"This afternoon, I caught a journalist trying to take my picture. Following the trail, I found Yuk Dalong drinking at the Golden K Bar and got a batch of evidence from him," Xu Ke explained in detail, including his reasons for going to the bar in the first place.

"I see," Wong Qifu nodded slightly.

"Also, there's a reason why I wanted to treat Ye Chong's Dantian," Xu Ke said, changing the subject.

Wong Qifu asked, "What reason?"

"I have a method that can continuously stimulate the strength of his Dantian, increasing his sensitivity to True Qi. To put it simply, I guarantee I can get him to Innate Great Perfection within a year," Xu Ke finished.

As he finished speaking, Wong Qifu's pupils trembled.

A method like that actually exists?

"Are there any side effects?" Wong Qifu inquired.

Xu Ke looked at her and said slowly, "The side effect is that once he reaches Innate Great Perfection, he will never be able to advance to the Innate Realm for the rest of his life."

In truth, this was a method taught by Ren Gu. It could be used to force a breakthrough in a life-or-death situation. Xu Ke had considered using it during his fight against Ouyang Shuang, but after being bound by the mysterious Oath of the Medical Path, even accumulating True Qi was as difficult as being constipated, let alone breaking through to a new realm. Therefore, Xu Ke ultimately decided against it.

But now, it was perfect for Ye Chong.

If all went according to plan, he would reach Innate Great Perfection within the next year. However, when he tried to break through *from* Innate Great Perfection, he would be crippled by a backlash of his own qi and blood. What Xu Ke called "never being able to advance to the Innate Realm" didn't mean Ye Chong would remain at Innate Great Perfection, stuck at the half-step Innate state like Duan Chongfeng had been.

Instead, his Dantian would explode, leaving him completely and utterly crippled.

Xu Ke knew this method was incredibly cruel. But from the moment Ye Chong had plotted to harm Wang Qiya, Xu Ke had already sentenced him to death.

Wong Qifu was startled for a moment, then she let out a small laugh. "So you've just ruined Ye Chong?"

Xu Ke's scheme was extraordinarily vicious. They would never have imagined that after rupturing Ye Chong's Dantian, Xu Ke would offer to repair it with such an underlying motive. He was giving Ye Chong immense hope while hiding absolute despair right behind it.

Only when Ye Chong, arrogant and overbearing in his newfound power, smugly attempted to ascend to the Innate Realm would he realize the brutal gift Xu Ke had prepared for him.

"Not exactly ruined," Xu Ke shrugged. "I don't think the Helmsman of a family needs cultivation. If Ye Chong can keep his composure after reaching Innate Great Perfection, he could take some time to consolidate his position and make steady progress. At that level, his cultivation could help him accomplish a lot."

Wong Qifu nodded. Xu Ke was telling the truth. If Ye Chong could just settle down and not recklessly try to advance his cultivation, reaching Innate Great Perfection at his age would certainly earn him a great deal of preferential treatment within the family. He could even become a candidate for the position of Family Head.

But would a man capable of reaching Innate Great Perfection in a single year be content to sit still and do nothing? It was highly unlikely.

Any normal person would find it nearly impossible to avoid Xu Ke's trap.

"How did you come up with the idea of causing internal division among them?" Wong Qifu asked.

Ye Chong's rapid cultivation would definitely allow him to become a powerful rival to Ye Fan within the Ye Family. This would cause a major shift in the family's internal dynamics. Previously, Young Master Ye, Ye Fan, had already secured his position as the heir. But with Ye Chong's Martial Path cultivation suddenly surging, things were about to change.

While cultivation wasn't a prerequisite for a Family Head, it was certainly a powerful advantage.

Xu Ke rubbed his nose. "Ye Chong has been jealous and resentful of Ye Fan for a long time. It's not hard to see if you pay a little attention."

Wong Qifu nodded slowly. "That's true."

To an ordinary observer, the Ye brothers appeared respectful and harmonious. But someone in Wong Qifu's position could easily see that Ye Chong was nothing but a smiling tiger.

Xu Ke continued, "Besides, even if we boost Ye Chong's strength and he turns on us, it doesn't matter. A Postnatal Late Stage cultivator can't be the decisive factor in a conflict between the Ye and Wang families. Dealing with him would be a minor issue."

Wong Qifu shook her head. "It's better to be cautious. None of them are that simple."

"I understand," Xu Ke nodded. He stood up and looked at the moon still hanging in the sky. "Actually," he said with feeling, "my only goals tonight at the Golden K were to rescue Qi Ya and set a trap for Ye Chong. So far, everything seems to have gone quite smoothly."

"But it was my uncle's actions that made you uncomfortable, right?" Wong Qifu stated.

Xu Ke didn't hide it. "That's right."

Wong Liqing's disregard for his and Wang Qiya's lives had indeed made Xu Ke extremely uncomfortable. We're all family, for crying out loud... Even if he, Wong Liqing, has a problem with me, what about Wang Qiya? Why did he have to be so aggressive...

Wong Qifu smiled. "Then why didn't you just tell Uncle Qing your decision right away?"

Xu Ke shrugged, again making no attempt to hide his feelings. "I don't trust him."

Wong Qifu raised an eyebrow and nodded. "Reasonable."

Xu Ke gazed at Wong Qifu for a few moments, his expression eventually dissolving into a bitter smile. "I can't even tell if you're being serious."

"Of course I'm serious," Wong Qifu replied as she stood up, an inscrutable smile playing on her delicate face.

Xu Ke shook his head and sighed. "Your sister..."

Wang Qiya's issues were just as significant.

At his words, Wong Qifu's expression turned solemn. She was silent for a moment before saying, "I've protected her since we were little. I've already seen the dirty side of the six great families, and I didn't want her to. I hoped she could grow up retaining more of her kindness."

Just as I thought, Xu Ke mused. I knew it. With Wong Qifu's personality, this is the only way she would have raised Wang Qiya.

"But it seems she still needs to grow up. It's just that the process is happening a bit too fast, a bit too directly," Wong Qifu said slowly, her voice tinged with a complex mix of emotions.

In a single night, Wang Qiya had witnessed so many things that were far removed from her ordinary life.

Xu Ke simply waved his hand. "Your sister is already twenty-eight. It's not that early..."

Wong Qifu turned her head in the darkness and stared quietly at him.

Xu Ke forcibly swallowed the rest of his sentence.

I'm digging my own grave!

...

It was quiet on the balcony for a while, with only the sound of the wind filling the silence.

Then, Wong Qifu suddenly broke the silence, changing the topic. "By the way, your parents are coming the day after tomorrow. What are your plans?"

Xu Ke was taken aback. He answered subconsciously, "I'll deal with it when it comes. How did you know?"

"I've arranged for people to protect your parents," Wong Qifu explained.

Xu Ke nodded.

So that's it. Wong Qifu must have been worried that the Huang or Ye families would make a move against my parents, so she hired people specifically to protect them.

"Deal with it when it comes? Why are you so cavalier about it?" Wong Qifu asked with a smile.

Xu Ke spread his hands. "What else can I do?"

With public opinion already solidified, Xu Ke, who might have previously worried about his parents suffering a major shock, no longer cared so much... After all, how much worse could things get?

Just then, Wong Qifu spoke again, her voice soft. "Let's meet them together when they arrive."

At these words, Xu Ke's eyes shot wide open.

Is Wong Qifu saying she'll meet my parents with me?!

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