Master Longbrow saw Ye Qiu staring at him and sensed trouble. He hurriedly said, “Little rascal, what are you up to? I’m warning you, don’t mess around.”
Ye Qiu laughed. “I’m not messing around. I just want to test if the God-Beating Whip is as powerful as you claim.”
With that, Ye Qiu suppressed his cultivation to the Foundation Establishment realm and lashed out with the whip.
Snap!
Master Longbrow was sent tumbling backwards.
“Ouch, that hurts like hell! You actually hit me?” Master Longbrow shouted.
“Old man, aren’t you a Venerable expert? Why didn’t you fight back?” Ye Qiu said, raising the God-Beating Whip again.
“Little rascal, don’t push it too far!”
“I’m warning you, even a clay Buddha has some fire in him, and a cornered rabbit will bite.”
“If you keep this up, don’t blame me for getting rough.”
Before Master Longbrow could finish, he saw Ye Qiu swing the whip again.
“Damn it, I’m done with you.”
Boom!
Master Longbrow erupted, his body glowing with light, a terrifying force surging out like a giant wave.
But before he could fully unleash his power, he suddenly felt his body restrained, unable to move, watching helplessly as the God-Beating Whip struck him.
Snap!
Master Longbrow was sent flying.
To his surprise, Ye Qiu didn’t stop, landing several more lashes.
Master Longbrow tried to erupt again, but the same thing happened. Before he could act, his body was restrained, and he was whipped, screaming in pain.
“It hurts! Little rascal, stop it.”
“Please, go easy.”
“Damn it, you’re hitting my backside.”
After a moment, Ye Qiu stopped, looking at the God-Beating Whip and saying, “I didn’t expect this plain-looking whip to be so useful. In the future, if I meet a King-realm expert, I’ll whip them to death with it.”
Master Longbrow glared at Ye Qiu fiercely, cursing, “You little bastard, using me as a test rat? Hmph, we’re done.”
Ye Qiu said, “Get lost then.”
Master Longbrow’s face turned red with anger. “What’s that supposed to mean, little rascal? What about our friendship?”
“The friendship boat has capsized,” Ye Qiu said with a laugh. “Didn’t you say we’re done? So get lost.”
“Hmph, I’m not leaving,” Master Longbrow said. “On this trip, I helped you get so many treasures. If you don’t give me some benefits, I’m not going anywhere.”
Ye Qiu sneered. “You won’t get anything from me.”
“If you don’t give me something, I’ll follow you to Jiangzhou and live off you,” Master Longbrow said.
“Then let’s go.”
Ye Qiu turned and walked away.
What, just like that?
Master Longbrow was stunned.
“Little rascal, wait for me. I need to tell you something,” Master Longbrow said, catching up to Ye Qiu. As they walked, he said, “Little rascal, I think your connection to Shushan isn’t simple.”
“What are you getting at?” Ye Qiu asked.
Master Longbrow said, “I think you and the Shushan Saintess have something going on.”
Ye Qiu stopped, glaring at Master Longbrow coldly. “Talk nonsense again, and I’ll whip you.”
“I’ve never met Saintess Linglong before.”
“Today was the first time I saw her.”
Master Longbrow said, “That makes it even more suspicious.”
“It was your first time meeting her, so why did the Purple-Green Twin Swords come to your aid when you were in danger? Those are her personal swords. And how did she know you could perform the Nine Needles Against Heaven?”
In truth, Ye Qiu was also puzzled.
Today was his first time meeting Saintess Linglong, but when he stood before her ice coffin, he felt a strange sensation, as if he had known her for a long time.
Moreover, seeing Saintess Linglong in a deep slumber, he felt pity and sorrow in his heart.
Also, he had obtained the Nine Needles Against Heaven from Old Master Qian’s study. The secret manual had turned to ashes, leaving seven words: “Shushan Holy Land Awaits Your Return.”
From the literal meaning, it seemed he indeed had some connection to Shushan, and they had been waiting for his return.
But before today, he had never been to Shushan.
Why were Saintess Linglong and Dugu Wudi so certain he could revive the dead Shushan disciples?
Ye Qiu vaguely felt that obtaining the Nine Needles Against Heaven was not a coincidence but rather something planned long ago.
“Could it be that Saintess Linglong, like the Vatican Saintess, can predict the future?”
“Or, as the old man said, is there really something between me and Saintess Linglong?”
“But today was truly the first time I saw her.”
Ye Qiu was filled with doubts.
The two left Shushan.
It was already broad daylight.
Ye Qiu asked, “Old man, I’m heading back to Jiangzhou. Are you coming with me or going back to Longhu Mountain?”
Master Longbrow said, “I told you, if you don’t give me benefits, I’ll follow you to Jiangzhou and live off you.”
Ye Qiu said, “Then come to Jiangzhou. I’ll make sure there’s plenty of good food and wine.”
With that, the two prepared to return to Jiangzhou.
Just then—
Ye Qiu’s phone rang. He took it out and saw it was Bai Bing calling.
“Well, well, only a few days out, and your little lover misses you?” Master Longbrow teased. “I wonder if Shuisheng misses me. That little bastard hasn’t even called to check on me. When I get back, I’m going to give him a beating.”
Ye Qiu answered the phone. “Sister Bing, what’s up?”
Bai Bing said, “Something happened at Old Xiang’s family. His father passed away. I wanted to go myself, but I’m swamped at the hospital. You’re his colleague and superior, so I’d like you to represent the hospital and offer condolences.”
Ye Qiu agreed immediately. “Alright, when I get back to Jiangzhou, I’ll visit Old Xiang.”
Bai Bing added, “Old Xiang’s not in Jiangzhou. He went back to his hometown. Oh, by the way, his hometown is in Badong.”
Badong?
Ye Qiu asked Master Longbrow, “Old man, do you know where Badong is?”
“You don’t know?” Master Longbrow glanced at Ye Qiu and said, “Badong’s Three Gorges, where the Wu Gorge stretches long, and the apes’ cries bring tears to your clothes. You haven’t even heard of Badong? So ignorant.”
Damn it, showing off in front of me? You’re something else!
Master Longbrow added, “On our way back to Jiangzhou from here, we pass through Badong.”
“Really?” Ye Qiu immediately said to Bai Bing, “Sister Bing, send me the address of Old Xiang’s hometown. I’m on my way back from Bashu, so I can stop by to visit him.”
“Alright, I’ll send it to you soon,” Bai Bing said, lowering her voice. “Husband, come back quickly after you’re done. The flowers at home need watering.”
Ye Qiu was puzzled. “I don’t have any flowers at home.”
“You… you’re infuriating me.” Bai Bing hung up with a snap.
Ye Qiu was baffled. What’s wrong with Sister Bing?
