Ye Fan frowned as he looked at Liu Piaoxu's calm smile.
Liu Piaoxu made a valid point; under such circumstances, anyone would hesitate to readily agree to Ye Fan's request.
However, having reached this point, Ye Fan had no intention of backing down easily.
"For a general to achieve victory, ten thousand bones must wither. To ascend to the position of the Liu family patriarch, bloodshed is inevitable. If one can utilize the deaths of these individuals to reach the pinnacle, why wouldn't one do so?"
"Besides, does the Liu family truly value you? If sacrificing you could bring greater benefits, what choice would the Liu family make?"
Ye Fan narrowed his eyes, a cold indifference in their depths.
For a prominent family like the Liu family, their descendants were merely tools to exchange for benefits.
Even a strong woman like Liu Piaoxu could only leverage herself for more significant gains.
Liu Piaoxu fell silent, her brow furrowed. Ye Fan's words resonated deeply within her; having spent so many years in the Liu family, she had witnessed countless schemes and deceptions.
Furthermore, how many family members had been betrayed by the family itself?
Ye Fan's words struck a painful chord in his heart.
Seeing Liu Piaoxu's silent contemplation, Ye Fan let out a cold laugh.
"Miss Liu, you are not one to settle for mediocrity. I believe your ultimate goal is the position of Liu family patriarch. However, you face not just one or two individuals. Your generation will only have a chance to approach the patriarch's position after decades. In the meantime, anything could happen. Therefore, I am offering you this opportunity now. With the Ghost Market as your backing, it is entirely possible. So, consider it carefully."
Ye Fan found a place to sit and quietly observed Liu Piaoxu.
This time, Liu Piaoxu became even more silent, her face grim and her eyes filled with a chilling resolve.
Ye Fan ceased speaking, and the room fell into a profound quiet.
After more than ten minutes, Liu Piaoxu slowly rose, her eyes slightly reddened as she fixed them on Ye Fan.
"I can agree, but I need to see your sincerity."
A flicker of coldness flashed in the depths of her eyes.
Ye Fan’s lips curled into a smile. This woman was indeed not someone to be trifled with.
He smiled and said, "You will see my sincerity soon. However, for the sake of a convincing act, you may have to stay here for a few days."
Following this, Ye Fan clapped his hands, and Shen Bao quickly came to open the room door.
"Everything settled?"
Ye Fan nodded. "Miss Liu will be staying for two more days. Do not trouble her. Grant her any requests she may have."
After giving instructions to Shen Bao, he left the place directly.
Emerging from the Enforcement Hall, Sun Yilang looked at Ye Fan with great admiration.
With just a simple strategy, he had managed to acquire Tiancheng Antiques. Ye Fan's methods had truly opened his eyes.
"Mr. Ye, what are our next steps? Should we move on to other Liu family properties?"
The Liu family's roots were in Jiangcheng, and thus, most of their businesses were also located there.
Ye Fan shrugged his shoulders. "Since we have already touched the Liu family, our next course of action is naturally to strike them as hard as possible."
Thus, over the next few days, Ye Fan, Sun Yilang, and Shen Bao worked in concert, successfully seizing three-tenths of the Liu family's assets.
Ye Fan's actions sent ripples of fury throughout the Liu family.
On that day, the Liu family patriarch, Liu Chengkun, smashed several Qing dynasty colored porcelain cups.
It was said that on that day, all members of the Liu family were as silent as cicadas, afraid to approach the patriarch's residence, lest they bring unnecessary trouble upon themselves.
That evening, Old Master Liu went to the City Lord's mansion once more.
Lin Yue's forehead was beaded with sweat.
Old Master Liu held a special status, an elder-level existence in Jiangcheng. Even the City Lord dared not offend such a person lightly.
"City Lord Lin, do you not owe me a reasonable explanation?"
His eyes blazed with anger, a fury that seemed capable of burning the entire City Lord's mansion to ashes.
Facing Liu Chengkun, who was as enraged as a furious lion, Lin Yue quickly plastered a smile on his face.
"Old Liu, the matter has been investigated. The one targeting the Liu family is a rising star in Jiangcheng named Ye Fan. This young man holds a very high reputation in the antique circle and is also a strong contender for the championship in the upcoming Treasure Appraisal Competition. As for why he suddenly decided to target the Liu family, I apologize, but I am not entirely clear. However, I believe if Old Liu asks the younger generation of the Liu family, he might find an answer."
To quell the old man's wrath, Lin Yue naturally did not place any blame on himself.
Instead, he shifted the responsibility to the Liu family. Even if Old Master Liu were furious, he would be like a啞巴吃黃連 (a mute eating bitter herbs) – suffering in silence with no way to express his pain.
Indeed, upon hearing Lin Yue's words, Liu Chengkun's brow furrowed, and his face was etched with anger.
"These scoundrels! If I find out who caused this trouble, I will surely skin them alive."
Old Master Liu was so infuriated that his beard bristled. At the same time, he deeply ingrained a name into his memory: Ye Fan.
Upon returning, he would definitely investigate this person thoroughly and then exact the most brutal revenge.
How dare he provoke the Liu family! He would surely be made to wish he were dead.
"Old Liu, forgive my bluntness, but this Ye Fan is no ordinary person. Dealing with him will likely not be easy. If the Liu family is not fully prepared, it is best not to provoke him."
Although it was not difficult for a colossal family like the Liu family to deal with an individual, Lin Yue was acutely aware of Ye Fan's capabilities.
Furthermore, he had just received news that Ye Fan had become an elder of the Ghost Market, which meant he had the backing of the Ghost Market.
With this, it would be as difficult for the Liu family to deal with him as reaching the heavens.
Upon hearing Lin Yue's words, Old Master Liu paused, then his brow furrowed. "Someone who makes you, City Lord Lin, wary must not be an ordinary individual. However, regardless of his identity, since he dares to provoke my Liu family, I will ensure he has no escape, neither in heaven nor on earth."
Old Master Liu slammed the table fiercely, his anger erupting instantly.
Seeing Old Master Liu's demeanor, Lin Yue sighed helplessly.
He had said all he could, but the old patriarch was currently too enraged to listen to any words.
Moreover, even if he did listen, he would likely not act according to Lin Yue's wishes.
After all, the Liu family had been so thoroughly humiliated, as if feces were being smeared on their necks. As the patriarch of the Liu family, how could he possibly tolerate this?
Seeing Old Master Liu off, Lin Yue let out a long sigh.
"It seems Jiangcheng is about to undergo significant changes. I wonder who will emerge victorious this time?"
From the resting room behind him, a figure slowly walked out, a sinister smile playing on his lips.
"Regardless of who wins or loses, the ultimate beneficiary will likely be you, City Lord Lin, won't it? This strategy of reaping benefits while others fight is truly commendable."
Hearing the person's words, Lin Yue's face revealed a chilling smile.
"Jiangcheng has indeed been too peaceful for too long. Many are stirring restlessly. Using this opportunity to eliminate them is not a bad idea. However, I am now very curious to see just how far Ye Fan will go."