He actually had money, but it was all tied up in his accounts. He possessed a bank card loaded with several million in cash. Disciples of the Long family’s inner circle didn't place much value on money; their focus was solely on improving their strength.

They only ever carried a card when sent out on a mission, perhaps not even knowing the exact amount tucked away inside.

While money existed in the bank, he carried very little actual cash on his person. Furthermore, Long Feng didn't possess a particularly strong concept of wealth. If Zhang Yang gave him something, he took it; he was currently someone serving Zhang Yang.

After seeing the man off, Zhang Yang finally let out a deep sigh of relief.

The matter with the Xuanyuan family was finally settled. Though the outcome wasn't perfect, it wasn't bad for Zhang Yang.

Returning home, Mi Xue was already busy cooking. Zhang Yang had been delayed outside for quite some time this trip.

Mi Xue didn't ask what he had been doing outside, only greeted him sweetly. Lightning and Shadow, the two little ones, were playing, and as soon as they saw Zhang Yang enter, they both rushed toward him.

Shadow even burrowed into Zhang Yang’s canvas bag and clung tightly to a small box.

Inside this box was the recently retrieved Immortal Fruit Elixir. As expected of a Treasure-Seeking Mouse, it knew which items held the highest value.

Lightning barked alongside them, and Zhang Yang understood exactly what the two little ones wanted.

“I can’t give it to you again this time. Wait until next time. Next time Shadow finds some truly rare treasures, I’ll refine them into elixirs just for you to eat!”

Zhang Yang shook his head gently. The two little ones seemed to understand his words; after whining for a bit, they settled down.

What Zhang Yang had said was simple: if they wanted to consume such wonderful things again, they needed to find more heavenly materials and earthly treasures. With raw ingredients in hand, Zhang Yang could provide them with much more.

Having expended a considerable amount of internal energy at the hospital, and having dueled with Long Feng, he was genuinely exhausted now and retired early to rest.

After a night of recuperation, Zhang Yang’s internal energy had recovered significantly. After his morning breathing exercises and meditation, Zhang Yang stretched contentedly and went to feed Lightning.

Lightning’s meal consisted of venomous snakes. Every time Lightning ate, Shadow would behave impeccably. While Lightning usually looked quite adorable, its ferocious and terrifying side only manifested during feeding time.

After breakfast, Mi Xue looped her arm through Zhang Yang’s, and they headed out.

They planned to continue shopping today, and in the evening, they would visit the place where Nannan and Xiaodai were working.

The restaurant where the two girls worked was doing excellent business, and they couldn't take time off right now. Since Mi Xue missed them, the only option was for her to proactively visit.

“Squeak squeak squeak!”

Just as they stepped downstairs, Lightning suddenly yelped, and its cry was urgent.

Not far ahead, Long Feng was standing quietly, waiting for them.

It wasn't just Lightning; Shadow immediately dove back into the canvas bag, leaving only its little head poking out.

Both little ones knew this person was formidable. They had even fought once before, and now they both considered Long Feng an adversary.

Seeing Lightning, Long Feng’s tension spiked. He had been defeated by this little creature last time, and he understood the terrifying nature of the Fox-Tailed Marten even better now.

“Lightning, stop barking!”

Zhang Yang patted Lightning’s head. The little creature glanced back at Zhang Yang suspiciously; it could sense Zhang Yang's intent.

Zhang Yang was conveying that this person was no longer an enemy but one of them now.

In a short while, Lightning stopped barking, though it continued to watch Long Feng warily, adopting a posture that suggested, Come any closer and I’ll bite you again. If Lightning were to bite someone, it would be a fatal attack.

Long Feng, across the way, watched Zhang Yang with a flicker of envy.

It wasn't easy to have a spirit beast follow willingly. Judging by Lightning’s demeanor, its bond with Zhang Yang was clearly profound, which was what made him envious.

He knew perfectly well that even if their clan managed to capture such a spirit beast, they would never be able to subdue it. Cultivating such a strong relationship with a spirit beast was exceedingly difficult.

At that moment, he felt that following Zhang Yang might not have been the wrong choice after all.

A person capable of earning the voluntary allegiance of a spirit beast could certainly not be ordinary, nor could he be truly wicked. Spirit beasts were intelligent; those who merely sought to exploit them would never earn their loyalty.

“Mi Xue, let me introduce you. This is Long Feng, my—my new friend!”

Zhang Yang whispered to Mi Xue. Introducing Long Feng was awkward; they had been enemies previously, and now Zhang Yang had secured him through a wager.

“Long Feng, Zhang Yang’s bodyguard!”

As soon as Zhang Yang finished speaking, Long Feng offered his own introduction, simple and direct, stating plainly that he was a bodyguard.

A look of surprise crossed Mi Xue’s face, while Zhang Yang managed an awkward smile. He hadn’t mentioned ‘bodyguard’ out of fear of Long Feng taking offense, yet here the man was, volunteering the title himself.

“Hello, I’m Mi Xue!”

Mi Xue smiled lightly. She was curious when Zhang Yang had found a bodyguard, but she didn't voice her questions. Zhang Yang would tell her what she needed to know; if he didn't mention something, it was likely a matter she shouldn't pry into.

Long Feng merely nodded and fell silent, perhaps unused to socializing due to spending so much time dwelling in seclusion for cultivation.

