The Bloodscale Clan Patriarch returned to his private chambers, the door closing behind him with a heavy thud. He sank into his chair, his mind occupied with the Iron Guards and the sudden appearance of the Sword Master.
"Father-in-law…" a soft, deliberate voice called from the doorway.
A striking woman stepped forward, her presence sharp and confident. She paused a few steps from him. The Patriarch made a subtle gesture with his hand, and she moved closer.
When she reached him, he gestured for her to sit on his lap. She obeyed, settling gracefully, her eyes calm and steady, meeting his gaze without hesitation.
"I have a task for you," the Patriarch said, his voice low and deliberate.
She inclined her head. "Tell me, father-in-law."
"Among the Iron Guards, there are four core members. You are to become close to any one of them. Observe them, learn from them, and gather the information we need," he instructed plainly.
"I understand," she replied, her voice calm and measured. "I will prepare."
"Good," he said, leaning back in his chair. "That is all. Nothing more is required."
After a moment, he lifted her from his lap, carrying her toward the bed, and began to remove her clothes.
.....
Over the next few days, she quietly began her investigation, gathering information with the help of agents from the Bloodscale Clan. Subtle inquiries, careful observations, and whispered questions slowly painted a clear picture of the core members.
She watched Liu Ming closely. His loyalty and devotion to Shuo Lingar were evident in every action, every glance, every shared moment.
Wang Yan's attachment to Tang Yuehua was equally unshakable. Neither of them would be swayed, and attempting to approach them would be fruitless.
Her attention then turned to the remaining two: Chen Yu and Zhao Qing. Chen Yu was playful, quick-witted, and mischievous. He laughed easily and enjoyed teasing those around him. While charming in his own right, he would not be easily ensnared in personal entanglements. Any attempt to draw him in would likely be noticed or brushed aside.
Zhao Qing, however, was different. Quiet, calm, and observant, he carried a natural sense of care and attentiveness. He listened more than he spoke and treated others with thoughtfulness that bordered on gentle protectiveness. Such a temperament, she realized, could be guided, influenced, and drawn closer over time without arousing suspicion.
By the end of these few days, her plan had crystallized. Zhao Qing would be her target.
.....
After several days of careful observation, the lady quietly began to track Zhao Qing's movements. She noted his routines, his patrols, and the areas he frequented outside the city. The plan was simple, yet cruelly effective: create a situation that would force Zhao Qing to intervene, making him appear as her savior while drawing her closer into his life.
One afternoon, they saw an opportunity. Zhao Qing had left the city briefly, traveling along a quiet, secluded road for reconnaissance. At the perfect moment, she positioned herself in a narrow pass known for its sparse traffic. A group of masked attackers quietly surrounded her, their intentions clearly malicious. From a distance, it would appear she was alone and defenseless.
The attackers closed in, brandishing weapons, their voices low and threatening. She struggled, pretending panic, moving as if cornered and vulnerable. Every gesture, every look, was calculated to appear helpless yet draw attention.
Not long after, Zhao Qing came into view, his eyes scanning the path ahead. Instantly, he sensed danger. The attackers had misjudged the moment—they were about to confront the power of a Soul Emperor.
Without hesitation, Zhao Qing called upon his martial soul. From the ground around him, crackling lightning surged and a spectral thunder beast roared into existence, its energy radiating fierce authority. In an instant, the attackers were struck by the beast's immense power, their weapons shaking in their hands as bolts of lightning struck the ground, sending them scrambling in panic.
She staggered back, feigning fear, as Zhao Qing's thunder beast moved with deadly precision, incapacitating the ambushers without unnecessary delay. Within moments, the group of attackers was scattered, several fleeing, others lying incapacitated.
Zhao Qing's eyes met hers as he stepped closer, his expression calm but filled with concern. "Are you hurt?" he asked, his tone gentle yet commanding.
Zhao Qing slowly withdrew the remaining traces of lightning from his body. The path had returned to silence; only the fallen bodies of the attackers remained scattered on the ground.
The woman he had saved steadied herself. Her breathing was still uneven, but she managed to compose herself.
"I… I am fine now," she said softly. "Thanks to you."
Zhao Qing observed her quietly.
She appeared to be around forty-five years old, perhaps slightly older. Yet her appearance was striking. Her figure was graceful, and her features carried a mature elegance that time had not diminished. Even after such a frightening encounter, her beauty remained devastating.
Zhao Qing spoke calmly.
"Why did they attack you?"
The woman lowered her eyes. For a moment she hesitated, as if deciding how much to reveal.
After a brief silence, she sighed faintly. "It is… a long story."
She lifted her head. "My name is Yun Fei."
Her expression grew distant as she began.
"My husband died many years ago. We once lived a quiet life, but after his death I had no choice but to survive on my own. At first, I worked in a small shop owned by a family in another city."
Her voice became slightly bitter. "But that family later got into a conflict with several powerful soul masters. The dispute escalated, and their business collapsed completely. The shop closed, and everyone working there lost their livelihood."
"I had nowhere to go after that."
She paused before continuing.
"So I came to Tian Dou City, hoping to find work. I searched for many days, but I could not find any job or place that truly suited me."
Her eyes dimmed slightly. "Eventually I found a place that said they could give me work… but when I arrived, I realized what they truly wanted."
Her voice lowered. "They wanted me to sell my body."
Zhao Qing frowned faintly.
"I refused them and left immediately, but they did not accept my refusal."
Her gaze briefly shifted toward the dead attackers.
"They sent several men after me, trying to forcefully bring me back. I managed to escape them a few times, but they kept searching."
Her voice trembled slightly, though she controlled herself. "Today they finally caught up with me again. If young master had not appeared… I would not have escaped this time."
She bowed deeply toward Zhao Qing. "Thank you for saving me."
Zhao Qing remained silent for a moment before asking another question.
"Don't you have any friends you can go to?"
Yun Fei slowly shook her head. "No… I do not."
She hesitated briefly before stepping closer. Gently, she held Zhao Qing's hand in both of hers, her voice carrying a pleading tone.
"Young master… if you can help Yun Fei, it would mean everything to me. I will never forget this favor."
Zhao Qing said nothing.
Yun Fei took a quiet breath and continued.
"If there is anything young master desires… Yun Fei will not refuse." She forced herself to say the next words. "Even if… young master wants my body, I can offer it as repayment."
Zhao Qing immediately shook his head. "No. You don't need to do that." His tone remained calm. "You said you once worked in a shop. I can help you arrange a small shop for yourself in Tian Dou City."
For a brief moment, Yun Fei showed gratitude on her face.
But deep inside, her thoughts moved quickly. A shop… if I accept that, I will have no reason to remain near him. And if I cannot stay close to Zhao Qing, the mission given by the Bloodscale Clan Patriarch will fail.
Her eyes flickered for a moment before she quickly adjusted her expression. Stepping closer again, she gently held Zhao Qing's arm.
"Young master… if you have no objection, Yun Fei would rather stay by your side."
Her voice became more earnest.
"Alongside managing a shop, I also know household matters well," Yun Fei said softly. "If young master permits, Yun Fei can serve you."
She lowered her head respectfully.
"Please allow Yun Fei to become your servant."
Her grip tightened slightly as she spoke.
"Otherwise… if I return alone, those people may find me again."
Her voice softened into a quiet plea.
"Please, young master."
End of chapter.