Chapter 13: Ye Qingyu — A Cardinal Comes Knocking
"Madam Ye, I am, after all, the Sect Master of one of the Lower Four Sects—the Elephant Armored Sect. Isn't it a bit disrespectful to shut me out like this?"
Hu Yanzhen's eyes widened like bronze bells, his imposing aura pressing down heavily on everyone present.
Ye Qingyu glanced at the towering man before her—his figure like a dark iron tower—but did not respond. She already had a good idea why he had come.
This wasn't his first visit.
He had tried multiple times before to absorb the Nine Heart Begonia Clan into his own sect.
Naturally, she had no reason to give him a pleasant reception.
Their clan might be small, and their martial soul lacked combat ability—
but because of the Nine Heart Begonia's heaven-defying healing power, many powerful figures owed them favors.
To be honest—
she wasn't afraid of Hu Yanzhen alone.
What concerned her…
was the other person standing beside him.
Ye Qingyu shifted her gaze toward that man—
and her heart sank.
Her brows furrowed slightly as she let out a soft breath before speaking:
"Ye Qingyu greets the Lord Cardinal… and Sect Master Hu."
Even knowing their purpose, she still held onto a faint hope and asked:
"May I ask what brings you both here? Has someone under your command been injured?"
Though she disliked both Hu Yanzhen and Spirit Hall—
she still maintained proper courtesy.
Before Hu Yanzhen could answer, the middle-aged man beside him stepped forward.
He wore luxurious red and gold robes, smiling faintly.
"I've long heard that Madam Ye is both graceful and wise. Seeing you today, the rumors are indeed true."
He paused, then added:
"Madam Ye… won't you invite Sect Master Hu and me inside for a seat?"
His robe was primarily red, trimmed with gold silk, embroidered with intricate golden patterns—
the unmistakable attire of a Cardinal of Spirit Hall.
Within Spirit Hall, ranks below Titled Douluo were:
Low-Level Deacon
High-Level Deacon
Purple-Robed Bishop
Black-Robed Bishop
Red-Robed Cardinal
Platinum Bishop
Above them were the Titled Douluo Elders.
There were only four Platinum Bishops, all Soul Douluo-level experts and heads of major Spirit Halls—figures of immense authority.
Even emperors had to give them face.
So while a Red-Robed Cardinal ranked below them—
he was still an extremely high-ranking figure.
And the fact that Hu Yanzhen had brought one here…
made their intentions obvious.
Seeing the Cardinal avoid her question, Ye Qingyu's heart sank completely.
After a brief silence, she extended her hand politely.
"My apologies for the discourtesy. Lord Cardinal, Sect Master Hu—please, come in."
"After you, Sect Master Hu," the Cardinal said with a smile, gesturing inward.
Despite his rank, he still gave Hu Yanzhen some respect.
After all—
Hu Yanzhen had recently joined Spirit Hall and was highly valued for both his strength and status as a sect master.
Moreover, it was Hu Yanzhen who had proposed this matter to the Pope.
Only then had the Cardinal been sent along.
As they entered—
Ye Qingyu's voice, condensed into a thin line of sound, reached the guard's ears:
"When the young miss returns, don't let her come home. Take her and leave the Heaven Dou Empire…"
The guard's expression changed drastically.
Fortunately—
Hu Yanzhen and the Cardinal had already stepped inside.
But Hu Yanzhen still seemed to notice something.
"Madam Ye, lead the way."
At such close distance, it was impossible for her to completely hide her actions from a Soul Douluo.
Still—
he didn't care.
With Spirit Hall backing him, he was confident no one would dare oppose them for the sake of the Nine Heart Begonia Clan.
Ye Qingyu paused briefly, then led them toward the main hall.
Her thoughts churned violently.
Today…
might be the end of their clan.
Inside the meeting hall—
the group sat down without ceremony.
After steadying herself, Ye Qingyu spoke calmly:
"May I ask again—what brings you here?"
The Cardinal smiled.
"I've heard that Madam Ye hasn't had an easy time these past few years—facing various threats."
"This time, Sect Master Hu and I have come to help you resolve these troubles."
He leaned slightly forward.
"As long as your Nine Heart Begonia Clan joins Spirit Hall…"
"all your problems will disappear."
"Under our support, your clan will grow stronger—perhaps even surpass the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and claim the title of the world's number one support system."
"Madam Ye… what do you think?"
Even though she had expected it—
Ye Qingyu still clenched her fists slightly.
The meaning was obvious.
The one causing those "threats" was sitting right beside him.
And their "solution"—
was submission.
She sighed inwardly.
Even if I wanted to join… this isn't the way to do it.
This was exactly why she disliked Spirit Hall.
They always spoke with arrogance—
as if even addressing you was a favor.
If it were someone else—
if it were the Pope herself—
things might have been different.
There would have been negotiation.
Respect.
Terms.
And perhaps—
she might have agreed.
But instead—
she faced a scheming old man with a false smile.
To Spirit Hall, the Nine Heart Begonia Clan was merely a bonus—
not a necessity.
After a moment of silence, she spoke:
"Thank you for your concern, Lord Cardinal."
"But although our clan hasn't lived comfortably these past years, we've managed."
"As for becoming the number one support system… I neither deserve it nor desire it."
"So I must decline your offer."
She felt helpless.
Hu Yanzhen being crude was expected—
but even the Cardinal handled things this poorly?
No negotiation—
just forceful recruitment.
Did they think her clan had no dignity?
Hu Yanzhen slammed the table and stood up.
"Ye Qingyu! Don't be ungrateful!"
"A Cardinal of Spirit Hall and I have come personally—this is already giving you face!"
"And you still refuse?!"
The Cardinal also rose slowly, his aura beginning to rise.
"Madam Ye…"
"Are you truly rejecting Spirit Hall's goodwill?"
"I suggest you think carefully before answering."