Realms In The Firmament

Ye Xiao was calm. He looked at Bu Xiangfeng and blandly said, “Why are you so emotional? Aren’t you ridiculous? I am only at level two of the Faery Origin Stage, so I am weak. Why do you think I need a guard? I need somebody to keep me safe! If I am as powerful as the five sky kings, do you think I would need a guard?”

Ye Xiao looked at Bu Xiangfeng and said, “Are you kidding me? Or are you trying to raise your price?”

‘Are you kidding me?’

‘Or are you trying to raise your price?’

Bu Xiangfeng was blank.

That was exactly what he wanted to say to Ye Xiao, but it had been said by Ye Xiao first. He couldn’t believe Ye Xiao could be so confident!

However, he felt that Ye Xiao was right!

Why would he want Bu Xiangfeng to be his guard if he was more powerful than Bu Xiangfeng?

Because Bu Xiangfeng was more powerful, he could keep Ye Xiao safe. That was a simple truth. How could Bu Xiangfeng be shocked by such a simple truth?

“Besides… I am offering a chance for you to get help.” Ye Xiao said, “If you are my man, I won’t tell the others about the awkward truth about you. Doesn’t it relieve you a lot?”

“Relieve me? If I am your man, you won’t need to worry about being killed by me! That’s the truth!” Bu Xiangfeng was a bit blank in the head, but he knew what was happening.

“Well, if we want to live, we have to give up something. Everything comes with a price. Nobody can take all the advantages and give nothing. As long as you stay on my side, I won’t tell anybody about the ugly side of you.” Ye Xiao was happy. “The Farewell Sword, the third most powerful man in the Itinerant Cultivator Power Ranking List, and one of the top one hundred names in the Hongchen Ranking List has held my leg from behind. I guess nobody would want to hire you if they knew about this. I am doing you a favor…”

“Stop!” Bu Xiangfeng blushed and interrupted Ye Xiao.

“Puff!”

The Dark Evil Spirit finally burst into laughter. He couldn’t hold it anymore…

“Master, you are so overwhelming. It is not true that nobody can take all the advantages. If this works, you absolutely take all the advantages…”

The Dark Evil Spirit admired Ye Xiao so much. He nearly got down on his knees. After that, he saw the murderous intent in Bu Xiangfeng’s eyes, so he stopped the thought of kneeling down, but still couldn’t stop shaking in laughter.

Ye Xiao said, “Old Bu, I can promise you one thing. If you become my guard, you can do whatever you want to this man. Look what he just did to you! Can you really stand it? I wouldn’t endure it if I were you!”

He pointed out the Dark Evil Spirit and didn’t blink. “You can vent your anger out everyday… It must be pretty good…”

“What?” The Dark Evil Spirit was shocked.

‘Come on, boss. You can’t do this to me…’

‘I am your Old Dark, now he is your Old Bu. Are you going to push your Old Dark away for Old Bu?’

Bu Xiangfeng humphed and stared at the Dark Evil Spirit. Apparently, what Ye Xiao said had moved him.

The Dark Evil Spirit nearly cried. ‘Holy hell… What have I done? I laughed! That is all! I couldn’t hold it! Besides, I didn’t do anything? It wasn’t me who did all this! Why does he look at me like that?’

“One more thing, my guard gets paid quite well. You have been traveling in the martial world alone. The most you did was to complete some tasks that got paid.”

Ye Xiao asked.

“Yes.” Bu Xiangfeng proudly said, “I never do dishonorable things.”

‘Fool!’

Ye Xiao cursed in his head, but clapped with both hands and said, “Then why won’t you be my guard? You just get paid to protect me, and that is all. I will give you money. I will give you much more than you deserve. You worked for others from time to time for the reward, why can’t you work for me? What are you thinking? Is your head soaked? Why are you so foolish?”

Bu Xiangfeng felt like his head was in a mess like it was all soaked inside.

Everything Ye Xiao said seemed to be true, but he personally couldn’t agree. He couldn’t find any words to argue, so he felt confused. ‘Am I really out of my mind?’

