Chapter 317: I Know What to Do
As the new Patriarch of the Xiao Family, Xiao Ye was responsible for managing the entire family.
His first New Year as Patriarch was of the utmost importance.
Lin Chuxing, for her part, broke her usual habit of staying out of sight and began busying herself early in the morning.
The younger members of the Xiao Family all came to offer Xiao Ye their New Year's greetings.
After lunch, Xiao Ye had to organize the Xiao Family's trip to the ancestral tombs to offer incense.
This was the Xiao Family's most important annual ritual. Every member was required to attend; even those living abroad had to return for it.
Lin Chuxing changed into a black outfit, planning to go with them.
But before she could even leave the house, Jian Qiuyan stopped her. "Chuxing, we can't go today."
"Why not? I'm about to marry Xiao Ye. Don't I have the right to pay respects to the Xiao Family's ancestors?"
"You can't." Jian Qiuyan patted her hand. "This was Xiao Ye's order. You should just stay home and behave."
"I refuse! The Lady of the House of the Xiao Family is qualified, so why am I not!"
Lin Chuxing stormed out, and Jian Qiuyan was powerless to stop her.
As a mother, her heart softened, and she wanted to look out for her daughter, but seeing Lin Chuxing act like this, she knew there was nothing she could do.
"Xiao Ye! Why can't you take me to the ancestor worship? I am the future Lady of the House of the Xiao Family! I have the right to go!"
The members of the Xiao Family all turned their heads in unison, looking rather surprised.
They had never seen someone so ill-mannered.
"Miss Lin, only after you are officially married to the Patriarch will you be qualified to worship the ancestors."
"We're getting married sooner or later anyway, what's the difference between going now or later!" Lin Chuxing was adamant about going, as it would further solidify her status.
'The women from powerful families who attend these ancestor worship ceremonies are always held in higher esteem!'
Xiao Ye said coldly, "Escort Miss Lin back to her room! She is not to take a single step outside until we return!"
"Yes, sir!" The butler and servants swarmed forward and forcibly dragged her upstairs.
"Xiao Ye!"
"Let go of me!"
SLAM!
The door to the room was slammed shut.
Xiao Ye then led the Xiao Family members to the ancestral tombs.
It was four o'clock in the afternoon when the group finally returned.
Xiao Ye immediately took out his phone. One of his subordinates quickly reported, "Patriarch, we spotted several members of the Ouyang Family sneaking up a mountain."
"They were wearing black robes and acting furtively. I suspect they might have gone to perform a ritual sacrifice!"
"During each country's most important festival, its members are required to make a sacrifice to the Angel Association to prove their loyalty!"
"I'm on my way now!"
After getting the address, Xiao Ye immediately changed his clothes and left.
Before he left, he summoned the butler. "No matter what time I get back, carry on with the rest of the day's events as planned. Don't wait for me."
"If anyone asks about me, just say I was called away on urgent business."
"Yes, Patriarch. Please rest assured, I know what to do."
Xiao Ye got into his car and sped toward the mountain range.
The forests of the Imperial City were dense, and a thick layer of snow covered the ground.
Since no one had cleared it, the surface had hardened, and walking on it produced a CRUNCH, CRUNCH sound.
Xiao Ye followed a small path up the mountain and finally saw the entrance to a cave.
It was crudely concealed, probably because no one ever came this way, so they weren't worried about being discovered.
After confirming there was no one at the entrance, Xiao Ye pulled up the hood of his black robe and swaggered right in.
Inside was a large stone chamber. Further in, the path split into two.
Based on the tracks on the ground, Xiao Ye quickly chose the left path.
After walking along this path for about twenty minutes, he saw people ahead.
There were about two dozen of them, all dressed in black robes.
Some had taken off their hoods, but they still wore masks underneath.
According to the Angel Association's code of conduct, no member is allowed to reveal their identity or rank.
The same went for everyone else, which was why they all wore masks to hide their true faces.
They also used the black robes to conceal their bodies, preventing anyone familiar with them from recognizing them.
Xiao Ye blended into the crowd completely unnoticed.
"The sacrifice is about to start. I wonder who it is this time."
"Last time it was that young celebrity. Such a shame. I actually thought he was quite handsome."
"I heard it's a woman this time, a pretty one who's been in a TV series. Someone invited her to join the Angel Association, and she actually dared to refuse."
"She even said the Angel Association was nothing but a gathering of trash. Everything happening to her today, she brought it on herself!"
Xiao Ye's expression shifted slightly as he listened to the conversation, which was clearly being spoken through voice changers.
He glanced around before heading toward a passageway on the other side.
He had only taken a few steps when someone blocked his path. "You can't go in here. Who are you? Don't you know the rules?"
Xiao Ye was completely unfazed. "You're not qualified to know who I am, and I have no intention of telling you."
Hearing this, the person's suspicion seemed to dissipate. "Get out. Don't come near here again, understand?"
"Otherwise, if there's a next time, we'll have to punish you!"
The Angel Association had many forms of punishment. A lighter one was solitary confinement—though not exactly solitary, as one would be locked in with a corpse, or even a wolf.
Even if you survived, you would be injured, which was why Angel Association members dared not break the rules lightly.
Xiao Ye nodded and turned to leave.
But in that instant, he struck!
BAM!
The man took a heavy blow to the head and was knocked unconscious instantly.
Xiao Ye pretended to support him as he walked deeper inside.
The passageway wasn't long. After about a dozen meters, he saw two more people in black robes standing around a corner.
Just as they were about to speak, Xiao Ye shot out his silver needles.
The two of them immediately collapsed, motionless.
Xiao Ye dropped the man he was holding and quickly rounded the corner.
Just as he expected, it was a place resembling a prison cell. Three people were currently locked inside.
Two women and a man. They were bound hand and foot, and their mouths were covered with tape.
Seeing someone approach, the three of them didn't struggle, but their eyes were filled with despair.
Xiao Ye stepped forward, ripped the tape from one of the women's faces, and took a photo of her.
A quick search on his phone's network brought up her information.
She was indeed a celebrity, and a moderately famous one at that.
"Wh-what are you doing!" The celebrity was terrified. "You can't do anything to me! Before the sacrifice, I must remain clean and pure!"
'Looks like they all know what fate awaits them.'
"I'm here to save you," Xiao Ye said, taking out a dagger and cutting her ropes.
Seeing this, the other two began to make muffled sounds.
"Quiet. If you want to get out of here alive, you'll do exactly as I say!"
The three of them nodded frantically.
"Good. I'll untie you, and then you'll put on their black robes and masks."
"Remember, once I lead you out, don't rush to leave and don't speak to anyone. Got it? Stay calm and composed. It's the only way you won't be exposed."