After putting away all the cultivation resources that Xiao Ling had brought out, Qinglin smiled at Xiao Ling and said, "Then Qinglin would like to thank you, young master."
Seeing Qinglin's well-behaved and obedient appearance, Xiao Ling was very satisfied. He nodded and said to Qinglin, "Since you have agreed to leave the Motie Mercenary Group with me, you should first talk to your two cousins. After explaining it to them, I will take you to meet my companion."
"Is it the companion who transformed into a demon beast that the young master mentioned before? Qinglin is really looking forward to becoming good friends with her." Qinglin replied after hearing Xiao Ling's words.
Thinking of Zi Yan's appearance, Xiao Ling smiled and said, "Don't worry, that girl is very lively."
Xiao Ling touched Qinglin's little head, then got up and got out of bed, and said with a smile, "Let's go. I don't know where my two cousins are. Can you take me there?"
"Okay." Rourou responded softly, and Qinglin carefully followed Xiao Ling's steps.
As they left the room, the sunlight streamed down, warming them to the skin. Though the desert was scorching, it was early morning, and the warmth wasn't too intense.
Thinking about leaving soon, Qinglin muttered to himself, "I'll be living with the young master from now on. I'm really looking forward to it. I wonder if the young master's companion will really be so easy to get along with? But since he's a transformed monster, he shouldn't be prejudiced against me, right?"
As they walked through the mercenary group with Qinglin, every passing mercenary they encountered stopped and greeted Xiao Ling warmly, presumably knowing his identity.
However, as their gazes fell on Qinglin, their smiles faded, and some even gleamed with a hint of disgust.
Xiao Ling sighed helplessly at their expressions, seemingly aware of Qinglin's identity.
The mercenaries at the edge of the desert all held an indelible blood feud with the Serpent People. Whenever they thought of the little girl before them, stained by the filthy Serpent People's blood, they couldn't help but reveal a wave of disgust, a feeling almost impossible to suppress. This was the loathing born of the long-standing hostility between humans and Serpent People.
Qinglin, possessing both human and Serpent People blood, bore the brunt of the discrimination and disgust from both sides. Even so, she was a profoundly innocent girl.
Following Xiao Ling along the way, every disgusted glance from those around her made Qinglin's petite body tremble slightly, her expression growing even more uneasy.
Reaching out and stroking Qinglin's head, Xiao Ling soothed him, "You're just yourself. Don't worry about what others think. As your strength grows, these people will be nothing more than ants, easily destroyed in the snap of a finger. If you're unhappy with them, I can't use harsh measures for the sake of my two cousins, but I do have ways to make them suffer for ten days or half a month."
Xiao Ling had been trained in the Black Horn Territory, and his personality wasn't as gentle as he appeared. He wasn't joking about what he said just now. If he could make Qinglin understand and dispel his inferiority complex, Xiao Ling would definitely teach these people a lesson without mercy.
Qinglin was by his side, and these mercenaries didn't hide their dislike for Qinglin at all. Xiao Ling didn't believe that these people hadn't bullied Qinglin in private.
Qinglin froze in place as Xiao Ling spoke. After a long moment, a strange glint crossed her lovely, delicate face. Her nose twitched slightly, and she lifted her face. Three tiny green dots suddenly and silently appeared within her emerald pupils. Qinglin,
still a kindhearted girl, shook her head quickly after hearing Xiao Ling's words and replied, "The captain took me into the Motie Mercenary Group and gave me a place to live. These people are his subordinates, and we can't take action against them because of Qinglin."
"Alright, then, let them go." Since Qinglin didn't want him to take action, Xiao Ling gave up the idea.
Qinglin hadn't yet grasped the true laws of the Douqi Continent. As she experienced more with him, she would naturally understand.
After walking a short distance
, they arrived at a training ground. Several mercenaries were sparring on the stage, with Xiao Ding and Xiao Li standing nearby to watch.
Seeing Xiao Ling and Qing Lin approaching, Xiao Ding was the first to speak, "Cousin Xiao Ling, how was your rest?"
He nodded, and Xiao Ling replied, "I had a good rest. You're up early, cousin."
After a few pleasantries, Xiao Ling, Xiao Ding, and Xiao Li began to discuss Qing Lin.
Pointing to Qing Lin, who was looking a little shy, Xiao Ding said, "I've discussed this with Qing Lin, and she's agreed to stay with me. I'm here to let you know. After my companions wake up, I'll take Qing Lin and the two of us and leave the Desert Iron Mercenary Group."
Xiao Ding nodded. Although, as someone from Wutan City, he didn't harbor the same hatred for the Serpent People as those in the Tagor Desert, he didn't hold much prejudice against Qing Lin.
He didn't show any special care for Qinglin. He simply took her back to the mercenary group out of pity. When Xiao Ling wanted to take her away, Xiao Ding didn't pay much attention.
He simply said a few polite words, "Then, cousin Xiao Ling, Qinglin is in your care. Don't let her get bullied outside..."
After giving these instructions, Xiao Ling and Qinglin left the place. He told Qinglin to go back to her room and pack her belongings while he went to Ziyan's bedroom.
Seeing Ziyan still asleep, Xiao Ling didn't bother to disturb her.
As if sensing Xiao Ling's presence, Ziyan slowly opened her eyes.
She glanced towards the door and saw Xiao Ling leaning against it, observing her with interest.
She hesitantly said, "Xiao Ling... good morning..."
Seeing Ziyan's dazed look, Xiao Ling smiled and said, "I'll be waiting in the living room. Remember to get ready when you get up. I'd like to introduce you to a new friend."
With that, Xiao Ling turned and walked back to the living room, settling into a wooden chair.
Taking out the Coke bottle, Xiao Ling drank a full glass, and immediately felt much more energetic. However, the Coke was at room temperature, which Xiao Ling was not very satisfied with.
"It's a pity that I can't use ice-attribute fighting spirit. Otherwise, it would be so refreshing to drink a glass of ice-cold Coke on the edge of the hot desert. When we get to Mocheng, I'll need Hai Bodong's help."
(End of this chapter)