### Chapter 303: Old Geezer and Old Fart
After a minor detour through the Ashen Realm, the rest of the journey went smoothly, and the group arrived at the Crimson Empire as planned.
This time, the Emperor of the Crimson Empire, Ansar, came to greet them in person.
Ansar was a big guy with unshaven red hair and bulging muscles that practically screamed “I lift heavy things.”
As soon as they met, he slammed a fist down on Edward’s shoulder. “Old fart, still kicking, huh?”
Edward smirked and countered with a punch to Ansar’s chest. “Old geez, you’re not dead yet either?”
The two squared off, glaring at each other while their fists met.
Yuliya stood off to the side, blinking in confusion.
Oh? Is this what passionate men do?
Eventually, Edward cleared his throat and took a step back.
“Ha! Old fart, can’t handle it anymore!” Ansar stepped forward, clapping Edward on the back. “Heard you got a little scratch—how’d you end up looking like a wilted flower?”
Edward shot him a look that could curdle milk.
A scratch? He almost lost his life!
In his current state, Edward definitely couldn’t hold a candle to Ansar.
Even in his prime, he wouldn’t stand a chance.
Suddenly, Ansar turned his head as if just noticing Yuliya standing behind Edward.
“Edward, who’s this little kid?”
“This is the ‘Princess of Radiant Sun’ from the Jade Emperor Kingdom.”
Edward didn’t use any honorifics, and surprisingly, Ansar didn’t seem to mind. Even his retinue looked unfazed as if this were a regular Tuesday.
“Oh? So you brought a babysitter this time?”
“What nonsense! She’s my student, just taking her out to see the world.”
“Oh? You can teach, huh?”
Ansar leaned in, clearly intrigued. “Little girl, he didn’t just toss you a book and say, ‘Good luck!’ did he?”
“…”
“Did he leave you all on your own, disappearing for days until you managed to scrape by, and then show up claiming to be your ‘teacher’?”
“Uh…”
Holy cow! Now that he thought about it, that’s pretty much it!
Edward really did just pass on a skill, toss her a book, and then… poof! No more Edward.
Until that time in the Jade Palace, when he finally convinced her to call him ‘Teacher’ instead of ‘Uncle.’
Seeing Yuliya hesitating to speak and avoiding eye contact, Ansar burst into laughter, hands on hips. “Hahaha! You don’t need to say a thing! I already know what kind of character this guy has!”
“What are you talking about!” Edward interjected, shoving Ansar aside. “Kid, don’t listen to his nonsense. He’s just jealous I have a student.”
“This guy’s out of control! He barely managed to keep a student—on the first day he ditched them in a lava cave, and only returned half a month later to drag them out, barely clinging to life. And then the student took off!”
“Well, that’s…”
These two were really something else!
But overall, it was a complete toss-up, fifty-fifty.
“What do you know!” Ansar puffed up like a peacock. “That was character building! A test of will! If they can’t handle it, it just shows they’re lacking in spirit!”
Edward nodded, still eyeing Yuliya. “Right. That’s exactly how he explained it. So it’s no wonder he’s still without a student.”
“Who says I don’t have one?! They’re just off training right now! And it’s more than one!”
“Yeah, your son and daughter. If they weren’t born royal, they would’ve bolted ages ago. I almost feel sorry for them.”
“You! Old fart!”
“Old geezer! What do you want to do?”
Watching them go toe-to-toe again, Yuliya suddenly let out a giggle.
This is quite amusing.
Boys will be boys, even in their old age!
“Teacher, Your Majesty, you two have such a great relationship!”
“Ha! If only this old fart would kick the bucket.”
“This old geezer is always at odds with me!”
“Alright, alright.” Yuliya squeezed between them, pushing them apart. “You two aren’t old at all. Still full of energy for jokes, that’s just youthful! If I hadn’t known you both well, I might’ve called you ‘Big Brother’ at first sight.”
Honestly, she wasn’t entirely wrong.
This was a world of extraordinary power, where the stronger you were, the longer you lived, and the less you aged.
Once you broke through the legendary level, you could extend your lifespan by hundreds of years.
Take Edward, for instance; his physical condition showed no signs of decay at all, even after surviving a near-d*ath experience, slowly recovering like a champ.
Looking at his age-to-lifespan ratio, he was still in his youth!
The reason people called him ‘Uncle’ was purely due to his mature demeanor, deliberate fashion choices, and that delightful scruff.
If he swapped for some vibrant trendy clothes and spruced himself up, he’d sweep countless girls off their feet, instantly overshadowing the so-called hot young stars—people would proudly call him ‘Gully Gully.’
Ansar, on the other hand, had that beefcake vibe going on, and let’s just say he’d attract quite the crowd of admirers.
“That muscle is one handsome sight,” Ansar beamed at the compliment Yuliya gave, visibly energized. “We’re not too old to be called handsome, are we?”
“What do you mean by ‘not too old’? You’re still young and charming!”
“Oh ho ho! That’s right! I’ve always thought so myself. Hahaha! Edward, you really struck gold with this student!”
“Tsk.” Edward clicked his tongue. “What? You interested? Want to steal her? At your age, have some shame.”
“Tsk, why do I even bother talking to you?” Ansar glared at Edward, “But I won’t argue about the girl. I mean, let’s be honest, if she follows me, I’d be worried she’d spontaneously combust—what a waste! Better off with you.”
“Ha!” Edward chuckled lightly. “Finally, you said something sensible!”
“What did you say?! You old fossil!”
“Old fart!”
And just like that, they were at it again.
But they kept bickering as they strolled toward the Royal Palace.
Yuliya shrugged, resigned to it.
But honestly, she didn’t mind. She could tell the rapport between these two was solid.
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