"That's good. Otherwise, my wife would definitely have opinions about it." Xiao Yan said calmly. Others weren't a problem, but Xun'er… Back when he brought Zi Yan and the others home to the Xiao Family, it had already triggered a full-blown battlefield of jealousy. And those were all schemes orchestrated behind the scenes by Xun'er. Now the number had doubled—if another mess like that happened, he really might be forced to flee home again.
"You… you already have a wife?" Lin Jing was a little surprised. This guy didn't look much older than her, yet he was already married?
"Of course." Xiao Yan nodded. Not only did he have a wife—he had more than one. It was just… a little complicated.
"Tsk..." Lin Jing pouted in slight frustration. She had once even considered whether he would make a decent son-in-law, yet now she found out he already belonged to someone. Although this world didn't necessarily enforce monogamy, she had no intention of being a concubine. And more importantly, she'd never fall for a bandit. Still, out of curiosity, she couldn't help but ask, "Where's your wife?"
"She's not in this world," Xiao Yan replied after a moment's hesitation.
"Ah…" Lin Jing gasped, then quickly said, "I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing?" Xiao Yan gave her a strange look. He had just stated a fact. Xun'er, Zi Yan, Xiao Yixian, Qing Lin, Cai Lin—they were all doing fine on the Dou Qi Continent. But this little girl had clearly misunderstood his meaning...
'Not in this world'—in her mind, there could only be one explanation: the wife had passed away! To think he was so young and already bore such tragic memories... and judging from his demeanor, he was clearly a man of deep affection.
Truly, the imagination of young girls was absurd. Xiao Yan had only spoken a few words, and Lin Jing had already invented a sorrowful love story in her mind. Even his brief pause was seen as him recalling his dead wife with hidden grief...
"You must really miss your wife," Lin Jing said, her tone suddenly softer.
"Of course I do." Xiao Yan nodded. He wasn't lying—though it had only been less than a month since they parted, being inexplicably dragged to another world and living a hard life naturally made one long for the world and people they had left behind.
"I didn't expect you to have such a story," Lin Jing murmured.
"Huh?" Xiao Yan was dumbfounded. 'Did this girl somehow find out I was reincarnated?'
He thought about it but couldn't figure it out, so he just shook his head. Calculating the time, there was still a month left before the ransom of ten billion Xuanyuan Pills was due. He had nothing to do in the meantime, so he might as well find some entertainment. Glancing at Lin Jing, an idea popped into his head.
"Did your aunt never teach you how to fight in real combat?"
"No." Lin Jing shook her head honestly. "My aunt said the outside world was too dangerous and never let me go out. She just told me to keep cultivating."
"Then your aunt isn't exactly a qualified teacher. In fact, she might have harmed more than helped." Xiao Yan shook his head.
In his eyes, no matter how talented someone was, if they hadn't experienced real combat, they were nothing more than a delicate flower in a greenhouse—unable to withstand wind or rain. He was certain that if he and Lin Jing were at the same cultivation level, he could defeat her in one move without even using any Dou Skills.
"Don't talk about my aunt like that." Lin Jing couldn't help but defend Qing Tan.
"I'm just stating the truth," Xiao Yan said blandly. "Your talent is quite decent. Among all the people I've met, those who surpass you can be counted on two hands. But when it comes to actual combat, you'd be easily defeated by someone of lower strength. That's your biggest flaw."
"Your aunt probably realizes that too, but because she dotes on you too much, she can't bear to let you get hurt. So she kept you inside, away from training." Xiao Yan smiled. "Luckily, you're not rotten at the core. Otherwise, with her level of pampering, you'd have become an unrepentant little demon by now."
"Is it that bad…" Lin Jing muttered. She looked down and said gloomily, "Then what should I do?"
"There's a solution. If you trust me, I'll train you over this next month. I promise you'll experience a transformation." Xiao Yan looked her up and down and smiled.
"Really?" Lin Jing's eyes lit up with joy, but then she hesitated. "Aren't you a bandit? Why are you treating me so well?"
"I'm just bored." Xiao Yan stretched lazily. "Since the ransom won't arrive for another month, I might as well entertain myself. If I can turn a sheltered young lady into a decisive fighter, it'll give me some satisfaction. The only question is, can you handle the hardship?"
"I can!" Lin Jing nodded quickly.
"In that case, become my disciple," Xiao Yan grinned.
"Huh? I have to take you as my master?" Lin Jing's expression turned strange. He didn't seem much older than her, and this guy had kidnapped her not long ago to exchange for money—how could he be qualified to be her teacher?
"Of course. Why else would I help you if we're unrelated?" Xiao Yan rolled his eyes.
Normally, he wouldn't care about formalities, but because of Yao Lao's influence, he took the master-disciple bond seriously. It could be simple, but it had to exist. "This time's special, so a basic ritual is enough. Just kneel, kowtow a few times, and call me Teacher. No need to serve tea—I know you won't anyway."
"I'm not that dumb," Lin Jing grumbled under her breath. She then properly knelt, kowtowed, and said respectfully, "Teacher."
"Very good. From this day forward, you're my second disciple." Xiao Yan's tone softened slightly after she completed the ritual.
"Second? So I have a senior disciple too?"
"A senior sister, actually. But… you'll probably never meet her."
Xiao Yan wasn't lying. His first disciple was still on the Dou Qi Continent. Under normal circumstances, the two would never meet.
Upon hearing this, Lin Jing's heart clenched. 'Could it be… even his beloved disciple passed away?' She didn't know what this man had gone through, but it must have been terrible—for his wife and beloved disciple to have all been lost. He must feel very alone…
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Memebers on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.