Beautiful CEO's Top Expert-Chapter 923 - 0: It’s Just Too Similar

Yipinxuan, at first glance, sounds like a restaurant, but in reality, it is a tea house. Its standards aren’t particularly high, but for ordinary people, it’s not exactly low either.

Upon arriving at the second floor of Yipinxuan, Ye Xunhuan spotted Yuan Feng sitting quietly by the window, gazing down at the pedestrians and cars below, as insignificant as ants. His demeanor was calm and composed.

Perhaps because it was a workday, the second floor of the tea house was quite tranquil, with only a handful of patrons present.

Seeing Ye Xunhuan enter, a warm smile appeared on Yuan Feng’s serene face. He gestured to the seat opposite him and said, "Sit."

Ye Xunhuan did not stand on ceremony and directly took the seat across from Yuan Feng.

After Ye Xunhuan sat down, Yuan Feng poured him a cup of tea. "The Biluochun here is quite good—genuine and authentic. Have a taste!"

Yuan Feng’s demeanor remained calm and unhurried, like an undisturbed lake without the slightest ripple.

To Yuan Feng, it seemed as though Yuan Shu’s death had not stirred him at all. Even his reason for meeting Ye Xunhuan didn’t seem to be to seek vengeance.

At least for now, it did not appear to be revenge.

"I doubt you came looking for me just to invite me for tea."

"Yuan Shu is dead," Yuan Feng said calmly, his manner akin to recounting the death of someone entirely unrelated to him.

Ye Xunhuan’s face registered a flash of astonishment upon hearing the words.

Yuan Feng caught this subtle change in Ye Xunhuan’s expression and continued speaking, "He was killed by the person who lurked in the shadows last night."

"His head was severed—it was a gruesome death."

Ye Xunhuan refrained from replying immediately. Instead, he picked up the tea Yuan Feng had poured and took a gentle sip. "What is it that you want to say?"

"Yuan Shu was the strongest among us at Shu Mountain." Yuan Feng’s calm gaze landed on Ye Xunhuan, now carrying a faint sharpness. "As of now, Shu Mountain is unaware of his death. Once they find out, it will be hard for them to let this go."

"And so?"

"There’s no need to act so combative in front of me." Yuan Feng laughed lightly, sensing Ye Xunhuan’s guardedness against him. "If I had intended to strike, and that hidden figure from last night failed to show up, you wouldn’t survive."

Ye Xunhuan fell silent. He understood that, given his injuries, fighting Yuan Feng would almost certainly be a risk of death.

Now that Yuan Feng had laid all his cards out on the table, it was clear he bore no intention of attacking Ye Xunhuan—for now.

After a brief silence, Ye Xunhuan met Yuan Feng’s gaze and asked, "What do you want?"

"Ye Xunhuan, you’re strong—among the younger generation I’ve encountered, you’re unmatched. Even when compared to those of my age group, you’d rank among the very top," Yuan Feng said with unabashed praise. "You have the potential to tower above everyone."

"But you should also know that the unyielding often break," Yuan Feng said faintly. "And more importantly, you hold the Taiji Seal—a treasure coveted by all ancient martial artists in Huaxia, not to mention those foreigners who likely desire it too."

"What do you mean?"

"Don’t worry, I won’t take your Taiji Seal. Though I am curious about it, I personally long for love and companionship more than immortality." Yuan Feng chuckled lightly. "If not for the Sect Leader’s orders, my wife and I wouldn’t even be here."

With that, a trace of intrigue surfaced on Yuan Feng’s face. "Luckily, I made this trip; otherwise, how else would I know you’ve mastered the White Head Taixuan Sutra?"

"Once again—my question from yesterday: Who taught you?"

"Does it really matter?"

"Indulge my curiosity."

Ye Xunhuan hesitated, descending into contemplation.

What exactly was Yuan Feng planning? Ye Xunhuan couldn’t decipher his intentions or make sense of Yuan Feng’s endgame.

"What if I choose not to tell you?"

Though uncertain why Yuan Feng seemed so fixated, Ye Xunhuan figured caution was paramount. After all, prudence never fails, does it?

As if anticipating Ye Xunhuan’s response, Yuan Feng showed no surprise. "I know what you’re worried about—rest assured, I, Yuan Feng, will tell no one else, nor will I make a move against you."

"If I wanted to deal with you, last night during your battle with Yuan Shu, my wife and I would have struck already."

"Had that happened, not only would you fail to injure Yuan Shu, but he wouldn’t have fallen victim to another assassin either."

"Then can you at least tell me why you’re so curious?"

"The White Head Taixuan Sutra was long thought lost. Kunlun’s version is incomplete, yet it’s still revered as a treasure, a priceless secret. But not only do you know the Sutra—it appears to be the complete version. And you’re clearly not from Kunlun."

"If you were from Kunlun, they’d have already considered you their pride. The White Head Taixuan Sutra would have been fully cultivated, although whether others could succeed in mastering it remains uncertain. The point is, however, that it’s Kunlun’s crown jewel—and yet you possess mastery of it. I can’t quite grasp it—who taught it to you?"

"Who is your master?"

From Yuan Feng’s words, Ye Xunhuan gradually pieced together an understanding. What Yuan Feng sought to know was the identity of Ye Xunhuan’s teacher—who stood behind him.

"My mother gave it to me," Ye Xunhuan replied truthfully without fabricating a lie.

"Qin Fenghuang?"

"Yes."

"Impossible. How could she have obtained it?" Yuan Feng’s brows furrowed tightly.

Ye Xunhuan said nothing, quietly sipping his tea.

Yuan Feng studied Ye Xunhuan and felt that he likely wasn’t lying. After all, fabricating a mythical master would have far more impact than claiming it came from a dead person.

"If the people from Kunlun learn you possess the White Head Taixuan Sutra, they’ll undoubtedly come for it. Why not forge an alliance and turn conflict into cooperation? Join Shu Mountain, and we’ll help you protect the Sutra. How about that?" frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

"So you’re still after the Sutra, aren’t you?"

Yuan Feng laughed lightly. "Our Shu Mountain swordsmanship is no weaker than Kunlun’s. I simply don’t want you to align with Kunlun or let them obtain the Sutra."

"You’re clever—you understand my meaning, don’t you?"

"One can be strong—but rivals must be weak."

Yuan Feng smiled without refuting Ye Xunhuan’s words.

"I won’t pressure you into making a decision. Think it over carefully. If you’re interested, call me." With that, Yuan Feng retrieved a slip of paper and handed it to Ye Xunhuan. "As for Shu Mountain, I’ll smooth things over—they won’t trouble you for now."

"Why are you doing this?"

"If you agree to my terms, I’ll tell you," Yuan Feng replied without hesitation. "In any case, I won’t kill you. A gifted talent like you ought to live—not perish in your prime."

Saying this, Yuan Feng rose and prepared to leave.

Seeing him depart, Ye Xunhuan immediately said, "Even though I know you’re hiding something, since you’re unwilling to share, I won’t force you. Regardless of my decision, if we do become enemies someday, I will spare your life."

Yuan Feng paused, then chuckled heartily. "You’re alike—you’re so alike."

With these words, Yuan Feng strode away in a dashing manner.

Ye Xunhuan, left behind, was utterly baffled. What did his parting words even mean?