"Second Uncle, Third Uncle, what's the rush? Who said I came back alone?"
A smile touched Chu Yan's lips as she opened the car door. "This is the peerless master I invited."
Xiao Ye slowly stepped out of the car, his cool gaze sweeping over them.
Chu Hongtu and his brother were stunned for a moment, then they threw their heads back and laughed.
"Hahaha, this is the expert you found?"
"A little brat who hasn't even grown a full head of hair dares to pose as a peerless master? Chu Yan, you really are brainless to be fooled by something like this!"
"Get lost, kid, or you'll die without a grave!"
"Uncles, the match isn't decided yet. Don't celebrate too soon."
Chu Yan sneered and turned to Xiao Ye. "Come with me."
"Grandfather is seriously ill and recuperating, so my two 'dear' uncles took the opportunity to propose a martial arts contest for the Chu Family's Patriarch's Seal."
"It's a bit rash, I know, but for a family like the Chus that reveres martial prowess, meeting violence with violence isn't unheard of."
"Whether or not I can get that Patriarch's Seal is all up to you."
As they spoke, the two entered the Chu Family's training ground.
The grounds were already packed with members of the Chu Family, who had cleared a large open space in their midst.
Chu Hongxin was seated in a chair, his face full of disdain. "Chu Yan, don't say your uncle is picking on his junior. The man I've brought tonight is the renowned Boxing Champion of Jiangnan."
"This kid you found is so soft and delicate. I doubt he could take a single punch from him!"
"I suggest you concede now and save yourself the humiliation!"
Behind him stood a brutish, burly man with slightly bulging temples.
Veins bulged on his thick, coarse-skinned arms. One look was enough to tell he was an expert pugilist.
The Boxing Champion glanced at Xiao Ye with disdain. "You scrawny weakling. Kneel and surrender now, and I might consider sparing your life!"
"Otherwise, I can finish you with a single punch!"
Chu Hongtu chimed in, "Chu Yan, I've brought Master Gao, the second-ranked martial artist in the entire country. This is your last chance to surrender!"
Master Gao stood behind him. He smiled faintly, his eyes filled with contempt and scorn as he looked at Xiao Ye.
Chu Yan calmly took her seat, saying unhurriedly, "We won't know who wins and who loses until they fight!"
'A bunch of blind fools.'
'They have no idea what Xiao Ye is capable of!'
"Then let's not waste any more time!" The Boxing Champion stepped forward. "I'll deal with this kid myself!"
"Good!"
Chu Hongxin immediately stepped aside. "Chu Yan, watch closely and see exactly how you're going to lose!"
The Boxing Champion looked at Xiao Ye as if he were already a dead man. "Kid, come and meet your doom!"
A corner of Xiao Ye's mouth lifted. "You?"
"You're courting death!"
The Boxing Champion's eyes widened in fury. Showing no mercy, his fist shot forward, wrapped in murderous intent!
Xiao Ye raised his hand and casually swatted his palm forward.
"He actually dared to block with an open palm? This kid's finished!"
"The Boxing Champion's strength..."
Before the words had even faded.
The Boxing Champion's ferocious expression froze on his face, his eyes filled with disbelief.
The next second, he let out a bloodcurdling scream as his arm went as limp as a noodle!
"My arm!"
Everyone was stunned.
What was going on?
The Boxing Champion... was defeated?
Xiao Ye retracted his arm, a smirk playing on his lips. "You dare call yourself a Boxing Champion with pathetic skills like that? Who gave you the nerve?"
Chu Hongxin couldn't believe his eyes. The expert he had found was actually defeated by this young man?
"This is impossible!" He grabbed the Boxing Champion. "Are you fucking with me?"
The Boxing Champion cried out in pain. "My arm is broken! This kid is a monster, you deal with him yourself!"
With that, he turned and fled.
'Breaking my arm with a single palm strike... he's an absolute master. I can't afford to provoke him!'
Chu Hongtu immediately turned to Master Gao. "Master, I'm counting on you. Kill him!"
"Don't worry. The kid knows some tricks for explosive force, and the Boxing Champion underestimated him. That's how he seized the initiative and got the upper hand. I'll take care of him!"
With that, Master Gao assumed a stance and crooked a finger at Xiao Ye. "I never bully the weak. I'll let you have the first move!"
