203: Chapter 203 I was given a chance, but you didn't use it!

Tang Long exchanged a knowing smile with Mad Dog and the others, then pointed at Lu Xiaohu.

"Why are you still standing there? Invite Young Master Ye in quickly. How can you be so rude to a client?"

"Golden Scorpion, hurry up and brew some fresh high-quality tea."

"Neglecting a client is the same as turning away money!"

"I need to lecture you all. From now on, your every move represents the corporate image. You must improve in this regard."

"First, Brother Dog, your look... I won't even describe it. Go find a high-end hair salon tonight and clean yourself up."

"Golden Scorpion, you're the hall master, a person of status. Can't you buy a few sets of formal wear? Wearing a tank top and shorts with a bald head during working hours—what kind of impression are you giving the students?"

"In this regard, look at Master Tie. From head to toe, he's serious, neat, and dignified. He looks exactly like a seasoned, veteran instructor."

"Qin Bing's White Clothing Society uniform is fine, but we need our own corporate image. Go order a batch in black; make them look as sharp as possible. One set of formal long clothes and one set of martial arts attire, to be issued to all employees later."

"Old Tie, I see you have quite good taste. I'll leave this matter to you."

Tie Tou grinned from ear to ear at the praise, yet felt a bit nervous. Just as he was wondering how to respond, there was another knock at the door.

"Come in!"

Lu Xiaohu led Ye Qingzhou inside, and Tang Long immediately switched to a professional business smile to greet him.

"Young Master Ye, welcome! It is an honor to have you here!"

Seeing that Tang Long was missing an arm and his hair and eyebrows looked as if they had been scorched, Ye Qingzhou couldn't help but be startled.

"Tang Long, what happened to you?"

"I'm fine. I just went out of the city and fought a battle."

"A battle?"

"A small skirmish, not worth mentioning. Come, let's sit down and talk."

Tang Long raised his hand to invite Ye Qingzhou to sit, while Mad Dog and the others silently departed.

Ye Qingzhou asked with some concern, "In your current state, can you still perform the Empowerment for me?"

"I'm fine," Tang Long patted his chest. "Empowerment uses pure psionic energy; it doesn't require hands."

Ye Qingzhou's face twitched. "Brother, fifty spirit stones per session is no small amount. Are you sure?"

Tang Long chuckled. "You can rest completely assured with me. My only fear is that you won't be able to hold on yourself."

"Old Ye, four people have already successfully completed the Empowerment here. However, a small problem occurred; Xiaohu lost an eye."

"Actually, Xiaohu's aptitude isn't bad, but it didn't seem to match the cultivation technique well. The boy was also too stubborn, pushing himself to the limit, which led to that result."

"Then there's that old fellow Tie Tou, who's in his fifties and only at the ninth stage, yet he completed it smoothly. Where's the logic in that?"

"Success or failure mainly depends on one's own aptitude; it has little to do with me, the guide."

"If you're really worried, why don't you go back and think it over?"

"Fine." Ye Qingzhou sighed, pulled a pouch from his robe, and placed it in front of Tang Long.

"Calculating at a twenty percent discount for the Empowerment fee, that's forty-four thunder spirit stones. Count them."

Tang Long took the bag without hesitation and began counting, earning a secret look of disdain from Ye Qingzhou.

After he finished counting, Tang Long's smile became almost fawning.

"Young Master Ye, shall we begin?"

"Good!"

"Follow me!"

The Jinyue Martial Arts Hall was twenty-four stories tall. During the era of the Sangyu unrest, it had served as the headquarters for the Song City military, which spoke to its sturdiness.

By the time it reached Golden Scorpion's hands, he had almost failed to keep it, and most of the furnishings and furniture had been sold off.

After meeting Tang Long, the situation began to improve, and business was clearly booming, yet the place remained very empty.

Golden Scorpion had cleared out an entire floor specifically for Tang Long's use. It was sturdy anyway, so he could do whatever he wanted with it.

When the two arrived at a large, empty room, Tang Long invited Ye Qingzhou to sit as before and took out the thunder emperor pearl.

