"Whoa..."
Qi Xia took a sharp step back, a sense of déjà vu washing over him.
"Holy crap!"
Qiao Jiajin jumped in fright as well. They had been here for less than a minute, where did this old man pop out from? Why was he standing silently behind Qi Xia?
"Young man, you really can't provoke the Heavenly Dragon!"
The old man revealed his single remaining tooth and reached a withered arm towards Qi Xia.
"A life gamble... even a life gamble might not be enough..."
Just as Qiao Jiajin was about to step forward and intervene, Qi Xia pulled him back.
"Hold on, I want to talk to him."
He pulled Qiao Jiajin aside and also reached out to grab the old man. The two of them held each other's arms like two friends who hadn't seen each other in a long time.
"Old sir, do you know me?"