Chapter Ninety-Eight: I Truly Am Not a Big Shot

“Boss! Please cover for me. From today onwards, I’m following you. If you tell me to go east, I’ll never go west. As long as you can protect me, I’d even eat shit if you asked…”

It was terrifying; Qingcheng was so frightened by Yuechan’s few words that he didn’t even have the courage to leave the tavern. He’d thought his life was about to embark on a glorious journey, but it turned out to be nothing of the sort.

As soon as Qingcheng finished speaking, everyone broke into a cold sweat, suddenly recalling the earlier Sky-Swallowing Sparrow.

“Sigh… Has this kid caught Xiao Hong’s bad habits? Why would he suddenly mention eating shit?”

Ye Qiu was embarrassed, feeling as though he was surrounded by a pack of huskies, each more unreliable than the last.

“Get up first! Forget about eating shit—unless that’s your hobby, in which case I won’t stop you, but remember to rinse your mouth afterward.”

“Huh?”

Qingcheng was stunned. What’s going on? When did I ever say I liked eating shit? It was just a metaphor, you know?

He glanced at the two girls nearby and could clearly see a hint of disdain in their eyes. He panicked.

Damn, my image is ruined! If this spreads, how will I ever charm pretty girls again?

“Boss, I…”

Qingcheng was about to explain, but Ye Qiu casually cut him off, continuing, “Alright, enough with the boss talk. I’m not some big shot, just an ordinary person…”

Qingcheng was taken aback, surprised. “You’re not a big shot? Then who is?”

“Could it be you?”

He looked at Cao He in confusion. Cao He was startled. “What? I’m not a big shot either. Don’t look at me—I’m definitely not a big shot.”

“You’re not either?”

It was over. Neither of them were big shots? Then who could protect him?

With his current strength, if he stepped out of the tavern and was discovered by those with malicious intent, he’d become a sacrifice in minutes.

Was this some kind of joke? He’d thought he’d found a lifeline, but instead found two unreliable fools?

Qingcheng grew anxious. He was certain Ye Qiu was the big shot—why wouldn’t he admit it? Was his earlier feeling just an illusion?

He looked at Yuechan, and his eyes brightened. “This must be the big shot, right? But this fairy sister seems a bit cold, not easy to approach!”

Just then, Qingcheng suddenly saw Ye Qiu lightly wave his right hand, and a cup of tea appeared in his palm. The water flowed upward, automatically entering his mouth.

“Hiss… Is this the art of water control?”

Qingcheng’s heart trembled. Such a level of immortal technique might not have much practical use, but achieving it was no easy feat.

Only with deep cultivation could one control water so effortlessly and keep it stable.

Looking at Ye Qiu’s calm demeanor and transcendent aura, he seemed like an exile from heaven, unfathomable.

“This is definitely a master. Just look at the aura, the poise, the looks—he’s got all the hallmarks of a master. And that effortless control of the tea, what else could he be but a master?”

Qingcheng finally settled his heart. Ye Qiu was indeed a master. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to do such things.

But what puzzled him was why Ye Qiu claimed not to be one. Could it be…

“Hmm, I get it now. I’ve read that powerful, reclusive masters like to hide away in deep mountains or bustling cities. Their actions are always unconventional, never wanting others to know their true strength. Unless absolutely necessary, they won’t reveal their abilities.”

“Hiss… It’s confirmed. He’s definitely a master, a true master…”

Qingcheng grew more excited with every thought. Ye Qiu was not only a master, but an extraordinary one. Otherwise, why would the Empress Yuechan show him such respect?

Anyone able to converse with someone of that caliber must have considerable strength themselves.

“Haha, caught you slipping! I’m just too clever—even if you hide as deeply as you want, you can’t escape my discerning eye!”

Qingcheng grinned, walking up to Ye Qiu and whispering, “Boss, I understand, I understand. You don’t want to reveal your identity, so you told me you aren’t a master, trying to remind me not to make too much noise, right?”

“I get it. Don’t worry, Qingcheng may not be good at much, but I can keep secrets. I absolutely won’t expose your true identity.”

He chuckled to himself. Look at that perception, that talent—if he were in another novel, he’d definitely be the protagonist.

This was a sure thing!

Ye Qiu was speechless. He turned to glance at Qingcheng, who looked at him with anticipation, and his face darkened.

“Damn, another one with an overactive imagination?”

Ye Qiu didn’t know how to respond. Why did no one believe the truth these days?

He really wasn’t a big shot. Damn, had he stumbled into a nest of big shots? No matter what he did, they’d interpret it as being low-key, reserved, steady, humble—all the hallmarks of a master. If someone else did it, it was real; if he did it, it was deliberately concealed.

What logic was this? If he used another identity, would he be considered a muggle? Did his current identity come with a master tag?

Forget it. Let them interpret things however they want; he was too lazy to explain.

Ye Qiu remained silent. Actually, the little spell he’d used earlier was just a result of boredom while drinking tea, something he’d stumbled upon unintentionally.

To be precise, he didn’t even know how it worked. He simply acted as he wished, and the tea obeyed his thoughts.

That was all. Yet, in these people’s eyes, even such a minor spell was treated as a high-level technique.

“You don’t understand at all! Not only did you misinterpret my words, you even act like you know me so well. You blockhead—forget it…”

Ye Qiu silently cursed, but didn’t dwell on it. It wasn’t his first time being mistaken for a big shot; he was used to it.

Taking a sip of tea, Ye Qiu calmly said, “Alright, since you want to stay, from today on, you’ll work with him. Cao Rogue, take him downstairs, show him around the tavern, and teach him the rules.”

“Alright, boss…”

Cao He didn’t refuse. It wasn’t often he got a new underling, and he was delighted.

“Heh heh, kid, follow me!”

Cao He grinned mischievously. With this guy around, all the dirty and tedious work could be handed over to him. He could relax—how wonderful.

He led Qingcheng downstairs, arranged accommodation, and explained some tasks and rules.

“You really plan to take him in?”

After Qingcheng left, Yuechan spoke again.

“Why not?” Ye Qiu replied. To be honest, taking in this kid wasn’t necessarily a good thing, but Ye Qiu needed people.

And most importantly, the innate Dao body—an extraordinary talent, a powerful cheat. One day, he would surely become a remarkable figure.

If Ye Qiu could nurture him, as long as he wasn’t an ingrate, he’d surely repay Ye Qiu in the future.

Of course, even if he didn’t, it was no loss—just a risk-free investment.

There was another crucial reason: this kid looked so much like Ye Qiu that Ye Qiu couldn’t help but think of his younger brother, Ye Dong.

“Could there really be two identical blossoms in the world? Hmm… It’s a mystery. Forget it, let’s raise him first. Everything will be revealed in time.”

Ye Qiu shook his head, letting the matter rest.