Chapter Eleven: The Incident

When Che Wuyou arrived at the reception hall, he did not enter. Instead, he stood at a distance outside the doorway, gazing in. The hall was already filled with distinguished guests, both familiar and unfamiliar faces mingling together, raising their cups and engaging in spirited conversation. Seated in the center of honor were Che Hongshi and his wife, and Che Yeming as well.

Che Hongshi and his wife accepted the frequent toasts with beaming smiles. Even the usually stern-faced Che Yeming, in such a lively and festive atmosphere, appeared much softer. Whenever someone approached to toast him, he didn't refuse; he drained his cup with every offering. Aside from drinking, he occasionally turned to speak a few words to Che Hongshi and his wife, though what he said was unknown, but it made them laugh heartily.

Che Wuyou watched the scene of this family, fatherly affection and filial respect harmoniously woven together, and thought of his own looming fate. His heart grew desolate; surely they had already forgotten him, at least at this moment. If one day he died, years later, when they remembered him, perhaps it would be only with a sigh, lamenting that Wuyou was so unfortunate.

Lost in these thoughts, his heart ached unbearably, and he wished only to find a hidden corner where no one would discover him. That way, even after death, no one would ever know of his existence. With this resolve, he hesitated no longer, and walked along the main road out of the Che estate, heading straight for the outskirts of the city.

Though guards stood at the gates of the Che family and atop the walls of Old River City, who would pay attention to a child on a night when the city lord’s mansion was celebrating so grandly? Even if someone noticed, they’d assume he was another family's child. Thus, Che Wuyou passed unimpeded through the city gates.

Meanwhile, the Che family was lively all night long. As dawn approached and the gathering was about to break up, suddenly an urgent report arrived from outside the city: a large force of unknown origin was rapidly approaching Old River City. Che Hongshi and his wife had not yet grasped the situation when another urgent message arrived, one after another, delivered to the Che estate. Che Hongshi was alarmed by the succession of reports; the effects of the wine vanished instantly.

He composed himself and instructed, “Investigate further. Who are they, and what is their purpose in coming to Old River City?” He then ordered the guards to their positions, assigned tasks to the leaders, and made preparations for battle as needed.

Before he could finish his arrangements, another urgent report came: “The group is led by Miao Shilin of the Miao family from Ji Prefecture. He has gathered hundreds of cultivator experts and demands that the city lord surrender the eldest young master, or else, when Old River City falls, none will be spared.”

Che Hongshi's face changed repeatedly upon hearing this. Furious, he exclaimed, “This is outrageous! Our Che family and the Miao family both belong to the Alliance of Cultivators. We’ve had no recent grievances, nor old enmities. That scoundrel Miao Shilin is bullying us too much, daring to provoke my Che family so brazenly. Does he think I fear him?” Those remaining guests, not yet dispersed, erupted in curses at the Miao family's arrogance, vowing to fight to the death.

Ye Hongyu’s face paled with anger. The Miao family’s open challenge was a grave insult to the Che family. If this matter were not handled properly today, how could the Che family ever stand tall in Ji Prefecture again? She turned to Che Yeming in displeasure, “What trouble have you caused now? For them to arrive at our door and demand you by name?”

Che Yeming immediately realized disaster was upon him at the mention of Miao Shilin. He cursed inwardly; his moment of compassion in sparing Bao’er and his grandfather had brought such calamity upon himself. Seeing his mother’s angry gaze, he grew uneasy and dared not meet Ye Hongyu’s eyes.

A mother knows her son best. Ye Hongyu noticed Che Yeming’s evasive gaze and was moved. Had Yeming really gotten into serious trouble again? From what she knew, Miao Shilin had always been fair and upright, unlikely to provoke the Che family without cause. She sighed secretly and tugged at her husband, “Let the brothers go home and prepare. Matters of war must be handled with utmost caution.”

After a hundred years of marriage, Che Hongshi and Ye Hongyu shared a deep understanding. Hearing her words, Che Hongshi sensed the truth. His heart was heavy, unsure what disaster his son had wrought this time to bring such chaos. Yet his expression remained unchanged, his anger undiminished as he continued assigning tasks. When the others had left, he turned expressionlessly to Che Yeming, “What trouble have you caused now?”

Che Yeming, seeing the situation exposed, no longer concealed anything. He recounted the events of Eight Mile Town in detail, omitting only the part involving Uncle Tiger.

The Che couple listened, dumbfounded. Even after Che Yeming finished, they struggled to believe it entirely. When had Yeming grown so formidable, entering the early stage of Returning Origin, his cultivation rivaling the elder masters of South River and Ji Prefecture? They clearly remembered that three months ago, when Che Yeming left the estate, he was only at the mid-stage of the Purple Mansion. This leap was astounding—three months to cross a path many never traverse in a lifetime.