"Too much damn talking!"
Xiao Ye shot forward and, with a flying kick, sent the man flying a full three meters!
The so-called master fell to the ground, spitting blood, without having even made a single move. He didn't stir again.
The members of the Chu Family were instantly silenced.
Chu Yan looked at Xiao Ye, her beautiful eyes sparkling. 'As expected, he's just as strong as ever!'
She covered her mouth with a delicate laugh. "So these are the masters you invited. It seems I'm the winner today."
"The entire Chu Family is here to bear witness. You can't go back on your word now."
"Whoever's chosen champion won this fight would get the Patriarch's Seal."
"Hand it over. Or I won't be so courteous."
Chu Hongxin gritted his teeth in anger, but in front of everyone, he could only swallow his fury for the time being.
"Third Brother, give it to her."
Chu Hongtu took out a small, pure gold seal and reluctantly handed it over. "Here!"
"You got what you wanted. Now get lost!"
With that, the two brothers turned and left, their faces grim.
The rest of the Chu Family dispersed under Chu Yan's watchful gaze.
After she put away the golden seal, she noticed Xiao Ye was also heading out and quickly grabbed his arm. "What's the hurry? There's a chamber of commerce meeting in Jiangcheng tomorrow, and I'll be attending as well."
"We can head back together after that. Thank you for helping me today. From now on, the Chu Family... will be your staunchest supporter!"
Xiao Ye nodded disinterestedly. He had no interest in the chamber of commerce meeting; he just wanted to get back to Jiangcheng.
'As for being his supporter, the Chu Family wasn't even qualified!'
「The night passed quietly.」
The next day, the Jiangcheng Chamber of Commerce held its grand meeting.
In years past, the Han Family had always presided over it. But now, the Han Family had been completely annihilated.
Members of prominent families, both large and small, entered the chamber of commerce building, whispering among themselves.
"Now that the Han Family is gone, who knows who will lead the chamber of commerce from now on."
"My guess is the Bai Family. They were only a little weaker than the Han Family."
"What about the Lin Family? The person they found is the one who wiped out the Han Family. I'd say they're pretty ambitious!"
"That's Chen Peng and Chen Li from the Chen Family. I heard someone from the Chu Family is coming this time, too!"
The Chen and Chu Families both had branch offices in Jiangcheng, but in previous years, they had only sent assistants. This was the first time members of their main families had attended.
Now that the Han Family was gone, they had left behind a vast fortune. It was just a matter of who had the power to swallow it whole!
「At the Chamber of Commerce.」
Glasses clinked and chatter filled the hall.
"I heard the Chu Family is sending someone. The Han Family's assets will probably end up in their hands."
"The Chu Family is a massive enterprise; they probably look down on these assets. However, whoever they decide to give these assets to will likely become the next top family in Jiangcheng."
"By the way, do you know who from the Chu Family is coming this time?"
"It's likely Chu Yan, but... I heard the Chu Family is rife with internal conflict right now, with everyone competing for the Patriarch's seat. She's a woman, after all. Her chances are probably slim."
Everyone nodded in agreement. "She's just a woman. It's impossible for her to become the Patriarch!"
Elsewhere, the Bai and Ye Families had gathered, their gazes fixed on the main entrance.
They too had come prepared this time!
Lin Chuyue stood at the fringes of the crowd, looking forlorn as she held her wine glass.
In years past, members of the lesser families would have been fawning over her, but now they avoided her like the plague.
'They're all just a bunch of shallow sycophants who only respect power!'
As a melodious tune began to play, Chu Yan walked through the main doors. Immediately, members of numerous prominent families rushed to greet her with beaming smiles.
"Miss Chu, I can't believe you came in person!"
"Miss Chu, my surname is Li..."
Chu Yan looked straight ahead, ignoring the fawning crowd, and walked step by step to the center of the hall.
At a single glance from her, the music came to an abrupt halt.
"Everyone, today I have an announcement to make regarding the disposition of the Han Family's assets."
Everyone held their breath, waiting to see if this heaven-sent fortune would land on them.
Chu Yan scanned the room, and her gaze finally settled on Lin Chuyue. "From now on, all of the Han Family's assets will be handed over to the Lin Family."