Chapter 101: Humiliation

“They’re actually after that pearl!”
Su Ye’s heart tightened. He had already suspected that Ye Lingyun would notice the treasure was missing, but he hadn’t expected them to come knocking so quickly.
Yet, claiming that pearl would not be so easy!
Jiang Ziyang had no idea what was really going on, but he was not easily fooled; a quick glance made it clear that this object was far from ordinary, or else it wouldn’t warrant such a grand visit.
Ouyang Yi, as the leader of the alliance, coming to check in at a time like this was understandable, but Ye Lingyun—renowned for being “a walking treasure trove”—had also come in person. Clearly, what Su Ye obtained was no ordinary artifact.
How could one possibly hand over such a treasure?
Jiang Ziyang simply feigned ignorance and laughed, “Ha, since it’s the child’s possession, let’s leave it at that. As for the leader’s illness, my Jiang family does have some remedies—we might be able to help a bit.”
This left Ouyang Licheng unable to respond. Ordinarily, wouldn’t one be expected to yield the treasure? Why was Jiang Ziyang so resolute in refusing?
“This, this… Haha, actually, the leader’s illness is hard to diagnose; what’s missing is just that pearl, as the catalyst. Haha! Su Ye, do you really like that pearl so much? I did save your lives, yet I don’t wish to use that as leverage. Name your price—let me have it.” Ouyang Licheng remained persistent, turning to Su Ye and making his request even more direct.
Everyone’s gaze immediately shifted to Su Ye.
Su Ye was furious, his impression of Ouyang Licheng soured beyond repair. Even though the Martial Alliance had come to save the Jiang family, it was only a condition of his deal with Ouyang Yunfeng.
He had saved Ouyang Yunfeng first, enabling him to survive without a heart; everything was a negotiated term, not an act of mercy.
Su Ye spoke plainly, “You want my pearl? That’s a treasure I obtained in the Pill Residence. Sorry, I can’t give it to you. Don’t entertain any crooked ideas here.”
Ouyang Licheng immediately grew angry, raising his voice, “Su Ye, what do you mean? I saved you, and that thing isn’t yours—you stole it from the Pill Residence and now you want to keep it? My courtesy is for the sake of the Jiang family head. Had I known, I wouldn’t have saved you! Such ingratitude!”
Su Ye clenched his fists and answered in a deep voice, “It wasn’t you who saved me; don’t claim credit for yourself! Even Ouyang Yunfeng wouldn’t dare speak to me like that. Who do you think you are? You know the pearl is from the Pill Residence—so why are you asking? I nearly lost my life there at the hands of their alchemists; even if I were to raze the Pill Residence and claim all their treasures, it would not be too much. Hmph!”
“You—You’re so ungrateful, it’s outrageous! Jiang family head, is this how your family educates its members?” Ouyang Licheng’s face was red with anger, but upon reflection, he realized he truly had no grounds to negotiate with Su Ye.
Jiang Ziyang, looking troubled, said, “Ah, blame me, blame me. Although he lives in our Jiang family, he’s not truly my own child, so my discipline may not have been strict.”
“You—” Ouyang Licheng was left utterly speechless by Jiang Ziyang’s soft reply.
At that moment, the woman sitting beside Ye Lingyun suddenly stood up, her anger barely contained.

