Even Song Penghui, who had been beaten until he was severely injured, tottered to his feet and came over. "Divine Doctor Ye," he said, utterly convinced, "I, Song Penghui, have never submitted to anyone in my life. You’re the first. I won’t accept anyone but you as the leader of the Ancient Martial Circle in Jin Ye City."
Song Penghui was a rough, straightforward man with a hot temper and was incredibly stubborn, but he held immense respect for those stronger than him. So, even though Ye Xiu had beaten him senseless and severely injured him, he held no grudge. Instead, he was completely and sincerely won over.
"I won’t take the position of leader," Ye Xiu refused. "However, I can recommend someone for you."
"Who?" Song Penghui and the others asked in unison.
"Zhu Xiaowen." Ye Xiu pulled Zhu Xiaowen over and said, "Let her be your leader."
Hearing this, Zhu Xiaowen was so frightened she almost wet herself. "Big Brother Ye, are you kidding me?"
"Divine Doctor Ye, Miss Zhu isn’t part of the Ancient Martial Circle. Having her as our leader is... rather unorthodox," the gray-haired old man said with an awkward laugh. The others also looked displeased.
"Everyone," Ye Xiu said seriously, "when it comes to martial strength, you are all stronger than Zhu Xiaowen. But times are changing. Ancient Martial Cultivators also need to earn money to buy houses, cars, and get married. Moreover, cultivation itself is expensive. Which of you knows how to make money?
"A so-called leader doesn’t need to possess tremendous martial power. As long as they can bring benefits to everyone, allowing you all to live good lives while having enough money to purchase cultivation resources, *that* is what makes a good leader."
Ye Xiu’s words hit the nail on the head. Most people in the Ancient Martial Circle were brutes; aside from their martial prowess, they possessed no other survival skills. Apart from families like the Ye Family, which valued both Ancient Martial Arts and business, most Ancient Martial Cultivators were poor. Tiger Roar Hall, which Ye Xiu had sent to mine in the City of Asura, had been entirely supported by the Xing Family. And all the families and sects present here mostly survived on handouts from the wealthy or by running bodyguard companies to make money. Life was truly difficult.
"Uh, can Miss Zhu really handle it?" the gray-haired old man asked.
"She definitely can!" Ye Xiu said. "Of course, if any of you face difficulties in the future, you can also come to me for help. After all, I’m part of the Jin Ye City Ancient Martial Circle too."
With that said, everyone was reassured. They wanted to elect Ye Xiu as their leader so he would protect the Ancient Martial Circle of Jin Ye City. Since Ye Xiu admitted he was one of them, they no longer felt the need to insist on him being the leader.
"Big Brother Ye, um, can I really do it?" Zhu Xiaowen asked timidly.
In all honesty, she desperately wanted to be the leader. If she took the position, it would mean the Zhu Family would have the entire Ancient Martial Circle of Jin Ye City in its pocket. Who would dare to offend the Zhu Family then? She was just afraid she couldn’t handle it!
"It’s just about leading everyone to make money. I believe you can do it well. Even if you can’t, you can ask the Zhu Family for help," Ye Xiu said, smiling encouragingly.
"Then... shall I give it a try?" Zhu Xiaowen tentatively asked Song Penghui and the others.
"Since Divine Doctor Ye believes in you, we believe in you too," Song Penghui was the first to declare his support. He had now become Ye Xiu’s biggest admirer.
"Miss Zhu, just go for it. We’re already so poor, what’s the worst that could happen? Are you going to lead us to become beggars?" the gray-haired old man joked.
His comment made everyone laugh. With that laugh, Zhu Xiaowen’s position as leader was secured.
"Alright, you stay here and get to know everyone. Yun Lan and I are leaving now," Ye Xiu said.
"Big Brother Ye, please stay with me. I’m nervous," Zhu Xiaowen pleaded, clinging to his arm with a pout.
"Sect Leader Song and the others are your elders. They will take care of you." Ye Xiu patted Zhu Xiaowen’s shoulder and left with Yun Lan.
The two arrived at the parking lot. After getting into the car, Ye Xiu noticed that Yun Lan seemed off. She hadn’t spoken a single word on the way from the soccer field to the parking lot.
"What’s wrong?" Ye Xiu couldn’t help but ask.
"Nothing, it’s nothing," Yun Lan said, forcing a smile.
"If there’s anything on your mind, just tell me. I’ll help if I can," Ye Xiu said.
No sooner had he spoken than tears began to fall from Yun Lan’s eyes.
"Big Brother Ye, I’m sorry," Yun Lan sobbed. "Last night, hundreds of ruffians went to your house. You were moved because Xiaowen stood alone on the bridge to stop them, and that’s why you pushed her into the position of leader of the Jin Ye City Ancient Martial Circle. The truth is, I was drunk last night. If I hadn’t been drinking, I would have rushed to your house to help, just like her..."
Ye Xiu understood. He comforted her, "The reason I chose Zhu Xiaowen to be the leader of the Jin Ye City Ancient Martial Circle, and not you, has nothing to do with you not coming to help last night. Don’t overthink it."
"Then why did you choose Xiaowen and not me?" Yun Lan asked, feeling wronged.
Ye Xiu felt a headache coming on. He explained, "The power of the Jin Ye City Ancient Martial Circle is not to be underestimated, and I need to keep it under my control to be at ease. I pushed Zhu Xiaowen forward because she is better suited for the role than you. With your personality, do you really think you could keep those coarse men in line?"
Yun Lan mulled over Ye Xiu’s words and realized he had a point. Although she and Zhu Xiaowen were both fun-loving and flamboyant, she was too indecisive and soft-hearted. Zhu Xiaowen, on the other hand, had real backbone and was resolute when it mattered. She was indeed better suited for the role of leader.
Having figured this out, Yun Lan suddenly cheered up. "So Big Brother Ye understands me so well."
Ye Xiu stared blankly at her. One moment she was crying her eyes out, and the next she was beaming. And how did the conversation suddenly shift to this? Women... their thought processes are never normal.
Just then, Ye Xiu’s phone rang. It was Chloe. "Young Master, a mysterious woman has come to the house."
"Who?" Ye Xiu was taken aback. "What’s her name? Is she looking for me or for Qin Qing?"
"She said she’s looking for you, but she wouldn’t tell me her name when I asked," Chloe replied.
"Ask her what she wants. If she still refuses to say, kick her out," Ye Xiu instructed.
"Understood!"
Ye Xiu hung up and said to Yun Lan, "Come on, let’s find a place to eat."
"Okay!" Yun Lan nodded and started the engine.