"Now, Ye Chen had already concluded that the *Xuanqi Breathing Technique* was taught to the old man by Tie Kuangyun... Although the specific reason remained unclear, if the old man had ever heard the name 'Ye Kunlun', the mystery would be solved!!"
**Chapter 33: Paying Homage to the Grand-Master**
Hearing this name, the old man trembled all over, dropped to his knees on the spot, and cried out loudly, "Your humble grand-disciple, Jiang Yongan, pays respects to the Grand-Master!!"
Grand-Master?
Hearing this title, Ye Chen could not help frowning slightly.
It seemed that Tie Kuangyun had taken the old man as a disciple. Only... Tie Kuangyun could not be considered Ye Chen's closing disciple, so Ye Chen had no intention of accepting this unearned seniority as a grand-master.
"Get up first. You can drop the title of Grand-Master."
Ye Chen waved his hand gently, then asked, "How did Tie Kuangyun come to take you as a disciple?"
One had to know that Tie Kuangyun was only just past forty this year, while the white-haired old man before him was at least seventy years old.
Therefore, Ye Chen was very curious about how Tie Kuangyun had suddenly taken the old man as a disciple.
"Two years ago, this humble grand-disciple... no, it was this old man. When this old man was young, I suffered internal injuries, and visiting famous doctors everywhere proved useless."
"Later, I met Master by the lakeside. He was already seriously wounded at the time, so he begged me to do one thing: before his death, to bury his family properly..."
"At that time, my internal injuries flared up, and seeing Master covered in wounds with nowhere else to turn, I couldn't help feeling a shared sense of sympathy, so I agreed to him."
"I chose a geomantic treasure spot for Master's family and buried them with great honor."
"As a result, when Master left, he taught me the *Xuanqi Breathing Technique*... At the time, I was filled with despair, having visited so many famous doctors without harboring any hope. Later, when my hidden ailments flared up again, I decided to treat a dead horse as if it were still alive and tried it out. After practicing it for several months, not only did my hidden ailments disappear, but my internal strength was also growing day by day!!"
"But Master had already left Jinling. Before leaving, he only said one sentence: his Grand-Master's name was Ye Kunlun, and today, since I have learned the *Xuanqi Breathing Technique*, I am the Grand-Master's grand-disciple..."
As he spoke, Jiang Yongan dropped to his knees once more and said, "Master showed this disciple the grace of saving his life, and he once mentioned the Grand-Master's name, so... I beg the Grand-Master not to expel this grand-disciple from the sect."
Beside them, the melon-seed-faced young woman was completely dumbfounded.
She never dreamed that this detestable young man before her eyes was actually her grandfather's grand-master?
Wouldn't that make her lower in seniority than him by one, two, three, four generations?
At this thought, the melon-seed-faced young woman's snow-white and frost-like pretty face instantly turned as shy and angry as a fully ripened red apple.
"This is not the summit of Kunlun Mountain."
Seeing the sincerity in the old man's eyes, Ye Chen nodded and said, "This time, upon returning to Jinling City, I only want to peacefully and steadily enjoy the rest of my life with my wife and daughter. Therefore, when others are around, you should still call me Mr. Ye! As for when no one is around, you may call me Master."
Having said this, Ye Chen glanced quietly at the melon-seed-faced young woman beside them.
*If Jiang Yongan calls me Master, wouldn't this little girl be my great-great-grand-disciple?... Is that how it's calculated?*
Ye Chen thought to himself with utter boredom, even finding it a bit amusing.
"This is my granddaughter, Jiang Wanqing. Wan'er, why don't you come quickly and pay respects to the Grand-Master!!" Jiang Yongan barked sternly.
"I..."
Jiang Wanqing was almost crying with anger. She was completely soaked and in an utterly wretched state, yet the person who had driven her to this condition was precisely the Grand-Master her grandfather kept talking about.
How could she possibly bring herself to utter the words "Grand-Master"?
