Seeing a large group of people menacingly surrounding them, Luo Xiu instinctively stood up and grabbed Lin Xiyue's hand, pulling her behind him.

But they both seemed to realize something an instant later, simultaneously snatching their hands back as if electrocuted and exchanging an awkward glance.

"Luo Xiu, is my son Cao Hong's death related to you?!" Cao Ende demanded, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at Luo Xiu.

Luo Xiu smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over the men in suits. He retorted, "You've already brought all these people here with murderous intent. Is there any point in asking?"

Cao Ende gritted his teeth. "Then tonight is the night you die!"

"Next year, on the Qingming Festival, you should be the one burning incense for your son," Luo Xiu said with a smile.

His words struck Cao Ende right where it hurt most.

Cao Ende suddenly let out a vicious laugh. "No, I've suddenly changed my mind."

"Decided to go down and keep your son company?" Luo Xiu asked.

"I want you to live a life worse than death," Cao Ende hissed through clenched teeth. "Every Qingming Festival from now on, I'm going to put you on a dog leash and drag you to my son's grave to kowtow and confess your sins."

Luo Xiu smirked. "I see you city folk sure have your fun."

"You'll find out just how much fun we have soon enough." A mocking voice suddenly came from behind the crowd.

Luo Xiu looked toward the voice and saw it was Tao Laosi from the Western District and Xiang Laoer from the South District.

Xiang Laoer's face was grim as he stared at Luo Xiu. "If you return the items you stole from us last time and get on your knees to beg for forgiveness, we might consider giving you a quick death."

Luo Xiu simply sat back down in his chair, crossed his legs, and regarded the two Dragon Heads with a smirk. "I just love watching big shots like you act so high and mighty, as if you control the world."

Cao Ende sneered coldly, "Let's see how long that arrogance lasts!"

As he finished speaking, the sound of slow footsteps approached the restaurant entrance. Everyone turned to look and immediately cleared a path. Even Xiang Laoer and Tao Laosi respectfully moved to the side.

Luo Xiu watched with some surprise as an elderly figure slowly advanced into the restaurant. He hadn't expected Guan Changyun to have the nerve to show up.

Cao Ende scurried over with a fawning smile, pointing a thumb back at Luo Xiu. "Senior Guan, that little bastard Luo Xiu is right here."

Guan Changyun's eyes seemed vacant. He waved a hand dismissively, gesturing for Cao Ende to step aside, then slowly walked toward Luo Xiu. He moved so slowly it looked as if he might collapse at any moment.

To Luo Xiu, it was clear that Guan Changyun already had one foot in the Ghost Gate Pass. But to Cao Ende and the others, this was the dignified air of a true expert. Thinking about the fate that awaited Luo Xiu, they all began to smile.

Xiang Laoer spoke up. "Senior Guan, please go easy on him. Spare this kid's life for now. He stole two miracle cures from us last time, and we need him to return them."

But contrary to all expectations, the moment Guan Changyun reached Luo Xiu, he suddenly dropped to his knees, his forehead touching the floor.

At this sight, the smiles on the faces of Xiang Laoer and the others froze, their eyes widening in disbelief.

What... what is happening? Why would Senior Guan suddenly kneel to Luo Xiu?

Behind Luo Xiu, Lin Xiyue's eyes also went wide with astonishment.

Guan Changyun's next words left everyone even more incredulous, to the point where they wondered if they were hearing things.

"Luo Xiu, I've had some time to think these past two days... so I came to find you. Please, take me as your disciple!

"I want to live. I want to complete my Sword Dao, so I don't want to die like this!"

Luo Xiu was stunned for a long moment before he finally processed it. "I can understand wanting to live, and I do have the ability to save you," he said, his expression strange. "But why do you want to become my disciple?"

"Because I want to strike you with my sword," Guan Changyun replied with brutal honesty.

Luo Xiu was quiet for a moment, then he smiled. "Alright. I'll accept you as my disciple."

His reason for seeking discipleship left everyone utterly baffled and confused. But Luo Xiu accepted it. Because, strictly speaking, Luo Xiu was also a swordsman. A swordsman who doesn't aspire to surpass and strike his master isn't a worthy disciple. And Luo Xiu had once said something similar to his own master.

