Long Er’s sudden appearance not only injured Ye Qiu but also brought him unprecedented pressure.
As the War God said, the Forbidden City’s move was undoubtedly aimed at killing and crushing his spirit.
Long Er’s strength far surpassed Ye Qiu’s. If he had wanted to kill Ye Qiu earlier, Ye Qiu would have been in grave danger.
But Long Er didn’t do that.
He only brought Ye Qiu a challenge letter.
It was clear the Forbidden City not only wanted Ye Qiu dead but also wanted him to live in fear before his death.
To suffer the torment of fear.
“Forbidden City, you underestimate me. If I were afraid of death, I wouldn’t have made an enemy of you in the first place.”
Ye Qiu wiped the blood from his mouth and stood up from the ground.
Su Luoying, worried about Ye Qiu’s injuries, said, “Ye Qiu, let me take you back. You’re badly hurt.”
“Don’t worry about me, it’s just a minor injury, nothing serious.”
Seeing everyone’s concerned faces, Ye Qiu said, “Sorry for startling you all.”
“I’m really fine.”
“I was supposed to treat you all to dinner tonight, but with this happening, the dinner might…”
Before Ye Qiu could finish, Su Xiaoxiao said, “Director, we understand.”
“Let’s skip dinner tonight.”
“Go home early!”
Fu Yanjie added, “Yeah, Director, go home quickly!”
Old Xiang said, “Director, handle your matters first. We can gather for a meal when you’re free.”
“Thank you all for understanding. I’m happy to have colleagues like you.” Ye Qiu’s tone shifted, “But we still need to eat.”
“People are made of iron, food is steel, how can we not eat?”
“I won’t go tonight, Xiaoxiao, take everyone to the Emperor Hotel for dinner. I’ve booked a private room, just give my name when you arrive.”
“Xiaoxiao, this is a task I’m entrusting to you. You must complete it perfectly.”
“Tell me, can you do it?”
Su Xiaoxiao felt heavy-hearted but didn’t want Ye Qiu to see it. She nodded and said, “Director, I can do it.”
“Good. Order the expensive dishes, don’t worry about saving me money. I’m heading home now, see you.”
Ye Qiu waved and turned to leave.
Su Luoying, Su Xiaoxiao, Fu Yanjie, and Old Xiang stood still, watching Ye Qiu drive away.
Fu Yanjie said, “The Director is a real tough guy, spitting so much blood yet still smiling to keep us from worrying.”
Old Xiang, puzzled, said, “I heard that old man say he was from the Forbidden City. What kind of existence is the Forbidden City?”
Su Luoying said, “The Forbidden City is a force, and their power is terrifying.”
“How terrifying?” Fu Yanjie asked.
Su Luoying shook her head, “I don’t know exactly how terrifying.”
“I’ve only heard they’re all century-old monsters with unfathomable cultivation.”
“They act arrogantly and lawlessly, with nothing to restrain them. They don’t even take Elder Tang seriously.”
What?
Fu Yanjie and Old Xiang were shocked.
In their eyes, a figure like Elder Tang was, in ancient times, the supreme emperor, holding the power of life and death over everything. No one dared defy the emperor, let alone ignore him.
Fu Yanjie said in disbelief, “Are the Forbidden City people mad, not taking Elder Tang seriously?”
“Even if they’re skilled, they can’t be that lawless, can they?”
“Are they immortals?”
Old Xiang retorted, “Nonsense, how could there be immortals in this world?”
Su Luoying added, “The Forbidden City people aren’t immortals, but they have immortal-like methods.”
“In this world, they are invincible.”
“Anyone who opposes them never ends well.”
“This time, Ye Qiu might…”
At this, tears welled in Su Luoying’s eyes, her worry for Ye Qiu overwhelming.
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Suddenly, Su Xiaoxiao said, “I think we should do something for the Director.”
At this, a spark lit in Su Luoying’s eyes.
Su Xiaoxiao continued, “The Director has been so good to us. Now that he’s in trouble, we can’t stand by.”
Fu Yanjie sighed, “Xiaoxiao, I want to help the Director too, but if I were a martial arts master, I’d go with him to the Forbidden City on New Year’s Eve. But I’m useless, I can’t help at all.”
Old Xiang said, “Let’s just do our jobs well and not add to the Director’s troubles.”
Fu Yanjie nodded, “I think Old Xiang’s right. Work hard, don’t cause trouble for the Director.”
Su Xiaoxiao shook off her low mood and said, “Come on, let’s go eat!”
Old Xiang said, “Let’s forget it. The Director’s gone home, we should all head back too.”
“No, the Director gave me this task. We have to go eat. Follow me.”
With that, Su Xiaoxiao led everyone straight to the Emperor Hotel.
…
On the way home, Ye Qiu got a call from Cao Qingcheng.
“I’ve heard about everything. It’s all over the capital now, Ye Qiu. Is there anything I can do? Or rather, what can I and Dragon Gate’s hundred thousand brothers do to help?”
Ye Qiu thought for a moment and said, “There is something I need to trouble you with.”
“Help me gather century-old medicinal herbs, as many as possible.”
“Be quick.”
Cao Qingcheng didn’t ask what Ye Qiu needed the herbs for and agreed, “I’ll spare no expense to find them. Where should I send them once I do?”
Ye Qiu said, “Send them directly to Jiangzhou, to Xiao Zhan.”
“Got it.” Cao Qingcheng added, “If you need anything else, contact me anytime.”
“You’re the master of Dragon Gate. The Forbidden City’s challenge to you is a challenge to us.”
“No matter what, I and the hundred thousand Dragon Gate brothers will always support you, through life and death!”
“Thank you.” Ye Qiu hung up and called Xiao Zhan, asking him to find a quiet villa for him.
Next, he needed to go into seclusion for a while.
With less than three months until New Year’s Eve, he had to use this time to improve his strength.
Then, Ye Qiu called Bai Bing, instructing her to monitor Su Luoying’s health and contact him if anything changed.
That evening, Ye Qiu stayed at Lin Jingzhi’s place and gave her some instructions.
The next morning, Ye Qiu went home and had a long talk with Qian Jinglan.
At noon, Qian Jinglan invited Lin Jingzhi and Bai Bing over, preparing a table full of dishes. The family enjoyed a warm meal together.
After lunch, Ye Qiu took the Emperor Sword and went with Xiao Zhan to the place for his seclusion.
