Chapter 33: Ah, the Wealthy...

When Ye Jiuyou heard this, his expression remained unchanged. He stepped forward and spoke, “Let’s dismiss the initial-stage contestants. Bring on the profound energy and fusion energy cultivators directly, so this doesn’t turn into a bore, don’t you agree?”

“Yes, yes…”

At his words, the young admirers of Great Zhou cheered instantly, and even among the other four realms, many nodded in agreement.

Yet, those disciples who nodded from the minor sects of the four realms were promptly rebuked by their own elders.

“The will of the people is clear. What do you say, gentlemen?”

“We of the North Sea Sword Sect have no objections.”

“Neither do we at Linglong Pavilion.”

…

Soon, nearly all the powers of the four realms accepted Ye Jiuyou’s suggestion, all except for the Hall of Yellow Springs, which remained silent. At that moment, the one speaking for the Hall was not the Old Ancestor of Yellow Springs, but a middle-aged man.

This was Ming Jiuyin, the current master of the Hall of Yellow Springs. He snorted coldly, “You brash brat, who are you to change the rules on a whim?”

Ye Jiuyou was growing impatient. He had no intention of showing off, yet others kept handing him the opportunity.

“Your father already called me grandfather. Wouldn’t that make you guilty of disrespecting your elders?” Ye Jiuyou’s voice was not loud, but each word landed heavily for all to hear.

“Hahaha… I heard the Hall of Yellow Springs showed up in haste the other day, only to slink away in disgrace. So it was to pay respects to a grandfather?”

“Exactly! I heard the realm master was present too—was he there to bear witness?”

…

The crowd’s discussion grew ever more animated, and as excitement mounted, some even began dredging up old scandals of the Hall of Yellow Springs, sending the audience into gales of laughter.

Ming Jiuyin’s face turned ashen at this, and he spluttered, “You…”

“Don’t talk too much, you amateur. Haven’t you heard that villains die from their own verbosity?” Ye Jiuyou mocked again, prompting even louder laughter.

Ming Jiuyin felt his dignity slipping further. Wasn’t he supposed to be ridiculing the Great Zhou Dynasty? How had the tables turned so quickly?

“Are we here to duel or to banter? Is the Great Zhou all talk and no skill? No wonder they’re all novices!” Ming Jiuyin retorted, but now the crowd looked at him as if he were a simpleton.

“Young man, perhaps you don’t know a certain saying?”

Ming Jiuyin responded instinctively, “What?”

“Ugly people always make more trouble.”

At Ye Jiuyou’s words, laughter erupted again, especially among those from Great Zhou.

“Mother, look! I may not be well-read, but I’m not stupid like that uncle. He’s a fool,” a young child piped up to his mother in a childish voice.

“Hahaha…”

“This is too much! How does the Hall of Yellow Springs allow anyone to be their master these days?”

…

The laughter became even more radiant, like winter sunlight. Many repeated the child’s words, glancing at Ming Jiuyin and bursting out again at the comparison.

Luo Yuanhuang, ever the affable one, grinned, “Let’s be charitable. Let’s not laugh at the fool. On with the contest.”

Those who had tried to stifle their laughter lost control anew, especially those from Great Zhou. After all, how could they pass up a chance to embarrass the Hall of Yellow Springs?

Knowing there was no salvaging his image, Ming Jiuyin could only snort, “Hmph!” to show his anger.

Soon, the matches resumed in earnest, now featuring cultivators of the profound energy stage.

Because of the spat between the Hall of Yellow Springs and Great Zhou, the following battles proved even less engaging than the previous round. However, each fight was decided with remarkable speed.

Clashes between experts often end in an instant, and so the profound energy matches proceeded swiftly. Each bout seemed unremarkable, yet the power displayed was earth-shattering. Without the protection of formation wards, any spectator of lesser cultivation might have been obliterated in an instant.

After all, those at the profound energy stage had already reached a major threshold; slaying initial-stage cultivators was as easy as slaughtering livestock—perhaps even easier.

Ye Jiuyou, his eyelids drooping, watched a few matches before dozing off again. When Ye Hanzhou arrived and found him unsightly, he ordered him to go for a stroll—anything but sleep—so Ye Jiuyou grudgingly left the Hall of Honor.

…

“What is this? I’m the ruler of Great Zhou, but Father is so domineering. What’s wrong with taking a nap?” Ye Jiuyou muttered in frustration as he wandered the city streets. The people of Great Zhou, eager to greet him, hesitated and swallowed their words when they saw his sour expression.

“Maybe I should visit the Azure Pavilion to unwind? But if Qingyu finds out, she’ll kill me. Maybe I should…”

“Bafang Pavilion!”

Bafang Pavilion was a high-end establishment in Great Zhou, akin to a five-star hotel in the modern world, and it was the finest of them all.

Ye Jiuyou, still annoyed, strode inside. The place was bustling, as was expected during such a grand tournament—some came for the spectacle, others for the competition itself.

He wasn’t surprised to find Bafang Pavilion full to the brim.

“Your Excellency…”

A sharp-eyed attendant spotted Ye Jiuyou and hurried over to greet him respectfully. With a wave, Ye Jiuyou gestured for him to lead the way.

The attendant, a savvy man, quickly escorted Ye Jiuyou to the most luxurious private room.

“Your Excellency, this is our finest suite. Just call if you need anything. It’s busy downstairs, but once you’ve made your choices, simply summon me. There’s a hidden compartment here…”

The attendant rattled off a litany of instructions. Once Ye Jiuyou indicated his understanding, he dismissed the man, glanced over the menu, marked a few dishes at random, and called the attendant back.

Yet after waiting a long time, no food arrived. Ye Jiuyou’s patience began to fray. Not only was he deprived of sleep, now he was being denied a meal.

I’m not allowed to sleep, and now I’m not allowed to eat? This is intolerable.

On the spot, Ye Jiuyou kicked open the door to the private room.

“Attendant, didn’t you say there was a distinguished guest inside? This pauper? He looks half-dead, and you call him a guest of honor?”

Suddenly, a mocking voice rang out. A youth dressed in extravagant attire, two luminous pearls in his hand, looked at Ye Jiuyou with disdain.

Ye Jiuyou glanced at himself and realized his attire today was indeed rather plain. But to disparage his looks—now that he would not tolerate.

His gaze settled on the youth, and he said coolly, “Ah, a man of means…”

The youth grinned smugly, while the attendant instinctively withdrew behind Ye Jiuyou. The latter’s reputation in Great Zhou was unassailable, and the attendant, casting a glance at the youth, silently offered his condolences.

The pitiful so often have their faults.

That saying fit people like Qi Jiangyou precisely.

With a haughty air, Qi Jiangyou declared, “I am Qi Jiangyou of the Qi family. Be sensible and vacate this room. Call me grandfather three times, and I’ll let you leave unscathed—otherwise…”

He drew a finger across his throat in warning, his face full of arrogance. The attendant, watching this, could only look at him with pity.

The pitiful so often have their faults.

Perhaps that saying was made for people like Qi Jiangyou.