Ye Xuan shook his head. "No, you won’t die. Tonight, I will escort you out safely. Keeping the clansmen alive and ensuring the continuation of our bloodline is what a Patriarch ought to do. But I will not leave. I have to stay here. Even in the face of the formidable Niu Family and Ning Family, I will show them the unyielding pride and sheer stubbornness deeply ingrained in the bones of the Ye Family."
His voice wasn’t impassioned, yet it carried an undeniable weight.
"Brother, why do you have to stay? Come with us."
Ye Ling’Er’s tearful voice rang out. Hearing that Ye Xuan intended to stay behind, she simply couldn’t hold back her emotions any longer.
Ye Xuan offered a gentle smile. "Because I am Patriarch Ye."
Upon hearing this, several of the younger generation were immediately moved. Led by Ye Wen and Hua Xiaoyu, the youths couldn’t help but tear up.
"Ye Xuan, why must you do this? You are the future of the Ye Family. If someone truly has to stay behind and lay down their life to prove the pride of our family, it must be me," Ye Zeyun suddenly spoke up.
In the Ye Family, he could afford to die, but Ye Xuan had to live. That was because only Ye Xuan could ensure that the exiled members of the Ye Family wouldn’t be bullied by outsiders.
Looking at Ye Zeyun’s resolute expression, Ye Xuan continued, "Who said I’m going to use my life to show the Ye Family’s pride? Didn’t I say I’m making a bet with you all? If I win the bet, I want everyone to promise me one thing."
"What is it, Ye Xuan?"
"Patriarch, just say the word. As long as it’s within our power, we’ll absolutely do it!"
Ye Xuan cast his gaze over his clansmen before speaking again. "Just now, I asked if you believed in me, and none of you answered. Although I don’t feel disappointed, I still hope that from now on, you will trust me unconditionally. Not just because I am Patriarch Ye, but also because, starting today, crises like this will by no means be a rare occurrence. But do you really think a family can rise to greatness without facing all sorts of dangers? In this world, there are no great towers that cannot withstand violent storms!"
His voice suddenly grew impassioned. This was especially true for his final sentence—there are no great towers that cannot withstand violent storms. Those words were incredibly profound and carried a deep philosophical truth.
As soon as he finished, silence fell over the courtyard. The entire Ye Family was stunned. No one expected him to say something like this. Every single word was a pearl of wisdom, ringing constantly in their minds like warning bells.
After a long pause, Ye Zeyun’s voice broke the silence.
"Alright! Ye Xuan, I previously made you Patriarch because of your strength alone. But now, I truly believe you are the only one worthy of leading the Ye Family. You are right; for a family to rise, it must face all sorts of crises. How could a family that chooses to flee at the first sign of danger ever become strong? But Ye Xuan, can you really win this bet? The disparity in strength is simply too vast. You don’t have to be this radical."
Ye Xuan replied calmly, "It’s exactly because the disparity is vast, exactly because everyone thinks it’s impossible, that I must create a miracle. Otherwise, how could I demand your unconditional trust? Grandpa, as Patriarch, I order you to take the clansmen and leave immediately.
"Take this piece of Twin Jade. If I don’t crush my piece within ten days, it means I am dead. But if I crush it within ten days, it means the danger has passed, and I urge you all to return at once. I think I’ll definitely survive, so just wait for the jade to shatter."
Hearing this, Ye Zeyun’s pupils shrank. He gritted his teeth and remained silent for a long moment before finally letting out a low roar.
"All clansmen, follow me out of Hongtu Town!"
"This... Are we really leaving? No, I’m not leaving!" Ye Wen suddenly took a step forward and stood right beside Ye Xuan.
"I’m staying to fight alongside my cousin! I, Ye Wen, am no coward who clings to life and fears death. I am an indomitable man.
"As a member of the Ye Family, with the Ye Family’s blood flowing in my veins, I am willing to fight to the bitter end for our family. I would die with no regrets.
"How can the sons of our generation fear death!"
He roared out the final sentence. It was unclear if he was simply trying to embolden himself or speaking from the bottom of his heart. Regardless, he stood shoulder to shoulder with Ye Xuan, his gaze as resolute as iron.
"Brother, I’m not leaving either, because I believe in you." Ye Ling’Er also stood beside Ye Xuan, linking her arm through his.
But Ye Xuan shook his head and issued a firm command. "All of you must leave. If you truly believe in me, then don’t become my burdens. Otherwise, I’ll have to worry about you while I fight."
"Brother... but..."
"No buts. Don’t worry, your brother is guaranteed to win this bet. Didn’t you say you believed in me?"
"Brother... Alright, then please be careful." Ye Ling’Er was eventually convinced.
"Father, take good care of my sister. This is the Hidden Green Grass, along with several other medicinal herbs. Take them..."
With a thought, a few herbs appeared in Ye Xuan’s hand. These were all meant to treat Ye Ling’Er’s heat ailment. He had originally intended to hand them over to Ye Yizhou just in case something unforeseen happened. But halfway through his sentence, he pulled his hand back. He realized that if he made such arrangements now, the Ye Family might mistakenly think he lacked confidence in himself.
"Never mind. When you return, I’ll brew the medicine myself. Now, go."
"Xuan’Er, we’ll take our leave then. You must stay safe!"
"Take care, Patriarch!"
The sound of footsteps rapidly faded into the distance. Before long, Ye Xuan was the only one left in the massive Ye Family estate. Standing alone in the courtyard, his silhouette appeared somewhat lonely.
"Can you really hold out against them?" Tang Long’s voice drifted over.
"Tang Long, you haven’t left yet?"
"I’m not leaving. I’m staying in Hongtu Town to see whether you live or die. Your life or death is very important to me."
Ye Xuan smiled. "Don’t worry. I promised to save your wife, and I definitely won’t go back on my word."
Tang Long furrowed his brows and eventually asked, "Ye Xuan, what exactly are you trying to do? Are you going to fight the tens of thousands from the Niu Family all by yourself?"
"What, is that not possible?"
"It’s possible, but even if you manage to repel ten thousand Cultivators, then what? Didn’t you say the Ning Family likely has experts in the Super Spirit Realm? Will you be able to stand against them then? It’s simply impossible. Compared to powerhouses in the Super Spirit Realm, the disparity in your current strength is like heaven and earth. They are the heavens, and you are the earth."
Ye Xuan continued to smile. He slightly raised his head and looked at the sky.
"That’s exactly why I need to create the miracle you all deem impossible, isn’t it?"
"You..."
"Tang Long, I know what you’re afraid of. You’re afraid that if I die, no one will be left to save your wife and help you get your revenge. How about this? I’ll tell you the exact locations of the nine Small River Veins right now."
Tang Long’s pupils shrank, thinking he had misheard. "Nine veins?"
"Yes, nine veins."
The night deepened.
Dark clouds continued to gather in the sky. Occasionally, thunder would boom through the air, yet no rain fell.
Finally, the sky gradually brightened.
About three miles outside of Hongtu Town, a long dragon formed of billowing dust appeared. The Niu Family had arrived. Once they bypassed this pass, they would be able to see Hongtu Town in the distance.