She could clearly feel that her body was different from before.
Previously, she had always felt that her vital energy and blood did not circulate smoothly. Furthermore, her hands and feet were cold year-round, rarely ever warm.
But now, Bai SuyI's vital energy and blood flowed with absolute smoothness throughout her entire body. Moreover, her hands and feet were also beginning to warm up.
This meant her condition was taking a turn for the better. And all of this was thanks to Ye Qingyun applying fire cupping for her.
"No need to thank me. Bringing joy to others is my greatest pleasure." Ye Qingyun said casually.
Bai SuyI and the other three women all firmly imprinted those words in their minds.
*Bringing joy to others?*
Was this the breadth of mind possessed by a supreme expert? In a cultivation world as cruel as this, to be able to help others simply for the joy of it—truly, only someone detached from the worldly realm like Ye Qingyun could possibly do so.
Instantly, the three women felt an even deeper reverence for Ye Qingyun.
"Young Master Ye, I also have a matter I wish to consult you about." Chu Yanyu looked at Ye Qingyun with a pleading expression.
"Go ahead. Is it that you want to try fire cupping too?"
Chu Yanyu shook her head. "It's that my Prince Pingxi's Estate has run into trouble."
"What kind of trouble?" Ye Qingyun asked out of curiosity.
"It's the Song Family of Xiling. They want to seize my father's fief and take away our Chu Family's heirloom." Chu Yanyu said with lingering fear, "Last time Xiaoqing and I escaped into the mountains, we were being hunted down by people from the Song Family."
Bai SuyI chimed in from the side, "The Song Family harbors wild ambitions. Relying on their close ties with the current Prime Minister, Cao Yuanhua, and colluding with the Grand Elder of the Taihao Sect, they make life extremely difficult for Prince Pingxi's Estate."
Xu Jing'er frowned, muttering to herself, "The Xiling Song Family... I think I've heard of them."
"My father and I are truly at our wits' end. We beg the supreme expert to give us guidance and save our estate!" As she spoke, Chu Yanyu moved to kneel before Ye Qingyun.
Ye Qingyun quickly stopped her. "Sigh, you're the family of a prince, after all. How did you end up getting bullied this miserably?"
Ye Qingyun was somewhat speechless.
Chu Yanyu wore a look of utter shame.
Although the Chu Family held the title of Prince Pingxi, they were, after all, princes of a different surname. In the Tianwu Dynasty, such princes did not wield all that much real power.
The Xiling Song Family, however, was different. Not only were they a prominent martial arts clan teeming with experts, but they also had connections to the current Prime Minister and the Taihao Sect. How could Prince Pingxi's Estate possibly be a match for the Song Family? They were barely even able to protect themselves, let alone stand up against the Song Family.
If not for the Song Family still being somewhat wary of the prestige carried by Prince Pingxi's title and not daring to act too overtly, the Song Family's strength would have flattened the estate long ago.
"Young Master Ye, please save Yanyu." Bai SuyI pleaded as well.
Ye Qingyun let out a sigh. "Actually, this matter isn't very difficult to resolve."
Bai SuyI and Chu Yanyu were both stunned.
The threat of the Song Family had been like a thorn in the back for the entire Prince Pingxi's Estate, and they had never found a countermeasure. They hadn't expected that in Ye Qingyun's eyes, it didn't seem like a difficult task at all.
"We beg Young Master Ye to point the way!"
Ye Qingyun pointed outside the door. "Didn't you all see? The bigwigs who can help you are standing right outside. You shouldn't be asking me for help—you should be asking them."
Chu Yanyu and Bai SuyI froze completely.
They exchanged glances. It sounded rather reasonable, come to think of it.
Standing outside were the Sect Master of the Xuanjian Sect and His Majesty, the current Martial Emperor. As long as these two could be persuaded to intervene, what threat could a mere Song Family possibly pose? Could they really turn the heavens upside down?
"Why didn't I think of this earlier?" Chu Yanyu slapped her own forehead, inwardly cursing herself for being so slow-witted.
She had already shared hot pot with Xu Changfeng and Dongfang Su, yet she hadn't even thought of asking the two of them for help. How utterly stupid she had been!
And so, Ye Qingyun led the three women out to the courtyard.
"Sect Master Xu, Your Majesty, there's a matter I'd like to discuss with you both." Ye Qingyun took the initiative to speak.
After all, Chu Yanyu had come to him for help first, and these various groups had gotten to know one another through him. No matter what, he needed to bridge the gap for Chu Yanyu.
Xu Changfeng and Dongfang Su both looked over at Ye Qingyun.
"What are the supreme expert's instructions?"