She bowed to Jiang Ziyang and spoke loudly, “Jiang family head, my name is Qiu Xuanxuan! I came today intending not to make a scene, hoping the Martial Alliance would help me recover the pearl, but I never expected Su Ye to be so shameless. Now I must lay everything bare—please, Jiang family head and leader, give me justice…”
Su Ye frowned. He had never met Qiu Xuanxuan before—why was she suddenly involved?
Qiu Xuanxuan pointed at Su Ye and declared, “Everyone knows my Lingyun is the true Spirit Listener and was personally invited to the Pill Residence to seek treasures.
This artifact was mine long ago, but in a moment of carelessness, Su Ye snatched it away. My dear friend Sisi witnessed it—he was so guilty he didn’t even dare stay for the celebration banquet. I’m here now to reclaim the pearl!”
“Stolen?” Ouyang Yi’s tone sharpened, his questioning gaze fixed on Su Ye.
Qiu Xuanxuan raised her voice, “I have witnesses and evidence! Su Ye, don’t you dare deny it. That was the only thing Lingyun ever gave me, and you even took that. Are you even a man? I tell you, if you don’t return it today, I won’t let this go!”
With that, Qiu Xuanxuan’s tears flowed, her posture pitiful as she sobbed.
Jiang Liuying, ever eager for chaos, chimed in, “Su Ye, Su Ye, you’ve made the lady cry at your doorstep—what did you do to her? Did you take her most precious possession?”
Su Ye glared at Jiang Liuying, knowing she still bore him a grudge, but he had no time for banter now. He declared, “You are truly shameless! When did I ever steal from you?”
“Enough! Stop disgracing yourself!” Suddenly, Ye Lingyun barked coldly, his eyes flashing a fierce light, his tone brooking no dissent.
“I won’t! You gave it to me, and I must get it back! Why should he take it, and with others shielding him, swallow my treasure? No! Is there no justice left?” Qiu Xuanxuan, furious, flung her hand, ignoring his command.
Ye Lingyun slammed the table, stood up, strode over, and slapped her hard.
Smack—
“Useless fool! You lose something and have the nerve to cry here? Get out!”
Qiu Xuanxuan, utterly aggrieved, covered her face, her once-delicate features now swollen and red. She stayed motionless, weeping bitterly.
Everyone present was deeply affected.
Ouyang Yi quickly intervened, “Lingyun, don’t lose your temper! Why resort to violence?”
Jiang Ziyang’s expression shifted repeatedly. Though Ye Lingyun was known for being surrounded by women, he had never been heard to raise his hand against them—now, such rage.
Could Su Ye really have stolen it?
“Su Ye, what exactly is this treasure? Show us!”

Su Ye felt unspeakable humiliation.
Why should he hand over what he had gained, simply because of this staged drama?
If only he had great power, or an alliance like the Martial Alliance—even if he had truly stolen it, no one would dare demand it back!
Now, he could only choose to yield; with the Martial Alliance and Ye Lingyun both playing their parts, if pushed too far, they might turn against the Jiang family.
“Ye Lingyun—you want this pearl, don’t you? Why all this trouble? Isn’t it beneath your stature?”
Su Ye spoke calmly, then reached into his pocket and took out the pearl, revealing its simple appearance—it looked like nothing more than an ordinary bead.
“The pearl is in my hand. Why not just take it by force? Wouldn’t that be more straightforward?”
Ye Lingyun’s eyes flashed with sharp intent, gazing at Su Ye from above, as if Su Ye was beneath his notice.
Ouyang Yi stood as well, his voice steady, “Enough! This bickering solves nothing. Why not settle it with a match? Winner takes the pearl! That’s settled!”
“Agreed!” Ye Lingyun answered instantly, as if it were a gift.
Su Ye was bitterly frustrated—his own possession had become a prize, but he had no choice. He replied in a low voice, “You’re getting a bargain using my treasure as a stake! If I lose, the pearl is yours, but if you lose? What will you wager?”
“Oh? Hahaha! Me, lose?”
Ye Lingyun thought for a moment, then produced a golden key, spinning it in his hand. “This is the key to Huaping Manor, worth as much as your Thunder Inducing Pearl. If you win, the entire manor is yours!”
Jiang Ziyang’s eyes widened, “Is it truly Huaping Manor?”
“When I, Ye Lingyun, say something, it cannot possibly be false,” Ye Lingyun replied arrogantly.
Seeing Jiang Ziyang’s reaction, Su Ye knew Huaping Manor held immense allure. He spoke in a deep voice,
“Very well! I accept! Let us see who prevails!”