For many years, Ye Chang had been shackled by family ties. As the eldest and most senior, he couldn't punish the younger generation without careful consideration.
The consequence of punishing one individual was followed up with their parents barging their way into his office, trying to appeal. Then, a more problematic mess would come up when the parents' relationship with other people joined in to appeal the decision.
It would have been fine if someone had just taken a side and squashed their appeal, but there was none.
Ye Chang had often brought the matter over to Ye Xuan for discussion, only to end up with the decision-making back to him. Despite being the decision maker, he knew very well that Ye Xuan was tolerant and lenient with his clan.
So long as the crime wasn't the three taboos, looting, killing, and raping, Ye Xuan would remain hands-free on the matter.
However, besides the three taboos, the younger generation's behavior was seriously disappointing.
He tried to regulate and control, but it merely backfired. In the end, he became known as the outcast and someone who everyone wished to avoid.
"Young Master is really ruthless." Ye Chang exhaled softly and flashed a bittersweet smile. The only person who actually made him retain the position was none other than Ye Ming.
This was the reason why he was the most shocked and disappointed folk when he noticed Ye Ming's behavior. In his mind, he thought Ye Ming also became corrupted and became no different than the rest of the younger generations.
"Do forgive my provocation, Elder Ye Chang. But I had to do it and make you relax without any heart demon. Leave the trouble-makers in the clan to me." Ye Ming turned to him, cupped his fist, and gave his respect.
"For now, Elder Ye Chang should go fishing in the Grand Celestial Pond while waiting for my list to be completed."
Although Ye Ming was subtle, Ye Chang understood the implication. The authority and burden that he had carried for who knows how long, was going to be passed down to Ye Ming.
"I don't even have a fishing rod." Ye Chang chuckled bitterly and said. He was someone who rarely stepped out of the clan as he constantly had to oversee tons of things.
How could he have the time to do some fishing?
"I'm sure my whipped father has a few fishing rods in his spatial rings. Just get it from him. You deserved it for having to deal with his ridiculous behavior." Ye Ming crossed his arms and declared.
"Who did you say was whipped?" Annoyed and infuriated, Ye Xuan slammed his palm on the desk. He was feeling timid already, but upon hearing his name being smeared. He instantly regained his vigor.
"Take a look behind you and then raise your tone again. If you can, then I'll call you the goated father of the year." Ye Ming rolled his eyes and snickered.
Ye Xuan was about to say something, but his ear was suddenly grabbed by a slender hand. The next instance though, his ear became twisted and he nearly cried aloud in pain.
"Wife, wife, wife, I was wrong." He hurriedly admitted his fault and pleaded for mercy. Despite being a Beyond Origin Realm cultivator, he dared not make any defense against her.
Had it been any other who attempted to attack him? Then his passive defense would have kicked in and deflected the attack, followed by a detainment of the culprit.
"If you know you're wrong, then give one of your prized fishing rods to Elder Ye Chang. He had worked so hard for the Ye Clan." Ye Qing Lei commented. Her gaze appeared gentle on the surface, but Ye Xuan understood the implication.
It meant that if he still dared to delay, then only death awaited him.
Without hesitation, Ye Xuan hurriedly browsed through his fishing rod and retrieved an ordinary-looking rod. Despite its ordinary appearance, Ye Qing Lei nodded in approval.
The more ordinary one appeared, the more deceiving it was to those who had terrible eyesight.
"Elder Ye Chang, here's your fishing rod." Ye Xuan bit his lips, and with great reluctance, extended the rod over to him.
Meanwhile, Ye Chang's expression brightened up immediately.
"Isn't this the Heavenly Abyss Hook?" Ye Chang exclaimed in shock, his hand holding the rod. However, when he attempted to grab it for further inspection, he found the resistance to be extremely tough.
Although not shown on the surface, Ye Xuan was actually holding the fishing rod extremely tight, clearly unwilling to forgo his prized possession.
The Heavenly Abyss Hook was crafted with many materials and took 100,000 years to complete.
It was capable of casting into the unknown and pulling forth creatures from beyond the universe. Most of the fascinating creatures that Ye Xuan had gotten for his collection were completed with the Heavenly Abyss Hook.
"Um, Clan Leader, your grip is not letting it go." Ye Chang smiled bitterly and explained.
"Huh, I let go of my grip already." Confused, Ye Xuan released his hand, but Ye Chang still tried to pull the rod back.
The atmosphere quickly turned awkward. Sure, Ye Xuan's hand was released, but his qi was still locked onto it.
And with his cultivation, who could pull the rod away?
"Stop being so stingy!" Amidst the awkwardness, Ye Ming's voice echoed through the room.
"You can just lend the rod to Elder Ye Chang. The ownership would be me from now, so whenever I want it, I'll just grab it from him." He continued, startling nearly everyone in the scene.
At first glance, it appeared as if Ye Ming was reprimanding Ye Xuan. But in reality, Ye Ming was actually robbing the item from both of them.
Naturally, Ye Chang had no objection to the decision.
"Young Master's decision is wise." He responded. He knew how valuable the Heavenly Abyss Hook was, so just being allowed to have ownership—even if temporary was good enough.
Only Ye Xuan had his face darkened for being robbed so blatantly.
"I—" Ye Xuan wanted to raise an objection, only to back down and release his qi.
"I naturally agree to the decision." He said with a bright and wide smile. It was totally said with great willingness and not because of someone behind him.