Chapter 652

After a while, Ye Qin again tried to find a topic to chat with this person who might become his father-in-law about life ideals and such, but Huang Yaoshi didn't pick up his cue, making the atmosphere especially awkward.

"Dad, you said you were just coming to see me, why are you losing your temper?" Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Huang Rong hurriedly said, her tone carrying a hint of complaint.

Huang Yaoshi came to see her, and she couldn't refuse; even the impending return to Peach Blossom Island she couldn't refuse. Old Huang's attitude already made everything clear—he simply doesn't like Ye Qin.

She wasn't sure whether what followed would be a friendly exchange or an aggressive contest. Old Huang, who is both righteous and unorthodox and a veteran Innate Realm master, might seize the chance to strike a killing blow at Ye Qin.

Ye Qin, standing aside, felt both embarrassed and helpless. He wanted to seriously explain a few things to Huang Yaoshi, but when the words reached his lips he didn't know what to say. He had anticipated that the father-in-law wouldn't like the son-in-law, but when it actually happened to him he was still terribly embarrassed.

Finally unable to bear it, Ye Qin took a deep breath, calmed his emotions, and then said calmly: "Uncle, I know you won't believe anything I say now. Since you want to spar with me, it's perfect—we've eaten and drunk our fill, let's go to the martial arts arena."

In this Qinhu region, it seems only force can settle the matter. Besides letting Old Huang vent his dissatisfaction, Ye Qin couldn't think of any other way. Old Huang is impervious to persuasion, and there's nothing Ye Qin can do about him.

"Alright." Huang Yaoshi nodded, then took up Ye Qin's cue. However, he raised his eyebrows and said mockingly: "Don't hold back; otherwise, whether you die or get injured, I won't intervene. If your strength isn't enough, even if you claim to break the heavens, it's useless—I won't agree to anything regarding Rong'er, so think it through!"

Ye Qin frowned slightly and suddenly said: "She isn't an object; her affiliation shouldn't be judged by the level of strength."

"But that's my judgment." Old Huang said ruthlessly, "Without sufficient strength in this chaotic world, how could you protect her?"

Hearing those words, Ye Qin's expression darkened as he sighed quietly: "Could it be that all fathers-in-law in the world are the same?"

On the martial arts arena.

The ground was paved with large blue stones; dust flew everywhere as Huang Yaoshi leapt up. On the racks at both sides, swords, spears, staves, and all kinds of weapons gleamed abundantly, but Huang Yaoshi brushed past them all and finally drew his beloved jade flute.

"Come, let's fight!" He called out lightly to Ye Qin, "It's been years since I've gone all out; today I'm itching for a battle."

A few strands of white hair drifted down from his forehead; recalling how he once roamed the world, gathering with the other four Innate Realm masters on Mount Hua to discuss the Dao— that was already over a decade ago. Though he was a heavenly genius with varied learning, he could not withstand the erosion of time.

Ye Qin noticed those few strands of white hair, his heart involuntarily jolted, and he thought to himself: "No matter how high one's martial arts, can they stop the fading of life? It seems I must quickly establish a foundation in the Martial Path and cultivate Immortal Path techniques to prolong life."

"Immortal," the pursuit is nothing but longevity!

Huang Rong also noticed those few strands of white hair, and suddenly cried out in heartache: "Dad, you……"

Huang Yaoshi still thought she would plead for Ye Qin, and involuntarily said in a cold voice: "Swords are ruthless, life and death each follow heavenly fate; kid, do you dare to fight?"

"Is this a fight to the death?"

Ye Qin took a deep breath, first nodded to Huang Rong, then said to Huang Yaoshi: "Uncle, I will give my all to prove to you that I have the strength to protect Rong'er!"

Naturally, injuring someone is not allowed, let alone killing.

"Just a draw is fine." This would let Old Huang vent his frustration, prove my strength, and give both sides face.

He drew the long sword at his waist, and lightly said to Huang Yaoshi: "Uncle, I have offended you."

Huang Yaoshi couldn't stand Ye Qin's calm and composed demeanor, as if everything was under his control—even if the heavenly king himself came, he wouldn't be afraid—making Huang Yaoshi think Ye Qin was arrogant, as if he had been looking down on others from a high position from the very beginning.

He furrowed his brows and said coldly: "Having arrogance is good, but always that nonchalant attitude makes people uncomfortable. Only the strong have the right to be arrogant; the weak call it rashness."

Although he didn't often wander the martial world, he still had a few disciples spreading his fame. Huang Yaoshi, who lived his life unbound by etiquette, saw Ye Qin's indifferent attitude as a sign of disrespect toward him.

"Never mind, you'll soon know what a true expert is." Huang Yaoshi knew very well that an Innate Realm martial artist could easily handle ten Acquired Perfection martial artists; the two sides were not even on the same level.

Not to mention dealing with a single Acquired Perfection martial artist—that would be easy and enjoyable.

