Chapter 102: Kids, Your Grandfather Has Arrived! - Third Update

At the doorway, a large yellow dog leaned against the threshold. Upon seeing Jiang Yu approach, it whimpered softly, tucked its tail, and scurried trembling into a corner.

Faintly, figures could be seen moving inside the house, seemingly caught in the midst of an argument.

Jiang Yu stepped into the small courtyard and knocked on the wooden door.

The group inside, caught in their stalemate, immediately turned toward the entrance.

Within the room, a young girl glanced at a photo in her hand, then carefully scrutinized Jiang Yu. After a long pause, she asked hesitantly, “Hello, are you Mr. Jiang?”

Jiang Yu smiled gently. “That’s me.”

The girl was simply dressed, her hair tied in a ponytail. Her faded skinny jeans had lost their color, and on her feet were a pair of dull yellow cloth shoes. Though only about seventeen or eighteen, she possessed a graceful and poised beauty, the first hints of a blossoming maiden.

Her skin was exceptionally fair, like warm, creamy jade, lending her a delicate and charming appearance.

“Is he the guest you mentioned?” a dissatisfied voice called from inside.

There were five or six people in the room. Among them stood an older man with graying hair and glasses, dressed in a casual jacket. The rest were younger, both male and female.

The elder sharply reprimanded, “Xiao Xun, how can you speak like that?”

Xiao Xun snorted lightly and stepped aside, falling silent.

The elder approached Jiang Yu politely. “Young man, greetings. I am Professor Song Wenxue from Yannan Qingteng University. These are my students. We've heard from locals in Qingyang City that there’s a frozen cold pool in the nearby mountains. I intend to lead these students for an on-site study.”

Frozen cold pool?

Jiang Yu frowned. According to what Xiahou Sheng had told him, his piece of Bihua Golden Flame had originated from there.

After a few seconds, his brow relaxed and he smiled with satisfaction. “I see. The Bihua Golden Flame and the Cold Pool Coral grow side by side. I suppose all these things come from that frozen cold pool.”

With that, Jiang Yu spoke calmly, “I was the first to book this guide. For you to come now and cut in line seems unfair. There are many guides here; you can choose another.”

Professor Song smiled. “We've asked many locals, and none could find the frozen cold pool. Only Anya in the entire village can locate it. Otherwise, we would have switched guides long ago.”

Curious, Jiang Yu looked toward the girl. “Your name is Anya?”

She nodded. “The village chief instructed me to be your guide.”

Everyone was curious about Jiang Yu. Seeing his ordinary clothes and average looks, a few scoffed and averted their gaze.

Anya looked helplessly at Professor Song and said, “Professor Song, as you can see, I’m already someone else’s guide. I hope you won’t make things difficult for me. If you’re willing to wait, you can wait until I return.”

Song Wenxue pondered for a moment, then looked at Jiang Yu. “Young man, where are you headed? If it’s not the frozen cold pool, you can choose another guide. Locals are quite experienced and can take you elsewhere.”

Before coming, Jiang Yu had prepared for a long stay. After all, the surrounding forest was vast and rarely tread upon. He had no definite direction and could only rely on luck.

Now that they mentioned the frozen cold pool, Jiang Yu had a clear destination. He said calmly, “Alright, I’ll join you and have Anya guide the group. I also want to see the frozen cold pool. If I don’t find what I’m looking for, I’ll leave promptly.”

Professor Song breathed a sigh of relief and laughed heartily. “Good. Then let’s all set out together. With many of us, it’s safer. Not only you, but several tourists have also decided to join us. They’re at the hotel now; let’s go.”

Jiang Yu didn’t ask further. After Anya hastily packed a few things, he followed Professor Song and the others as they left.

The five or six students chattered excitedly along the way, eager for this ‘trip.’ Judging by their attire, they were clearly wealthy city kids untouched by hardship.

One girl packed her bag full of snacks and cosmetics, ready to bring them into the deep mountains.

