of the shout, the chaotic hall fell silent. Everyone stopped and looked towards the entrance.It had been a long time since anyone dared to collect debts from the Si Hai Merchant Association. This surp..."Oh, Head Butler, what brings you here" Ye Bufan said with a smile.

The one who came was none other than Zhang He. He waved his hand and said, "Brother Ye, I've already resigned from the post of chief steward for the Imperial Household. Now, I'm just a wandering cultivator. From now on, you can call me brother."

Ye Bufan doesn't mind that the other party is no longer a eunuch, and it's reasonable for him not to be the manager.

Ye Bufan nodded and smiled, "Zhang Lao Ge, what brings you here"

Everyone was a little curious, after all they had just parted ways with Zhang He not long ago.

"That's it, I just received a message saying that the Du family is preparing to attack my younger brother. I rushed over as quickly as possible to see if I could lend a hand."

As he inquired around, "Where's that old geezer Du Shengkun"

"No, we haven't seen anyone from the Du family."

Although Ye Bufan is young, he has experienced a lot and is already a seasoned veteran.

It's wise to only say three parts of what you know when meeting people. It's best not to reveal your true cards easily.

Zhang He said: "Oh! That's probably because I was fast and arrived ahead of them."

"Alright, I'll stay and escort my younger brother for a while to make sure nothing happens."

Ye Bufan hesitated and said, "There's no need for this, right It'll be too much trouble for my big brother, and I wouldn't feel comfortable with it."

"What's this, you acting like a stranger to your old brother just because"

Zhang He waved his hand discontentedly and said, "Brother, you've made it this far all thanks to me. Such a great kindness naturally needs to be repaid; otherwise, what kind of brother would I be"

Having said that, Ye Bufan couldn't refuse. He said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, brother."

"It's alright, what happens to you happens to me. We're brothers, there's no need to be so formal..."

As Zhang He was speaking, several figures suddenly dashed toward them from afar.

After landing, it was Zhang Laozhongli Mai of the Shenjian Mountain Villa, with two middle-aged men following behind him.

One is Elder Ma Yuanwu, the second elder, with cultivation at the early stage of the Dongxu realm. The other is Elder Dong Zhongmou, the third elder, who has reached the peak of the Nascent Soul stage.

Behind the three stood seven or eight ordinary disciples, all of whom had reached the Nascent Soul stage or higher. Zhao Mingzhen was among them.

Seeing them arrive, Zhang He's face lit up with surprise as he stepped forward and said, "Elder Zhong, are you here to help Brother Ye too"

"That's right, I heard that the Du family was going to attack Dr. Ye, so I came here especially to invite him to visit our Shenjian Mountain Villa."

Zhongli smiled and said, "Doctor Ye, this place is too dangerous. Please return to the Divine Sword Manor with us."

Someone guaranteed that once you get there, no one will be able to hurt you a single hair, whether it's the Du family, the Leiyunzong, or even the imperial family of the Daxing Empire.

Ye Bufan shook his head. "Elder, you are kind, but I still have things to attend to. I will handle the Du family matter myself and won't trouble you."

"Doctor Ye, if you have anything you need done by the Divine Sword Mountain Villa, just tell me. I'll arrange for someone to take care of it right away and ensure your satisfaction."

Zhongli Mei showed no intention of giving up. He said again, "I'm here on behalf of the master this time, with sincerity in my invitation. Please don't refuse, Doctor Ye."

"No need." Ye Bufan said, "My affairs are things I must handle myself. Others can't do them for me. After I finish, I will go to Shenjian Mountain Villa in person to express my thanks."

Seeing him refuse again and again, Ma Yuanwu impatiently said: “Grand Elder, what’s the point of wasting words with him Just grab him and take him away.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the expressions of everyone present changed drastically. They had originally thought that the Divine Sword Manor was truly sincere in their invitation, but now it seemed they were here to kidnap someone.

"Zhang He glared with fury and shouted, "Zhongli Mai, what do you mean by this"

"Zhang lao di, bie xiong qi, ting wo màn man shuo." Let me break down what that means:* **張老弟 (Zhāng lǎo dì):** This literally translates to "Zhang younger brother," a term of endearment. It implies they are close and the speaker is older or more senior.* **彆著急 (Bie xiong qi):** This means "Don't worry" or "Take it easy." * **聽我慢慢說 (Ting wo màn man shuo):** This means "Listen to me slowly speak," urging patience for an explanation.Let me know if you have any other phrases you'd like translated!

