Chapter 118: The Cake

Ye Yan had no way of knowing what decision the Old Celestial Master had reached.

When he returned to the side room in the back mountain, the diligent Li Ziyuan had already settled Xia He, helped her change into clean clothes, and ensured she had bathed; she looked far less disheveled than before. The remaining members of the "Four Madmen" had also been taken care of and settled in vacant rooms nearby.

However, even though he had brought the Four Madmen up the mountain, Ye Yan noticed a significant increase in the number of Taoist priests patrolling the area on his way back from the front mountain. This was to be expected, as the feud between Quanzhen and Longhu Mountain had grown far too deep. Ye Yan chose to play the part of the blind man. He acted as if he saw nothing.

Feigned blindness notwithstanding, Ye Yan could not escape the fate of a full-body physical examination. Xu San had dragged him off to be checked from top to bottom, every inch scrutinized, leaving nothing to chance. He called it "for your own good."

"Partner, thank you for your hard work. I’ll take care of her from here on out," Ye Yan said, expressing his heartfelt gratitude to Li Ziyuan, who had been busy all afternoon.

"You're welcome, partner! Make sure you get some rest, too. Call me if you need anything," Li Ziyuan said, sticking out her tongue playfully before taking her leave without lingering.

After she left, Ye Yan pulled a chair to the bedside and stared quietly at Xia He’s face, observing her closely. He truly could not understand her actions—knowing that escaping would be a life-or-death gamble, why couldn't she have just stayed hidden? If he hadn't managed to wake from his deep sleep in the final moment to save her, the consequences for Xia He were too terrifying to imagine. Was it worth it, this foolish woman?

Lost in thought, Ye Yan drifted away from his surroundings. The room was silent, save for Xia He's faint snoring and Ye Yan’s back as he stared blankly at the wall. He remained in a stupor for a long time until his phone suddenly buzzed, jolting him back to reality.

He pulled out his phone. The caller was Xu Si.

"That's rare. He's actually calling me," Ye Yan murmured, sliding the screen to answer. As soon as the connection was made, Xu Si’s slightly weary voice came through: "Ye-zi, how are you feeling? Any discomfort?"

Although Xu Si was no longer on Longhu Mountain, he was always well-informed about Ye Yan’s condition. After all, he and Xu San were inseparable; if one knew, the other inevitably did too.

"I’m alright. No major issues." Hearing the concern from this lazy fellow, a smile tugged at the corners of Ye Yan’s mouth.

Ye Yan’s response eased much of Xu Si’s worry. He chuckled and teased, "I figured as much. You’re full of life, and you took down all those people from the Wang family by yourself. Not bad at all."

"Just getting by, keep it low profile," Ye Yan replied. He wasn't surprised that Xu Si had heard the news. There were far too many eyes watching this situation in the shadows; the moment the Wang family members were taken down, those hiding in the dark would have known.

Ye Yan retorted, "So, are you calling so suddenly today to hold me accountable?"

"Accountable? Don't be ridiculous. The Wang family—what do they have to do with me if they all drop dead? I have no ties to them." Xu Si let out a dry laugh. "I mainly called to check on your situation. Even though Old San mentioned something, I was still a bit worried. After sleeping for so long, what were the results of the check-up?"

"...Huh." A warmth spread through Ye Yan at Xu Si's words. "Thanks."

"Eh, it’s nothing." After a bit of light conversation, Xu Si’s tone turned serious. "Ye-zi, what is your current stance regarding the Wang family?"

"Blood feud until the end." Ye Yan’s reply was blunt, but it was exactly what Xu Si had expected. He knew all too well the hatred between Ye Yan and the Wang family. Furthermore, the Wang family’s recent grandstanding while Ye Yan was unconscious—the assassination attempts and the pursuit of Xia He—had crossed Ye Yan’s line and pushed him to his limit.

Xu Si’s inquiry felt strange to Ye Yan. Based on his understanding of Xu Si, the man would never ask such a question unless he was testing the waters on behalf of someone else.

"Fourth Brother, let’s be straight. Is someone asking you to probe my intentions?"

"You guessed it." Xu Si laughed on the other end. He wasn't surprised that Ye Yan had seen through him, so he stopped hiding it. "Actually, Chairman Zhao from the Company wanted me to see where you stand on the Wang family."

Ye Yan glanced at Xia He, who was breathing steadily on the bed, and said expressionlessly, "I’ve already stated my position... Fourth Brother, you know it well."

"I can make concessions on other matters, but when it comes to the Wang family, there is no room for negotiation. If the Company intends to stand in my way... I’m sorry, but in this instance, we can only be enemies."

Ye Yan’s words were resolute and devoid of hesitation. In the past, his strength had been insufficient, forcing him to wait for the Wang family to slip up. But now, with the Sovereign Form as his trump card, he didn't need to be so restrained.

Xu Si felt a sense of helplessness at Ye Yan’s aggressive stance. "Don't get so excited. The Company never said they wanted to stop you."

