Chapter 4: The Ye Family Bleeds!

A tense silence fell over the courtyard as the gathered Ye family members looked at the fallen Ye Mingkong, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

"Mingkong is the second strongest among our younger generation… How could this cripple Mo Que defeat him so easily?"

"Has he… actually regained his former strength?"

Fear crept into their hearts. Mo Que had once stood at the pinnacle, a prodigy who commanded awe across the Hundred States. If he had truly recovered, even Ye Chenxue—the family's so-called goddess—would be nothing but an insect before him.

Ye Rufeng, the Ye family patriarch, had a storm raging in his heart. He didn't dare act recklessly. Yun Hanzhou was still in Mo Que's grasp, and more importantly, if Mo Que had indeed reclaimed his power, his potential alone could reshape the fate of the entire Ye family.

"Que'er… have you truly recovered?" Ye Rufeng asked, his voice cautious, his expression unreadable.

He had stopped treating Mo Que as a cripple. His words now carried respect—fear, even.

Mo Que scoffed, his cold gaze locking onto Ye Rufeng. "Master Ye, my mother was of your generation. By all rights, I should call you uncle." He sneered. "But after what you've done, I no longer recognize you as family."

A flicker of unease passed through Ye Rufeng's eyes. He remained silent.

Mo Que continued, his voice sharp as a blade. "Three years ago, my mother entrusted me to the Ye family. But in the end, in your eyes, my life was worth less than a dog owned by an outsider! And now, you expect me to acknowledge you?"

Ye Rufeng's expression darkened. He had made a miscalculation. If Mo Que had fully recovered, his value to the family would surpass that of even ten Ye Chenxues. But now, Mo Que had turned against them.

"Que'er," Ye Rufeng began, his voice carefully measured. "Regardless of what has happened, the Ye family took you in for three years. That counts for something, does it not? If you still acknowledge that kindness, release Master Yun first."

Mo Que laughed coldly, his grip on Yun Hanzhou tightening.

"Kindness? The Ye family's kindness?" His voice dripped with mockery. His piercing gaze swept across the gathered Ye family members. "For the past three years, I was treated as a cripple. I was scorned, ridiculed, and humiliated. Is this the 'kindness' you speak of?"

He had once been the brightest star in the Hundred States. Yet the moment he was deemed worthless, even the Ye family's dogs were treated better than him.

Even Ye Chenxue, the girl he had personally guided and helped ascend to greatness, had coldly declared, We owe each other nothing.

"If kindness is measured in suffering, then I have already repaid my debt in full!" Mo Que said, his voice firm.

"Que'er, I admit I made mistakes. But now that you've recovered, I promise things will be different. If you release Master Yun, the Ye family will support you. We will help you reclaim your former glory!" Ye Rufeng declared, his tone filled with sincerity.

It was a tempting offer. With Mo Que's past talent, he could lead the Ye family to new heights. Ye Rufeng saw a future where the Ye family would stand at the peak, with Mo Que as its sword.

But before Mo Que could respond, Ye Mingkong, still clutching his injuries, sneered, "Patriarch, don't be fooled! He hasn't regained his strength—he's chosen the path of body cultivation!"

Ye Rufeng's eyes sharpened. "Body cultivation?"

His hope turned to cold calculation. The path of body cultivation had long been abandoned. It was a treacherous road, filled with hardship and nearly impossible to master.

If Mo Que had not restored his former talent, then he was still a cripple. Just a slightly stronger one.

"A futile struggle," Ye Rufeng muttered, his expression turning icy once more.

"You are nothing but a broken man clinging to a dead path," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "Now, release Master Yun—or suffer the consequences."

Mo Que laughed, shaking his head. He had seen the Ye family's true nature, and it sickened him.

A moment ago, they had sought to win him over. The instant they deemed him worthless, they cast him aside again.

"This family only cares for profit, not justice. It has no heart, no honor!" Mo Que spat. "I refuse to remain in such a place!"

His voice was resolute. He dragged Yun Hanzhou forward, heading for the Ye family gates.

The gathered Ye family members hesitated, eyes darting between Yun Hanzhou and Mo Que. Despite their numbers, none dared make a move.

"How dare you!" Ye Rufeng roared. "If you leave now, you will be a traitor to the Ye family. The Ye family and the Yun family will hunt you down. You will never know peace!"

Mo Que scoffed. "You speak of family ties, yet you ordered my death over a dog. From that moment on, my ties to the Ye family were severed!"

He walked past them, step by step, towards the gate.

Ye Rufeng clenched his fists, veins bulging with suppressed fury. He could only watch as Mo Que approached the threshold—the moment he crossed it, he would be gone forever.

"Master, do we truly have to push him away?" an elder beside Ye Rufeng asked. "He still carries Ye blood. If he can cultivate again, he may bring honor to our family. Why not—"

"Honor?" Ye Rufeng cut in coldly. "He is a cripple who chose a dying path. What future can he bring to the Ye family?"

His gaze flicked toward Yun Hanzhou. "Only the Yun family's genius can aid Ye Chenxue's rise and secure our family's power. As for Mo Que—he is nothing but a worthless failure."

Hearing this, the elder sighed but said nothing more.

At that moment, Mo Que stepped over the threshold.

With that one step, he severed his past.

Turning back, his gaze found a familiar figure in the crowd—a woman in white, her face calm and detached.

Ye Chenxue.

Her eyes held no emotion, no regret, no warmth.

Mo Que chuckled softly. "We owe each other nothing?" His voice carried across the courtyard. "No… you owe me."

Before anyone could react, a silver gleam flashed through the air.

A needle, thin as a hair and swift as lightning, shot toward his forehead.

Mo Que's eyes turned ice-cold.

"Ye Chenxue!" he growled, locking his crimson gaze onto her. He had seen it clearly—the attack had come from her hand.

The Ye family truly was ruthless. And now, he was their enemy.