Chapter 43 - Faang Wen


    In Es, a dashing young man d infortable loungewear sat with perfect posture, respectfully offering a cup of freshly washed tea to the elder seated across from him.


    The elder epted the teacup with a gracious hand. After taking a sip, he smiled and remarked, “Wen''er, your mastery of the tea ceremony has deepened considerably.”


    The taste of the tea lingered in his mouth even after he finished his drink.


    The young man responded with a smile, “Uncle, I''m d you enjoy it.”


    “Wen''er, surely your visit isn''t solely to brew tea for me, is it?” the elder inquired, gazing at the young man.


    “Uncle, what''s your take on the whole Ye Hao situation that''s stirring up the inte?” Wen''er asked, pausing slightly before posing the question.


    “And what about your perspective, Wen''er?” Zhang Runlue set down his teacup and asked with a warm smile.


    “I believe Ye Hao deserves a chance,” Wen''er replied earnestly.


    “Why is that?” Zhang Runlue asked, his tone indicating no surprise at Wen''er''s statement.


    “Because I firmly believe that my title as champion is well-earned,” Wen''er stated with conviction.


    After a thoughtful pause, Zhang Runlue assured him, “I''ll give it careful consideration.”


    “Then, Uncle, I''ll leave you to your rest,” Wen''er said, rising to his feet.


    “Wei Ze, would you see Wen''er out?” Zhang Runlue requested, turning to his secretary.


    Shortly after, Wei Ze returned to the room.


    “Do you understand what needs to be done regarding Ye Hao?” Zhang Runlue inquired coolly.


    “I''ll make sure my team expedites Ye Hao''s reexamination,” Wei Ze replied quietly.


    At this, Zhang Runlue''s face fell into a look of disappointment.


    Wei Ze''s expression shifted as he asked, “Have I made a mistake?”


    “Do you recognize these tea leaves?” Zhang Runlue pointed to the two servings of tea leaves on the table and questioned.


    “They''re the clovershrub from Wuyi Mountain,” Wei Ze responded confidently, recognizing the variety at a nce.


    Zhang Runlue exined, “There are varying grades of Wuyi Mountain clovershrub. These two servingse from ancient tea trees that are centuries old.” At this revtion, Wei Ze instantly understood the exclusivity of the tea.


    “Even in my retirement as a former minister, I''m not entitled to such a luxury,” Zhang Runlue continued. “Is Faang Wen''s generous gift intended to enlist our aid for Ye Hao?”


    “But I heard Faang Wen say he wanted his champion title to be truly deserved.”


    “Without Ye Hao contending for it, wouldn''t his title be deserved by default?”


    Wei Ze couldn''t help but smile wryly.


    He thought to himself, “If it weren''t for Zhang Runlue''s reminder today, my career would be over. Being an official is certainly no easy task.”


    “What''s your opinion of Faang Wen?” Zhang Runlue probed Wei Ze.


    “Even if Faang Wen''s champion title isn''t entirely deserved, he''s still the most exceptional young man I''ve met,” Wei Ze mused before responding. “He''s so young, yet he''s fluent in fivenguages and skilled in various arts.”


    “He''s handsome and from a prestigious family.”


    “This time, he was epted into one of the top six universities, the University of Finance and Economics. He''s bound to make a significant impact in the business world.”


    “And then?” prompted Zhang Runlue.


    Wei Ze was taken aback.


    He thought, “Have I said so much and still missed the crucial point?”


    Reflecting on his words, Wei Ze reassured himself, “I didn''t leave anything out.”


    “His narrow-mindedness will limit his achievements,” Zhang Runlue stated tly.


    Wei Ze was taken aback by Zhang Runlue''s assessment.


    “Even if Faang Wen doesn''te to me, do you really think Ye Hao would have a chance to retake the exam?” Zhang Runlue questioned. “In Es, who would dare oppose the Faang family? No one would risk embarrassing them.”


    “You''re still too young,” Zhang Runlue added. He then stood up and walked toward the room.


    To the nation''sizens'' surprise, the Education Ministry ultimately decided against allowing Ye Hao to retake the exam, citing numerous reasons.


    Ye Hao nced over the reasons and disinterestedly set his phone aside.


    “These reasons are mere pretexts,” Guo Xiu dered angrily.


    “Perhaps they don''t want to go to great lengths just for me,” Ye Hao admitted, his anger palpable. “But one day, I''ll make the whole world listen to me.”


    Feeling frustrated, Ye Hao told Guo Xiu he needed to step out for a walk.


    Without realizing it, Ye Hao found himself at ck Dragon Spring in Weyphia City.


    ck Dragon Spring was a local attraction in Weyphia City, though not particrly well-known due to the eerie urrences frequently reported there.


    It wasn''t until Ye Haoid eyes on the pitch-ck ancient well before him that he understood he had ventured into a ce best avoided.


    The legend of ck Dragon Spring wasmon knowledge among the locals, and Ye Hao was no exception.


    Legend had it that a malevolent ck dragon was imprisoned beneath ck Dragon Spring.


    Yet, for many years, no one had everid eyes on the dragon.


    There was, however, a rusty iron chain within the spring. Two decades ago, an archaeological team arrived at ck Dragon Spring. They brought with them modern equipment to conduct their exploration, but found that none of their tools worked once they approached the spring. Undeterred, they resorted to mechanical means to pull on the iron chain.


    To everyone''s astonishment, after extracting hundreds of meters of chain, there was still no end in sight.


    As the spring began to bubble, sounds akin to crashing waves filled the air. This spectacle terrified the locals, who promptly insisted that the research team return the chain to its original ce.


    The researchers were petrified.


    After all, Weyphia City was far ind, making it impossible for ck Dragon Spring to connect to the ocean.


    So, they quickly returned the chain, and the incident was left unresolved.


    Upon recalling this story, Ye Hao decided it was time to leave.


    But as he walked away, his expression darkened; he realized he had circled back to ck Dragon Spring.


    In other words, Ye Hao had been walking in circles.


    “I''ve been going round in circles,” Ye Hao thought to himself.


    “It''s an illusion.” Just then, an ancient voice echoed in Ye Hao''s mind.


    Ye Hao jumped.


    “Who are you?”


    “Who do you think I am?”


    “Are you a ghost?” Ye Hao asked cautiously, scanning his surroundings.


    “I belong to the noble Dragon n,” the voice thundered in Ye Hao''s heart.


    Hearing this, Ye Hao turned his attention back to the ancient well.


    “Are you the ck dragon that''s been imprisoned?”


    “Correct.”


    “Aren''t members of the Dragon n supposed to be incredibly powerful?”


    “The Dragon n isn''t invincible, you know.”


    “Then who imprisoned you?”


    “Some old men from the Way of Nature.”


    “And why would they do that?”


    “Simply because I belong to the Dragon n!”


    “Is that supposed to be a valid reason?” Ye Hao was taken aback.


    “They fear the strength I''ll possess once I mature,” the ck dragon stated with fury.


    “But why are you telling me all of this?”


    “Don''t you want to rescue me?”


    “I don''t.”


    “How can youck even a shred of empathy?”


    “I just do.”


    “Well, if you''re devoid of empathy, I won''t feel guilty about devouring you.” Just then, a figure cloaked in ck emerged before Ye Hao. His hand swiftly reached out towards Ye Hao.