The Ye family, in Hangzhou, Jiangnan, was an ancient lineage, and among the Eight Great Families, one of the most powerful and mysterious. That Ye Han and Ye Xiaohou were brothers was quite clear; indeed, they were twin brothers. Ye Xiaohou and Ye Han had strived and struggled together, their sole aim being the position of Ye Family Patriarch. As for why Ye Xiaohou left the Ye family to live outside for five years, that matter remained shrouded in obscurity.
Yet, today, after five long years, Ye Xiaohou stepped back through the grand gates of the Ye estate.
“We welcome the Second Young Master’s return,” four or five burly men in black stood before the ancient and imposing manor gate, calling out respectfully to Ye Xiaohou.
“Is my father at home?” Ye Xiaohou asked, his expression extremely serious.
“Yes, the Family Head awaits in the main hall.”
“Awaiting in the main hall? My father knew I would return today?” Ye Xiaohou asked internally, deeply startled by the news.
The black-clad men nodded in affirmation. “Yes, and the Eldest Young Master is also present!”
“Brother is here too?” Ye Xiaohou realized he could afford no further shock and hurried toward the main hall.
The Ye Residence, Main Hall center. The interior furnishings possessed an aura of profound classical refinement. Not only were the decorations ancient, but every implement inside was a meticulously crafted antique replica, showcasing the Ye family’s deep adherence to traditional customs.
“Father, your son has returned,” Ye Xiaohou approached a middle-aged man and knelt to announce.
“Hmm, you have finally returned. Rise!” The Ye Family Head, Ye Long, a composed and collected man of forty-five, was arguably the most qualified figure among all the patriarchs of the Eight Great Families.
Ye Xiaohou rose and saw Ye Han seated on a chair to the side—a face so familiar it was almost indistinguishable from his own. Though their appearances were nearly identical, Ye Han possessed an added layer of sinister charm, giving an immediate impression of striking handsomeness. Ye Xiaohou walked before Ye Han, clasped his hands in a respectful salute, and said, “Eldest Brother, long time no see.”
“Heh heh, indeed. Second Brother, please be seated,” Ye Han replied with a faint smile. Every gesture exuded a chilling undertone; truly, his bearing matched his name—a cold severity resonated about him.
“Understood,” Ye Long murmured, his gaze sweeping over both Ye Han and Ye Xiaohou. “The five-year covenant concludes tomorrow. You are both here today for this reason. Five years ago, because your strengths were too evenly matched, we could not definitively select the most qualified successor for the Patriarch position, resulting in our Ye family currently having two heirs.”
This was precisely the peculiar matter that Yang Yi and Fatty Lin had noted in their intelligence reports. Within the Ye family, there had always been two heirs, yet the outside world only acknowledged one. This situation was undeniably strange.
“Five years ago, you both passed the heir’s trials. Now, the five-year agreement is upon us. Prepare yourselves; tomorrow’s trials will formally confirm the most qualified successor to the Ye Family Patriarch position,” Ye Long stated before moving aside.
Ye Xiaohou lowered his head in thought, glanced at his Elder Brother without speaking, and then stood, preparing to return to his own quarters.
But at that moment, Ye Han’s voice rang out, “Xiaohou, wait up!”
“What is it? Do you need something, Elder Brother?” Ye Xiaohou turned back to look at Ye Han upon hearing his voice.
“I wish to discuss a few things with you. Could you spare me a moment?” Seeing Ye Xiaohou’s puzzled expression, Ye Han quickly smiled. “Oh, it’s nothing major, just concerning tomorrow’s trial and the matter of the Ye Family Patriarch position, that’s all.”
“What do you mean?” Ye Xiaohou frowned, asking.
“Heh heh, if you want to know what I mean, just come along with me,” Ye Han said, a strange smile playing on his lips, and then he led the way out.
“Alas, after five years apart, they meet again. What fate awaits these two?” Ye Long watched the scenery outside the window, murmuring to himself.
“Brother Long!” The woman approached; she was Ye Long’s wife, the mother of both Ye Xiaohou and Ye Han, named Du Lan.
“Lan’er, which of Xiaohou and Han’er do you think will become the next Ye Family Patriarch?” Ye Long inquired.
“I wish neither had the qualification. These two brothers have been competing for the heir position since childhood, and now they fight again for the Patriarchal seat. I truly cannot bear to watch my own flesh and blood turn against each other,” Du Lan’s beautiful face was marked by a faint sorrow.
“Indeed, I feel the same. But as descendants of the Ye family, this is their destiny.”
“However, Brother Long. The elders have long protested the influence behind Han’er. Why didn't you specifically mention it today?”
Ye Long’s expression shifted upon hearing this. He sighed. “If Xiaohou knew that Han’er cannot undergo the trial—and thus cannot become the Ye Family Patriarch—because he is already the (Sect Master) of the Heavenly Ghost lineage, it would be a devastating blow to him. You know his temperament; having competed with Han’er since childhood, how could he easily accept the Patriarchal position?”