After giving a few more instructions, he began the Empowerment.

Amidst bursts of lightning, Tang Long raised his hand slightly, and with a flicker of green light, he cast a Healing Spell on Ye Qingzhou as well.

Ye Qingzhou looked over in surprise, and Tang Long responded with a mysterious and well-meaning smile.

Then, he quietly increased the output of thunder psionic energy.

Ye Qingzhou gradually felt the pressure, veins bulging on his forehead from the intense pain.

Tang Long constantly reminded him to stay steady while secretly increasing the intensity.

After holding on for just over twenty seconds, Ye Qingzhou's body suddenly shuddered. A violent burst of thunder-fire erupted from him, and the force of the explosion sent him flying.

Tang Long immediately rushed over to check his injuries.

Fortunately, he hadn't kicked the bucket on the spot!

He was just left with tattered clothes, his body charred black, and black smoke constantly wafting from his nose and mouth.

It seemed the thunder psionic energy had been a bit too intense; he would have to be more careful in the future.

Raising his hand to cast another Healing Spell on him, Tang Long began to complain.

"Old Ye, what happened? Weren't you steady the whole time before? You were already halfway to success; why did you suddenly fail to hold on?"

"How are you?"

"With my Healing Spell, you certainly won't die. Wake up!"

Ye Qingzhou slowly woke from a state of extreme pain and ringing ears. He first coughed up a mouthful of scorched-smelling blood before letting out a sigh.

"Tang Long, it seems... it seems you were right."

"Perhaps I am simply not compatible with this cultivation technique."

"I failed at the Gate of Heavens Legacy, and I can't even withstand the Empowerment."

Tang Long quickly tried to console him. "One or two failures don't mean anything. If once doesn't work, try eight or ten times. As long as I'm here, just come back once your injuries are healed."

Ye Qingzhou waved his hand repeatedly. "I think I'll pass."

"You're really not going to try again? You give up too easily."

Ye Qingzhou smiled bitterly. "I'm afraid I won't be able to afford it even if I wanted to. My father... has cut my allowance."

Tang Long was astonished. "Why? Has your dad gone mad? You just achieved such a great feat, and he's cutting your funds?"

Ye Qingzhou shook his head repeatedly. "I came here today precisely to tell you—I've fallen."

"Someone spread a rumor saying Wei Jian was in my hands. The Wei Family believed it, and then... they came looking for me."

"The Head of the Wei Family called my father, and then my father ordered me to release him."

"So Wei Jian and Rong Baichuan..."

Hearing this, Tang Long narrowed his eyes slightly and sneered inwardly.

Wei Jian was a trap, and the Wei Family wouldn't be toppled by something like this; he had known that for a long time.

If they were that easy to bring down, the Wei Family would have collapsed long ago. It would have been impossible for them to establish themselves in Song City for a hundred years.

The Wei Family's move against him today was proof enough of that.

If his own methods hadn't been unconventional enough and his foundation deep enough, he probably wouldn't even be able to play the game with them now.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but let out a couple of strange laughs.

"Young Master Ye, I gave you a chance, but you failed to use it!"

"You let them take away a major achievement with just a few words?"

"Did they catch you with a prostitute and take photos? Or does your dad have some dirt in their hands?"

Ye Qingzhou trembled with shock, followed by a twisting pain in his internal organs.

Tang Long's words were unpleasant to hear, but his guess was damn near spot on!

Ye Qingzhou gritted his teeth. "After this Empowerment, I'm going back to Huaidu. You... be careful."

Tang Long rolled his eyes at him, feeling that this kid had intended to wait until the Empowerment was successful before patting his butt and leaving.

Otherwise, why wouldn't he have said so the moment they met, instead of dallying until now?

"Tang Long, if I can get up tomorrow, we'll hold the formal handover ceremony for the President of the White Clothes Society."

"The Wei Family probably won't let you off. You should make plans early."

"Also... my father has already dissolved the engagement between Manman and me. I'll leave her... in your hands."

Tang Long stood up with a smile, which quickly turned into a loud laugh.