That Bastard Old Man

"You've gone mad?" Ye Yu frowned at Cangyun.

Only then did Cangyun come to his senses. Looking at Ye Yu, he nearly burst into tears, wailing, "You brat, I thought you'd been crippled! You scared me to death!"

"Huh?" Ye Yu frowned, utterly confused.

Cangyun then told him about mistaking Ye Xuan for Ye Yu in the imperial palace.

Ye Yu was immediately speechless. This old man was still the same as before, his head full of nothing but pill refining; he could not even tell people apart.

Situ Guang, standing nearby, snorted coldly. "Ye Qingwan is certainly something. She treats trash like Ye Xuan as a treasure. Does she really not know who Great Yan Dynasty has relied on to reach where it is today?"

Others might not know, but Situ Guang knew perfectly well. As one of Great Qin Dynasty's Guardians, he naturally knew everything about the neighboring dynasties.

After Emperor Emeritus Ye Zhentian of Great Flame died, Great Yan Emperor Ye Fan became a hands-off ruler.

From then on, Ye Yu, the former Crown Prince of Great Yan, took over the affairs of the court. After he set down several national policies, Great Yan entered an era of vigorous growth.

Only after Ye Yu went to the Nine Nether Blood Spring did Ye Qingwan take charge of the court, and Great Yan's national strength visibly entered a period of stagnation.

"It doesn't matter. They'll handle their own affairs themselves." Ye Yu waved a hand indifferently. In his previous life, these matters had troubled him. He had given his all, only to die at those people's hands in the end.

"Hehe, a Rank 7 Pill refined in just two hours. If they found out, their intestines would turn green with regret." Situ Guang chuckled.

Cangyun's eyes flew wide open. He stared fixedly at Ye Yu, stepped forward, and seized his shoulders. "Two hours? You only used two hours?! How did you do it?!"

"You want to learn? Acknowledge me as your master, and I'll teach you." Ye Yu looked at Cangyun and smiled.

Cangyun's mouth twitched. Those were the very words he had once said to Ye Yu. After a long while, he shook his head. "Forget it. I walk my own path, and you have your own methods."

While the three chatted inside the inn, Ye Qingwan and the others grew anxious. Ignoring Nangong Wushe's attempts to stop them, they descended at once and headed straight for the inn.

The people from the other major dynasties all sneered at the sight.

The Great Yan Royal Family was full of brainless fools.

Nangong Wushe could only brace himself and follow, protecting Ye Qingwan and Ye Xuan.

Just as Ye Qingwan was about to knock, the inn doors opened and Cangyun walked out.

"Master... Master Cangyun." The moment Ye Qingwan and Ye Xuan saw Cangyun, their faces lit up with delight. They had never expected him to be here. Did that not mean Cangyun had an extraordinary connection with that Seventh-Rank Alchemist?

They were foolish, but not idiots. They would not naively believe that Cangyun had been the one refining pills earlier.

Upon seeing Cangyun, the people from the other dynasties also descended one after another and bowed to him. Given Cangyun's status as a Rank 6 Alchemist, he deserved such respect.

"What are you here for?" Cangyun's tone was cold. Situ Guang had just told him about what Ye Yu had endured these past days. Facing these two ungrateful wretches, he truly could not muster any goodwill.

At his words, Ye Qingwan nudged Ye Xuan beside her and gave him a meaningful look.

Ye Xuan understood at once. He immediately dropped to his knees, kowtowed to Cangyun, and said, "Ye Xuan has come to take Master Cangyun as his teacher."

It now seemed certain that Cangyun was connected to that mysterious Seventh-Rank Alchemist. As long as he entered Cangyun's sect, Cangyun could recommend him. With Ye Xuan's talent, perhaps that Seventh-Rank Alchemist might even take a liking to him.

"Heh, take you as my disciple? I wouldn't dare teach you, lest you bite me someday after growing up. Go seek another master." Cangyun sneered.

Everyone present was stunned. They could not understand why Cangyun was speaking in such a tone. This was no mere refusal.

Wasn't the Third Princess of Great Yan said to be Cangyun's disciple? Why was he acting like this?

Ye Xuan raised his head and looked at Cangyun, a flash of venom passing through his eyes. He was the Crown Prince of a dynasty, yet he had knelt publicly without regard for his dignity. It was one thing for Cangyun to refuse him, but what did those words mean?

"Master Cangyun, what do you mean by this? Is my younger brother not outstanding enough? If even this cannot catch your eye, then what sort of person can?" Ye Qingwan said unhappily.

Nangong Wushe's expression changed drastically at her words, while the others froze on the spot.

Had Ye Qingwan gone mad? She actually spoke to a Rank 6 Alchemist like that?!

Yet Ye Qingwan did not think there was anything wrong. In her eyes, Cangyun was her younger sister's master and a person of Great Yan. Since he was from Great Yan, he ought to listen to her—just as Ye Yu had to.

Cangyun's expression turned cold, and just as he was about to fly into a rage, Ye Xuan suddenly cried out, "Brother?!"

Only then did everyone look behind Cangyun. Ye Yu and Situ Guang were seated inside the inn, chatting merrily.

The people from several dynasties immediately darkened their faces. They had never expected Great Qin to beat them to the punch.

Ye Yu raised his head and gave the two of them a bland glance, too lazy to pay them any attention. He continued telling Situ Guang how to take the Life Profound Origin Pill and how to maximize its medicinal potency.

Given Situ Guang's condition, if he took it properly, he might even directly break through to the Nascent Soul Middle Stage.

"Brother, why did you slander me?" Ye Xuan lifted his head, his face full of grievance.

Ye Qingwan also came to her senses at that moment. She immediately connected it with Cangyun's earlier attitude and said coldly, "You dog! It wasn't enough that you're worthless yourself; now you can't stand seeing Xiao Xuan doing well either. How did our Great Yan Royal Family produce a bastard like you?!"

"If Xiao Xuan cannot become Master Cangyun's disciple today, just see how I deal with you!"

As soon as those words fell, the people from the various dynasties frowned. On their way here, they had heard of Ye Yu's treatment over recent days, but now it seemed that what they knew was merely the tip of the iceberg.

The Guardians were even more shocked. They could clearly sense a trace of dangerous aura from Ye Yu.

This youth, who looked harmless to man and beast, was likely far from ordinary.

"Brother, I know you dislike me, but you needn't go this far. If I can become Master Cangyun's disciple, it will benefit all of Great Yan. Even if you will not think of me, at least consider the people of Great Yan." Ye Xuan looked heartbroken.

The sight nearly shattered Ye Qingwan's heart. She immediately reached out, channeling spiritual power to seize Ye Yu, only for Situ Guang's cold snort to stop her.

Ye Yu was sick of hearing it. He then said, "You bastard old man, deal with the trouble you brought here, and do it quickly. Don't disturb our rest."

At that form of address, everyone outside except Ye Qingxuan and Ye Xuan sucked in a breath of cold air.

Even Nangong Wushe stared at Ye Yu in shock. He actually spoke to Cangyun like that?!

But Ye Yu was clearly no fool. Since he dared speak to Cangyun this way, he must have the confidence to do so.

Ye Qingwan, however, sneered. If he dared speak to Cangyun like that, there was no need for her to act—Cangyun would make Ye Yu suffer until he could not bear it!

Ye Xuan also looked at Cangyun expectantly, as though he could already see Cangyun killing Ye Yu!