“Old Bu, are you misunderstanding something? I just let you be my guard. I may need you to do something else, but I will ask you to do it and respect your decision. You are not my slave! You must understand that. I know why you hesitate…”

Ye Xiao said, “Look, I am rich. I don’t care about money, do I? You can absolutely make a lot of money from me, can’t you? I won’t mistreat you. How much do you think you should get as a guard, I will give you double! That is a profitable job… Are you still going to turn it down? Are you still hesitating? Really?”

Ye Xiao asked, “Are you sure you are sober? Isn’t our brain soaked?”

Bu Xiangfeng rubbed his head and couldn’t think of a word to answer. He was lost in thoughts and said, “Double? Really?”

“Yes, of course! Double! How can I lie about that? A deal is a deal!” Ye Xiao said, “I knew you would accept it! You did! How could you not? It is quite profitable. We are like a family now…”

Bu Xiangfeng was blank, and he said, “A family… That’s right… We are…”

Suddenly, he was back to his own mind. He shouted with anger, “What family are you f*cking talking about? I did not accept it!”

Ye Xiao frowned and said, “Didn’t you ask for a double payment?”

Bu Xiangfeng was angry. “I was just asking.”

“I know, and I have answered it. I gave you the price you asked for…” Ye Xiao rubbed his head and said, “Are you going against your own words? Do you want more money?”

‘Going against my words? More money?’

Bu Xiangfeng was a bit dizzy now. ‘Did I say yes? Did I go against my words? Did I ask for more money?’

“Old Bu, we must have a conscience. I have promised that I will fix your Farewell Sword. You know it requires a block of rare metal, which may cost me a fortune…”

Ye Xiao looked at Bu Xiangfeng and said, “I will fix the Farewell Sword for you, pay you twice the money you deserve, provide residence and food for you, and you won’t need to spend one yellow spirit coin ever… Isn’t it such a good job? It is much better than killing people in the martial world just for some coins! You can’t raise the money just because I like you! We should have a bottom line, shouldn’t we?”

Bu Xiangfeng didn’t feel right when he listened to what Ye Xiao said, but he couldn’t tell what was wrong. All Ye Xiao said was the truth, but he just couldn’t feel right!

‘What is wrong? I do not want to raise the money at all!’

‘But… It seems I am raising the money… Am I greedy?’

‘I have this feeling myself, how could he not?’

‘Am I raising the money now?’

‘Oh my god. I am not raising anything. I haven’t even thought of it… How did things come this way?’

‘Why would I become a shameless bastard like this?’

“Fine. I like you, and that is why you win again. Look, after I fix your Farewell Sword, and you have earned enough money, you can leave as you wish. I won’t be willing to let you go, but I will have to. How about that…?”

Ye Xiao paused and said, “Besides, staying with me, you can keep me from speaking about your embarrassing history! Isn’t it good?

“It is such a wonderful thing for you! You get the money, avoid all risks, get a good reputation, and do an easy job… Everything is going to be perfect on your side… Why are you still hesitating?” Ye Xiao was a bit angry. “Do you think it is disgraceful to be my guard? I have been lowering myself again and again. Why can’t you just be satisfied?”

…

Cold atmosphere!

Bu Xiangfeng was totally blank in his head. He actually felt ashamed for himself. ‘He has promised so much for me… It will be too improper to keep turning it down… But… I just don’t feel right about it. Why?’

‘Am I asking for too much?’

“Say it. What do you want from me? Just say it, and I will do the best I can… I must be out of my mind. Why would I like you so much…” Ye Xiao teased himself.

“Well, I… I didn’t mean it. You are right, but I am not asking for more… I am not… Really…” Bu Xiangfeng said, without confidence.

“Of course I am right.” Ye Xiao said, “You become my guard, and we both win. Think about it, doesn’t it solve the problem now? I think you can understand me…”

Bu Xiangfeng rubbed his head an said, “Well, yes. I do understand… But… Are you sure you can fix my Farewell Sword? Are you sure you can get another piece of rare metal to enhance my sword?”

Ye Xiao was angry, and he said, “Do you not believe me? Do you think I am pretending?”

“No, no, no… I believe you…” Bu Xiangfeng said, “I just feel weird… I… How… Why would I get a job tonight? I do take all the advantages… I see… I understand…”

The Dark Evil Spirit nearly spat out water in his mouth, but he held it down and coughed.

