“In a life-or-death moment, this jade can save your life.”
Hearing Ye Qiu’s words, the Dragon King was somewhat surprised. He took the jade and examined it closely.
Though he didn’t recognise the protective talisman, he could tell the carving was exceptionally skilled, and faintly, the jade seemed to emit a soft white glow.
“Little Ye, you’re thoughtful. Thank you,” the Dragon King said gratefully.
“I should be the one thanking you,” Ye Qiu replied. “If not for your help back then, I might still be a small-time doctor.”
“No way,” the Dragon King said. “From the moment I first saw you, I knew you were no ordinary fish in the pond.”
“Facts prove I wasn’t wrong.”
“But to be honest, I never expected your progress to be so rapid. In just over a year, you’ve already reached the pinnacle of this world.”
“Little Ye, seeing your achievements today, I’m genuinely happy for you.”
Ye Qiu smiled and asked, “Dragon King, how’s your health lately?”
“Pretty good,” the Dragon King said. “I eat well, sleep soundly, and should live a few more years.”
“If you don’t mind, shall I check?” Ye Qiu offered.
“Sure!” The Dragon King agreed readily, extending his wrist.
Ye Qiu took his pulse, examining carefully. After a while, he said, “Overall, you’re in good health, but there’s a slight issue with your liver, likely from drinking too much. I’ll help you adjust it.”
With that, Ye Qiu channelled true qi from his palm, flowing through the pulse into the Dragon King’s body.
Instantly, the Dragon King felt a warm, comfortable sensation throughout his body.
Moments later, Ye Qiu withdrew his hand and said, “Dragon King, I’ve fixed the minor issues. If you exercise morning and evening, with your current condition, living past a hundred should be no problem.”
“Little Ye, thank you,” the Dragon King said, delighted. For someone his age, longevity was the ultimate pursuit.
Ye Qiu prepared to leave. Just then, Zhao Yun arrived.
Seeing Ye Qiu, Zhao Yun bowed immediately. “Sect Master!”
Ye Qiu smiled. “Brother Zhao, I’ve handed Dragon Gate to Cao Qingcheng. No need to call me Sect Master anymore. If you don’t mind, just call me little brother!”
Zhao Yun nodded. “Brother Ye!”
“Good,” Ye Qiu replied, handing Zhao Yun a jade piece carved with a Guanyin figure. “Brother Zhao, you looked out for me in the past. Keep this jade.”
“I gave one to the Dragon King earlier and explained that I engraved a protective talisman on the back. In a life-or-death moment, it can save your life.”
“Brother Zhao, keep it safe and wear it always.”
Zhao Yun said, “Brother, this gift is too valuable. I can’t accept…”
Before he could finish, Ye Qiu stuffed the jade into his hand.
“Brother Zhao, take it. No need for formalities between us,” Ye Qiu said. “I’ll be going on a long trip soon. Brother Zhao, keep an eye on things in Jiangzhou.”
“Also, when you have time, find Xiao Zhan. He can guide you in martial arts.”
“Xiao Zhan has crossed the threshold into immortal cultivation. In all of Dragon Gate, no one is his match now.”
Zhao Yun was shocked, glancing at Xiao Zhan behind Ye Qiu, then nodding slightly.
Ye Qiu instructed Xiao Zhan, “Find time to guide Brother Zhao.”
“Yes!” Xiao Zhan responded.
With matters nearly settled, Ye Qiu stood and said, “Dragon King, I have things to handle, so I won’t stay longer.”
The Dragon King tried to keep him. “Little Ye, you rarely visit. How about a drink before you go?”
Ye Qiu said, “There’s plenty of time in the future. We’ll drink then. I really have things to handle today.”
“Alright, I’ll see you off.”
The Dragon King and Zhao Yun escorted Ye Qiu to the door, watching as he and Xiao Zhan drove away, their gazes lingering.
After a while, the Dragon King sighed. “Little Ye has achieved so much, yet he hasn’t forgotten us. What a good kid.”
“Indeed,” Zhao Yun agreed.
The Dragon King said, “I heard Ye Qiu say he handed Dragon Gate to Cao Qingcheng. Little Zhao, you must be extra cautious in your work, avoiding mistakes. If you face tough decisions, come discuss with me.”
“Ye Qiu has a bond with us and is grateful, so even if you slip up, he won’t blame you. But Cao Qingcheng is different.”
“She’s Cao Yuan’s sister, with his style of doing things. And when a woman gets ruthless, it’s terrifying.”
At this, the Dragon King recalled Lin Jingzhi.
Back then, Xiao Qingdi, relying on being the brother of Champion Marquis Xiao Jiu, swaggered into Jiangzhou, publicly proposing to Bai Bing but failing, leading to a conflict with Ye Qiu.
For Ye Qiu, Lin Jingzhi shot Xiao Qingdi in public, stunning everyone.
The Dragon King sighed again. “I thought my judgement was sharp, but it’s nothing compared to Lin Jingzhi, a mere woman. I’m getting old.”
…
On the way back, Ye Qiu received a text from Qian Shanxue with just four words.
“Husband, I miss you.”
Ye Qiu replied immediately, “Xiaoxue, where are you?”
“At home,” Qian Shanxue said.
Ye Qiu promptly told Xiao Zhan, “Home!”
Twenty minutes later, the car stopped.
“Xiao Zhan, pick me up tomorrow morning,” Ye Qiu said, heading upstairs.
As he opened the door, he saw Qian Shanxue and Qiusan Nange on the sofa watching TV, both in pyjamas, like two blooming roses, radiant and captivating.
“You’re back?”
Seeing Ye Qiu, Qian Shanxue leapt up, kissed his forehead, then helped him take off his shoes and put on slippers, her actions gentle and caring.
“Where’s my mum and Ruyi?” Ye Qiu asked.
“Auntie took Ruyi to Qin Wan’s place. They’re not coming back tonight,” Qiusan Nange said.
“Oh,” Ye Qiu acknowledged, then said to Qian Shanxue, “Xiaoxue, come with me.”
Qian Shanxue winked at Qiusan Nange before following Ye Qiu to his room.
Once inside, Ye Qiu pressed her against the wall, kissing her. Qian Shanxue responded passionately. They say women who’ve had children have greater desires, and Qian Shanxue was particularly eager.
At the height of passion, Ye Qiu was stripped bare by Qian Shanxue. Just as he was about to proceed, she suddenly said, “Wait.”
“What’s wrong?” Ye Qiu asked, puzzled.
Qian Shanxue didn’t answer. She opened the door and left, not returning for a while.
“What’s Xiaoxue doing?”
As Ye Qiu wondered, the door opened, and Qiusan Nange walked in.
