Meishan Nanju is a villa district, backed by mountains on one side and facing a lake on the other.
The environment is beautiful.
Xiao Zhan brought Ye Qiu to a standalone villa and said, “Boss, this villa district was developed by our Dragon Gate real estate company. They’re all fully renovated and will officially go on sale next spring.”
“It’s very quiet here.”
“Also, this villa has a large basement, which I think is perfect for seclusion.”
“Boss, shall I take you inside to have a look?”
Ye Qiu nodded, “Alright!”
Xiao Zhan led Ye Qiu into the villa and down to the basement.
Ye Qiu looked around.
The basement was about fifty square metres, with solid wood flooring. Since no one lived there yet, it had no furniture or appliances, making it feel quite empty.
Ye Qiu said, “This place is good.”
Xiao Zhan said, “Boss, if you like it here, I can get a bed and some furniture and appliances later.”
“No need, I’m here for seclusion, not to enjoy myself.” Ye Qiu said, “Xiao Zhan, I have a few things to instruct you on.”
“First, Zhuque is gathering medicinal herbs for me. When she finds them, she’ll send them to Jiangzhou. Every ten days, bring the herbs here and leave them at the door.”
“Second, Su Luoying’s health is poor, she only has three months left.”
“During my seclusion, if Su Luoying’s condition worsens, come here and call me immediately.”
“Third, find some skilled Dragon Gate disciples to secretly protect my mother, Sister Lin, Sister Bing, Qin Wan, and Su Luoying and Su Xiaoxiao’s safety.”
“Fourth, I’ve decided to let Zhao Yun take over as Jiangzhou’s boss. Hand things over to him in the next couple of days.”
“As for you, I have other plans.”
“Have you noted these tasks?”
Xiao Zhan nodded, “I’ve got it, Boss. Rest assured in your seclusion, I’ll handle everything.”
Ye Qiu continued, “Also, during my seclusion, try not to let anyone disturb me.”
“Don’t worry, Boss, I’ll call over a hundred Dragon Gate disciples to guard this place.” Xiao Zhan asked, “Boss, anything else to instruct?”
Ye Qiu said, “I’ve covered everything, nothing else.”
“Oh, by the way, it’s only twenty-something days until New Year’s Eve.”
“If I haven’t come out by the twenty-fifth of the lunar twelfth month, make sure to call me.”
“Yes!” Xiao Zhan nodded.
“Alright, go handle your tasks, I’m starting my seclusion.” Ye Qiu waved his hand.
With that, Xiao Zhan left.
Ye Qiu closed the basement door, sat cross-legged on the floor, and officially began his seclusion.
Thereafter, every ten days, Xiao Zhan delivered medicinal herbs to Ye Qiu, each time with twenty century-old herbs.
In the blink of an eye, it was the lunar twelfth month.
The weather grew colder.
During this time, Xiao Zhan spent most of his days and nights guarding outside the villa.
On the twenty-fourth of the lunar twelfth month, the southern Little New Year.
Morning.
A cold wind picked up.
The bare trees in the villa’s courtyard swayed like bald old men, looking as if they might topple at any moment.
Xiao Zhan stood at the villa’s entrance, muttering, “Tomorrow is the twenty-fifth.”
“If Boss doesn’t come out today, I’ll have to call him out tomorrow.”
“I wonder if Boss’s cultivation has broken through this time?”
Xiao Zhan was full of worry.
He had heard about the Forbidden City’s challenge to Ye Qiu and was very concerned.
Just then, the clear sky suddenly darkened.
Xiao Zhan looked up to see thick dark clouds covering the sky.
Flashes of lightning appeared in the clouds, accompanied by rumbling thunder.
At the same time, an unsettling aura filled the air.
The hairs on Xiao Zhan’s body stood on end, overwhelmed by unease, oppression, and fear.
“Why do I feel like a destructive force is coming?”
“What’s going on?”
This feeling lasted nearly half an hour.
“Xiao Zhan!”
Suddenly, a voice came from behind.
Xiao Zhan turned to see Ye Qiu walking out of the villa.
After more than two months, Ye Qiu was dirty and gave off a foul smell.
But Xiao Zhan didn’t notice these things.
“Boss!” Xiao Zhan said with joy, “You’re out?”
“Yes.” Ye Qiu smiled and nodded, then saw Xiao Zhan’s sweaty face and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Xiao Zhan replied, “I don’t know what happened, half an hour ago, the sky suddenly darkened, like the end of the world.”
“Is that so?” Ye Qiu looked up at the sky and smiled, “Don’t worry, it’s fine.”
As he spoke, the dark clouds quickly dispersed.
In an instant, the sky was clear.
The oppressive aura vanished.
Xiao Zhan said in shock, “Boss, I really suspect you’re an immortal, speaking and making things happen.”
Ye Qiu smiled.
This wasn’t about speaking and making things happen, it was his heavenly tribulation.
This seclusion had yielded great results. Now, if he wished, he could face his tribulation at any time and cultivate his fourth innate true qi!
But Ye Qiu wasn’t rushing to face the tribulation, he had his own considerations.
Unfortunately, the Nine-Turn Dragon Art hadn’t broken through.
Ye Qiu felt he had touched the threshold of the fourth turn but, for some reason, couldn’t break through.
“Boss, how was this seclusion?” Xiao Zhan asked.
“Not bad.” Just as Ye Qiu spoke, a pleasant voice reached his ears.
“Ye Qiu!”
Ye Qiu turned to see Su Luoying, lifting her skirt, running over joyfully and throwing herself into his arms.
She cried with joy.
Xiao Zhan explained, “Boss, while you were in seclusion, Miss Su came here every day. She was very worried about you.”
What a silly girl.
After a long embrace, Ye Qiu tried to push Su Luoying away, saying, “I haven’t bathed in over two months, I smell.”
“It’s fine, I don’t mind,”
Su Luoying hugged Ye Qiu’s waist even tighter.
Xiao Zhan chuckled at the sight.
Ye Qiu instructed, “Xiao Zhan, get me a set of clothes, I’m going to bathe soon.”
“Yes.” Xiao Zhan responded and quickly went to prepare.
Once he left, Ye Qiu took Su Luoying’s pulse, checking it while asking, “Luoying, how’s your health been?”
“I feel pretty good,” Su Luoying said.
But Ye Qiu found her condition was serious, she could pass away at any moment.
“Luoying, I’ll treat you later.”
“Though I can’t fully resolve your constitution issue now, I’m confident I can stabilise it.”
“I can buy you another six months.”
“If I survive this trip to the Forbidden City, I’ll find a way to treat you when I return.”
Su Luoying lifted her head from Ye Qiu’s arms, looked at him seriously, and said, “I want to go to the capital with you.”
