"Huh, Ye Han suddenly left school for some reason. And Fatty said his expression was terrible; I guess something else must be wrong with him," Yang Yi remarked.

"Then, my lord, does that mean tonight is the night it begins?"

"Yes." Yang Yi mused, "Our external forces have already gained control over the territories of those three major sects. As long as we can hold Ye Han's assault here and wait for the outer forces to surround us, we will then...!"

"My lord, Xiu'er has something to say!" Xiu'er, with a look of utmost seriousness, interrupted Yang Yi.

"Oh? Go on!"

"My lord, Xiu'er believes that our current strength in the capital is insufficient to contend with Ye Han, and we won't last long enough for the outer forces to close in!"

Hearing this, Yang Yi immediately frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"

"My lord, consider this: given his ambition and scheming, Ye Han has likely deployed less powerful individuals on the periphery, reserving his strongest forces for the interior. After all, if he launches a major offensive, he's striking against both you and the official authority. The fact that Ye Han stationed the strength of the three major sects on the outside implies..." Xiu'er left the thought hanging, knowing Yang Yi would grasp the implication immediately.

Indeed, after hearing Xiu'er's explanation, Yang Yi's expression shifted constantly, and he inwardly cursed himself soundly. He said, "Xiu'er, thank you. If you hadn't reminded me, I truly would have walked right into a trap."

"My lord, why thank Xiu'er? Xiu'er doesn't need thanks; I only need you to be safe and sound."

"Uh!" Yang Yi was deeply touched. Looking at Xiu'er beside him, he suddenly felt that his attitude towards her had always been lukewarm. Yet, she still showed no resentment towards him, nor did she throw tantrums like other girls, nor did she leave him. Instead, she remained unwaveringly loyal. In this world, what more could a man ask for than such a wife?

"Xiu'er, I..."

Just as Yang Yi was about to say something to Xiu'er, she stopped him with a delicate finger. Xiu'er's eyes were slightly tearful, and a trace of sorrow crossed her beautiful gaze. "My lord, Xiu'er does not need your pity, nor your sympathy. Xiu'er knows that you haven't fully accepted me in your heart yet, but I am your wife. Therefore, Xiu'er will not give up."

Truly, what Xiu'er said held undeniable truth. If a small reminder was enough to stir pangs of sorrow in Yang Yi for Xiu'er, it would be perceived by others as pity, or even condescension. Yang Yi, chastened by his own thoughts and actions, turned to Xiu'er and said, "Xiu'er, I apologize. I..."

Once again, Xiu'er pressed her finger against Yang Yi's lips, stopping him. She said, "Xiu'er also doesn't need your apology. Let's focus now on how to deal with what comes next."

"Uh, right!" Yang Yi was momentarily stunned, then quickly spoke, "We don't know when Ye Han plans to attack, and our own people can't get in from the outside. Moreover, any movement from the exterior forces will shatter our entire plan!"

"My lord, Xiu'er does have a strategy!"

"Oh? Tell me!"

"My lord, have you and Ye Han met before this?"

"Yes!"

"Then that's perfect. We will send someone over to Ye Han's side right now to deliver a message for us," Xiu'er smiled faintly.

"A message?"

"Yes!" Xiu'er nodded. "Since you and Ye Han have met once, and I believe he is already aware that we are at Zhongnanhai today, we should utilize this location and invite him out for a meal. Of course, my lord, you can make this meal last quite a while!"

"I see. You mean I should use today's engagement at Zhongnanhai as a pretext to meet Ye Han tonight?"

"Precisely!"

Yang Yi pondered for a moment and then said, "But Xiu'er, Ye Han is my enemy now. If he agrees to meet me, there will certainly be...!"

"No, no, my lord, it's like this!" Xiu'er leaned close to Yang Yi's ear and whispered something that caused his entire demeanor to shift, his expression becoming even more unnerving than before.

Five o'clock in the afternoon. Inside Ye Han's villa, he was currently seated on the sofa, his face etched with heavy worry.

Since learning the true condition of his Clan, Ye Han finally understood why he had felt such profound unease earlier in the day. At this moment, he had to admit he had somewhat underestimated the Tianlong lineage. He hadn't expected them to possess such formidable experts capable of capturing the Tenth Elder of the Tiangui branch—a feat that undoubtedly required a master of the highest caliber.

