The Longbrow Real Person suddenly felt his hands gripped by the man, a wave of disgust washing over him.
Because the man’s hands were as if they had been pulled straight from a coal pit, truly…
Too filthy!
The Longbrow Real Person tried to yank his hand away, but the man held on too tightly. This infuriated him, and he could not help but ask, “Who the devil are you?”
“Are you the Dragon Bodhisattva?” Ye Qiu interjected suddenly.
The Longbrow Real Person froze.
This fellow was the Dragon Bodhisattva?
The man turned to Ye Qiu. “You know me?”
It was indeed the Dragon Bodhisattva!
Ye Qiu chuckled inwardly. He had never expected the guardian of the Forbidden City to look like a beggar now.
Ye Qiu’s attitude turned respectful. He said, “Though I do not know you personally, Senior, I have heard of your illustrious reputation. I know you are the foremost expert of the Forbidden City, the bane of ten thousand foes in the secular world.”
“Truly, seeing is believing. You are every bit as majestic as the tales suggest.”
“I am certain it will not be long before you ascend to the pinnacle of strength in this realm.”
Flattery, they say, can pierce armour like no other. The Dragon Bodhisattva, thus praised by Ye Qiu, broke into a smug smile.
“You are but a youth, yet already at the Golden Core stage. How is it I never heard of such a figure in the secular world before?”
The Dragon Bodhisattva’s eyes were sharp; he discerned Ye Qiu’s cultivation at a glance.
Ye Qiu replied, “This junior’s swift advancement stems not only from some fortunate encounters but also from the guidance of Senior Long Yi.”
“You know Long Yi?” The Dragon Bodhisattva was taken aback.
“Yes,” Ye Qiu lied without batting an eyelid. He said, “Senior Long Yi took quite a liking to me.”
“Is that so?” The Dragon Bodhisattva seemed surprised. He asked, “How did you come to know Long Yi?”
Evidently, the Dragon Bodhisattva still harboured some wariness towards Ye Qiu.
“I am from Bai Yujing…” Ye Qiu nearly claimed to be from Bai Yujing, but on second thought, Bai Yujing had spent most of his life in the capital, and the Dragon Bodhisattva might well have met him. Thus, he continued, “I am Bai Yujing’s close brother. It was he who introduced me to Senior Long Yi.”
“Ah, I see.” The Dragon Bodhisattva asked, “How fares Long Yi and the others now?”
“Quite well,” Ye Qiu said. “After Senior Long Yi emerged from seclusion, he intended to settle the score with Ye Wushuang once and for all, but for some reason, Ye Wushuang vanished.”
“Some say Ye Wushuang, fearing the Forbidden City, went into hiding. Others claim he came to the cultivation world. I cannot say which is true.”
“Though, upon entering the city, I saw a wanted poster from the Yin-Yang Sect on the walls. They are hunting a man named Ye Wushuang. I wonder if it is the same Ye Wushuang from the secular world.”
Ye Qiu’s words were a blend of truth and fabrication, which eased the Dragon Bodhisattva’s suspicions considerably.
Ye Qiu added, “Senior may not know this yet, but Long Yi has now broken through to the King Realm. It will not be long before he arrives in the cultivation world.”
The Dragon Bodhisattva said, “When I left the secular world, my greatest worry was for Long Yi and his lot. Hearing this from you puts my mind at ease.”
Then, the Dragon Bodhisattva turned to the Longbrow Real Person. “You are from Dragon Tiger Mountain, are you not?”
“Indeed, this poor Daoist hails from Dragon Tiger Mountain.” The Longbrow Real Person glanced at Ye Qiu, who signalled him with a look. Excitedly, he said, “To think that upon our first steps into the cultivation world, we encounter you, Senior. It is like meeting a fellow villager, tears welling up in both pairs of eyes.”
Drawing on his acting skills, the Longbrow Real Person forced out two tears, appearing genuinely overcome with emotion.
The Longbrow Real Person asked, “Senior, why do you present yourself in such a state? Are you alright?”
At these words, a flood of emotions surged through the Dragon Bodhisattva. He said, “I… am not.”
“That pack of Yin-Yang Sect bastards chased me for millions of li. They nearly did me in.”
Hearing this, the Longbrow Real Person nearly burst out laughing inwardly, but he feigned concern on his face. “Senior, whatever did the Yin-Yang Sect have against you to pursue you so relentlessly?”
The Dragon Bodhisattva explained, “I had a scrap with their Holy Son. He lost, so he summoned three Nascent Soul powerhouses to kill me.”
“I am now at the peak of the Hollow Realm. A single Nascent Soul expert would pose no threat, but three at once…”
“That old hag is at the peak Nascent Soul stage, but half a step from the Divine Passage Realm. No choice, I had to flee for my life.”
Ye Qiu declared righteously, “To think that the Yin-Yang Sect, a top sect in the cultivation world, would act so unreasonably. It is utterly outrageous.”
“Hmph. One day, I shall pay a visit to the Yin-Yang Sect headquarters.”
“I will confront their Sect Master personally and demand why they treat you this way. I shall seek justice for you, Senior.”
The Dragon Bodhisattva felt a warm current surge through his heart at these words, his chest growing hot.
It had been ages since he heard such heartfelt encouragement. He was so moved he nearly teared up.
At the same time, his gaze towards Ye Qiu brimmed with admiration. He thought to himself, “This young man has spirit. He is worth befriending!”
Just then, a clamour arose from outside.
Ye Qiu hurried to the door and peered out. Turning back, he said, “Soldiers have arrived outside in droves. They are searching room by room. It seems they are hunting for you, Senior.”
“Senior, you must hide somewhere quickly.”
The Dragon Bodhisattva said, “The Yin-Yang Sect knows I am in this inn. Even if they dig three feet deep, they will find me.”
“There are three Nascent Soul experts outside, along with over ten thousand soldiers. The gates are sealed, and the protective array is up. I cannot escape.”
Sighing to the heavens, the Dragon Bodhisattva lamented, “Heavens above, why do you torment me so?”
“Senior, do not lose heart. There is always a way forward,” Ye Qiu said. “In a moment, I shall charge out and draw those experts away. You find a way to slip out from here.”
Ye Qiu’s words stunned not only the Dragon Bodhisattva but also the Longbrow Real Person.
Was this not just an act?
Why go all in for real?
“Little rascal, have you a death wish?” the Longbrow Real Person said. “With all those experts out there, charging out means certain death.”
Ye Qiu wore an expression of fearless resolve. He said, “You are the one I admire most, Senior. And Senior Long Yi has shown me great favour. If I can carve a path to survival for you, even at the cost of my life, I harbour no regrets.”
The Dragon Bodhisattva stared at Ye Qiu in a daze. In all his years, he had never met someone so principled. In that instant, all wariness evaporated from his heart, replaced entirely by gratitude.
“I do not wish to put you in peril either, but this could work. Young man, if you fall, I swear I shall avenge…”
The Dragon Bodhisattva’s words were cut short by the Longbrow Real Person.
“Senior, this poor Daoist overheard the Yin-Yang Sect folk earlier. They said you possess half a Saint’s array pattern, correct?”
The Dragon Bodhisattva nodded. “That is right.”
“Bring it out for me to see, quickly. This poor Daoist has the other half of a Saint’s array pattern.” The Longbrow Real Person said.
“Truly?” The Dragon Bodhisattva’s face lit up with joy. He hastily produced his half stone disc.
The Longbrow Real Person drew out his own half. No sooner had the two pieces drawn near than, like magnets to iron, they fused into one in an instant.