"Do you feel looked down upon?"

Seeing Huang Yaoshi's gaze, Ye Qin immediately understood what he was thinking—nothing more than looking down on him. That calm demeanor made him seem arrogant and reckless, and in Huang Yaoshi's eyes it was carelessness and lack of regard.

He flashed his body, executing his only move, the long sword slicing through the air.

Sizzle!

Huang Yaoshi actually couldn't dodge in time; his jade flute hadn't even been unleashed when his sleeve was ripped off a large piece of cloth. Although this sword move wasn't infused with sword intent, its power was still considerable. If Huang Yaoshi had been on guard and not taken him lightly, perhaps Ye Qin wouldn't have gained an advantage, but now…

Even if he didn't want to be taken advantage of, he already was.

After the first exchange, Huang Yaoshi actually found himself at a disadvantage, narrowly avoiding being cut by the long sword; at the very least he would suffer some injury.

At this moment, Ye Qin seized the chance to say: "Uncle, when strong warriors fight, they do not look down on their opponents, yet you just looked down on me. Remember, one misstep leads to another."

Huang Yaoshi's face turned ashen, and he said coldly: "Are you lecturing me?"

"I wouldn't dare!"

Ye Qin quickly shook his head, thinking: "I wouldn't dare lecture you; anyone else would be about the same."

After all, Huang Yaoshi is Huang Rong's father and could become his future father-in-law. If it were another Innate Realm martial artist, he'd probably have been beaten so badly he wouldn't even know his own surname.

After suffering a small loss, Huang Yaoshi immediately took it seriously, casually picking up his jade flute and beginning to play. A strange sound suddenly rang out, startling everyone: "This sound wave pierces the ears, disturbs the mind, shatters the original tranquility, making it impossible to stay calm."

This sound was both chaotic and irritable.

"What a powerful sound attack—is this the legendary Azure Sea Tide Rising Melody?" Each note surged like a tide; upon closer listening, it was wondrously beautiful like an illusion, making one intoxicated and unable to let go.

The originally calm mind was filled with this sound wave, impossible to dispel, making people feel heavy and unable to relieve. Ye Qin's heart tightened involuntarily: "No wonder he is one of the Five Absolutes; this sound technique cannot be matched by the other four Absolutes."

Huang Yaoshi truly deserves this honor; it is admirable.

Ye Qin remained calm, a thread of sword intent seeping out, pressing against that sound wave, which made him feel somewhat better. The long sword swung again, attacking forward. Seeing that the sound wave could not suppress Ye Qin, Huang Yaoshi abandoned using the Azure Sea Tide Rising Melody to defend, and instead used the jade flute as a weapon to attack Ye Qin.

Bang!

The two went back and forth, the fight indecisive, yet neither gained an advantage. Huang Yaoshi is a veteran Innate Realm martial artist, while Ye Qin, although he did not integrate sword intent into his sword moves, even just the sword techniques now possess formidable power.

"If I were to bolster it with the power of the setting sun, Old Huang would probably have to go see King Yama." Ye Qin thought to himself, but he would naturally not use such means against Huang Yaoshi.

After a while, half an hour passed like this. Huang Yaoshi did not exert his full strength, Ye Qin also did not reveal his trump card, but the fight was splendid. Originally Huang Rong had worried they might accidentally injure or go for a killing blow, but now she no longer worried.

"If they keep fighting like this, it might not even finish by tomorrow." Huang Rong was no longer worried, but she also felt a bit bored.

The two exchanged blows back and forth; Huang Yaoshi deliberately controlled his force and gradually increased his attack power. But Ye Qin was like a spring—no matter how much force you used, he seemed able to withstand it. His attack method was just that one sword move, used over and over, making Huang Yaoshi feel bored. Yet that very move was effective against him.

Even if he wanted to dodge, he couldn't avoid it, let alone the power of this strike, which made him impossible to ignore. The first move was already a lesson.

"This kid has some skill!" Huang Yaoshi thought to himself, "Although he only has one move, for him one move is enough to eat everywhere. If he were a newly advanced Innate Realm martial artist, just this one move would probably injure him."

He originally thought Ye Qin was just an ordinary Acquired Perfection martial artist, or perhaps not even that—maybe he had piled up elixirs and various medicinal resources. Who knew he actually had some real ability.

"Kid, you do have some skill. But next I will go all out—are you ready?" Huang Yaoshi said confidently. Seeing Ye Qin's carefree, unworldly demeanor, he became annoyed, a hint of mockery appearing on his face.

Ye Qin nodded and said casually: "Uncle, you're right. I also haven't used my full strength. How about we continue sparring?"

!

Huang Yaoshi: "……"

Old Huang originally intended to use his influence to overwhelm Ye Qin; deep down he never wanted to accept this son-in-law, and preferably take the opportunity to give him a taste of his own medicine, so his daughter would completely give up.

