"Foster Father!"
Yun Hu and Guan Bao had no idea what Nine Thousand Years was thinking.
But hearing that the order was to bring Ye Liuyun over, not just kill Ye Liuyun outright—
Both realized that there was an intent to recruit Ye Liuyun. If that happened, and Ye Liuyun was brought into the fold, wouldn’t they end up serving beneath him?
"That Ye Liuyun is rebellious by nature, and he’s one of the little emperor’s men. I doubt he’ll be of much use to Foster Father."
"If he doesn’t know what’s good for him, this old man will make him regret it."
Nine Thousand Years was indeed thinking of recruiting him.
Though, if the other party wouldn’t go along, Nine Thousand Years wouldn’t mind killing him outright.
"I understand!"
On hearing this, Yun Hu and Guan Bao realized that there were some things out of their control, and agreed without further comment.
,,,
Yun Hu and Guan Bao moved fast.
They acted the very next day.
When Ye Liuyun arrived at the Embroidered Uniform Guard for roll call, he suddenly sensed the atmosphere was off.
"Hmm?"
He glanced sideways and caught sight of many people staring at him, but every time his eyes met theirs, they instinctively looked away.
Did something happen?
Ye Liuyun didn’t ask directly. He strode confidently deeper into the Embroidered Uniform Guard; whenever he passed some guards, they all instinctively moved aside on seeing him.
It was as if they were afraid of being associated with him.
Interesting.
Thinking over what he’d done lately, aside from the mess with He Long, there shouldn’t be any other reason for this, right?
Nervous? As if.
Ye Liuyun kept his faint smile and continued into the courtyard.
"Sir!"
At that moment, Shi Sheng and Si Nan, who had been waiting, quickly came up as soon as they saw it was Ye Liuyun.
Si Nan leaned over and whispered to Ye Liuyun,
"Someone from Nine Thousand Years’ side arrived."
As expected, a knowing look flashed in Ye Liuyun’s eyes—exactly as he’d predicted.
"Afraid they’re up to no good, sir!"
Si Nan didn’t know what Ye Liuyun had done.
But judging by how the newcomers were full of menace, it definitely wasn’t anything good.
By contrast, Shi Sheng was much more direct.
"Sir, I’ll stall them, you just make a run for it."
Nine Thousand Years held a lot of power in the Great Qian Dynasty, hardly anyone would dare cross him.
That’s why the Embroidered Uniform Guards acted like they’d seen the plague on encountering Ye Liuyun, backing away quickly as if contact was the last thing they wanted.
Staring at the concerned faces of the two before him—
Ye Liuyun grinned wide.
He raised his hand and patted their shoulders.
"Relax. It’s just Nine Thousand Years, not enough to scare me."
He wasn’t exactly sure how strong a Grandmaster was.
But as long as Nine Thousand Years wasn’t here in person, if Ye Liuyun wanted to leave, no one could stop him.
Nothing to panic about. Ye Liuyun clasped his hands behind his back and walked on calmly.
Shi Sheng and Si Nan exchanged glances, then chose to follow Ye Liuyun’s lead.
,,,
Inside the courtyard.
When Ye Liuyun entered,
sure enough, he saw several figures in Embroidered Uniforms. Leading them was Guan Bao, whom Ye Liuyun had just met recently.
As for the other one standing by—
Ye Liuyun used his system to take a look. It was Nine Thousand Years’ foster son Yun Hu. His Talent Entry was decent, about level with Guan Bao.
Both of their cultivation was still at the Postnatal Realm.
With Ye Liuyun’s arrival, everyone in the courtyard focused their gaze on him.
Before Yun Hu and Guan Bao could even speak—
Wan Feiliang, Lord Thousand Households and also present, couldn’t help himself.
"Impudent!"
Wan Feiliang had been placed here by Nine Thousand Years, so he knew both Guan Bao and Yun Hu, though his own standing with Nine Thousand Years wasn’t high.
He’d been fed up with Ye Liuyun for a while now.
Now, finally, a chance to get revenge—and Wan Feiliang could barely wait.
He shouted out loud,
"With two lords present, how dare you not kneel?"
He barked fiercely at Ye Liuyun.
Yun Hu and Guan Bao didn’t intervene. Even if Ye Liuyun’s cultivation was higher than theirs, surrounded by so many people, and with them representing Nine Thousand Years, they didn’t believe Ye Liuyun would really dare act out.
Ye Liuyun didn’t budge.
He withdrew his gaze from Yun Hu and Guan Bao, turning it onto Wan Feiliang.
"If I remember correctly, in Great Qian there is no rule about kneeling, is there?"
Even in court, a bow is sufficient.
Of course, some people are born with weak spines and just like to kneel.
And some people are twisted, and love making others kneel.
"You!"
Seeing Ye Liuyun still so defiant, Wan Feiliang wanted to retort—
Only for Ye Liuyun to cut him off first.
With a teasing smile, Ye Liuyun said to Wan Feiliang,
"Right, I’ve always heard Lord Thousand Households has a soft back, loves to kneel to everyone. Some people, no matter how high they climb, can never shake off that inner lackey."
The position of Embroidered Uniform Guard Lord Thousand Households was no small office.
This kind of mocking made Wan Feiliang flush with rage; his finger shook as he pointed at Ye Liuyun, speechless with fury, unable to figure out how to retort.
"Enough!"
Finally, it was Yun Hu who broke the tension.
He shot a contemptuous look at Wan Feiliang—this useless fool really was good for nothing.
Then he turned back to Ye Liuyun.
"I am Yun Hu, foster son of Nine Thousand Years. On Nine Thousand Years’ orders, I am to escort you to the palace. Come with us!"
No matter what Ye Liuyun’s cultivation was, once he was before Nine Thousand Years, escape would be impossible.
As he spoke—
Yun Hu stepped forward to lead Ye Liuyun away.
But just as he raised his hand, Ye Liuyun countered in an instant.
Grabbing Yun Hu’s wrist, pressing down with his fingers, Ye Liuyun smiled faintly,
"If I recall, the Embroidered Uniform Guard only obeys His Majesty’s orders. Nine Thousand Years’ commands—sorry, those don’t work on me."
"Crack!"
As the words landed, a crisp snap sounded—Yun Hu’s wrist bone broke.
Ye Liuyun released Yun Hu’s arm.
Yun Hu’s forehead broke out in sweat; he’d been circulating his Inner Strength, resisting with all his might, yet no matter what he did, his power was like a clay bull into the sea—unable to budge Ye Liuyun in the slightest.
"You—you’ve got some nerve! I am foster son to Nine Thousand Years, and you dare harm me!"
He was genuinely stunned.
Ye Liuyun was so bold, daring to lay hands on him in front of so many people.
"What are you talking about? I’ve no idea what you mean."
With a shrug, Ye Liuyun put on a look of total innocence.
"Aren’t we just shaking hands in a friendly way? Your bones sure are flimsy—just a little squeeze and they shatter. The only thing I haven’t checked is whether your neck is just as weak."
,,,,,,