Chapter 133: Eating Vegetables, Eating Vegetables

The ink-painted great dragon materialized under Ye Yan’s control, yet no roar burst forth. Still, the overwhelming, terrifying pressure assaulted the souls of those present. Fear, like a seed taking root and sprouting, spread endlessly from the depths of their hearts, causing every pore on their bodies to tremble.

“Are we going to fight or not?” Ye Yan stood motionless, expressionless, devoid of any aura, yet the massive ink dragon pressed down so heavily that none dared lift their heads.

Compared to the three from the Zhuge family, Wang Ye, though shocked, at least had mentally prepared himself and was not paralyzed by fear. Observing the frozen figures around him, a playful smile crossed his face.

“I say, that’s enough. You’re someone of your caliber, yet you come out here bullying kids—really shameless.”

Hearing Wang Ye’s words, Ye Yan shook his head, glanced at the few without any fighting intent—like frightened quails—and waved his hand, retracting the ink dragon. With its disappearance, the oppressive atmosphere vanished instantly. Yet even so, the three reckless youths from the Zhuge family could not hide the terror in their eyes when looking at Ye Yan.

Having just endured that ordeal, any but fools could plainly see the terrifying gap between the two sides. To them, such dreadful might was beyond not only themselves but even the current Marquis of Martial Affairs or the clan leader of the Zhuge family.

Who, then, was this young man, seemingly their age, yet so fearsome? They could not comprehend.

At this awkward moment, Wang Ye’s phone suddenly rang. He pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and his expression turned slightly strange.

Caller ID: Zhuge Fox.

With a subtle mood, Wang Ye answered. As soon as the call connected, he could no longer hold back and launched into a tirade.

“I gotta say, Zhuge Fox, I really didn’t expect you to play these kinds of tricks.”

“What’s wrong?” On the other end, Zhuge Qing, who had just answered, was somewhat baffled.

“I called to say hello, and you sound like that? I just got off the plane; I’ll come find you soon...” Zhuge Qing hadn’t finished when Wang Ye interrupted.

“What? You’re coming too?”

“Why, not welcome?”

“This isn’t about welcome or not. Three are already a headache; you want to join in? What is this, Mahjong? The Marquis’s people are trying to pile on me.”

Wang Ye continued complaining.

“Huh?”

Zhuge Qing was stunned but seemed to understand something, quickly soothing, “Oh, I get it, you ran into those three blockheads?”

“Hematoma? Something like that,” Wang Ye said weakly, shaking his thermos.

“Have you already clashed with them?” Zhuge Qing asked.

“Otherwise...” Wang Ye trailed off.

“Alright, since you’ve met them, why don’t you do me a favor and teach those three unlucky fools a lesson?”

“No need. Someone already did that for me.”

“Taught them? Who?”

Zhuge Qing was confused. Those three, though not sharp, were not weaklings easily toyed with. Since Wang Ye hadn’t acted, who else could have handled it so effortlessly? Judging by Wang Ye’s tone, it seemed no great effort was expended. Could it be they’d provoked someone powerful? The thought made Zhuge Qing’s heart skip.

“Well... it’s complicated. You’re at the airport, right? Wait there a bit; I’ll come pick you up. We’ll talk details in person.”

“Fine, I’ll wait.”

After hanging up, Wang Ye sighed and looked at Lao Du. “Brother Du, give me the car keys. I’ll go to the airport to pick someone up. Have someone bring another car over here.”

“Alright.”

Lao Du nodded.

Wang Ye then asked Ye Yan, “Zhuge Qing is in Kyoto, waiting at the airport. Interested in coming along?”

“Forget it. I’m not close to him.”

Ye Yan shrugged, declining. They’d only met once before at the Luo Tian Great Ritual, and barely exchanged words.

“You go pick him up. I’ll stay with Brother Du here to keep these guys in line.”

“Alright, thanks.”

“You’re polite now?”

“...”

Wang Ye drove off in the stretched Maybach, leaving the abandoned warehouse. After his departure, Lao Du arranged for a car to be delivered.

While waiting, Ye Yan and Lao Du lit cigarettes and squatted under a tree. Nearby, the three reckless youths from the Zhuge family crouched like chastised laborers. The scene was oddly harmonious.

Lao Du was a kind man with a good temper, chatting casually until he bonded with the three youths. They quickly dropped their masks, revealing youthful faces.

“Young people are great,” Lao Du mused, especially nostalgic when looking at Ye Yan.

“These young ones nowadays are impressive. When I was your age, I hadn’t even mastered how to use my Qi properly. Now you’re heroes, sorcerers even.”

“Old man,” they chuckled.

Lao Du’s reminiscences sparked lively chatter with the Zhuge trio.

Beside them, Zhuge Meng remained quiet, her gaze drifting over Ye Yan—not just because of his good looks, but because she felt she’d seen that face somewhere before, though she couldn’t recall where.

***

Thirty minutes later.

At Yin Ding Xuan.

The night market buzzed with noise and chatter. In a bustling corner, Ye Yan and Lao Du sat quietly, while the three reckless youths from the Zhuge family gorged nearby.

“Brother Du, one for the road.”

“Come on, come on, bottoms up.”

