IDWBE -Chapter 247 The Prince’s Villa

“So what?”

Du Sanhe raised his head and snorted coldly. “I, Du Sanhe, began practicing martial arts at the age of three, training with such diligence that I forgot to eat, finding joy in forgetting my worries, never fearing clouds that obscure my sight. Born to be a hero in life, a ghostly champion in death!”

His emotions surged, and his voice grew even louder.

“In life, things may not go as one wishes; tomorrow, I’ll let my hair down and sail a small boat—what harm is there in that?”

Ye Qiu sighed. “Master Du, why must you fixate on life and death? Death is just death. Where is this ‘ghostly hero’? I advise you to return home, enjoy your years in peace, feed your grandchildren, and stop being obstinate. Otherwise, in the end, all your efforts may be for nothing—wouldn’t that be regrettable?”

Du Sanhe said, “Ye Qiu, you and I are of the same kind. Why ask so much?”

“A man’s heart aligned with the Way, tested by trials, strengthens his will,” Ye Qiu cupped his hands respectfully. “Congratulations, Master Du.”

“Congratulate for what? What is this ‘Way’?”

Du Sanhe was puzzled.

Though curious about Huiyuan Gong, he had never practiced it.

This pride came from being a disciple of the Vajra Platform!

“To illuminate the mind is the Way,” Ye Qiu said solemnly, “The Way cannot be spoken; if spoken, it is not the Way. It can be transmitted but not received, gained but not seen. Master Du’s heart already contains the Way—why seek it from the steward?”

Du Sanhe fell silent for a long time.

Finally, he stood, bowed repeatedly to Ye Qiu, and said, “Please extend my gratitude to the steward! The steward’s Way is not mine; since illuminating the mind is the Way, I, Du Sanhe, will find my own Way!”

With that, he strode out of the courtyard.

Ye Qiu looked at Sun Chongde, who had peeked over, and said irritably, “You’re free today?”

“Shen Chu is leading troops into Jingzhou. The rest are under the steward’s training, so I ended up with leisure. Were those words you were told to say to Du Sanhe by the steward?”

Sun Chongde didn’t care about Ye Qiu’s attitude—after all, he was now a Grand Master!

He had the right to frown or glare at him, and the steward wouldn’t back him up.

As Shan Yin would say, a Grand Master alive—whether scolding or striking you—everything is your fate!

Across the world, besides Baiyun City, where else could one get so close to a Grand Master?

When fortune comes, one shouldn’t hesitate—any guidance from a Grand Master could save ten years of hard training.

“Didn’t you understand?”

Ye Qiu asked.

“I understood,” Sun Chongde smiled. “He said to thank the steward on his behalf.”

“No wonder your martial arts haven’t advanced,” Ye Qiu shook his head. “You still don’t understand—he’s thanking the steward’s Way, not the steward himself.”

Sun Chongde asked, confused, “What’s the difference?”

“You can’t reason with a summer insect!”

Ye Qiu gave him a look. “I spoke the words, but the Way I conveyed belongs to the steward.”

Sun Chongde nodded vaguely, as if he both understood and didn’t.

While they were talking, Jiang Chou entered. “Mr. Ye, a young gentleman has come outside, claiming to be your family.”

Ye Qiu frowned. “My family?”

Jiang Chou said carefully, “The visitor is very young, claiming to be your younger brother…”

He spoke cautiously, seeing Ye Qiu’s expression change constantly.

Though not eloquent, he was not foolish. He clearly touched Ye Qiu’s sore spot.

Unlike others, he had no ties to the Prince Mansion—no backing.

If Ye Qiu lost his temper and killed him, it would be in vain.

There would be no one to claim injustice for him; at most, Shan Yin might arrange a coffin and a priest, a troupe to mourn.

The more he thought, the more fearful he became.

Truly a hard fate!

He had been pursued by Shan Yin and finally escaped into Baiyun City.

Following Shan Yin, eating and lazing about, life was carefree—but when Shan Qi arrived, his good days ended.

Shan Yin ran errands for Shan Qi, gradually drifting away, no longer recreating the “good times.”

Sanhe’s laws were strict; he could no longer sneak into estates like in Nanzhou or Chuanzhou to rob the rich and help the poor.

Outside Baiyun City, he had lost courage—after all, he had offended Jizhao Monastery!

Occasionally, he would go hungry to find Shan Yin, who would remember him and offer help.

But that was not sustainable; Shan Yin got annoyed, and he had to maintain face.

Eventually, Shan Yin introduced him to guard the Prince Mansion gates, and he agreed.

He thought guarding the gate would be easy—now it seemed like a death sentence!

Miss Wen, Steward Hong, Ye Qiu—anyone could turn hostile at a word.

Back in the Jianghu, he had been a major figure, ready to draw his blade at a slight disagreement.

His “Desperate Saburo” reputation was earned; the scar on his face proved it!

Yet here, facing the Prince Mansion, he took beatings while smiling.

In these short days guarding the gate, he had smiled more than in his entire previous life!

Because of his scar, Miss Wen even said his smile was frightening, scary to children, forbidding him from smiling casually.

Life was truly miserable!

He waited to see when Steward Hong would be in a good mood so he could quit.

Alas, the steward only smiled before the prince; the rest of the time, his face was somber, making it impossible to judge his mood.

Truly a torment.

“My younger brother…”

Ye Qiu sneered and floated out of the courtyard.

After he left, Jiang Chou patted his chest in relief. “Terrifying.”

He had clearly felt Ye Qiu’s sword intent!

He had come only to earn a meal—not to die.

Baiyun City suddenly turned hot, as if in an instant.

Yesterday, the breeze was cool and pleasant; today, the sun blazed like fire.

“If I am guilty, let the law judge me—not this damned weather!”

Lin Yi wore only a pair of shorts, drinking cup after cup of water, running to the toilet repeatedly, yet still unsatisfied.

He regretted not having the mountain shelter repaired beforehand after being damaged by wild beasts.

“Lord,” Xiao Xizi placed a plate of fruit in front of Lin Yi. “I always suspected it was caused by those Guizhou herders. Except for elephant tusks, no animal has such strength.”

Lin Yi said, “Who cares what caused it—repair it quickly. I want to go up the mountain to escape the heat. Life is unbearable like this.”

“Yes, Lord.”

Xiao Xizi hurriedly replied.

Lin Yi asked, “Mr. Bian has been out for a while, hasn’t he? Still hasn’t returned?”

Xiao Xizi smiled. “Lord, Yong’an Prefecture fell. Prince Qing fled from Yong’an back to Qingyuan City. Now he dares to occupy your villa. Mr. Bian is arguing with him firmly.”

Lin Yi was surprised. “When did I have a villa in Nanzhou?”