Chapter 167
Ling Xiaoyun looked at Xiao Lan and said seriously, “Are you sure?”
“Yes, a woman’s intuition doesn’t lie. I feel it very clearly. His physical condition—I don’t know what’s wrong with it or why it’s getting worse.”
Ling Xiaoyun sighed and went straight to find the elder.
When the elder saw Ling Xiaoyun, he was momentarily taken aback and said, “Your inner strength is robust. You … your power has increased? You’re at the seventh rank now?”
“Yes, Elder. I got lucky. I fought Ye Aotian once and somehow improved.”
“Hahahaha, this really is our family’s luck! I never expected you’d have such an opportunity. What brings you here?”
“It’s not about me—it’s Ye Aotian. There’s something wrong with Ye Aotian’s body, and it’s not a condition a normal ancient martial artist would have.”
“Hmm, tell me, what’s going on?”
Ling Xiaoyun explained roughly, and soon the elder began flipping through books, searching for answers.
“I think I might know what’s happening. It’s an issue with the Emperor’s Heart Technique.”
“The Emperor’s Heart Technique?”
“Yes, the Emperor’s Heart Technique is the most domineering martial art. That also means it places extreme demands on the body. If you haven’t trained your body well enough, there’s no way you can practice it.”
“Ye Aotian’s grandfather trained him relentlessly for years, and Ye Aotian has spent every day fighting life-and-death battles. Naturally, his personal strength reached the pinnacle of human potential. But because of injuries, his internal organs have been damaged.”
Uh, what kind of theory is this?
“Some in our family wanted to practice the Emperor’s Heart Technique, but no one could handle it. It’s not that their physiques didn’t match—it’s simply that their physical toughness couldn’t withstand the technique.”
Ling Xiaoyun asked, “So how do we deal with his condition now?”
“There’s no way to fix it. He has to keep practicing, and that’s the only way forward. He’ll only get stronger, but this might be the balance of the heavens. You gain some abilities, and inevitably, you lose others.”
How cruel. If achieving the peak of martial arts meant losing the ability to be a man, that would truly be devastating.
“But for now, focus on conditioning his body. Use the technique as little as possible—that might slow it down a bit.”
Ling Xiaoyun nodded.
But this matter still couldn’t be spoken aloud. It concerned a man’s dignity. Even if you told him, he wouldn’t be able to accept it.
Back at the company, Ling Xiaoyun saw Ye Aotian eating breakfast.
He threw a punch and said, “Didn’t expect you to improve too.”
“Of course! Huh, you’re not bad yourself. I really didn’t see that coming.”
At that moment, Xiao Li came out and quietly sat beside Ling Xiaoyun, looking at her man.
Ye Aotian watched the gentle Xiao Li and silently tucked away his feelings for her. After all, she was his good brother’s woman now. Now, he and Xiao Li had no future together. But as long as she stayed by his side, that was enough. He could protect her, cherish her, and make her life a little better.
As long as he was strong enough, Xiao Li should be able to live well.
“But I’ve got some good news for you. Before that, though, I need to tell you something.”
Ye Aotian asked, “What’s that?”
Ling Xiaoyun said, “Xiao Li is actually an undercover agent. She was sent by Ye Zifeng, but her real master isn’t Ye Zifeng—it’s Ye Zimei.”
“This … Who’s Ye Zimei?”
“A member of the Ye family. A genius—an absolute genius—but also a twisted one. That woman’s a demon, the kind who kills without leaving bones behind.”
“What’s her goal?”
“To drive a wedge between us and make you completely break away from the Ling family.”
Hahahahaha.
Ye Aotian laughed wildly and said, “Then they’ve really lost the wife and the army too! That’s hilarious! Do they really underestimate the bond between us brothers like that?”
“Who says they didn’t? If they hadn’t sent someone, I wouldn’t have met Xiao Li.”
Ye Aotian looked at Xiao Li, then at Ling Xiaoyun, and said, “Treat Xiao Li well. I’ll admit I liked her once, but since she’s your woman now, I’ll let it go. Also, about that Zheng Shaoyang thing.”
“He was drugged. It’s been explained. Zheng Shaoyang apologized on his own and made it clear that while he liked her, it wasn’t to the point of losing control. He just felt his memory from that time was a bit blank.”
Ye Aotian nodded silently.
Good brothers could talk about anything. Though these topics stung a bit, speaking them out loud made the heart feel much lighter.
“There’s some good news you might want to hear.”
“Hmm? There’s more good news? Isn’t powering up the best news already?”
Hahahaha.
Xiao Li said, “Actually, Ye Zifeng came to Qin City for two reasons. The first was to find you, Ye Aotian. After all, you’re part of the Ye family and have the right to inherit its assets.”
“I know that. Grandpa told me—it’s the Ye family’s rule, unchangeable. What’s the second reason?”
“The second is Jin Lan. Jin Lan’s actually pretty famous. In recent years, Qin City’s been thriving, and there’s a hint that Jin Lan might get a commendation. If that happens, her status will rise, and she’ll be transferred from Qin City to an even better position.”
Ye Aotian thought for a moment and said, “And then? What’s this guy’s goal? To recruit Jin Lan, or …?”
“To get Jin Lan to marry him. But he didn’t get the chance because Jin Lan ignored him.”
“Isn’t Jin Lan under the Chen family’s orders?”
The Chen family’s orders?
Xiao Li shook her head and said, “No. If she really followed the Chen family’s orders, you wouldn’t have risen so quickly. You need to understand—she has the absolute power to make all your efforts vanish overnight.”
“Could it be … she’s been secretly helping me all along?”
Xiao Li said, “I don’t know. I can’t read Jin Lan. I’m not suited for schemes—I’m not good at this stuff. Maybe my master could figure her out, but she’s stopped contacting me. After all, if you end up with the Ye family later, you’ll likely inherit their assets, putting you at odds with my master.”
“Don’t worry. With us, you won’t suffer. Ling Xiaoyun, if you let Xiao Li suffer, I’ll beat you up.”
“Heh, wait till you can beat me first.”
Ye Aotian laughed boldly and said, “So if Jin Lan didn’t agree, doesn’t that mean Ye Zifeng …?”
“Not quite. He’ll probably still pursue someone. Cao Zijin’s impossible, so it’ll likely be Liu Feifei. He’s never the type to leave empty-handed.”
That’s pretty interesting. It’s the first time I’ve heard this.
“Liu Feifei, huh? What a coincidence—I like Liu Feifei too.”
The heavy rain showed no signs of stopping, but the director kept filming. This time, though, it was inside a studio.
The set was built in an artistic style, meaning most of today’s shots were dialogue-heavy scenes.
But today’s star was Liu Feifei.
The other heroines calmly chose to rest. Some had no scenes, while others were still recovering from last night’s heavy drinking, trying to reclaim their scattered souls.
But Liu Feifei was a bit nervous.