Chapter 572: One left, another came

In that case, then——

Then what will you do?!!

A voice came from the doorway, interrupting Bo Qing's words.

Bo Qing's heart jolted, and he looked up toward the doorway.

A figure walked in against the light.

He had white hair, a handsome face, and strange markings on his face that trailed from the corners of his eyes and disappeared into his collar.

He wore a loose black robe, his steps calm, and a faint pressure emanated from his whole body.

Just one glance, and Bo Qing sprang up from the cushion like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

His face instantly filled with a fawning smile, ten times more obsequious than his usual demeanor toward any noble.

Master Yao! You, you—how did you come here?

The visitor was none other than Yao Xian!

Nowadays, anyone with any standing in the world knows who Yao Xian is.

The world's number one witch.

The leader of the witchcraft path!

It is said he also cultivates body‑refining arts, capable of shattering half a mountain with a single punch!

All the great nobles and monarchs of the countries fear him.

They fear his abilities, and fear that their subordinates might offend him unintentionally, bringing down his retribution!

That retribution is no joke.

Once you offend Yao Xian, even without him lifting a finger, the rival forces that have long envied their positions will swarm like starving wolves and leave nothing but bones!

Bo Qing's smile was so obsequious it seemed about to drip water.

Yao Xian paid no heed to his obsequiousness.

He merely gave Bo Qing a casual glance, then strode into the Nuan ge, walked straight to the cushion Bo Qing had just been sitting on, and sat down.

After sitting, he said nothing.

He just sat there, staring at Bo Qing.

Bo Qing felt his scalp crawl under that gaze, and cold sweat began to bead on his forehead.

He stood before Yao Xian, bowing and smiling, yet didn't know what to say.

Time ticked by, second by second.

The atmosphere in the Nuan ge grew increasingly oppressive.

Bo Qing's sweat increased, streaming down his cheeks, nearly soaking his collar.

He finally mustered the courage to speak:

Master Yao…… what's wrong? Did I do something poorly? Please tell me, I'll fix it, I'll fix it!

Yao Xian still said nothing.

He just kept looking at him.

That gaze was faint, yet it made Bo Qing feel like a mouse stared down by a snake—his whole body stiff, unable to move.

Another long silence passed.

Just as Bo Qing was about to give out, his knees ready to buckle, Yao Xian finally spoke.

I have a younger brother.

His voice wasn't loud, but it came through clearly to Bo Qing's ears.

Bo Qing froze.

A younger brother?

He's been by my side since he was six.

Yao Xian continued, "I've taken him on travels across the world, visited many places, seen many things."

Bo Qing's heartbeat began to quicken.

He said he wants to make the world less chaotic, to stop the countries from fighting each other.

Yao Xian's gaze fell on Bo Qing's face, still faint, yet it made Bo Qing feel as if a great mountain pressed down on him.

That's why I recommended he come here.

Bo Qing's knees gave out completely.

He fell to his knees with a thud, sweat pouring from his whole body like rain.

He figured it out—he knew who the younger brother Yao Xian spoke of was!

Li Er!

The country bumpkin he had sent Zhao Wen and a few others to teach a lesson!

The Keeper of the Repository Chamber he had never even noticed!

Could it be Yao Xian's younger brother?!

The younger brother who wandered the world with Yao Xian, whom Yao Xian raised himself?!

Bo Qing wished he could slap himself twice.

Damn it, why didn't you say so earlier?!

If you had told me sooner, I wouldn't have dared to move against him even if I had the gall of a bear and the courage of a leopard!

He knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly, his voice trembling:

Master Yao! I'm blind! I didn't know he was yours! I deserve death! I deserve to die!

Yao Xian said nothing, merely looking at him.

Bo Qing lifted his head, met that gaze, and his heart grew even more panicked.

"Mr. Yao, spare me this once! I won't dare again! I'll definitely stay far away from him from now on! I..."

"Enough."

Yao Xian spoke up, cutting off his words.

Bo Qing hastily shut his mouth, looking at him pleadingly.

Yao Xian stood up.

"For your father's sake, I'm giving you one chance."

Bo Qing was overjoyed, kowtowing repeatedly.

"Thank you, Mr. Yao! Thank you, Mr. Yao!"

Yao Xian didn't look at him again, turned and walked toward the door.

Bo Qing knelt on the ground, watching his retreating back, and let out a long sigh.

That sigh hadn't finished—

Yao Xian walked to the door, then suddenly stopped.

Bo Qing's heart leapt up, and he almost couldn't catch his breath.

He hurriedly asked, "Mr. Yao, is there anything else?"

Yao Xian didn't turn back.

His voice came from the door, faint, with no discernible emotion:

"Tonight, I wasn't here."

He paused.

"You also don't know his identity."

Bo Qing stared for a moment, then nodded repeatedly.

"Yes yes yes! I understand! I haven't seen anyone tonight! I know nothing!"

Yao Xian didn't speak again.

He stepped out of the Nuan ge and vanished into the night.

Bo Qing knelt on the ground, staring at the empty doorway, waited a moment longer, confirmed he had really left, then plopped down onto the ground.

He gasped heavily, his whole body drenched as if pulled from water, sweat soaking his robes.

"Oh dear..." he muttered, "I was scared to death..."

"Thank goodness.........."

Just as his words fell—

Footsteps sounded again.

Coming from the door.

Bo Qing sprang up from the ground, his face instantly breaking into a fawning smile as he looked toward the door.

"Sir, is there anything else..."

His words trailed off halfway.

The one standing at the door was not Yao Xian.

It was a youth.

Appearing about twenty, dressed in plain dark clothes, with an ordinary face.

He just stood there at the door, looking at Bo Qing, and at Bo Qing's disheveled state, his eyes were full of doubt.

"This guy, how could he be so disheveled?"

"What just happened? Could it be from overindulgence........ leaving him weakened?"

Bo Qing also froze.

"Who are you?"

The youth slightly bowed, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant.

"I, on my master's orders, have come to give you a message."

Bo Qing frowned.

"Who is your master?"

The youth lifted his head, looked at him, and slowly said: "Shang Rong."

"He has taken on a disciple named Li Er."

"Having heard about what's between you, he specifically sent me to let you know."