Though recently intimidated by Ye Yan, the Zhuge youths were boldhearted; once acquainted, they soon let loose. Zhuge Guan clinked bottles with Lao Du, while the other two focused on eating.

After three drinks, Zhuge Guan’s cheeks flushed, eyes slightly glazed. But Lao Du, a straightforward Northerner, laughed heartily without a hint of intoxication.

“Hey, Yezi, want some? This is pure old-school Kyoto Red Star beer—been around for decades, taste hasn’t changed.”

Lao Du was more relaxed after a couple of drinks, less reserved.

“You guys enjoy, Brother Du.”

Ye Yan lit a cigarette and shook his head. “I’m still digesting the roast duck from dinner. Can’t handle the booze.”

“That’s a shame,” Lao Du said with a hint of regret, taking another sip.

Amid their talk, Zhuge Meng suddenly looked up from slurping noodles and exclaimed, “Qing!”

Everyone turned to see, not far off, Wang Ye in a short-sleeved vest and baseball cap, accompanied by Zhuge Qing, dressed in a suit with a waist-length braid.

They sized each other up.

As the three youths continued eating happily, Zhuge Qing looked a bit surprised.

Squinting, he leaned toward Wang Ye and whispered, “Old Wang, didn’t you say you’d teach those three a lesson? How come they’re still so lively?”

Whispering back, Wang Ye shrugged.

From across the table, Zhuge Sheng swallowed a bite of shumai and scowled, “You’re pretty quick to show up.”

“Do you know each other?”

Watching the cheerful scene, Zhuge Qing leaned in closer to Wang Ye, whispering again.

Wang Ye looked embarrassed. “I’m just waiting for your introduction.”

With that, Zhuge Qing and Wang Ye joined the table.

Because they sat diagonally, Zhuge Qing glanced up and immediately saw Ye Yan. His expression turned serious; his narrow fox-like eyes widened.

“Brother Liangchen is here too. Since the Luo Tian Great Ritual, I’ve truly missed him...” Zhuge Qing raised a hand, his tone neither warm nor distant, like an old friend reunited after years.

Ye Yan nodded slightly, replying casually, “Brother Zhuge, you must have mistaken me.”

“I’m Ye Yan, an employee of Anyplace Communications. As for the Liangchen you mentioned, I suppose that’s my worthless younger brother,” Ye Yan added.

Zhuge Qing’s lips twitched. He hadn’t expected Ye Yan to play that card—refusing to admit it outright. No matter, it wasn’t worth debating.

Just as Zhuge Qing was about to steer the conversation, Zhuge Meng exclaimed again, “You... you’re Ye Yan, the Night Watchman, aren’t you? No wonder you look so familiar...”

“Ye Yan?”

“Really?”

Zhuge Meng’s words sparked surprise from Zhuge Guan and Zhuge Sheng.

Before Zhuge Meng finished, Zhuge Qing quickly swatted her hand. “Meng, don’t point at people—it’s rude.”

“Oh...” Zhuge Meng apologized with a playful tongue-out.

“No worries,” Ye Yan said, flicking ash from his cigarette.

He had long seen that the Zhuge trio were rash youths, so none of this surprised him.

Seeing the atmosphere growing awkward, Wang Ye interjected, “Alright, alright, Fox, why don’t you introduce these three fine young men from the Zhuge family?”

“Sure.” Zhuge Qing took the opportunity.

“This tall blond is Zhuge Guan; the brown-haired one is Zhuge Sheng. They’re my cousins, same generation.”

“As for this young lady, Zhuge Meng, she’s my aunt—older generation, but the youngest in age and still quite immature.”

“...”

“Obviously,” Wang Ye muttered, pouring tea and handing a cup to Zhuge Qing.

After sipping, Wang Ye curiously asked, “Fox, what’s the deal with these three? Why the sudden attack?”

The strange assault had puzzled Wang Ye; he still didn’t know what those three wanted. Surely not for the Fenghou Qimen, they didn’t look like it—seemed like they just wanted a fight.

Zhuge Qing sighed, explaining, “Well, that starts after I lost to you...”

“My family elders weren’t bothered by the loss. There’s always someone stronger.”

“But while the elders said nothing, the younger generation in the clan was thrilled—especially these three... plus Bai.”

“So, they became very curious about you and wanted to meet.”

“But they contacted Wudang Mountain first. Turns out you’d been expelled, so they came to Kyoto instead.”

Zhuge Qing sipped tea, recounting his return home and the reason these three clung to him.

Wang Ye listened in silence.

Then Zhuge Qing looked at Ye Yan and asked, “By the way, how do you two know each other? From the Luo Tian Great Ritual?”

“No,” Wang Ye leaned back, waving a hand, “We’ve been good friends for years, since before this guy made it big. I called him because I ran into some trouble and needed a hand.”

“A hand?”

Zhuge Qing’s surprise deepened. As a participant in that match, he had some idea of Wang Ye’s troubles. Yet he hadn’t expected it to be so serious—enough to involve someone like Ye Yan. Not a good sign.

Seeing Zhuge Qing’s expression, Wang Ye smiled knowingly. “It’s nothing major. We’ve got a plan. Anyway, enough talk—let’s eat.”