Elder Longbrow did not go to the House of Joyful Red but instead went to the Ye family, where he was warmly received by Old Master Ye.
In the living room.
Elder Longbrow had one foot propped up on a chair, eating and drinking without a care, acting as if he were completely at home.
Soon, a bottle of Moutai was finished by him alone.
“Old Ye, I remember you have a fifty-year-old Moutai in your collection. Hurry up and bring it out,” Elder Longbrow urged.
Old Master Ye asked, “How is Ye Qiu?”
“Don’t worry, with me around, who dares to touch him? Who can touch him?” Elder Longbrow said, “He went to see the God of War.”
“Really?” Old Master Ye seemed skeptical.
“What, you don’t believe me?” Elder Longbrow said unhappily, “Even if you don’t believe my words, you should at least believe in my character, right?”
Character?
Do you even have that?
Shameless old man!
Old Master Ye cursed inwardly but maintained a smiling face, saying, “No rush with the drinking. First, tell me about what happened after Ye Qiu entered the city, and then I’ll drink with you until we’re both drunk.”
Elder Longbrow smirked, “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to, you old fox. Once I tell you, there’ll be no more wine. Hurry up and bring out the wine, and then I’ll tell you about Ye Qiu’s adventures in the city.”
“You should tell me first,” Old Master Ye said, “After you finish, I’ll bring out a jar of century-old Bamboo Leaf Green that I’ve been saving for you to taste.”
“Century-old Bamboo Leaf Green?” Elder Longbrow’s eyes lit up as he stared at Old Master Ye, “You’re not lying to me, are you?”
“It’s just a jar of wine. Why would I lie to you?” Old Master Ye chuckled, “Besides, you should trust my character.”
“I do trust your character, Old Ye. Last year, you asked me to divine a fortune for Ye Qiu, promising me a million, but you ended up giving me two million. That alone proves you’re a man of your word.”
“Alright, I’ll tell you about Ye Qiu’s adventures in the city.”
Elder Longbrow began, “As soon as Ye Qiu arrived at Xuanwu Gate, he was ambushed.”
“Old Ye, do you know who ambushed Ye Qiu?”
Elder Longbrow deliberately paused for effect.
Old Master Ye patiently replied, “I don’t know who it was, but I’m sure it must have been a master.”
“Wrong! The person who ambushed Ye Qiu wasn’t just a master—he was a top-tier master,” Elder Longbrow said.
“Who was it?”
“Blade Tyrant Cao Tianding.”
What?
Old Master Ye was shocked. Cao Tianding had made his move?
“Was Ye Qiu injured?” Old Master Ye asked urgently.
“Are you joking? With me around, how could Ye Qiu possibly get hurt?”
“However, I fought Cao Tianding for three hundred rounds under Xuanwu Gate, and I paid a heavy price to kill him.”
Elder Longbrow said with a pained expression, “I first exchanged over a hundred moves with Cao Tianding, and we were evenly matched. Then I used a hundred thunder talismans.”
“The thunder talismans I personally drew are incredibly powerful, a true weapon of mass destruction. Selling them to others would fetch at least a hundred thousand each. Sadly, all those talismans were wasted on Cao Tianding.”
“After using a hundred thunder talismans, Cao Tianding was only injured, not dead, and he still came at Ye Qiu with his blade.”
“You know how Ye Qiu’s skills are—he’s no match for Cao Tianding. If they fought, Ye Qiu wouldn’t even be able to block a single strike. Just as Ye Qiu’s life was in grave danger, I stepped in without regard for my own life and shielded him from Cao Tianding.”
“To ensure Ye Qiu’s complete safety, I risked my life to use the Dragon-Tiger Mountain’s secret technique, the Five Thunders True Method, and finally killed Cao Tianding. Because of this, I suffered severe backlash and nearly died. Fortunately, I took a secret elixir, which saved my life, but I won’t be able to use my inner strength for the next half month.”
Elder Longbrow said, “Old Ye, I risked my life to protect your grandson. Isn’t that enough?”
“Longbrow, thank you,” Old Master Ye said with genuine gratitude.
“Is that all?” Elder Longbrow was unsatisfied with Old Master Ye’s thanks.
“What else do you want?” Old Master Ye retorted.
Elder Longbrow put down his chopsticks and said, “Old Ye, Ye Qiu is your grandson. I risked my life to save him and used so many thunder talismans. All you’re giving me is a verbal thank-you. Isn’t that a bit insincere?”
“What do you mean?” Old Master Ye asked.
Elder Longbrow held up two fingers.
“I see. Later, I’ll have Shadow find you two women,” Old Master Ye joked, “Longbrow, I didn’t know you were so open-minded. One isn’t enough—you want two.”
“I’m not talking about women, I’m talking about money,” Elder Longbrow said, “Give me two million.”
“Oh, you want money? You should’ve said so earlier!” Old Master Ye said, “But you killed Cao Tianding and saved Ye Qiu’s life. Asking for only two million—is that appropriate?”
“What do you mean?” Elder Longbrow glared, his face filled with anger.
“Longbrow, don’t be angry. What I mean is, you saved Ye Qiu’s life. Asking for only two million seems too little,” Old Master Ye said, “I’ll give you three million!”
Three million?
Elder Longbrow was initially delighted, but then he grew wary. He knew Old Master Ye was a crafty old fox. Offering an extra million definitely meant there was a catch.
“Old Ye, since when have you become so generous?” Elder Longbrow glanced sideways at Old Master Ye, “Go on, what’s your condition?”
“They say you’re the world’s top diviner, and it’s true. Your ability to foresee things is truly impressive,” Old Master Ye first praised Elder Longbrow, then said, “Two million is to thank you for saving Ye Qiu’s life. The extra million is your payment. After taking this million, you’ll have to be Ye Qiu’s bodyguard for a year.”
“What? You want me to be that brat’s bodyguard? Old Ye, have you lost your mind?”
Elder Longbrow’s tone was harsh, “I’m the head of Dragon-Tiger Mountain, the third-ranked expert on the Dragon List. How could I possibly be someone’s bodyguard?”
“Besides, you’re only offering a million a year. Isn’t that an insult?”
“Then how much do you want?” Old Master Ye asked.
Elder Longbrow gritted his teeth, “At least five million.”
“Five million it is, then. Deal,” Old Master Ye agreed without hesitation.
Elder Longbrow was even more frustrated.
Only now did he realize that Old Master Ye’s earlier offer of a million was just a test to gauge his desired price.
If he had known, he would have asked for hundreds of millions right from the start.
What a loss!
Elder Longbrow glared at Old Master Ye and cursed, “You old fox.”
Old Master Ye smiled faintly and continued, “Longbrow, since you’ve agreed to be Ye Qiu’s bodyguard for a year, I hope you’ll accompany him tomorrow when he goes to the Bai family.”
