C20 Thieves in the Lee Family

"Master Lee, I trust you've been well?"

Lee Yifan greeted Lee Zheng with a sardonic smile.

At this point, he feared no one and seemed ready to confront anyone who crossed his path.

He could provoke others, but they dared not provoke him, or he'd show them how far he'd go.

Lee Yifan now had the air of a scoundrel, resolved to drag the Lee family down with him.

The more he behaved this way, the more the Lee family feared him, which explained Lee Zheng's presence. Though he doubted that the Jiang family and Bai Ruoyun would seek revenge for Lee Yifan, he wasn't willing to take that gamble.

He had witnessed Jiang Yurou acknowledging Lee Yifan as her husband and had seen her venture into the depths of White Cloud Ravine to find medicinal herbs to heal his dantian.

As for Lee Yifan's relationship with Bai Ruoyun, he might have been oblivious before, but he was well aware now.

He had also heard about the stir Lee Yifan caused in White Cloud Ravine.

There was a moment of regret; had he not exiled Lee Yifan, things might have turned out differently.

But what's done is done, and regret was futile.

Observing Lee Yifan's death-defying stance, Lee Zheng's face showed a mix of emotions as he said, "Lee Yifan, even though your dantian is shattered, Miss Jiang has found medicinal herbs for you. There's still hope for your recovery."

In the past, whether Lee Yifan lived or died was of no concern to Lee Zheng.

But now, he didn't wish for Lee Yifan's death, especially not on the Lee family's grounds, to avoid inciting the wrath of Jiang Yurou and Bai Ruoyun.

Lee Yifan clearly understood his intentions and responded with a cold laugh, "All this concern, just because you fear the Lee family getting dragged into this. It seems even you have moments of fear, Master Lee."

Despite Lee Yifan's biting words, Lee Zheng remained composed and replied evenly, "The Jiang family has risen swiftly, and you've taken their most cherished. They're too busy resenting you to consider a vendetta. Do you really think they'd risk everything for you and the Lee family? And as for White Cloud Ravine, its influence in Ilanahil may be significant, but it's not all-powerful. If it were, the other powers in Ilanahil would be wary."

"Is the patriarch of the Lee family suggesting that I'm exaggerating dangers?" Lee Yifan raised an eyebrow.

Lee Zheng's face remained impassive as he replied, "I'm merely cautioning you not to pin too much hope on others, or you may end up losing your life in vain."

"I once placed too much hope in the Lee family, and that's how I ended up being betrayed by my own kin. Patriarch Lee, you're not wrong. Perhaps what I'm suggesting is unattainable, but is there truly no chance at all?"

Lee Yifan chuckled. "I believe the Jiang family is willing to seek vengeance for me. In exchange for avenging me, they would secure my wife's lifelong loyalty."

"So, how about we make a wager?"

Lee Zheng, of course, would not consent to gamble with the fate of the Lee family.

With a piercing gaze, he addressed Lee Yifan, "You've come to the Lee family with such fanfare, but seeking death is merely a pretext. State your true intentions. We're not fools here. Let's speak plainly."

"The patriarch of the Lee family is refreshingly candid!"

Lee Yifan grinned. "Since the patriarch is so forthright, I'll drop the pretense. I certainly don't wish to die. My dantian may be damaged, but I believe there's still hope for recovery. However, I'm currently destitute. Moreover, I've shed blood for the Lee family, only to be betrayed and cast aside. Doesn't the Lee family owe me some form of recompense?"

"My demands are modest. Just three third-grade pills, ten second-grade pills, a thousand first-grade pills, and a hundred thousand gold coins. I'll take my leave immediately and never set foot in the Lee family's domain again."

Lee Yao gasped audibly, his eyes wide with shock as he stared at Lee Yifan. He thought to himself, Yifan, weren't we here to obtain the heavenly level cultivation technique? And now you're demanding a ransom from the Lee family? Have you become too bold, or has the Lee family lost its edge?

It wasn't just Lee Yao; everyone else also inhaled sharply.

They were dumbfounded by Lee Yifan's audacity. How insatiable must one be to demand such an outrageous compensation? Wasn't he worried about biting off more than he could chew?

Lee Yifan was fearless.

If the Lee family was bold enough to offer, he was bold enough to demand.

Moreover, he was shooting for the moon with his initial price, expecting the other party to counter with a more grounded offer, leaving room for negotiation.

If his asking price was too low, how could he haggle? And wouldn't a lowball offer just end up benefiting the Lee family?

Lee Yifan harbored no intentions of letting the Lee family off easy, much less giving them a bargain.

Lee Zheng, with the intensity of a wolf, fixed his cold gaze on Yifan and declared, "I don't have any third-grade pills, but I can give you three second-grade pills, ten first-grade pills, and ten thousand gold coins. That's my final offer."

"Master Lee, your cut is deep. However, since you've made your stance clear, I must show respect. Let's make it five second-grade pills, one hundred first-grade pills, and fifty thousand kilograms. If you can't accept that, I'd rather die!"

"Agreed!"

Lee Zheng finally consented.

Lee Aotian watched in disbelief. Yifan was blatantly blackmailing them, and Zheng had actually acquiesced.

"Patriarch, you..."

"This matter is settled."

Aotian attempted to protest, but the stern look in Zheng's eyes made him choke back his words. Shortly after, Zheng had the items brought over, and Yifan gleefully accepted them.

Hefting the weighty package, Yifan reveled in the unexpected windfall.

"Yifan, now that you've got what you came for, isn't it time you left the Lee family?" Zheng issued the eviction.

"There's still something I need to do."

As Zheng's temper flared, Yifan quickly interjected, "Please, Patriarch Lee, keep your cool. Lee Yao is leaving with me. Yao, you should start packing."

"Lee Yao? It figures. Those without the Lee family bloodline are always the rebels," Zheng remarked with a meaningful glance at Yifan.

Yifan paused, sensing an underlying message in Zheng's words.

Suddenly, it dawned on Yifan – he recalled being taunted as a bastard by someone in the Lee family. Could it be that he, too, was not truly a member of the Lee family?

Even though he was exceptionally talented, the Lee family didn't want him to assume the role of Young Master, going so far as to betray him.

With that in mind, everything fell into place.

As Lee Yifan was caught up in his musings, Lee Yao came back, clutching a parcel. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he subtly nodded to Lee Yifan, signaling that he had secured the heavenly-level cultivation technique Lee You'er had spoken of.

Content with the outcome and the additional compensation, Lee Yifan expressed his satisfaction to Lee Zheng, "Master Lee, we shall take our leave now."

"Wait a moment!"

Lee Yifan was about to depart when Lee Zheng halted him.

A wave of anxiety washed over Lee Yifan. Was Lee Zheng having second thoughts, or had he uncovered something?

As Lee Zheng approached, Lee Yifan couldn't help but wonder if he should strike first. However, considering Lee Zheng's formidable strength, the odds were not in his favor even with a preemptive move.

Caught up in his whirlwind of thoughts, Lee Yifan was taken aback as Lee Zheng extended a jade pendant towards him, saying, "This belongs to you. As you're parting ways with the Lee family, I'm returning it to you."