The Revenge of the Reborn Supreme Sovereign-Chapter 94 - 92: The Whereabouts of the Ghost Face Flower!
"It is an honor to have you visit us again, Mr. Qin. Your presence truly graces the Ye estate!" Ye Congjun’s voice boomed with vigor as he laughed heartily, striding into the courtyard.
Ever since Qin Fan had repaired his blood vessels and he had taken that elixir, Ye Congjun felt at least twenty or thirty years younger. At this rate, living past one hundred seemed to be the bare minimum!
"Enough with the formalities," Qin Fan responded with a disarming smile. He then turned to Lai Shenxiang and said in a gentle tone, "So you’re the familiar face Elder Jizu mentioned. I was wondering who it could be! It’s Master Lai!"
"No, no, no! Master Qin, you flatter me. In your presence, how could I be called a master? Please, you’re simply mocking me!" Facing Qin Fan’s smile, Lai Shenxiang dropped all pretense of cynicism, smiling wryly as if they were old acquaintances.
But it was to be expected. In front of Qin Fan, how could he dare call himself a master? Was he even worthy of the title?
"Mr. Qin, please, come inside. I’ve had the chef prepare a humble meal, and we hope you will honor us with your presence." As soon as Lai Shenxiang had finished, Ye Jizu stepped forward fawningly, speaking with the utmost respect.
A humble meal? Qin Fan pursed his lips.
Then he smiled faintly and said, "Let’s go, then."
"Thank you for gracing us, Mr. Qin!" Ye Jizu said excitedly as he led the way back into the main hall. Because of Qin Fan’s arrival, the Ye Family had moved the dining area into the main hall.
The simple, elegant hall was filled with the aroma of wine and food. There were no ostentatious displays of large fish and meat platters, just several plates of exquisite stir-fried dishes arranged on the table. Even the bottle of Maotai that Ye Congjun had treasured for over twenty years, intending to open it only on Ye Xuan’s wedding day, had been brought out.
"Mr. Qin, would you care for a small drink?" Ye Jizu asked with a smile. Uncorking the bottle, he played the part of a waiter himself, seeing no need to call for a servant.
"That’s fine. Go ahead and pour," Qin Fan said with a slight smile. Ye Jizu then filled the delicate cups before each person one by one.
Just as Ye Jizu was about to raise his cup for a toast, Qin Fan suddenly interrupted him.
"Before we drink, let me ask something," he said. "Elder Ye, how many of the items I asked you to find have you collected?"
At Qin Fan’s words, the hearts of both Ye Congjun and Ye Jizu hammered in their chests, and difficult expressions appeared on their faces.
"What? Nothing at all?" Qin Fan asked again in that same harmless tone, but to the father and son, his words sounded like the prelude to a death sentence.
Only about a month remained before the deadline Qin Fan had set, yet they were still missing the two most difficult items.
Under Qin Fan’s deep gaze, Ye Congjun, who was already in too deep to back out, dared not hide anything. He answered truthfully, "Mr. Qin, we have found the thousand-year-old Ganoderma, the thousand-year-old Blood Ginseng, and an Ice Mountain Snow Lotus that is over five hundred years old! However, we still have no clue about the Molten Fire Lotus or the Seven-colored Violet’s Ghost Face Flower. We’ve searched everywhere but haven’t found a single trace!"
"No worries. There’s still a month left," Qin Fan said with a nod, his expression unchanged.
"Master Qin, are you looking for the Seven-colored Violet’s Ghost Face Flower?" Lai Shenxiang spoke up.
His words were a lifeline to Ye Congjun.
Without waiting for Qin Fan to reply, he swallowed nervously and turned to Lai Shenxiang. "Master Lai, do you know the whereabouts of the Seven-colored Violet’s Ghost Face Flower?"
Lai Shenxiang’s eyes darted between Qin Fan and Ye Congjun before he nodded. "Half a year ago, I was invited to GZ to handle a Feng Shui Bureau. While passing through a dangerous mountain, I saw colorful butterflies swirling on the mountainside. I climbed up to take a look and, to my surprise, found the Seven-colored Violet’s Ghost Face Flower, just as it was described in ancient books. I nearly lost my life obtaining that single flower!"
