The elder had explained everything to Ye Fan, and now looked at him calmly, awaiting his reply.
He had truly shown his sincerity this time. If even this couldn't sway Ye Fan, then he would have to resort to forceful measures.
Ye Fan slowly closed his eyes, his expression one of pain, as if he were struggling fiercely internally.
Seeing this, the elder did not disturb Ye Fan, but waited silently for his response.
After a long while, Ye Fan slowly raised his head and opened his eyes, the anger that had been in them greatly diminished.
This scene surprised the elder. He had expected Ye Fan to be unable to control his emotions, given his youthful impetuosity. Yet, in such a short time, Ye Fan had actually calmed down.
Ye Fan then looked at the elder, his expression filled with a chilling intensity.
“Why would the elder tell me all this?”
The elder was quite impressed with Ye Fan’s composure. To possess such a state of mind at this age was truly remarkable. If this young man could serve the family, how could the family not prosper?
For a moment, the elder harbored a desire to win Ye Fan over.
He smiled slightly, took a letter from his pocket, and handed it to Ye Fan.
Frowning, Ye Fan wondered what the elder was up to, but he still accepted it.
This was the very letter Ye Fan had written.
It contained only a few words: “If you wish for Wang Sheng’s life, exchange him with the supreme treasure.”
Eight characters, yet they held immense hidden information. Others might not understand, but the elder grasped it clearly: this was a final ultimatum to the Wang family.
If they wanted their second young master back, they would have to trade that treasure.
And the only one who knew that the Wang family possessed such a treasure was Lin Yue.
“What does this mean?”
Putting the letter back, Ye Fan asked with a frown.
Since things had reached this point, he naturally had to ascertain information about which treasure the Wang family possessed.
The elder hesitated for a moment, then finally sighed.
“Since I am sincerely cooperating with Brother Ye, I should not conceal anything. I shall tell you the truth.”
The elder steeled himself and finally made up his mind.
“Our Wang family belongs to the Heavenly King’s Mansion, and we are a family under it. There are many such families. These families pay tribute to the Heavenly King’s Mansion annually, and in return, the Heavenly King’s Mansion bestows treasures. These treasures are related to each family’s ranking within the Heavenly King’s Mansion. The higher the ranking, the more noble the status. The ranking depends on the treasures possessed by the family.”
The elder briefly explained the situation concerning the Heavenly King’s Mansion.
Hearing the elder’s words, Ye Fan frowned slightly. In his past life, there seemed to be similar organizations. However, at that time, his focus was on the Sui Hou Tomb, and he hadn’t paid much attention to such matters, only hearing about them vaguely.
He hadn't expected the Heavenly King’s Mansion to have such vast influence, nor that their methods were so effective in preventing any thought of rebellion. Instead, one had to curry favor with them as much as possible.
After all, every family desired a higher ranking so they could receive more rewards.
With their minds focused on rankings, the idea of rebellion naturally faded.
Ye Fan couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for the Heavenly King’s Mansion.
Seeing Ye Fan listening quietly, the elder spoke again.
“Our Wang family has always ranked highly within the Heavenly King’s Mansion because we possess a supreme treasure. This treasure is called the Puyang Dragon Fossil, over six thousand years old, a unique treasure in the world.”
Hearing the elder’s words, even Ye Fan, who had seen much, looked up sharply, his face filled with shock.
“Dragon fossil?”
His eyes wide, Ye Fan stared at the elder, asking in disbelief.
In both his past life and this one, Ye Fan had never heard of a dragon fossil existing.
Even as a tomb keeper in his previous life, having seen countless treasures, he had never heard of such a thing.
Seeing the shock on Ye Fan’s face, the elder nodded calmly. “Yes, it is a dragon fossil. This matter is not a major secret within the Heavenly King’s Mansion, but very few people have actually seen it. Therefore, many outside speculate about what this dragon fossil looks like, leading some to have wicked intentions and attempt to steal the Wang family’s dragon fossil.”
The elder’s face darkened as he explained to Ye Fan.
Hearing the elder’s words, Ye Fan let out a long breath. “So, Lin Yue is one of those coveting your Wang family’s dragon fossil. This kidnapping of the second young master is for this dragon fossil, correct?”
This time, the elder did not speak, but narrowed his eyes, a flicker of anger in them.
Seeing this, Ye Fan continued to guess. “For the dragon fossil, Lin Yue collaborated with the Dark Alliance. First, they kidnapped the second young master, making the elder suspect me. Originally, he planned to deal with me together with you, which would make the elder hate me even more, pushing him to deal with me by any means necessary. Then, I would die, the Wang family would use the dragon fossil to exchange for the second young master, and Lin Yue would achieve his goals in one fell swoop. What a clever scheme.”
By the end of his words, Ye Fan’s voice was clearly filled with hatred.
“It’s just that he never dreamed that someone would witness this matter, and that the Dark Alliance’s people were unreliable and left too many clues, which I discovered.”
The elder added.
Through Ye Fan’s careful guidance, everything fell into place.
“Good Lin Yue, good Lord City Lord.”
Ye Fan slammed the table abruptly.
“Since he is unjust, do not blame me for being unrighteous.”
Ye Fan gritted his teeth.
“Elder, I am not certain of the location where the second young master is imprisoned, but I can investigate. Give me some time, and I guarantee the elder will be satisfied.”
Ye Fan’s face was stern. Although he hadn't explained the details to the elder, his words were enough.
Indeed, upon hearing Ye Fan’s words, a cold smile appeared on the elder’s face.
“Very well, I shall await your good news. If you require our assistance, Brother Ye, feel free to ask at any time. Although my Wang family is unfamiliar with Jiang City, we are not to be bullied by just anyone.”
The elder said fiercely.
Ye Fan nodded, then quickly left.
Upon returning to the inn, Ye Fan finally let out a long sigh. He had been acting the entire time. If not for his excellent acting skills and strong resilience, he would have surely made a mistake and been discovered by the elder.
Seeing Ye Fan looking shaken, Shen Bao stepped forward.
“Did they believe it?”
Ye Fan smiled and nodded. “Of course. Moreover, I now know Lin Yue’s conspiracy. He probably never dreamed that the elder would betray him. Now, Lin Yue is likely beyond saving.”
Ye Fan sneered, showing no mercy towards Lin Yue. From Lin Yue’s repeated attempts to frame him, he should have expected this outcome.
Seeing the troubled look on Shen Bao’s face, Ye Fan patted his shoulder.
“Don’t worry, I promised you that as long as Lin Yue doesn’t court death himself, I will spare his life.”
“However, his fate depends on him, it depends on how he acts.”
Ye Fan sighed, Shen Bao was simply too soft-hearted.