"In fact, I called today for two reasons: to check on your condition, and because Chairman Zhao wanted to know your stance. He’d like to have a chat with you."

"They won't stop me?" Ye Yan was stunned. He hadn't expected Xu Si to be so direct.

"The truth is, the Wang family’s recent actions have touched the Company’s bottom line, so... the Company will not harbor or protect them," Xu Si explained.

"Understood." A sense of clarity washed over Ye Yan. If the Company stayed out of his business with the Wang family, it would save him a lot of trouble.

"Then, about Chairman Zhao..."

"Let’s talk." Since the Company wasn't planning to shield the Wang family, Ye Yan was willing to engage in a deeper conversation.

"Alright..." The line went quiet for a moment before a deep male voice spoke. "Hello, Young Brother Ye. I am Zhao Fangxu, the Board Chairman of the Tai Chi Company."

"Hello, Chairman Zhao." Ye Yan responded in kind.

He had heard many rumors about this legendary chairman. Some said he was a hermit master on par with the Old Celestial Master, capable of shattering mountains with his palm strikes. Others claimed he was a mastermind, a monster of intellect who managed the vast branches of the Company from behind the scenes. Of course, these were just rumors. Ye Yan had never seen Zhao Fangxu in person, but his voice sounded like that of a kind, comfortable elder brother.

"This sudden call might be presumptuous, but the Company truly wants to know your position regarding the Wang family. The stakes are quite high."

"Chairman Zhao, I’ve stated my position many times. My attitude is simple: a blood feud to the end. Either the Wang family exists, or I, Ye Yan, exist—they cannot both coexist. I hope you understand."

"Understood!" Zhao Fangxu nodded. "Since you have laid your cards on the table, I will represent the Company’s stance as well: the Wang family has colluded with Purgatory villains and threatened national public safety. The Company will not let them act with impunity."

Ye Yan believed him. But if that were all, there would be no need for this call. "You wouldn't call without a reason, Chairman Zhao. If there’s anything else, just say it."

"Fair enough. The world of outcasts is in chaos lately. The Company is stretched thin and can’t spare much manpower for the Wang family. Our stance is the same as yours: if you decide to act, the Company won't help you, but we certainly won't interfere."

Ye Yan didn't know Zhao Fangxu well, and he knew such concessions weren't given for free. "Name your terms, Chairman Zhao."

"If the Wang family falls, their assets must be turned over to the Company. If you agree, we won't intervene."

"Turned over to the Company?" Ye Yan laughed. "Chairman Zhao, that’s quite the calculation. You don't have to lift a finger, yet you want the spoils of war? You’re trying to pluck the peach right off the branch."

Zhao Fangxu wasn't annoyed. "Don't be angry, Young Brother Ye. If the Company acts, the Wang family won't be able to escape anyway."

"Escape?" Ye Yan’s smile grew colder. "So, Chairman Zhao, do you think I’d give up such a huge cake just because of that? The Wang family’s assets... they are quite tempting, aren't they?"

Ye Yan didn't care for material wealth, but that didn't mean he would simply hand it over. With the Wang family’s massive scale and industry holdings, he could use that wealth to build a formidable second-tier power in the outcast world in no time.

"Don't be so quick to refuse. Everything is negotiable," Zhao Fangxu said gently. "I don't doubt your ability to take down the Wang family alone, but you are only one person. Even if you manage to seize their assets, the follow-up work will be an endless headache. Since you covet their property, I’ll take a step back. The Company takes 70%, and in exchange, we’ll give you the green light for the transition. How does that sound?"

"70% is too much," Ye Yan refused without hesitation. "Let’s flip it. I take 70%, the Company takes 30%."

"Company gets 60%."

"I get 60%."

"..."

They haggled over the Wang family’s inheritance like two sharks smelling blood, neither willing to yield. Ye Yan, though technically a regional employee, was far from ordinary, and he stood his ground before the Chairman himself because his fist was hard enough to back it up.

After a long debate, they fell silent. Zhao Fangxu spoke first: "Let’s be fair. Fifty-fifty. That is my absolute bottom line."

Zhao Fangxu was desperate. The Quanzhen incident had plunged the world into chaos, and he was working himself to the bone—even losing hair—to maintain order and handle the aftermath. He had no choice but to negotiate.

Ye Yan thought it over. He hated the idea of splitting his spoils, but he knew the practical value of working with the Company to avoid the administrative nightmare of cleaning up. Eating alone wasn't always the best habit.

"Deal."

"A wise choice." Zhao Fangxu smiled. "Since we have a deal, let’s have a pleasant cooperation."

"Pleasant cooperation!"

The Wang family still stood, but in the eyes of Ye Yan and Zhao Fangxu, they had already become an ownerless cake, ready for the taking. After hanging up, the cold, sharp look finally returned to Ye Yan’s face.

"The time for reckoning has come."