Upon hearing Yun Shan’s words, Yun Xi’s beautiful countenance changed dramatically. She hurriedly said, “Father, if you do not help Ye Lang, he will surely die…”
Before she could finish, Yun Shan interrupted her.
“Fate decides life and death. If he cannot overcome even this small difficulty, what qualifications does he have to be my son-in-law?”
This small difficulty?
Ye Qiu’s mouth twitched.
Damn it, five Saint realm experts want to kill me. This is a certain-death situation!
He could not help complaining inwardly about Yun Shan, “Father-in-law, you are not being fair.”
“With my cultivation, how could I possibly break a death trap set by Saint realm experts?”
“You clearly want me to die here!”
Yun Xi was on the verge of tears, pleading, “Father, your daughter and Ye Lang have already shared the reality of husband and wife. For your daughter’s sake, please save him!”
Yun Shan’s attitude remained firm. “I have already said it. For your sake, I will not kill him, but do not expect me to save him.”
Yun Xi cried, “Father—”
“No more words.” Yun Shan said, “Today, no matter what you say, I will not help him.”
A ruthless glint flashed in Yun Xi’s eyes. Suddenly, she drew a long sword and held it across her neck.
“Holy Maiden!”
The disciples of the Qingyun Sword Sect jumped in fright, exclaiming in unison.
“Xi’er, what are you doing?” Yun Shan’s voice was icy. It was clear he was furious.
Tears streaming down her face, Yun Xi said, “Your daughter has privately pledged her life to Ye Lang. If Ye Lang dies, your daughter will not live alone.”
“Father, your daughter has no other request. Please act to preserve Ye Lang’s life. Otherwise…”
“Otherwise what?” Yun Shan asked angrily.
“Otherwise, your daughter will die before your eyes.” Yun Xi’s face was resolute.
“You—” Yun Shan’s face turned livid with rage. He glared fiercely at Ye Qiu, wishing he could tear him apart.
This bastard – what ecstasy soup had he fed Xi’er?
“I said I will not save him.” Yun Shan declared.
“In that case, your daughter bids you farewell here.” Yun Xi exerted slight force. A blood mark appeared on her snow-white neck.
“Stop!”
Seeing this, Yun Shan’s heart filled with both anger and heartache.
He was angry because Yun Xi had always obeyed him from childhood, compliant in every way. Yet today, for a man, she not only defied him but even risked her life.
As for heartache, Yun Xi was his only daughter, cherished like a pearl in his palm. He feared her suffering even the slightest grievance. Seeing the blood on her neck nearly shattered his heart.
Yun Shan took a deep breath and sighed. “A grown daughter cannot be kept at home. Fine!”
“Xi’er, put the sword away!”
“Father agrees.”
Yun Xi’s expression brightened. “Father, do you mean it?”
“When have I ever lied to you?” Yun Shan countered.
Yun Xi thought about it. Indeed, from the time she could remember, whether big or small matters, Yun Shan had never deceived her.
“Thank you, Father.” Yun Xi said gratefully.
“We are family. No need for formalities. Get up!” Yun Shan reached out and helped Yun Xi to her feet.
Hearing this, the Infinite Heavenly Venerable and the other four Saint realm experts exchanged subtle glances. Far from fear, they felt secret joy, for events were veering closer to their anticipated direction.
The Infinite Heavenly Venerable transmitted to the four Saints, “It seems Yun Shan will act soon. Proceed as planned.”
“You four hold off Yun Shan.”
“Once this seat captures Ye Changsheng, I will kill Yun Shan. You kill Yun Xi and the Qingyun Sword Sect disciples. Then we shall jointly annihilate the Qingyun Sword Sect.”
The four Saints nodded slightly.
At that moment, a sudden change occurred. Yun Shan lightning-fast pointed a finger at Yun Xi’s brow.
In an instant, Yun Xi’s body stiffened, unable to move.
“Father, what have you done to me?” Yun Xi demanded in a delicate voice. Her beautiful eyes blazed as she glared at Yun Shan.
“Xi’er, do not be angry. Father had no choice.”
Yun Shan said apologetically, “I am sorry. Today, I cannot help Ye Changsheng. The reasons – I will explain in detail once we return to Qingyun Sword Sect.”
“In short, I cannot act. Whether Ye Changsheng lives or dies depends on his own fortune.”
“If Ye Changsheng dies today, and you wish to hate Father, then hate me. I am the sect master of Qingyun Sword Sect. I cannot, for an outsider, plunge Qingyun Sword Sect into crisis.”
“Unless…”
Yun Shan paused here, thinking inwardly, “Unless the Supreme Elder emerges from seclusion. Then I need not fear the combined forces of the Yin-Yang Sect, Butian Sect, and the three holy lands. Otherwise, if I act, war will engulf the Eastern Wilderness, and Qingyun Sword Sect risks annihilation.”
Of course, these words he could only keep to himself. He would not reveal them before so many people to Yun Xi.
Yun Xi was about to speak when she found she could make no sound from her throat. A restriction had been placed on her.
“Xi’er, Father has secretly observed Ye Changsheng. This boy’s fortune is extraordinarily thick. Perhaps he can survive.”
After saying this, Yun Shan declared loudly, “Ye Changsheng, I will not help you.”
“However, I repeat: if you can break this deadlock, I shall acknowledge your relationship with Xi’er.”
“Do you have confidence?”
Confidence my ass.
Before five Saint realm experts, I have no power to resist.
Despair filled Ye Qiu’s heart, yet his mouth showed no weakness.
“Senior, I hope you keep your word. If I survive today, please do not interfere with Xi’er and me in the future.” Ye Qiu said.
“As master of a sect, I naturally stand by my words.” Yun Shan replied. “Ye Changsheng, good luck.”
Good luck my foot.
I am already facing imminent doom.
“Little brat, your father-in-law is truly no good. He clearly wants us to die here.” The long-eyebrowed Daoist cursed.
Ye Qiu said, “Helping would be kindness. Not helping is duty. Perhaps he has his concerns.”
“Concerns my hammer.” The long-eyebrowed Daoist said. “If this old Daoist were master of the foremost sect in the Eastern Wilderness, anyone daring to touch my son-in-law – I would blast them to ashes.”
“With him not helping, we are doomed today.”
“Little brat, can you promise me one thing?”
Ye Qiu asked, “What?”
The long-eyebrowed Daoist said, “After this poor Daoist dies, could you burn more paper money for me? Let me be the richest in the Yin-Yang underworld. And burn a few paper beauties too – the kind with big chests and long legs – so this old Daoist can enjoy himself in the netherworld.”
Ye Qiu replied irritably, “Old thing, at a time like this, you still have the mood to joke?”
“Besides, if you die here, I cannot live either.”
“Have you not seen? Those Saints are all coming for me.”
The long-eyebrowed Daoist shook his head, his face serious. “This poor Daoist is not joking. I am leaving my last words.”
“Moreover, even if everyone else dies, you will not.”
“Because your fortune is profound, your fate extraordinary. You turn calamity into blessing, transform peril into safety.”
