Innate Great Emperor

Chapter 6: Judgment Day - Turning the Tables

A faint dark shadow drifted in. A girl in a black veil landed beside them.

Slender figure. Tight black combat suit. Two snake-like short swords at her waist. A black veil hid her face, leaving only bright, striking eyes.

A cold, deadly aura radiated from her. It made everyone wary.

"Piao Ling: Class: Early Martial Master. Will 60. Spirit 58. Constitution 33. Agility 80. Strength 65. Skills: Stealth Assassination, Purple Lightning Sky-Shaking Sword, Flying Shadow Steps."

Ye Jin quietly activated Spirit Eye. The data made him suck in a cold breath. f**k. He was only Rank 3 Warrior. But this cold, fierce girl was already a Martial Master?

His Spirit Eye caught something else. Beneath her veil, centipede-like scars covered her face.

Before the skill faded, Ye Jin scanned Ye Tianxiong too.

"Ye Tianxiong: Level: Innate Martial Master Rank 9. Will? Spirit? Constitution? Agility? Strength? Skills: Five Thunder General Slaying Blade, Heaven-Shaking Divine Fist, Coiling Dragon Golden Body, Eighteen Breaking Formation Hammers."

All the stats were question marks. His level was too high. A rookie like Ye Jin couldn't see them. But the old man's martial arts were no joke.

The girl in black bowed lightly. "Piao Ling greets the Grand General."

Ye Tianxiong pointed at Ye Jin. "Piao Ling, your new mission is to protect Ye Jin. This is the last thing I ask of you. Understood?"

"Piao Ling understands. Greetings, Young Master." She walked over, bowed expressionlessly, and took her place behind him.

"No need for formalities." Ye Jin raised a hand. "Grandfather, I have one more request."

"Speak."

Ye Jin took a deep breath. "After I leave, I want my brother Ye Feng to train under you. In the military, preferably. What do you think?"

Ye Tianxiong glanced at Ye Shouzheng. The Pack Alpha looked like a wooden puppet. His thick brows furrowed in deep disappointment.

Ye Tianxiong was a soldier. He ignored the pack's arrangements and joined the border army. Fought his way from foot soldier to Grand General. A ruthless, decisive man. He despised weakness and escapism.

A man who couldn't straighten his own spine could never hold up a pack.

The Ye Pack survived centuries in Yujing City. Not just for wealth and power. But for the righteous scholar's spirit passed down since the founding.

This spirit spoke truth to power. Never bowed. Never sold out. This was the pack's true foundation.

Power can be regained. Profit can be earned. But lose this spirit? The pack loses its soul. It will shatter.

The pack reeked of greed. Rules lost their justice under profit. A bad omen. As Alpha and father, Ye Shouzheng failed. He was unfit to lead.

Forget it. Time to find a new Alpha.

Ye Tianxiong nodded. "Fine. Don't worry about it. Go pack. You leave in a month."

"Yes, Grandfather." Ye Jin bowed deeply and turned to leave.

Piao Ling shadowed him silently.

He never once looked at his father.

Inside the Ye estate hall.

Ye Shouzheng sat in the center, eyes cold. Madam Wan fanned herself furiously beside him.

"Why did you do it?" Ye Shouzheng's voice was cold. "Was locking him up not enough? Why the snake? Did you really want him dead?"

"Me? Go that far? That brat staged the whole thing! Anyone can see it!"

"Is that so? Right now, everyone with eyes sees you did it."

Madam Wan snapped her fan shut. She screeched like a shrew. "Ye Shouzheng! What the hell do you mean? Without my Wan family's money and connections, could a spineless loser like you be Alpha? I just asked you to give my niece justice! And you refuse?"

Deep disgust flashed in Ye Shouzheng's eyes. Then he deflated like a beaten rooster. "But Uncle is furious. The consequences are severe."

Madam Wan waved her fan. "How severe? You're the Alpha. He's just the Enforcement Elder. What can he do?"

"Very severe." Ye Shouzheng's voice was flat. "Uncle can depose me anytime. You've been here for years. But you still don't know pack law."

"Hmph! I don't know?" Madam Wan choked on her words. "My niece is an unwed girl! She can't be violated for nothing!"

"So what now?" Ye Shouzheng sneered. "Jin'er almost died in there. He's exiled now. Is that not enough?"

Madam Wan's eyes darted. She changed her expression. Walked behind him and rubbed his shoulders. "My Lord, you're right. I'll talk to my brother. Let's let it go."

"Go now." He nodded weakly.

Madam Wan smiled sweetly. "Alright, My Lord. I'll have Yunzhi make you some soup. She can serve you these next few days."

She swayed her hips and sauntered out of the courtyard.

Ye Shouzheng sat frozen like a statue. He watched her leave. Then cold, ruthless light flashed in his tired eyes. Killing intent—sharp as an unsheathed blade.

He whispered two words. "Bitch."

After a long moment, his eyes dimmed. He bent over, rubbing his face in agony.

"Uncle Jiu, how much longer do I have to endure? One year? Two? Ten? I... I can't hold on." Ye Shouzheng looked at the sky. "Wife and children gone. Is this the price of keeping a pack together?"