Just as Third Young Master Qin's hand was about to settle on the girl's delicate chest, her long lashes fluttered open, revealing a pair of watery, luminous eyes that looked up at him in innocent confusion.
Qin's hand froze in midair. Caught in the gaze that was equal parts dazed, pure, and mischievous, even he—whose face was said to be thicker than the city walls—couldn't help but blush.
"Ahem… Don't be afraid," he said, trying to maintain a righteous expression. "I was just performing a full-body examination. I happened to reach the heart region… Congratulations! You're in excellent health. Just make sure to maintain it in the future."
The girl tilted her head and studied him for a while. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "You saved me, and I wrongly blamed you for… killing someone."
Qin waved his hand generously. "It's alright. In the world of wandering heroes, we live and die by the word 'righteousness'. To uphold justice is our solemn duty. By the way, my name is Qin Ren. I still don't know your lovely name."
She repeated his name twice under her breath and smiled sweetly. "Master Qin, what a clever and charming name you have."
That smile could truly bring down a kingdom.
Qin, self-proclaimed expert in matters of women, found himself utterly entranced. Such seductive grace at such a young age… If she enters the imperial palace one day with impure intent, she'd be more dangerous than Daji herself! Ah, I, Qin Ren, who carries the worries of the world, must make the ultimate sacrifice—offer myself to the calamity and neutralize her charm before she wreaks havoc. Yes, for the people, for peace! What a noble path I now walk!
Oblivious to his inner monologue, the girl continued, "My name is Zhen Luo. I'm from Songzhou City in the South. Recently, I traveled north to Yan Province with my parents to pay respects to my grandparents. On the road, we were ambushed by bandits. My parents… gave their lives so I could escape…"
Tears shimmered in her eyes as sorrow overtook her voice.
Qin, ever eager to play the part of the noble hero, pulled her gently into his arms. "Such tragedy… Zhen Luo, don't worry. I, Qin Ren, shall protect you. My chest is yours to lean on."
With her face buried in his chest, she sobbed, "I fled all the way to this earthen town and ran into the men you killed. They wanted to violate me, and I barely escaped. Had you not arrived when you did… I would have…"
Qin stroked her hair and patted her head gently. "There, there, Luo'er. Those villains are dead. This damn martial world is full of scum! So… what do you plan to do next?"
Naturally, Qin was fishing for a certain answer—the four magic words: "Offer myself to you." But even he, a rogue with few morals, didn't have the heart to force a girl who had suffered such tragedy.
"I only have my grandparents left, far away in Yan Province," Zhen Luo said, sobbing. "Could you… take me there, so I may see them one last time?"
Qin hesitated. Shouldn't I get something out of this? Sure, Yan Province is on the way, but this is a cold world—no one does anything for free, right?
Zhen Luo looked up at him, tears glistening in her eyes, cheeks flushed. "If you help me reach them, I swear that once I've fulfilled my filial duty, I will serve you faithfully—for the rest of my life."
Qin screamed with joy inside—Got her!—but his face remained noble and solemn.
"Zhen Luo, no! Such words shame the very meaning of chivalry! We help not for reward, but for righteousness! I, Qin Ren, though no grand hero, value the word 'righteousness' more than life! I will get you to Yan Province, even if it costs me my life!"
Zhen Luo beamed. "I knew Master Qin was a man of virtue! Since you're so honorable, I dare not taint this kindness with talk of servitude. Once I'm in Yan Province, I'll build a shrine in your honor and pray for your safety every day. That's the most fitting way to repay you, don't you think?"
Qin stared at her sparkling eyes, his heart bleeding. Too virtuous… She actually believed me!
The tale of the beauty repaying the hero with her body—it turns out, that's just a fantasy. Qin had made a fatal error: instead of playing along, he had played the righteous card too well. The girl now saw him as a saint—and thus, untouchable.
She's cunning, this one, he thought angrily. Fine, say what you will now. But tonight, when you're asleep, I'll make sure you know the scent of a man!
With a wolfish grin, he gently said, "Zhen Luo, don't worry about anything else. I will get you to Yan Province. For now, rest. You've had a long day. Let me get you something to eat."
