The Villain Plundered the Children of Destiny’s Luck - Chapter 17:

Chapter 17: Father, Where is Qingwu?

“Where’s your son?”

After discovering Yang Hao was a bearer of great fortune, Qin Xiao rushed overnight to the Yang Family estate, planning to bring Yang Hao under his wing and bind him with the system.

“Uncle Qin, Hao’er didn’t return to Lingfeng City with us. On the way back, I had him hide away until he finished refining the Vermilion Fruit. Right now, I don’t know where he is.”

Hearing Yang Tianchuan’s words, Qin Xiao’s eyes glinted. So, this man wasn’t foolish after all. He knew his son was no different from a walking spiritual treasure—anyone who caught him and drank his blood would gain immense benefits. Keeping him hidden was the wisest choice.

“Your son has consumed a Thousand-Year Vermilion Fruit. His future achievements will surely be great. Breaking through to the Innate Realm won’t be a problem. I plan to take him as my disciple. What do you think?” Qin Xiao said casually.

Yang Tianchuan’s face lit up with relief. “Uncle Qin taking notice of my son is that boy’s blessing. I have no objections. When he returns, I’ll have him go to the Qin Family to become your disciple.”

Though Yang Hao had gained much from the Vermilion Fruit, he was still unripe—a cub without fangs, in constant danger of perishing. If Qin Xiao would protect his path, that was the best fortune he could ask for.

“Good. Then it’s decided. When your son returns, send him to me to be my disciple,” Qin Xiao said, before leaving the Yang estate.

…

Ten days later.

Yang Hao fully refined the Vermilion Fruit’s medicinal power. After confirming his family’s safety, he finally returned to the estate.

“Father, I’ve refined all the medicinal power! My realm also broke through to the 2nd stage Postnatal Realm.”

Yang Tianchuan’s face brightened with joy. “Good! Good!” For a fifteen-year-old to reach this stage was remarkable, comparable to the core geniuses nurtured by great clans. If things continued, his son might well step into the Innate Realm before the age of thirty.

“Father, where’s Qingwu?” Yang Hao suddenly asked, his smile fading.

Yang Tianchuan’s face stiffened. He fell silent, unable to answer.

“Father… did something happen to Qingwu?” Yang Hao’s brows furrowed, his voice anxious.

“No, it’s just… your sister is at the Qin Family now.”

“What? Why is she at the Qin Family? What happened?” Yang Hao’s face changed instantly, his voice rising.

Yang Tianchuan exhaled heavily. “The only reason the Yang Family is still safe is because the Qin Family intervened. But their help came with conditions. One of them was Qingwu.”

“You agreed to this? Father, how could you?!” Yang Hao’s eyes blazed with anger.

“I’ll bring Qingwu back right now!” He turned toward the door.

“Stop! You will not go!” Yang Tianchuan roared. “Do you think I wanted to hand my daughter over? If I hadn’t, the entire Yang Family would already be dead. What choice did I have? Should I have let our clan be buried together?”

He stepped closer, his voice fierce. “And with your strength now, do you think you can rescue Qingwu? You’d only make us enemies of the Qin Family and doom us all!”

Yang Hao froze, his fists trembling. He wanted desperately to save his sister, but he couldn’t risk destroying the clan.

Yang Tianchuan patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry. Your sister is safe. When you break through to the Innate Realm, you’ll have the strength to bring her back.”

Yang Hao clenched his fists tighter, his tone firm. “Father, I will definitely reach the Innate Realm as soon as possible.”

“Good. I believe you will,” Yang Tianchuan said, comforted. “Now prepare yourself. Tomorrow, I’ll take you to the Qin Family. Qin Xiao will take you as his disciple.”

Yang Hao frowned. “Father, why must I acknowledge that old man as my master? With my talent, I’ll reach the Innate Realm soon enough. Is this really necessary?”

“You may reach the Innate Realm, but you’re still young. If someone decides to kill you before then, you won’t be able to resist. You need a protector, someone to guard your path through the most dangerous years.” Yang Tianchuan’s voice softened, but his meaning was firm.

Yang Hao stayed silent for a long while, then nodded. “I understand, Father.” 

He knew what his father said was true. Talented youths were many, but most were killed before they could grow. Only a few ever survived to rise. If he wanted to live, he needed backing.

…

In the left courtyard of the Qin estate.

Ye Tian was practicing the Great Flame Heart Sutra. For the past year he had lived here, he had cultivated tirelessly. 

Qin Xiao hadn’t treated him poorly—he provided him with resources equal to his own grandsons. Even Ye Suxin occasionally gave him treasures for cultivation.

Yet because his talent was too poor, he had only reached the 4th stage Body Tempering Realm. Qin Xiao’s grandson, Qin Zhenyuan—one year younger than him—was already at the 5th stage, despite being lazy and inconsistent with his training.

“That old man Qin is shameless, making Qingwu his maid. Truly despicable!” Ye Tian cursed in his heart. A few days ago, he had gone to the rear courtyard and seen the girl he could never forget—Yang Qingwu.

But to his fury, she was now serving as Qin Xiao’s maid—pouring tea, massaging his shoulders, attending to his every need.

The sight nearly drove Ye Tian mad with rage. Any goodwill he had started to feel for Qin Xiao after months of cultivation support vanished instantly.

Through his mother, Ye Tian also learned something that only deepened his anger: Qin Xiao intended to take Qingwu as his concubine once she came of age.

He could barely contain his fury. The only thing he could do was cultivate even harder, determined to grow strong enough to take Qingwu away before that day arrived.