Chapter 45: Backlash
"I need your help!"
Chu Yan said bluntly, "Whoever dared to move against my younger brother must be confident they can withstand my retaliation."
"He's the only brother I have. When the time comes for a real confrontation, I'll inevitably have to hold back so as not to hurt him."
"And you, Xiao Ye, will be my trump card to turn the tables."
"When the time comes, will you be there?"
This was why Chu Yan had been so desperate to see Xiao Ye.
She needed a promise.
A promise that concerned her brother's life!
After she finished speaking, Chu Yan tilted her chin up slightly, staring at Xiao Ye, her heart pounding frantically with nervousness.
She knew full well what this man was capable of. As long as he agreed, Chu Lian could be saved!
But Xiao Ye didn't say a word.
The hopeful light in Chu Yan's eyes began to dim.
'Am I going to be rejected?'
Her tone grew impatient. "Xiao Ye, as long as you agree to help me, I'll agree to any condition you have after I rescue my brother!"
"If you just nod, I'm even willing to serve by your side for the rest of my life!"
"Whoa there. Helping you save someone is no problem, especially since you've helped me solve quite a few troubles yourself."
Xiao Ye smiled and waved his hand dismissively. "But as for serving by my side, let's forget it. I'd rather not piss off the little wildcat I have at home."
"Go on, handle your business with peace of mind. If you need anything, call me anytime."
Hearing this promise, Chu Yan finally let out a sigh of relief.
She was just about to thank him when she saw Lin Chuyue walk out of the living room.
So, she glanced over Xiao Ye's shoulder and gave Lin Chuyue a provocative smile.
Lin Chuyue's expression instantly soured.
'This unreliable scumbag is two-timing, just as I thought!'
'He just agreed to Grandpa's request, and now he's already getting tangled up with another woman!'
'Good thing I never planned on being with trash like him anyway!'
Lin Chuyue quickened her pace, walking straight past the two of them toward the door.
Without turning back, she said, "Xiao Ye, I have something to take care of. You stay put here at the Lin Family residence and don't cause any trouble for me!"
Chu Yan gave a playful smile, waved goodbye to Xiao Ye, and, clicking her heels, took a few quick steps to catch up with Lin Chuyue.
As they brushed past each other, she even bumped Lin Chuyue lightly on purpose. "Give up. Xiao Ye is mine."
"You may have gotten to him before me, but you're not worthy of him at all!"
Lin Chuyue snorted, her face impassive. "If you like him, feel free to chase him. I have no interest in a scumbag like that."
"It's best if you mean that," Chu Yan said as she pulled open her car door and got in. "Just don't come to regret it later."
VROOOM—
The luxury car sped off, leaving a cloud of dust and scattering a few fallen leaves.
Lin Chuyue rolled her eyes in annoyance. 'How boring.'
Meanwhile.
「The Bai Family.」
Bai Shoucheng lay weakly on the bed and looked at his trusted subordinate. "How is everyone else's condition?"
Ever since they returned from the hospital that day, more than half of the Bai Family had mysteriously fallen ill.
No matter how many doctors they consulted, the cause of the illness could not be found.
The subordinate shook his head gravely. "Sir, their conditions are even more serious than yours. Even the famous doctors we've hired can't find a reason."
"Impossible!"
Bai Shoucheng let out a low roar before breaking into a fit of violent coughing.
Suddenly, Xiao Ye's words flashed through his mind.
'Could this be... the retribution for the Bai Family breaking its covenant?'
"Quick, go to the Ye Family! See what their situation is!"
"Yes, sir!"
「An hour later」, the subordinate returned with news.
"Sir, it seems the Ye Family has contracted some kind of skin disease. Their bodies are covered in festering sores, and seeking medical help everywhere has been useless."
A chill ran down Bai Shoucheng's spine.
He remembered Xiao Ye saying that each Golden Saber represented a different meaning.
'So the backlash they suffered is also different?'
The Ye Family, at this moment, was in a similar state of utter panic.
Their family members had always been good-looking, and the younger generations were especially handsome and beautiful.
But now, of all things, it was their faces that had a problem!
The festering, sore-like blemishes had already begun to spread across their entire bodies.
If this continued, the consequences would be unimaginable!
"Patriarch, the person you summoned is here!" the butler reported, rushing in with a joyful expression.
Ye Zude immediately stood up. By now, a festering sore had appeared on his left cheek. It wasn't large, but it was very conspicuous.
"Quick, show the master in!"
A moment later, a man with white hair and a long beard, dressed in a Daoist Robe, walked in.
He looked to be at least sixty or seventy years old, yet his skin was smooth—a perfect example of a youthful face on a white-haired elder.
"Master!"
Ye Zude rushed forward as if he'd found his savior. "You're finally here! Quick, please take a look and tell me what's going on!"
"Patience. Have all the younger members of your family come out. I want to assess the situation."
This master was a renowned hidden expert from Jiangcheng, possessing profound Daoist abilities.
Ye Zude didn't dare to be disrespectful and immediately called everyone out.
They, too, had festering sores on their faces, all in the exact same location.
"Master, we've seen many doctors, but none of them can find anything wrong."
"Patriarch Ye, do not be anxious. This is not an illness."
The master spoke with a steady voice. "In my opinion, this should be... a form of backlash."
Ye Zude's heart skipped a beat. "A... a backlash?"
"Correct. Did you previously make some kind of vow that you then failed to uphold, or perhaps even violated?"
The master nodded. "You must understand that every word has its karmic consequence. Never underestimate the power of a spoken curse."
"From the moment you choose to enter a contract, you are bound by its constraints."
Ye Zude swayed on his feet. 'It... it really was related to the Golden Saber!'
He barely managed to steady himself. "Master, what should I do?"
"The backlash has already begun. The only way is to cut your losses. You must immediately fulfill your agreement, and you must show the other party your sincerity."
'Does that mean returning the Golden Saber? And not just that, but also handing over half of our assets?'
Ye Zude couldn't accept it. This was the very foundation of his Ye Family!
"Master, is there truly no other way?"
The master shook his head. "Forgive my limited knowledge, but this is the first time I have ever witnessed such karmic retribution. The person who did this is extraordinarily powerful. I believe that no one in this world can break this curse except for the caster himself!"
"Furthermore, I advise you not to cling to any wishful thinking. Just because you feel no pain now doesn't mean you won't feel it later."
"From what I can see, these festering sores will eventually spread over your entire bodies, leading to an agonizing death. And not only that, but any descendants born to you from now on will suffer the same fate."
"This backlash will only stop if the Ye Family is completely wiped out, with no heirs left to continue the line!"
Ye Zude collapsed into his chair. He had never imagined the consequences would be this severe!
'No, I refuse to believe there isn't a way to break it!'
Without the Golden Saber, the Ye Family's status would plummet. And while they might not have their lineage cut off, they would be reduced to poverty!
He had been poor once. He never wanted to go back to that life.
Just then, the butler re-entered the study. "Patriarch, bad news! We just received word from the company. Several of our partner corporations have suddenly breached their contracts!"