Upon entering the hall, Ye Xuzhang saw two members of the Zhao Tian Sect.
One tall, one short; one fat, one thin.
Both were dressed in cyan robes, with the Zhao Tian Sect emblem embroidered on their sleeves. They held long swords, exuding an air of authority.
Ye Xuzhang recognized the shorter man.
His name was Lin Guan, and he had been in charge of the Ye family's tribute affairs for many years.
However, the taller man was unfamiliar to Ye Xuzhang—it was their first meeting.
After exchanging greetings, Ye Xuzhang sat in the main seat and instructed Steward Chen to serve tea.
Once the tea was served, Lin Guan spoke, "Young Master Ye, three days ago, our sect Master sent someone with a letter to discuss the matter of tributes. Have you considered the proposal?"
Ye Xuzhang chuckled coldly. Discuss?
It was clearly a command, demanding that he pay fifty thousand taels of silver annually to the Zhao Tian Sect!
The Zhao Tian Sect became the Ye family's protector through a special connection.
Fifteen years ago, Ye Xuzhang's parents had inadvertently saved a Zhao Tian Sect elder.
To repay this kindness, the elder promised to shield the Ye family.
At that time, the sect only collected a symbolic tribute of one hundred taels per year.
But after the elder passed away, everything changed.
The Zhao Tian Sect's demands for tributes increased year by year.
Now, the annual tribute had risen to thirty thousand taels!
Even so, they remained unsatisfied, escalating their demands to fifty thousand taels per year!
Taking a sip of tea, Ye Xuzhang responded calmly, "The Ye family has decided—we will no longer trouble the Zhao Tian Sect."
Hearing this, the two Zhao Tian Sect members' expressions darkened. "What did you say?"
Lin Guan looked at his companion, then at Ye Xuzhang. "Young Master Ye, are you saying that from now on, the Ye family no longer requires the Zhao Tian Sect's protection?"
"And that any troubles arising from the martial world will not need the sect's intervention?"
Ye Xuzhang smiled faintly and nodded. "Exactly."
"Hmph!" The tall Zhao Tian Sect disciple snorted disdainfully, his gaze filled with contempt.
A mere merchant family like the Ye's would surely be extorted by bandits without the sect's protection.
It wouldn't even be surprising if their entire clan was wiped out!
This Young Master of the Ye family must have lost his mind!
Lin Guan's sharp eyes locked onto Ye Xuzhang. "Young Master Ye, have you thought this through?"
"Without the Zhao Tian Sect's protection, your family will undoubtedly face many troubles."
The veiled threat in his words was unmistakable.
Ye Xuzhang remained composed. "That's not something the Zhao Tian Sect needs to concern itself with."
"Very well!"
"If you insist, we shall take our leave!"
Lin Guan stood up, casually cupping his hands in farewell, and left the hall with the tall youth.
After the two departed, Steward Chen asked worriedly, "Young Master, is this really the right decision?
If bandits come to rob or kidnap us, what will we..."
Ye Xuzhang waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry. I have my own plans."
Hearing this, Steward Chen fell silent.
He knew his Young Master well—always cautious and never acting without certainty.
Refusing the Zhao Tian Sect must mean he had a strategy in place.
Outside the Ye residence, Lin Guan snorted coldly. "Hmph! That Ye family brat is utterly ungrateful!"
"Senior Brother Xin, how should we handle this matter?"
The tall disciple replied coldly, "Without the Zhao Tian Sect's protection, whatever happens to the Ye family is no longer our concern."
"As far as I know, the bandit Ghost Blade has been short on silver lately."
Lin Guan chuckled. "Senior Brother truly thinks ahead. However... we still need to report this to the sect Master. We cannot act rashly."
Meanwhile.
Matchmaker Zhang knelt on the ground, her head lowered, trembling with fear, barely daring to breathe.
Before her sat the young lady of the Qi family, Qi Yixuan.
However, Qi Yixuan's demeanor was starkly different from the gentle image depicted in portraits.
Her icy presence resembled a glacier frozen for millennia, exuding an untouchable aura of supremacy.
Beside Qi Yixuan stood an elderly woman—the same "Old Witch" from earlier in the day.
"Cult Leader, Young Master Ye has agreed to the marriage proposal and plans to meet you tomorrow at his residence," the Old Witch reported.
Qi Yixuan nodded. "Very well. Then why are you only reporting this now?"
"Do you realize I waited for you the entire day?"
Matchmaker Zhang's face turned ashen, her body trembling uncontrollably.
"Sect... Cult Leader, I was delayed by some matters. Please forgive me."
Qi Yixuan waved her hand, her voice as cold as ever. "Forget it."
"You've done well with this matter. Go and claim your reward."
As if granted amnesty, Matchmaker Zhang kowtowed repeatedly in gratitude. "Thank you, Cult Leader. Thank you..."
"Cult Leader, about my family..."
Qi Yixuan snorted. "Rest assured, once I marry Young Master Ye, your family will be released."
"However..."
Her gaze turned icy, her tone dropping dangerously. "You should know the consequences if you reveal my identity."
"Y-Yes, Cult Leader. I swear on my life, not a single word will escape my lips!"
Matchmaker Zhang was not one of Qi Yixuan's subordinates. She was only serving her under duress, as her family was being held hostage by Qi Yixuan.
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