A master of both medicine and martial arts, he recruits a beautiful CEO to cultivate immortality tog

Liu Zhixian's heart sank suddenly.

She had anticipated that today was a trap, but she never expected that the other party would tear away even the last bit of pretense and reveal their true intentions. As dawn broke, Liu Zhixian was already standing in front of the mirror.

The woman in the mirror wore a dark green cheongsam with dark gold trim on the collar and sleeves. Her long hair was neatly styled into a low bun and adorned with a white jade hairpin.

"Master, the carriage is ready." Ah Zhong's voice rang out from outside the door, respectful yet tinged with worry.

"understood."

Liu Zhixian pushed open the door and came out.

Ah Zhong and Xiao Li waited under the eaves. When they saw Liu Zhixian come out, they hesitated to speak.

Liu Zhixian didn't stop walking, and simply said, "Speak."

Xiao Li spoke first: "The men from the Punishment Hall, Wind Hall, and Fire Hall began moving to the western suburbs last night. There are at least thirty or forty skilled men lying in ambush around the Listening Waves Villa. Master, should we also...?"

"No need," Liu Zhixian interrupted him. "Bringing too many people would only make me look guilty."

Xiao Li wanted to say something, but when he met Liu Zhixian's calm and unwavering eyes, he swallowed his words.

Having served Liu Zhixian for many years, he knew her personality all too well; the more a storm was brewing, the more she would insist on holding up her umbrella alone.

The car drove out of Jinling city and headed towards the western suburbs.

Liu Zhixian leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes to rest.

Images flashed through her mind, as if she had returned to the time two years ago when Ye Heng swept everything away for her.

The thought had barely crossed her mind when she ruthlessly extinguished it.

Now that Liu Zhixian has secured her position as the head of Tianfeng Pavilion, she doesn't want to trouble him any further.

The car stopped in front of Tingtao Villa.

This villa, nestled against the mountains and beside the water, was originally the old master's place for quiet recuperation in his later years, but now it has become the site for his son's power grab.

Liu Zhixian got out of the car, and Ah Zhong followed closely behind.

The gate to the villa was wide open, and more than a dozen people were already standing in the courtyard.

Lei Wanjun, the head of the Punishment Hall, Zhao Wuying, the head of the Wind Hall, and Zhu Yan, the head of the Fire Hall, stood side by side in front of the main hall steps, each with several trusted men behind them.

And right in the center, the young man wearing a brocade robe and waving a folding fan was none other than Liu Chengye.

Liu Zhixian looked at him.

Five years have passed, and he has gained some weight, with an even stronger sinister look in his eyes.

"Sister, it's been a long time." Liu Chengye put away his folding fan and greeted her with a big smile, as if they were truly siblings reunited after a long separation.

Liu Zhixian didn't stop walking and walked straight past him.

She stepped onto the stairs, turned around in front of the main hall, and glanced at the people in the courtyard.

"What a grand affair today! All three hall masters are here. What, are you planning to celebrate my birthday from yesterday?"

Lei Wanjun, a bald man with a face full of scars, snorted coldly upon hearing this: "Sect Master Liu, let's not beat around the bush. I invited you here today because there is an important matter that I need you to explain."

Liu Zhixian raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Please speak, Master Lei."

Zhao Wuying took over the conversation.

He was a tall, thin man who spoke slowly and deliberately: "We recently learned that the old Pavilion Master actually left another will before his death. The heir named in that will was not Pavilion Master Liu, but Young Master Chengye."

Liu Zhixian sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm: "Is that so? How come I didn't know Father had a second will?"

"It's normal that my sister doesn't know." Liu Chengye stepped forward, took out a roll of yellowed paper from his pocket, and unfolded it with both hands.

"Because this will was deliberately hidden away back then."

Liu Zhixian's gaze fell on the paper.

The paper was indeed old, and the handwriting was indeed that of the adoptive father. The content was simple: the position of head of Tianfeng Pavilion was to be passed on to his biological son, Liu Chengye.

The signature area bears the old pavilion master's personal seal and handprint.

"This will has been examined by all three hall masters, and it is undoubtedly authentic." Liu Chengye turned the will to Lei Wanjun and the other two. "Hall Master Lei, you are the old pavilion master's most trusted person, don't you think?"

Lei Wanjun said in a deep voice, "I have verified the handwriting, the personal seal, and the fingerprints; they are indeed genuine."

Zhu Yan, known for his fiery temper, immediately shouted, "Liu Zhixian! You, an adopted daughter, altered the will and plotted to seize the position of Pavilion Master. Now that the evidence is irrefutable, what else do you have to say?!"

The courtyard was deathly silent.

All eyes were on Liu Zhixian.

Seeing these hypocritical fellows putting on an act, Xiao Li immediately rebuked them, "Don't make baseless accusations! In the past few years, under Pavilion Master Liu's leadership, the Heavenly Phoenix Pavilion's power has more than tripled!"

