A Dish Best Served Cold (The Man In Rage)
Chapter 1500 What Ye Fan Really Wants

"What did you just say? Your cause lies elsewhere?" Ye Qing-Tian's eyes widened when he heard that. "Ye Fan, are you serious? We're talking about a permanent position as a supreme grandmaster in War God Castle. You will be one of the four most powerful martial artists in China. You will rise to the top of the Chinese martial arts circle and gain control over the entire country's martial arts circle. This is the greatest honor one could have as a martial artist. Every martial artist's lifelong dream is to join War God Castle. Yet, you seem not to care about that at all."

Ye Qing-Tian was incredulous.

He didn't understand the young man before him at all.

Ye Fan had shown little interest in being made a supreme grandmaster as well.

Back then, Ye Qing-Tian had attributed Ye Fan's lack of interest to the fact that the title held no formal powers.

But the young man remained completely uninterested even after he had told him that he wanted to recommend him a position in the most powerful organization in the Chinese martial arts circle.

"Ye Fan, why did you enter the martial arts circle and amass so much power? Why, if not for fame, for wealth or for power? Did you truly become a martial artist because of your passion for martial arts? Do you have no other desires?" Ye Qing-Tian's eyes were filled with puzzlement.

He had not expected Ye Fan's indifference.

He couldn't help but be curious. Why had Ye Fan begun training in martial arts?

He wasn't going to believe that Ye Fan had done it for no reason at all.

He must have endured terrible hardships and ordeals to have gotten to where he was today at such a young age.

You had to cut your finger on your instrument before you could master it.

Only those who had survived the torments of hell gained the power to shape

paradise.

There was a reason for everything. There must be a reason driving Ye Fan to endure the terrible hardships and ordeals of a martial artist.

Ye Qing-Tian had thought the reason had been fame and power.

But it appeared that he had been wrong.

That wasn't what Ye Fan truly wanted at all.

Ye Fan did not answer Ye Qing-Tian's question.

He simply placed his teacup down, then turned away and gazed at the lake before him. The expression on his face grew solemn. "Do you really want to know?"

"Of course, as long as you're willing to tell me. I'm truly curious. What cause has driven you to such heights?" There was a hint of urgency to Ye Qing-Tian's words. His level-headed composure gave way to a fierce curiosity.

Ye Fan smiled lightly. "I didn't do it for fame or power. I did it because of something that happened to me in the past, because of the shame I suffered then. Those were memories that I never wish to remember. Honestly, I did it because I wanted revenge. For many years, I trained hard to become stronger so that I could return to the place that brought my mother and me so much shame and suffering. Through my own power, I want to reclaim the dignity that I lost. I want to avenge my mother and right the wrongs that she suffered. I want everyone who looked down on me, who pushed me around and who insulted me to regret their actions."

The wintry wind sent the snow into a flurried dance.

Countless ripples broke the calm surface of the lake before them.

Ye Fan stood in the wind, his hands folded behind his back and no hint of emotion on his face.

No one knew the sharp and cold edges

digging into his heart as he spoke.

Despite so much time that had passed, Ye Fan could still remember everything that had happened that year clearly, as if they were happening again, right before his eyes.

The helplessness and despair that he had felt when his cries for help had gone unanswered and the shame that he had felt when he had suffered the abuse and mockery of others had left scars in Ye Fan's soul that would never disappear.

Ye Fan did not wish to remember that horrid and dreadful past.

Every time he did, the feeling of fury, shame, despair and helplessness would drive stakes into his heart.

No one knew the scar-ridden heart hiding inside Ye Fan's seemingly strong and resilient self.

He had to return to Chu Sect. That was his deepest desire and what he truly wanted.

He would not rest until he stormed Chu Sect.

He could not make peace with his past unless he settled his grudge with the Chu family once and for all.

It was this obsession that had pulled him through every time he was caught in the precarious balance between life and death.

"Hate?" Ye Qing-Tian froze when he sensed the violence emanating from Ye Fan.

He had not expected Ye Fan to suffer from such a troubled and painful past. He was such a young man.

But he should have guessed it.

Of the multitudes of things in this world, hate was the strongest motivation that drove one into working hard and becoming stronger.

"You've probably gotten your vengeance by now, haven't you? There are few family

clans in China who can hold their own against you. Since you've gotten your vengeance, why not set a new goal for yourself? Take on the responsibility of protecting our nation with me," Ye Qing-Tian said patiently as he tried to counsel the young man before him.

"My vengeance?" Ye Fan barked out a cold and dark laugh. He seemed on the verge of losing control as he raised his voice. "Those who tried to kill me remain alive. Those who insulted my mother continue to enjoy status and wealth. I remain unavenged!"

Ye Qing-Tian attempted to placate Ye Fan.

"Don't get worked up, Ye Fan. With your status and abilities, you'll be able to get your revenge easily. If you allow me, I will help you. You are a Chinese supreme grandmaster who's been bestowed the title of the Unrivalled Grandmaster by War God Castle. As China's God of War, there's nothing wrong with me extending aid to a fellow supreme grandmaster. Tell me the names of the people who shamed you and your mother. I'll bring them to you tomorrow, have them kneel before you and your mother and apologize for what they did to you both. Of course, I'll only do that if what you just said is true," said Ye Qing-Tian honestly.

He seemed prepared to help Ye Fan avenge himself.

Ye Fan had killed too many people in China. Further deaths by his hand would incite greater protest and disapproval.

If the God of War were to step in personally and help Ye Fan with his problem, he would be doing Ye Fan a favor and preventing more blood from staining Ye Fan's hands.

Ye Fan simply shook his head.

"Don't be a stranger. Just tell me. We've known each other for some time. This is just a small favor between friends."

Ye Qing-Tian thought that Ye Fan had turned down his offer to help because he didn't want to trouble the God of War.

"That's not it," Ye Fan replied. "I'm not being a stranger. You can't help me with this. This isn't a group that you can afford to offend."

Ye Qing-Tian stiffened when he heard that.

"Someone I can't afford to offend? What nonsense! There's no one I can't offend in this country. I would give the King of Fighters, Tang Hao or any of the others a good thrashing if they provoked me. Tell me! Who can't I afford to offend?" Hints of anger colored Ye Qing-Tian's voice. This was the first time in years that someone had questioned his abilities and he had blown up instantly.

Ye Fan turned towards him and gave him a look. Then, he smiled. "It's the Chu family."

"I see. So, it's just a small family clan. Tell me, which Chu family is it? Is it the Chu family from Jiangdong or Jiangbei? Perhaps they're from Yanjing or Zhonghai? Tell me where they live. I'll storm their residence tonight and bring you the head of the family," the God of War promised grandly.

Ye Fan replied him succinctly. "It's the Chu family that makes up one third of Chu Sect."

...what did he just say?