Chapter Forty-Four: The Deal

"Is... is that really Yan Yuanqing? Could it be we’re mistaken?"

The members of the Shi family, surrounded and subdued, stared incredulously at the figure not far away, who now seemed more like a god of war than a man.

None of them could believe it; this person was Yan Yuanqing—the one they always regarded as useless, as a fool, the son-in-law who married into their family.

Shi Chengren’s expression was equally grim. Victory had seemed certain, yet now an unexpected twist had appeared.

"Shi Chengren, you’ve gathered everyone here—are you waiting for someone? Or perhaps waiting for something to be completed?"

Yan Yuanqing's words made Shi Chengren's heart sink even further.

"What do you know?"

"Hah, in truth, I know nothing. But I’d hazard a guess: the people you’re waiting for have likely already been dealt with by me."

"Because right now, lying in the courtyard of my home, there’s a group of strangers. If I’m not mistaken, those are the ones you were waiting for, aren't they?"

At this, Shi Chengren’s face changed dramatically.

"Impossible! You dealt with them as well? How could you possess such power? It makes no sense!"

Shi Chengren’s resolve finally began to waver.

His gaze, filled with suspicion and fear, was fixed on the man before him.

"Hah, why is it impossible? If you don’t believe me, shall I take you to see for yourself? Then you’ll know the truth."

As soon as he finished, Yan Yuanqing leapt from the wall and began to walk slowly toward Shi Chengren.

"Stop right there! Don’t take another step! Or I won’t be so courteous!"

Shi Chengren spoke warily, snatching a weapon from one of his men and pointing it at Yan Yuanqing from afar.

Yet even with a weapon in his hand, he felt no sense of safety.

As Yan Yuanqing drew closer, Shi Chengren suddenly gritted his teeth, as if making some momentous decision.

"Yan Yuanqing, if you leave now and don’t trouble me further, I can tell you a secret—a secret you absolutely want to know, and must strive to uncover!"

These words finally caused Yan Yuanqing to pause.

"Oh? There’s such a thing?"

"And what if I don’t care?"

Yan Yuanqing continued forward.

"Hah, you will care. Because the secret concerns your father—Yan Feiyu."

At this, Yan Yuanqing halted completely.

"So? If you harm me, you’ll never have the chance to know this secret!"

"Do you not wish to learn why your father vanished so suddenly, what he needed, where he is now? Don’t you yearn to unravel these mysteries?"

Shi Chengren watched the shifting expressions on Yan Yuanqing’s face, knowing his trump card had finally worked.

Yan Yuanqing clearly still longed for his father.

Now, with a chance to find him, he would not let it slip easily.

"If I discover you’re merely stalling, that everything you say is a ruse, I will make you wish for death and deny you even that!"

"For someone as skilled in medicine as I am, should I truly wish to do evil—well, you know what your fate would be."

Even with just a few words of threat, Shi Chengren felt his legs buckle, nearly unable to stand.

"I swear, the information I give you is true. If I deceive you, may thunder strike me and may I never find peace in any lifetime. How’s that?"

"This is our transaction. If I ever again act against you, you may punish me as you see fit."

Yan Yuanqing pondered for a moment, then finally tossed his weapon aside.

"Very well, deal."