"Heh, well... congratulations to you two, master and disciple. I just remembered I have something urgent to attend to, so I'll be taking my leave," Xiang Laoer said with a sheepish laugh. He then turned and fled from the restaurant.

Tao Laosi followed suit, offering a nervous smile and a quick greeting before bolting as well.

Only Cao Ende remained, standing frozen in place, his mind in utter turmoil. He racked his brains but couldn't understand why Guan Changyun would suddenly kneel and beg Luo Xiu to take him as a disciple. This was a Martial Arts Grandmaster of Sea City! Luo Xiu wasn't even fit to be his disciple, let alone his master!

「」

After Xiang Laoer and Tao Laosi ran out of Lucy Restaurant, they were about to get into their car when they heard Cao Ende's pained screams from inside.

"Dammit... What the hell is wrong with that Guan Changyun?" Xiang Laoer cursed through gritted teeth, then yelled at the driver, "What are you waiting for? Get the hell out of here, drive!"

Beside him, Tao Laosi wiped the cold sweat from his face. "Good thing we got out of there quickly."

"I think all that secluded cultivation finally fried his brain!" Xiang Laoer grumbled.

"So, what do we do now?" Tao Laosi asked.

Xiang Laoer's eyes glinted fiercely. "For now, we can only wait for backup from the provincial capital. That Cao Ende is completely unreliable. I really thought we could finish off Luo Xiu tonight and get our miracle cures back at the same time."

「」

Inside the restaurant, Cao Ende clutched his swollen face, glaring at Luo Xiu with deep-seated hatred. "Luo Xiu, if you have the guts, kill me! I'll become a vengeful ghost and hunt you down!"

Luo Xiu smiled. "That's a shame. I've been learning to be a ghostbuster since I was a kid, though I've yet to meet a real one. Alright, Mr. Cao, take your goons and get lost. There's no point in fighting you. You don't dare to fight back, and killing you is illegal. I honestly don't know what to do with you."

Once Cao Ende and his group had left, Luo Xiu looked at Guan Changyun, who was still kneeling on the floor. "You can probably hold on for another day or two. Go to Wan Yao Hall tonight and have Teacher Li arrange a room for you. I'll come find you tomorrow."

Guan Changyun nodded earnestly and kowtowed three times. "Yes, Master."

He then stood up and bowed respectfully to Lin Xiyue. "Madam, please enjoy your meal. I will take my leave."

Lin Xiyue's expression was conflicted. She wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come out. Being called "Madam" by a senior who was older than her own grandfather... the feeling was just too strange...

After Guan Changyun had shuffled away, Lin Xiyue looked at Luo Xiu. "I suddenly feel kind of sorry for that old man."

"Are you full? If you are, let's head back," Luo Xiu said.

"Are you really going to be his master?" Lin Xiyue asked.

Luo Xiu nodded.

"But the age gap is just so..."

Luo Xiu chuckled. "To someone like him, obsessed with the Martial Way, things like age are irrelevant in the pursuit of his goals."

"Is that so?"

"How about you take me as your master, too? I can teach you eighteen positions."

Lin Xiyue's face flushed red as she retorted, "Oh, get lost! Can't you be serious for once? Besides, I already have an instructor for Taekwondo. I don't want a master, and even if I did, it wouldn't be you."

Luo Xiu gave her a sidelong glance. "Is your Taekwondo instructor male or female?"

"Male," Lin Xiyue answered flatly.

"Then I'll have to go ask him for a few pointers when I'm free," Luo Xiu said.

"I'm kidding, it's a woman!"

"A woman? Great. I'll add her on WeChat. Maybe she still believes in love."

"Luo Xiu, you're so annoying! No wonder Sun Li calls you Xiu-Dog."

「」

「The next day.」

Luo Xiu woke up early and took a cab to Wan Yao Hall. The previous night, Li Jiuzhen had arranged for Guan Changyun to stay on the third floor.

Luo Xiu went straight to find Guan Changyun and said, "Before I save your life, I need to beat you up."

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