"Ask yourselves honestly, without Pavilion Master Liu, would you have achieved your current status?"

Zhao Wuying's face darkened: "Who do you think you are? How dare you interrupt our hall master and pavilion master's conversation!"

They knew that Xiao Li was telling the truth, so they didn't give a direct answer.

In recent years, Tianfeng Pavilion has indeed developed quite well.

But the rules are becoming more and more numerous. Some time ago, his confidant and his men had just gang-raped a migrant worker girl from the countryside, and Liu Zhixian actually chopped off one of his confidant's hands!

If they continue to let Liu Zhixian hold all the power, they will only face more and more constraints!

And as long as they support a puppet to take the throne, then the entire Tianfeng Pavilion will be under their control.

Xiao Li blushed and wanted to argue, but Liu Zhixian stopped him.

She chuckled softly, "Brother, you really went to great lengths to forge this will."

Liu Chengye's expression changed: "What do you mean?!"

"You've been copying your father's calligraphy for three years, and you're only barely seven-tenths similar." Liu Zhixian slowly walked down the steps, her gaze sharp as a knife.

"The personal seal is real, after all, after Father passed away, his personal seal was kept by Mother. And Mother has always loved you, her own son, the most."

She stopped a step away from Liu Chengye, looked up at him, her eyes full of pity: "But brother, you forgot something."

"Three months before my father passed away, his right hand became useless, and he could not hold a pen at all. The handwriting on this will is strong and powerful, clearly written by a person with a healthy right hand."

"And this handprint. Father suffered from diabetes in his later years, and his fingertips became ulcerated, making his fingerprints blurry. But this handprint is clear and complete. Brother, you pressed it with your own hand, didn't you?"

The courtyard was completely silent.

Liu Chengye's face turned from red to white, and then from white to green.

Lei Wanjun and the other two exchanged glances, all seeing surprise and doubt in each other's eyes.

They examined the handwriting and seals, but never thought of examining the fingerprints.

In his later years, the old master lived a secluded life, and few people had ever seen his hands, let alone such a detail as fingerprint verification.

"You...you're talking nonsense!" Liu Chengye shouted angrily, "How could I not know about my father's hands?! This is slander!"

The exchange of glances between Lei Wanjun, Zhao Wuying, and Zhu Yan did not reveal any surprise or panic, but rather a tacit understanding and ruthlessness.

Zhao Wuying sneered: "What a silver tongue you have! Who can corroborate what you've said?"

"I think you're just occupying the position of Pavilion Master and don't want to step down!"

"Master Zhao is right! No matter what, Young Master Chengye must become the Pavilion Master today!"

Lei Wanjun stepped forward, his bald head gleaming coldly in the morning light. Though he did not speak, his hawk-like eyes were fixed on Liu Zhixian as he slowly raised his right hand.

Seize power by force!

Xiao Li and Ah Zhong behind her tensed up instantly, took a half step forward, and subtly protected Liu Zhixian in the middle.

Ah Zhong whispered, "Master, their men are in position!"

Before the words were finished, a series of light, dense footsteps could be heard coming from behind the pillars around the courtyard, beside the rockery, and outside the moon gate.

Dozens of men dressed in tight-fitting clothes and carrying sharp blades silently emerged, instantly surrounding Liu Zhixian and his two companions, along with the car they had arrived in.

These people had sharp eyes and a calm demeanor; they were clearly skilled fighters carefully selected by the Three Halls.

Upon seeing this, Liu Chengye's smug smile returned to his face.

"Little sister, a wise man submits to circumstances. If you surrender now, for the sake of our brotherhood, I can ensure you a life of comfort and security for the rest of your days."

Liu Zhixian felt bitter.

Over the past few years, she has worked diligently and conscientiously, elevating Tianfeng Pavilion to a level that was previously unattainable.

But it still couldn't suppress the ambitions of these people.

No matter how you look at it, these people were the key figures who helped her build this empire.

She really didn't want to do it!

"I'm giving you one last chance. It's not too late to turn back!"

Liu Chengye didn't want to wait any longer.

"Liu Mei, you still have such naive ideas even now? I really don't know where you get the confidence!"

"Attack!" Zhu Yan, who had the most explosive temper, could no longer hold back and shouted loudly, rushing forward first!

Several skilled members of the Fire Hall behind him simultaneously drew their swords, their cold gleams gleaming, aiming straight for Liu Zhixian!

Ah Zhong and Xiao Li roared and charged forward.

Ah Zhong's punches were fierce and powerful, and he instantly became entangled in a fight with two enemies.

Xiao Li protected Liu Zhixian's flank, his short blade flashing as he parried incoming attacks, creating a perilous situation.

Liu Zhixian herself was no weak woman. She moved nimbly, dodging Zhu Yan's powerful palm strike, and pulled the white jade hairpin from her hair.

