My wife is a reborn big boss

After listening to his story, Ye Qingxuan was filled with respect and said with a face full of shame, "Brother Wu is truly a role model for us all. To be honest, if I were in such a situation, I would probably only be able to give them some money, and I would never be able to think of a way to completely solve their problems. Alas, compared to Brother Wu, I am truly unworthy of being a disciple of the Taiqing Sect!"

Wu Qiong said solemnly, "Brother Dao, you flatter me. I have long heard about the actions of the Taiqing Sect."

Decades ago, when the Northern Barbarians invaded, the strategically important town surrounding the city was on the verge of falling. Your sect's 1,200-plus Taoist priests, sent to reinforce the city, fought tirelessly for seven days and seven nights outside the city gates, clearing a passage that allowed the entire city's inhabitants to evacuate. All 1,200 priests fought to the death, and ultimately, not one survived… Your grandmaster, Master Zixuan, single-handedly held off the Northern Barbarian army of 50,000 for three whole days after the people had evacuated, finally succumbing to exhaustion. Even the Northern Barbarians had to say: 'Those under the Taiqing Sect are all heroes!'

Several years ago, when a plague broke out in Dingzhou, Master Ziyang disregarded his own safety and went deep into the disaster area to treat patients. Later, he even found the source of the plague and saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.

I only did some insignificant things, nothing to brag about.

Just then, the dishes were served, and the two ate and chatted, finding themselves getting along very well and wishing they had met sooner.

As the conversation flowed freely, Wu Qiong raised his wine cup: "I regret not having met you sooner, my friend! With such a fine meal and kindred spirit here, how can we not drink? Come, let's drink this one!"

Ye Qingxuan smiled wryly and begged for mercy: "Brother Wu, please forgive me. My master has forbidden his disciples from drinking alcohol. I am truly sorry for disturbing your enjoyment."

Upon hearing this, Wu Qiong put down his wine cup and laughed, "Since it is a rule set by Master Ziyang, I cannot allow you to break the precept. Very well, let's just eat."

Ye Qingxuan thanked him repeatedly, and after chatting for a while, Wu Qiong asked curiously, "The Taiqing Sect is located in Dingzhou. I wonder why you are in Luozhou City, brother?"

Ye Qingxuan pondered for a moment, then replied with a smile, "There's nothing I can't say. I've come to Luozhou this time to keep an appointment at Shaolin Temple."

"Oh?" Wu Qiong put down his chopsticks. "As far as I know, the Taiqing Sect and Shaolin have always been at odds. Fellow Daoist, your visit... is it perhaps to reconcile the two sects?"

Ye Qingxuan shook his head: "Brother Wu, you are unaware that a few years ago, Shaolin's treasure, the 'Golden Light Relic,' was stolen. They detained a shipment being transported by a security escort agency for inspection, and that shipment contained the medicinal herbs my master needed to treat the plague in Dingzhou. My master mistakenly thought that Shaolin had done this on purpose, so he went to confront them. Later, the misunderstanding was cleared up, but neither my master nor the abbot of Shaolin could refuse, so they agreed to 'spar' a bit at the summit of Mount Hua."

Wu Qiong paused, his hand still holding the food, and said casually, "I've heard a little about this matter, but I didn't know there was more to it than met the eye. Your master and Abbot Xuankong of Shaolin Temple were 'sparring' atop Mount Hua... cough... it was truly earth-shattering, even I... don't know who won or lost?"

Ye Qingxuan didn't notice the awkwardness in his words and gave a wry smile: "In that battle, my master and Abbot Xuankong were evenly matched. Both of them are martial arts masters ranked high on the Heavenly Ranking. Unless they fight to the death with all their might, it's difficult to determine a winner. Although the misunderstanding has been cleared up, this grudge has been formed."

Wu Qiong nodded: "It's understandable. One is the leader of Taoism, and the other is the founder of Buddhism. It's normal for neither of them to submit to the other."

Ye Qingxuan sighed, "So the two of them agreed that every three years I would spar with Abbot Xuankong's direct disciple, Senior Brother Jiese. Three years ago, Senior Brother Jiese came to my door, and I narrowly won by one move. Now that three years have passed, it is my turn to challenge him."

Wu Qiong couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Abstaining from lust, pfft... I'm sorry, I just couldn't help it. No wonder I mentioned earlier that you're fourth on the Human Ranking, you seemed a bit curious."

Ye Qingxuan blushed and said abruptly, "Brother Wu, you flatter me. I don't care about the Human Ranking or the Earth Ranking. But I am only third on the Human Ranking, barely above Senior Brother Jiese. When you said I was fourth, I wondered if Senior Brother Jiese had surpassed me. I am still not devoted enough to the Dao. Forgive me."

Wu Qiong shook his head: "No, fellow Daoist is still above Master Abstinence from Lust. As for why you've been demoted by one rank..."

He took out a book from his pocket and handed it to Ye Qingxuan: "Here, the latest list of people was just released today. You'll know once you've read it, fellow Daoist."