Ye Qingyun couldn't be bothered to argue about the title anymore; he was already used to it. Right away, he explained Chu Yanyu's situation to the two men.
"That's how it is. I'm just a free spirit with no real ability to help her, so I can only ask the two of you to extend a helping hand."
Upon hearing this, both Xu Changfeng and Dongfang Su were at a loss for words.
If even you count as having no ability, what does that make us? Trash?
"Rest assured, Supreme Expert. Since that Song Family is on good terms with the Taihao Sect, I will personally make a trip to the Taihao Sect and have a proper talk with Chen Gongwang." Xu Changfeng was the first to state his position.
He was arguably the one who had benefited the most from Ye Qingyun. First, relying on the heavenly treasures gifted by Ye Qingyun, he had broken through his cultivation realm and won the Tri-Sect Martial Assembly. His three disciples had also experienced massive cultivation boosts right here at Ye Qingyun's place, and even he himself had gained profound insights. With such great kindness bestowed upon him, how could Xu Changfeng possibly refuse such a small favor?
"Many thanks, Sect Master Xu! Many thanks, Sect Master Xu!" Chu Yanyu was immensely grateful, thanking him repeatedly.
Dongfang Su stroked his beard slightly. "I never imagined that right under my very nose, such unbridled tyranny could take place."
Anger burned within Dongfang Su's heart. He had been completely in the dark about this affair.
"I will absolutely not sit idly by and ignore this. Since that Song Family has friendly ties with Prime Minister Cao Yuanhua, I shall go ask Cao Yuanhua whether he is the one backing the Song Family from the shadows, allowing them to be so wildly arrogant!"
Chu Yanyu was overjoyed. "Many thanks, Your Majesty!"
With Xu Changfeng and Dongfang Su stepping forward, Prince Pingxi's Estate would be completely safe. No matter how powerful and arrogant the Song Family was, in the eyes of Xu Changfeng and Dongfang Su, they were mere ants.
At that moment, the Song Family had no idea that their fate had already been completely arranged.
Having finished their hot pot and gained their respective rewards, everyone felt thoroughly satisfied and took their leave of Ye Qingyun.
Ye Qingyun watched as they departed. "Sigh, it's quiet again."
Looking at the empty courtyard, Ye Qingyun felt a slight sense of desolation. He still very much enjoyed a lively atmosphere.
"It's too stuffy up on the mountain. Tomorrow, I'll go down to the mountain and walk around."
The next day, Ye Qingyun locked up the courtyard gates. Taking Damao and the Rabbit with him, he headed down to a market at the foot of the mountain.
It was quite lively there, with a massive crowd of pedestrians coming and going. Ye Qingyun arrived at a teahouse and found a nice spot to sit down.
At that moment, a storyteller in the teahouse was passionately spinning a tale, spittle flying from his lips. The guests inside the teahouse were listening with rapt attention.
However, Ye Qingyun burst out laughing upon hearing it.
"What an outdated story."
Hearing him laugh, the storytelling old man immediately glared over at Ye Qingyun. The other patrons in the room cast furious looks at him as well.
"This young master, what are you laughing at?" the old storyteller asked with some displeasure.
Ye Qingyun quickly waved his hand. "Nothing at all. Please continue, old sir."
The storytelling old man withdrew his gaze and resumed his tale. But only a moment later, Ye Qingyun snorted out another laugh.
The old storyteller looked over at him once more. The other patrons in the teahouse glared at Ye Qingyun again.
"Kid, we're listening intently here. What kind of trouble are you trying to stir up?" A man stood up and rebuked him loudly.
Ye Qingyun ignored the man and instead looked at the old storyteller. "Old sir, have you been telling this particular segment for many years?"
The old storyteller was taken aback. "What does the young master mean? I have been telling this story for decades, and every time I recount it, it captivates the entire hall of guests. Yet for some reason, the young master bursts out laughing repeatedly? Could it be that my tale is laughable to you?"
Ye Qingyun waved his hand dismissively. "Not at all. It's not that your story is laughable, old sir, but rather that this tale is simply far too outdated."
Upon hearing this, the old storyteller sneered coldly. "Hah! I have been storytelling for thirty years, and this story of the Green-Sword Swordsman has been beloved ever since it came out, enduring through all these years. Why does the young master claim it is outdated?"
The other patrons also began to chime in with accusations against Ye Qingyun.
"Who knows where this young man came from, yet he dares to call the story of the Green-Sword Swordsman outdated?"
"Such a classic tale could be passed down for a hundred years and still endure."
"A wet-behind-the-ears punk running his mouth wildly—who knows how his elders taught him at home..."
Seeing so many people supporting him, the old storyteller grew even more smug. "Young man, come give me an apology here before the old man, and today's affair will be considered water under the bridge."
