"That guy? A master?" Qin Ren, the Third Young Master, scoffed. "He's just a cart driver. Now he's my lackey."
Qiao Wei chuckled. "Young Master is quite right. I am Qiao Wei, humble servant to the Third Young Master. Recognizing that needle technique is no big deal. I've traveled far and wide and once saw a heroine from the Snowy Mountain Sect using similar acupuncture."
Qiu Ruomei nodded slightly. "Since Senior is unwilling to reveal his true identity, I won't press. I only hope you'll take good care of my little brother. His temper... well, he's reckless. Sooner or later, he'll stir up real trouble."
Qiao Wei straightened up, his tone respectful. "Rest assured, Miss. I once vowed: once a servant, forever a servant. The Young Master has shown me great kindness. How could I not repay it with my life?"
Qin Ren stuck out his tongue. "Gross! Who wants your loyalty? What's next? You offering yourself to me?"
Unexpectedly, Qiao Wei nodded solemnly. "If necessary, I would. I've decided to dedicate this seven-foot-tall body to Young Master. He can ravage it as he pleases."
Qin Ren turned pale, nearly vomiting. Qiao Wei, on the other hand, looked immensely satisfied. "Trying to out-disgust me? I'm one of the Four Demon Lords! When it comes to being revolting, kid—you've got a long way to go. Wahahaha!"
Qiu Ruomei gently knocked Qin Ren on the head, scolding playfully, "What nonsense are you spouting? You're not a child anymore."
Qin Ren thought inwardly, Sister Mei, I don't want to act childish, but if I don't, how else can I stir that protective motherly instinct of yours?
Out loud, he grinned and said, "I wouldn't dare again! Mei-jie, please have mercy. If you knock me silly, you'll be the one who suffers the loss!"
Qiu Ruomei chuckled softly. "Enough with the sweet talk. With your thick skull, a few more knocks wouldn't make a difference. Does the wound still hurt?"
"If Mei-jie gives me a kiss, I promise it won't hurt at all," Qin Ren said with a cheeky smile.
Qiao Wei pretended to gag. "Young Master, please don't make me lose my appetite."
Qiu Ruomei blushed and gave Qin Ren's nose a light flick. "Shameless brat! Go rest now!"
Grinning ear to ear, Qin Ren said, "Mei-jie, have you found a place to stay? If not, stay with me. Even if you have, cancel it and come stay with me anyway?"
Qiu Ruomei's expression instantly turned stern. "Say one more word of nonsense, and I won't talk to you anymore!"
Qin Ren quickly grabbed her hand. "No, no, please don't, my good sister! I promise I'll behave. Mei-jie, pity your little brother—look how badly I'm hurt. My Wei-ge is a brute, totally useless at taking care of people. You must stay until I recover..."
She hesitated, then sighed. "Ah, Ren... you really are hard to shake off. I came just to check on you. If you were fine, I didn't plan to let you know I was here. But you… you treat your life like it's nothing, and I couldn't help but worry. Fine, I'll stay until your wounds heal. Then I'll go."
Qin Ren beamed. "You mean it, Mei-jie? That's great!"
But in his heart, he sighed. Damn... why do some women cling to me like leeches—well, with a 'to kill' after 'cling'—while others avoid me like the plague? Mei-jie clearly has feelings for me, but still... is she ashamed of herself?
Qiao Wei, meanwhile, muttered to himself: Huh? Sounds like that lady doesn't want to stick with the Young Master. That's strange—they clearly have mutual feelings. Maybe... she knows our Young Master's reputation for being a heartbreaker? Smart girl. Ha! So even someone like Third Young Master has women he can't conquer!
Early Summer.
Spring, soft and gentle as a maiden, had faded. Now summer arrived with wild, scorching heat. Even the northern territories of the mighty Qin Empire were not spared the stifling air.
About thirty li from Dingzhou City, at a roadside teahouse, more than twenty armed men lounged in the shade—some sitting, some squatting—sipping chilled tea to escape the burning noon sun.
