**Resolving Grievances**
Originally, this matter was quite straightforward. Since Lin Family Village had set conditions, and Ye Ba felt guilty for failing to arrive on time to fetch the bride, he agreed to their terms and sought out a young man from Ye Family Village, of similar age to the opposing party, to engage in combat.
However, the outcome was rather surprising: the young man Ye Ba found was easily defeated.
"Haha... which family's boy did you recruit?" Ye Meng asked with a derisive chuckle after hearing the news.
Ye Tian set down his empty bowl and looked over, curiosity etched on his face.
"It's Ye Hu!" Ye Ba replied somewhat awkwardly.
"Ye Hu? I heard that lad recently ascended to the ranks of a warrior, just a month later than your little rascal. He's quite the talent from Ye Family Village, and yet he was also defeated?" Ye Meng said, his surprise evident.
"The young man sent by Lin Family Village is quite formidable, boasting mid-level strength as a second-tier warrior!" Ye Ba said with a rueful smile, disregarding the unkindness in Ye Meng's words. Today, he was the one in need, adopting a very humble stance.
"A mid-level second-tier warrior? Tsk, tsk. At such a young age, he possesses that kind of strength? Could he be the one called Lin Wudi, the first genius of Lin Family Village?" Ye Meng inquired.
"That's him!"
Ye Feng spoke up, his eyes bright with seriousness. "Although his martial spirit is also orange, it's very close to yellow, indicating exceptional talent."
"And what of it? Is his talent truly superior to my Tian'er's? Hmph!"
Ye Meng retorted with an air of pride, but then suddenly recalled something, narrowing his eyes at Ye Ba. "Wait a moment; you're not thinking of having my Tian'er challenge Lin Wudi, are you?"
Ye Feng nodded.
"This… this, Brother Meng, it's always been my little brother's fault. You're a magnanimous person; please, help me just this once!" Ye Ba looked at Ye Meng with a hint of anxiety, bending forward as if ready to kneel.
On the other side of the table, Ye Tian's gaze flickered. It was the first time he had seen the usually imposing Ye Ba adopt such a posture, which was understandable. If they could not fetch the bride successfully, Ye Wei would never hold his head high again, and as his father, Ye Ba would also suffer in silence.
For the sake of his son's happiness and his own reputation, Ye Ba had no choice but to humble himself.
"A truly devoted father!" Ye Tian silently nodded, and within his flickering gaze, a decision began to take shape.
"Absolutely not!"
A loud shout came from the side, as Ye Meng waved his hand dismissively, rejecting Ye Ba's request outright. He scoffed, "Isn't your Ye Wei the first genius of Ye Family Village? Let him handle this himself; it's his wedding after all. How can he expect others to fetch his bride?"
Ye Ba's face turned crimson with embarrassment, rendering him speechless as he pleaded with Ye Feng.
Ye Feng offered a wry smile and turned to Ye Meng, speaking slowly, "Brother Meng, we cannot act out of emotion here. If this wedding fails, it won't just be Ye Ba's family that loses face, but also Ye Family Village. This concerns the dignity of our village; can't you be lenient? Besides, Ye Ba has already apologized to you. Should you need assistance in the future, I'm sure he won't turn a blind eye. After all, we are brothers from the same village; can't we set aside our grievances?"
"Yes, yes! Brother Meng, if you ever need anything, whether it's facing a mountain of blades or a sea of fire, I, Ye Ba, will not flinch!" Ye Ba said hastily.
"This…"
Ye Meng hesitated. Since Ye Feng had spoken up, he felt he couldn't refuse. Not to mention, Ye Feng had always helped their family immensely.
"Captain, it's not that I, Ye Meng, am petty. Even if I wish to assist, Ye Tian has just recently advanced to warrior status. While he might defeat that good-for-nothing Ye Wei, he certainly cannot match Lin Wudi. You understand the vast difference between a second-tier and a first-tier warrior, right?" Ye Meng sighed.
Though his son had been referred to as a "good-for-nothing lad," Ye Ba felt no anger. Instead, he implored quietly, "Brother Meng, I know Ye Tian may not be able to defeat Lin Wudi, but the Lin Family Village merely wishes to inconvenience us. If Ye Tian can hold his ground against Lin Wudi for a while, they'll likely not pursue this matter further. After all, this is not a duel but a wedding; surely they cannot act unreasonable!"
"Indeed! With Ye Tian's strength, he should be able to endure for a time against Lin Wudi, a second-tier warrior." Ye Feng added.
"About that…" Ye Meng pondered, then turned to Ye Tian, asking, "Tian'er, what do you think? I'll heed your advice!"
Instantly, both Ye Feng and Ye Ba turned their attention to Ye Tian.
Ye Ba's face was filled with a pleading expression as he sighed, "Xiao Tian, Uncle has indeed been overbearing in the past, but I still hope you can help me this once. In the future…"
"No need to say more!"
Ye Tian replied coolly.
Ye Feng furrowed his brows upon hearing this but remained silent. Meanwhile, Ye Meng's lips quivered, ultimately refraining from speaking, only letting out a sigh.
"Ye Tian…" Ye Ba looked utterly despondent, his eyes pleading.
