Suddenly, a flash of surprise crossed Ye Qiu’s eyes.
Since the battle at the Forbidden City, over the past three months, Ye Qiu had not only cultivated his sixth strand of innate true qi, but his Heavenly Eye had also made significant progress.
Now, with his Heavenly Eye activated, he could see through 150 metres.
And he could sustain it for ten minutes!
Ye Qiu had intended to track the monster, but he hadn’t expected that, upon activating his Heavenly Eye, he would see an entirely different scene.
“Old man, give Xiao Zhan two water-repelling talismans,” Ye Qiu said.
“Why should I?” Master Longbrow replied, somewhat reluctant.
Ye Qiu urged, “Hurry up and give the talismans to Xiao Zhan, we’ll all go into the water together later.”
Master Longbrow asked sceptically, “Go down for what?”
Ye Qiu replied, “There’s something good at the bottom of the river.”
“Who’re you fooling?” Master Longbrow didn’t believe him, snorting, “Don’t think I don’t know, you’re trying to trick me into going down to help you recover bodies.”
“Lad, I’m telling you, forget it!”
“I’m not going to be free labour.”
Ye Qiu said, “Old man, you’re not going down, eh? Fine!”
“Xiao Zhan and I will go, but let me make it clear, the good stuff at the bottom of the river won’t be yours.”
“Give Xiao Zhan the two water-repelling talismans now.”
Master Longbrow studied Ye Qiu’s face for a moment, finding no signs of deception, and asked, “Lad, is there really something good at the bottom of the river?”
Ye Qiu said, “Stop wasting time, give Xiao Zhan the talismans.”
Master Longbrow pulled two water-repelling talismans from his robe sleeve, then started negotiating, “It’s not impossible to give Xiao Zhan the talismans, but you need to tell me, what exactly is the good stuff at the bottom of the river?”
“Treasure!” Ye Qiu answered.
“What kind of treasure?” Master Longbrow pressed.
“Why so many questions? If you want to know, go see for yourself.”
Ye Qiu finished speaking, swiftly grabbed the talismans from Master Longbrow’s hand, explained how to use them to Xiao Zhan, and then instructed:
“Xiao Zhan, bring two torches with you, it’s very dark at the bottom of the river, so you don’t get inconvenienced.”
Xiao Zhan asked curiously, “Boss, what treasure is at the bottom of the river?”
“Heh, you’ll see when we get down there, it’s something extraordinary.”
Ye Qiu looked mysterious, sneaking a glance at Master Longbrow as he spoke.
Moments later.
Ye Qiu and Xiao Zhan stood at the very front of the deck.
“Ready?” Ye Qiu asked.
Xiao Zhan nodded, “Ready.”
“Then let’s go into the water, remember, stick close to me once we’re down there部分
System: there,” Ye Qiu instructed.
“Mm.” Xiao Zhan nodded again.
Master Longbrow had been quietly observing Ye Qiu’s reactions. Seeing that Ye Qiu was truly about to take Xiao Zhan into the riverbed, he began to mutter to himself.
“Given the lad’s character, if the riverbed were dangerous, he’d never take Xiao Zhan down with him.”
“After all, Xiao Zhan is his brother-in-law.”
“If something happened, he wouldn’t be able to face the consequences.”
“But now the lad is insisting on taking Xiao Zhan to the riverbed, which can only mean one thing: there’s treasure down there, possibly even an unparalleled relic.”
“Lad, you think you can leave me out and share the treasure with your brother-in-law? Hmph, no chance.”
With that thought, Master Longbrow hurriedly said, “Lad, wait, I’m coming with you.”
Ye Qiu asked, “Old man, what’re you going down for? Didn’t you say you don’t believe me?”
“Come on, we’re best mates, how could I not trust you?” Master Longbrow chuckled, “Besides, an extra pair of hands is always useful. I’m a powerhouse with nine strands of true qi, we can look out for each other down there.”
Ye Qiu smirked, “Old man, you’re after the treasure, aren’t you?”
Caught out, Master Longbrow looked a bit embarrassed and said, “Lad, I genuinely want to help. Don’t forget, that monster’s still in the river. What if it attacks you once you’re down there?”
Ye Qiu scoffed, “If it dares show up, I’ll cut it down with one swing.”
Blimey, does he have to be so cocky?
Master Longbrow said, “Lad, I’m sincerely trying to help.”
“Even if you’re strong and not afraid of the monster, what if there’s other dangers down there?”
“We’ve been through life-and-death crises together, I can’t just watch you take risks.”
“Honestly, I know you don’t want me going down there, not because you’re worried I’ll get the;EA
System: the treasure, but because you’re concerned about my age and the cold of the riverbed.”
Master Longbrow was clearly flustered, his face a mix of embarrassment and indignation, “Lad, you’re not seriously suggesting I’m worried about the treasure?”
