The Capital, The Next Morning.
Red invitations stamped with gold flew like winged messengers onto the desks of the Capital's major aristocratic families, martial arts dojos, and even some reclusive billionaires.
The Ye family, which had been silent for so long, announced a "Treasure Appreciation Banquet" to be held in three days, boasting the display of rare treasures capable of "prolonging life and reviving the dead"!
This news instantly detonated within the Capital's high society.
"Isn't the Ye family on its last legs? Why the sudden commotion?" "Prolonging life? Could it be the legendary spiritual elixir? I heard a similar treasure appeared in Longcheng a while ago. Did the Ye family get their hands on it too?" "Go! We must go! Even if we don't buy anything, it's worth seeing what trick the Ye family is playing."
Doubt, curiosity, and greed surged through the Capital. And this was exactly the effect Shan Hu wanted.
The Chen Family, Secret Chamber.
Chen Tiannan tossed the invitation onto the table with a casual flick, a sneer of disdain on his lips.
"A Treasure Appreciation Banquet? Is the Ye family at the end of their rope, trying to sell off their assets?" Chen Tiannan took a sip of red wine, his eyes full of scorn. In his view, the Ye family was already meat on the chopping block, just waiting for him to wield the knife.
In the shadows behind him sat an old man in dark red robes, his aura cold and gloomy. Faint black mist swirled around him, as if he were one with the darkness. This was the Chen family's backer—the Foundation Establishment Evil Cultivator, Ancestor Blood Corpse.
"It is not merely selling off assets," Ancestor Blood Corpse's voice was hoarse and grating, like the cry of a night owl. "Although the aura of the spiritual vein beneath the Ye family has been masked, I can smell that alluring scent. Their sudden high-profile action... perhaps they are seeking allies or protection."
Chen Tiannan's eyes turned vicious. "Then should we strike directly? Before the banquet?"
"No." Ancestor Blood Corpse opened his eyes, his ghostly green pupils flickering with greed. "Since they are delivering themselves to us, why not go? Under the gaze of the public, if we can expose the Ye family's weakness or even seize the treasures directly, wouldn't that be more satisfying? Besides, I also want to see what this 'Shan Hu' who injured your subordinate is really made of."
"Master means..."
"Go. Bring the best 'gift.' In three days, I will turn the Ye family's celebration into a funeral. I will refine everyone in the Ye family into my army of Blood Corpses!" Ancestor Blood Corpse cackled, his laughter echoing in the secret chamber, sending chills down the spine.
Three Days Later, Ye Family Ancient Estate.
Today, the Ye family was decorated with lanterns and festoons; the main gates were thrown wide open, and a red carpet paved the ground.
Luxury cars drove in like a flowing river as the Capital's celebrities and dignitaries arrived in droves. Although the Ye family's influence had waned in recent years, a starving camel is still bigger than a horse, and the gimmick this time was too huge for anyone to miss.
Inside, the main hall had been arranged into a massive exhibition space.
Ye Chengye, dressed in a Tang suit, stood at the door welcoming guests with vigor. His face was glowing with health, showing no sign of his previous decline, which secretly startled many who had come prepared to watch a joke.
"Is this their confidence?"
On the second-floor corridor of the main hall, Shan Hu stood with his hands behind his back, quietly looking down at the bustling crowd below. Today, he wore a well-tailored Zhongshan suit, appearing tall and refined, but the indifference in the depths of his eyes made people afraid to look directly at him.
Qin Wan'er and Ye Qingcheng stood to his left and right behind him.
"Sir, the Chen family has arrived," Ye Qingcheng spoke suddenly, her cold gaze locking onto the main entrance.
A convoy of black cars parked arrogantly right at the main gate, completely ignoring the guidance of the ushers. The doors opened, and Chen Tiannan, dressed in a white suit, stepped out with overbearing arrogance. Behind him followed four bodyguards carrying a large box covered in red cloth, and the gloomy old man wrapped entirely in black robes.
In that instant, the temperature in the entire Ye family courtyard seemed to drop several degrees.
"That's... Young Master Chen! Why did he bring a box?" "Who is that old man in black robes? Just looking at him makes me feel cold..." The guests whispered among themselves, instinctively clearing a path.
Chen Tiannan walked into the main hall laughing loudly, his voice booming: "Uncle Ye! I heard the Ye family is holding a Treasure Appreciation Banquet, so your nephew specially brought a generous gift to congratulate you!"
Ye Chengye looked at Chen Tiannan, a trace of killing intent flashing in his eyes, but he quickly hid it and said with a fake smile, "Nephew Chen is too kind. May I ask what this generous gift is?"
"Bring it up!" Chen Tiannan waved his hand.
The bodyguards heavily set the large box in the center of the hall. Chen Tiannan abruptly yanked off the red cloth—
BOOM!
A pitch-black coffin, emitting a strong stench of decay, was revealed to everyone!
The crowd went into an uproar! Sending a coffin on someone's big day—this was a naked declaration of war and humiliation!
"Chen Tiannan! What is the meaning of this?!" Ye Chengye shouted in anger.
Chen Tiannan laughed even more rampantly. "No meaning at all. Uncle Ye, I was afraid the Ye family's treasures today would be so good that you'd be happy enough to 'ascend to heaven,' so I prepared your way out in advance! Hahaha!"
Behind him, Ancestor Blood Corpse also let out a sinister snort. A terrifying pressure belonging to the Foundation Establishment stage was instantly released, causing the chests of all ordinary people present to feel tight, and several martial artists even spat out blood on the spot.
"Is this the Ye family's way of hospitality?" Ancestor Blood Corpse looked up, his green eyes staring straight at Shan Hu on the second-floor corridor, full of provocation. "Since the master is watching from above, why not come down and accept your death?"
On the second floor, Shan Hu watched the farce below, the corners of his mouth curving up slightly.
"Truly a rat that doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth."
He gently adjusted his sleeves and said to the two women behind him, "Let's go. The main characters have taken the stage; it's time for us to close the net."
Shan Hu took a step forward. Instead of using the stairs, he floated down directly from the second-floor corridor. Like a feather, he landed silently and soundlessly atop the black coffin.
Standing on the coffin, he looked down at Chen Tiannan and Ancestor Blood Corpse from high above, his tone as flat as if greeting old friends:
"Since you've delivered the coffin, then today, you shall all lie in it."