He couldn’t believe the man was actually fooled so badly like he was serving for the man who sold him to the devil!

“Well, I am glad that you understand it.” Ye Xiao looked more peaceful now. He gently said, “Since we are like family now, I don’t think I should hide anything from you. Here. It is a contract, proved by the City of Chaos. Let’s sign it, and become truly one family. You know… We trust each other, but still… That is what law exists for… You can understand me…”

He got the contract a few days before.

As long as they signed the contract, in the City of Chaos, nobody dared to break it… The guardians would punish those who break contracts… If Bu Xiangfeng broke the contract, he would be more severely hunted by the guardians.

Ye Xiao took out the contract and grabbed Bu Xiangfeng’s finger to sign with a fingerprint.

…

After that, Bu Xiangfeng sat on the chair.

He looked at the red point on his finger, and his head was blank.

‘Did I… Did I just sign the contract?’

The contract suddenly flashed with a red light, like it was responding to Bu Xiangfeng’s thought. After that, the contract flew out and disappeared.

The contract had gotten into effect!

“Wait! That wasn’t right!” Bu Xiangfeng suddenly jumped up and said, “That is wrong! Doesn’t it mean I belong to you for some days?”

Ye Xiao rolled up his eyes and said, “Time flies. When the contract is due, you can still do whatever you want. What could be wrong?”

“Well, that’s right.” Bu Xiangfeng rubbed his head and asked, “How long is it? A few months, right? I heard so.”

“Heh heh. Old Bu, contracts for Divinity Origin Stage cultivators are mostly short-term.”

Ye Xiao smiled and said, “I am a Faery Origin Stage cultivator, so I kind of took advantage on that contract…”

Bu Xiangfeng didn’t feel right, so he asked, “Advantage? How many years?”

“Well, just ten years. Like a blink.” Ye Xiao smiled and said.

“F*ck!” Bu Xiangfeng was totally numb.

‘What the… How is that like a blink? Ten years? To be your guard for ten years? I have just sold my f*cking life!’

“Relax! I will keep raising your pay. Don’t worry about money.” Ye Xiao said, “Are you satisfied now?”

“I am not worrying about money…” Bu Xiangfeng was freaking out. “You know my secret, so I have to kill you… But… I became your guard, and I have to work for you for ten years… I was going to kill you, and now I have to protect you… How did this happen to me?”

Ye Xiao warmly said, “How can you still think about killing me? I have been so nice to you. How could you do that to me? What do you want? Just say it… I have trusted you with my life, yet you still think about killing me. Isn’t it too improper? Fine. We will live for a long time. You will get to understand my sincerity someday… It has been a tough night. I am going to get us a full table of good food and fine liquor. Let’s drink for our destined encounter…”

“We are a family now, and we should celebrate it!”

Ye Xiao looked like he was pretending to smile, but he was truly happy in his heart!

The Dark Evil Spirit had witnessed everything, and he admired Ye Xiao to the highest point now. He nearly got down on the floor to show admiration!

‘That was amazing!’

‘That was unbelievable!’

‘He actually got a Saint Origin Stage cultivator, Bu Xiangfeng willingly become his guard just by talking. They even signed a contract… He owned the superior cultivator for ten years… I have seen everything… every detail… but… I still feel like I am in a dream.’

‘Why does it feel like a dream to me?’

Ye Xiao held his drink and felt emotional all of a sudden. He got the first of the followers by lying, the second by saving his life, third by… cheating?

Was he going to keep doing it to recruit more people? He just felt so weird about it.

They had drunk a lot, and Bu Xiangfeng was a bit numb in the head.

He wasn’t drunk yet, because he had a large capacity for liquor. He kept pouring liquor into his mouth with a miserable look. He just couldn’t think it through…

‘What is it?’

‘Wasn’t it too fast?’

‘Why would I follow this young lord? He likes me… I… I guess I don’t hate him… That is not the point…’

‘I was hunted… and I fought back and hurt one of the enemies. When I was going to kill that man, the guardians showed up… I escaped… I encountered a young master… It must be destiny… I became his guard… I signed a ten years contract…’

‘How weird…’

‘I must be drunk…’

He had drunk a lot, but he wasn’t drunk yet. He felt drunk because he couldn’t understand how things would end up this way…

He got drunk for what happened, not for the liquor!

