“Father has roamed the world for so many years; of course, he can distinguish loyalty from treachery. The things Matthew York has done in recent years could never escape my notice. In order to push Ethan York into the position of successor as family head, he colluded with our enemies. The attack on you back then was precisely because he leaked information to outsiders—how could I not know this? Over the past three years, I have gathered some evidence. But for now, he must be kept around. When the time is right, I will definitely eliminate him.” When Henry York spoke of Matthew York, his tone was cold as iron. If not for Matthew York, Charles York would not have suffered these three years of pain, and the Ye Family Fortress would not be in its current state.

Charles York had long suspected Matthew York. Hearing his father say this, he was finally certain: “Father, do you know who attacked us that day?” All five of his elder brothers had died in battle; Charles York clenched his fists. This deep-seated hatred—he was determined to avenge it!

Henry York glanced at Charles York, hesitated for a moment, and said, “You have suffered a lot these three years, but we have all witnessed your growth. You’ve grown up, so there’s no harm in telling you some things. The ones who ambushed you that day were people from Yun Fortress!”

“Yun Fortress?” Charles York’s gaze suddenly sharpened. Yun Fortress was the strongest among the Eighteen Lianyun Fortresses; every leader of the Eighteen Lianyun Fortresses had come from Yun Fortress.

“When the Ye Family Fortress was at its peak, it threatened Yun Fortress’s position. There cannot be two suns in the sky—they began targeting our Ye family long ago. The matter of your meridians’ recovery must never be revealed to outsiders. Until we have enough strength to confront Yun Fortress, we absolutely cannot become their enemy. Matthew York must also be kept for now. If we get rid of Matthew York, Yun Fortress will surely become impatient and strike against us.” Henry York said. This was a matter of life and death for the Ye Family Fortress; he could not afford to be careless.

“I understand, Father.” Charles York nodded. His temperament was much more mature than before. Everything Yun Fortress had done to him—he would repay it tenfold. Of course, until he had enough strength, he had to learn to endure.

Father and son talked late into the night before Charles York finally left his father’s room. Knowing that Charles York’s meridians had recovered, Henry York seemed to have suddenly become ten years younger, his excitement and joy beyond words.

Seeing his father so spirited, Charles York also felt quite gratified.

Night had deepened.

By the faint moonlight, Charles York walked toward his small courtyard. Looking up, he saw at the gate a young girl in a white gauze dress, anxiously peering in his direction. Her delicate, jet-black hair draped over her shoulders, making her appear gentle and lovely. Her fair skin glowed faintly under the moonlight, like a quiet lotus blooming at night—elegant and ethereal. That girl was Charles York.

“Charles York gege, you’re back.” Seeing Charles York, Charles York finally let out a sigh of relief.

“Silly girl, what are you doing here?” Charles York said with a smile. He could feel Charles York’s concern for him. In his previous life, he was an orphan; this feeling made him feel very warm. Looking down, he saw Charles York at this moment, wrapped in a white gauze dress, revealing a graceful neck and clearly defined collarbones. The skirt’s folds were as white as snow, moonlight streaming gently onto the ground. A silk ribbon was tied at her waist, and the youthful curves of the girl’s figure added even more softness to her beauty.

At some point, the little girl who used to wear braids had already grown into a pure and charming young lady. The faint fragrance of a young girl stirred Charles York’s heartstrings.

From childhood, Charles York had always regarded Charlie as his own little sister, but as they grew older, subtle changes had arisen in their relationship.

“This afternoon in the main hall, I saw Uncle Ye looking worried. I thought maybe Charles York gege’s health…” As Charles York spoke, she looked at Charles York a little nervously.

“Silly girl, there’s nothing wrong with my health. See? I’m perfectly fine.” Charles York moved a little and smiled calmly, his heart full of affection. “Hurry back now. It’s so late—if someone sees you, they’ll gossip.”

“I’m not afraid.” Charles York said seriously, her little face earnest.

“Silly girl, my meridians have all recovered now. You can finally stop worrying. From now on, you don’t need to use your profound energy to nourish my meridians anymore.” Charles York said. Every full moon night, Charles York would transfer her profound energy to him so he wouldn’t have to endure inhuman torment. If Charles York hadn’t spent the past three years helping him, with her talent, she might have already broken through to the sixth rank by now.

“Charles York gege, your meridians are really healed?” Charles York’s clear eyes were filled with disbelief.

“Would I ever lie to you?” Charles York smiled, circulated his profound energy, and a wave of energy rippled out.

“They really are healed…” Charles York murmured, her gaze dazed, tears welling up uncontrollably.

“But you can’t tell anyone else about this.” Charles York smiled. “Why are you crying, Charlie? My meridians have recovered—you should be happy!”

“Charles York gege’s meridians have finally healed, that’s wonderful! I’m just so happy!” Charles York seemed to finally realize, and suddenly threw herself into Charles York’s arms, sobbing.

Charles York was stunned by Charles York’s intense reaction. After a moment, he smiled gently and patted Charles York’s back with his right hand.