Chapter 43: Recruiting Yuan Zhonghuang

No martial arts master in the world is capable of transmitting sound directly into the mind.
If Ye Tianci could do so, it meant he had already surpassed the realm of martial arts mastery!
Yuan Zhonghuang's gaze toward Ye Tianci changed completely—now filled with reverence and fear!
Thud!
Yuan Zhonghuang no longer hesitated. He dropped to his knees, his forehead touching the ground with crisp decisiveness, and respectfully declared, "I, Yuan Zhonghuang, have offended you just now. Please, Mr. Ye, punish me as you see fit!"
The main hall of the Violet Aura Residence became deathly silent!
"My heavens, who is this Master Ye? Even Lord Yuan is bowing to him!"
"Why is Lord Yuan kneeling, and so respectfully at that? I can't make sense of it, truly can't!"
"Could this man be some great figure?"
"I think this Lord Yuan must be an imposter. If he were really Lord Yuan, how could he kneel to a cripple?"
"Nonsense! Open your eyes and look carefully, that's the Dragon of Zhenjiang, Lord Yuan!"
...
The silence lingered for several seconds before hushed whispers and heavy breaths broke out.
Everyone was shocked—many had forgotten to breathe just moments before.
Ye Tianci nodded in satisfaction at Yuan Zhonghuang, who knelt in submission, afraid to lift his head.
He understood that, like Tang Zhenguo, Yuan Zhonghuang was now fully under his command.
Ye Tianci smiled faintly and raised his hand, "Rise and speak."
At once, Yuan Zhonghuang felt an irresistible force surging from beneath his knees, as if Ye Tianci himself pulled him to his feet.
"Thank you for your magnanimity, Mr. Ye!"
Yuan Zhonghuang looked at Ye Tianci with even greater respect, cupping his fists and bowing his head. "I will never forget my original purpose, Mr. Ye—rest assured."
His words made his allegiance clear.
Ye Tianci nodded with a smile, gesturing to Qi Qingming, "Is this your disciple?"
"Yes," Yuan Zhonghuang admitted truthfully.
"This man was ruined by me. In five days, I will destroy the Qi family."
"You must make your choice." Ye Tianci spoke calmly.
Yuan Zhonghuang took a deep breath and turned to stand before Qi Qingming.
Qi Qingming lay slumped on the ground, blood and saliva streaming from the corner of his mouth, snarling through gritted teeth, "Yuan Zhonghuang, dare you harm me? Dare you betray the Qi family?!"
"Even if you're the Dragon of Zhenjiang, my family will tear out your dragon sinews! Break your dragon bones!"
"Don't forget, my brother Qi Xian's master is the head of the True Martial Hall in Southern Province!"
He actually threatened Yuan Zhonghuang.
Yuan Zhonghuang's face remained expressionless. "Young Master Qi, since you say so, I, Yuan Zhonghuang, have no guilt in my heart. Our bond as master and disciple ends here!"
"Tell your grandfather to prepare his affairs—within five days, the Qi family will perish!"
"These words are not only from Mr. Ye, but also from me, Yuan Zhonghuang!"