After a long time…

Bu Xiangfeng finally accepted it. Something came up in his heart.

“You have hired me now… I…” Bu Xiangfeng rubbed his head and said, “May I ask, what is your name?”

“Hah hah hah hah…” The Dark Evil Spirit burst into laughter.

‘He was cheated… He was fooled to be a guard… He even signed the contract… Yet he doesn’t know the name of the man he sold himself to…’

‘This is unbelievable…’

…

“Hah hah hah hah…” An old man was laughing at somewhere else, whose hairs had all turned gray. He had watched what had just happened.

It was such an enjoyable thing to watch a show like that…

The old man knew that he could live a happy life with just one single joke…

In the old man’s hand, there was a jade pendant.

In the middle of the pendant, there was a small bit of red light.

“Why is the red light becoming weaker and weaker? What is happening? What is it?” The old man frowned. After a wild laugh, he was back to reality.

He did not do anything to Bu Xiangfeng, because he was interested in the story between Ye Xiao and Bu Xiangfeng. He wanted to see what would happen. If Ye Xiao and Bu Xiangfeng started a fight, the old man would show up and get involved.

However, unexpectedly, it became such a hilarious joke of Bu Xiangfeng!

It was more unexpected than a sharp twist of a story!

He had thought of many possibilities, but he never knew that it would develop like that…

He didn’t now show up, because he was curious, and also because of the dimming red light in his hand.

There was only one jade pendant like that in the entire City of Chaos!

At the moment, Ye Xiao was speaking. “Old Bu, I should have told you. My name is Ye. Ye Xiao.”

‘My name is Ye!’

The old man who had been watching them from far away was shocked when he heard Ye Xiao’s name.

‘My name is Ye!’

The name and the dimming red light of the pendant made this old man tremble, even though he had lived for so many years, and should have been calm and steady to face all surprises.

After a while, his eyes moistened.

…

About one hour earlier.

The old man heard the guardians alert. He did not want to get out for it, but it had been too long since he last showed himself.

He had been sitting in meditation in a sanctum, waiting for what he should wait for…

Suddenly, a voice sounded in his head.

“Oh… It has been one hundred thousand years…”

“One hundred thousand years!”

The old man abruptly sat up and opened his eyes. Two streams of lights shined up.

The next moment, he stood up and stepped out of the room

When he stood up, the entire City of Chaos fell into silence.

People thought that the guardians had made the city silent, but the power that brought silence to the city was from under the ground and beyond the clouds!

When the old man stepped out of the sanctum, he had stepped on the floor. He flew up to the sky fast, and then returned to the floor. He had grabbed a jade pendant from the altar.

The spiritual energy hit the jade pendant, and it became white—like the color of the snow.

In the middle of the jade pendant, there was a black dot.

“Ye Clan’s Blood; Red Sky!”

The white-beard old man held the jade pendant with both hands like it was some sacred item for him. The next moment, he had rushed up to the sky again and looked down back to the city.

All he had to do was to focus, and he could find Bu Xiangfeng. It was impossible to hide oneself from the old man.

As he got to the sky again, he started to fly down again fast. He was going to grab the man who dared to have a fight in the City of Chaos and punish him hard. To make chaos in the City of Chaos was a flagrant crime!

When he was close to the inn where Ye Xiao stayed…

He felt something hot around his chest.

The heat made this great cultivator lose control. His heart even stopped for one second. He fell to the ground in the rolling dust!

He stopped himself and grabbed the thing that created the heat. It was the jade pendant. The black dot in the middle of the jade pendant had actually become red.

The old man was shocked.

“Ye Clan’s Blood; Red Sky! One hundred thousand years, against the firmament! Why is the red color so dim?” The old man looked at the jade pendant. He had seen how bright the color used to be before.

‘What is wrong with it…?’

‘I can’t even tell…’

‘The Ye Clan… Our blood has become weak… Or is this guy not a lineal descent from us?’

The old man was confused. As he got closer to the window, the blood in the middle of the jade pendant became lighter. After that, it stopped turning lighter.

“It is right that the sensation gets stronger when it gets closer to the target…” The old man rubbed his own head and said, “He is definitely one of us… it can’t be wrong… Why is the blood so light? Why?”