chapter 35 Ancient warrior ===

“Damn it, I'll pay, stop beating, can't I pay the money?” Lionel Ye was beaten to the point of crying for his parents. “Remember, I'm giving you three days. Get together three hundred thousand. If you can't, I'll kill you both.” Jermaine Zhang threateningly dropped a sentence and turned to leave. “Lionel Ye, I want a divorce. My face, even my parents never hit me like this.” May Zhou cried out, getting up to leave. Lionel Ye lay on the ground for a long while before struggling to his feet. After the two left, Thorpe Chen emerged from the shadows, only feeling better after punishing them. “Brother Thorpe, I hope you're satisfied,” Jermaine Zhang said with a smile on his face. “It's okay. Keep an eye on those two. If they act up, continue to teach them a lesson,” Thorpe Chen said. “Of course, as long as Brother Thorpe says the word, my brothers and I will handle them,” Jermaine Zhang and Joe replied obsequiously. “Brother Thorpe, Mr. Zou mentioned that if you're available, he'd like to invite you for dinner,” Klaus Li approached to say. “Okay, no problem,” Thorpe Chen nodded. People like Eddie Zou, if used correctly, could be of great assistance. If he wanted to befriend him, then so be it. “Great, Mr. Chen, please,” Klaus Li said, delighted. After Thorpe Chen left, Jermaine Zhang and Joe finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Joe, didn't you say this guy was useless?” Jermaine Zhang angrily said, “Even Eddie Zou respects him. Have you ever seen such a ‘useless’ person?” “I didn't know. He used to be just a thug. Carey Liu knows him,” Joe replied, visibly panicked. Although the two didn't fully understand, they realized that Thorpe Chen was not the same person he used to be. They'd need to tread carefully around him in the future. On the outskirts, at the Yun Ding Estate. This was an upscale custom-designed estate, mainly for leisure. In front of a lakeside villa, Eddie Zou had already prepared a banquet. “Thank you, Mr. Chen, for gracing us with your presence. I have no other intentions today; I just wanted to share a casual meal with Mr. Chen,” Eddie Zou said respectfully. “Mr. Zou is too polite. I should thank you for earlier,” Thorpe Chen nodded in acknowledgement. “It was a small matter,” Eddie Zou quickly replied with a smile. “Mr. Chen, if you need anything in the future, just let me know. I'll do my best.” “I assume you have something on your mind, Mr. Zou,” Thorpe Chen observed. “If there's something, just say it.” “Well then, Mr. Chen, I'll be direct,” Eddie Zou hesitated briefly before continuing, “I heard that Mr. Chen is knowledgeable about geomancy and feng shui. That you once helped the second son of the Lin family break the child-cutting sword arrangement?” “You're quite informed,” Thorpe Chen chuckled. “I know a little. Do you have concerns in this area?” “To be honest with Mr. Chen, I have been troubled recently,” Eddie Zou confessed with a bitter smile. “I keep dreaming of my late father. He keeps saying he isn't resting comfortably, as if he's being roasted by fire.” “If it were an occasional dream, I wouldn't think much of it. But I've had this same dream for half a month. Every time I wake up, I'm drenched in cold sweat. So, I'd like to ask Mr. Chen for a solution.” “Based solely on dreams, I can't deduce much. I'd need to see your father's burial site. However, if your father says he's not resting comfortably, then the grave must be unsuitable,” Thorpe Chen explained. “When he passed away, I did consult a specialist. Is it unsuitable?” Eddie Zou asked, slightly taken aback. “Do you know the pattern of the place where your father is buried?” Thorpe Chen inquired. “I was told it's a 'government official' layout, but I'm not sure about the specifics. It's too technical,” Eddie Zou admitted. “A 'government official' layout?” Thorpe Chen laughed. “Then it's unsuitable.” “Why is that?” Eddie Zou asked, puzzled. "An officialdom sign suggests one's descendants will have a smooth career in government service, rising through the ranks easily. However, your fate is in the martial world, which is the opposite. From your appearance, you lack the signs of a government official. Hence, you're destined not to walk the path of government service. Your father's burial in such an auspicious layout will surely be unstable." Thorpe Chen explained. "I see. Do you have any solutions, Sir?" Eddie Zou finally realized. "Relocating the grave would work. However, in your dream, your father felt like he was being roasted alive. That's an issue." Thorpe Chen said, "South stands for fire, while North stands for malevolence. This dream suggests that you might be targeted by an enemy soon. Be careful." "I understand now. Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Chen. Let's eat." Eddie Zou's expression changed. He was most wary of such matters, and with Thorpe Chen's explanation, it seemed plausible. Dishes were served one after another. This place focused on high-end leisure dining, so the dishes were naturally good. "Mr. Chen, this dish is a speciality here. I have specially made reservations for a few days in advance. Please." After a dish was served, Eddie Zou personally stepped forward to lift the lid. Just as he was about to lift the lid, a burst of strong qi suddenly came from the shadows. The qi was sharp and only a master of internal martial arts could emit it. Thorpe Chen quickly stood up and pulled Eddie Zou aside. With a crack, the marble dining table shattered, and a white palm print appeared on it. "Who's there?" Eddie Zou was startled. The attacker was a master. Had Thorpe Chen not pulled him aside, that palm would've struck his back. He didn't believe his body was stronger than that marble table. He stepped back, and several bodyguards quickly surrounded him. "Hehe, are you Eddie Zou?" A figure flashed, and an old man appeared in front of the table. Dressed in a long robe with sharp eyes, it was clear he had a high level of internal martial prowess. "Who are you?" Eddie Zou asked with a stern voice. "Qing Zhou." The old man answered arrogantly. "You're the second-in-command of the Azure Dragon Society?" Eddie Zou's expression changed. The Azure Dragon Society was a martial world organization filled with internal martial arts masters. He had no prior conflicts with them. Qing Zhou, being their second-in-command, had profound martial skills. "I've been hired to take your life." Qing Zhou chuckled. "Who sent you to kill me?" Eddie Zou's face paled. Thorpe Chen had just mentioned a possible ambush, and in the blink of an eye, an attacker had appeared. "I won't tell you, but you should have an idea," The old man laughed as he placed a package on the table. "According to the rules of the Azure Dragon Society, here's a bottle of poison, a dagger, and a three-foot-long white silk. Choose one to end your life." "Did Noah Du send you?" Eddie Zou shouted. "According to martial world rules, you shouldn't be involved in the dispute between Noah Du and me. You're breaking the rules." "Rules are made by men. Once you're dead, no one will know we broke them. Noah Du's price was high enough. So choose one and don't force me to do it." Qing Zhou laughed. "Think again!" Eddie Zou shouted, "Attack!" A man behind him reached for his gun, but Qing Zhou moved swiftly. He leapt, used the table for leverage, and slapped out with his palm. Thud... The man reaching for the gun was sent flying by Qing Zhou's palm strike, spewing blood. His chest bones shattered, and it was clear he wouldn't survive.