Ye Qingxuan took the book and slowly turned to the first page, where he saw the following written on it:

Name: Unknown

Nickname: Sword Rain in Xiaoxiang

Sect: Unknown

Martial arts skills: Unknown

Strength: Unknown

Record: Eight years ago, during the battle for enlightenment among the top heroes on the Human Ranking, he arrived under the moon, defeated all twenty of the top heroes on the Human Ranking in one night, and then left without a trace, disappearing from the martial world ever since.

Eight years later, he reappeared in the martial arts world and killed a Xiantian with a single sword at Xien Manor.

Rank: First.

Name: Li Jianshi

Nickname: Azure Lotus

Sect: Xuantian Sect

Martial arts: Azure Lotus Sword Song, Supreme True Understanding

Strength: Unity of Heaven and Man Realm

Battle Record: A direct descendant of the leader of the righteous sect, Xuantian Sect. Upon leaving the mountain, he encountered Long Aotian, the second-ranked member of the original Human Ranking and the "Myriad Manifestations of Senluo Hall" of the Eight Demonic Sects, and killed him in three moves. Later, at Xien Manor, he fought against Lie Fengtao, who was about to break through to the Innate Realm and ranked sixth on the Human Ranking, killing him without sustaining any injuries. He then survived a blow from an Innate Realm expert.

Rank: Second.

Name: Su Mubai

Nickname: Witch of the Underworld

Sect: Evil Extreme Sect

Martial Arts: Qiankun Hunyuan

Strength: Unity of Heaven and Man Realm

Battle Record: The direct descendant of the leader of the Evil Extreme Sect, the number one evil sect, he encountered Ye Liangchen, the "Amorous Young Master" of Tingyu Pavilion, who ranked first on the Original Human Ranking, and killed him in three moves. Outside Anzhou City, he killed Ren Changkong, the "Ghost Crying Devouring Heaven" ranked forty-seventh on the Human Ranking, with a single move. Recently, he single-handedly slaughtered the evil sect "Crescent Moon Valley".

Rank: Third

Ye Qingxuan continued looking ahead.

The fourth place is myself, the fifth place is Shaolin Temple Abstinence, the sixth place is Qin Crown Prince Zhao Youwei, the seventh place is Lie Fengtao who was originally sixth, but Lie Fengtao is dead, and the current seventh place is Lin Changxi, the direct descendant of Su Nu Dao.

He kept flipping through the pages until...

Name: Wu Qiong

Nickname: The Voice of the Living Kill

Sect: Unknown

Martial Arts: Unparalleled Fast Sword

Strength: Great Perfection of the Acquired Realm

Battle Record: In Yang'an Town, Anzhou, he defeated Lu Wei, ranked 100th on the Human Ranking, known as "Peerless Righteousness," and the Twelve Thieves of Meishan. Outside Anzhou City, he fought to a draw against Ren Changkong, ranked 47th on the Human Ranking, known as "Ghost Cry Devouring the Sky." Inside Anzhou City, he killed Ye Xiu, ranked 76th on the Earth Ranking, known as "Fallen Blossoms and Glory," with a single sword strike.

Rank: 43rd.

Without reading any further, Ye Qingxuan closed the book and sighed, "The 'Sword Rain of Xiaoxiang' has actually reappeared in the martial world! I never expected him to be so young. Eight years ago, at less than twenty-two years old, he was able to defeat all twenty of the top ranks of the martial arts world in one night! I wonder if his sword can break through my sword defenses. It's truly... wonderful!"

Wu Qiong asked curiously, "Su Mubai and Li Jianshi are also ahead of you in the queue, why aren't you going after them? Why are you only targeting 'Sword Rain and Xiaoxiang'?"

Ye Qingxuan's excitement gradually subsided, and he smiled gently, "I'm not afraid of Brother Wu's ridicule, but what I have learned is the sword of benevolence, which is only for defense and not for offense. Although Su and Li are strong, I am confident that they cannot break through my sword's defenses. Only 'Sword Rain in the Xiang River' has the potential to break through."

At this point, Ye Qingxuan suddenly looked intently at Wu Qiong: "No, perhaps Brother Wu can also do it. Although Brother Wu has hidden it very well, I sensed an unparalleled sword intent emanating from you. Although you are only ranked forty-third on the Human Ranking, your strength is probably no less than mine."

Brother Wu smiled, about to reply. But then a thought struck him, and he turned to look at the stairwell.

Ye Qingxuan followed his gaze and saw a swordsman in black, holding a long sword, staring intently at Ye Qingxuan, his sword intent soaring into the sky, before slowly walking towards the two of them.

Wu Qiong turned around and laughed, "Even eating a meal can't keep him from having a moment's peace. It seems this guy is going to challenge for Brother Dao's fourth place on the Human Ranking."

Ye Qingxuan shook his head and smiled wryly: "I cultivate the sword of benevolence, so many people come to challenge me, which has greatly troubled me. I've only made Brother Wu laugh at me."

As the black-clad swordsman approached, Ye Qingxuan said gently, "Please wait a moment, sir. After Brother Wu and I finish lunch, we'll find a place to spar."

The black-clad swordsman ignored him, turned to look at Wu Qiong, and said coldly, "Wu Qiong, ranked forty-third on the Human Ranking, 'Living Kill, Leaving a Sound,' I challenge you."

The smiles on Wu Qiong and Ye Qingxuan's faces froze, and the atmosphere suddenly became awkward.