The hairpin slipped off, revealing a gleaming, thin sword! The sword flashed like a bolt of lightning, aimed straight at Zhu Yan's throat, forcing him to hastily defend himself.

However, the other side had far too many people.

Zhao Wuying entered the battle like a ghost, a sharp blade popping out from the edge of her folding fan, and cunningly attacked Liu Zhixian's ribs.

Although Lei Wanjun did not personally participate, the experts from the Punishment Hall he brought worked together seamlessly and quickly separated Ah Zhong and Xiao Li.

"Ugh!" Xiao Li groaned as a gash appeared on his shoulder, and blood instantly stained his clothes.

Ah Zhong was also caught in the crossfire and was struggling to defend himself.

Right now!

A sharp whistling sound suddenly rang out!

"call out!"

The man at the front of the fire brigade suddenly felt a sharp pain in his wrist, and his steel knife clattered to the ground.

Everyone stared in horror as they saw an ordinary pebble embedded in his wrist, deep into his flesh!

"Who?!" Zhu Yan turned around in shock and anger.

At the entrance to the courtyard, young people had appeared at some point.

"Ye Heng, what brings you here!" Liu Zhixian called out.

He was strictly forbidden from being notified!

She suddenly remembered Xiao Li's hesitant expression before they left... That fool who made his own decisions!

Liu Zhixian didn't want Ye Heng to see the sordid infighting within Tianfeng Pavilion anymore, nor did she want to rely on his power any longer.

Ye Heng's gaze first fell on Liu Zhixian, quickly sweeping over her tattered clothes and slightly pale face. After confirming that she was temporarily unharmed, he turned indifferently to the dark crowd in the courtyard.

"It's so lively?"

His voice wasn't loud, yet it strangely overwhelmed all the noise and clearly reached everyone's ears.

This is the effect of extremely high skill in the application of true qi.

Liu Chengye didn't recognize Ye Heng. Seeing how young he was and how he was all alone, he immediately sneered, "Where did this reckless brat come from, daring to meddle in the affairs of Tianfeng Pavilion? Seize him!"

Upon hearing this, several thugs who were nearby exchanged glances, then brandished their knives and pounced on Ye Heng.

Ye Heng stood still.

Without him making any move, the two people at the front were sent flying back at an even faster speed, crashing heavily onto their companions, causing a chorus of gasps and groans of pain.

This immediately stunned many people.

Zhao Wuying narrowed his eyes, realizing that this person's cultivation level was not low, at least at the third level of the Acquired Realm.

While wondering when the Pavilion Master had acquired such a skilled fighter, he advised, "Impressive skills! However, this is an internal matter of the Heavenly Phoenix Pavilion. I advise you not to get involved, lest you get yourself into trouble."

Zhu Yan, however, had little patience and roared, "Playing tricks! Attack him together and cripple him!"

However, just as Zhu Yan and Zhao Wuying were preparing to order their men to attack the uninvited guest, a trembling voice rang out:

"It's...it's you?! You...what are you doing here?!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw that Lei Wanjun, the head of the Punishment Hall who had been so aggressive and composed just moments before, was now as pale as paper, with large beads of sweat instantly appearing on his forehead.

Those hawk-like eyes were filled with extreme horror, even... despair!

He stared intently at Ye Heng's face, as if he were seeing some demon god crawling out of hell, and his tall body swayed slightly.

"Master Lei?" Zhao Wuying frowned, puzzled.

Zhu Yan was also stunned; they had never seen Lei Wanjun so out of control.

Lei Wanjun ignored his companions' calls. His mind was instantly overwhelmed by the memories of that bloody night two years ago.

At that time, he was just a leader with some power in the Punishment Hall, and he participated in a brutal siege with the old hall master.

However, the enemy was extremely powerful, far beyond their ability to resist.

At a critical moment.

This seemingly young man appeared like a ghost, and with only his bare hands, he slaughtered dozens of skilled fighters, including enemies whose martial arts were far superior to the old master's at the time, leaving them in a bloodbath and routed!

That night, he narrowly escaped death, but he would never forget that face and that terrifying strength that chilled him to the bone!

Afterwards, Liu Zhixian quickly consolidated the remaining forces of Tianfeng Pavilion and rose to power.

That terrifying man has never appeared in public again.

As time went on, rumors began to circulate in the pavilion that he was just an expensive bodyguard that Liu Zhixian had hired from who-knows-where.

Even Lei Wanjun himself began to have doubts after repeated tests.

Perhaps that person was just a passerby whom Liu Zhixian met by chance, and once he got tired of her, he abandoned her.

Otherwise, given that person's abilities, why would Liu Zhixian have gone through so much trouble these past few years, almost never relying on his help again?

It was this suspicion, coupled with his greed for power, that finally made him decide to join forces with Zhao and Zhu to orchestrate today's situation.

But to his utter surprise, this jinx reappeared! Right at this crucial moment!