Chapter 108: Who is this man?

Just as the ball of dou qi was about to strike Hai Bodong, a surge of cold air froze it into a block of ice, sending it clattering powerlessly to the ground beside the old man.

The woman in the red dress watched with wide, shocked eyes as the dou qi attack turned to ice. This was yet another display of the old man's extraordinary strength.

'This fool really has a death wish, daring to attack Master Bing? Let's see what happens to him now!'

Having regained her composure, the red-clad woman smirked at Gu He with gleeful anticipation. In her mind, someone as cold and ruthless as Master Bing would never let the white-robed man before him walk away unscathed.

However, her expectations were nothing more than wishful thinking.

After Gu He's attack, Hai Bodong indeed paused what he was doing. His gaze shifted from the map in his hands, his frosty expression turning dignified as he studied the white-robed man before him.

Clearly, the words "Old Man Hai" had unsettled him.

"You are…?" Hai Bodong scrutinized Gu He, a sense of familiarity washing over him. He was certain he had met this man before, but for the life of him, he couldn't recall when or where.

And no wonder—when they had last met, Gu He had been a spirited young man. Now, over a decade later, his appearance had changed drastically. Moreover, his demeanor carried an immortal-like refinement, a far cry from his former self.

Hai Bodong studied the handsome, white-robed man before him, his aged eyes flickering with surprise.

'Who is this man?'

From the way he had addressed him earlier, Hai Bodong knew this man recognized him.

Noticing Hai Bodong's puzzled expression, Gu He couldn't help but smile wryly.

"So, the Ice Emperor no longer recognizes me after all these years?" Gu He said lightly. "Back then, someone went to great lengths to win me over, even offering a hefty price for a sixth-grade pill formula."

A flash of realization crossed Hai Bodong's face.

"You—you're Gu He?!"

With that reminder, there was no way Hai Bodong could fail to recognize him now.

Meanwhile, the red-clad woman stared in astonishment as Hai Bodong not only refrained from attacking Gu He but engaged him in conversation. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly as she studied Gu He with growing suspicion.

'Who is this man? Why does Master Bing treat him differently?'

A pang of jealousy struck her. Despite all her efforts to assist Master Bing, he had never shown her such warmth.

'This guy…'

Just as she was about to retreat and investigate Gu He's background, the words exchanged between the two men struck her like lightning, freezing her in place.

And she wasn't the only one—everyone in the shop, from the three young men to the burly guards, stiffened at the name Gu He.

"G-Gu He…?"

"Pill King Gu He?!" Shocked and disbelieving gazes locked onto the white-robed man, their minds reeling.

In the Jia Ma Empire, the name Pill King Gu He was legendary—known to every soul.

The red-clad woman's charming face paled as she watched the two men converse as if no one else existed. Though arrogant, she was no fool. The old man's attitude and their conversation made it clear—the man before her was no ordinary figure.

A bitter smile tugged at her lips.

After a hesitant pause, she spoke timidly, "Master Bing…"

Interrupted, Hai Bodong frowned slightly and glanced at her.

"Leave," he said coldly. "And don't come back. Tell your father his little schemes are getting tiresome."

The woman's eyes reddened instantly. Her teeth clenched her lower lip as her hopes of becoming Hai Bodong's disciple shattered.

At that moment, all her earlier arrogance vanished, replaced by a deep sense of humiliation. Her lashes trembled with unshed tears.

Seeing Hai Bodong's indifference, Gu He shook his head.

'This old man's heart is truly made of ice.'

Though he hadn't taken a liking to the woman's earlier haughtiness, it was clear she had worked hard to earn Hai Bodong's favor—only to be met with cold rejection.

"Old Man Hai," Gu He remarked with a faint smile, "for someone of your stature, treating a woman like this is a bit beneath you."

Hai Bodong blinked, then chuckled. With a flick of his finger, a scroll shot toward the red-clad woman.

"Consider this compensation," he said. "A low-tier Xuan-level dou technique. You've helped me for a while, so take it. I know you wanted to be my disciple, but I have no interest in taking one. This is the best I can offer."

Stunned, the woman caught the scroll. After a moment, she gave Gu He a grateful bow before exiting the shop, her face downcast.

The others quickly followed, leaving the shop empty once more.

Hai Bodong sighed. "I've always preferred freedom. Teaching disciples isn't for me—she wouldn't have gained much by following me anyway."

Gu He smiled. "Naturally. The famed Ice Emperor wouldn't take a disciple so easily."

Hai Bodong studied him curiously. "Gu He, how did you find this place?"