Zhongli's face still held a faint smile. "After I returned to the manor, the lord heard that Doctor Ye possessed such miraculous alchemical skills, and immediately developed a desire to meet you. He invited you to my Shenjian Manor to practice alchemy."

Ye Bufan immediately understood what the other person meant and smiled coldly.

"It seems like you guys from Shenjian Mountain Villa want to kidnap me and have me refine pills for you for the rest of my life, huh"

Now things are crystal clear, the Divine Sword Manor wants to capture me and make me their personal alchemy machine.

"Doctor Ye, please don't speak so harshly."

Zhongli Mei said, "Our Shenjian Mountain Villa invited you with the utmost sincerity. Whatever you want there, we'll provide it. We can satisfy all of Dr. Ye's requirements."

Why wander aimlessly through the world, always with the threat of death hanging over your head.

"What a lovely invitation."

Ye Bufan said, "Give up that idea. I'm not going there no matter what."

"Brat, are you getting cocky Do you really think you're someone important You're going today, whether you like it or not."

Ma Yuanguang roared with a fierce expression, "Today not only will you have to go, but all the treasures on your body must also be handed over, including the strange fire and the Divine Spirit Spring."

"Ye Bufan roared angrily, "It seems that not only do you people from the Shenjian Mountain Villa want to steal people, but also my treasures!"

Zhongli Mei smiled. "Doctor Ye, why so much anger You'll be living in my Shenjian Mountain Villa for the rest of your life."

We are all family, so what's the point of distinguishing between you and me Your things are naturally our things too.

Zhang He roared angrily, "Zhong Li Mei, don't go too far! Ye Lao Di is a rising star, and in three months he will represent our Tian Luo Prefecture in the Genius Demon Tournament!"

Zhongli smiled and waved his hand: “I used to think that way before, with a heart for nurturing talent.”

"But now there's no time for that. Although the honor of Tianluo Prefecture is important, it pales in comparison to the interests of our Shenjian Mountain Villa."

Ye Bufan sneered coldly: "Such a prestigious Shenjian Mountain Villa. What if I don't go"

Ma Yuanwu curled his lips: "Boy, who do you think you are Do you think a Zhang He can protect you"

Ye Bufan said coldly: "Then you try."

Zhongli Mei raised his hand to stop Ma Yuanwu and said again, "Doctor Ye, we've at least known each other for a while, there's no need to ruin our friendship."

Although the Shenjian Mountain Villa doesn't want to kill you, there are so many people around you.

"Once you start, things could get out of hand and you might end up killing one or two people. Wouldn't that weigh on your conscience"

"Grand Elder, why be so courteous to a mere upstart."

Dong Zhongmou said directly, "Ye, to tell you the truth, today all of you have to leave with us."

"After you arrive, make sure to refine the elixir for us properly. Otherwise, everyone around you will die."

Zhao Mingzhen also squeezed to the front, a smug look on his face, and said: "Kid with the surname Ye, this is the consequence of provoking my Shenjian Mountain Villa!"

Ye Bufan finally understood, these people had planned it all along, using the people around him to coerce him into submission.

Once they agree, I will have them refine pills for the rest of their lives, becoming pill-making machines for Jian Shan Villa. They'll never see the light of day again."

Jiang Fangzhou could no longer stand it. He shouted angrily, "Get out of here, you shameless scum! My brother would never refine medicine for you!"

"Boy, you won't drink to a toast, so you'll have to drink a penalty."

Ma Yuanwu roared, killing intent radiating from him: “Do you believe I’ll kill a few right now to show you”

A flash of panic crossed Ye Bufan's eyes as he swiftly stepped in front of Xiao Qing. "Whoever dares to touch my sister, I'll fight you to the death!"

Ma Yuangu took a sinister smile: “It seems like you care quite a bit about this little girl, don’t you Then I shall kill her for you to see.”

After that, with a sudden movement, he bypassed Ye Bufan like a ghost, reaching out to grab the focused Xiaoqing.ere getting closer, Ye Bufan reached out a hand and, with an effortless expression, grabbed the bald man's wrist.His hand was slender and long, appearing pale and delicate against the dark skin of the...