“Alright, to begin with I never expected that you bunch of trash from Dongsheng could actually be any help, so whether you are here or not makes no difference. As long as the few of you in charge listen obediently." The green-clothed man spoke coldly.
Hearing this, the people of Dongsheng's faces darkened with resentment. However, compelled by the pressure from the green-clothed man, they had no choice but to hang their heads low and respond: “Senior, please give your orders.”
“We have come to Dongsheng at the order of Lord Duan to investigate the matter of the Ancient Statue. We may be staying for a period of time, so you will need to fully cooperate with us during this time.”
“The first thing is that you need to find a place for us to stay.”
As he spoke, he cast his gaze upon one of the beauties.
“I heard that your Valley of Peerless Beauty only accepts female disciples?”
“Yes, that is true, senior.”
The beauty responded with dark expression and bowed her head.
“That's fine, your Valley of Peerless Beauty shall be where this emperor stays henceforth. Prepare for it.” The green-clothed man said in an ordering tone.
His tone, that left no room for objection, sounded harsh to the beauty's ears.
She also knew that in the coming days, many of the disciples of the Valley were likely to suffer.
Yet she had no choice but to agree.
“The second thing is...”
The green-clothed man continued.
Everyone's heart clenched with dread, and they quickly turned their gazes towards him.
“What are you afraid of?”
The green-clothed man's voice was cold.
“No...nothing...”
Everyone stammered and faltered, attempting to conceal their unease.
“Hmph, a bunch of trash.”
Disdain was apparent on the green-clothed man's face as he uttered in solemn tone: “The second thing is that I require a map from you, especially of the Nansha Region in your domain of Dongsheng.”
Seeing that it was just a map, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
One of the elders quickly took out a map and spoke in low voice: “Senior, coincidentally I have one here.”
The green-clothed man received the map and frowned as he examined it.
“Sire, your orders?”
His six subordinates stepped forward in a timely manner.
“One month ago, Lord Duan used astrological orientation to divine that the Ancient Statue lies within this Pingjiang City in Nansha.
The green-clothed man pointed to a small corner on the map as his voice rang out leisurely.
“However, yesterday before we set off, Lord Duan divined it once more, yet completely lost track of the Ancient Statue. It seems some power has concealed its whereabouts. But in any case, this statue had definitely appeared in Pingjiang before. So that place must be investigated by us.”
“Therefore, the six of you are to immediately set out for Pingjiang City. I care not whether you investigate openly or secretly, you must uncover some clues regarding the Ancient Statue.”
“Yes.”
The six bowed solemnly.
“I shall await your message in the Valley. But remember, the Ancient Statue is no trivial matter, it concerns Lord Duan's return to the mortal realm, so there is no room for carelessness. If you discover anything, do not act rashly and report back to me first.”
“Understood.”
The six bowed respectfully again before transforming into six rays of light that sped towards Pingjiang City.
As for the green-clothed man, he gave a cold smirk before heading off to the Valley of Peerless Beauty with the beauty.
Pingjiang City.
Baofeng Restaurant.
“Master, why have you been frowning worriedly these days?” Luo Lanxue asked in soft voice as she looked at Lu Qingshan beside her.
“Ah, I was just thinking about Sir Yi!”
Lu Qingshan downed a cup of wine and shook his head, saying: “In the past few months, I've been seeing Sir less and less. I'm afraid he has already forgotten about me.”
“If you wish to find Sir Yi, why not just go look for him?” Luo Lanxue suggested.
“Ah, you’re still young after all.” Lu Qingshan sighed and shook his head. “Someone like Sir Yi cannot be bothered without reason. Not only would it disturb him, I would feel bad about it myself!”
“That makes sense.”
“Sir Yi is an extraordinary man. How could the likes of us associate with him?”
Luo Lanxue also frowned sorrowfully, a hint of melancholy apparent in her eyes.
“Ah, disciple. I know what you have on your mind.” Seeing Luo Lanxue's expression, Lu Qingshan gave a sigh. “Many times I've seen you holding Sir Yi's books, lost in thought, often brooding alone at Qingshan Peak. But this is simply impossible. Just give up on it!”
“I know.”
Luo Lanxue nodded listlessly, her eyes dimmed with gloom.
She had never voiced out this feeling of hers, yet unexpectedly her master was able to discern it.
It didn’t matter if he knew. Just brooding over it was satisfying enough for her. There was no hope of anything happening.
“Let us master and disciple have a drink!” Lu Qingshan said bitterly. “In the future, look for Sir Yi less, in case we disturb him. We shall remember Sir Yi's kindness, and render our full assistance if he requires anything of us in days to come.”
“Mm!”
Luo Lanxue nodded lightly and raised her wine cup.
But right before they tipped their heads back to drink, a voice rang out from outside.
“Boss, you have guests. Looks like big business.”
Hearing this, master and disciple were instantly roused. They quickly got to their feet and looked towards the doorway.
Sure enough, a familiar figure strode in.
He was still clad in pristine white robes, looking as immaculate as ever, with a perpetual genial smile about him that made people instantly warm up to him.
With but one glance, it tugged at their heartstrings.
“It’s Sir Yi, Sir Yi is here!”
The two were just about to eagerly rush forward to greet him.
But they spotted over thirty boisterous people following behind Yi Feng, and Lu Qingshan halted in his tracks.
He scrutinized this group intently, utterly astonished by what he saw.
“Master, why aren't you going over to greet Sir Yi?” Luo Lanxue asked anxiously.
“Ah, I'd like nothing more, but just look at the people behind Sir Yi...”
Lu Qingshan shook his head as he remained rooted to the spot.
“Wha, what about them?”
Luo Lanxue sounded puzzled.
“They are not as simple as you think. I suspect those are over thirty Martial Emperors!” Lu Qingshan declared.
“What?!”
Luo Lanxue gasped, nearly crying out in shock.
“With Sir Yi, nothing should faze us anymore.”
Lu Qingshan gave a sigh. Although his own cultivation was insignificant, and he couldn't even discern the level of these people, after following Yi Feng for such a long time, his discernment and various other aspects had improved tremendously.
With but a glance, he could tell that every single one of these people could shake Dongsheng with a stamp of their feet. Even if they weren't Martial Emperors, they had to be at least nearing that realm.
Moreover, as his eyesight improved, he realized that the Pingjiang City under his sect Qingshan Sect was far less simple than it seemed.
Though it was his territory with him as boss, he didn't even dare speak loudly as he walked the streets of Pingjiang.
“So surrounded casually by Martial Emperors, what right do the likes of us master and disciple have to intrude? We cannot even compare to shrimps before Sir Yi!”
Lu Qingshan said bitterly. “Let us not add to Sir Yi’s trouble by mingling uninvited!”
“You are right!”
Luo Lanxue fully agreed with Lu Qingshan’s words, shaking her head even more dismally.
In Sir Yi’s presence, in the presence of those dozens of Martial Emperors, what were they worth?
In Sir Yi’s eyes, their master and disciple pair probably did not even qualify as passers-by!