"The more bad things you do, the more you have to fear," Ye Bufan said with a cold laugh, looking at Yue Yangshuo.
A sword qi flew towards Yue Yangshuo's brow. The next second, Kong Binbai appeared in front of Yue Yangshuo and blocked Ye Bufan's attack with his own body.
Ye Bufan was slightly shocked. How could Kong Binbai break free from his Illusionary Sound Demonic Eyes so quickly, and even take a sword qi from him?
"You're just taking their money and doing their bidding, protecting their family's safety. There's no need to risk your life for them," Ye Bufan said.
Kong Binbai looked at Ye Bufan with a clear complexion and said, "It's not what you think. They didn't hire me. Old Master Yue showed me great kindness, and I promised him that I would protect his descendants."
"So that's how it is," Ye Bufan said, looking at Kong Binbai and finally understanding.
Kong Binbai's state of mind was firm. He should be dedicated to the martial path. Furthermore, since he was only protecting the Yue family, his heart remained pure. Therefore, for the Illusionary Sound Demonic Eyes' attack, as long as his heart was firm, he could quickly extricate himself.
"Since you are a man of principle, let me ask you, are you unaware of the wrongdoings Yue Yangshuo has committed over the years?" Ye Bufan retorted.
Kong Binbai was about to speak when Ye Bufan's words struck him, but he didn't know what to say.
Taking advantage of Kong Binbai's momentary daze, the Broken Sword appeared behind Yue Yangshuo. Kong Binbai reached out to block, but the Broken Sword created a clone.
"Two Snakes Dancing in Green!"
The Broken Sword, imbued with sword qi, attacked simultaneously. One of them descended from the sky, directly striking Yue Yangshuo's head.
Kong Binbai was entangled by Ye Bufan's Broken Sword and could only watch as Yue Yangshuo's head was severed.
"Two more to go," Ye Bufan said with a cold laugh. Kong Binbai became anxious and punched his chest hard.
"Puff—"
Kong Binbai spat out a mouthful of blood, and his aura surged. Ye Bufan changed his stance, and the Broken Sword flew up again, its sword qi becoming even more ferocious.
"Break!"
A phantom of a fist appeared behind Kong Binbai, and on the fist was a golden tiger.
The tiger roared towards the sky, exuding an aura of dominance. Ye Bufan said, "Let's see if your tiger is more powerful or my dragon is."
The Broken Sword, split into two, rotated, and its sword qi transformed into a powerful tornado that swept towards them. Kong Binbai's expression grew solemn, feeling an overwhelming pressure that made it difficult to breathe.
The tornado took the shape of a dragon and charged at Kong Binbai. Kong Binbai unleashed a punch, clashing with the sword qi tornado conjured by Ye Bufan.
The hotel room was in chaos, with walls shattered.
Ye Bufan stood amidst the energy fluctuations in the room. Kong Binbai was sent flying backward, his chest stained with blood.
"You are no match for me," Ye Bufan said.
"I promised their old master that I would protect them. I, Kong Binbai, keep my word," Kong Binbai said, standing up.
Seeing him like this, Ye Bufan felt a trace of admiration. He had initially intended to kill Kong Binbai, but he withdrew his murderous intent.
"Absorption Palm!" Ye Bufan pulled Kong Binbai into the air, then raised his right hand, forming an invisible palm wind. He then slammed Kong Binbai down with immense force. Kong Binbai was unable to retaliate and ultimately fainted.
After dealing with Kong Binbai, Ye Bufan waved his hand, and Yue Zhengyun and Yue Zhuoying met their ends with a single sword stroke.
"Come in," Ye Bufan said, projecting his voice to summon Jin Yuchen.
Jin Yuchen saw the messy state of the room and was surprised that the plan he and Ye Bufan had devised was being realized so quickly.
"Next, I need the Chu family to distance themselves from me. As for your side, you can arrange it yourself," Ye Bufan said. "As for this Martial Venerable, I have sealed his meridians. You can keep him in secret custody for now; he might be useful later."
Jin Yuchen nodded. The sudden deaths of the two heads of the Yue family in the hotel would inevitably lead to someone being blamed. Ye Bufan severing ties with the Chu family seemed somewhat superfluous to Jin Yuchen.
The sudden demise of the two heads of the Yue family would cause internal strife within the Yue family. Coupled with the forces Jin Yuchen had cultivated and his actions against the Jin family's businesses, the Yue family would be completely preoccupied with internal and external threats, leaving them no time to deal with the Jin family. However, Ye Bufan did this to be safe, primarily fearing that the Yue family would retaliate against the Chu family, which might not be able to withstand it.
As for the Jin family, when the news of the deaths of the two heads of the Yue family, including Yue Yangshuo, reached them, the Yue family would surely seek revenge against the Jin family. However, they would be temporarily unable to do so, as the Jin family, with its encroaching influence in Huzhou, would eventually eclipse the Yue family.
Jin Yuchen arranged matters according to Ye Bufan's instructions, and then temporarily suppressed the news of Yue Zhuoying, Yue Zhengyun, and Yue Yangshuo's deaths.
However, this matter would not be kept secret for long. The primary goal was to buy time for Jin Yuchen's forces in Huzhou. The longer they delayed, the higher their chances of victory.
On the Chu family's side, Chu Mengyao received news from Jin Yuchen and, taking advantage of the opportunity, began a series of operations following the Jin family.
This was also arranged by Ye Bufan, primarily to help the Chu family grow stronger. Jin Yuchen would eventually focus on Huzhou, and some of the Jin family's businesses in Jinhe would inevitably intersect with the Chu family's. This timing was an excellent opportunity for growth.
However, when Chu Mengyao heard that the Chu family was to announce the termination of their cooperation with Ye Bufan, she paused for a few seconds.
After completing these tasks, Jin Yuchen's enterprises in Huzhou began their offensive.
A commercial war, outwardly calm, erupted. Ye Bufan, unfamiliar with these matters, returned to his villa after leaving the hotel, completely dispelled the poison from Zhu Zizhen, and then retreated to his room to cultivate alone.
Too many events had transpired within a single day, and Ye Bufan felt his mind had been constantly occupied.
In his battles with the Yin-Yang Masters, Ye Bufan had consistently employed a strategy of "one move to rule them all," but this had also exposed certain weaknesses.
The first was close-quarters combat. Ye Bufan excelled at sword manipulation, so he would use his sword in any fight. This was a habit ingrained from his time in the mountains.
Remote sword manipulation was suitable for long-range combat, but in close-quarters, it became less effective.
Therefore, within the spatial jade pendant, Ye Bufan searched for some close-quarters combat techniques to enhance his cultivation, while also preparing to refine the Heart of the Banyan tree obtained from the Yin-Yang Master.