In truth, he was unaware. Within the Tianlong lineage, the Tenth Elder, Yang Xuan, Yang Yitian, and Yang Rong were all experts at the Grandmaster level or above, with Yang Xuan and Yang Yitian being the pinnacle among them. For these few masters to capture ten such individuals was hardly a difficult task, especially if done secretly, precisely when their opponents were celebrating the apparent victory brought by superior numbers. That moment was undeniably the most fatal timing.

Consequently, Tian San stood before Ye Han now, beads of cold sweat dotting his brow. Ever since his Young Master returned, Ye Han had remained seated on the sofa, lost in thought, showing no sign of movement. However, the situation was growing increasingly tense; the Tiangui branch was in grave peril. Furthermore, with the Tenth Elder captured, the Clan was left headless. And with the Tianlong lineage continuously pressing the attack, the central structure of the Clan likely wouldn't hold out much longer.

"Young Master!" Tian San called out nervously. Seeing Ye Han still unresponsive, he refrained from calling out again.

He knew that provoking Ye Han at this moment would have dire consequences. Besides, Ye Han was clearly burdened enough already; facing so many unexpected crises would give any ambitious person pause.

Ye Han slowly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot, his face utterly cold. "Tian Si!"

"Your subordinate is here!" A figure materialized inside the villa; it was Tian Si.

"What is the current situation?"

"The external forces are unchanged, showing no disturbance. However, there seems to be some unusual activity in the capital!"

"What activity?" Ye Han asked, squinting his bloodshot eyes.

Tian Si composed his thoughts, not daring to meet Ye Han's gaze directly, and said with his head bowed, "Some mysterious individuals are spreading out, and even the Crown Prince's faction is involved. Their actions seem designed to prevent any of our people from setting foot in the capital!"

"It seems difficult for me to leave right now," Ye Han muttered internally, frowning. "Tian San!"

"Here."

"You must return to the Clan immediately and take charge of the overall situation. Once this night's battle is concluded, I will return immediately!"

"Yes!" Tian San acknowledged and moved without hesitation.

Ye Han closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then addressed Tian Si, "Give the order: all major forces are to remain on standby and await my command to act tonight!"

"Yes!" Tian Si acknowledged and departed.

Ye Han lightly closed his eyes, sitting silently on the sofa, betraying no movement. He seemed locked in an intense internal struggle; the current circumstances were forcing him to see the reality of the situation with painful clarity. Yet, in that very instant, he seemed to have made a decision, murmuring to himself, "I must act tonight; time no longer permits any delay!"

Just as Ye Han finished speaking, Tian Si reappeared, his expression somewhat grim. "Young Master, there is a visitor outside requesting an audience. He appears to be one of Yang Yi's men!"

"What?" Ye Han stiffened at the news, muttering to himself, "Why would Yang Yi's man seek me out? Isn't he already at Zhongnanhai today...?"

"Quickly, quickly, let him in!"

"Yes!"

The visitor was a youth, and Ye Han recognized him instantly—better than anyone else. "Brother, long time no see?"

"It's you?" Seeing the visitor, Ye Han’s heart instantly grew heavy, a cold smile touching his lips. "Xiao Hou, surely you aren't here to speak on Yang Yi's behalf?"

Undoubtedly, the visitor was Ye Han's younger brother, Ye Xiao Hou.

Ye Xiao Hou smiled faintly. "Big Brother, I'm here to advise you!"

"Advise me?" Ye Han found the notion laughable. "Advise me on what?"

"What I need to advise you on is clear. Big Brother, I implore you, stop this now, alright?" Ye Xiao Hou's face was deeply troubled.

Since childhood, Ye Han had been outstanding in the Ye family, but his temperament was quite rebellious. Especially regarding the position of Ye Family Patriarch, during the competition back then, he had nearly ended Ye Xiao Hou's life. Furthermore, the initial ruling should have declared Ye Han the victor.

However, the family elders and his own father declared it a draw, scheduling a final contest five years later. But when that time came, Ye Han suddenly chose to relinquish the claim to the Patriarch position and embarked on this path instead—a choice that had deeply saddened Ye Xiao Hou.

"Hmph, by what right do you presume to advise me?" Ye Han asked, narrowing his eyes with a cold snort.