Others stuffed notebooks, cameras, and textbooks, perhaps thinking this was a genuine vacation.

As for Jiang Yu, they simply ignored him.

At the hotel, Jiang Yu finally understood what Professor Song meant by ‘several tourists also plan to set out with us.’

It was more than several.

It was practically a crowd—nearly fourteen or fifteen people.

Leading them was an aloof woman with exquisite features: a perfect oval face, almond-shaped eyes, a delicate nose, and cherry lips. Standing about 1.7 meters tall, her slender legs were faintly visible beneath a tight long skirt.

Her aura was colder than Xia Qinghan’s, if that was possible.

Most strikingly, Jiang Yu sensed a powerful internal energy coursing through her, like a roaring river. She had reached the peak of internal strength cultivation.

Around her were four or five bodyguards, their own auras in the condensing energy stage.

Five or six secular martial artists provided escort. Such an entourage was beyond even the Xia family’s means. In China, only a few great families in Yanjing could muster such resources.

The others were typical wealthy young men, seemingly there to woo women.

“Miss Chen, the guide has been found. If you’re willing, you can join us in entering the mountains in three days,” Professor Song said with a smile.

Miss Chen nodded coldly, speaking little.

The male students cast admiring glances her way, but none dared approach under her overwhelming aura.

“Guys, if you’re free, I’ll take you to see the world. Interested?” A tall young man chuckled.

Miss Chen frowned, clearly displeased with him, but remained silent.

Xiao Xun and the others rushed over. “Brother Chen, are you really going to fight? Take us along; we’ve never seen a real fight.”

It was no surprise. Two days ago, when they first met Miss Chen’s group, this man bragged about lifting a small car with one hand.

Professor Song, strict and scholarly, had scolded the students then. “Believe such tall tales? Adults, even with training, can’t lift a several-ton car with one hand. That defies evolution and biology, not to mention Darwin’s theory.”

Professor Song had lived his life favoring scientific explanations, dismissing tales of demons and immortals as nonsense.

Yet the students remained curious.

“Chen Kun, don’t cause trouble,” Miss Chen said.

Chen Kun laughed. “No problem. I need to deal with a few brats anyway. Let’s take them along.”

Miss Chen turned and left, while Chen Kun waved his hand.

Xiao Xun and the students quickly followed. Professor Song shook his head but hurried after them.

Anya looked at Jiang Yu. “Mr. Jiang, shall we go together?”

Her main task this time was to be Jiang Yu’s guide, as the village chief had solemnly arranged. Jiang Yu’s opinion would naturally carry weight.

Noticing Anya’s expectant gaze, Jiang Yu smiled and nodded. “Let’s go together.”

Anya beamed and nodded vigorously. “Thank you, Mr. Jiang.”

Outside the hotel, the group boarded several Land Rover SUVs.

Inside the car, Jiang Yu curiously asked the girl next to him, “Who is this Miss Chen?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know either. Two days ago, when we were looking for a guide in the village, we happened to meet them. After talking, we found out they also heard about the nearby frozen cold pool, so we all agreed to form a team to go there.”

“And you?”

The girl’s eyes flickered as she smiled softly.

Jiang Yu replied calmly, “To find some things.”

He left out anything unnecessary.

“Oh, by the way, my name is Yan Xiaoxiao.”

“Jiang Yu,” he answered plainly.

He then fell silent. Yan Xiaoxiao chatted with those nearby excitedly. “Wow, it’s my first time riding in a Land Rover.”

Someone snorted. “It’s just a few Land Rovers. No big deal. When we get back, I’ll take you for a spin in my Audi R8.”

Soon, they arrived at an underground casino, apparently converted from an abandoned garage.

Miss Chen led the way, with Chen Kun and his men following.

They filed inside and quickly spotted a huge underground fighting ring where two burly men were brawling bare-chested.

Chen Kun laughed heartily, his voice booming. “Kids of the Han family, Uncle Chen Kun is here!”