Seeing someone dare to thrash Zhang Hongyuan, the accompanying light cavalry inwardly cheered but had to keep up appearances.
They immediately spurred their horses, encircling Ji Qingyan, their lances glinting coldly as they closed in on the red-clad heroine.
A Gathering Spirit Realm cultivator against a Transformation Realm one—normally, they’d be lucky to survive until their next life.
Ji Qingyan stepped on a lance tip, vaulting into the air. An ordinary iron sword flashed from its sheath, weaving a flurry of sword flowers in her hands, dazzling the onlookers.
The Rakshasa Ancient Sect’s supreme technique—Nine Phantom Returning Goose Sword!
Bang—
With a crack, the iron lance heads shattered. Zhechong Prefecture’s cavalry fell from their horses. Had Ji Qingyan not held back, they wouldn’t just be reincarnating—they’d be queuing at the gates of the underworld.
Before the situation spiraled further, Ji Yanqing stepped from the crowd, positioning himself before the heroine, explaining, “Gentlemen, my friend has a temper, but she spared your lives, didn’t she?
There’s surely a misunderstanding about the missing black iron. Give Weiyuan three days—they’ll provide Zhechong Prefecture a satisfactory answer.”
His words carried a veiled threat. Glancing at the half-divine killing machine of a girl, the soldiers nodded hastily, hoisted the unconscious Zhang Hongyuan, and fled on horseback.
“Thank you both for your help. Weiyuan Escort Agency is deeply grateful, but this matter doesn’t concern you. Please leave quickly,” Su Ningyue said softly, hands folded at her waist, maintaining a fragile veneer of grace.
With the head escort bedridden, as his only daughter, Su Ningyue had to uphold the agency. She couldn’t let it collapse.
Zhechong Prefecture’s power was formidable; this wouldn’t end easily. Since they targeted Weiyuan, the agency should bear the consequences—she couldn’t bear to see uninvolved strangers implicated.
Ji Yanqing shook his head, looking at the sorrowful Su Ningyue, feigning helplessness.
“Assaulting an officer is a grave crime—exile or decades in prison at best. Our only hope is to find the missing black iron, atone through merit, and earn a chance at redemption.”
“That’s…” Su Ningyue tried to dissuade them. Ji Province was a vassal king’s domain, but if they escaped to an imperial state, Wei King’s Mansion soldiers might hesitate to pursue, wary of the Emperor’s authority.
Suddenly, a finger pressed against her tender, rosy lips. A man’s gentle voice warmed her ear, his breath making her flush, her shyness blooming.
“Miss Su, may we stay and help you?” Ji Yanqing asked.
Gazing into his clear, luminous peach-blossom eyes, Su Ningyue’s heart skipped a beat. Time seemed to freeze, her face glowing, her long, curled lashes brushing the softest corners of one’s heart.
“Mm,” she murmured, lowering her head, too shy to meet the black-clad youth’s gaze.
[The budding girl is already enchanted by you. Her delicate beauty stirs a thrill to defile her purity. That cherry-like mouth, if she played a tune on the flute…]
A flute tune? If the beauty’s willing, it’s not out of the question.
But before Ji Yanqing could admire her ethereal face, a forceful tug yanked him two meters back.
“Miss Su, some people seem like gentlemen but are utterly vile inside, full of lecherous thoughts. The term ‘beast in human clothing’ fits them perfectly. Don’t be fooled by appearances,” Ji Qingyan said, her words tinged with personal grudge, vowing to repay the dungeon’s humiliation tenfold.
Su Ningyue nodded vaguely, her gaze flickering between them, as if piecing something together.
Ji Yanqing briefly inquired about Weiyuan’s recent affairs, promising to find the missing black iron within three days, then hurriedly pulled Ji Qingyan away.
“Do you realize how much trouble you caused Weiyuan today?” Ji Yanqing asked casually, leading the old horse down the street.
Ji Qingyan wanted to retort but, reflecting on her actions, admitted the trouble she’d stirred was… perhaps a bit much?
Realizing she couldn’t even convince herself, her cheeks burned, wishing she could hide inside her clothes.
Seeing that pompous officer bully others with lewd remarks, coupled with her recent humiliations, she couldn’t hold back. Not cracking his skull was her showing restraint.
The martial world had its rules, the court its own.
Ji Qingyan, who practiced swordsmanship in remote mountains by day and dreamed of being a heroine by night, barely remembered the court existed.
Zhechong Prefecture oversaw local military affairs, its authority immense. Even noble clans treated it with respect.
Yet she’d punched a Xuanjie Captain and kicked soldiers in the agency, practically grinding Zhechong Prefecture’s face into the dirt—the kind found in a latrine.
By the time Ji Qingyan realized this, it was a tad late. The captain surnamed Zhang was already half-dead, frothing at the mouth.
As a Transformation Realm cultivator, Ji Qingyan could escape if she couldn’t win, but Weiyuan Escort Agency couldn’t flee. Zhechong would eventually crush them.
“You… you’ll help, right?” Ji Qingyan’s voice was barely a whisper, her shame overwhelming, a far cry from the heroine who’d vowed to flay the Wei King’s Heir.
The Ma family, colluding with officials, had hidden over four hundred jin of black iron, framing Weiyuan to pressure Su Ningyue into submission and seize the Su family’s assets.
The “Black Iron Case,” the first main quest in Canglan Goddess Chronicles, was one Ji Yanqing knew by heart.
He’d help, of course. If Weiyuan fell, his lead on the Xiao clan spy would vanish.
But seeing the beauty’s awkward demeanor, Ji Yanqing couldn’t resist teasing her.
“Oh? I’ve no ties to Weiyuan. Why should I help, pray tell?” he asked, feigning indifference.
“Didn’t you just promise Miss Su you wouldn’t abandon Weiyuan?” Ji Qingyan shot back.
“True, a gentleman keeps his word. Could it be, Heroine Ji, despite calling me vile and shameless, deep down you think I’m worthy of the title?” Ji Yanqinghan teased, his gaze playful, awaiting her response.
Praising Ji Yanqing as a gentleman was worse than death, but needing his help, she had to play along.
Suppressing the urge to bite him, Ji Qingyan took a deep breath, saying as calmly as she could, “At Heart-Devouring Temple, I saved your life. Now, help Weiyuan, and we’re even.”
Ji Yanqing nodded sagely, then said, “A life debt must be repaid, but didn’t you say this morning’s meal settled that debt, leaving us square?”
“You!” Ji Qingyan stomped her foot, fuming, unsure who she was mad at. Gritting her teeth, she spat, “You… are… a gentleman.”
“Louder, I didn’t hear,” Ji Yanqing prodded.
“I said… you’re a gentleman!” she shouted.
Ji Yanqing smiled faintly. “Miss Qingyan flatters me. I’m no gentleman, but I’ll help Weiyuan.”
“You’re agreeing just like that?” Ji Qingyan asked, stunned.
Ji Yanqing glanced at the stunning girl, nodding with a sly glint in his peach-blossom eyes. “Truth be told, I’ve… taken a fancy to Miss Su Ningyue.”