He exited the room with grace, but the moment the door closed, his smile vanished. He gritted his teeth and stormed into the next room—only to find Qiao Wei, ear pressed to the bottom of a cup that was plastered to the wall.
The idiot hadn't even noticed him enter.
Qiao Wei, gleefully eavesdropping, thought he'd catch some salacious action. Instead, to his joy, he discovered that Qin Ren—master of seduction—had been outplayed. Poetic justice! he thought.
Unfortunately, he didn't know when to quit. He leaned in for more, and that was when disaster struck.
"What're you doing, Wei-ge?" Qin asked coldly.
"Ah! Third Young Master! I was, uh… testing the room's soundproofing, you see… Heh heh… Seems quite effective—couldn't hear a thing through the wall!"
"Really?" Qin said, grinning. "Not a thing?"
"Nope! Want to test it yourself?"
"You think I'm a child? Covering Heaven Palm!"
A blood-curdling scream filled the inn. Zhen Luo, in the next room, felt her hair stand on end.
Qin leaned over Qiao Wei's collapsed form and said coldly, "If a single word of what you heard escapes your lips, you'll die screaming."
Qiao Wei whimpered, "I swear to Heaven… not a word will leave my lips…"
"Good," said Qin. "Sometimes, you do know your place. Now, go tell the kitchen to prepare our best dishes and bring them to my room."
"But Third Young Master… look at me! I can't even walk!"
"Did I ask for your opinion?"
Minutes after Qiao Wei stumbled away, a scream echoed from downstairs:
"Ghost! Mother of—there's a ghost!!"
Meanwhile, in the Council Hall of Xiaoyao Manor...
Old Master Qin Xiaoyao munched happily on deep-fried pigeon while listening to his subordinates report on the month's earnings.
He was pleased: 550,000 taels of gold gross, 15,000 taels pure profit after expenses—including his third son's outrageous spending.
"We need more income," he said, gnawing a bone. "Old Third's burning through cash like a demon… Even 15,000 taels a month won't keep up with his appetite."
Just then, something sharp jabbed his tongue. He reached into his mouth and pulled out a small black metal tube.
"What the hell is this?! Who made this pigeon?! Damn thing nearly broke my tooth!"
A servant rushed forward, paling. "M-Master, that looks like… a carrier pigeon's message tube."
"What?!"
Sure enough, it twisted open to reveal a yellowed scroll.
"Who the hell fried a carrier pigeon?!"
The servant stammered, "It… it flew past the eldest young master's sword practice. Got sliced midair. The kitchen just… picked it up."
"Ah… so A-Feng did it?"
Qin Xiaoyao unrolled the scroll, casually reading—until his face went ashen.
"Impossible!"
His roar silenced the hall. All present dropped to their knees. His wife, Tie Ling'er, rushed in.
"Why're you screaming?! You scared the sheep out of their pens!"
Qin handed her the scroll. As she read, her face turned ghostly pale, tears falling freely. "Xiaoyao… this… this can't be true. This must be some twisted lie…"
Qin steadied her. "Someone's targeting us. Summon the Three Killing Gods, the Four Guardian Kings, and the Thirty-Six Heavenly Fiends. They are to leave at once and bring back my son, Lei'er!"
He turned to the others. "Fetch the Eldest Young Master!"
Once orders were dispatched, a cold grin formed on Qin Xiaoyao's lips.
You want war? Fine. I wanted peace, but now you'll have chaos. Let's see who dares provoke the sleeping lion of the martial world. Even if I have to overturn this entire Jianghu… I'll find the one behind this.
Tie Ling'er wiped her tears. "Should we inform my brother?"
Qin nodded. "Yes. If Xiaoyao Manor is being dragged into a plot, then his Ironblood Fortress might be next. Write to him. We've still got three pigeons that can reach his domain."
Tie Ling'er nodded solemnly. "And what about our Ah-Ren…"
Qin Xiaoyao's eyes gleamed coldly. "That brat? Hmph. Time he got a real taste of the dangers of Jianghu."