Chapter 38: Never to Be Forgotten

Zhou Hailong kowtowed to Xiao Nan incessantly, his voice trembling as he explained, "I... I didn't know you were Young Master Xiao at the time, nor did I know that the old gentleman you mentioned was Elder Xiao. I was just spouting nonsense."

"In my heart, Elder Xiao is practically a divine being."

"Not to mention he is my savior; I could never bring myself to harm him. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't have the ability!"

"Oh, right, Young Master Xiao." Fearing that Xiao Nan might not believe him, Zhou Hailong hurriedly reached out and pulled out a cloth pouch. He carefully unfolded it to reveal an envelope.

He handed the envelope to Xiao Nan. "Young Master Xiao, this is what Elder Xiao left behind before he departed. He told me to give it to you when we met. I have kept it on me at all times. You will know if I am lying once you take a look."

Xiao Nan took the envelope, and after a single glance, he exhaled a long breath. It was indeed the old man's handwriting, and it was addressed specifically to him. So, the old man was truly still alive.

Regrettably, the letter did not disclose the old man's whereabouts, which left Xiao Nan somewhat disappointed. The letter only urged Xiao Nan to find a woman with a Pure Yin physique within three years to dispel the fire poison in his body, or the consequences would be unthinkable. It also informed Xiao Nan that he had taken Zhou Hailong under his wing by chance and that Zhou held considerable power in Luocheng. If Xiao Nan ever had need of him, he could be called upon at will.

Thus, Zhou Hailong had not lied; today’s conflict was truly a case of "the dragon king’s temple being flooded by his own family."

"Young Master Xiao, I wasn't lying to you, was I?" Zhou Hailong asked, looking at Xiao Nan with trepidation after he finished reading.

"For the sake of my master, I will spare your life today," Xiao Nan said calmly, putting the letter away. Since he was a man left behind by the old man, he really couldn't bring himself to kill him.

"What about your son... that Zhou Pengfei?" Just as Zhou Hailong was finally catching his breath after escaping death, Xiao Nan asked him again.

"He is here." Before Zhou Hailong could answer, one of Li Yunbao's subordinates dragged Zhou Pengfei over like a chick.

Xiao Nan walked up to Zhou Pengfei and looked at him with a playful expression. "Do you remember what you said to me earlier? Did you want my fiancée to clean herself up?"

Zhou Pengfei immediately knelt on the ground like his father, kowtowing frantically. "I was wrong, Young Master Xiao! I know I was wrong. Please, I beg you to spare my life, Young Master Xiao!"

A father knows his son best. Upon seeing this, how could Zhou Hailong not realize that his foolish son had clearly gone behind his back to set his sights on the two daughters of the Lin family? And judging by this scene, the bastard must have said something foul to them as well.

Zhou Hailong was so furious he nearly spat blood. Straining to stand up, he drew a pistol from the side of Zheng Rutong. He clicked the safety off and aimed the muzzle at Zhou Pengfei's head. "I will execute you myself today, you unfilial son who cannot control his lower half, so you stop harming others in the future."

"Forget it." Xiao Nan stopped him. He could see that Zhou Hailong wasn't just putting on a show; had Xiao Nan not spoken, he would have undoubtedly shot Zhou Pengfei right there. He possessed that level of resolve.

But that was not the outcome Xiao Nan wanted. If he wanted to kill them, he would have killed both father and son. Since he had decided to spare Zhou Hailong for the sake of the old man, there was no need to take his son's life. Only by doing this would Zhou truly dedicate himself to serving him in the future.

As expected, upon hearing the words "forget it," Zhou Hailong felt a surge of relief, and the look he gave Xiao Nan became even more reverent. No matter how worthless his son was, he was still his only child. He gave Zhou Pengfei a fierce kick, sending him flying over two meters away, before turning back to Xiao Nan and saying earnestly, "Thank you, Young Master Xiao."

Xiao Nan waved his hand. "It's been a long night. Take your men and go back." He then patted Li Yunbao on the shoulder, whispered a word in his ear, and added, "You've worked hard today. Take your brothers and go back as well."

"Yes, Senior!"
"Yes, Young Master Xiao!"

Both men cupped their hands in salute. The two factions, which had been ready to fight to the death, now shared a common master in Xiao Nan. There was no reason to fight anymore, so they simply headed back together.

"Brother... Brother Bao..." Zhou Hailong walked up to Li Yunbao and struggled to utter the title. There was no helping it; in the underworld, the one with the biggest fists is always the boss. That was an iron rule that never changed. Previously, Li Yunbao's fists weren't as strong as his, so he could only call him Brother Long. Now that he had been defeated by Li Yunbao, he had no choice but to respectfully call him Brother Bao.

"Brother Bao, your cultivation has suddenly improved by leaps and bounds lately, reaching the middle stage of the Profound Realm. Did you come across some stroke of fortune?" Zhou Hailong couldn't suppress his curiosity.

Hearing Zhou Hailong—someone he had previously only been able to worship—call him "Brother Bao" made Li Yunbao feel immensely proud. However, he didn't lose his head. He knew that Zhou Hailong would likely only call him this once. Before leaving, Xiao Nan had given him something to pass on to Zhou Hailong—the very same miraculous pill that had propelled his own cultivation from the bottom tier to the middle of the Profound Realm.

Although Li Yunbao knew that once Zhou Hailong took this pill, his strength would surely surpass his own again, he also knew that the senior had his reasons, and he dared not defy his will. Reluctantly, he pulled out the small bottle Xiao Nan had placed in his pocket and handed it to Zhou Hailong. "Brother Long, you are too kind. Just call me Ah Bao from now on. This is what the senior asked me to give you."

"Young Master Xiao gave this to me?" Zhou Hailong took the small bottle, curious about what Xiao Nan would suddenly give him.

Li Yunbao said slowly, "Brother Long, weren't you curious why my cultivation improved so suddenly? It's because not long ago, Senior Xiao gave me a pill." He glanced at the bottle in Zhou Hailong's hand. "It's the same kind of pill as this."

"Ah?" Zhou Hailong's eyes widened instantly, the overwhelming surprise making it hard for him to believe. A long time later, he finally gathered his senses and knelt toward the direction where Xiao Nan had been standing on Emerald Mountain. "I, Zhou Hailong, will never forget the great kindness of Young Master Xiao in bestowing this medicine upon me."