"I... Grandpa, I, she..."
"Forget it, there's no need to bog down in such formalities. Go back early, change into a clean set of clothes, and try not to catch a cold."
Ye Chen had no intention of making things difficult for Jiang Wanqing. After letting her off the hook, he turned back and asked Jiang Yongan, "The five major families of Jinling City—aside from the Lin Family, which was wiped out, there are also the Zhou Family, the Wang Family, the Jiang Family... and the Jiang Family?"
"Yes!" Jiang Yongan immediately bowed and explained, "Our Jiang Family is indeed one of the five major families of Jinling City, just like the Jiang Family that shares the same sound! Grand-Master, if you intend to live in Jinling City for long in the future, you can command this disciple at any time..."
"Good, you have a heart."
Ye Chen nodded lightly. He had gone out for a morning jog today, never expecting to pick up a grand-disciple along the way.
It really made... one not know what to say.
With that, Ye Chen turned and left... It was getting late, and it was time to go back and have breakfast with his wife and daughter.
"Respectfully sending off Master."
Seeing that Ye Chen was about to leave, Jiang Yongan hurriedly bowed and knelt. However, when he saw Ye Chen approaching Youlong Villa, he was instantly shocked and muttered, "It... it really is true... Yesterday, thousands of luxury cars ran rampant, and bigwigs from all quarters made their moves. They really did come to attend the Grand-Master's wedding."
Yesterday, Jiang Yongan had witnessed some parts of the wedding at Lushui Villa.
At the time, he had been wondering just what bigwig was getting married that could stir up so many prominent figures...
Later, after those bigwigs dispersed, the Third Young Master of the Jiang Family brought some thugs and bulldozers, directly surrounding Youlong Villa and even threatening to raze the villa to the ground!!
Jiang Yongan had known about all these things, but since it was none of his business, he was too lazy to interfere.
After all, the Jiang Family was not someone to be trifled with!!!
"The one opposing the Grand-Master turns out to be the Jiang Family...?"
Once Jiang Yongan reacted, his brow immediately furrowed. *Master once said that the Grand-Master is an immortal, and his strength is beyond what we can fathom... Doesn't that mean today, with the Jiang Family making an enemy of the Grand-Master, they are dead for sure!?*
At this thought, a hint of murderous intent surfaced in Jiang Yongan's eyes as well.
Since he now knew Ye Chen's identity, he could not simply sit by and watch this matter... At the very least, he had to make the Jiang Family pay a price for yesterday's actions!!
...
As for Ye Chen, he did not think that much.
Returning to Youlong Villa, he first went to the kitchen and ladled out bowls of the porridge he had prepared beforehand.
Then he used some batter to make a few scallion oil pancakes, sprinkling a little sesame on top as they came out of the pan. The golden, fragrant pancakes emitted a rich aroma of scallions mixed with pan-fried dough, which, combined with some sesame seeds, porridge, and side dishes, made for a rich and delicious breakfast.
For Xiao Ningning, Ye Chen even peeled two eggs.
After placing everything on the table, Ye Chen went upstairs to call the little one down for breakfast.
At that moment, Xia Qingyue was already awake and helping Xiao Ningning braid her hair into twin horns. Xiao Ningning had a look of unhappiness on her face, but the moment she saw Ye Chen, she was pleasantly surprised and cried out, "Daddy, Daddy, you're back! Where did you go? Why didn't you take Ningning with you...?"
"Daddy went to make breakfast."
Ye Chen walked over, scooped his daughter into his arms, and said, "Let's go, come downstairs and try Daddy's cooking."
"Yay, yay!"
Xiao Ningning wrapped her arms around Ye Chen's neck, planted a heavy "Mwah~" kiss on his cheek, and said in a milky yet very earnest voice, "Ningning loves Daddy the most~!"
"Little traitor..."
Seeing her daughter's affectionate intimacy with Ye Chen, Xia Qingyue lovingly ruffled her daughter's soft hair. Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly noticed a long strand of hair caught on Ye Chen's clothes...
