You Stay and Guard the Door for Me

Half an hour later, Yi Feng and the other two had finally eaten and drunk their fill.

"Thank you, Master Yi, for your generous hospitality. Qingshan and I shall take our leave now." When the time was about right, Old Ancestor Qingshan tactfully began to bid farewell.

"Alright, disciple, see our guests out for me."

Yi Feng burped contentedly and waved at the two of them before instructing Zhong Qing.

"Yes, Master."

Zhong Qing nodded respectfully, then escorted Old Ancestor Qingshan and Luolan Xue outside the Martial Arts Hall.

"Thank you, young master, for seeing us off." Outside the door, Old Ancestor Qingshan cupped his hands toward Zhong Qing and said politely.

"You are too courteous. Master said that you are welcome to come by anytime." Zhong Qing nodded.

"Good, good, good."

Old Ancestor Qingshan nodded gratefully. After another brief exchange of pleasantries with Zhong Qing, Zhong Qing finally returned to the Martial Arts Hall.

After parting ways, Old Ancestor Qingshan stood across the street, his face wreathed in a broad smile. Only after leaving did he discover that his newly broken-through Martial King realm, which had not yet been stable enough, had actually become incomparably solid.

Its solidity was even comparable to that of Martial Kings who had broken through decades ago.

"This trip was not in vain, even if I were to die without regrets!"

Old Ancestor Qingshan sighed with feeling.

How could he have imagined that, after nearly being forced onto a dead-end road by the Black Tortoise Ancestor, the situation would suddenly turn around, revealing a bright future beyond the shadows?

Of course, in his eyes, the greatest gain was not the breakthrough in his cultivation realm.

It was the improvement of his state of mind.

An improvement in one's state of mind was something one could encounter but never seek. Everything had to be comprehended by oneself. Yet Yi Feng's state of Return to Simplicity—his utter immersion in the mundane world, neither arrogant nor impatient—had given him much insight.

Beside him, Luolan Xue also wore a relaxed expression.

The huge stone weighing on her heart over having offended Yi Feng had finally fallen away.

For someone of such stature not only to refrain from holding her faults against her, but even to put aside past grievances and invite her to dinner, filled Luolan Xue with admiration.

Those so-called Favored Children of Heaven from the sects were probably as far beneath this senior as heaven was from earth.

"It is only that I still cannot see through that young man!" Watching Zhong Qing's retreating figure, Old Ancestor Qingshan gave a faint sigh. He still could not tell what was special about Zhong Qing.

But if there were nothing special about him, how could a great expert like Yi Feng have taken a liking to him?

"Xue'er, once we return to the Qingshan Sect, help me thoroughly search through the historical records. I want to see just what abilities that youth possesses to be able to become this senior's disciple," Old Ancestor Qingshan instructed.

"Yes."

Luolan Xue was clearly extremely curious about this as well. Not long after, the satisfied pair turned into two streaks of light and headed back to the Qingshan Sect.

After Zhong Qing returned, he automatically began clearing away the bowls and chopsticks.

Yi Feng glanced at Zhong Qing with satisfaction. Though he now had one more mouth to feed, finding such an obedient child as Zhong Qing made it worthwhile!

He walked into the backyard and was just about to throw himself onto the reclining chair when he suddenly noticed a dog at his feet staring straight at him.

"Hm?"

Yi Feng was startled. Wasn't this the dog he had dragged back?

Not only had it taken so many beatings in the street, it had also taken a kick from him. He had never expected the dog to survive. Earlier, he had even been planning to clean it up and turn it into hot pot.

What a tough dog!

The dog stared fixedly at him, its eyes seeming to carry a plea.

"What does this dog want?"

Yi Feng was puzzled.

Just as he wondered, the dog actually bent all four limbs and knelt before him, then began kowtowing.

Though kneeling to a human as the son of the Heaven Devouring Demon Emperor left Ao Qing feeling utterly humiliated, when he thought of how powerful this man was, along with the fact that he had no choice, he endured it.

"Are you begging me for mercy?"

Yi Feng looked utterly astonished. He had not expected this dog to be so intelligent.

Hearing Yi Feng's words, the dog nodded its head.

Seeing this, Yi Feng sighed. He had not expected the dog to understand human nature so well. It reminded him of a husky he had raised in his previous life, so he waved his hand and said, "Fine, fine. You're a living creature too. I won't hurt you, alright?"

At that, Ao Qing was overjoyed.

He was immensely glad that he had chosen to beg for mercy. Though kneeling before someone was deeply humiliating, this great expert seemed to have quite a kind heart after all!

Ao Qing lowered his head and repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

"Not bad..."

Yi Feng reclined in his chair and lifted the dog's chin with his foot, praising it.

Ao Qing's brows furrowed. What status did he have? Though he was not favored by the Demon Emperor, he was still a young master of the Heaven Devouring Demonic Wolf Clan. When had anyone ever lifted his chin with a foot? Fury immediately rose within him.

Even if you are strong, you cannot humiliate others like this!

Still, he gritted his teeth and endured.

After all, life was important, and freedom was important. Once he escaped this place, the sky would be high and the sea vast, and birds could fly wherever they pleased.

"Since you're so sensible, I happen to be short of someone to guard the door. You can stay here with me!" Yi Feng did not want to let such an intelligent dog go, so he added.

At those words, all the fur on Ao Qing's body stood on end.

His heart let out a miserable wail.

He had not expected this human still to have no intention of letting him go.

"What, you unwilling?" Yi Feng did not care whether the dog could understand him. He bent down and gave its head a vigorous rub.

Who would want to stay beside a freak like you?

Ao Qing was on the verge of tears.

This young master still had to prove himself. If he stayed here, it would be no different from having his freedom restricted. Maybe one day, when guests came over, Yi Feng would turn him into hot pot again!

But he could not reveal what he was thinking. Especially Yi Feng's question just now—it sounded particularly threatening to him!

He did not want the dog... no, wolf life he had struggled so hard to preserve to end up becoming hot pot again.

Thus, he could only suppress the grief, indignation, and reluctance in his heart and nod his head.

"Alright, then I'll give you a name." Yi Feng nodded with satisfaction, frowning as he pondered. "Now that there's Zhong Qing and you as well, money is getting a little tight. So I'll call you Wangcai. Bring our Martial Arts Hall some more business."

"Wang...cai?"

Ao Qing wailed inwardly.

At the very least, couldn't you give me a more imposing name?

Forget it.

It did not matter.

Being alive was already good enough.

But this damned human—he had originally thought him kind-hearted, but who would have thought...

Sure enough, humans were no good!

How could Yi Feng know that the dog could think so much? He merely took it for some unknown breed of mutt. Thinking that it was probably still hungry, he called out, "Disciple, don't waste those leftovers. Bring them over for your master."