At this moment, the high platform still held the Ye Family's upper echelons, Ye Yunfei, Xiao Chuchu, and Huang Lao.
"Father, unless the traitor within the family is removed, what happened today will happen again."
Ye Yunfei suddenly took a step forward, his gaze piercing as he stared at Ye Zhongnian.
"What do you mean by that!"
Ye Zhongnian flew into a rage. It was obvious that Ye Yunfei's accusation was directed at him.
"If my memory serves me correctly,"
Ye Yunfei spoke slowly, "the Ye Family's accounts are managed by you, this old cur. The debts those people just came to collect amounted to over sixty thousand Spirit Crystals. And our Ye Family's total annual income, even at its absolute maximum, wouldn't exceed forty thousand Spirit Crystals, would it? When did our family's spending become so extravagant? It's simply a case where expenditures far exceed revenue! Do we, the Ye Family, truly have a need for two thousand beast pelts and thirty first-rank Beast Cores? Father, I suggest we thoroughly inspect the family's total accounts to see if this old cur Ye Zhongnian has falsified records to line his own pockets. Or perhaps, in his quest for the family head position, he wouldn't hesitate to collude with outsiders and damage the family's interests!"
"You're slinging mud and blood-slanders!"
Ye Zhongnian roared at Ye Yunfei, though his expression also betrayed a hint of panic. "What benefit would colluding with outsiders and harming the family bring me personally!"
"Throwing the Ye Family into chaos highlights my father's incompetence in management, giving you a chance to seize power amidst the turmoil. Of course it benefits you. That butler, Xiao Wanzu, newly hired into your residence a year ago—his real name is Qin Wanzu. He was sent by Qin Xiong to assist you in dealing with my father."
Ye Yunfei said this impassively.
The moment Ye Yunfei finished speaking, the gazes of Ye Tianpeng and the seven Elders immediately locked onto Ye Zhongnian.
"Is what Fei'er said true, or false!"
Ye Tianpeng stared at Ye Zhongnian, each word enunciated clearly.
"Elders, Qin Xiong has already promised me that if I become head of the Ye Family, he will spare us and cease his suppressive actions against our family!"
At this point, Ye Zhongnian threw caution to the wind. He understood that his deeds could no longer be hidden.
"Old cur, finally admitting to colluding with outsiders, are you? You are actually one of the masterminds behind today's debt collection!"
Ye Yunfei gave a cold laugh.
"Ye Zhongnian, see what good deeds you have done!"
Ye Tianpeng trembled with rage, bellowing furiously.
For a moment, the atmosphere on the high platform became unbearably tense. By now, everyone understood that everything Ye Yunfei had said was entirely true.
"Hehe, today has truly been quite an eye-opener. I never imagined such a despicable man existed in this world—for his own gain, he wouldn't hesitate to collude with external enemies to act against his own family."
Xiao Chuchu suddenly spoke, her tone dripping with scorn.
Ye Zhongnian's face flushed crimson, his eyes burning with fury. However, Xiao Chuchu's status and position were there for all to see; he simply didn't dare vent his anger on her. This is all that little bastard's fault! His hate-filled, venomous gaze swept towards Ye Yunfei, redirecting his fury onto him.
"Colluding with external enemies and harming the family interests—according to our Ye Family clan regulations, this is punishable by death!"
Ye Yunfei suddenly shouted, drew his longsword, and moved, advancing towards Ye Zhongnian with swift strides.
"You little bastard, do you think I fear you!"
Ye Zhongnian roared, his hatred for Ye Yunfei reaching its peak.
Boom!
He struck out with a palm. An illusory palm shadow flew from the center of his palm.
The rampaging spiritual energy was nothing short of overwhelming. The surrounding air instantly exploded, forming chaotic wind currents. The entire high platform became a scene of wind-whipped stones and dust, a truly frightening display!
"Fei'er, be careful!"
Ye Tianpeng cried out in alarm, his face paling.
Just at that moment,
A sudden turn of events!
"Ah!"
Ye Zhongnian suddenly screamed in agony, retreating several steps, his face ghastly pale.
His head was racked with excruciating pain, as if an invisible iron needle were wildly churning the very pulp of his brain.
Pfft!
Ye Yunfei moved like a ghost, his longsword thrusting forward. The Sword Intent was sharp, the angle treacherous.
