Chapter 573: Axe-Wielding Before the Master

In truth, Ye Qinglong was not unafraid; it was just that if he were to back out now, how would he ever be able to mingle in the circles of Shengjing in the future?

"Mr. Chen, we are so far from the ancestral lands of the Witch Clan, yet we have already encountered such terrifying things. Once we reach the Witch Clan, won't the things awaiting us be even more terrifying?" Ye Qingning also said with a look of worry.

"Actually, that is not entirely the case. This place is still over a hundred kilometers away from the Witch Clan; there is a forest on the outskirts of the Witch Clan's Ten Thousand Gu Valley."

"This forest acts like a natural barrier, protecting the Witch Clan within. All the danger actually comes from that forest; the Dream-Eating Demon Marrow from just a moment ago actually came from that place by accident."

"Mr. Chen is talking about the 'Wugu Forest', right?" Wei Hongye, who was to the side, took over Chen Yu's words.

"That's right, it is the Wugu Forest. It is rumored that this place is a Restriction set up after the Witch Clan was banished. The Witch Clan was originally the Jiuli Tribe, but after that chaotic battle in ancient times, they were defeated and banished to this bitter, cold place of Wangu Wu."

Chen Yu nodded and said, "To prevent the people of the Witch Clan from escaping, the victors at the time laid out this forest on the outskirts of the Ten Thousand Gu Valley. However, perhaps because so much time has passed, the Barrier of the forest is no longer as secure as it once was."

"Then, if we enter the Gu Clan, won't we have to pass through that forest?" Ye Qinglong's complexion turned a few shades paler.

The scene he had just experienced in the woods was something he would find hard to forget for the rest of his life. Thinking of the many strange and terrifying things that lived in the place where that demon flower resided made his scalp tingle.

"It is the only way." Chen Yu glanced at Ye Qinglong again and gave a faint smile: "I will say it again: if you are afraid, you can just leave on your own. It is not too late yet."

"I'm not afraid. How could I be afraid? I'm just curious, how can there be so many strange things in this world?" Ye Qinglong gave a dry laugh to cover up the fear in his heart.

"Suffering for the sake of face." Chen Yu smiled and offered Ye Qinglong this remark.

Ye Qinglong was choked speechless by Chen Yu. He leaned back against his chair, huffing in anger, and stopped talking.

The mountain road was difficult to travel, and in the big Mountain, night fell too quickly. After traveling another few dozen kilometers, it became completely dark.

Traveling mountain roads at night was definitely not a good thing, so Chen Yu found a flat spot to set up camp.

Several tents had already been pitched, and a few fires were lit in the clearing.

After being jolted around in the car for an entire day, everyone except Chen Yu felt as if their bones were about to fall apart.

Ye Qinglong was a Direct Descendant of the Ye Family, born with a silver spoon in his mouth. This fellow had never suffered such hardship before, and he lay half-reclined on the ground, groaning in exhaustion.

Chen Yu was looking at a map on the side. The car could not go any further after another few dozen kilometers. He marked a spot on the map, intending to hide the car there and have everyone proceed on foot.

The car could not be abandoned; otherwise, they would have to walk back the hundreds of kilometers of mountain road.

"Chen Yu, aren't you tired? Doesn't your body ache?" Ye Qinglong could not help but feel curious as he watched Chen Yu calmly looking at the map.

"For a Martial Artist, this really doesn't count as anything," Chen Yu said calmly.

"You're actually a Martial Artist? What realm are you in now?" Ye Qinglong immediately became interested. He had previously thought Chen Yu was simply good at fighting; he had never imagined that Chen Yu was actually a Martial Artist.

Chen Yu glanced at him without answering.

"You wouldn't happen to have not even reached the Martial Master Realm, would you? Haha, Chen Yu, your Medicine is indeed impressive, and you certainly have a knack for Metaphysics, but if you haven't even reached the Martial Master Realm, how do you have the nerve to call yourself a Martial Artist?" Ye Qinglong laughed heartily.

This guy had been messed with by Chen Yu, so it was impossible for him to have no resentment in his heart. Therefore, whenever there was even the slightest opportunity, he would seize it to mock Chen Yu, which made him feel very satisfied.

"Hey, I know some experts. Do you want me to introduce you to one so he can give you a few pointers? You'll break through very soon." Seeing that Chen Yu did not answer, Ye Qinglong became smug again.

"No need." Chen Yu spat out three words coldly.

"Don't be so quick to refuse. There is a saying circulating in the world of the jianghu: 'South Lao Mu, North Xiao Jiu, the Thirteen Taibao roam the world'." Ye Qinglong perked up: "You know who these people are, right?"

"I know," Chen Yu nodded.

"I know Zhang Xiaojiu; he has a friendship with my grandfather. How about I step in and have you take him as your master?" Ye Qinglong laughed like a duck: "But I have conditions. If you want to take Zhang Xiaojiu as your master, you have to listen to me from now on."

"You know Zhang Xiaojiu? That Zhang Xiaojiu who has been famous for decades?" Chen Yu finally raised his eyes to look at Ye Qinglong.

"That's right, a Martial Ancestor Realm expert who has been famous for decades. You must have heard of him. And I also know the Thirteen Taibao. As for Mu Chengcang, he's no good anymore." Ye Qinglong thought Chen Yu was interested and became even more smug.

He felt he had finally found a way to manipulate Chen Yu. This brat had made him act like a dog and nearly eat excrement, and now he was being disrespectful to him, Young Master Ye. Ye Qinglong was not satisfied.

"First, Zhang Xiaojiu won't listen to you. Second, if you know Zhang Xiaojiu, just ask him who I, Chen Yu, am." Chen Yu smiled.

Zhang Xiaojiu had been saved by Chen Yu and had already taken Chen Yu as his master. Was Ye Qinglong showing off that he knew Zhang Xiaojiu? Was this guy crazy?

"You know him?" Ye Qinglong was stunned: "What is your relationship with him?"

"Master and apprentice," Chen Yu smiled.

"You've already taken him as your master? That's impossible." Ye Qinglong did not believe a word Chen Yu said.

"No," Chen Yu shook his head and tossed out a sentence that left Ye Qinglong shattered: "He is my apprentice now. If you don't believe me, you can go verify it."

"Impossible, he is a Martial Ancestor Realm expert. How could he possibly take you as his master? Could it be?" Ye Qinglong looked at Chen Yu with a face full of terror.

Could it be that Chen Yu was also in the Martial Ancestor Realm? Or perhaps his strength was even greater than a Martial Ancestor Realm expert? That was impossible.

"Believe it or not, that's up to you. Besides, this person Mu Chengcang is no good; he was defeated by me. As for the Thirteen Taibao..." Chen Yu paused and took out a token, waving it in front of Ye Qinglong: "Do you recognize this?"

"The Taibao Order? This is the Taibao Order of the Head of the Thirteen Taibao. How could it be in your hands?" Ye Qinglong was about to explode. What exactly was Chen Yu's identity?

"The former Head of the Thirteen Taibao, Senior Xie Wuji, gave the Taibao Order to me before he passed away," Chen Yu said calmly: "Anyone among the Thirteen Taibao who harbors evil intentions, I can kill them all."

"You, you..." Ye Qinglong pointed at Chen Yu, unable to say a single word.

If one were to say Chen Yu defeated Mu Chengcang, or that he took Zhang Xiaojiu as an apprentice, he could choose not to believe it, as there was no proof.