Chapter 70: Don’t Ask—It’s Just Like This

This battle left the Fallen Leaves Sect gravely wounded. Of the ten stewards who came, four perished; among the three elders, two fell; and out of thousands of disciples, barely a thousand managed to flee.

Ye Jiuyao watched the survivors scatter and promptly ordered Xuan San and the others to withdraw back into the Tongxuan Sect. With so many people still outside, he dared not risk Xuan San’s safety. After all, the hearts of men are fickle; if any of the bystanders outside harbored malicious intent, Xuan San and his companions could find themselves in danger. It’s not the open enemies one fears, but those who stab you in the back. Thus, Ye Jiuyao commanded everyone to return within the Tongxuan Sect.

“Ha ha ha, that was exhilarating! What a fight!”
“Yes, absolutely!”

Voices echoed in agreement with Xuan San’s words, but Nangong Mingyue’s face was icy, her gaze cold as she looked at Xuan San.

“Ah, ha ha... The sky looks quite beautiful today.”
“Yes, it does... Beautiful sky…”

Everyone noticed Nangong Mingyue’s expression and quickly tried to play along with Xuan San, hoping to smooth things over.

Meanwhile, Ye Jiuyao, supporting Zhen Di Diao, wore an expression of utter disdain.

“Old man, what’s your name again?”
“Zhen Di Diao!”
“Truly low-key? Very low-key?”
“Yes, Zhen Di Diao. Emperor Scar Diao, that’s my junior brother.”

Ye Jiuyao was speechless. The two brothers had certainly chosen remarkable names. One was Emperor Scar Diao, who failed to keep a low profile and was killed. Now there was Zhen Di Diao, whose grand entrance lasted barely three seconds before almost being killed by his own formation. The two brothers lived in earnest: if they didn’t die being low-key, they died bursting out in their supposed low-key ways. How similar their careers were. If you don’t believe it, savor it, contemplate it carefully.

Seeing Ye Jiuyao and Zhen Di Diao chatting merrily, Nangong Mingyue and the others drew near to join the lively scene.

“Do you know him?” Ye Jiuyao turned and asked the group, but received only shaking heads, of course excluding Xuan San and Nangong Mingyue.

“Zhen Di Diao, former elder. After Emperor Scar Diao was promoted to sect master, he proclaimed himself Grand Elder.” Nangong Mingyue revealed Zhen Di Diao’s identity without the slightest courtesy, and Ye Jiuyao immediately felt he was dealing with someone important.

“Old man, you gave yourself the title? No wonder so few know you—it’s just your own self-indulgence.”

Ye Jiuyao mocked mercilessly, and Zhen Di Diao felt his blood surge, almost spitting it out from his chest.

Zhen Di Diao was feeling quite depressed. He thought he could be the hero who saved the sect, but couldn’t they spare him a little dignity? But then, thinking it over, it seemed the sect hadn’t been saved by him, but rather by others. He felt like he might explode with frustration.

“Old man, your blood is drying up. Want to break through?”
“Go away, don’t bother me…”

Zhen Di Diao couldn’t take it anymore and snapped at Ye Jiuyao. But when he realized something was off, he saw Ye Jiuyao’s face darken.

“Fine, old man, I’ll show you what it means to have a grandfather!”

Ye Jiuyao waved his sleeve and left. Outside, the crowd watched them with strange expressions. A half-step Sage Lord, yet his status in the Tongxuan Sect was so low, and the others, under Nangong Mingyue’s oppressive presence, seemed utterly shameless. Yet their cultivation levels were terrifyingly high.

“Sigh, truly, fools are blessed with fortune!” someone in the crowd sighed. Hua Mingfeng just smiled and slipped away, unnoticed by anyone.

The people of Xuantian Town, seeing the battle ended, knew they could watch but must not linger. Their own forces were nothing compared to the mighty ones present. Staying too long would only invite suspicion, so they too departed in turn.

It was as if the great battle had never happened. If not for the bloodstains on the ground and the shattered peaks and boulders, no one would have believed it.

***

Xuantian Town, Xuantian Tavern.

“Have you heard? Tongxuan Sect seems to have a new sect master…”
“Really? Is that so?”
“You didn’t see it?”
“Tell me about it—I couldn’t make it, my wife was giving birth that day…”

Soon, Ye Jiuyao’s name was spreading throughout Xuantian Town, and people began speculating about his origins. Some said Ye Jiuyao was Emperor Scar Diao’s illegitimate son; others claimed he was the disciple of a great power; still others said he belonged to a mighty sect just passing through.

Rumors spread like wildfire, but whether Ye Jiuyao knew or not—he certainly didn’t. He was far too lazy, already back in the Tongxuan Tower, fast asleep.

Nangong Mingyue, out of respect for Emperor Scar Diao, brought Zhen Di Diao back to the Tongxuan Tower. At this point, Zhen Di Diao was close to death. His face was dark, anger spilled from the corner of his mouth, and there was no sign of life on his brow. Such a person would not live more than three days.

Nonetheless, Nangong Mingyue held out hope that Ye Jiuyao could save him, so she brought Zhen Di Diao to the first floor of Tongxuan Tower.

But Ye Jiuyao was sprawled on the ground, snoring loudly. Nangong Mingyue wondered if she’d come to the wrong place. She backed out, checked the plaque, confirmed she was correct, and entered again.

“Ye Jiuyao!”

Nangong Mingyue shouted directly, startling Zhen Di Diao beside her.

“When you’re old, you can’t handle surprises,” Zhen Di Diao muttered, casting a resentful glance at Nangong Mingyue. She ignored him, keeping her stern face.

Yet Ye Jiuyao’s snoring only grew louder.

“If you don’t get up, Zhen Di Diao will die, and I won’t let you off!”

“If the old man wants to die, let him. And don’t yell at me; it wouldn’t take me a minute to deal with you. But since you’re not bad at heart, I won’t hold it against you.”

Ye Jiuyao spoke casually, his gaze never even falling on Nangong Mingyue and Zhen Di Diao.

“You…” Nangong Mingyue was speechless.

“Forget it, the kid’s just boasting. He’s young—I understand.”

“Heh, old man, why not call me grandfather? Maybe I’ll teach you to break through.”

“Hmph, never! I still have—”

“Qi rising from the dantian, the left meridian flows, the right meridian absorbs…”

Ye Jiuyao recited a lengthy passage, interrupting Zhen Di Diao’s unfinished words. Zhen Di Diao’s face showed increasing shock.

“Grandfather!”

Suddenly, Zhen Di Diao knelt.

Nangong Mingyue was utterly bewildered, her eyes wide with disbelief as she looked from Zhen Di Diao to Ye Jiuyao.

Who am I?
Where am I?
What is happening here?

Three consecutive existential questions left Nangong Mingyue completely lost. Only Ye Jiuyao smiled.

“Good boy, I’ll teach you. It’s very simple.”

Ye Jiuyao patted Zhen Di Diao’s head and smiled as he spoke.

Soon, Ye Jiuyao finished explaining.

Nangong Mingyue remained in a daze, unable to understand how Ye Jiuyao’s words could have made Zhen Di Diao kneel and call him grandfather.

“This is called the ‘True Fragrance Principle.’ Don’t ask—if you do, that’s all you’ll get.”

Ye Jiuyao, seeing Nangong Mingyue’s confused expression and hesitant manner, spoke first.