After a brief conversation, Quinn Ye learned the young man's name.
Hunter Huang.
A name that sounded quite blessed.
Unlike Old Man Homer, Hunter Huang was a born storyteller with an incredibly glib tongue.
However, Quinn could tell from Hunter's words that although the guy had taken up his father's mantle, he didn't actually like storytelling all that much.
"Young Master Quinn, to be honest, I've always wanted to go out and see the world."
Sitting across from Quinn, Hunter gripped his teacup, a bitter expression on his face.
"I grew up listening to my dad tell stories. There are so many tales, and the outside world is so exciting, but I haven't seen any of it. I've always been cooped up in this little town."
"Unlike you, Young Master Quinn. You are widely traveled, incredibly learned, and know everything."
At this point, Hunter looked at Quinn with a gaze full of envy.
Quinn felt a bit awkward.
In truth, ever since he arrived in this world, he had basically never gone anywhere else.
As for the outside world, Quinn actually didn't know much about it either.
"Young Master Quinn, could you tell me about the outside world?" Hunter asked, his face full of anticipation.
Quinn looked at him. "Rather than listening to me tell you about it, it would be better for you to walk out and see it for yourself."
Hunter, however, shook his head.
"My dad is buried here. If I leave, who will make offerings to him?"
He sounded like a very filial son.
But hearing these words made Quinn frown involuntarily.
"Your father has passed away. He is gone."
"Are you going to let your father hold you back for the rest of your life?"
Hunter froze, staring at Quinn in astonishment.
Quinn's face showed a look of sympathy.
"Even down in the netherworld, your father wouldn't want you to stay here forever. He would surely prefer for you to step out into the wider world."
"For the living, it's enough to keep the deceased in your heart. But your own days are still long."
Hunter's breathing grew rapid.
Quinn's words were like a sudden thunderclap in a drought; Hunter felt them reverberating in his ears.
In an instant, they ignited the yearning for the outside world buried deep within his heart.
"Young Master Quinn, I..." Hunter stood up abruptly, his expression agitated. For a moment, he didn't even know what to say.
Quinn smiled.
"Don't get too excited just yet."
Hunter sat back down.
"Actually, I can understand why you young people want to go out and make a name for yourselves. When I was young..."
At this point, Quinn paused.
He suddenly realized that he wasn't exactly some withered old man either.
But why don't I have the slightest desire to go out and adventure? Has my mentality really gotten old? "Young Master Quinn?"
Seeing Quinn space out, Hunter called out in confusion.
Quinn snapped back to reality. "Where was I?"
"You were saying, when you were young..."
"Oh, right. When I was young, I actually used to go out adventuring quite often. You could say I traveled far and wide."
"But in the end, I still feel that being able to live peacefully in one place, having people you care about by your side, and doing the things you love—that is enough."
Speaking of this, Quinn couldn't help but worry about Finn Guo.
I wonder if that kid has reached Northern River yet? Is he getting used to life there? For Quinn, he had no family or friends in this world.
The only person worth worrying about was his disciple, Finn Guo.
"But Young Master Quinn, don't you find this kind of life boring?" Hunter asked, puzzled.
Quinn shook his head.
"Only after you have experienced many things will you truly understand the benefits of tranquility."
"Your hometown and native soil are the only places that can truly bring peace to your heart."
Having said this.
Quinn got up and left.
Leaving Hunter sitting there alone, staring blankly.
Peace of heart?
Native soil?
For a moment, Hunter's mind was a tangled mess. He had originally hoped to find encouragement from Quinn to go out and adventure.
He hadn't expected.
That it would instead plunge him into an even greater dilemma.
For some reason.
Hunter felt that Quinn's words contained profound truths.
It was as if Quinn were a wise elder who had experienced all the vicissitudes of life and seen through everything.
Yet Quinn clearly looked to be around the same age as him.
Quinn walked out of the teahouse, preparing to head back up the mountain.
Suddenly, he saw a procession passing by on the street.
Soldiers in full armor marched in front and behind, flanking two tall, majestic steeds.
A man and a woman were riding the horses.
Quinn took a look and realized he actually knew the woman.
It was none other than Princess Tiffany Chu from the Prince of the West's estate. And the man beside Tiffany was a handsome, elegant youth.
He seemed to be of extraordinary status as well.
The two were talking and laughing, appearing quite close.
Right at that moment.
Tiffany spotted Quinn standing at the entrance of the teahouse.
Tiffany froze, and then her face paled in shock.
She hastily dismounted.
The handsome youth looked confused.
He had no idea what was going on.
He watched as Tiffany walked briskly over to Quinn and bowed respectfully.
"Young Master Quinn!"
Quinn smiled. "What a coincidence."
Tiffany looked a bit awkward.
"Please excuse my impropriety, Young Master Quinn."
Quinn didn't think much of it.
By this time, the handsome youth had also walked over.
He first glanced at Quinn. Seeing Quinn's ordinary clothes and average looks, he didn't seem like anyone of status.
The handsome youth couldn't help but curl his lip, revealing a hint of disdain.
"Young Master Quinn, this is my friend. He is the Crown Prince of the Profound Origin Empire, William Yang."
The Profound Origin Empire, like the Heavenly Martial Empire, was one of the Seven Kingdoms of the Southern Wasteland.
Ever since the million-strong allied army of the three great empires had attacked the Heavenly Martial Empire, Heavenly Martial had begun paying close attention to its relationships with the other nations.
Although the Heavenly Martial Empire was strong, if the enemy nations were to launch another joint attack, it would put Heavenly Martial in extreme danger.
Therefore, a while ago, the Heavenly Martial Empire had sent envoys to the various nations of the Southern Wasteland.
Hoping to win over an ally or two.
To stabilize its own position.
This Profound Origin Empire was the very first nation to be won over by the Heavenly Martial Empire.
This time.
Crown Prince William Yang of the Profound Origin Empire had brought an entourage to the Heavenly Martial Empire to pay a formal visit to Emperor Dominic Su.
After the visit, William Yang began touring the Heavenly Martial Empire.
It just so happened that Tiffany and William Yang had interacted when they were children, making them half-acquaintances.
"So it is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. I am Quinn Ye. Please forgive my lack of manners."
Hearing the man's identity, Quinn hurriedly bowed to William Yang.
Are you kidding me? This is the Crown Prince of a nation. As an ordinary commoner, I still need to maintain a humble attitude in front of a Crown Prince. William Yang merely gave a grunt, not really wanting to pay attention to Quinn.
Seeing William Yang's arrogant attitude, Tiffany couldn't help but feel awkward.
She also broke a sweat for William Yang.
If you offend Quinn Ye, let alone you, a mere Crown Prince... Even the entire Profound Origin Empire would probably face imminent disaster. "Princess, allow me to offer you a piece of advice," William Yang said.
"Our status is out of the ordinary. Do not lower yourself by associating too much with insignificant nobodies, lest you lose your dignity."