The hair color and thickness of that strand were completely different from Xiao Ningning's hair... And Xia Qingyue hadn't even touched Ye Chen yet since waking up.
*Could it be... P* Xia Qingyue thought, her expression turning somewhat unnatural!
**Chapter 32: The Old Tombs of Nanshan**
Xia Qingyue quickly shook the thoughts out of her mind. Although she didn't understand why there was a long strand of hair on Ye Chen, she believed that Ye Chen would never do anything to betray her.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing Xia Qingyue somewhat dazed, Ye Chen asked curiously.
"It's nothing..."
Xia Qingyue hastily changed the subject. "It's getting late, let's go downstairs and have breakfast."
At that moment, Xia Junjie, his wife, and Xia Qingcheng had also woken up. They sat down at the dining table with a certain sense of restraint.
To be honest, the three of them still felt a bit guilty even now... Just what kind of background did this Ye Chen have? Yesterday, he had sent Jiang Feichi flying with a single punch. If he had no background, the Jiang Family would have played him to death!
Yet, they didn't dare to ask directly, after all, this fellow Ye Chen looked like someone who wasn't to be trifled with.
After breakfast, Xia Junjie and his wife took their backpacks and left for work. After hesitating for a moment, Xia Qingcheng said, "Sis, I'm heading to school..."
"Alright, take your time on the road," Xia Qingyue said, taking Xiao Ningning's hand and making her wave it. "Say goodbye to Auntie."
"Goodbye, Auntie," Xiao Ningning said in her milky voice.
"Such a good girl, goodbye Xiao Ningning. Sis, I'm leaving..."
Picking up her schoolbag, Xia Qingcheng hesitated for a few seconds before finally saying, "Goodbye, Brother-in-law!"
Following yesterday's events, Xia Qingcheng's view of Ye Chen had been constantly shifting... At first, she looked down on him, then came shock, and after that, doubt!?
Although she still couldn't figure out Ye Chen's true identity, one thing was certain: Ye Chen loved her older sister deeply.
And that was enough!
"Goodbye."
Hearing Xia Qingcheng call him brother-in-law, Ye Chen couldn't help smiling and said, "Be careful on the road."
After everyone left, Ye Chen accompanied Xiao Ningning to play in the living room for a while before saying, "Wife, I want to take a trip to Nanshan... You and Ningning stay at home."
"Do you want to go see adoptive father and younger sister?" Xia Qingyue asked. "Or how about Ningning and I go with you!"
"Ningning's injuries have just healed, you shouldn't go."
Ye Chen glanced outside and said, "In January, the temperature around Nanshan is too low... In some places, it might even be iced over! I'll go by myself... Besides, I also want to visit my adoptive father and younger sister's graves."
"Alright then..."
Hearing this, Xia Qingyue could only nod obediently.
...
Half an hour later, Ye Chen arrived at Nanshan.
Nanshan was not far from Jinling City. After driving out of the outer ring road and traveling more than thirty kilometers, he reached Nanshan.
There were a few small villages at the foot of Nanshan, originally named Wang Village, Su Village, Liu Village... Later, after urban planning, they were merged into a single village called Nanshan Town.
Relying on his memory, Ye Chen quickly arrived at the entrance of a narrow alley.
Seeing this narrow alley, Ye Chen's emotions inevitably stirred, and he continued walking inward... until he stopped at the third doorway.
He saw that the wooden door of this household was severely damaged, leaning crookedly against the doorframe, and the smashed iron lock was already rusted.
"Adoptive father, Mumu... I'm back."
Looking at the heavily damaged wooden door and the wildly growing yellow weeds at the entrance, Ye Chen's eye sockets began to sting.
He clenched his teeth, walked over to straighten the wooden door, and then stepped into the courtyard step by step!
The courtyard was even more dilapidated, filled entirely with withered weeds, which, combined with cracked red brick walls, made Ye Chen's heart swell with a mixture of myriad emotions...