"There's no need for such despair, Uncle Ba. As members of Ye Family Village, how could I refuse such a trivial matter?" Ye Tian waved his hand with a faint smile, exuding a calm demeanor that belied his tender age of sixteen.
Upon hearing this, Ye Feng realized they had misjudged Ye Tian and immediately broke into a smile, his eyes shining with admiration as he regarded him.
Ye Meng was somewhat taken aback, but he sighed in relief. In truth, he harbored no deep animosity towards Ye Ba; after all, as Ye Feng had said, they were all brothers from the same village—what grievances could they not set aside?
"Ye Tian, you... you agreed?" Ye Ba said, a hint of disbelief in his voice. Could it be that he hadn't misheard? He knew how his son had bullied Ye Tian in the past, yet here was Ye Tian, willing to forgive and forget.
Ye Tian approached Ye Ba with a smile, saying, "The rivalry between me and Ye Wei was merely the folly of youth. Who hasn't been impulsive in their younger days? We are all residents of Ye Family Village; there are no real grudges between us. Uncle Ba, you need not worry. I will ensure that Ye Wei enters the bridal chamber today."
"Ye Tian..." Ye Ba was touched, momentarily at a loss for words, filled with shame for his past actions.
Finally, he gazed deeply at Ye Tian and turned to Ye Meng, clasping his hands together in gratitude: "Brother Meng, I won't say much more, but in the future..."
"In the future, we shall be brothers!"
Before Ye Ba could finish, Ye Meng stepped forward and grasped his hands firmly, stating solemnly, "We are brothers. Every man from Ye Family Village is a brother. The village chief often tells us that only by working together can we bring greater prosperity to Ye Family Village."
Ye Tian's words resonated with Ye Meng like a clarion call, illuminating a new understanding.
"I had my own shortcomings in the past…" Ye Meng said self-deprecatingly. "Back when we were both at Level Seven Warriors, I was resentful when the captain made you the vice-captain. But now I understand, I finally understand!"
"What a good brother!" Ye Ba's eyes glistened with emotion, his heart filled with gratitude.
Ye Tian observed quietly, nodding inwardly; this was the purpose of his actions today.
In the fiercely competitive environment of Baiyun Town, a village that could not unite would inevitably be eliminated by others. Ye Ba, as the vice-captain of the Beast Hunting Team, held considerable strength and position in Ye Family Village. Rather than fostering internal conflict, it was wiser to resolve their grievances and unite in their efforts to elevate Ye Family Village.
After all, having lived two lives, Ye Tian possessed a broad mindset; there was no need to let the petty squabbles of children plunge Ye Family Village into crisis.
"Indeed, the men of Ye Family Village are brothers. Your ability to reconcile your differences is a blessing for both you and our village!"
Ye Feng approached, firmly grasping the fists of Ye Meng and Ye Ba, his expression serious.
Ye Tian looked at the three men and envisioned the future of Ye Family Village—a future filled with brightness.
Before long, the procession to welcome the bride was fully prepared. A jubilant convoy of horse-drawn carriages stood before the gates of Ye Family Village, where Ye Feng, Ye Tian, and the four others arrived together.
"Father, Uncle Feng... Uncle Meng!" Ye Wei emerged from the red bridal sedan, his excitement palpable as he approached Ye Feng and Ye Ba. His gaze fell upon Ye Meng and Ye Tian, a mix of emotions swirling within him, yet he refrained from expressing any anger.
"Ye Tian!" Ye Wei greeted him.
Upon witnessing this, Ye Feng stepped aside with Ye Meng and Ye Ba, leaving space for the two younger generations.
"Do you think they won't get into a fight?" Ye Meng glanced back after walking a distance, a hint of concern in his voice.
Ye Ba wore a worried expression as well, knowing the tumultuous history between his son and Ye Tian.
In contrast, Ye Feng appeared unfazed. He chuckled, "Rest assured, I know Ye Tian's character. Nothing will happen. It's normal for young people to squabble."
Ye Meng and Ye Ba nodded in agreement.
At the back of the wedding procession, Ye Tian teased Ye Wei, who looked conflicted. "Oh, recovering quickly, are we? It seems tonight's bridal chamber is a sure thing."
"Thank you!" Ye Wei replied, casting a meaningful glance at Ye Tian before speaking softly.
"Thank me for what? You're in this predicament because of me? Do you have a penchant for being bullied? Hahaha..." Ye Tian's eyes sparkled briefly before he burst into laughter, quickly catching up to Ye Feng and the others.
Ye Wei was momentarily taken aback, then shouted after Ye Tian's retreating figure, "Ye Tian, one day, I will surely defeat you. I will tell everyone that I am the greatest genius of Ye Family Village!"
"Oh? Is that so?" Ye Tian turned back, a smile gracing his lips as he called out, "Then you'd better work hard, or else you won't even qualify to stand alongside me in battle. Hahaha!"
"Ha ha ha..." Ye Wei laughed along.
Their sunny smiles and joyful laughter filled the entire Ye Family Village.
In the distance, Ye Feng, Ye Meng, Ye Ba, and the other men of Ye Family Village all shared knowing smiles.