Chapter 267: Qiao Family Meeting

Tang Beiwei remained silent, but Ye Mo sensed her displeasure with his suggestion. He felt helpless. Were it not for Earth Fiend, he would have let Tang Beiwei have her way.

Just as he was about to persuade her further, Tang Beiwei said, "Brother, I don't want to go to the Ye family. Since you're not truly a Ye family member, my connection is even weaker, so I'd rather not go."

Ye Mo's mind momentarily blanked, but he quickly understood her concerns. He reflected on it and realized she was right. His ties to the Ye family were limited to Ye Zifeng and Ye Ling at most.

Embarrassed, he said, "Sorry, Beiwei, I didn't think this through. Let me reconsider."

Tang Beiwei smiled sweetly upon hearing his retraction. "Actually, brother, if they really intend to attack me, sending me to the Ye family won't help. Perhaps I'm safer by your side."

Ye Mo nodded. "Okay, we'll do that. Let's see how bold this organization is. If they dare attack you, they'll face the consequences." He had accumulated so many enemies that he no longer worried about such things. He had a feud with North Sand, and now a conflict with an international assassin organization. Since the feud already existed, worrying was pointless.

That night, instead of a hotel, they stayed at Tang Beiwei's home. Her house was quite dilapidated; Ye Mo saw no valuable appliances, confirming her impoverished life with her mother.

Tang Beiwei seemed to notice his sadness, but didn't dwell on it. She was happy; despite her mother's departure, she still had an older brother. She lamented her mother's absence, stating she would never go live with Song Qiming.

"Brother, I suspect that Song Qiming knew you were going to confront the Song family, so he took my mother away. I just don't want her to be hurt. Brother, if you go to the Song family, just… just…" Tang Beiwei struggled to find the words to implore him to let the Song family go, knowing his intense feud with them.

Ye Mo sighed. He knew Song Qiming had achieved his goal. Killing Song Qiming in front of the woman who had raised Tang Beiwei for over twenty years would be difficult, but he wouldn't let things go. Perhaps his hesitation about confronting the Song family in Tan Du these past few days stemmed from his concern for Tang Beiwei.

He wouldn't let Song Qiming get away with this. At the very least, he wouldn't let Tang Beiwei's mother witness it.

...

Xuan Jiang had a population of nearly 40 million. The Zhang family was the most powerful family in Xuan Jiang, and one of China's five great families, arguably holding the top position.

Besides the Zhang family, the Qiao family also wielded significant power in Xuan Jiang. Among the five great families, the Qiao family ranked third, below the Zhang and Li families.

A significant conflict existed between the Zhang and Qiao families in Xuan Jiang, extending even to their younger generations.

The blood coral was initially discovered by Zhang He of a branch family. Due to circumstances of the previous generation, the Tan Du Zhang branch had gradually lost its connection to the main Xuan Jiang Zhang family, becoming a small, isolated family. However, the blood coral discovery and Zhang He's exceptional driving skills reconnected them.

The Xuan Jiang Zhang family attempted to forcefully claim the blood coral, and the other three great families were powerless to stop them, as the Tan Du Zhang family was technically a branch. The Zhang family's immense power, bolstered by an unknown force, deterred direct confrontation. The only option for the other families was to compete for the blood coral in a race.

The atmosphere in the Qiao family meeting was tense. Besides Qiao Gang's father, Qiao Shenghu, all the family's elites were present.

"Uncle, Wu Chong confirmed it. The person Xiao Gang brought back was indeed a human-level assassin from Earth Fiend, using their unique crossbow," said Qiao Shengbao, Qiao Gang's fourth uncle.

Qiao Zheng frowned. "While the blood coral is valuable, it's not worth offending Earth Fiend for it."

A man in his thirties sitting behind Qiao Shengbao sighed, "This Ye Mo is too impulsive. Although strong, he can't kill people casually. He's as good as dead, and our family will suffer the consequences. Qiao Gang, be more careful choosing friends. Not everyone is worthy. Your social experience is lacking. I wouldn't have befriended him."

Qiao Gang's face changed, and he stood up. "Qiao Zhijun, what do you mean? Should I have let myself be killed without retaliation? Ye Mo saved my life. Are you saying he deserved to die?"

Qiao Zhijun remained calm. "Qiao Gang, I'm stating facts. Our family is large. How can we thrive if you act so recklessly?"

"Oh, and how would you handle it?" Qiao Gang asked, suppressing his anger. He knew many resented his position as heir.

Qiao Zhijun sneered. "Without courage, how will the family survive? I would have captured Ye Mo and delivered him to Earth Fiend to beg forgiveness."

"Bullshit!" Qiao Gang exploded. "Are you suggesting I should be captured and delivered to them too?"

"Enough! No shouting in a family meeting. Calm down," Qiao Zhen banged the table.

Qiao Gang glared at Qiao Zhijun, his eyes blazing with fury.

An elderly man beside Qiao Zhen coughed. "Zhijun's idea might be viable. After all, Ye Mo is just an ordinary person. We can compensate his sister."

"Third Grandfather, you…" Qiao Gang was shocked that someone, especially an elder, agreed with Qiao Zhijun. He felt isolated and vulnerable. Ye Mo was his savior; he couldn't betray him, even in death.

Qiao Zhen waved his hand. "Everyone's intentions are good; we all want what's best for the family. Speaking of Ye Mo, I remember that abandoned son of the Beijing Ye family. Could they be the same person?"

"Impossible. The Song family fears the Beijing Ye Mo, nearly disbanding. That Ye Mo wouldn't be anyone's driver or help Xiao Gang in a race. I've heard he's proud, cold, vengeful, and decisive in killing," Qiao Shengbao countered immediately.

"Decisive in killing?" Qiao Zhen repeated, frowning. This Ye Mo, whom Qiao Gang had just met, killed the assassin immediately. He had even beaten policemen in broad daylight. Could this be the same Ye Mo?

"Bring a picture of the Beijing Ye Mo," Qiao Zhen ordered decisively. The picture arrived quickly. He gave it to Qiao Gang. "Gang, is this the Ye Mo you know?"

Qiao Gang examined the picture. "Grandpa, it's him. This is my brother Ye."

Qiao Zhen visibly relieved. The idea of capturing Ye Mo and handing him to Earth Fiend was absurd. Was this Ye Mo someone who could be captured? Even the Song family, though nominally ranked fourth, was essentially second in power, potentially even first politically. Even they were no match for Ye Mo. Confronting him would be suicide for the Qiao family, especially since he had saved his grandson.

Upon hearing that Qiao Gang knew the Beijing Ye Mo, the Qiao family fell silent. Qiao Zhijun glared at Qiao Gang, cursing under his breath. He hadn't expected Qiao Gang to know the legendary Ye Mo.

Beijing Ye Mo, no matter how powerful, is dead for killing Earth Fiend's people, Qiao Zhijun thought, quickly regaining composure. This Ye Mo's arrogance won't last.

"That's settled. From now on, no one reveals Ye Mo's identity. In three days, he will represent our family in the race," Qiao Zhen declared.

Qiao Gang, having heard of the Beijing Ye Mo, hadn't realized his acquaintance was the legendary figure. He had killed Ou Tanhu—a direct descendant of the family; everyone knew him. Such a powerful person racing for him? Qiao Gang felt pride and relief at not having acted inappropriately around Ye Mo.

Reflecting on Ye Mo's calm demeanor regarding Earth Fiend, Qiao Gang felt admiration. Perhaps only someone like Brother Ye wouldn't be threatened by such an organization.