At Ye Chu’s question, both he and Bai Bao fell silent.
Undoubtedly, Ye Chu had ulterior motives from the start in treating Bai Bao. He did not know what Bai Bao might think of it. After days together, Ye Chu had found Bai Bao no simple man, and the two got along remarkably well. If possible, Ye Chu naturally preferred not to fall out with him.
Bai Bao stared straight at the youth before him, astonishment in his heart too. He held no grudge over Ye Chu’s hidden agenda in saving him. Bai Bao knew full well that no one helped another without reason. Besides, without Ye Chu, he would already be dead. Ye Chu was his saviour all the same.
What surprised Bai Bao was Ye Chu’s complexity. From his tone, it was clear Ye Chu knew the Great General’s Tomb well.
“How do you know so much about the Great General’s Tomb?” Bai Bao asked.
“I have been inside once. I nearly died there, so I have some understanding.” Ye Chu answered directly, without concealment.
“You have entered it? And emerged alive?” Bai Bao found it inconceivable. Even with his special method, he had nearly perished. He had not expected Ye Chu to have gone in too.
“I did not reach the deepest part. The baleful energy erupted, forcing me to retreat.” Ye Chu sighed. “Instead, it is Uncle Bai’s ability to enter that astonishes me. Given your strength, you have not yet reached the third grade of ‘cultivating one’s primal spirit’, I believe. To enter the deepest part with mere Intent Transformation realm and come out alive is utterly unbelievable.”
Bai Bao did not deny it. “You are no less impressive. A man with such a notorious reputation in Yao City yet possessing the courage to enter the Great General’s Tomb. It seems everyone in Yao City has underestimated you. I am curious. What is your true background?”
Bai Bao stared at Ye Chu. He knew Pang Shao’s identity well, yet Ye Chu kicked him around at will. That alone proved Ye Chu’s extraordinariness.
Ye Chu shrugged. “That is unimportant. Even if I told you, you likely would not know.”
Bai Bao neither confirmed nor denied it. He no longer pressed Ye Chu on the matter, exhaling softly. “Telling you is no great issue. Entering the Great General’s Tomb relies on a special hereditary method of my family. It avoids triggering the traps and baleful energy. Even so, it is exceedingly dangerous. My eldest daughter and son-in-law died for it. This time, without your treatment, I too would have perished.”
“What did Uncle Bai obtain this time?” Ye Chu asked what he most wanted to know. “Legend says the Great General holds great secrets and supreme treasures. Did Uncle Bai retrieve them?”
Bai Bao did not answer directly. “This time, because of me, many followed into the tomb. Though we did not reach the deepest part, they took quite a few good items. If you want some, you could seize them from those people. Among them will be things that catch your eye and surprise you.”
Seeing Bai Bao change the subject, Ye Chu smiled. “Then may I take it that Uncle Bai did indeed obtain something valuable?”
“Think what you like.” Bai Bao laughed heartily. “But do not think to target me, lad. These days, you have been indirectly probing Bai Xuan about certain matters. Do not assume I am unaware. I will tell you plainly. Even if I took something, it is not in this residence.”
“Damn.” Ye Chu could not help cursing. He had long suspected as much.
“Fine. Since Uncle Bai will not say, I will not press. But I still must collect payment for your treatment. A life is priceless. Asking a hundred or two hundred thousand gold coins surely would not seem excessive to Uncle Bai.” Ye Chu said. He did no charity. He had even given a three-hundred-year lingzhi. He could not leave empty-handed.
“Dismantle this residence. See if you can find that many gold coins.” Bai Bao ignored him outright. This fellow certainly knew how to demand an exorbitant price.
“If not, then Uncle Bai can pass me the special method for entering the Great General’s Tomb. We will call the treatment fee settled.” Ye Chu smiled at Bai Bao, finally revealing his true intent.
Ye Chu had assumed Bai Bao would refuse, but the outcome surprised him. Bai Bao fell silent for a long while after the words, then finally sighed at Ye Chu. “It is a family secret. Originally, it should not be passed to outsiders. But if you truly wish to learn, teaching you is no great matter.”
“…” Ye Chu stared at Bai Bao in shock. He knew the immense value of the General’s Tomb. Its treasures were worth cities. Even the imperial family coveted them. How precious it must be. Yet for a tomb brimming with such riches, Bai Bao was truly willing to yield the way in?
“Do not rejoice over this. The General’s Tomb is far more dangerous than you imagine. Even with my method, the slightest carelessness means certain death.” Bai Bao said. “Learning it may not be a blessing for you.”
Bai Bao paused, then continued. “Truthfully, I do not wish you to learn it. You are rather to my taste, lad. I do not want you dying too young.”
“Who are you fooling?” Ye Chu rolled his eyes, naturally disbelieving Bai Bao’s nonsense. Did he think that would scare him off?
Bai Bao smiled without explaining. Too many of his clan had died in the Great General’s Tomb. By his branch, only he and Bai Xuan remained. Bai Bao would not let Bai Xuan risk it, yet he did not wish the family method to die out. Passing it to Ye Chu was fine.
Moreover, judging Ye Chu’s bearing, his master must be extraordinary. Perhaps he truly could bring the Great General’s Tomb back to light.
Of course, that no longer mattered to Bai Bao. He had already obtained what he needed. Though many treasures remained in the tomb, some even comparable in value to what he took, only his prize suited his clan best.
“Right. There is one more thing I must ask Uncle Bai.” Ye Chu suddenly recalled his purpose in returning to Yao City. “Rumour says Yao City holds a sole copy of Crimson Baleful. Uncle Bai has lived here decades. Have you heard of it?”
“You seek it?” Bai Bao’s eyes twitched. He stared at Ye Chu in extreme surprise. He had naturally heard of the lone volume, but it was useless to ordinary cultivators. Only the mightiest great cultivators would take interest.
In all Yao Kingdom, no great cultivator existed. Even in the empire, those called great cultivators were rare as phoenix feathers. Yet now a seventeen-year-old Ye Chu sought it.
“Uncle Bai knows of it?” Ye Chu was overjoyed. He had nearly given up hope. He had not expected such a turn.
“I do know.” Bai Bao said. “Over a decade ago, the court confiscated it. It has been kept in the palace ever since. No one can comprehend it. If not for my late father mentioning it, I would not know of its existence. Where did you learn of it?”
“In the palace?” Ye Chu frowned. He had not expected it to be so troublesome. Taking something from the palace was nigh impossible.
