Chapter Thirty-Four: Don’t Get Familiar—Address Me as Senior

Su Jian was of the opinion that, since Gao Zhengde dared to scheme even against Su Henli, it was proof that the sinister power lurking beneath the lake was at least as formidable as someone in the Nascent Soul stage, if not stronger.

Beyond that, he was able to deduce one crucial piece of information.

“That thing cannot leave the bottom of the lake!”

Otherwise, Gao Zhengde would have had no need to go to such trouble to lure him there. If the creature could simply launch a surprise attack, wouldn’t that have been far more convenient?

As Su Jian pondered, he suddenly noticed a familiar figure walking slowly toward him in the distance.

Suspicious, Su Jian thought to himself, “Why is Ouyang Ke here? Wasn’t he taken away by the old beggar?”

But in any case, this was a good thing.

That damned system—such an important event, and not even a single notification.

Perhaps, in the system’s eyes, this wasn’t a significant incident.

After a moment’s thought, Su Jian stood up and blocked Ouyang Ke’s path.

Ouyang Ke frowned. He had just been looking for someone to rob for a bit of spending money, when someone walked right up to him, making things far too convenient.

He couldn’t be blamed for what was about to happen.

It was broad daylight, but he couldn’t care less. He just needed to act quickly and efficiently.

But before he could make a move, the person in front of him spoke a sentence that made his body jolt.

Su Jian asked, “Ouyang Ke, my young master sent me here specifically to find you. Why have you not acted yet?”

Given his current appearance, it was impossible to present himself as before.

Now that Ouyang Ke was free, the matter of robbing the Myriad Treasures Pavilion could not be delayed.

It wasn’t that Su Jian feared powerful reinforcements from the pavilion, but rather that they regularly transported away their recent gains.

Ouyang Ke raised an eyebrow, relieved he hadn’t already acted—otherwise, he’d have made a fool of himself.

“Why didn’t your young master come to me in person?”

Su Jian cast him an indifferent glance, a hint of contempt in his tone. “Do you think someone of my young master’s status is someone you can meet just because you wish it?”

Ouyang Ke inwardly ground his teeth, cursing at Su Jian’s arrogance.

Still, he forced a smile and sighed, “It’s not that I’m dragging my feet, but I have my own difficulties!”

The street was hardly the place for such a conversation. Su Jian pulled him aside, ensuring there was nothing amiss.

Then he sneered, “It’s true you were snatched by the old beggar, but what were you doing at the City Lord’s manor before that? And why didn’t you clean up the corpses by the lake? If not for my young master resolving the danger stalking you, do you really think you’d still be alive?”

Ouyang Ke was shocked, immediately realizing that the other had been watching his every move from the start.

This person even knew he had killed someone at the City Lord’s manor.

If not for his fear of the old beggar’s strength, Su Jian would likely never have waited so long to find him.

He was, in the end, just a pawn in the other’s hand.

And there was nothing he could keep secret—the other saw everything with clarity.

At this moment, Ouyang Ke even felt that staying beside the old beggar was the safer option.

He admitted his fault at once, “I was wrong in this matter. I’ll take care of it as soon as possible, but now isn’t the right time.”

Sensing Su Jian’s growing impatience, Ouyang Ke hurriedly explained, “You know I was taken by an old beggar. The only reason I’m out now is because he sent me to fetch him a chicken, but I’ll seize the opportunity to fulfill your young master’s orders.”

Su Jian nodded slightly. “One last piece of advice: that old beggar is no ordinary man. Do whatever you can to become his disciple—this could be your lucky break.”

Such matters could not be forced, especially since Su Jian had yet to uncover the old beggar’s true background.

But that wasn’t important—the main thing was, the old beggar could be useful.

Ouyang Ke was a little surprised. He bowed and asked, “Thank you, brother. But do you know anything about him so I can find favor in his eyes?”

It was indeed a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

For a moment, he was at a loss, unable to fathom Su Jian’s true intentions.

Su Jian laughed. “What’s this—do you really intend to serve as the old beggar’s lackey forever? Chasing after scraps while ignoring the real prize—that’s shortsighted.”

Ouyang Ke’s expression darkened, but he forced a smile. “I’m slow-witted. Please, enlighten me.”

Su Jian’s demeanor turned serious. “Don’t try to get chummy. Call me ‘Elder.’”

Ouyang Ke obliged. “Please, Elder, enlighten me.”

Su Jian declared, “Listen carefully. My young master possesses extraordinary abilities and status—few in this world can compare. Are you really going to throw away such a promising future just to wander the world with some filthy beggar? If I’m not mistaken, that man is wanted by the Alliance of Righteousness across the land. Stay by his side and you’re courting death—better pick out a fine coffin in advance.”

If he didn’t put it this way, Ouyang Ke would never be so obedient.

Ouyang Ke was taken aback. He’d thought the old beggar was just another eccentric wanderer, a bit like a certain legendary master, and that it was safest to stay by his side while he was still weak.

But he couldn’t trust everything Su Jian said.

His best move, for now, was to play both sides.

After a moment’s hesitation, Ouyang Ke couldn’t help but ask, “If your young master is so highly placed…”

He still had his uses, after all, so there was no need to be overly timid.

Su Jian chuckled. “You’re not without potential—how can you be so dense? Don’t you know what a trial is? My young master is of noble birth, and our immortal sect is one of the most renowned in the world. Of course, the sect leader has more than one heir.”

“So I’ll be frank: my young master wishes to prove himself through trials, gaining whatever resources he can outside. If you devote yourself to serving him, you’ll become one of his trusted retainers. Isn’t that better than running for your life with an old beggar?”

“As the saying goes, it’s better to provide help in adversity than to embellish success. Your temperament is exactly what our sect needs. Your future prospects will be limitless!”

With a promise like that, who could stay unmoved?

Ouyang Ke was indeed tempted.

But regardless, he had no room to refuse.

He didn’t believe Su Jian was a good person—after all, no decent man would plot to rob the Myriad Treasures Pavilion.

He immediately replied, “I’m honored by the young master’s regard. From now on, my life is his.”

Su Jian waved him off. “No need for such pledges just yet. Make sure you survive and then you can speak of loyalty. But before you die, you must complete what my young master has asked of you. My young master is gentle and approachable, true, but I am not so easily deceived.”

Ouyang Ke was taken aback. “Elder, what do you mean by that?”

A chill swept over him, a premonition of disaster making his whole body cold.

Su Jian sneered. “You brought all this upon yourself—call it the ignorance of a man on the brink of doom.”