Chapter 7

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Chapter 7: Deep Love Between a Couple

At the entrance of a teahouse along the main street, Qiao Mu and Qiao Canxue chose a table near the door to eavesdrop on the tea drinkers’ conversations.

“Our City Lord Guo in Yan City is actually a kind-hearted person…” The tea drinkers glanced around furtively as they spoke in hushed tones.

“He just spoils his child excessively, to the point that the young master…” another customer trailed off.

“Things were manageable on normal days. But a few days ago, when the City Lord was away, Young Master Guo nearly threw the entire Yan City into chaos,” a tea drinker said with a bitter smile.

“Fortunately, the City Lord returned two days ago, so the young master should behave for a while.”

“Otherwise, you outsiders would be in serious trouble if you crossed paths with the City Lord’s son on the street.”

After the customers left, Qiao Mu discussed his thoughts with Qiao Canxue. The City Lord’s son seemed like a typical spoiled child—perhaps he could be their means of reaching the City Lord.

“If this City Lord is indeed a member of the Wuji Association, then his recent travels might be connected to their plot to assassinate the emperor,” Qiao Mu theorized.

“That makes sense. Perhaps we should begin by investigating his son.”

Qiao Mu took a contemplative sip of tea.

A week had passed since his encounter with Butcher Zheng. During this time, he and Qiao Canxue had gathered information about the City Lord from various teahouses and taverns throughout the city. Though they had lingered near the City Lord’s residence daily, they had yet to encounter either the Lord or his son.

After a week, Qiao Mu’s revival limit had reset to five times, giving him renewed confidence to continue his mission. Despite his diligent practice, he had yet to develop a sense of Qi and remained temporarily stuck at the threshold of his physical limits.

“These peaceful days are quite pleasant, and with my ability to revive, there’s no rush to progress,” he mused.

Qiao Mu continued sipping his tea, his eyes half-closed as he observed the street’s passersby. His gaze suddenly fixed upon a young swordsman in green robes.

The man appeared to be in his early thirties, with sharp, sword-like eyebrows and piercing eyes. His remarkable appearance was matched by the beauty of the woman at his side, who seemed to be of similar age.

“Those two are extraordinary—clearly versed in breathing techniques,” the blind girl Qiao Canxue remarked, somehow sensing whom Qiao Mu was observing. “They must be internal strength martial artists, though likely not of high rank.”

Qiao Mu nodded enviously. “A husband and wife, both internal strength martial artists—I admire them. Though I should soon join their ranks.”

He knew he was just one step away from reaching the internal strength stage.

“This Yan City is peculiar,” the green-robed swordsman commented to his beautiful companion. “I’ve heard of famine in the outer city claiming eighty percent of the poor, yet the inner city shows no signs of hardship. It’s remarkably prosperous.”

“What’s strange about that?” the woman replied dismissively. “It’s the same in every city. The poor inhabit the outer city, while the City Lord resides in the inner city. How could disorder reach here? In my view, this Yan City Lord is merely seeking to build his reputation.”

Their conversation was interrupted by a commotion ahead. A young gentleman in silk clothing rode a tall horse into the street, accompanied by servants wielding long whips who lashed indiscriminately at passersby.

“Make way for Young Master Guo!”

The servants showed no restraint, their whips striking without regard for age or gender. Anyone who dared approach the young master received a lashing. Among the servants were skilled martial artists whose single strikes could send people flying, causing the crowd to scatter in terror. The once-bustling market quickly emptied.

“The Lord’s son? Our target has arrived,” Qiao Mu and Qiao Canxue exchanged excited glances from their teahouse vantage point.

The beautiful woman beside the green-robed swordsman watched Young Master Guo with evident disgust, though she remained silent. Unexpectedly, the City Lord’s son glanced up, his eyes briefly meeting hers.

“Someone,” Young Master Guo’s eyes gleamed. “Bring that beauty here.”

Several burly servants with whips rushed forward. The swordsman and his wife paled, the woman stepping backward with a plea: “No, please don’t.”

As she attempted to retreat, the servants bypassed her and seized the swordsman instead, gripping his shoulders firmly.

“Sir, our master requests your company.”

The beautiful woman’s confusion turned to horror as she realized the implications. Looking toward Young Master Guo, who sat proudly atop his horse, she felt a chill run through her.

The young master’s cold laugh cut through the air as he raised his horse whip, looking down at her with disdain.

“What I despise most are arrogant women who think too highly of themselves. One glance and you assumed I desired you? How shameless! Now begone!”

As the woman choked back tears, her husband drew his sword in fury, engaging the guards in combat.

“Ah, a ninth-ranked martial artist with internal strength,” Young Master Guo remarked calmly, maintaining his position atop his horse.

A burly guard stepped forward, matching the swordsman’s skills.

“Can you handle it or not? Make haste,” the young master commanded impatiently. Had he not recently angered his father with his arrogance, he would have traveled with an even larger retinue of guards, making the defeat of a mere ninth-ranked martial artist trivial.

“Jiang Lang! I’ll fight beside you. We are husband and wife—if we die, we die together!” The beautiful woman drew her sword, revealing herself to be a skilled martial artist with considerable inner power.

“You were told to leave, yet you persist? Then remain here with your husband,” Young Master Guo directed his guards to surround the couple.

His superior numbers, including two ninth-ranked martial artists, quickly gained the advantage.

“Didn’t you express your disgust earlier?” The woman gritted her teeth as she struggled against the overwhelming assault.

“Indeed,” Young Master Guo laughed. “But I do keep three fierce dogs at home…”

The beautiful woman, both ashamed and enraged, made a crucial mistake. A blade caught her arm, drawing blood.

The onlookers seemed unsurprised, well aware of the City Lord’s son’s notorious behavior.

“Such a waste—they’re accomplished martial artists, yet they don’t value their lives enough to avoid confronting the City Lord’s son.”

“These outsider martial artists don’t know when to yield, and now both husband and wife will suffer for it.”

“If only they hadn’t resisted, they might have avoided injury.”

“Let’s move back before we’re splattered with blood.”

The beautiful woman fought while listening to the whispers around her, her resolve beginning to waver. In a moment of desperation, she made a difficult choice—feigning an attack before leaping away from the encirclement and fleeing into the distance.

“Jiang Lang, endure for now. I’ll alert the elders immediately…” Her voice faded as she disappeared.