In the Car
Ye Qiu said, "Mom, I'm sorry for causing you trouble today."
"Oh, you silly child, don't say that." Qian Jinglan said, "You've been through so much at the hospital, and you kept it from me. If I hadn't gone to the hospital today, how long were you planning to keep it from me?"
"I just didn't want to worry you."
"Listen to Mom, don't force yourself too hard. If the hospital can't handle it, then switch to another one. As for Zhang Lili, she has changed. She's not the kind-hearted girl she used to be, so it's better to part ways."
"Okay."
"Mr. Zhao must have important matters to discuss with you. I won't keep you. I'll get out here."
After the car stopped, Ye Qiu helped Qian Jinglan out of the car.
"Mr. Zhao, I'm sorry for the trouble today." Qian Jinglan said politely.
"Auntie, there's no need to be so polite. It's just a small matter." Zhao Yun responded with equal courtesy.
Qian Jinglan reminded Ye Qiu again, "Come back early. I'm waiting for you to come home for dinner. I'm making your favorite Mapo tofu today."
"I know."
After the car started moving again, Ye Qiu, feeling a bit embarrassed, said, "My mom is like this, quite talkative. I'm sorry, Mr. Zhao, for making you laugh."
"It's fine."
"Fine?"
Ye Qiu looked at Zhao Yun with confusion.
The latter remained silent and focused on driving.
The atmosphere in the car was somewhat tense.
Ye Qiu hesitated several times, wanting to speak but holding back.
After about twenty minutes, Zhao Yun suddenly spoke up, "Dr. Ye, you must have many questions on your mind, right?"
"Yes." Ye Qiu did not deny it.
"Ask whatever you want. As long as I can answer, I will tell you."
"Who is the Dragon King?" Ye Qiu asked directly.
This question had been on his mind the entire way.
"The Dragon King is the ruler of the underground world in Jiangzhou! He was once a top-tier expert on the Tiger List!" Zhao Yun continued, "In fact, you've already met the Dragon King."
"Is it the elderly gentleman in Tang clothing who was with you yesterday?" Ye Qiu asked.
"Yes."
So it was him!
When Ye Qiu saw the elderly gentleman in Tang clothing yesterday, he had felt that the man was not an ordinary person. Now it seemed his guess was correct.
"Is Dragon King his real name?" Ye Qiu asked again.
"No, it's just a title." Zhao Yun said, "The Dragon King's real name is Long Qianqiu. He is known as the Dragon King in the martial world."
"I see."
"May I ask, Mr. Zhao, what is your relationship with the Dragon King?" Ye Qiu was curious about Zhao Yun's identity.
"I am the Dragon King's personal bodyguard."
"So your skills must be very impressive?"
Zhao Yun smiled but did not answer.
The car drove into the city center and then onto a secluded mountain road. Ye Qiu looked out the window and asked, "Are we going to Yunwu Mountain?"
"Yes, the Dragon King lives on Yunwu Mountain."
Ye Qiu was shocked.
In Jiangzhou city center, there is a mountain with an elevation of 500 meters called Yunwu Mountain. It is a beautiful area with pleasant scenery.
In the early years after the founding of the country, it was a park, but later it was developed into a top-class wealthy district. Only the highest-ranking elites in Jiangzhou are qualified to live on Yunwu Mountain.
Fifteen minutes later.
Delicate villas with traditional Chinese style came into view, scattered among the lush green trees, quiet and distant.
The car continued up to the highest peak and finally stopped in front of an antique villa.
"Dr. Ye, we've arrived." Zhao Yun said.
Ye Qiu nodded, and as he got out of the car, he saw four guards standing at the villa's entrance. Each was strong and sharp-eyed.
These four guards had a similar aura to Zhao Yun, but their aura was much weaker.
"Brother Zhao!"
Seeing Zhao Yun, the four guards greeted him respectfully.
"This is Ye Qiu, a guest invited by the Dragon King." Zhao Yun pointed to Ye Qiu.
The four guards glanced at Ye Qiu and quickly moved aside.
"Dr. Ye, please follow me." Zhao Yun led the way.
As Ye Qiu entered through the gate, he saw a courtyard covering several hundred square meters, with pavilions, ponds, rockeries, and various exotic flowers and plants, resembling a summer retreat.
In the center of the courtyard stood a robust phoenix tree, at least a hundred years old, with lush branches.
Under the tree was a stone table.
On the stone table was a piece of rice paper.
The Dragon King was practicing calligraphy.
"When the Dragon King is practicing calligraphy, he doesn't like to be disturbed. Walk lightly," Zhao Yun quietly reminded.
Ye Qiu nodded.
The two approached the Dragon King. Ye Qiu leaned in and saw a few lines written on the rice paper:
"Settled the world's affairs for the king, gaining fame both in life and after death. Pity the white-haired."
The brushstrokes were vigorous and powerful. The calligraphy displayed a forceful aura of invincibility.
"Good handwriting, but unfortunately…"
Ye Qiu suddenly spoke.
"Unfortunately what?" the Dragon King asked淡淡.
"Unfortunately, the killing intent is too strong."
Smack!
The Dragon King dropped his brush, raised his head, and fixed his gaze on Ye Qiu.
In an instant.
Ye Qiu felt like he was being stared at by a monstrous beast. His entire body was covered in cold sweat.
Seeing this, Zhao Yun quickly said, "Ye Qiu, hurry up and apologize to the Dragon King."
"You also understand calligraphy?" The Dragon King, not waiting for Ye Qiu to apologize, asked.
"Just a little."
The Ye family's ancestral teachings included a lot of knowledge about calligraphy.
"You said the killing intent is too strong. Do you think my state of mind while writing is wrong?" the Dragon King asked again.
Ye Qiu had to brace himself and said, "The author of this poem is Xin Qiji, a famous general of the Southern Song Dynasty who was an ardent advocate for reclaiming the Central Plains. He faced rejection and suppression throughout his life, and was not appointed for a long time, spending nearly twenty years in seclusion."
"This poem was written by Xin Qiji during his period of frustration while in seclusion in Xinzhou."
"He expressed his ambitions of defeating enemies and establishing fame. However, the line 'Pity the white-haired' conveys Xin Qiji's frustration, pain, and anger at being unable to serve his country."
"And your writing, with its vigorous strokes and strong killing intent, is quite the opposite of the poet's state of mind. Instead, it exudes an overwhelming spirit reminiscent of Cao Cao's poem: 'The old steed in the stable, desires to travel a thousand miles; the old hero in his twilight, still has unyielding ambitions.'"
The Dragon King stared at Ye Qiu with deep, unfathomable eyes. He remained silent, but his immense aura was still present.
Ye Qiu was so nervous that beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.
After a full two minutes, the Dragon King suddenly burst into hearty laughter and said, "Ye Qiu, you're quite impressive."
Hearing this, Ye Qiu finally relaxed.
Then the Dragon King asked kindly, "Ye Qiu, I sent Zhao Yun to invite you. I hope I didn't interrupt your work?"
"No."
"That's good." The Dragon King's smile faded as he said seriously, "Ye Qiu, I asked you to come because there's something I need your help with."
"What is it?" Ye Qiu asked.
"I need you to help me with a medical issue." The Dragon King said, "I'm dying."