With a single stab, he punctured Ye Zhongnian's Dantian with unerring precision.
Ye Yunfei's speed was simply too fast, his sword technique too exquisite, enhanced with Sword Intent to boot. More importantly, Ye Zhongnian had never anticipated that Ye Yunfei's actions would be so swift, decisive, and ruthless, that he would truly dare to harm him! He simply had no time to dodge!
Crunch…
Ye Yunfei twisted the sword in his hand, directly churning Ye Zhongnian's Dantian into a worthless pulp.
"The Soul-Devouring Needle, it truly hasn't disappointed me."
Ye Yunfei had only recently practiced the Soul-Devouring Needle technique. For a first use, its power was quite satisfying. A single needle, unleashed, caused Ye Zhongnian unbearable agony, drastically reducing his combat power. That was why Ye Yunfei could shatter his Dantian with a single sword stroke.
"Ah! You little bastard, you've crippled me!"
Ye Zhongnian wailed in misery.
Ye Zhongnian had been crippled?
On the high platform, everyone stood rooted, dumbstruck, unable to believe what had just happened before their eyes.
"What's happening?"
Down in the entire martial arena, all the Ye Family members were also stunned by the commotion on the eastern high platform.
"The traitor within the family has been excised. From now on, all high-level members of the Ye Family must fully assist my father in confronting our external enemies together, to develop and strengthen our Ye Family. Otherwise, do not blame me for being impolite! Anyone who objects, step forward now!"
Ye Yunfei swept his icy gaze slowly over the seven Elders of the Ye Family, the blood on his longsword still dripping steadily. An aura of bone-chilling killing intent faintly emanated from his person.
None of the seven Elders dared to utter a single sound!
"Young Miss, Young Master Ye is swift and decisive in execution. He will undoubtedly achieve great things in the future!"
Huang Lao quietly whispered to Xiao Chuchu.
Xiao Chuchu nodded slightly, her beautiful eyes shining with a peculiar brilliance as she stared at the sword-bearing Ye Yunfei.
"Good."
Ye Yunfei glanced around, satisfied to see that no one dared to speak out, and gave a slight nod.
"Elders, I guarantee that with me here, no one can move against our Ye Family. Furthermore, in the future, the development of our Ye Family will not be confined merely to Yuanyue City, nor to some measly Great Qin Empire, but to the far broader world beyond!"
His words, filled with infinite confidence, rang out slowly on the high platform, causing everyone present to feel deeply shaken.
"Well said! Ye Yunfei, I support you!"
The Great Elder suddenly roared.
Previously, Ye Yunfei had been nothing but an irredeemable martial waste in his mind. But today, from start to finish, the continuous shocks delivered by Ye Yunfei had profoundly affected him. He even developed an intuition that under Ye Yunfei's lead, the Ye Family might truly soar to the heavens!
"I offer my support."
"I support him too!"
…
Subsequently, the other Elders voiced their support one after another.
Finally, Ye Yunfei's gaze landed on Ye Chaoxian.
"I… I also offer my support!"
Ye Chaoxian's expression changed rapidly. Finally, gritting his teeth, he spoke up.
He had no other choice left.
"Good.
I hope you remember your words."
Ye Yunfei gave Ye Chaoxian a profound look.
"Alright, you all may proceed. There is nothing more here for me now."
Ye Yunfei sheathed his longsword, turned, and walked down the high platform.
His objective had been achieved, and he no longer wished to concern himself with other family affairs.
"Young Master Ye, wait for me!"
Xiao Chuchu called out, accompanied by Huang Lao, and hurried to catch up with Ye Yunfei.
The seven Elders watched Ye Yunfei depart until he disappeared from view.
"Family Head, what is the exact relationship between Ye Yunfei and Pavilion Head Xiao? I have a feeling her treatment of Ye Yunfei is… rather unusual, exceptionally favorable even. Could it be… there is something between them…"
The Great Elder suddenly inquired in a tentative tone to Ye Tianpeng.
"I do not know either."
Ye Tianpeng shook his head with a bitter smile.
"Haha, good fortune! If Ye Yunfei can secure a hold on Pavilion Head Xiao, it would be heaven-sent good fortune for our Ye Family!"
The Great Elder laughed heartily.