But who would have thought his face would be slapped until it stung, leaving him fuming.

"You brat, haven't you given it your all yet?" Old Huang exclaimed in surprise, pressing on, "Wasn't that just your full effort just now?"

How many times have you used that sword move? Could you possibly come up with something new?

Ye Qin shook his head, smiling as he replied: "That's just what you think; I never said that was my full strength, so……"

Old Huang, dissatisfied, took up the conversation, saying glumly: "So you brat have been just messing with me, right?"

He finally understood: this brat was deliberately trying to anger him.

Ye Qin: "……"

Ye Qin truly didn't know how to respond to that, but his silence looked like admission to Old Huang; this guy really hadn't used his full strength, even this veteran innate realm martial artist had been played.

Turns out he's been played like a monkey by this brat all afternoon!

Old Huang's face darkened, he almost fainted from anger; since becoming an innate realm master, he had never suffered such treatment. He roared: "Brat, die! Falling Petals Divine Palm!"

One hand held the jade flute, the other condensed into a palm; his entire innate true qi gathered at his palm and he fiercely struck toward Ye Qin. This palm carried tremendous power, containing ninety percent of Huang Yaoshi's strength.

Ye Qin had been prepared; his eyes narrowed, he tried to dodge with a lazy donkey roll. But Huang Yaoshi wouldn't give him a chance, pursuing him with the Falling Petals Divine Palm, intending to give the brat a good lesson.

Ye Qin flipped and thrust his sword, taking the opportunity to bolster the move with sword intent; his aura instantly surged. What had merely shaken a small area now seemed to shake an entire little world, raising dust in the training ground. That sharp, supreme sword intent, like golden needles, pierced straight toward Huang Yaoshi.

"How terrifying!"

Even with Old Huang's veteran innate realm cultivation level, facing this move of Ye Qin's left him shocked and pale. He couldn't help but be startled, recalling a saying from when Shaolin Temple reopened its gates: someone said this brat Ye Qin was the true big winner; he hadn't believed it then, but now he had to.

After bolstering the sword move with sword intent, its power rose linearly, a world apart from before. Old Huang stared, dumbstruck, muttering: "Turns out he really hadn't given his all; this sword intent is truly terrifying."

He had thought Ye Qin was just joking, intending to use the Falling Petals Divine Palm to give the brat a little lesson. Out of consideration for his daughter's face, he didn't plan to take his life or pursue the Jia Si Dao matter, but the brat still needed to be taught a lesson.

Who would have thought the lesson would backfire; instead he got a face full of dust kicked up by Ye Qin. That sharp sword move, imbued with sword intent, came like an invisible divine sword, instantly tearing the hem of his clothes and ripping a large hole in his chest robe. Had it been a bit deeper, his old life might have been forfeit.

Again he fell to the losing side, losing face.

Old Huang's old face turned red, rather embarrassed, and he could only say: "Fighting is fighting; why kick up all that dust?"

This left him with a mouthful of dust, nearly choking him.

Ye Qin blinked, then shook his head with a wry smile: "Uncle, this isn't my fault either; you didn't hold your breath, so you can't blame me."

Hearing this, Old Huang's old face reddened again; finally furious, he slapped Ye Qin several times in succession, only stopping after a fierce outburst. Ye Qin hurriedly leapt out of the dust‑filled training ground and shouted: "No more fighting, Uncle, you're being too bullying."

But inside he thought: best to just leave it at that.

After a while, Old Huang approached with a stern face and coldly asked: "What are you going to do about the Jia Si Dao matter?"

A few months earlier, Jia Si Dao had kidnapped his precious daughter and sent her to Ye Qin as a gift. That was Huang Yaoshi's pearl in the palm; he had been furious beyond restraint, originally planning to kill Jia Si Dao himself, but then wanted to see what Ye Qin would do, so he delayed until now.

He wasn't necessarily intent on putting Ye Qin to death, but he needed a resolution for the Jia Si Dao affair; otherwise his daughter would have suffered injustice for nothing. As a father, if he did nothing, how could he fulfill his parental duties?

Ye Qin raised an eyebrow, gradually gathering his power. Hidden brilliance flowed through his muscles and bones, his true qi lurking within his body. He then said: "Jia Si Dao? He's bound to die sooner or later. In a few days I'll have a plan ready; Uncle, just rest assured."

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly, a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes, and he smiled: "Just before you came to me, they had been secretly plotting to eliminate me, but little did they know I had already learned of it."

"These are your affairs; I won't interfere or help you." Old Huang said with a stern face, "I originally wanted to seize this opportunity to slay you, but feared Rong'er would be heartbroken, so I refrained from killing you. However, I must bring Rong'er back to Peach Blossom Island."

Furthermore, if you don't settle the Jia Si Dao matter well, I don't mind taking care of it myself. But then you…… (end of chapter)