Chapter 1897: Late-Night Visitor

Huang Lao simply has no interest in being any Protector of the Way; given his status and position, his strength and cultivation, among the younger generation of the Immortal Realm, who could make him a Protector of the Way?

Even those few kids who are currently the talk of the town, Huang Lao hasn't paid them much heed.

This Bai Yuan really dares to think, actually wanting him to be a Protector of the Way, to guard a junior.

Seeing Huang Lao about to turn away, Bai Yuan hurriedly said.

"Senior, please wait a moment; this time that Ye kid is indeed extraordinary, his talent needs no saying, he's utterly a top-tier Yāoniè, compared to those few brats in the Immortal Realm, he's not weak at all."

"And his Chúyì, I, as a junior, am absolutely not exaggerating; even I would bow down, that flavor is truly......................."

Bai Yuan knew Huang Lao was about to refuse, so he hurriedly blurted out everything on his mind.

Even because of his urgency, his words came out somewhat incoherent.

However, before he could finish, with a wave of Huang Lao's hand, Bai Yuan was still forcibly sent out of this small world by an irresistible force.

After a bout of dizziness, when Bai Yuan could regain control of his body, he only found himself standing in the main hall, at the entrance of this small world.

Having been forcibly sent out by Huang Lao.

As for this, Bai Yuan felt helpless, but there was nothing he could do; he did everything he could.

If it were any other Immortal Emperor Realm existence, Bai Yuan might have a way, but facing Huang Lao, Bai Yuan could neither coerce him nor dare to.

If Huang Lao is unwilling, then even if the City Lord Mo You came, it would be in vain.

At present, the only idea Bai Yuan can think of is to wait for the City Lord to return, let Mo You step forward again, personally persuade him, and see if Huang Lao can be convinced to change his decision.

"Ah......................."

Helplessly sighing, Bai Yuan repeatedly looked toward the entrance of this small world, but ultimately dared not step in again, and could only turn and leave.

I don't know if that Ye kid has this fortune; if he had Huang Lao as his Protector of the Way, then......... tsk tsk tsk..........

Ye Zhangqing naturally didn't know what was happening with Bai Yuan here, and he didn't know either that he had selected this level of Protector of the Way, Huang Lao, for himself.

That is, even the three ancestors of the Guo family, upon seeing it, would have to shout out the existence of the ancestral forefather.

Ye Zhangqing, returning from the main hall of the Cooking King Immortal City to the Heaven-Earth Fire Hall, had just stepped inside when he was blocked by a crowd of Shī xiōng.

Everyone, one by one, performed a respectful salute, congratulating Ye Zhangqing on successfully passing the Young City Lord's examination.

Everyone knows that Ye Zhangqing's status and position have long since changed beyond comparison; not to mention them, even if Ma Qiankun came, they would have to clasp their hands in salute and call him Young City Lord.

And among them, if anyone could catch Ye Zhangqing's eye and successfully cling to this thick thigh, they would rise to great heights.

Speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao arrives; just as Ye Zhangqing was finishing dealing with the crowd of Shī xiōng, Ma Qiankun, having received the news, rushed over quickly.

Just as the disciples expected, Ma Qiankun, upon seeing Ye Zhangqing, indeed clasped his hands in salute and shouted a phrase.

"Greetings, Young City Lord."

"Senior, between us we don't need to be like this, right?"

Seeing this, Ye Zhangqing didn't act superior; instead, he smiled and said.

Hearing those words, Ma Qiankun also showed a faint smile; Ye Zhangqing's remark made his attitude clear.

Ma Qiankun's heart was set at ease; it seemed that even after becoming Young City Lord, Ye Zhangqing had not forgotten the previous kindness.

With Ye Zhangqing's words, Ma Qiankun felt satisfied.

Immediately, Ma Qiankun invited Ye Zhangqing to the main hall; the two sat opposite each other, and Ma Qiankun personally brewed tea.

Although it seemed like casual chat, what they said was basically about the Young City Lord.

Mainly the benefits of becoming Young City Lord, authority, and matters to pay attention to.

These had already been mentioned by Bai Yuan and the others before, but now Ma Qiankun brought them up again, and Ye Zhangqing responded to each in turn, without showing any impatience.

However, when the topic turned to the Protector of the Way, Ma Qiankun became solemn.

"I believe the Young City Lord can handle other aspects with ease, but the selection of a Protector of the Way must absolutely not be taken lightly."

"Although the Young City Lord's status is noble, it also brings many unexpected dangers."

"Especially when wandering the Immortal Realm, our Cooking King Immortal City has, over the years, made many like-minded allies and forces, but naturally also acquired many enemies."

"These people are extremely obsessed with killing important figures of the Cooking King Immortal City."

"Especially someone like the Young City Lord, holding a high position, with limitless potential, yet not yet grown—such a target is utterly the primary objective."

"These people don't care about rules, so often we need to rely on the protection of a Protector of the Way."

"Actually, it's not just our Cooking King Immortal City; other major powers in the Immortal Realm are the same."

"After all, competition exists openly and covertly, even more so; the means are only limited by what you can't imagine, nothing the opponent can't do."

"So, Young City Lord, you must choose your Protector of the Way carefully; it's best to communicate more with Deputy City Lord Bai, as this concerns your life."

What Ma Qiankun values most is the selection of the Protector of the Way.

After all, Ye Zhangqing and his fellow younger generation haven't grown yet, but their status already surpasses that of these elders.

Faced with Ma Qiankun's repeated earnest reminders about the Protector of the Way selection, Ye Zhangqing also nodded repeatedly in agreement.

They talked for almost half a Shíchén before Ye Zhangqing took his leave.

Returning to his own small courtyard, Ma Qiankun learned that Ye Zhangqing still needed to stay a while in the Heaven-Earth Fire Hall, so he naturally suggested changing his lodging.

However, Ye Zhangqing refused, and the hassle of moving back and forth was left as is for now.

As for this, Ma Qiankun didn't insist; nowadays his status is no higher than Ye Zhangqing's, and since the other party is unwilling, he naturally can only comply.

After returning to the small courtyard, Huang Chong saw Ye Zhangqing and, feeling somewhat apprehensive, performed a salute.

"Huang Chong greets the Young City Lord."

Seeing that, Ye Zhangqing smiled helplessly.

"Alright, things were as they were before and will stay the same; it's made me a bit unaccustomed."

Ye Zhangqing showed no sense of having become Deputy City Lord, remaining just as before.

He lay leisurely in Yuàn zhōng until nightfall, having eaten dinner and drunk a few cups with Huang Chong, and was about to return to his room.

But the next second, Ye Zhangqing abruptly turned his head toward the courtyard gate.

Only to see, before the tightly shut courtyard gate, an old man dressed in a plain white coarse‑cloth long robe had appeared at some unknown time.

The old man had a head of white hair, yet his skin was ruddy and smooth, and his eyes were clear and bright.

As Ye Zhangqing looked, the old man's gaze also swept up and down over him, muttering strange words to himself.

"It's you, kid, with only Emperor Sovereign Realm cultivation?"

Hearing the old man's unfounded muttering, Ye Zhangqing was completely at a loss—what, just Emperor Sovereign Realm cultivation? In the dead of night, uninvited, he opens his mouth and utters such nonsense.

Full of doubt, Ye Zhangqing could only speak up and ask.

"Senior, are you............"