Bang!
As soon as his words fell, Yuan Zhonghuang kicked out, sending Qi Qingming flying several meters before crashing to the ground.
Qi Qingming spat blood wildly, his chest collapsing, countless ribs broken!
"You... you..."
Qi Qingming pointed at Yuan Zhonghuang, his eyes suddenly rolling back as he fainted.
Several attendants struggled to their feet and hurriedly carried off the ruined, collapsed Qi Qingming, fleeing in panic.
Ye Tianci gestured toward the delicacies on the table, his voice calm, "Such delicious food shouldn't be wasted. Lord Yuan, Master Liang, why don't you sit and share a meal?"
Liang Xianrong snapped to attention, stepped forward to pour wine, and respectfully said, "Master Ye, please enjoy your meal with Miss Lin. I'll stand."
Yuan Zhonghuang also bowed slightly, standing by the table to pour water. "Mr. Ye, I have already eaten. Please enjoy."
Ye Tianci smiled as he served Lin Qingqian some food. "Qingqian, let's eat."
Despite her confusion, Lin Qingqian suddenly found her appetite, smiled sweetly at Ye Tianci, and picked up her chopsticks.
The two quietly ate, with Liang Xianrong and Yuan Zhonghuang attending on either side.
Witnessing this, the guests were once again dumbfounded.
"Master Liang is pouring him wine, Lord Yuan is pouring him tea—my goodness, who is this man?"
"He must be a truly important figure!"
"He said he'd destroy the Qi family in five days. I'm starting to think the Qi family is in danger!"
"What are you thinking? Even if he's some big shot, he can't possibly wipe out the Qi family! Just bragging, wait and see!"
...
The guests discussed among themselves, some taking out their phones to take photos and videos.
Liang Xianrong hurriedly ordered his men to disperse the onlookers.
The surroundings quieted.
Undisturbed, Ye Tianci accompanied Lin Qingqian for a peaceful meal.
After eating and drinking his fill, Ye Tianci turned to Yuan Zhonghuang, "I hear your younger brother was injured years ago and is still paralyzed in bed?"
Yuan Zhonghuang nodded.
Ye Tianci waved his hand, "Take me to see him."
Just as they were about to leave, Lin Qingqian's phone suddenly rang.
After the call, her delicate brows furrowed, worry clouding her face.
"What happened?"
Ye Tianci asked with concern.
"My aunt called—my mother is sick, with severe mouth ulcers."
"She got some medicine from a small clinic, but after taking it, things got worse. Now her life may be in danger!"
Lin Qingqian's brows knitted tightly, panic in her expression.

Ye Tianci's lips moved slightly.
He had warned Zheng Mei before that she would develop mouth ulcers within three days, and now it had come true.
"I must hurry to see my mother, so I can't accompany you."
Lin Qingqian was considerate, not insisting Ye Tianci go with her.
Yuan Zhonghuang immediately said, "Mr. Ye, Miss Lin's mother's matter is urgent. My brother has been paralyzed for years; it can wait."
Ye Tianci glanced at him, "Give me an address. I'll come find you after I'm done."
Yuan Zhonghuang quickly took out a business card and presented it with both hands, "Mr. Ye, whenever you have time, please come to this address."
Ye Tianci put away the card and left the Violet Aura Residence with Lin Qingqian.
Over ten minutes later, Lin Qingqian's car pulled into a high-end neighborhood and stopped downstairs.
This was Zheng Mei's family home—Lin Qingqian's grandparents' house.
Ye Tianci followed Lin Qingqian upstairs in haste. As soon as they entered the living room, Lin Qingqian was startled by the scene before her.
"What is happening?"
Lin Qingqian exclaimed in shock.
Zheng Mei lay on the living room floor, her face swollen as if stung by a thousand hornets, red and grotesquely puffed!
Her eyes were squeezed into narrow slits!
Her lips were black and purple, as if she had drunk poison!
A man dressed in a Taoist robe, in the style of Master Ying, held a wooden sword in one hand and a porcelain bowl in the other, stepping strangely as he circled Zheng Mei.
As he walked, the man muttered incantations under his breath.
The sudden arrival of Lin Qingqian and Ye Tianci startled him, causing his steps to falter.
"How dare you!"
"Who gave you permission to speak? You've interrupted my spellcasting!"
The Taoist robed man rebuked arrogantly.
His eyes darted, and he put on a look of regret, stomping in frustration, "It's ruined! The spell was nearly complete, but now it's broken. Not only will the patient suffer, but I, too, will face backlash!"
As if to prove his words, Zheng Mei on the ground groaned in distress, then began to foam at the mouth.
It was a frightening sight!
"Ouch!"
The Taoist man clutched his chest in pain, a trace of blood slowly seeping from the corner of his mouth.
"Master!" several people cried out anxiously.
The Taoist's face twisted with pain, yet he declared righteously, "Even injured, I will do everything to save her. But you'll have to pay more!"
"Yes, yes, yes!"
"Rest assured, Master—if you cure my daughter, we'll pay whatever you ask!" a white-haired old woman promised hurriedly.
A hint of smugness flashed in the Taoist's eyes. Just as he was about to continue, a mocking voice sounded, "Master, your acting is far too poor. Perhaps you should sign up for some classes."