This was demanding that Ye Qingyun apologize to him.
Originally, Ye Qingyun didn't want to argue with him over anything. But if you're going to pull rank and rely on your age to bully others, then he simply couldn't let it slide.
"Why should I apologize? Did I say something wrong? Your story is indeed old and full of clichés; it's so boring. I could tell a better one if I went up there myself."
As soon as these words left his mouth, the old storyteller burst into loud laughter. "Hahaha! Having practiced storytelling for so many years, I have never seen such an arrogant young man. Very well, very well! Today, this old man will yield this spot to you. Come, come! Let this old man hear what kind of nonsense an arrogant young man like you can spout."
The old storyteller stepped right down from the platform.
Ye Qingyun wasn't stage-frightened in the least. "I'll tell it, then! If your livelihood gets snatched away by me, don't blame me."
The old man gave a contemptuous smile. "I, Old Man Huang, have been storytelling for thirty years, and this is how I earn my rice. If a young man like you can snatch away my livelihood, I'll kowtow to you three resounding times on the spot right now."
Ye Qingyun stared at Old Man Huang. "Is that a promise?"
"It is."
"Did you all hear that?"
"All the guests present can serve as witnesses!"
Old Man Huang was brimming with confidence, utterly disbelieving that Ye Qingyun could tell a better story than he could.
Are you kidding me? The profession of storytelling might look simple, but it was actually extremely difficult. Old Man Huang had practiced storytelling for thirty years, learning the craft from his father; he could be considered part of a storytelling lineage. Which storyteller nowadays didn't have decades of honed skill under their belt?
"Let's see what this brat can come up with."
"Today's youths really don't know the immensity of heaven and earth."
"I reckon in a moment he'll be bowing his head in shame and apologizing to Old Man Huang."
A crowd of patrons waited eagerly to watch a good show.
Ye Qingyun stood upon the stage, calm and collected, with a tranquil expression. He picked up the clapper.
*Crack!*
The crisp snap carried quite the storyteller's flair.
"Today, I, Ye Qingyun, shall tell a tale right here before all of you."
"However, this story I'm about to tell is one that perhaps none of you have ever heard before."
"This story is called The Legend of the Condor Heroes!"
Everyone was stunned.
*The Legend of the Condor Heroes?*
Truly unheard of. And the name itself sounded rather peculiar.
The corners of Old Man Huang's mouth turned down in a sneer. "Utterly nonsensical."
Ye Qingyun smiled slightly and launched right into it.
"A hundred years ago, there was a dynasty named the Southern Song. It was a perilous era plagued by the flames of war and foreign invasion."
"The story we are telling today took place precisely in those times."
"On that particular day, snow fell in a blinding storm as a Daoist priest walked across the snow, passing by a place called Niejia Village."
"This Niejia Village..."
Initially, everyone held a dismissive attitude as they listened. But as the narrative progressed, everyone gradually became completely engrossed.
Especially when they heard about the tragic calamities that befell the families of Yang Tiexin and Guo Xiaotian, quite a few patrons slammed their palms angrily onto the tables, boiling with rage.
"This Wanyan Honglie is truly despicable!"
"Damned scoundrel!"
"It's hateful that Qiu Chuji didn't kill him!"
Old Man Huang was somewhat dumbfounded. He hadn't expected the story Ye Qingyun told to be so magnificent and gripping. Merely this opening segment had already completely immersed the patrons present.
Seeing this, Ye Qingyun smiled inwardly. *I may not be a professional storyteller, but the stories in my head are vast as an ocean; I could talk for a hundred years and still not finish them.*
He continued with the tale of The Legend of the Condor Heroes, going all the way up to the fierce battle between the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan and Qiu Chuji at the Misty Rain Tower, followed by both parties making a pact to go search for the descendants of the Guo and Yang families respectively.
"Now, the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan journeyed all the way northward toward the northern desert, seeking the vast expanses of the frontier."
"Finally, in the northern desert, they tracked down a child—none other than the descendant of the Guo and Yang families from years ago!"
*CRACK!*
Ye Qingyun suddenly struck the clapper once more, startling the entire hall of guests.
"If you wish to know what happens next..."
"Tune in for the next installment!"
With that, Ye Qingyun cupped his fists toward the crowd.
The patrons snapped out of their trance as if waking from a dream.
"Why did he suddenly stop?"
"Keep talking!"
"Who on earth is the child the Seven Freaks found?"
"Is it the descendant of Guo Xiaotian? Or the descendant of Yang Tiexin?"
"Quickly, go on!"
Everyone was filled with immense dissatisfaction. They were listening with such delight, only to be cut off right at this juncture—how could anyone endure this?
