Xiao Yixian—gentle by nature, kind at heart—was the dream woman of almost every mercenary in Qing Mountain Town.
But everyone knew the truth—there was no getting close to her. That soft, graceful girl was in fact a rose with thorns.
Over the years, countless people had confessed or harbored improper thoughts about her. But without exception, they all ended up the same: unconscious from poison. Though she didn't cultivate Dou Qi, the methods she wielded were not the least bit inferior to any ordinary Dou Master.
Thus, throughout Qing Mountain Town, Xiao Yixian had become a symbol—an untouchable white lotus, beautiful but sacred.
Yet now, there was a man in Xiao Yixian's house. And what shocked everyone more was how respectfully she addressed him.
How was this possible?
The mercenaries of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group were all stunned. Mu Li, who had long admired Xiao Yixian, stared rigidly toward the room, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
Mu She frowned deeply and turned to the side. "Mister Yao, what is going on here?"
'What's going on?'
'How would I know?!'
Even Mister Yao was completely baffled.
He had known Xiao Yixian for years. Never had there been any rumors of her having ties with any man. Xiao Yan had been a bit different, but even then, their interactions were purely based on mutual interest.
Moreover, she had essentially been under house arrest recently. Guards surrounded this courtyard day and night. Forget people—not even a mosquito could slip through unnoticed.
He had even visited earlier that morning. How had someone suddenly appeared inside… someone she now called "Young Master"?
"Xiao Yixian," Mister Yao said coldly, "what's going on? Who is that man?"
Xiao Yixian had been with Wan Yao Pavilion for years. Mister Yao had long regarded her as part of his own camp.
She had always been somewhat willful, but her public identity—Wan Yao Pavilion's exclusive healer—was the very reason countless mercenaries aligned themselves with them.
But now, with the Wolf Head Mercenary Group right here, the appearance of a mysterious man inside her house would surely spread—and the consequences for the Pavilion could be devastating.
"Looks like some amusing things are happening inside Wan Yao Pavilion," Mu She sneered. He gave a mocking cough and added, "Never expected the pure and noble Xiao Yixian to call someone 'Young Master'. I'm genuinely curious—just what kind of outstanding young man has managed to win even you over?"
"Oh right—Xiao Yixian, you refused both me and Mister Yao earlier. Could it be that you've already handed over the cave's treasures to this Young Master? That won't do. Those items belong to all of Qing Mountain Town. Even if you didn't give them to me, at least you should've handed them to Mister Yao or made them public. How could you give them to an outsider?"
"By doing that, you're disregarding the man who took you in—Mister Yao—and betraying Wan Yao Pavilion, who gave you a place to stay."
Mu She's accusations struck heavy. Mister Yao's face had darkened as well.
"Xiao Yixian, who exactly is that man inside?!"
"…"
Xiao Yixian didn't respond.
To her, Wan Yao Pavilion and the Wolf Head Mercenary Group were no longer worth her concern. She had already made her decision to leave. There was no need to explain herself.
The only reason she had stepped out now… was because of kindness.
Yes—kindness.
Her new Young Master was not someone to be trifled with. Beyond his powerful strength and mysterious background, Xiao Yixian had seen something far more unsettling in his eyes—
A chilling disregard for life itself.
If these people were to charge in blindly, she could already foresee their fate. She didn't want that to happen. That's why she stood here now—to hold back what she feared might be unleashed.
"Gentlemen," Xiao Yixian said softly, her gaze sweeping the gathered crowd, "I ask that you leave. Take today's events as if they never happened. Otherwise…"
"Leave? Xiao Yixian, get your head on straight. This is my Wan Yao Pavilion!"
Mister Yao's voice turned cold. A glimmer of danger flashed in his eyes, and at his signal, the surrounding guards moved in and encircled the courtyard.
"Li'er, have our men assist the Pavilion guards. Seal all exits."
Mu She added flatly.
Both Wan Yao Pavilion and the Wolf Head Mercenary Group were dominant forces in Qing Mountain Town. If internal strife broke out in the Pavilion, it would only benefit the mercenaries. So Mu She was more than happy to add fuel to the fire.
Still… if the man inside could be addressed by Xiao Yixian as "Young Master", he definitely wasn't ordinary.
Mu She's mind drifted to a familiar name—Xiao Yan.
That kid had possessed multiple high-grade Dou Techniques. One of his flame techniques could even summon the power of heaven and earth. As a mere Dou Practitioner, he had actually forced Mu She, a Dou Master, to retreat.
'If even Xiao Yan could be that dangerous, then the one inside now… must be on a whole other level.'
'If I can extract even one powerful Dou Technique from him, and combine it with the Furious Lion Roar I got from the treasure chest… then the entire Qing Mountain Town will be mine.'
Mu She's breathing grew heavier at the thought. His gaze toward the house darkened. He turned to Mister Yao and raised his voice.
"Mister Yao, Xiao Yixian is your Pavilion's person. It would be improper for us to meddle in your affairs. But handing over the man inside—that shouldn't be a problem, should it?"
"Do as you wish, Commander."
"Excellent!"
Mu She waved his hand, and the mercenaries behind him drew their weapons. Their killing intent surged as they locked onto the house.
The memory of Xiao Yan's strength still burned in his mind. Anyone worthy of being called "Young Master" by Xiao Yixian couldn't possibly be ordinary.
"Friend inside, this is Qing Mountain Town's domain. Your identity is unknown. Please come out and verify yourself!"
But there was no reply from within.
Instead, Xiao Yixian took a step forward. Her voice was calm, but carried a sharpness that couldn't be ignored.
"Commander Mu She, this is the last time I'll say it. What you want isn't here. If you continue this offense… don't blame me for what follows."
"And what if we don't leave?"
A thin man behind Mu She sneered. "Qing Mountain Town has survived in the Magic Beast Mountain Range for so long because of unity and mutual trust."
"Wan Yao Pavilion is the heart of our medical needs. It's critical for mercenaries like us. But now, you hide a stranger within. What's your real intent?"
"You in there—come out now! Or don't blame us for what happens next!"
Shouts rang out one after another. Xiao Yixian glanced back into the house. A trace of helplessness passed over her beautiful face.
"Then I suppose I'll stop being polite."
"Gentlemen, please take a look at the palms of your right hands. Do they feel slightly numb… and are they starting to turn a faint green?"
(End of Chapter)