Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

"Your Highness, Young Master Ye requests an audience."

While Ye Mo and Jiang Chong were discussing matters at the banquet, a servant suddenly came to report that Ye Fan was requesting an audience.

"Please come quickly."

After dismissing his servants, Jiang Chong said to Ye Mo, "Prime Minister Ye, your son has been practicing martial arts at the Shu Mountain Sword Sect for many years, and during that time he has had occasional interactions with me."

I've heard that you and your son haven't seen each other for several years. Why don't you take this opportunity to catch up?

Ye Mo replied with a smile, "My son is able to live in Shu thanks to Your Highness's care. I thank Your Highness in advance."

Even so, Ye Mo felt increasingly disappointed in Ye Fan.

When he went to Shu to cultivate, he repeatedly warned Ye Fan not to get too close to Jiang Chong, so as not to get involved in unnecessary power struggles and affect the status of the Jiang family.

But he didn't listen to a word of it. From the very first day he arrived in Shu, he went directly to visit Jiang Chong and became a staff member in the Prince's mansion.

This rebellious son has been meticulous since childhood, and even Ye Mo can't quite figure out what he's thinking.

However, since Ye Fan has chosen to stand on the same side as Jiang Chong, the Ye family naturally cannot tolerate him.

Before long, Ye Fan strolled into the rear garden hall.

He didn't even glance at Ye Mo, and bowed to Jiang Chong first: "Greetings, Your Highness."

Jiang Chong immediately said, "Young Master Ye, don't you even look at who's in front of you?"

Ye Fan turned his gaze to Ye Mo, then cupped his hands in a salute: "Greetings, Father."

Ye Mo glanced at Ye Fan.

Three years had passed since they last met. Compared to when he first left home, Ye Fan had grown taller and his face was now strikingly handsome.

Of the three legitimate sons, Ye Fan is undoubtedly the most handsome.

However, Ye Mo did not like his gloomy personality.

In contrast, Shen Lang, who was the same age as Ye Fan, was much more pleasing to Ye Mo's eye.

"Ah."

Ye Mo simply responded and didn't pay any further attention.

Ye Fan had long been used to his father's attitude, so he said nothing and just stood aside waiting for orders.

The atmosphere was extremely awkward.

Jiang Chong smiled and tried to smooth things over, saying, "Prime Minister Ye, you and your son have met, but why don't you have anything to say to each other? Is it inconvenient for me to be here? Perhaps I should step aside?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than another servant came to report: "Your Highness, Magistrate Yang is requesting an audience outside the mansion gate."

Jiang Chong immediately stood up, clasped his hands in apology to Ye Mo, and said, "Prime Minister Ye, I have some official business to attend to, so I must take my leave for now. You and your son must have a lot to talk about, so I will not disturb you any longer."

Ye Mo nodded: "Your Highness, please go ahead if you have something to attend to."

"Alright, just tell the servants if you need anything. Excuse me."

After saying that, Jiang Chong left, leaving Ye Mo and his son Ye Fan behind.

The back garden was unusually quiet.

Ye Mo stared intently at Ye Fan, as if trying to find something unusual in his expression.

Ye Fan kept his head down the whole time, adopting a submissive attitude.

Neither father nor son showed any joy at their long-awaited reunion.

After a long silence, Ye Mo spoke: "What have you learned at the Shu Mountain Sword Sect these past few years?"

Ye Fan replied, "Father, I have learned a great deal in the Sword Sect over the past three years. I am now an inner disciple, an elder of Shu Mountain, and Fairy Langyue is my current master."

Ye Mo nodded, but there was no joy on his face at the prospect of his son becoming a key figure in the cultivation of the Shu Mountain Sword Sect.

Ye Mo harbored deep prejudices against sects and factions, viewing them as a group of lawless and arrogant outlaws.

"Now that you've learned enough, come back to Jinling with me. Last year, the Empress Dowager mentioned your marriage to me."

They intend to marry their niece to you; you've reached marriageable age, it's time to settle down and start a family.

Upon hearing this, Ye Fan replied, "I'm sorry, Father, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. I cannot leave Mount Shu right now."

Ye Mo frowned upon hearing this and raised his hand, saying, "Come over here."

Upon hearing this, Ye Fan took two steps forward.

Ye Mo stood up and said, "Raise your head."

Ye Fan took a deep breath, raised his head, and met Ye Mo's gaze.

The next moment, Ye Mo's icy voice rang out: "Tell me, what exactly have you been doing in Shu during this time?"

Ye Fan: "Son doesn't know what Father is referring to?"

"You are no longer a virgin, do you think I can't tell?"

Ye Mo stood with his hands behind his back.

"Your forehead is rosy but lacks masculinity, with an excess of yin energy. You must have engaged in a lot of sexual activity. Do you think I can't tell?"

Ye Fan was taken aback, then lowered his head and said, "Father, you are wise. These past few days, I have been practicing the dual cultivation method with my master..."

Snapped--

As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Mo slapped him across the face.

Ye Fan was also stunned by the beating, covering his cheek as he looked at Ye Mo, whose face was ashen.

"I won't blame you for practicing martial arts, but who allowed you to cultivate such unorthodox methods?!"

Ye Fan immediately knelt down and explained, "Father, you have wronged your son. The Shu Mountain Sword Sect is a reputable and righteous sect. Their dual cultivation method conforms to the principles of Yin and Yang and is not some heretical or unorthodox practice..."

