"Qi Tie, you truly have risen in stature; ever since assuming the role of Vice Commander, you openly dare to bully a mere little girl upon the guild's bustling thoroughfare?"
The voice that rang out was gentle in tone, yet laced with biting sarcasm and an overwhelming aura of authority, instantly palpable to all present.
Gu Qingli exhaled softly, though her expression remained cold and composed as she regarded the ashen-faced Vice Commander Qi.
Narrowing her phoenix-like eyes, Gu Qingli glanced toward the Mercenary Guild's direction. The immense gravity that had reduced the once formidable nine-star peak martial warrior Qi to such a pale state could only belong to a high-ranking Martial King.
Though not intimately acquainted, Gu Qingli recognized that only the Guildmaster could command such overwhelming power within the Mercenary Guild.
Suddenly, Vice Commander Qi collapsed to his knees, driving his crescent blade fiercely into the ground to steady himself, cold sweat streaming down his face.
"Bang!"
Before the speaker had even appeared, Qi, unable to withstand the oppressive force, crumpled to the earth, blood erupting from his mouth, instantly staining the ground crimson.
At that moment, a solitary figure emerged slowly. Gu Zhan's face brightened with joy as he respectfully clasped his fists together.
"Guildmaster! We are deeply grateful for your timely salvation!"
Gu Qingli surveyed the man before her: clad in an elegant teal robe, moving with unhurried grace and an air of benevolence—a far cry from the ruthless commander one might expect to lead a band of iron-willed mercenaries.
She was well aware that within Loulan City, aside from the prominent Gu family and other major clans, two formidable powers inspired equal dread.
One was the Lord's Mansion, the Sikong family; the other, the Mercenary Guild.
The Guildmaster, Shao Yan, was the undisputed figure that none in Loulan City dared to overlook.
Not only was his strength extraordinary, ranking among the city's elite, but by his sole efforts, he had forged the Mercenary Guild into a dominant force, appearing mysteriously in Loulan City from nowhere.
Now, the Mercenary Guild had long become a regional overlord, commanding respect and deference from all factions.
Shao Yan approached with measured steps, not once casting his gaze toward the fallen Vice Commander Qi.
Instead, he moved directly before Gu Zhan, offering a faint smile.
"Gu Si, is this young maiden your daughter?"
Shao Yan's eyes rested on Gu Qingli with admiration, impressed by the child's rare talent—so young, yet able to hold her own against a nine-star peak martial warrior nearing the Martial King threshold.
Truly, the most gifted child he had ever encountered.
"Yes, Guildmaster. This is my daughter," Gu Zhan replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips as calm returned to his demeanor.
"Xiaoli, come greet the Guildmaster."
"Greetings, Guildmaster Shao. I have long heard of your great renown," Gu Qingli said sweetly, wiping the blood from her lips, grateful for the Guildmaster's timely intervention on her and her father's behalf.
"Ha! A hero emerges early in life," Shao Yan remarked with genuine admiration.
With Shao Yan's arrival, the surrounding atmosphere quieted, all present bowing before the might of a true master.
"However, Guildmaster Shao, for your mercenaries to harass a frail little girl openly on the street—it hardly befits gentlemen," Gu Qingli's tone shifted sharply, her phoenix eyes freezing on the prostrate Vice Commander Qi.
The crowd was dumbfounded. This little girl had just grievously wounded the Vice Commander, yet now claimed to be weak and vulnerable?
If she were truly weak, then nearly everyone on this street must be naught but feeble.
Yet Shao Yan did not show anger; instead, he laughed heartily.