Blacksmith Shop

"By the way, Big Treasure, where have you two been these past six months? If you really can't afford to eat, come work for me. Don't worry, we're family. I'll definitely make sure you have food to eat."

Ye Dabao had been somewhat afraid of this cousin since childhood. He stood behind Ye Xiaobao without saying a word.

He had now completely handed the decision-making over to his younger brother. He understood that, whether in wisdom or status, his brother far surpassed him. As long as he did not cause trouble, that was enough.

Ye Xiaobao looked at his cousin, who had the same nasty look as his uncle, but he was not angered. Two Gold Soul Coins simply appeared in his palm.

"It's nothing. I just want to buy this Blacksmith Shop back."

"Cousin, you wouldn't disagree, would you?"

Hearing this, Ye Daqiang's face instantly darkened. With his status as an advanced blacksmith, the Blacksmith Shop brought in decent profits. How could he possibly bear to return it?

"Kid, what nonsense are you talking about? Two Gold Soul Coins? Keep dreaming."

"I'm telling you, if you keep spouting nonsense here, don't blame me for tearing your mouth apart."

Dong Bo's expression changed. Lowering his head, he said beside Ye Xiaobao, "Young Master, shall this old servant make a move?"

He clearly remembered that when the Pope had sent him to protect Ye Xiaobao, she had instructed him that even if it cost him his life, he must not allow Ye Xiaobao to suffer the slightest harm.

In his understanding, even verbal harm was unacceptable.

Ye Xiaobao shook his head with a smile. The real culprit had not appeared yet, so how could he make a move? Besides, he would not fight while his elder brother was here.

The commotion also alerted the shop hands inside. Three or four burly men with bare upper bodies strode out menacingly.

Seeing that he had the advantage in numbers, Ye Daqiang found his courage. A white soul ring lit up beneath his feet, and an iron hammer appeared in his right hand.

"Kid, I pitied you and kindly offered you food, yet you don't know what's good for you. You even covet my Blacksmith Shop. Are you itching for a beating?"

As he spoke, he waved the hammer.

Ye Xiaobao found it rather amusing. After all, it was genuinely difficult to find a white soul ring in Spirit Hall. The optimal soul ring configuration was standard issue there.

Just then, their uncle happened to arrive. Seeing a crowd gathered around the Blacksmith Shop, he thought something had happened and squeezed his way in.

When he saw the Ye Xiaobao brothers, he immediately shouted:

"Ye Dabao! What are you doing here?"

At the sound of his uncle's shout, Ye Dabao's body trembled. He still clearly remembered just how painful that beating had been last time.

But Ye Xiaobao was no longer the same as before. In his eyes, his uncle's family was not much better than ants on the road.

Seeing his uncle again, Ye Xiaobao could no longer hold himself back and asked:

"Uncle, forget the Blacksmith Shop for now. I just want to ask you: how exactly did my parents die? Who was the soul master who killed them?"

Ye Xiaobao stared fixedly at his uncle, a trace of killing intent in his eyes.

Upon hearing Ye Xiaobao's question, his uncle's eyes shifted evasively. But he quickly came to his senses. They were just two little brats—what did he have to fear?

"They were killed by a soul master, that's all. How would I know who it was?"

"If you want to know, ask your dead parents."

Ye Xiaobao listened through clenched teeth. He truly did not want to reveal his identity. If others learned that he was the Pope's disciple, Ye Dabao would never be able to return to the ordinary life he had always dreamed of.

Of course, this matter would not end so simply!

After learning from Ye Daqiang that Ye Xiaobao had come for the Blacksmith Shop, their uncle's eyes rolled as he said:

"As for this Blacksmith Shop, it's not like I can't give it to you."

Ye Dabao had still been upset, but the moment he heard that the Blacksmith Shop could be returned to him, his eyes lit up. He asked impatiently:

"Really, Uncle? You can really give the Blacksmith Shop back to us?"

Their uncle revealed a wicked smile.

"Of course I can give it back to you. But it'll cost ten thousand Gold Soul Coins!"

