Hearing her words, everyone present gasped.
Foolish! Even if she possessed unparalleled martial arts, a strong dragon could not suppress a local snake. This Qin family, though merely the dog the Gui Sha Sect had placed in Xiling Commandery, was still a dog whose master's might commanded respect, making them untouchable.
The Qin family practically ruled Xiling Commandery with an iron fist. Even the newly appointed Commandery Governor had been thoroughly humiliated by them.
The Qin family could crush her as easily as crushing an ant. How dare she!
Truly, ignorance breeds fearlessness!
The young girl leaned on the table, concentrating all her strength onto her arms to prevent herself from falling off the stool due to her weak legs. Of course, she wished for the young master before her to crush Qin Shaoyang under his heel, to flay him and rip out his sinews. Yet, reason told her this was impossible. The person who had saved her could not be harmed by her.
Nan Shiying did not receive an answer to her question. Instead, she heard the young girl’s resolute words: "The young master is willing to lend his aid, allowing this humble girl to depart this life with her purity intact. This girl is eternally grateful and can never repay this kindness in this life. In the next, I shall repay this debt, even if it means becoming a cow or a horse."
As she spoke, she moved to bite her tongue.
Nan Shiying's hand shot out, clamping onto the girl's chin, stopping her suicidal act.
She asked, "Why do you seek death?"
The young girl's voice was choked with sobs, her words indistinct due to the grip on her chin, "To depart this world with my purity intact."
Hearing this, Nan Shiying pressed her temples.
The girl's valiant act of desperation to end her own life gave her a headache.
Seeing this, Nan Shiying ceased her questioning. She nudged Xuan Yi with her chin, signaling him to apprehend the person.
"Guards!"
Just as Xuan Yi was about to move towards Qin Shaoyang, Qin Shaoyang suddenly roared. A group of martial artists clad in sturdy attire descended from above, landing before Qin Shaoyang. Simultaneously, they drew their weapons, the clang of metal echoing through the hall, filling the space with a palpable sense of lethal intent.
"Heh, do you think I would stand here and watch you play the hero for this damsel if I wasn't prepared?"
Surrounded by dozens of martial artists, Qin Shaoyang tilted his chin up, his nostrils flaring as he addressed Nan Shiying. He carried himself as if he were the only one who mattered. He already envisioned the scene of her crying out in agony beneath him, his smile uncontrollable.
Nan Shiying rubbed her brow.
"Spare his life."
Nan Shiying ignored his blustering.
"Yes!"
Xuan Yi received the command.
"Putting on a show."
Qin Shaoyang snorted dismissively, uttering the same words to the warriors blocking his path: "Spare his life."
To emphasize his power, these five words were practically a roar. At his command, three of them charged towards Xuan Yi, five rushed towards Nan Shiying, and the remaining four remained by Qin Shaoyang's side, unmoving.
The Qin family was merely the dog of the Gui Sha Sect. The highest-skilled among these warriors was no better than second-rate. Facing Xuan Yi, it was merely a matter of dying quickly or slowly.
With one man and one sword, it took only a few seconds for three men to be dispatched. A flash of steel, and another warrior by Qin Shaoyang's side met his end at his blade.
Qin Shaoyang's face finally contorted with terror. While shouting for others to block the opponent, he turned and fled towards the inn's exit.
His Imperial Majesty's command was to capture him alive. Xuan Yi, naturally, would not let him escape. He efficiently eliminated all obstructions, then leaped to Qin Shaoyang's side. His blood-stained sword was pressed against Qin Shaoyang's throat, its sharp edge causing Qin Shaoyang's skin to sting. The potent scent of blood filled his nostrils. His face was etched with sheer terror, devoid of any trace of his earlier arrogance.
Seeing their young master captured, the martial artists who had charged at Nan Shiying did not cease their attack. Perhaps only by capturing the master would they have any leverage to exchange for their young master.
Those five individuals surged towards Nan Shiying.
The young girl struggled to her feet. Despite her terrified expression, she resolutely stood in front of Nan Shiying. Nan Shiying let out a soft chuckle, a flash of golden light appearing in her eyes. The five individuals rushing at her suddenly halted mid-air and then, before the eyes of all present, turned into ashes.
They simply… turned into dust.
They hadn't even seen what had incinerated them.
"Hiss~"
Everyone covered their mouths in fear, gazing at the young master in white, a gentle smile on his face, feeling a chill run down their spines.
Was this even human?
Were these the methods a human could possess?
Could this young master with a handsome countenance be a demon from hell?
Let alone the common folk within the inn, even Qin Shaoyang's scalp prickled with dread at the scene before him. All his intended shouts and threats were swallowed back down his throat.
"A misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding."
"If you are willing to let me go, my Qin family can recommend you as a guest elder of the Gui Sha Sect and compensate you with five hundred taels of gold."
Though Qin Shaoyang was a dissolute heir, he was not unintelligent. The methods of the person before him were unfathomable, like those of spirits and gods. If he were truly killed, the Qin Manor might not be able to exact revenge for him. Moreover, though their family was overbearing, they were ultimately just a dog of the Gui Sha Sect. To confront an unknown, mysterious master for a mere scion of a dog, even a fool would know how to choose.
And his cheap elder sister, who had joined the Gui Sha Sect, would likely be overjoyed if she knew of his death, not bothered with seeking revenge. Even if the Gui Sha Sect were to confront him for the sake of face, by then, grass would have grown an inch high on his grave. What meaning would anything have once he was dead?
He believed the gamble he had thrown out was enough to entice the other party.
A guest elder of the Gui Sha Sect and five hundred taels of gold.
Having offered his terms, he had also subtly revealed his backing. He assumed that anyone intelligent would not offend the Gui Sha Sect within Xiling Commandery for the sake of a few lowly commoners.
"So you are a dog of the Gui Sha Sect!"
"Oh, no, it should be, your family is a dog of the Gui Sha Sect!"
"I thought you were some formidable figure. What is the Gui Sha Sect, to dare allow their dogs to bully the people of my Lin Yuan!"
Nan Shiying smiled, but her voice grew increasingly cold.
If a mere dog of the Gui Sha Sect could prey on the populace, then Xiling Commandery was truly rotten to its core.
"You..."
Qin Shaoyang's eyes widened in disbelief. Was there truly someone in this world who dared to speak of the Gui Sha Sect as mere *things* in Xiling Commandery? Was she truly not afraid of death?
"Maim him for me."
Nan Shiying wanted to see if the people of the Gui Sha Sect would come looking for her over a dog.
"Yes!"
Xuan Yi accepted the command. He directly severed Qin Shaoyang's wrists and ankles, then shattered his dantian with a palm strike. Qin Shaoyang let out a piercing scream.
This person had actually crippled Qin Shaoyang?
Was he truly not afraid of being hunted by the Gui Sha Sect?
"Young Master, Young Master, you should flee quickly!"
The young girl tugged at Nan Shiying's sleeve, her tears mingling with the bloodstains on her face, making her appear tragic and heroic.
Nan Shiying removed her outer garment and draped it over the girl. She then walked to Qin Shaoyang's side, grabbed his hair, and lifted him up.
Then, she took out a dagger and stabbed it into Qin Shaoyang's eyes.