Behind the shack, the teahouse owner lay dead, throat slit clean, blood still flowing.
From a rickety side room came the muffled sobs and shrieks of a woman, accompanied by the beastly roars of a man.
Four grim-faced brutes stood guard outside the room, their shirts open, revealing bulging chests that looked like oiled iron slabs.
A low, guttural growl came from within, followed by a sharp crack—and the woman's cries fell silent.
A moment later, the door creaked open, and a pale, thin man in a grey robe stepped out.
From behind him, in the dim interior, one could barely make out a wooden cot, a naked woman sprawled atop it, her body covered in bruises. Her limbs were spread, head twisted to one side, eyes wide open in horror, blood on her lips—dead.
The gaunt man scanned the area with hawk-like eyes. "Everyone rested?"
One of the guards stepped forward. "All ready, sir. Just waiting on you."
"Good. Move out," the thin man ordered.
At once, over twenty men rose to their feet with synchronized precision—disciplined, fast, deadly. Clearly professionals.
They stepped out of the teahouse and prepared to leave when the thin man suddenly narrowed his eyes, staring down the official road.
A luxurious carriage was approaching at a steady pace.
Three elderly men, dressed like household servants, rode beside it on donkeys, looking relaxed and carefree.
The driver was a man in a sky-blue robe and straw hat, his face mostly hidden beneath the brim.
A breeze blew past, and the thin man sniffed the air, then said darkly, "There are women in that carriage. More than one."
"Master, your ability to sniff out women is unmatched!" someone quickly flattered. "To detect not just their presence, but how many—your servant is in awe!"
The thin man grinned. "When it comes to scenting women, I may not claim first place... but no one else dares to."
Another man asked, "So what do we do about that carriage?"
"Bandits. Murderers. Thieves in disguise!" the thin man declared righteously. "Clearly, they're transporting illicit wealth. We must confiscate it all for justice!"
Instantly, his men showered him with praise. "Master is brilliant! Master sees through all deception! Master works tirelessly for the people!"
Basking in their flattery, the man led his twenty-four enforcers onto the road, blocking it completely, staring down the oncoming carriage.
At last, the carriage arrived. The driver gave a light tug on the reins, and the horses stopped neatly. The three old men also halted, slouching lazily, dozing on their donkeys.
The thin man found this unsettling. Why aren't they saying anything? They've been stopped and yet not a word?
Suppressing his unease, he shouted, "You there! Don't think hiding in a carriage can fool me! You're wanted criminals! You have the right to remain silent, but everything you say can and will be used as evidence in court! You may consult an attorney. If you can't afford one, the yamen will appoint one for you!"
One of the old men suddenly sniffed the air. A cold gleam flashed in his eyes. "Young Master, there's blood... and a woman's bodily fluids. Hm. No life energy at all."
The driver's voice was frigid. "No life energy? Then she's dead."
Their casual exchange sent a chill through the thin man. Who the hell are these people?!
He couldn't believe anyone could smell a fresh corpse and determine gender from the scent.
The driver then slowly said, "I've long heard of one of the 'Four Divine Constables'—Ji Wuhua, the 'Cold-Blooded Slayer'—renowned for his lust, cruelty, and taste for rape and murder. I've never had proof… until now. You just delivered yourself to me. Perfect. I promised Xiao San I'd kill you one day. Two birds, one stone."
The thin man—Ji Wuhua himself—flushed with fury and fear. He had been chasing Qin Ren under the orders of Du Guhongjian, head of the Jianghu Constabulary and Lord of Fenyu Tower. At this remote teahouse, he saw the owner's daughter and, unable to resist his lust, had killed the father and assaulted the girl.
Now caught red-handed, Ji Wuhua snarled, "Who the hell are you?"
The driver slowly removed his straw hat.
Underneath was a strikingly handsome yet ice-cold face.
"My name," he said, "is Qin Feng."