This place was where he had grown up for twenty years!
Ye Chen still remembered how, when he was young, he often accompanied his adoptive father, Su Tianhao, in the courtyard to play Chinese chess, while his younger sister, Su Mumu, sat obediently beside them, eating a popsicle while cheering Ye Chen on, occasionally letting Ye Chen take a bite of her popsicle!
Yet all of this had long since changed beyond recognition and vanished completely!
"The Zhou Family!"
Thinking of the tragic deaths of his adoptive father and younger sister, countless waves of murderous intent erupted in Ye Chen's eyes.
Five years ago, he had just graduated from university. With his outstanding grades and abilities, he quickly found a well-paying job.
On payday, Ye Chen brought Su Tianhao and Su Mumu into the city, wanting to treat them to food, drinks, and a day of fun... But unluckily, that day they ran into a drunk Zhou Tianyi.
Upon seeing Su Mumu, Zhou Tianyi used his alcohol-fueled courage to flirt with her. How could Ye Chen stand by and watch Su Mumu being bullied? Grabbing a wine bottle, he blocked Su Mumu's path.
How could a single wine bottle scare the arrogant Young Master Zhou?
Thus, Zhou Tianyi backhanded Ye Chen across the face, then had his men pin Ye Chen down as he rushed forward and ripped Su Mumu's clothes with a *rip*.
"Beasts, you animals, I'll fight you to the death!!"
With bloodshot eyes, Ye Chen went wild, swinging the wine bottle in his hand. Ignoring the kicks and blows landing on his body, he lunged forward and shoved Zhou Tianyi away... As a result, in the struggle, the broken wine bottle in Ye Chen's hand slashed across Zhou Tianyi's throat.
In less than a few minutes, Zhou Tianyi was dead.
After that, the Zhou Family issued a kill order against Ye Chen. As one of the five major wealthy families, killing a penniless, backgroundless nobody like Ye Chen was as easy as pie for the Zhou Family!
That very day, Su Tianhao's house caught fire!
Although the family of three managed to escape, they had exhausted all their strength... As soon as they sat down to rest, more than ten men in black holding sabers rushed over.
Adoptive father Su Tianyang was stabbed to death on the spot. He tightly shielded Ye Chen and Su Mumu beneath him, while he himself suffered dozens, nearly a hundred slash wounds!
And later on, Su Mumu, whose injuries were severe, could no longer hold on... Only Ye Chen was left, dodging the relentless pursuit of the Zhou Family. Originally, he had planned to bury his adoptive father and younger sister before committing suicide to leave this world.
But then he met Xia Qingyue!
Later still, Ye Chen left Jinling City...
Now that he had returned once more, Xia Qingyue had given birth to a daughter for Ye Chen, yet his adoptive father and younger sister had already...
With a long sigh, Ye Chen went inside the house to look around, and after making sure there were no keepsakes left behind by his adoptive father and younger sister, he headed toward the direction of Nanshan.
Halfway up Nanshan was a graveyard. Whenever someone from the nearby villages passed away, most of them were buried on Nanshan.
Although his adoptive father's remains had already been transferred by Ye Chen to a high-end cemetery in Jinling City, Hua Yuntian had said that only his adoptive father's bones were in the old Nanshan tombs, while his younger sister Su Mumu's whereabouts remained unknown...
With this thought in mind, Ye Chen decided to go back to the old Nanshan tombs to inspect them once more!
Ye Chen moved extremely fast. A climb up Nanshan that would take an ordinary person a full hour took him less than ten minutes to reach the mountainside.
Just as he was about to approach, Ye Chen suddenly noticed a young man kneeling in front of the empty graves of his adoptive father and younger sister, burning paper money to pay his respects...
"Huh?"
Seeing this, Ye Chen frowned slightly. His adoptive father's remains had already been relocated, so what was this person still paying respects to?
