Volume Three: Ten Directions of Dao Intent Chapter 79: Visiting Elder Ye

As the New Year approached, there was someone in Bin City whom, aside from a few cherished confidantes, he owed a debt of gratitude: Old Master Ye. With the holiday nearly upon them, it was imperative to pay his respects. He had prepared some gifts for the season and emerged from the basement alchemy chamber holding a porcelain vial. Within it was a pill he had painstakingly refined from a variety of precious herbs, a medicine capable of fortifying the body's foundation and prolonging life itself.

It had cost him a full ten million to produce just three of these pills, each one worth a king's ransom.

He considered, when the New Year was over, whether he should open an auction house and sell some of his treasures—after all, he now possessed quite a collection. Weapons, pills, even cultivation techniques—these were all spoils from defeating the Twelve Heavenly Kings.

The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. Yet a more pressing matter awaited: the refinement of the Enlightenment Pill.

Wang Kun and his team had worked with remarkable efficiency. In just a few days, they had gathered everything he needed, and the time to begin alchemy was fast approaching.

At the Provincial Government Compound—

After parking the car, he got out first. Leng Qianyou followed, stepping into the winter air. She watched as Qin Yang strode straight ahead, momentarily stunned.

By customary standards, when visiting elders in the mundane world, one ought to bring gifts. Yet Qin Yang carried nothing. Hadn’t he prepared presents?

Then, a realization dawned, and her exquisite face betrayed a touch of melancholy.

Damn it, he expects me to carry everything? Does he have no sense of sympathy? I’m a woman, after all—what happened to chivalry?

While her mind seethed in silent protest, a crisp voice chimed in, “Sister, let me help you.”

A bright-eyed young girl stood before her. Leng Qianyou nodded and handed her the lightest gift box—the one with tea leaves.

Together, the two of them walked inside.

Qin Yang, meanwhile, was already making his way forward. Noticing Leng Qianyou lagging behind, he felt a twinge of annoyance. Seriously? You’re a martial artist; carrying a few things shouldn’t slow you down this much.

He glanced back, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

“Brother Qin Yang!”

He quickly approached, eyeing Leng Qianyou. “What kind of example are you setting? You can’t even manage such a small load and let a minor carry it for you? What if the weight stunts her growth—will you take responsibility?”

“Isn’t that right, little sister?”

Since Qin Yang had saved her, the bond between the two had grown much closer.

Seeing Leng Qianyou teeter on the edge of anger, he hurried over and grinned apologetically. “It’s all to temper your state of mind. You get angry too easily—that’s not good. Think of the Enlightenment Pill, of the possibility of awakening another Dao intent, maybe even two.”

With that, Qin Yang strode confidently ahead. He took the tea leaves and, with an arm around Bai Lihe, guided her inside.

Now that the Ice Soul Constitution had been healed, Bai Lihe no longer carried that chilling aura. Years of consuming rare medicinal herbs had left her with a delicate fragrance.

It was, in fact, quite pleasing.

Were it not for propriety, he might have lingered there, earnestly telling Bai Lihe, “Little sister, you smell wonderful—let me savor it a little longer.”

Leng Qianyou glared at Qin Yang’s retreating figure, her teeth clenched in frustration.

If it weren’t for the armed guards everywhere, she would have lost her temper right then and there.

She hadn’t noticed before, but upon closer inspection, the girl before her possessed a cool, refreshing energy—the Dao intent of ice.

And yet, the girl was only fifteen or sixteen, her cultivation already at the peak of the Awakening Realm.

Qin Yang had always seemed monstrous in her eyes, but now, another prodigy appeared. She could only marvel at how many geniuses dwelled in this mundane world.

“Grandpa Ye, Hehe’s come to see you!”

A voice rang out from inside, as hearty and vigorous as ever.

“Hehe, you’re here! Come in quickly, the door’s not locked. Ah, my unfilial sons never visit, but you still do—each year, they’re more and more useless.”

Bai Lihe skipped inside, fluttering like a butterfly. Qin Yang watched her with a sense of wonder. Once, Bai Lihe had been a frail, sickly girl—when had she become so lively and adorable?

It seemed that her old illnesses had left no shadow at all; perhaps they’d even made her stronger.

“Old Master Ye.”

It had been several months since they last met. Old Master Ye greeted Qin Yang with genuine delight.

“Qin, you’re here as well! Wonderful, wonderful—come, sit down.”

Old Master Ye seemed in excellent spirits. Usually, he was alone at home, so the arrival of guests brought warmth and life to the house. As he pulled Qin Yang inside, he spotted a young woman approaching from outside and looked on in puzzlement.

Then, he gave Qin Yang a pat. “You rascal, you brought your girlfriend but didn’t introduce her?”

Uh…

“Child, come in and sit. It’s cold—wear more layers, don’t catch a chill.”

“Grandpa Ye, she’s not my girlfriend.”

Old Master Ye paused, then burst out laughing. “Not your girlfriend? Don’t tell me you’re married already! If you are, where was my invitation?”

Qin Yang could only sigh inwardly—Old Master Ye’s mind was as sharp as ever.

“No, no, she’s my bodyguard—a female bodyguard.”

Leng Qianyou’s mind reeled—of all things, did he really have to introduce her as a bodyguard? Why not just say nothing at all!

“Grandpa, look, I’m obviously his girlfriend, but he insists I’m just his bodyguard. Am I really that unattractive?” Leng Qianyou whined, eyes brimming with unshed tears.

Qin Yang was taken aback. He never expected that the usually aloof Leng Qianyou would play along with this worldly charade.

Damn those soap operas!

Sure enough, Old Master Ye feigned outrage. “Qin, this girl’s not bad at all—just accept her already. I understand the ways of men.” He winked mischievously as he spoke.

Leng Qianyou looked at the irreverent old man, utterly speechless.

Men—all the same.

“Grandpa Ye, since it’s the New Year, I’ve specially refined a few pills for you to try.”

Leng Qianyou, watching Qin Yang, recalled how he and his companions had all been busy with these pills. She hadn’t expected that he would gift them to Old Master Ye.

When the stopper was removed, a delicate fragrance wafted out; even a single breath was enough to make one feel refreshed and invigorated, as if every cell in the body had been renewed.

A priceless treasure! Old Master Ye’s eyes shone as if he'd just laid eyes on a national treasure, staring at Qin Yang in amazement.

He’d heard stories about this young man from his disappointing son and knew he was indeed extraordinary.

“All right, sit down—let me brew some tea.”

He surveyed his guests, his expression calm. Meanwhile, Leng Qianyou and Bai Lihe had quickly become fast friends, enthusiastically discussing idol singers—which ones were handsome, which ones were stylish.

He could only shake his head.

Honestly, Leng Qianyou, you’re an adult—don’t get so caught up in idol worship. It’s even worse to be setting a bad example for the pure-hearted Bai Lihe.