Chapter Sixty-Three An Elder at Home

Little Zhu carried the monkey on his shoulder, grinning as he walked away. With the monkey's assistance, Ye Feng was confident he could easily help the servants recognize their proper place.

The vast Ye Residence, apart from some guards and servants in the front courtyard, was deserted in the larger living quarters—no one was present at this moment.

Standing alone before the quiet annex, Ye Feng calmly surveyed his surroundings.

A decorative wall built of jade tiles and bluestone separated the several-acre annex from the public area. Following a branching path from the main road, one could enter the annex through a round doorway.

Upon entering, the first sight was an artificial lake spanning over a hundred meters. In its center stood a small mountain, two or three meters high, formed from several oddly shaped rocks. Water, drawn from some unknown source, trickled through the crevices, dripping into the lake below.

Around the lake stretched a broad lawn, dotted with vibrant flowers, encircling the lake like stars around the moon.

Through the lawn, a bluestone path ran north to south, passing through the doorway and extending all the way to the annex's sole pavilion.

Ye Feng walked slowly along the path. The creek beside him babbled, its waters striking the rocks and producing melodious sounds, like music to the ear.

"Remarkable... Truly a superlative family. Just the layout alone far surpasses those nouveau riche," Ye Feng breathed deeply, taking in the fresh air, murmuring to himself.

As he walked, a grand armchair came into view on the lawn.

Approaching it, Ye Feng reclined comfortably, closing his eyes.

A gentle breeze, the sound of flowing water, sunlight—Ye Feng lay quietly on the armchair, enjoying the tranquility.

This was the feeling he cherished most in his previous life. No one disturbed him, there was no need to consider the affairs of the world—as if he were secluded in some utopian haven.

"You really know how to enjoy yourself, don't you!" Just as Ye Feng was about to drift into sleep, the voice of the Dragon Flood Demon King sounded in his mind.

Annoyed, Ye Feng opened his eyes and muttered, "Old monster, you never speak when I'm busy, but always disturb me when I'm enjoying myself. Are you doing this on purpose?"

As he spoke, Ye Feng's mind quickly sank into his dantian, passing smoothly through the demon king's core and entering the demon king's domain.

After months of development by the Dragon Flood Demon King, the domain had taken shape—nearly a kilometer in radius, the land was solid, with patches of wild grass and unknown flowers growing in the distance.

"Why are you suddenly looking for me?" Ye Feng shook his head at the demon king's spectral figure, arms behind his back. "You've become a soul, yet you still pretend to be so profound."

"Hmph, what attitude is that? Is that how you treat your benefactor?" The demon king, now showing his true colors, huffed and glared, floating over angrily. "Seeing you alone in a wolf's den is not easy. I just wanted to give you a few pointers, but since you're so impatient, forget it! I'll go back to cultivating."

With that, the Dragon Flood Demon King drifted away like a wandering ghost.

"I heard there's something called 'Soul Condensing Fruit,' which is quite beneficial for soul power..."

Whoosh...

Before Ye Feng finished, the demon king returned like a gust of wind, reaching out eagerly. "You should know to repay kindness! I gave you my core, so a mere 'Soul Condensing Fruit' should be nothing!"

Ye Feng flashed a sly smile, deliberately coughing to clear his throat. "I remember the great demon king had some advice for me just now!"

"Hmph!" The demon king snorted, then became serious. "Having followed you through many events, I have a few suggestions for you as an observer!"

Seeing the demon king’s attitude, Ye Feng focused, listening intently. Since arriving in the capital, he too felt overwhelmed by the current situation, as if a tiger trying to eat the sky—at a loss where to begin.

He couldn’t simply kill all the idle nobles—some were supporters of the Ye family, and even if he destroyed them all, it would serve no purpose, only delight enemies lurking in the shadows. Besides, he lacked the strength to do so.

"It’s not as difficult as you imagine. Those idle nobles have no past grievances with your Ye family. Why are they hostile?" The demon king shook his head and continued, "In the capital, they have little actual power. No matter how influential the Ye family becomes, it has nothing to do with them."

Ye Feng was suddenly startled. "Right! Those who resent the Ye family are just those who, openly or secretly, side with the Sacred Land. But this is the Tianwu Imperial Capital. Those collaborating with the Sacred Land are but a minority. Why should I treat all idle nobles as enemies? Isn’t that pushing potential allies to the opposing side?"

"No, you're mistaken again. Just because they have no enmity doesn’t make them your allies. Among those idle nobles, at least eighty percent harbor resentment toward the Ye family," the demon king shook his head once more.

"Why is that?" Ye Feng was puzzled.

"The root cause is still power."

Ye Feng’s brows furrowed even more, not understanding this explanation.

"Do you know what those idle nobles desire most?" The demon king looked at Ye Feng, a faint smile in his eyes.

Ye Feng pondered, then his eyes suddenly lit up. "It's power! Those families have long lost their influence and cannot hold their heads high before powerful nobles. Over time, their standing declines compared to those with real power..."

The demon king nodded with a smile, continuing, "If one day someone tempts them with power, and the force they serve can actually grant it, what do you think will happen?"

Ye Feng suddenly leaped up. "I understand! Their hostility toward the Ye family isn’t personal; they’re just following orders!"

"If you find the one who tempts them and eliminate him, what will happen?" the demon king guided further.

"They’ll be leaderless. Even if they wish to oppose me, such thankless tasks won’t appeal to families who are comfortable to their bones. Because the one who promised them power is gone!"

"Ha ha... You’re indeed teachable!" The demon king laughed heartily at Ye Feng's realization.

"The force promising them power must be the Sacred Land. So, among so many families in the capital, who is the Sacred Land’s agent, persuading these families?"

"I’m no immortal, how would I know? Enough nonsense, bring me the Soul Condensing Fruit!"

"You old monster, how quickly you change your tune—there isn’t any!"

"Eh, you brat, trying to play tough? Let’s see if I don’t beat you till you cry for your mother..."

"Oh, is that possible? We’ve known each other for so long."

The demon king rolled up his sleeves, pretending to attack.

"Senior, here is the Soul Condensing Fruit!"