Listening to Lai Shenxiang’s account, Ye Congjun’s breathing quickened.
He said urgently, "Master Lai, can you give me the Ghost Face Flower? State whatever conditions you have. No matter the cost, as long as you’re willing to trade the Ghost Face Flower, I’ll agree to anything!"
When he finished speaking, his world-weary eyes held an undeniable plea.
Qin Fan simply smiled and remained silent. He knew that if he were to speak up, Lai Shenxiang would willingly offer the flower with both hands, if only for the matter of the true nexus point of the Foreign Ghost Bureau. But this was a transaction between him and the Ye Family, so he would not interfere, especially since he no longer desperately needed such rare spiritual medicines now that he had reached the late stage of Qi Refinement.
"To be honest, that Ghost Face Flower isn’t of much use to me. Since Elder Ye has asked... very well." Lai Shenxiang paused before continuing with a slow smile.
Although he understood this was a transaction between Qin Fan and the Ye Family, he still chose not to use this as an opportunity to curry favor with Qin Fan. At their age, both he and Ye Congjun could easily see through any ulterior motives the other might have.
CLATTER.
As soon as Lai Shenxiang finished speaking, Ye Congjun shot up from his chair.
He bowed deeply to Lai Shenxiang. "The Ye Family will never forget this incredible kindness, Master Lai!"
"Goodness, Elder Ye, you overwhelm me! This is too much!"
Lai Shenxiang’s attainments in Feng Shui and geomancy were remarkable, and his reputation as Master Lai was known throughout half of Huaxia. However, he always maintained an extraordinary humility before Ye Congjun, a decorated old general from the war era. Otherwise, why would he have helped the Ye Family locate the true nexus point of the Foreign Ghost Bureau? And why would he have offered the true nexus point given to him by Qin Fan to the Ye Family?
Seeing Ye Congjun’s gesture, he quickly rose to help him up.
"Alright, enough with the sentimentality. Let’s eat and drink," Qin Fan said with a faint smile.
"Yes, yes. I apologize for the scene, Mr. Qin," Ye Congjun replied, visibly relieved.
"Elder Ye, you don’t have to keep calling me ’Mr. Qin’," Qin Fan added after a short pause. "Given your age and status, it’s really not appropriate."
"Yes, Master Qin!"
Hearing himself use the title "Master Qin" made Ye Congjun exceedingly happy. It was more than just a title; it was a form of recognition from Qin Fan for him, and for the entire Ye Family.
Now that Qin Fan had permitted him to change his form of address, Ye Congjun was no longer as restrained. Over the delicious stir-fry and enchanting vintage Maotai, the group began to converse merrily. However, from beginning to end, no one mentioned the matter of the dragon slaying.
After several rounds of wine and food, Lai Shenxiang put down his small wine cup and looked at Qin Fan. "Master Qin, there’s something I need to tell you. I hope you won’t blame me for acting on my own."
"Hmm? What is it?" Qin Fan asked with a slight frown.
"It’s about the true nexus point in the Foreign Ghost Bureau on Horse Hoof Ridge that you gifted to me. I’ve offered it to the Ye Family. You see, I was at Horse Hoof Ridge in the first place at Elder Ye’s request. So..."
Lai Shenxiang’s meaning was already perfectly clear.
Qin Fan just shook his head and smiled. "Master Lai, you’re overthinking it. I gave that land to you. How you choose to dispose of it is your business. You don’t need to explain anything to me."
Just as Qin Fan finished speaking, and before Lai Shenxiang even had a chance to respond, Ye Xuan burst into the main hall from the courtyard with an impatient look on her face. Following her was a handsome young man with a nearly flawless, well-trained physique. He kept calling out softly, "Little Xuan, Little Xuan."
But Ye Xuan ignored him, the look of helplessness on her face growing more pronounced.
The moment she stepped into the hall and saw Qin Fan at the dining table, however, her expression changed completely. A burst of joy lit up her face as she exclaimed, "Qin Fan, you’re here! Why didn’t you tell me? I would have prepared!"