“But if Han’er passes the trial tomorrow, and Xiaohou fails, then…” Du Lan was extremely worried. As a mother, this was the very situation she most dreaded seeing.
“Sigh—in truth, I am troubled by this very issue right now,” Ye Long said, tapping his forehead.
“Brother Long…” Du Lan called softly, embracing him tightly from behind, as if sharing the common plea of spouses: share half my burden of worry with me.
Two days later.
No one knew the ultimate fate of the Ye family’s development. But what was certain was that the new Ye Family Patriarch had been chosen. This new Patriarch would attend the Invitation Assembly hosted by the Eight Great Families in their capacity as the head of the Ye family. Remarkably, this Assembly was held in Hangzhou. Simultaneously, the current heads of the major families, the former heads, certain mysterious national leaders, the Huaxia Official Dragon Group, influential figures from the underworld, and commanders from the Four Great Military Regions of Huaxia all converged upon Hangzhou.
In an instant, Hangzhou became the epicenter of activity. Meanwhile, back in the highest headquarters of the Black God Gang in Shanghai, Yang Yi, Fatty Lin, Feng Shi, Han Zhong, Li Qian, and Xia Shiyun, including Xuanyuan Bing, were all gathered, seemingly deliberating over urgent matters. The plane heading to Hangzhou was scheduled to depart shortly from the hotel.
“Yi, you must be careful, and come back quickly,” Xia Shiyun said to Yang Yi.
Yang Yi nodded and smiled. “Don’t worry, I will.”
“Yi…!” Li Qian called out, briefly hugging Yang Yi. “We’ll wait for you back in City A.”
“En, you all need to be careful too, understand?” Yang Yi knew both women were worried about him, and he felt deeply satisfied. Then, recalling something, he turned to Feng Shi and instructed, “Yanran, I’m entrusting them to you!”
“Yes, Young Master,” Feng Shi responded.
Han Zhong merely nodded to Yang Yi. “Dragon Lord, if anything happens, call me immediately. I will make arrangements at the first moment.”
“Understood. Keep a close eye on the movements of the Dark Council and the Vatican; do not let any excessive activity leak out!”
“Yes!” Han Zhong affirmed.
“Then…!” Yang Yi swept his gaze over the group. “Fatty, Bing’er, let’s go.”
“Alright!” Both replied, but just as their voices fell, the office door burst open.
“Boss, wait… wait for me.”
“Third Brother?” Fatty Lin looked at the three figures charging into the doorway with some surprise.
“Uh, Second Brother.” The newcomer was undoubtedly Xu Ming, who had been rushing from another location and had been slightly delayed by unforeseen events. The two men flanking him needed no introduction—they were those two…
“O-Old Boss….”
“Damn it, stop calling me Old Boss, am I that old?” Yang Yi felt a cold sweat break out as he saw his two shameless subordinates. “Third Brother, what are you doing here?”
“Boss, I came because I want to attend that Invitation Assembly with you,” Xu Ming managed to say, catching his breath.
“Don’t you have work?” Fatty Lin walked up to Xu Ming and playfully punched him. “Little guy, you know this is a tense moment, and you still managed to run back to help?”
“Second Brother, what is that supposed to mean? Damn it, you’re making me sound totally unscrupulous.” Xu Ming glared back irritably. Indeed, this was now the most critical phase, even if these matters primarily concerned the Black God Gang. Yet, everyone affiliated with the Gang felt that Yang Yi seemed somewhat unconcerned.
Although this supposed ‘Hongmen Banquet’ was explicitly hosted by the Eight Great Families—merely a gathering for drinks and laying aside past grudges for discussion—the ultimate purpose revolved around the retirement of the former patriarchs of the Eight Families. The stepping down of these former leaders was a monumental event within Huaxia, at least for those privy to the full picture.
More importantly, this gathering was set to unveil the true faces of all involved. Officials, the Eight Great Families, and the underworld—three seemingly incompatible, or even antagonistic, factions—being drawn together. What kind of banquet would that be? Unquestionably, one filled with veiled intrigue and the deliberate surfacing of the large, hidden ‘fish’ that had lain submerged for long enough.
Therefore, everyone present, save for Yang Yi, was apprehensive about potential sudden developments. Consequently, Xu Ming asked Yang Yi, “Boss, how many people are you planning to bring to this ‘Hongmen Banquet’?”
“See them all right there!” Yang Yi waved his hand dismissively.
“Uh!”
Before Xu Ming could fully process the statement, Yang Yi turned to the group and commanded, “Let’s go!”
“Hey, hey, Boss, wait for me!” Xu Ming scrambled to catch up.
And so, the group of six hurried to Shanghai International Airport to board their plane, heading for Hangzhou.