Ye Qiu’s tone was firm, “Old man, I’m not suggesting anything. I’m saying there’s something valuable down there, and I’m not letting you hog it.”
Master Longbrow’s eyes narrowed, “You’re not going to cut me out, lad.”
Ye Qiu’s voice was calm but resolute, “If you don’t come down, you don’t get a share. Simple as that.”
“Give Xiao Zhan the talismans,” Ye Qiu ordered, ignoring the protest.
Master Longbrow hesitated, then pulled out two more water-repelling talismans, muttering, “Fine, but I’m coming with you. Can’t let you and your brother-in-law have all the fun.”
Ye Qiu shook his head, “It’s not about fun, it’s about survival. That monster’s down there, and we need to be ready for anything.”
Master Longbrow sighed, “Alright, alright, I’ll come along. But don’t think I’m doing this for the treasure.”
Ye Qiu snorted, “Sure you’re not.”
Master Longbrow handed the talismans to Xiao Zhan, “Here you go, lad. But you owe me a proper explanation later.”
Ye Qiu quickly explained the talismans’ usage to Xiao Zhan, then turned to him, “Bring two torches, it’s dark down there. You don’t want to be stumbling around blind.”
Xiao Zhan’s curiosity piqued, “Boss, what’s this treasure you’re on about?”
Ye Qiu grinned, “You’ll see soon enough, something extraordinary.”
He shot a sly glance at Master Longbrow, who was visibly intrigued.
A few moments later, Ye Qiu and Xiao Zhan stood at the deck’s edge.
“Ready?” Ye Qiu asked.
Xiao Zhan nodded, “All set.”
“Right, let’s dive in. Stay close to me down there,” Ye Qiu instructed.
“Got it,” Xiao Zhan confirmed.
Master Longbrow, still watching Ye Qiu closely, was clearly scheming. He thought to himself, *If the riverbed’s dangerous, he wouldn’t drag Xiao Zhan down there. He’s family. If something goes wrong, he’d be in deep trouble.*
*But he’s taking Xiao Zhan anyway, which means one thing: there’s treasure, and it’s probably a massive haul.*
*Lad, you’re not cutting me out of this with your brother-in-law. No way.*
“Lad, hold up, I’m joining you,” Master Longbrow declared suddenly.
Ye Qiu raised an eyebrow, “Old man, what’s your game? Thought you didn’t trust me?”
“Don’t be daft, we’re mates. Of course I trust you,” Master Longbrow said with a grin, “Plus, an extra hand’s always good. I’m a nine-strand true qi master, we’ll have each other’s backs down there.”
Ye Qiu smirked, “You’re just after the loot, aren’t you?”
Master Longbrow’s face reddened slightly, “Lad, I’m here to help, honest. That monster’s still lurking, what if it comes for you down there?”
Ye Qiu scoffed, “If it shows, I’ll slice it in half.”
*Bloody hell, does he have to be so smug?*
Master Longbrow persisted, “Lad, I’m serious about helping.”
“You’re tough and not scared of the monster, but what about other dangers down there?”
“We’re brothers in arms, been through the wringer together. I can’t let you go alone.”
“I get it, you’re worried I’ll nick the treasure, but you’re also worried about my old bones in the cold riverbed. I’m touched, truly.”
“I’m not worried about you,” Ye Qiu snapped, exasperated.
Master Longbrow cut him off, “No need to deny it, lad, I know your heart. I’ll be fine.”
Without giving Ye Qiu a chance to respond, Master Longbrow crushed a water-repelling talisman.
Instantly, a faint blue glow enveloped him, like a crystal dome covering his entire body.
“Lad, good news,” Master Longbrow said, “My talismans are stronger now with my upgraded power. They’ll let us move freely underwater and even talk normally. Pretty brilliant, eh?”
“Try it out down there.”
His face grew serious, “Lad, don’t be daft and take risks like this. Let me go first.”
With that, Master Longbrow leapt into the river with a splash, vanishing in an instant.
Xiao Zhan, witnessing this, let out a string of curses, “Bloody hell, that old codger’s shameless!”
“He’s after the treasure, spouting all that nonsense. What a cheek!”
“Boss, let’s get down there before he nicks it all.”
Ye Qiu laughed, “Treasure? What treasure?”
“Didn’t you say there’s treasure down there?” Xiao Zhan stopped short, realisation dawning, “Boss, you conned the old man, didn’t you? There’s no treasure, is there?”
“Not quite like that,” Ye Qiu said, glancing at his watch with a grin, “There’s something good down there, but whether the old man’s got the skill to get it is another matter.”
“Let’s give him ten minutes to hunt for it.”
“Hope the riverbed’s got a nice surprise for him.”
