Chapter 264: Father and Son Recognize Each Other

Ye Qingchen could no longer bear it. In a flash, he appeared before his father and threw a punch to parry the descending long knife.

Ba Hu’s long knife was knocked aside. Instead of continuing his attack, he turned to look at Fei Hu, who shook his head. At the signal, Ba Hu ceased his attack.

This sudden turn of events left Cai Yunji at a loss for what to do. She had come to Dragon Tiger Mountain on her Imperial Father’s orders to purchase Spirit Stones. With the stones not yet in hand, confronting Dragon Tiger Mountain now was not a wise decision. Thus, seeing Ye Qingchen intervene, she hesitated and did not step forward to support him.

Ye Qingchen helped his father up from the ground, took a Spirit Pill from his robes, and fed it to him. The color slowly returned to Ye Changqing’s face.

"Thank you... thank you for saving my life!" Ye Changqing said with difficulty. Just moments ago, he had been sure he was doomed. But once again, this same alchemist, who felt so strangely familiar, had stepped forward to save him.

Watching his father, who was barely clinging to life, Ye Qingchen could no longer hold back his emotions. Tears streamed from his eyes as he knelt before his father and kowtowed.

"Father, it’s me, Qingchen!"

Ye Changqing froze on the spot, staring at the young man kneeling before him as if in a dream. The memory of his son’s childhood face slowly merged with the one before him. The profound, undeniable bond of blood confirmed it: this young man was indeed the son he had yearned to see day and night.

"Qingchen, is it really you?"

Although he was certain, Ye Changqing still found it hard to believe. He helped Ye Qingchen to his feet, his trembling hands touching his son’s face as tears streamed down his own aged cheeks.

"It’s really you. It truly is. My son, you’ve grown so much! Just seeing you again makes it all worth it, even if I were to die this very moment!"

Father and son embraced, weeping bitterly. Ye Qingchen’s heart ached for the years of suffering his father had endured, while Ye Changqing felt the same pain for his son. He had never imagined his son would become so strong at such a young age after seeing him in action. What pleased Ye Changqing the most was that not only was Ye Qingchen powerful, but he was also a skilled alchemist. He must have suffered immensely in the ten years they had been apart to achieve so much. Thinking of how he had failed to fulfill his duties as a father and accompany his son as he grew up, Ye Changqing’s heart filled with regret and self-reproach.

"Well, well, what a touching display of father-son affection!" Fei Hu suddenly laughed, interrupting their tearful reunion. "This kid is definitely trouble! Men, seize them both!"

More than a dozen Dragon Tiger Mountain disciples surged forward, surrounding Ye Qingchen and Ye Changqing.

Cai Yunji started to speak, but Fei Hu cut her off. "I advise you to stay out of this. You came here to buy Spirit Stones, which you haven’t received yet. If you interfere and offend Dragon Tiger Mountain, you can forget about getting even a single Low-grade Spirit Stone!"

Fei Hu’s goal was simply to find out who was involved with his mine slaves. He was confident he had Cai Yunji under his thumb, as she still needed the Spirit Stones from him.

As he expected, Cai Yunji’s expression flickered with indecision. She glanced hesitantly at Ye Qingchen. The power of Dragon Tiger Mountain was overwhelming. Even if she intervened, she could not possibly save him. In fact, she would only antagonize the mountain sect.

If my impulsive actions cause this deal to fail and I can’t bring the Spirit Stones back, I could jeopardize my Imperial Father’s vital plans.

With this thought, Cai Yunji waved at her subordinates, signaling them not to make a move.

Ye Qingchen wasn’t surprised by her decision to stand by and watch.

After all, to the royal family, I’m just an insignificant character. They have no obligation to stand up for me.

Seeing the men closing in, Ye Changqing grew anxious. "Foolish child, you shouldn’t have come," he said to his son. "Your father is already in his twilight years. You shouldn’t have risked your life for me!"

Ye Qingchen smiled and shook his head. "If I knew my father was in trouble and did not come, what kind of son would I be?"

While comforting his father, Ye Qingchen contacted the mysterious woman in his mind. "Senior, I’m in a desperate situation trying to save my father. I hope you can lend me a hand."

The mysterious woman laughed. "You want to save your father. Why don’t you figure out a way yourself instead of asking for my help?"

Ye Qingchen sighed. "Senior, you can see the situation. If you don’t act, I will certainly die today. When that happens, I can only wish you luck in finding a more suitable host!"

Her voice turned icy. "Are you threatening me?"

Facing her question, Ye Qingchen shook his head. "I wouldn’t dare threaten you, Senior. I’m just stating the facts." His resolve hardened. "But whether you intervene or not, this time, I will fight for my father!"

The mysterious woman fell silent. She knew he was right. If she did nothing, he would never leave this place alive. And if he died, she would be left without a host, putting her own life in peril.

Finally, she relented. "Fine. Surrender control of your body to me, and I will help you this one time."

Ye Qingchen nodded, then withdrew his Soul Power, allowing the mysterious woman to take over his body.

Ignoring Cai Yunji, Fei Hu strode up to the father and son, a venomous sneer on his face. "Enough with the touching reunion. I’ll send you to Hell together! Men, do it!"

The disciples surrounding them were, at minimum, in the advanced-stage Martial Master Realm, with two or three even at the lower levels of the Martial Spirit Realm. In Fei Hu’s eyes, dealing with an eighth-layer Martial Master like Ye Qingchen was more than enough. As for Ye Changqing, his strength was already depleted, and he was on the brink of death. The mere aftershocks of the battle would likely be enough to finish him off.

Receiving their orders, the disciples drew their glinting weapons and charged. Ba Hu was at the very front. He knew he was no match for Ye Qingchen alone, so he seized the opportunity of having numbers on his side to avenge his previous injury.

However, Ba Hu had no idea that Ye Qingchen’s body was now controlled by the mysterious woman. Her power was on a completely different level. The instant he lunged forward, the woman—using Ye Qingchen’s body—sent him flying with a single palm strike.

Then, with one palm strike after another, she began striking down the other disciples as if she were chopping vegetables, effortlessly sending every single one of them flying in an instant