Chapter 110: Long Hair, Short Sight
Xiao Ye looked at Ma Ping on the floor, his face devoid of expression.
Chu Yan understood his unspoken wish. "Rest assured, I won't let a single member of the Ma Family off the hook!"
"In less than a month, the Ma Family will vanish from South City!"
Previously, she might have shown them some mercy. After all, the Ma Family was no small player in South City.
But now, to please Xiao Ye, she would pour all her efforts into making the Ma Family disappear completely!
Hearing this, Ma Ping's pupils constricted in terror!
'How could the Chu Family go this far for a country bumpkin!'
Xiao Ye had no desire to waste any more time. He stood up, toying with the jade tablet in his hand. "Doesn't he enjoy feeding human flesh to his dog?"
"Then let him have a taste of it himself!"
Chu Yan let out a charming laugh. "Alright."
She gave a look, and her subordinates from the Chu Family immediately came over and pinned Ma Ping to the ground.
The large black dog was then led right in front of him.
However, the dog recognized its master. It only sniffed at him, refusing to bite down after a long while.
Chu Yan said coldly, "This dog may be smart, but once it gets a taste of raw flesh, it won't be able to resist the temptation."
"Cut off a piece of his flesh first. Feed it to the dog to whet its appetite, and it will start eating on its own."
Seeing the sharp dagger, Ma Ping was so terrified he began to whimper.
'No!'
But the knife came down with a SWISH, carving out a piece of crimson flesh!
The excruciating pain made Ma Ping scream, "No! Spare me!"
But no matter how he cried and screamed, the piece of flesh was still sliced off and tossed before the large dog.
It sniffed the morsel, then devoured it in a single gulp.
The dog was just an animal. It didn't understand why its master was feeding it his own flesh, but since it had been fed, it meant it was allowed to eat.
Drawn by the scent of blood, it went to Ma Ping's thigh and bit down hard!
Without a backward glance, Xiao Ye strode out of the backstage area.
Chu Yan and Assistant Huo immediately followed, walking humbly half a step behind Xiao Ye. Neither dared to rashly step ahead of him.
The onlookers who witnessed this scene turned deathly pale. Some even vomited on the spot.
When Xiao Ye walked past, they scrambled to get out of his way, too terrified to even breathe.
No one wanted to be the next Ma Ping.
Only after the group had left did they dare to speak, their voices laced with lingering fear.
"Who was that? Even the Chu Family's Miss Chu was so deferential to him."
"Ma Ping is finished. After a few bites like that, his leg is probably crippled for life."
"He's done so many evil things, raising that vicious dog to attack people. This is a classic case of reaping what you sow."
All thoughts of currying favor with the Ma Family had vanished. They all scurried away.
「Outside the auction house.」
Xiao Ye got into the car. "Back to Jiangcheng."
He had made a rare trip over, and Chu Yan wasn't about to let this opportunity slip by. "This auction will go on for three days," she said at once.
"Today was just antiques and jade. Tomorrow, they'll be auctioning all kinds of rare medicinal herbs."
"This is a major auction that only happens once every three years. Who knows, there might be something you need tomorrow."
Xiao Ye's interest was piqued. Since he was already here, staying one more day wouldn't hurt. "And the third day?"
"The third day is also an auction, but it's more of a private exchange among the attendees."
"It's basically a barter system, and a chance for networking."
Xiao Ye nodded, glancing at the jade tablet in his hand. "In that case, let's stay one more day."
Chu Yan was inwardly delighted. "Excellent! I've already arranged a hotel. Rest assured, I will make sure absolutely no one disturbs you!"
That, of course, included herself.
Xiao Ye naturally understood the implication and gave a slight nod.
「In the hotel room.」
Xiao Ye took out the jade tablet and examined it closely.
'Judging from the engravings, the owner of this jade tablet must be a woman.'
'Her birth chart is heavily skewed toward yin, making it a pure yin constitution. She was previously afflicted by a serious illness, her body invaded by malevolent forces.'
'This jade tablet was meant to keep her safe. With long-term wear, she could have eventually become like a normal person.'
Xiao Ye pulled out his phone, his voice icy. "Chu Yan, help me investigate a woman with this date of birth. Specifically, look for someone who was bedridden for a long time with a chronic illness."
'When my master creates a Dharma Artifact, he always states the terms of its use very clearly.'
'For them to knowingly put it up for sale... they shouldn't blame me for what happens next!'
After hanging up, Xiao Ye took a shower, lay down on the large, soft bed, and drifted off to sleep.
「Early the next morning.」
Chu Yan sent a car and came personally to pick him up.
She was wearing a white dress today. While it still accentuated her graceful curves, it gave her a more demure look.
Her long hair was even swept up into an elegant bun, revealing a slender, swan-like neck.
She looked at Xiao Ye and smiled as she opened the car door for him. "I have news on the investigation you requested."
"The second young miss of the Ma Family used to be in poor health, constantly bedridden. But last month, her condition suddenly improved."
"I have it on good authority that her recovery wasn't through medical treatment, but by some other, unorthodox means."
'Then there's no mistake. She's the one Master helped.'
'But why would the Ma Family put it up for auction, only to try and buy it back?'
Xiao Ye got into the car. "What's the situation with the Ma Family's second young miss now?"
"Not good. As soon as her health improved, she threw herself into the fight for succession within the Ma Family. Having been bedridden for so long, she was no match for the others."
"It's been less than half a month, and she's already been utterly crushed. Now she's confined to the Ma estate, and I hear even her branch of the family has been implicated, suffering heavy losses."
Xiao Ye now had a good idea of what happened. 'Someone from her branch of the family must have been desperate for money and put the jade tablet up for auction.'
'But the rest of the Ma Family, knowing the power of this Dharma Artifact, tried to buy it back.'
"Anyone my master helps must have a destined connection with him. As for this second young miss of the Ma Family, lend her a hand."
"You don't need to get involved in the Ma Family's internal struggles. Just ensure her safety."
Chu Yan smiled. "I've already made my move. But since you've said as much, I might as well just hand the Ma Family over to her."
"That way, the Ma Family will be yours, in a manner of speaking."
Xiao Ye thought for a moment and nodded. 'No reason to refuse a prize that's fallen right into my lap.'
'Besides, South City is a place of good people and good land. The feng shui is excellent.'
The car soon arrived at the auction house.
Inside, the air buzzed with conversation as everyone discussed the events of the previous day.
The manager had, of course, been replaced. Being in South City, the auction house couldn't possibly afford to offend the entire Chu Family over a single person.
「Meanwhile.」
「The Ma Family Estate.」
Looking at Ma Ping lying on the bed in agony.
Patriarch Ma was seething with rage. "Did you find out? Who the hell is he!"
"We have, Patriarch. The man's name is Xiao Ye, and he's from Jiangcheng. But... according to our investigation, he has no significant background."
"He's just a young Daoist from the mountains. However, this Xiao Ye has some skills. He's the one who helped Chu Yan defeat the experts the Chu Family had hired before."
Patriarch Ma's expression darkened. "Hmph. That Chu Yan is only so respectful because she's impressed by his skills."
"A woman's vision is as short as her hair is long. They're just a few cheap tricks, and the Chu Family is protecting him like this!"
"Where is that brat now?"
The aide lowered his head. "Our men say he went to the auction house with the Chu Family."
Patriarch Ma slammed his fist on the table, his eyes filled with venom. "That is my only son! I'll take on the entire Chu Family if I have to!"