“When did you get here?”

Finding Long Feng as quiet as a wooden stump uninteresting, Zhang Yang tried to make conversation.

“A while ago!” Long Feng replied, and then fell silent again.

Zhang Yang shook his head helplessly and spoke again, “I have things to do today. You find a place to rest first. I’ll help you look for accommodations this afternoon!”

“Accommodation is simple enough, but I have to stay with you for these three years; that’s what I promised!”

Long Feng pointed toward a nearby wall, and Zhang Yang turned his head to look. Sure enough, a rental advertisement was posted there.

The man’s statement left Zhang Yang speechless. He had suggested Long Feng stay with him for three years, thinking of acquiring a powerful guard, but he hadn't anticipated gaining a powerful third wheel.

Having the man around would surely waste the precious time Zhang Yang wanted to spend alone with Mi Xue.

Nevertheless, what needed to be done must be done. Accommodations had to be sorted out first.

The rental ad was for an apartment in the very building they lived in, just in a different unit. Zhang Yang made a quick call, and soon he had rented the two-bedroom, one-living-room unit.

It came with plenty of furniture; if anything was missing, Long Feng could purchase it later. This process consumed most of the morning.

Long Feng followed persistently, and Zhang Yang couldn't very well refuse. He ended up bringing him along. Although the man was quiet, his observational skills were quite good; he clearly understood his role as a bodyguard, not sparing a glance at anything Zhang Yang and Mi Xue did together.

Moreover, Long Feng knew how to drive and proactively offered to take the wheel for Zhang Yang, which unexpectedly afforded Zhang Yang more time alone with Mi Xue.

This realization somewhat eased Zhang Yang’s feelings. Having an extra driver wasn't an entirely negative thing.

After lunch, Zhang Yang accompanied Mi Xue out shopping, with Long Feng trailing behind.

However, he didn't stick close; instead, he followed discreetly from a distance, far enough that even if Mi Xue turned around, she couldn't spot him.

This earned Zhang Yang a little more satisfaction. Knowing someone was trailing them was one thing, but out of sight meant out of mind, lessening the impact of the 'third wheel.' It was a small comfort.

With Long Feng added to the mix, life for Zhang Yang hadn't changed dramatically.

Long Feng remained consistently placid, which allowed Little Lightning to relax considerably. Yet, whenever they were face-to-face, Little Lightning would stare intently at Long Feng, almost as if issuing a warning.

Only at moments like these would Long Feng feel a prickle of unease.

For anyone, even a master of internal energy, being stared down by Lightning was an unnerving sensation. The formidable reputation of the Ten Great Venomous Beasts was not just for show.

Around six in the evening, after Mi Xue had satisfied her shopping cravings, she pulled Zhang Yang along to find Nannan and Xiaodai.

Mi Xue had visited the restaurant where Nannan and Xiaodai worked once; it was a rather large, upscale establishment that operated very professionally. Their manager was a woman in her thirties who treated her waitstaff well.

The situation of the two girls reassured Mi Xue greatly. After all, working away from home was different for girls than for boys; finding the wrong place could lead to genuine danger.

Long Feng drove the car, and after about twenty minutes, they arrived at Nannan and Xiaodai’s workplace.

The location was somewhat distant from their school, but the two were only working there for the summer break and didn't plan to continue afterward, so the distance didn't matter much.

“Qingzhou Grand Hotel!”

Getting out of the car, Zhang Yang rubbed his nose. The hotel was indeed large, but the name was somewhat cliché.

Zhang Yang had seen several establishments named after 'Qingzhou'—they existed all over the country—it was an incredibly common moniker.

Zhang Yang and Mi Xue stepped out, and Long Feng instinctively went to park the car.

Watching Long Feng’s movements, Zhang Yang even wondered if the man had undergone formal bodyguard training, given how smoothly he handled everything.

Zhang Yang’s guess was off the mark, but many members of the Long family had served as bodyguards and often shared interesting anecdotes and professional tips upon their return.

Long Feng had overheard some of these experiences and had mentally cataloged them, putting them to use for Zhang Yang now.

As they walked toward the entrance, Mi Xue was slightly excited. Nannan and Xiaodai were her best friends, and she hadn't seen them in many days.

“Bastard, how dare you grab me! Do you know who I am? I can shut down your entire establishment!”

As soon as they entered the lobby, they saw a crowd of several dozen people gathered, surrounding someone. //Fastest text updates from the Fan Lou//

In the very center, a man was incessantly shouting curses, bolstered by several others around him, each one sounding more brazen than the last.

Zhang Yang shook his head slightly. Even the voices indicated a few drunk patrons causing trouble, but it was barely seven in the evening, the sky only just darkening. Who could possibly get this drunk so early?

“I didn’t grab you, ah…”

A girl’s choked sob echoed from within the crowd, immediately followed by a sharp, clear slap—a heavy sound that Zhang Yang and Mi Xue heard clearly from outside.

The expressions of both changed abruptly. Mi Xue immediately broke into a run, and Zhang Yang quickened his pace.

The sobbing girl was unmistakably Xiaodai’s voice. Having known Xiaodai for so long, they couldn't mistake that sound.

………… Second update, one more chapter coming in two hours. We are only eleven votes away from thirty votes! Eleven votes—support from eleven friends will get us there!