"How dare you quibble!"

Ye Mo snorted coldly.

"Practicing martial arts strengthens the body. The path of martial arts is built up day by day through one's own talent and perseverance. This is the right way."

However, the practice of dual cultivation was created by heretics for quick results. Achievements gained through shortcuts will inevitably come at a heavy price.

Although I, as your father, do not know the intricacies of the sect, those so-called dual cultivation methods are nothing but demonic arts that ruin a person's purity and reputation, and lead them to sink into the sea of ​​desire.

You actually call this the righteous path? Fan'er, you have greatly disappointed your father.

Ye Fan shook his head: "If Father says so, I absolutely cannot agree. You truly do not know the profound and wondrous mysteries of dual cultivation techniques."

Of course, I can't explain the reasons to you in detail, but the so-called dual cultivation method requires mutual consent and is definitely not as sordid as you think.

Ye Mo sneered: "What's the difference between the dual cultivation method and the practice of replenishing yin and yang? There's no need to make it sound so mysterious."

"Now I'm giving you two choices: come back to Jinling with me, or stay in Shu and wait for you to return after you've completed your studies. I'll arrange for someone from my clan to find you a leisurely job."

Upon hearing this, Ye Fan's eyes flashed with shock and anger.

What does this mean? His status as an heir has been eliminated.

In an instant, feelings of grievance and resentment welled up in Ye Fan's heart, making it hard for him to breathe.

"Father, why don't you understand your son?"

Ye Fan prepared to make a final struggle.

"I joined the sect so that the Ye family could have a place in the martial arts world, and so that if the Ye family encounters any changes in the future, we will have a backup plan to solve the problem."

"But Father, he is so resistant to sect forces. Now that Father is powerful,

The Empress certainly wouldn't dare do anything to you, but once she gains power, do you think she'll let the Ye family off the hook?

Ye Mo narrowed his eyes: "So, you really think that when His Majesty decides to deal with my Ye family, the so-called sect you speak of can save my Ye family from this predicament?"

"That's right!"

Ye Fan answered decisively.

"Father, my Ye family has long been a thorn in the Empress's side. If I don't take precautions..."

The Ye family will inevitably suffer an undeserved calamity. At that time, the power of the sect will be the Ye family's last resort!

"Your naiveté is almost unbelievable."

When Ye Fan said those words, Ye Mo couldn't help but want to laugh.

"Fan'er, the reason why my Ye family has stood firm in Jiangnan for two hundred years has never been because of any sect's power, but because of our loyalty to the royal family."

But what you just said is what will drag our Ye family into an abyss of no return. Do you think sects still have any advantage over the imperial court?

Unexpectedly, Ye Fan replied directly, "Father is referring to those firearms, right?"

"Since you know this, you should also understand that the sect has declined and its disappearance is only a matter of time. The Great Chu is reforming and innovating, and its rise is unstoppable."

“Father, please forgive my bluntness, but those strange and skillful techniques may give us a temporary advantage, but they are utterly useless against true high-level martial artists.”

Ye Mo's face darkened as he quietly watched Ye Fan speak.

"The Empress thinks she can make enemies of the entire martial arts world with her strange and ingenious skills? That's just wishful thinking."

The fact that sects have been able to stand firm in this world for tens of thousands of years naturally indicates that their existence has its own inherent laws and significance.

Only by relying on a sect can my Ye family rest easy, and even influence the political situation in the court, allowing my Ye family to advance further.

"Father, please give your son another year. After a year, I will prove to you that my choice was right, and the Ye family will prosper even more because of me."

"what……"

With a soft laugh, Ye Mo's heart sank completely.

Too lazy to argue with Ye Fan any longer, she simply whispered in his ear, "I'll give you a few more days to think it over."

If you still hold this view and refuse to come with me before I return to Beijing, then you should never set foot in the Ye family again for the rest of your life.

Ye Fan's pupils contracted: "Father, why are you forcing me like this?"

Ye Mo: "Force you? Kid, you really don't know what's good for you. Think about it carefully."

If you can't understand this, then you are no longer my son, Ye Mo's son. From this day forward, our father-son relationship is completely severed.

This is your last chance. If you want to stay in Shu, then stay. I can give you a year.

A year from now, if you still haven't figured it out, your name, Ye Fan, will no longer appear in the Ye family's genealogy. Remember that.

After saying that, he patted him on the shoulder, got up and left the back garden.

Ye Fan was immediately caught in a dilemma.

If he were to remain in Shu and have his clan name removed, he would be destined to lose the Ye family's assets. Without the Ye family's substantial wealth, his ambitions would be unable to expand.

However, if she follows Ye Mo back to the capital, the Sword Sect's power, which she has worked so hard to control, will be completely lost when she leaves.

"Why, why are you forcing me!"

Ye Fan clenched his fists, his face gradually contorting.

"No, there is another way. As long as my father dies, I can get everything I want."

"I want everything from the Ye family, and I want the entire kingdom of Chu. No one can stop me!"

Just then, a mechanical voice rang in Ye Fan's mind.

"The system has detected that the host is currently filled with resentment, and has specially issued a hidden mission."

"Kill Ye Mo within a year and seize the position of Ye family head. Success will grant you 8,000 points of Chu Kingdom's fortune; failure..."

“I will not fail!”

Ye Fan interrupted what the system was about to say.

"I, Ye Fan, will never accept defeat."

"The land of Chu is destined to belong to me, Ye Fan!"