"Young Master Gu the Fourth, calling you that is a courtesy—you really think you deserve the title? Our vice commander is speaking, and you dare walk away? Who gave you the gall?"
One of the men behind Vice Commander Qi shouted arrogantly.
A glint of frost flashed through Gu Qingli's eyes. How dare these insolent fools speak to her father this way!
"Li, you go on ahead. I'll handle this."
Gu Zhan's face was rigid, his large palm pushing Gu Qingli gently away.
But she caught the worry hidden in his eyes.
"Father, who exactly are these men?"
Rather than leaving, Gu Qingli clasped her father's hand tightly, her lips curled into a calm smile.
"Hah, this little girl hasn't seen the world, has she? We're from the mighty War Wolf Corps, and this is our Vice Commander Qi!"
Before Gu Zhan could respond, one of the men behind Qi barked out impatiently.
"Oh? So it was you lot who goaded Uncle Sun Jie into accepting that Tier-2 mission?"
A faint smile bloomed on Gu Qingli's stunning face, but her eyes were already icy cold.
So this was the root of the grudge—the very ones who had caused her father's injury were right before her.
Qi's expression twisted. His original intent had been to see the Snow Tiger Corps obliterated or at least disgraced.
Never had he imagined they would survive and complete the mission. Though many perished, the reward and compensation were substantial—and even earned praise from the Mercenary Guild president.
Now, the War Wolf Corps found themselves subtly eclipsed.
In just half a month, the Snow Tiger Corps had expanded beyond its former size.
Qi's lips curled into a sinister grin. "You certainly know quite a bit for a little girl."
"Oh yes, I heard about that. If it weren't for your 'assistance,' the Snow Tiger Corps would never have received such a generous reward."
Gu Qingli's words ignited a murderous fury on Qi's face and those of the two men behind him.
"You impudent brat! How dare you mock us!"
But Gu Qingli stood her ground, unflinching beneath their menacing glares, her expression calm as still water.
Qi's gaze locked onto her delicate face, but instead of anger, a mocking smile tugged at his lips.
"What a sharp tongue for someone so young. So this is the little fox who dealt with a Tier-4 magical beast all by herself?"
"Oh, I wouldn't dare claim such credit. Uncle Sun Jie and the others gravely wounded the beast. I merely followed its bloody trail as it fled and picked up the magic core once it collapsed."
Gu Qingli's voice was light and sweet, as if unaware of the murderous intent directed her way.
Qi's eyes flared with rage. This damn girl! If she hadn't chased the beast down and forced its escape, the Snow Tiger Corps would've been finished.
"Chasing a Tier-4 beast alone through the Demon Domain Forest... Little girl, you've got more nerve than most. Folks in Loulan City used to say the Sixth Miss was a useless flower. Seems they were wrong. Why don't I let my men spar a few rounds with you? Prove to us just how 'capable' the Sixth Miss really is."
Though Qi's words sounded polite, his tone dripped with malice—clearly, this was nothing but provocation, meant to cause trouble for the Snow Tiger Corps.
"Vice Commander Qi! I've respected your position within the War Wolf Corps, but is this how you treat a young girl? Shame on you!"
The moment Gu Zhan saw their attention shift to his daughter, his fury erupted.
To him, Gu Qingli was his scale of reverse—the one thing none could touch. Had that not been the case, he would never have broken with the Gu clan in the first place.
"Well now, what's that supposed to mean, Young Master Gu? Our vice commander is simply trying to clear the Sixth Miss's name. Surely someone brave enough to chase a Tier-4 beast wouldn't be frightened of a few friendly moves from us?"
One of Qi's men sneered, his voice oozing sarcasm.