In the training grounds, a group of Ye family disciples knelt, pleading for Ye Lanshan to become their new family head.
One disciple said, "The Ye family cannot be without a leader, and as the legitimate daughter of the main branch, you are the most qualified to take on this role. I implore you, Miss Ye, to reconsider."
Ye Lanshan looked at the kneeling disciples and replied, "You should all know about the grudges between me and the Ye family's branch. It's already generous of me not to wipe you out. Are you sure you still want me as your family head?"
Another disciple added, "I know you harbor resentment toward the Ye family, Miss, but the Ye family is still your roots. Can you truly abandon it?"
Ye Lanshan was about to flare up, as she despised being threatened. But unexpectedly, the disciple continued, "Even if you don't care, have you considered whether you alone can truly deal with the main branch?"
He glanced at Ye Lanshan's expressionless face, gritted his teeth, and shouted, "The old family head is still waiting for you to save him! If you leave the Ye family, how will you rescue him? Can you really bear to watch him die at Ye Suzhe's hands?"
"What?"
"Wasn't the old family head in seclusion?"
"How could the family head harm the old family head?"
The entire training ground buzzed with whispers, and Ye Lanshan stood frozen as if struck by lightning. How could this be? Grandfather was Ye Suzhe's biological father—how could he kill him?
Another disciple said, "Even if you don't think of yourself, you should think of Ye Yu."
Ye Lanshan murmured, "Ye Yu?"
After a moment of contemplation, she suppressed her doubts and said to the two disciples, "Come with me."
The two exchanged a glance, delighted, and replied, "Yes," following her to a secret chamber.
Once inside, Ye Lanshan got straight to the point. "What are your names?"
The disciples answered promptly.
"I'm Ye Feng."
"I'm Ye Yuan."
Ye Lanshan: "Ye Feng, what's this about Ye Suzhe wanting to harm Grandfather?"
Ye Feng's eyes reddened at the memory, and he choked up. "Back then, my father was a shadow guard by the old family head's side. He accompanied him to the secret chamber to investigate the whereabouts of your father, the young master."
"But Ye Suzhe took the opportunity to slip a muscle-relaxing powder into the old family head's meal, demanding the location of the Three Armies Token. The old family head naturally refused to tell him."
"Enraged, Ye Suzhe tried to kill the old family head. My father fought desperately to protect him but was severely injured. In the end, the old family head activated a formation to push Ye Suzhe out, but he himself was trapped inside."
"My father escaped and intended to rally the elders to execute Ye Suzhe, but Ye Suzhe struck first, claiming my father tried to assassinate him."
"Since Ye Suzhe was the old family head's son and my father was just a lowly shadow guard, no one believed him. He was sentenced to death by fire according to clan law."
"I fled that night and came here to avoid detection, training hard in mystical power and building connections, hoping one day to expose Ye Suzhe's true face."
After hearing this, Ye Lanshan's aura turned icy cold. She gritted her teeth and said, "Ye Suzhe, very well."
Ye Feng, noticing her ominous demeanor, said worriedly, "Miss."
Ye Lanshan suddenly flashed a dangerous smile. "Ye Feng, do you want revenge?"
Ye Feng replied firmly, "Yes, of course I do. I dream of it."
Ye Yuan, seeing their state, cautioned, "Revenge requires careful planning. Don't act rashly."
Ye Lanshan looked at Ye Yuan. "Ye Yu, he..."
Ye Yuan said, "As your shadow guard, protecting you is his duty."
Ye Lanshan, sensing Ye Yuan's extraordinary bearing, asked, "Ye Yuan, you're not just an ordinary disciple of this branch, are you?"
Ye Yuan replied, "I'm indeed not a clan disciple, but I do belong to the Ye family."
At that moment, Ye Lanshan noticed the emblem on Ye Yuan's sword, finding it oddly familiar. She said, "Ye Yuan, may I see your sword?"
Though reluctant, Ye Yuan handed it over.
Ye Lanshan traced the emblem on the sword, slowly recalling. Suddenly, she remembered a broken token in her spatial storage that bore the exact same mark.
She retrieved the token from her space. Ye Yuan was shocked but immediately knelt on one knee. "Dark Army Strategist greets the Master."
Ye Feng's eyes widened. "The Three Armies Token."
Ye Lanshan's eyes involuntarily moistened as she murmured, "Grandfather, so what you gave me back then wasn't just a pass, but the Three Armies Token."
Though she hated to admit it, having taken over someone else's body and memories, a good cry wouldn't hurt.
Ye Lanshan knew she could never sever ties with the Ye family now, and she understood she carried an added responsibility—and a glimmer of hope.
After weighing things in her mind, she said, "I understand. I'll stay here as the family head for now. As for returning to the main branch for revenge, we'll plan it carefully."
Ye Feng and Ye Yuan replied in unison, "Yes."
Ye Lanshan went to the training ground and addressed the disciples. "From now on, the Ye family will be divided into two halls: the Martial Hall and the Medical Hall, with Ye Feng and Ye Yuan as their respective heads."
Though the disciples were dissatisfied, they feared Ye Lanshan's cultivation and responded halfheartedly, "Yes."
Ye Lanshan noticed their discontent but chose not to intervene, wanting to test Ye Feng and Ye Yuan.
"Family head, someone from the main branch has arrived," a disciple rushed into the hall, panting.
Ye Lanshan took a sip of tea, puzzled. What did the main branch want?
"Ye Lanshan, the family head orders you to return," a man said arrogantly.
Ye Lanshan took another sip, exuding authority without anger. "Is that how you address the legitimate young lady?"
The man sneered. "A waste like you? What right do you have to make me call you 'miss'?"
Ye Lanshan stepped down and said, "As the biological daughter of Ye Feng and the granddaughter of the old family head, you should show me respect and call me 'miss.'"
The man wanted to lash out but held back, thinking of something. "Then, Miss Ye, will you come back to the Ye family with me?"
Ye Lanshan replied, "Sure, but I'll leave in two days. In the meantime, you'll stay in the woodshed."
The man fumed. "Don't push it."
Ye Lanshan smirked. "Push it? I am pushing it. What can you do about it?"
The man suppressed his urge to strike, thinking, *Just wait until we get to the Ye family—I'll deal with you then.*
Ye Lanshan watched him struggle to contain his anger and said, "This way, please."
The man snorted and stormed off.
Ye Lanshan, Ye Feng, and Ye Yuan then gathered in the secret chamber to plan their return to the main branch.
"Miss, it's time to go," the man said impatiently.
Ye Lanshan pointed at Ye Feng and Ye Yuan. "I'm bringing them with me."
The man thought, *The family head only said to bring Ye Lanshan back, not necessarily alone. Adding two more won't hurt—just two more targets to bully.*
So he agreed. "Fine, but I'm not responsible for their safety."