping his chest.

“There’s no need for that, but I do have something I need your help with. You’ve been rooted here for years and have your own network. I want you to keep an eye out for news on the street and any newcomers to Phoenix City,” Xiao Yu instructed, tapping his fingers thoughtfully on the table.

“Why is that?” Jiang Qin asked, puzzled.

“In our last battle, I defeated several of the enemy nation’s top fighters, but sustained serious injuries myself. My strength has waned. I doubt the enemy will be unaware of this. They might send assassins to prevent me from regaining my power.”

Jiang Qin’s face darkened. “Rest assured, War King. I will keep watch at all times. If they wish to harm you, they’ll have to step over my dead body first!”

“You do know how to talk, kid. Don’t worry, those people can’t stir up much trouble. If my brother really gets hurt, then we, the Twelve Celestials, would deserve to die in shame!” Taisui laughed, his opinion of Jiang Qin shifting.

And so, the conversation continued, with the storm clouds gathering quietly on the horizon.