The iron box was ordinary, square, like a pencil case, with a small, delicate copper lock.
“Where’s the key?” Ye Qiu asked.
Qilin shook his head: “Jiuqiansui didn’t give me the key.”
Ye Qiu grasped the copper lock with his right hand, twisted it gently, and with a “click,” the lock opened.
Then, Ye Qiu opened the box.
A brand-new phone appeared in his sight.
Inside the iron box, there was nothing but the phone.
Ye Qiu took out the phone.
He powered it on.
A screen lock appeared.
“What’s the password?” Ye Qiu asked.
Qilin replied: “Jiuqiansui said the password is the date you first met.”
Ye Qiu thought for a moment, quickly entered a few numbers, and the screen unlocked.
Ye Qiu searched through the phone. It had no messages, no notes, no WeChat installed, only a video stored in the photo album.
He played the video.
Instantly, Jiuqiansui’s figure appeared.
Cao Yuan sat in a tent, dressed in a green robe.
Clearly, this video was recorded before he stormed the Witch God Sect’s headquarters alone.
Cao Yuan smiled and said: “Ye Qiu, when you see this video, I must already be dead.”
“Don’t grieve, because whether you’re a towering figure or an unknown peddler, death is everyone’s ultimate fate.”
“Birth, aging, sickness, death—it’s a process no one escapes.”
“Especially at my age, I’ve long made peace with death. To be honest, when I watched Su Zi burn at the stake years ago, I wanted to die and join her in the afterlife.”
“At that time, I was ready for death.”
“But the Witch God Sect didn’t kill me. They humiliated me, trampled my dignity.”
“It was their torment that rekindled my will to live. I swore to survive, to avenge Su Zi, to destroy the Witch God Sect.”
“That’s why I spent years planning and founded Longmen.”
“The Witch God Sect must regret not killing me back then, or they wouldn’t face such a formidable enemy today… I digress, let’s get to the point!”
“Ye Qiu, I know you have many questions. I’ll explain them here.”
“Are you curious why I suddenly attacked the Witch God Sect?”
Ye Qiu, seeing Jiuqiansui get to the main point, paused the video, walked aside, and resumed playing.
Cao Yuan said: “My original plan was to unify China’s underworld forces this year, then gather our core strength next spring to attack the Witch God Sect.”
“But a few days ago, I got word that the Witch God is coming out of seclusion.”
Witch God?
Ye Qiu was puzzled.
Who?
“You may not have heard of the Witch God. He’s the founder of the Witch God Sect, over a hundred years old, with formidable cultivation. When your father ranked the God List, the Witch God was second.”
What, the Witch God Sect has a God List second-ranked expert?
Ye Qiu was shocked.
Cao Yuan said: “Years ago, the Witch God had an accident while practicing, went mad, and his cultivation dropped to Tiger List level. After that, he vanished.”
“I thought he’d died after all these years, but it turns out this old thing is still alive, in seclusion, trying to restore his cultivation.”
“If he recovers, Longmen won’t be able to destroy the Witch God Sect anytime soon, and Longmen might even be wiped out by them.”
“So, I had to destroy the Witch God Sect before he emerges.”
“After the Witch God Sect crippled my cultivation years ago, I met a master by chance, who took me as a disciple and taught me martial arts. I’ve been secretly training, and I’ve cultivated five strands of true qi. Whether I can defeat the Witch God, I can only do my best and leave the rest to fate.”
“But if you’re watching this video, I must have failed.”
Cao Yuan’s tone was calm, as if discussing something trivial.
“Ye Qiu, I’ve entrusted the sect leader’s token to Qinglong to pass to you.”
“After my death, you’ll be the sect leader.”
“Though we haven’t known each other long, I trust you deeply. You’re loyal, trustworthy, broad-minded, upright, and your martial talent is extraordinary, with limitless potential. I’m confident entrusting Longmen to you.”
“I have two worries. First, I’m concerned Longmen’s morale will plummet after my death. Second, I worry about the ten thousand Longmen disciples I brought to Miaojiang, fearing they’ll face danger during retreat.”
“But I trust Qinglong and Qilin. They’ll find a way to lead the disciples through. If you and the War God come to their aid, they should escape Miaojiang alive.”
“Ye Qiu, I leave Longmen to you.”
“I hope you’ll lead Longmen to expand, unify China’s underworld, establish a new order, and make this society better.”
Hearing this, Ye Qiu silently vowed: Jiuqiansui, rest assured, I won’t let you down.
Cao Yuan continued:
“I didn’t call you for this attack on the Witch God Sect because I didn’t want you involved in this battle.”
“I don’t know the Witch God’s status, so I had no confidence in this fight.”
“Keeping you out was to ensure that if something went wrong, Longmen’s elite wouldn’t be completely lost.”
“You’re young, with a bright future. Your medical skills are exceptional, and you save lives. It’d be a pity if you died with me in Miaojiang.”
“Besides, I had to leave a few capable people for Longmen.”
“I hope you understand my intentions.”
Cao Yuan picked up a jug of wine, took a few big gulps.
“Drunk on the battlefield, don’t laugh; how many return from ancient wars?”
In that moment, Cao Yuan was like a general heading to battle.
His spirit soared.
Cao Yuan continued: “After years of planning, I finally set foot in Miaojiang again. I have no regrets.”
“Ye Qiu, you might not know, but I just got some news.”
“This news excites me. Guess what? Haha…”
Cao Yuan laughed heartily, tears streaming down his face.
Ye Qiu could tell they were tears of joy.
What made Jiuqiansui so happy?
Ye Qiu was puzzled.
Then, Cao Yuan’s expression turned serious: “Ye Qiu, I have a favor to ask.”
“Please take care of my daughter.”
“Oh, by the way, you know her. She works at your Jiangzhou Hospital. Her name is Su Xiaoxiao.”
