“Young Master Shen,” Little Qing called out a bit nervously, her head lowered shyly, not daring to look at the man in front of her.
“You’re still calling me ‘Young Master Shen’?” Shen Lang pretended to be upset.
“Shen… Shen Lang,” Little Qing looked up at him quickly, then lowered her head again.
Her cheeks were like the sky at sunset, a soft blush climbing up like the evening glow.
“That’s better. Don’t worry, we’ll be together for life. No one can separate us,” Shen Lang said with a smile.
“But will Lin Qiu really let it go?” Little Qing asked, worried.
“After all, his father is the Mountain Lord of Grand Heaven Mountain.”
“I didn’t let you come before because I was afraid it would start a fight between the two peaks,” Shen Lang said coldly.
“But now I’m not afraid. That guy has been poisoned by my Fire Burning Heaven poison. At most, he has three months to live. His whole body will turn red and eventually die. Especially during these three months, he’ll suffer unbearable pain every day, like being roasted by fire. He won’t have time to bother you.”
“What if someone finds out?” Little Qing asked with concern.
“Qing’er, only you and I know. If you don’t say anything, no one will,” Shen Lang gently shook his head and pulled the girl into his arms.
“I understand, Shen Lang. I won’t say a word even if I die,” Little Qing hugged him back, resting her face on his chest.
Solemnly, she said, “I was just a woman of the dust, my life worth less than grass. Now that I have your love, I’ve already given myself to you. I’ll follow you to the end.”
Shen Lang smiled and turned to look at the group of yellow-robed disciples behind him. He asked, “I told Zhang Qian to go inform that useless guy. Why hasn’t he come back to report?”
“Uh,” the yellow-robed disciples looked hesitant.
“What’s wrong?” Shen Lang frowned.
One of the disciples shook his head slightly and waved his right hand. “Bring him up.”
Then, a young man in yellow robes was carried in on a stretcher.
Both of his legs were broken, and he was mumbling, unable to speak clearly.
He looked barely alive and in terrible pain.
“Zhang Qian?” Shen Lang frowned, his face darkening. “What happened?”
A disciple handed over a piece of paper. “Senior Brother, his tongue was cut out. So I told him to write everything down.”
Shen Lang glanced at the paper, and with a wave of his hand, his blade energy shredded it to dust.
“Senior Brother, are you alright?” someone asked carefully.
“Lin Qiu dares to insult me, I won’t rest until one of us is dead,” Shen Lang said with a grim face.
His expression was darker than the stormy sky above.
Xu Zimo had just finished his cultivation and stepped out of the small courtyard when he saw Jiang Changsheng sneaking around outside.
“Since you’re here, come in,” Xu Zimo waved and called him inside.
The maid had already prepared breakfast and laid it out in the pavilion.
“Senior Brother, is there something you need?” Jiang Changsheng asked cautiously. “Or do you admire my good looks?”
“You know I’m a well-known playboy,” Xu Zimo said, waving his hand. “And a playboy without a lackey is just embarrassing.”
“Forgive me, Senior Brother, I don’t understand,” Jiang Changsheng shook his head.
“I want you to be my lackey. Clear enough?” Xu Zimo replied.
“A true man won’t bow for mere food. I live free and wild, how could I serve under someone else?” Jiang Changsheng slammed the table, speaking firmly. “Don’t bring this up again, or I’ll be upset.”
“Really can’t do it?” Xu Zimo asked.
“Not even if I die,” Jiang Changsheng said, eyes steady.
Clang, a sword was drawn, and a few strands of hair fell.
“Wait, I changed my mind. A real man knows when to bend and when to stand tall. Thousand-mile horses are common, but true talent scouts are rare. A hidden gem, once discovered, shines brightly and breaks through the dawn.”
With a serious look, Jiang Changsheng said, “From now on, I’ll follow Senior Brother wherever he goes. Heaven or hell, danger or death, I won’t hesitate.”
As they were speaking, a disciple rushed in in a panic.
“Senior Brother Lin, the Mountain Lord wants to see you,” the disciple said, panting.
“What’s it about?” Xu Zimo asked.
“Seems someone from Jade Heaven Mountain is here to see you,” the disciple replied.
“Let’s go take a look,” Xu Zimo smiled.
Following the disciple, Xu Zimo not only brought Jiang Changsheng but also took along the two guards who protected his courtyard.
On the way up the mountain, Xu Zimo asked the two, “What are your names?”
“I’m Long Yidao, and he’s Long Erdao,” they replied quickly.
“Simple and direct. I like that,” Xu Zimo smiled.
When they reached the top level of Grand Heaven Mountain and entered the main hall, Xu Zimo saw not just his father Lin Beisheng and several Grand Heaven Mountain elders, but also a young man and an old man in gold robes.
“Father,” Xu Zimo greeted.
“Qiu’er, you’re here,” Lin Beisheng smiled and waved. “I have a question for you.”
“Please go ahead,” Xu Zimo nodded.
“Did you seriously injure a disciple from Jade Heaven Mountain?” Lin Beisheng asked.
“No, where did that come from?” Xu Zimo shook his head.
“Lin Qiu, you dare deny it?” the gold-robed youth Shen Lang snorted.
“We have witnesses and evidence. You need to explain yourself.”
“Who are you? Since when do outsiders get to shout in my Grand Heaven Mountain’s hall?” Xu Zimo frowned.
“Lang’er, stand down,” the gold-robed elder beside him smiled and waved.
Zhang Qian was carried in on a stretcher.
The elder smiled and said, “Do you still deny it, Young Master Lin?”
“Deny what? I don’t know anything,” Xu Zimo shook his head.
The gold-robed elder waved, and a piece of paper appeared from his storage ring.
He said, “This is Zhang Qian’s statement. Do you want to see it?”
Xu Zimo looked at him and asked, “What’s your name, Elder?”
“Jade Heaven Mountain, Green River,” the elder said calmly.
“Alright, Elder Green River, then let me say this: your way of speaking is unreasonable,” Xu Zimo shook his head. “This Zhang Qian’s words can’t be taken as truth. Just because he says I did it, does that make it so? What if he’s framing me? A while back I was almost assassinated. What if I say Elder Green River was behind it, should that be taken as true?”
“Exactly!” Jiang Changsheng nodded beside him and said quickly, “He’s just jealous of our young master’s good looks. It’s slander, completely shameless slander.”