Moreover, even if Che Yeming had truly entered the early Returning Origin stage, it would still be impossible for him to slay so many of Miao Zongbao’s party. Those who followed Miao Zongbao were all elite members of the Miao family, hardly easy to deal with; even Che Hongshi himself would not be confident in ambushing so many of them.

Yet the Che couple did not know that, besides these feats, Che Yeming had also succeeded in killing the mid-Returning Origin master, Uncle Tiger. If they knew this, who could say what their feelings would be?

Che Yeming was exceptionally gifted, a rare talent in cultivation; his true strength could not be measured by the surface level of his cultivation. After consuming the ancestral object, his progress soared, unconsciously advancing to the mid-Returning Origin stage, with even greater potential ahead. Now, even in an encounter with Che Hongshi, he had the power to fight, though Che Hongshi was unaware of this.

The Che couple finally digested this shocking news, their hearts in turmoil. Their son was so capable, so promising, such extraordinary talent—it should have been cause for great celebration, yet they felt no joy.

Che Hongshi knew that Che Yeming had caused considerable trouble, but he still underestimated his son’s capacity for disaster. To have killed Miao Shilin’s only son left no room for negotiation; anyone would be willing to risk everything for such a loss.

Che Hongshi had met Miao Zongbao several times and knew the boy’s excellent character—a rare individual. He hadn’t expected his death to be so senseless. He secretly blamed himself for indulging Che Yeming too much, always seeing him as young, a budding cultivator he dared not restrict for fear of hindering his progress. He hadn’t foreseen that while Yeming’s cultivation advanced unhindered, he would commit such a ruthless act, one most taboo among cultivators.

Che Hongshi’s face was dark as iron, feeling, for the first time in his life, utterly powerless. He glanced at his speechless wife, then at Che Yeming kneeling before him, and roared, “Beast!” With this, he struck down in anger toward Che Yeming’s head. Yet midway, he held back; after all, no matter what, Yeming was his son. Even a tiger does not eat its cubs. With such talent and future potential, it would be a pity to destroy him now.

But Ye Hongyu was startled. In Che Hongshi’s fury, who knew what he might do? Her mother’s love drove her to rebuke him, “What are you doing?” Without thinking, she raised her hand to intercept him.

Since their marriage, Che Hongshi had never seen his wife use her skills. He knew her strength was not quite his equal, but she was no novice. He steadied himself, but before he could see clearly, Ye Hongyu’s palm, trailing afterimages, struck his hand and forced him back several steps. Che Hongshi was stunned, unable to react to how his wife had grown so formidable.

Ye Hongyu sneered, “Haven’t you always indulged him? Why now do you wish to discipline him? Don’t you think it’s a bit late for that?”

Che Hongshi, provoked by her words, grew even darker in countenance, raging, “Raising an unworthy son brings disaster to the family. Better I kill him myself than let him die at another’s hands.” He raised his hand again, as if ready to strike at any moment.

Ye Hongyu, seeing Che Hongshi’s stern expression, knew he was deeply angered and could not tell if his words were serious. She pleaded, “Brother Shi, Yeming is still young—it was a moment’s mistake. Who hasn’t erred? If he knows his fault and can change, with his talent, he will surely shine in the cultivator world of the Southern Frontier, even the whole Southern Continent. At that time, the rise of the Che family will be inevitable—isn’t that your lifelong wish?”

“Besides, Wuyou is beyond saving. He could leave us at any time. Now I have only Yeming left—will you take him away from me as well?”

She then declared resolutely, “If you insist on killing Yeming today, then you’ll have to kill me as well.”

Ever since revealing the truth, Che Yeming had kept alert, ready to resist his father’s blow. If one said he was willing to die, it could never be true. He watched his father’s palm descend, prepared to counter, but noticing his mother’s strange expression, he hesitated.

He gritted his teeth, thinking, “Let’s risk it. Would Mother really just watch me be killed by Father? If she did, it would be my misfortune. Besides, with my current cultivation, even if I took the blow head-on, it might not kill me.”

But when his mother intervened, he breathed a sigh of relief and continued to play the dutiful son. Hearing her heartfelt words, he was deeply moved, and his blood surged as he declared, “Father, Mother, please don’t quarrel. Since Miao has named me, I’ll go out to meet him. I alone will answer for my actions; I believe that once he sees me, he won’t trouble the Che family further.”

Che Hongshi, hearing Che Yeming’s bold words, couldn’t help but mock, “What do you plan to do?”

Che Yeming said proudly, “I’ll break into their camp. If they have the skill to keep me, I’ll accept my fate, but they may not be able to. Though the chance of survival is slim, there’s always hope.”

Ye Hongyu, worried, cried, “Yeming, you must not! Breaking into their camp is perilous. Alone, you’d be beset by hundreds of experts—there’s no chance of survival. Only a Core Formation master, intent on escape, might have hope. Otherwise, even a Core Formation master would perish under such an assault.”