Chapter Ten: The Target Is All Nature

The fight was over. There wasn’t much left to say. The two of them exchanged their contact information. The rest was just everyone returning to their own homes, going their separate ways—if fate allowed, they might cross paths again someday. The great battle had ended. The storm had settled, leaving its dust behind. As for what might unfold later, Ye Yan couldn’t be bothered to think about it; it was none of his business. Even if he was one of the main characters.

He firmly and righteously refused Feng Shayan’s offer to drive him home, instead riding home alone in his little Wuling van. Feng Shayan’s intentions were well known; in all of Tianxia Society, there wasn’t a soul unaware of her designs on him—she didn’t even try to hide it. Taking her home? That would just be handing himself over. What a joke—would Ye Yan ever give her that chance?

From the driver’s seat, Ma Lao Wu turned the wheel with practiced ease. “How’s the speed, Yan?”

“Mm…”

“I’ll just drive back. You’re a spirit, can’t drink, and you’re not afraid of the police pulling us over.”

Ye Yan leaned his head against the window, letting the cool night breeze wash over him, closing his eyes for a short rest.

“Alright then.”

The only sounds were the rushing of wind outside and the occasional gear shift inside the van—so quiet it felt almost eerie. Ye Yan sensed something was missing.

“Put some music on.”

“Oh, sure.” Ma Lao Wu obediently reached over and flicked on the radio. Music began to play.

“Invincible… how lonely it is…”

Ye Yan: “Change it.”

“You hurt me, but you just smiled and walked away…”

“Next.”

The radio: “Summer, summer, quietly passed by…”

Ye Yan couldn’t help but laugh bitterly, lines creasing his forehead. This radio seemed to have a mind of its own tonight.

“Forget it,” he said, turning his head with resignation. Then he saw Ma Lao Wu focused intently on driving—accelerator, clutch, gear shift. His movements were as smooth as any seasoned driver.

Watching him, Ye Yan couldn’t help but smile.

“What is it, Yan?”

Ma Lao Wu glanced back in the rearview mirror, utterly confused by Ye Yan’s sudden amusement.

“It’s nothing. I just thought, teaching you to drive was the right choice. You all have a skill now, so you’ll always have a way forward.”

“All thanks to your wisdom, Yan!” Ma Lao Wu grinned, spinning the wheel and tossing a compliment, which made Ye Yan roll his eyes.

The truth was, under Ye Yan’s leadership, every spirit around him had learned some useful trade. Ma Lao Wu could drive. Sui Feng’s ears could cook. Lu Dashan could haul bricks. Jin Erpeng had long legs and was a genius with a tricycle. Mo Li Zha’s skills in binding had reached new heights...

Back when he first crossed over, Ye Yan had no means to earn money; life was wretched and impoverished. He’d even considered sending the spirits to work at an electronics factory. But they didn’t have IDs, so that plan fell through. Even so, under his watch, each spirit picked up a specialty.

As soon as Ye Yan entered the courtyard, he saw the lights on in the villa. Getting out of the car, he felt a twinge of surprise. “Well, she’s actually home tonight.”

“That’s rare.”

Ever since she’d joined Quanxing, he could count on one hand the number of times he’d seen Xia He. “She’s probably gotten herself into trouble again,” Ye Yan sighed, opening the door and stepping inside.

He took off his coat and changed into slippers. On the sofa, Xia He sat engrossed in the television, still in that pink silk robe. She was so absorbed in the show that she didn’t notice Ye Yan’s return. He heard the TV—a classic was playing.

“You won’t even call me Godfather.”

Ye Yan was about to head to the kitchen. Then he sensed something was off.

The kitchen lights were on.

In Ye Yan’s memory, Xia He was someone completely lacking in self-sufficiency—she couldn’t cook, never set foot in the kitchen, and her discarded clothes were always strewn all over the house.

So, who was in the kitchen?

For a moment, Ye Yan felt a surge of anger he could barely contain. But he decided to see for himself.

He strode into the kitchen.

And there at the dining table sat a little brat with square-framed glasses, a green short-sleeved shirt, and a neat bowl-cut, holding a bowl of something yellow and wolfing it down.

“A boy. A male,” Ye Yan’s blood pressure spiked instantly.

Hearing footsteps, Lu Liang looked up, instantly wary as his eyes met Ye Yan’s. Lu Liang instinctively activated his soul-sensing technique, asking before Ye Yan could speak, “Who are you?”

Ye Yan didn’t say a word. Hidden in his sleeve, he slid the Soul-Shattering Hammer into his palm and flung it.

The Soul-Shattering Hammer, wrapped in energy, shot forward like a black meteor, aiming straight for Lu Liang’s face.

“Not good!” Lu Liang’s expression changed drastically. He dodged at the last second, the hammer grazing his neck and leaving a long, shallow blood line.

With a thunderous crash, the entire wall behind Lu Liang crumbled, sending dust everywhere.

Swallowing hard, Lu Liang’s face filled with terror. He felt as if he’d just brushed past death. If he hadn’t dodged in time, he’d be nothing but a pile of bones—he didn’t think his body could compare to that wall.

Who was this man? He was terrifying.

Just then, Xia He came in from the living room, having finally heard the commotion. She saw the two of them, walked over to Ye Yan, and wrapped her arms around his waist, asking gently, “Little brother, why are you so angry tonight?”

Ye Yan glanced at her. “Well, Xia He, you’re getting braver, aren’t you? Not only do you come home, you even dare to bring a man here?”

Xia He wasn’t offended. She poked his cheek with a finger, laughing, “What’s this, my little man—are you jealous?”

“Jealous? Because of you?”

Ye Yan looked at her with utter disdain.

“Alright, alright, my little man really is petty—jealous of a little brat, too.”

With Xia He teasing him, Ye Yan’s anger faded, though he still eyed Lu Liang coldly, as if demanding an explanation.

“Lately, the company is probably going to have us wanted,” Xia He explained. “This kid has nowhere to go, so I brought him back. He’s easy to keep—just needs a place to stay and something to eat.”

“Oh, easy to keep, is he?” Ye Yan sneered, “Well, I wonder if the graveyard out back suits him.”

“Graveyard?” At those words, Lu Liang’s face went pale. “I’ll have you know, I’m Quanxing. Ever heard of us? We’re ruthless and inhuman.”

Lu Liang was truly scared. He could see the killing intent in Ye Yan’s eyes was all too real.

Ye Yan couldn’t help but laugh. “Quanxing, is it? I’ll have you know, that’s exactly who I beat the hell out of.”