Ye Qingyun smiled faintly. "Ladies and gentlemen, I am not a professional storyteller."
The crowd froze one by one. Only then did they react.
The real storyteller, Old Man Huang, was still standing right over there at the back.
They turned their heads in unison.
They saw that Old Man Huang's face was completely dejected, his entire person looking as though his spirit and energy had been drained away. His mouth opened slightly as if he wanted to say something, but nothing came out.
Old Man Huang had been deeply shocked by the story Ye Qingyun told. Compared to the tale Ye Qingyun shared, that so-called story of the Green-Sword Swordsman was indeed far too outdated. There was simply no comparison. This right here was what you called a real story.
Suddenly, Old Man Huang burst into tears. "After all these years, this old man has truly been nothing more than a frog at the bottom of a well."
Ye Qingyun scratched his head. *Why is he crying now?*
Just as he was about to step down from the stage, he saw a middle-aged man hurry over to the front of the stage and bow deeply toward him.
"Young Master, I am the manager of this teahouse. Might I ask if you would be willing to continue telling a segment for the patrons?"
The teahouse manager had stepped forward.
Originally, he had been watching from the sidelines. Seeing Ye Qingyun go up on stage to speak, he had felt sheer disdain in his heart. After all, having watched Old Man Huang tell stories here for so many years, he knew Old Man Huang's capabilities very well. What could a young man like him possibly accomplish up there? He would inevitably make a complete fool of himself.
Yet he never expected that the effect of Ye Qingyun's storytelling would be good to an absurd degree, completely overshadowing Old Man Huang.
Just looking at these patrons clamoring to keep listening was enough to show how wildly popular the segment Ye Qingyun had just told really was. This was an effect Old Man Huang had never achieved in all his years.
How could the teahouse manager possibly sit still? He rushed right out to invite Ye Qingyun to continue storytelling inside his establishment. Teahouses and storytellers had always complemented one another; if a teahouse wanted its business to boom, securing a good storyteller to perform long-term was an extremely effective method.
Ye Qingyun shook his head. "I am not a storyteller. If you want to hear stories, have that old gentleman continue."
With that, Ye Qingyun gracefully stepped down from the platform.
Old Man Huang felt utterly disgraced. He knew full well that even if he wanted to go back on stage to tell stories right now, the crowd probably wouldn't want to listen anymore. The tale of The Legend of the Condor Heroes was simply too captivating; those outdated stories of his were no match for it whatsoever.
"Old sir, this junior made a fool of himself just now."
Ye Qingyun was quite polite, bowing deeply toward Old Man Huang. He didn't want to bully anyone; he had merely been swept up in a momentary competitive urge, which was why he went up to tell that segment. Now that the desired effect had been achieved, naturally he wouldn't push his luck and leave the man unable to save face. After all, Old Man Huang made his living through storytelling—ruining a man's livelihood was bad form.
"Sigh, it is this old man who should be apologizing to you." Old Man Huang offered a bitter, self-deprecating smile, cupping his fists and bowing to Ye Qingyun in return.
Ye Qingyun quickly stepped forward to support Old Man Huang. "You mustn't do that."
Old Man Huang let out a sigh. "This old senior would like to ask the young master—was that story of *The Legend of the Condor Heroes* written by you?"
Ye Qingyun smiled mysteriously. "Not at all."
"Oh? Then I wonder who authored it?"
Ye Qingyun's gaze grew distant. "This story was written by an old gentleman surnamed Jin. That man possessed learning that spanned heaven and earth, a being akin to a Saint of Literature."
Old Man Huang wore a look of utter shock. A Saint of Literature? That was the equivalent of an immortal being.
"Where might this Elder Jin be located? This old man wishes to go pay him a visit."
Ye Qingyun shook his head. "Elder Jin passed away long ago."
Old Man Huang felt a pang of regret. "That is truly a great pity."
Ye Qingyun smiled. "Though Elder Jin has passed, he left behind countless magnificent stories for us descendants."
Old Man Huang glanced around the room and, seeing that all the patrons were staring at them, smiled bitterly. "Young Master, you had best go back up on stage to tell another segment. Otherwise, these guests won't let you leave easily."
Those patrons were all fixing their gazes on Ye Qingyun, looking as though they wanted nothing more than to tie him right back onto the stage.
Ye Qingyun couldn't help a wry smile. "Very well then, I'll tell one more segment for everyone."
Ye Qingyun stepped back onto the platform. Before he even spoke, a wave of cheers erupted.
Old Man Huang also sat below with an expectant expression, eager to hear just how brilliant Ye Qingyun's next part would be.
Ye Qingyun continued with the story of *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*, while everyone listened with rapt attention.