Chapter 188 – An Elder Has High Hopes for You

As the saying goes: Going up a mountain is easy, but coming down is difficult.

It was only at this moment that Ye Kuang realized the person who first said this must have been an absolute pioneer.

It was just too damn accurate!

Earlier, Ye Kuang had ascended the mountain driven by a burst of momentum. Who would have thought that now, while descending, he would actually feel a trace of fatigue?

What appeared to be a simple mountain path was, in reality, as winding and tortuous as a journey of a hundred thousand miles.

He followed closely behind the Elder, step by step, mimicking his every move.

To be honest, he really wanted to say: Old man, why don’t we pick up the pace so we can get down the mountain sooner and each go our own way?

But these words, Ye Kuang wouldn’t dare utter even under threat of death. Otherwise, his forehead would unjustly suffer another slap.

As the saying goes, the flesh is given by one’s parents, but the pain is all one’s own.

He wasn’t foolish—inviting a beating would only bring discomfort upon himself.

Suddenly, the Elder spoke inexplicably, “Kid, do you know why I came this time?”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang was clearly as confused as a Monk who can’t make head or tail of something, and could only reply with a smile, “Teacher, you come and go as you please. Who could possibly control an elder like you?”

As he said this, he actually felt a bit curious and puzzled.

But who would have thought that the Elder would suddenly stop in his tracks?

Ye Kuang failed to notice in time and stepped directly on the Elder’s heel, startling himself on the spot.

“Are you blind, kid?”

“You were the one who stopped suddenly first!”

“Kid, are you asking for a beating?”

“I… damn it…” Ye Kuang couldn’t help but feel extremely frustrated, suddenly experiencing the feeling of a Scholar meeting a soldier—reason simply couldn’t be argued.

Elder: “Enough of that. I have something serious to discuss with you.”

At this, the Elder actually grew somewhat serious, revealing a conflicted expression that seemed to say, “I don’t know if I should say this or not.”

“What could it be?” Ye Kuang said, not suspecting anything and clearly not taking the Elder’s serious expression to heart.

Hearing this, the Elder could only sigh inexplicably and said, “Do you know why I treat you this way?”

After a moment of silent contemplation, Ye Kuang could only shake his head.

As for this question, he had indeed thought about it before, but he was still clueless and could only speculate privately.

Elder: “Because an elder sees potential in you!”

“What does that mean?” Ye Kuang was even more perplexed upon hearing this, suddenly unable to follow the Elder’s train of thought.

Seeing this, the Elder sighed once more and then asked, “Do you remember that time you dashed out from the unknown Mountain Forest?”

“Huh…” Ye Kuang was shocked upon hearing this and couldn’t help exclaiming, “How do you know that?”

“That’s precisely why we’ve been paying attention to you. Perhaps you’re unaware, but your appearance was not only an anomaly—it also led us to discover a suitable candidate!” the Elder said with a bitter laugh.

After speaking, the Elder couldn’t help but look up at the distant horizon, revealing an inexplicable sense of vicissitude.

Ye Kuang didn’t ask further or ponder deeply, but he knew well that there must be a reason behind all this.

And he firmly believed that the Elder would eventually provide all the answers he sought.

When the Elder turned back, he couldn’t help but glance at Ye Kuang with a complicated expression before beginning to explain, “Discovering someone like you was truly an accident. It’s only because, on the day you appeared, there happened to be a surveillance camera at that location.”

Ye Kuang: “…”Seeing this, the Elder continued: “Your appearance is like a long-awaited surprise we stumbled upon by accident—utterly irresistible.”

Ye Kuang: “…”

Elder: “Don’t look at me like that. I’m merely relaying a message. You’ve now officially entered the sights of those old fellows.”

“Wait… who exactly are these old fellows?” Ye Kuang couldn’t help feeling his scalp tingle as he asked, suddenly envisioning a group of monstrously powerful beings like the Elder.

The Elder’s expression shifted momentarily before melting into a cheerful smile. “Ah… just some elderly gentlemen in their seventies and eighties. As an educated person, you mustn’t be so impolite—no more ‘old fellows’ this or ‘old men’ that. Mind your manners.”

No sooner had he spoken than the Elder chuckled again: “Besides, that’s secondary. The most important matter is… I’d like to ask for your help, if I may?”

As he spoke, the Elder seemed noticeably tense, clearly worried about potential refusal.

Ye Kuang: “First, tell me what it is.”

Elder: “Just… serve as a bodyguard.”

“What?” Ye Kuang reacted with disbelief, inevitably following up: “What do you mean?”

“Exactly what it sounds like.” The Elder responded noncommittally before explaining further: “Essentially, we need you to protect an important figure. You’ll naturally learn their identity when the time comes.”

“Teacher, are you mistaken? Others might not know my limitations, but how could you not?” At this point, Ye Kuang suddenly seemed deeply reluctant: “Moreover, someone as powerful as you could easily handle this personally. With you involved, no trouble would be too great.”

The Elder could only smile wryly at this: “If I were to intervene, naturally nothing would go wrong.”

He paused briefly before continuing: “You need only understand that certain… circumstances prevent me from taking action.”

This only deepened Ye Kuang’s confusion.

Whatever the reason, this matter was clearly extraordinary.

The thought made Ye Kuang suspect this wasn’t something he should agree to lightly.

Seeing this, the Elder knew exactly how slippery this young man could be, and stated gravely: “You’re free to refuse, of course… but your remaining days might become rather headache-inducing…”

Before finishing, he casually added: “For instance, if you offend certain old-timers, I won’t lift a finger to help. Moreover, should we detect any treacherous intentions from you… we’d have to proceed by the rules.”

Only then did Ye Kuang begin to understand.

He suddenly realized his every move seemed to be under someone’s surveillance—even his past actions had likely been monitored by certain powerful figures.

Once this thought took root, it grew uncontrollably.

He became sharply alert, demanding with equal seriousness: “Teacher, are you threatening me?”

“If you choose to interpret it that way, I won’t deny it.” The Elder’s reply was crisp and clear.

For a moment, the two locked eyes—each holding their own reasons and convictions.

The atmosphere grew chilly, an icy tension creeping into the space between them.”Alright, alright, you win.” Only after a moment did Ye Kuang finally spread his hands in resignation. His originally cheerful mood could change in an instant, and he couldn’t help but think to himself: So that’s how it is. No wonder there hasn’t been any reaction no matter what commotion I caused – they’ve been watching everything all along, neither commenting nor intervening.

Elder: “Good that you understand. If you don’t want future troubles, it never hurts to keep a low profile sometimes.”

But then the conversation took a sudden turn as the elder suddenly laughed again, as if everything remained within his control.

“Just think about it – forget about us causing you trouble. The Xingyi Sect alone could keep you running in circles. What’s more, do you think the Xingyi Sect is as simple as it appears on the surface? Let me tell you the truth – they have powerful backing too!”