"What? Ten thousand Gold Soul Coins? Has he gone mad from wanting money?"

"Exactly. At most, it's only worth three or four hundred Gold Soul Coins."

The onlookers began discussing it among themselves. In Spirit City, an ordinary family spent only a dozen or so Gold Soul Coins a year.

Ye Xiaobao did not take it seriously. With a casual wave of his hand, a huge pile of Gold Soul Coins appeared before them.

"Count them. There are exactly ten thousand Gold Soul Coins here."

When had their uncle ever seen so many Gold Soul Coins? He immediately pounced on them, scooping them into his arms handful by handful, afraid someone would snatch them away.

He had only meant to name an outrageous price to scare the two children off. He had never expected them to actually have the money. The sudden appearance of the Gold Soul Coins also caught him completely off guard.

Ye Daqiang's eyes were filled with nothing but Gold Soul Coins.

The surrounding passersby could not help but exclaim in amazement.

"So many Gold Soul Coins—does that child really have that much money?"

"That was a Storage Soul Tool just now, wasn't it? That's not something ordinary people can possess. I heard there are only a few on the entire continent."

Someone in the crowd recognized the Storage Soul Tool. After all, this was Spirit City, and there were still people with knowledge here.

"Uncle, are these Gold Soul Coins enough?" Ye Xiaobao still wore a smile.

"Enough, enough! Da Qiang, hurry! Go get the deed!"

Afraid that Ye Xiaobao might change his mind, their uncle slapped Ye Daqiang and urged him to hurry.

Before long, Ye Daqiang brought out the property deed from the Blacksmith Shop and handed it to Ye Xiaobao.

Ye Xiaobao accepted the deed and immediately gave it to Ye Dabao behind him. Like he had received some precious treasure, Ye Dabao carefully folded it and tucked it into his clothes.

Their uncle's attitude changed as well. He sidled over with a grin and said:

"Xiaobao, you've really made it big. Your uncle always knew you would amount to something. Now that you've made it, don't forget your uncle."

Ye Xiaobao nodded. Of course he would not forget. How could he forget such wonderful relatives? Besides, they would meet again very soon.

Their uncle had someone load the Gold Soul Coins onto a carriage, then left excitedly with Ye Daqiang. Even as he departed, he did not forget to say goodbye, acting as though they were one big happy family.

Meanwhile, Ye Dabao excitedly wandered around the Blacksmith Shop.

Touching this and touching that.

He was as delighted as a child weighing over one hundred and fifty pounds.

Although Spirit Hall had provided every kind of delicacy over the past six months, what he missed most was still the Blacksmith Shop their father had left behind.

After night fell, the two ate a simple meal at the Blacksmith Shop before returning home to pack their things.

Ye Xiaobao had wanted to buy Ye Dabao a better house, but Ye Dabao refused.

Ye Dabao knew that Ye Xiaobao had his own path to walk. He did not want to become a burden to his younger brother, so he only accepted a Gold Soul Card that Ye Xiaobao had prepared for him.

"Xiaobao, you don't need to worry. I'll take good care of myself."

In the middle of the night, Nolan Street Church.

The moon in the sky was already obscured by dark clouds, leaving only the two lamps at the church entrance casting their light.

Yun Chuan paced back and forth at the entrance while Dong Bo waited quietly beside him.

They had waited at the church entrance for a long time. Judging by his clothes, Yun Chuan had clearly become a purple-robed bishop.

Naturally, this was because he had discovered Ye Xiaobao, the Pope's disciple. Such a contribution was enough to ensure a bright future for him.

Only the former bishop was unfortunate. Who told him to know too much?

"Young Master, you've arrived."

When Yun Chuan saw Ye Xiaobao, he hurried forward with a flattering expression. Dong Bo merely bowed in greeting before taking his place behind Ye Xiaobao.

"Where is he?"

Ye Xiaobao asked coldly, without any expression on his face.

"Young Master, he is in the church hall. I've sent everyone else away. Shall we go over now?"