I bought a secret manual of the Hehuan Sect for ten yuan.

Qin Ge was being deliberately modest when he said that. He knew his own situation very well. If he continued to cultivate, he wouldn't need to rely on anyone in the future!

But what he said was correct, because from Yan Jingchun's perspective, that was indeed the case.

With the Yan family being such a powerful force, the Shen, Han, and Xia families all treat them with utmost respect. Do they really need a nobody like Qin Ge to lend them a hand?

Yan Jingchun and he had only met for the first time, so why was Yan Jingchun so determined to propose such a deal?

Had I been seen through?

"Is it hard to understand? You might even think I'm joking with you?" As Qin Ge was lost in thought, Yan Jingchun spoke again.

"I said I don't want to pry into your secrets, but that doesn't mean I can't see through anything."

"You're the second person who can command the envy and admiration of the Shen and Xia families!"

"The second one?" Qin Ge thought of Huo Qianjue. "Was the first one Huo Qianjue?"

"Doesn't the Yan family count?"

"No, that doesn't count." Yan Jingchun shook his head, a hint of disdain in his eyes. "The Yan family doesn't want to get too close to people like them!"

"It's not that I look down on them, nor that I question their character, but the Yan family's situation doesn't allow it; getting too close would be taboo."

"But this is beyond my control. The prosperity of the Yan family has also sown the seeds of disaster."

Do you know Su Shi?

"Of course I know!" Qin Ge nodded, knowing that the old man was about to start telling a story.

Yan Jingchun said, "Su Shi was either demoted or on his way to be demoted throughout his life, but he was also given important positions a few times. His life was full of ups and downs."

"The same person can have vastly different circumstances at different times. Is this something he can control?"

"No, because the decision-making power doesn't lie with him, but with those above him!"

"The same applies to the Yan family. Choosing the wrong side or remaining neutral could lead to their downfall. Moreover, Su Shi had the opportunity to rise and fall, but the Yan family would not have such an opportunity. Once they fall, they will never be able to rise again."

"It could even lead to the extermination of the entire family!"

"Whether you think I'm being overly cautious or just worrying unnecessarily, with your medical skills alone, the Yan family won't lose out by forming a good relationship with you!"

"Mr. Yan, you flatter me." Qin Ge said modestly again, "It is fate that we met, and we should support each other!"

Although the old man Yan Jingchun loved to tell stories, he was quite straightforward in his speech.

The Xia and Han families probably had similar intentions in befriending him, but only Yan Jingchun said it so clearly.

They might make a killing, but I definitely won't lose out; it's a worthwhile deal!

Qin Ge stayed for a while, drank a few cups of tea, and then made up an excuse to slip away.

Yan Jingchun claimed he didn't like to reason, but he really loved telling stories, constantly revealing his philosophy and wisdom about life, which Qin Ge couldn't stand.

"Finished talking?"

Shen Tingzhi was slightly surprised to see Qin Ge appear, not expecting the conversation to end so quickly.

Yan Chengrui was the opposite. Normally, his father would try to avoid seeing many prominent figures who came to visit, but he actually took the initiative to meet with Qin Ge, a junior, and chatted for so long!

The three chatted for a while when a young woman with a high ponytail suddenly appeared.

"Jinghong? What brings you here, girl?"

The woman was none other than Yu Jinghong from Yingwutang, who had recently assisted the police in arresting Meng Changkong. Yan Chengrui seemed quite surprised by her arrival.

"Uncle Rui! I'm already twenty-four, and you still call me a little girl!" Yu Jinghong said angrily, but her attention was not on Yan Chengrui. Instead, she looked Qin Ge and Shen Tingzhi up and down.

Yan Chengrui smiled and said, "In my eyes, an unmarried woman is a naive young girl. If you never marry and become an old maid in your forties or fifties, you'll still be a girl in my eyes!"

"You still haven't told me how you got here! Nobody's going to play with you today!"

"I can't be bothered with you!" Yu Jinghong's gaze locked onto Qin Ge, scrutinizing him. "I'm here to see him!"

"You must be Qin Ge?"

"Did you really kill Li Canglan?"

"Me?" Qin Ge pointed to himself, then glanced at Shen Tingzhi before continuing, "I killed him, but it was just luck."

A mocking smile appeared on Yu Jinghong's lips. "Whether it was luck or not, we'll find out after a fight!"

"I challenge you to a duel. Do you dare to accept?"

"Challenge me?" Qin Ge glanced at Yan Chengrui instinctively first. "No interest."

"Jinghong, stop fooling around!" Yan Chengrui's expression turned serious. "Brother Qin is a guest invited by your Grandpa Yan. What are you doing, acting so arrogantly and making such a reckless challenge? It's rude!"

"If you're itching for a beating, go find Butler Ji; he'll be happy to give you a good beating."

Yu Jinghong pursed her lips, her expression strange, "Don't provoke me!"

"I can't beat that old man yet, but I won't always be unable to!"

She pointed at Qin Ge, "You're a grown man, aren't you afraid to accept my challenge?"

"Anyone capable of killing Li Canglan must have some skill, so why are they so cowardly?"

"Not interested." Qin Ge shrugged. "Like I said, it was just a fluke."

He's not some kind of martial arts fanatic; when he fights, it's either to beat someone up or to kill someone. He has absolutely no interest in sparring or anything like that.

However, he was still a little curious about who this Yu Jinghong was.

Yan Chengrui said apologetically, "Brother Qin, this girl is from the Shadow Martial Hall. She's been spoiled since childhood and has a bit of a martial arts addiction. Please don't mind her!"

"Uncle Rui!" Yu Jinghong was clearly dissatisfied with Yan Chengrui's assessment. "Martial arts are refined through sparring; practicing behind closed doors will only produce flashy but ineffective moves!"

"I didn't force him. As long as he's willing to accept the challenge, what's wrong with that?"

"Don't worry, I won't hurt him!"

She still refused to give up, looking at Qin Ge again, "What exactly do you want in return for my challenge?"

"Are you from the Shadow Martial Hall?" Qin Ge immediately became interested; he was eager to learn more about this organization!

After a moment's hesitation, he continued, "I can fight you, but there has to be some kind of wager, right?"

"What benefits would I get if I won?"

Yu Jinghong raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "I thought he was a coward, but I didn't expect him to be so arrogant!"

"Tell me, what do you want?"

"money?"

"Or I could teach you a few moves, and if you prove yourself skilled, I might even recommend you for the Shadow Martial Arts Hall!"

"Why do you seem a little off your mind?" Qin Ge chuckled. "I already beat you, do I need you to give me some pointers?"

"Such big breasts..."

"Ahem, if I happen to win against you, you only need to agree to one condition!"

Yu Jinghong was angry for a moment, but only for a moment. She realized that there was a problem with the logic of her words. The reason she said that was because she subconsciously felt that she would not lose!

"What are your conditions? Tell me!"

Yu Jinghong didn't care anymore; as long as she beat Qin Ge down, all her face would be back.

Seeing that Qin Ge was interested, Yan Chengrui stopped trying to stop him, as he also wanted to see how capable Qin Ge was.

Most importantly, although Yu Jinghong is a bit reckless, he still knows his limits and wouldn't hurt Qin Ge.

"If I win, you'll be my servant for a month!"

"The kind of person who comes when summoned and leaves when dismissed!"

Qin Ge's words stunned everyone present, including Yu Jinghong.