However, I refuse

A bright moon hung in the sky, accompanied by stars that sparkled like diamonds.

The cicadas of midsummer chirped in continuous waves.

In the small courtyard belonging to Ye Shu, spiritual energy overflowed, its brilliant light constantly flickering through the window.

Meanwhile, on the other side, at the Patriarch's estate.

Inside the quiet study, the flickering candlelight illuminated Ye Zhan's face, which was dripping with cold sweat, as well as the cold, gleaming dagger pressed against his neck.

Crimson blood slid down the blade.

Ye Zhan's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard.

Good sir, what is your business here?

Fortunately, the intruder did not have the habit of poisoning their blades.

Otherwise, he really would have been sent to meet his great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather.

The person holding the dagger was entirely hidden within a black robe. Their face was obscured, leaving only a pair of icy eyes staring intently at Ye Zhan's back.

High-end search methods often require only the simplest of techniques. After pondering for a whole day, the Shadow Guard master ultimately chose to just show up and threaten him with a blade.

Today, I have come for only one thing.

What is it?

The token.

Hearing these two words, Ye Zhan's pupils shrank sharply, and his muscles instantly tensed. This subconscious reaction did not escape the Shadow Guard's eyes. His gaze flashed, and he pressed the dagger a fraction closer.

It seems Patriarch Ye knows what I am talking about, which saves me from wasting my breath. Since you must already know my purpose, please hand over the token.

Otherwise, think of your clansmen.

Patriarch Ye wouldn't want... your clansmen to meet some unforeseen misfortune over a tiny token, would you?

After saying this, he paused and continued:

If you hand over the token, I can guarantee that your Ye family will sweep away the other three major families of Moon City and become the sole overlord. Weren't you endlessly fighting with the Liu family over a spirit stone vein just a few days ago? As long as you hand over the token, all of this will be easily resolved. At the same time, I can also take your son as my disciple and pass on the supreme Great Dao to him.

The Shadow Guard slightly released a wisp of his aura.

A terrifying pressure instantly enveloped the entire study, pressing down so hard that Ye Zhan could barely breathe.

Soul Formation?!

Ye Zhan swallowed hard with great difficulty.

It had to be said that every one of the Shadow Guard's conditions was tempting, especially the last one about taking Shu'er as a disciple.

What father doesn't want his son to become a dragon among men?

As long as you hand over the token, all of this will be realized. Besides, the token has long been useless to your Ye family as it is today, hasn't it?

Why not hand it over to someone who can put it to better use, and exchange it for a brighter future? Perhaps your Ye family could use this opportunity to turn things around and create brilliance once more?

Just hand over the token.

The Shadow Guard pressed against Ye Zhan's back, exhaling a cold breath into his ear. Or perhaps...

Do you want to die?

Ye Zhan froze, his pupils trembling violently. He blankly opened his mouth, A-as long as I agree to your conditions and hand over the token, you... you will really take my son as your disciple and spare my life?

Hearing this, the Shadow Guard couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile.

Heh heh...

A small family is just a small family. With just a slight show of favor, they can be easily captured. The Young Miss's fifteen wasted years were truly a case of being blinded by the sand and misjudging the person.

Delighted in his heart, the Shadow Guard spoke in an extremely bewitching tone, emphasizing every word: That is naturally so. As long as you hand over the token, not only can I return your Ye family to its peak, but I can also take your son as a disciple, making him a renowned figure in the Taiwu Imperial City.

After all... there must be give and take...

Hand it over... hurry up and hand over the token...

In the silent room, only the Shadow Guard's bewitching voice remained. Ye Zhan's shoulders trembled slightly, as if he were struggling with a difficult decision.

Everything was proceeding exactly as the Shadow Guard had anticipated.

As long as he got the token, even if his methods were a bit underhanded, it would still be a great merit. Not to mention, since the Young Miss had already let it go, he naturally had no scruples in his actions.

If anyone asked about it in the future, there would naturally be great scholars to justify it.

However, just as he was reveling in his beautiful future.

On the verge of returning to the Zhao family, getting a promotion and a raise, and reaching the pinnacle of his life—

But, I refuse.

A cold and resolute voice rang out.

Wh-what?!!

The Shadow Guard widened his eyes in disbelief.

He looked at Ye Zhan, only to find that this Patriarch of the Ye family, who had just been submissive and terrified of death, was now raising his head high under his pressure, his eyes full of disdain.

Accompanied by the sudden blare of intense music, Ye Zhan spoke: One of my absolute favorite things to do is to say no and refuse those who think they have everything under control.

The token, I will not give it to you.

His voice was soft, yet deafening.

A-are you kidding me?!

The Shadow Guard broke out in a cold sweat, flying into a rage out of humiliation. You bastard, aren't you afraid I'll kill you?! At worst, I'll turn this Ye family upside down and dig three feet into the ground!

Oh?

At this moment, Ye Zhan seemed to have completely disregarded life and death. His entire body erupted with the true aura of a Patriarch, imposing without being angry, and a mocking smile curled at the corner of his lips.

Of course I believe it. A first-tier Soul Formation cultivator can naturally do that.

But do you dare?

If you kill me, you can forget about finding the token in this lifetime. Since you know such secrets, you naturally also know that in order to prevent the token from being stolen, the major families transform it into various objects and place seals upon it, passing it down from generation to generation. Only the Patriarch knows what the token is and how to unseal it.

So even if you luckily find the token, you won't know how to unseal it.

So, do you dare?

Ye Zhan was completely fearless, his gaze open and candid.

You!!!

The Shadow Guard trembled with anger. He gripped his dagger tightly but hesitated to strike. Because what Ye Zhan said was true; even he didn't know what the Zhao family's token looked like.

To think that he, a mighty Soul Formation expert, would be thwarted by a mere Golden Core cultivator?

What a joke!

If word of this got out, how could he ever show his face again?

Gritting his teeth, he let out a suppressed growl from his throat. If you don't hand over the token, I will kill every single person in the Ye family, not even sparing the dogs! Then I will capture your son and torture him day and night!

Everyone has a weakness.

And for most people, their weakness is their closest kin.

However, facing such a threat, Ye Zhan remained fearless. Instead, he said with a calm face, Then go ahead and kill them.

Wh-what?

This time, the Shadow Guard was truly shocked.

Just what kind of father could be so indifferent upon hearing his son being threatened?

Could it be that Ye Shu wasn't his biological son?

Are you really not afraid at all?

Afraid, of course I am afraid. Ye Zhan nodded and looked at the Shadow Guard. How could I not be afraid? But is it useful to be afraid? It's completely meaningless.

I wonder if Your Excellency has ever heard the story of the bandits kidnapping someone?