Something was wrong!
With a cold gaze, Ye Chen quietly made a detour around toward the man...
**Chapter 33: Childhood Playmate**
However, once he clearly saw the young man's face, his eyes suddenly trembled, and he could no longer hold back as he cried out, "Erniu!!"
"Ah?"
Erniu was slightly startled. After turning his head and staring at Ye Chen for a few seconds, his eyes suddenly grew moist: "Ah! You, you're Ye Chen, Little Ye!! Ye Chen, you're not dead, you're not dead!!"
As he spoke, Erniu leaped up, then lunged forward to hug Ye Chen, shouting loudly, "Am I dreaming? You're really back, Little Ye!"
"It's me, you're not dreaming!"
A smile finally appeared on Ye Chen's face. "I'm back, and I'm not dead... Erniu, how, how did you end up like this?"
Erniu was a childhood playmate of Ye Chen's.
Later, after graduating from elementary school, Ye Chen went to Jinling City for middle school.
Erniu had poor grades, and lacking any talent for studying, he didn't go to middle school, choosing instead to stay behind in the village to help with farming.
Even so, every time Ye Chen returned from Jinling, he would look for Erniu to play, bringing along Su Mumu. The three of them would go up the mountains to pick wild fruits and down the river to catch fish, and their relationship was very harmonious.
Erniu's real name was Niu Tiebing. He was strong and sturdy, with arms thicker than Ye Chen's calves, and his strength was shockingly great.
Yet now, Erniu was not only skin and bones, but his face was covered in a thick, rough stubble—completely different from his former robust and sunny appearance. If Ye Chen hadn't grown up with him since childhood, he almost wouldn't have recognized this childhood playmate.
"It's nothing, nothing. I lost weight after falling ill."
Erniu didn't want to talk about his own affairs. He grabbed Ye Chen's arms with both hands and said, "Little Ye, it's great that you're back. I even dreamed of you yesterday, haha... We were having a pissing contest into the river. I never expected you'd actually come back, hahaha, this is perfect... It's just that Uncle Su and Mumu couldn't come back... Their, their graves were dug up by someone."
With that, Erniu actually burst into tears, sobbing aloud.
This big man, standing 1.9 meters tall and even taller than Ye Chen, just openly wept.
"Erniu, don't cry... My adoptive father's grave was dug up by my orders. I buried him in a place with good geomancy."
Ye Chen patted Erniu's arm and said, "Stop crying. This time I came back to investigate matters concerning Mumu. Erniu, do you know where Mumu's remains are?"
"Her coffin wasn't right next to Uncle Su's?"
Erniu asked with a puzzled look. "That day, we dug the graves together..."
"..."
Ye Chen remained silent and said no more. Erniu had never been very bright since childhood; judging by his appearance, nothing could be squeezed out of him.
"What's wrong? Is Mumu's body gone?" Erniu asked curiously.
"It's nothing..."
Ye Chen gently shook his head. "Since it's already an empty grave, there's no need to pay respects."
With that, Ye Chen leaped straight into the grave pit to begin his inspection... Unfortunately, because too much time had passed and people were constantly walking around the area, no clues could be found through separate inspections.
"Little Ye, why did you jump into the grave pit?"
"Get out quickly, get out quickly, doing that is bad luck..."
Urging him on, Erniu said, "Hurry up and come out. Since you've relocated Uncle Su and Mumu, we can pay our respects to them somewhere else next time. Little Ye, come home with me, I'll slaughter a chicken and we can have a few drinks together, alright? I opened a small restaurant in the village, and business is doing pretty well!"
"Alright!"
Grateful that Erniu frequently came to pay respects to his adoptive father and younger sister, Ye Chen nodded in agreement.
As the two of them chatted, they headed down the mountain.
An hour later, Erniu dragged Ye Chen into a small restaurant, saying, "Little Ye, this is the restaurant I opened. I'm in charge of cooking, and my wife is in charge of the register... I..."