"I don't understand what you mean?" Jin Yao lowered his eyes, speaking with a trace of guilt.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about." Wen Ting urged his horse forward, drawing level with Jin Yao, and lowered his voice. "Not everyone can be bullied. Consider this a lesson for you this time."
"I don't seem to have offended you; it's you who keeps provoking me!" Jin Yao gritted his teeth. Did the young master of the Imperial Beast Sect think he could be so overbearing? The Jin family's standing was no less than that of the Imperial Beast Sect!
Wen Ting looked down at Jin Yao, a devilish smile playing on his lips. "You touched my person."
"I didn't touch your person; it's you who touched mine!"
Wen Ting suddenly leaned forward, grabbing Jin Yao's collar and forcing him to stand on tiptoe. "I don't care who you want to use or who you want to kill, but there is one person. If you dare to touch her, I will destroy everything you hold dear!"
"Who?"
"Xiao Qin."
Wen Ting had already ridden far away, but Jin Yao remained still.
Only one thought echoed in his mind: Xiao Man was Wen Ting's person. Therefore, this person was sent by Wen Ting from the beginning to toy with him, with the goal of tricking Elder Chen into becoming his puppet!
Jin Yao slowly turned to face the direction Wen Ting had gone, a murderous hatred flashing in his eyes. He was a direct descendant of the Jin family, the future heir, and Wen Ting dared to treat him like a monkey!
"Second Young Master, what do we do now?" the guard asked cautiously, seeing Jin Yao's dark expression. The Jin family had suffered a heavy loss this time, losing a Nascent Soul stage cultivator. To know that the entire Jin family had only a handful of Nascent Soul cultivators, and now they had lost such an important combat force, the Jin family's status was likely to decline because of this.
"What can we do? Go home, of course." Jin Yao gnashed his teeth. He wanted to kill Xiao Man, but Wen Ting wouldn't allow it. Elder Chen was also controlled by Wen Ting and had become Wen Ting's puppet. If they were to fight, with Elder Chen's Nascent Soul stage cultivation, they would all be no match for him.
"If the family head asks about Elder Chen..."
Jin Yao's brows furrowed. He still needed to figure out how to explain Elder Chen's matter, otherwise, he couldn't bear his father's wrath. And all of this was because of that scoundrel!
Jin Yao, filled with suppressed rage, led his men away. As soon as they left, Xiao Man and Nangong Yu emerged from the shadows. Watching the Jin family depart, they couldn't help but let out cold laughs.
"I never expected he'd have so many treasures. He actually escaped from the mouth of the Eight-Headed Serpent and almost killed us." Xiao Man said slowly.
"Do you want to pursue them?" Nangong Yu inquired. The principle of cutting grass without removing the roots leads to endless trouble; Xiao Man understood this better than him.
"If he were someone of consequence, I naturally wouldn't let him go. After our interaction, I found he's not worth my effort. I'll leave him to his dear elder brother. I'm sure his dear elder brother will take good care of him!"
"Jin Yao's elder brother?" Nangong Yu looked puzzled. "Is it Xiang Jian, whom Jin Yao was asking about?"
Xiao Man nodded.
"You know each other?"
"Yes, he's mine now." Xiao Man smiled. "When I go to Fengling City, I'll pave the way for him while looking for Mo Mo. Ah Yu, what about Yu Qing..."
"Don't worry, I will definitely find him and bring him back." Nangong Yu hesitated to speak.
"Say what you want to say,"
Nangong Yu was silent for a moment, then finally swallowed the words on his tongue. "When I find Yan Yuqing, I'll meet you in Fengling City."
"Okay."
"I know I'm not strong enough to protect you yet." Nangong Yu's voice was clear and cold, yet it contained a multitude of emotions. "But, there won't be a next time."
"Ah Yu, I'll protect myself." Xiao Man smiled to comfort him. "Don't worry, it was just an accident in the trial ground. I'll be more cautious in the future. As for you, you must be careful when you're out."
Nangong Yu nodded slowly, mounted his horse, and gave Xiao Man a deep look. A thousand words remained unspoken.
"Ah Yu."
Nangong Yu reined in his horse and looked back at Xiao Man.
"I'll wait for you in Fengling City."
Nangong Yu's suppressed mood vanished instantly, the gloom in his eyes dissipating. If Wen Mohan was alive, it was a good thing for him. The living could not be compared to the dead; only by living was there a possibility of being surpassed.
"I will definitely bring him back safely."
Xiao Man watched Nangong Yu ride away, then turned in the opposite direction. She needed to go to Fengling City, but she couldn't go directly. She needed to change her identity. Jin Yao had escaped from her, and he probably wished he could flay her alive. If she were to openly go to the Jin family, Jin Yao would consider it a light punishment to roast and eat her.
"Where are you going?" a voice called out. Xiao Man turned her head, looking in the direction of the voice, and saw Wen Ting.
Xiao Man's expression remained calm as she bowed gracefully. "Thank you for your help, Young Master Wen."
Wen Ting crossed his arms and looked at Xiao Man with amusement. "How will you thank me?"
Xiao Man's gaze fell on Elder Chen, who was following Wen Ting, and her eyes curved. "Haven't you already received my thank you gift, Young Master Wen?"
Wen Ting glanced at Elder Chen. "I don't care for such an old geezer. If you like him, I'll give him to you."
Xiao Man glanced at Elder Chen, who had become a puppet, and chuckled. "I don't like to take what others cherish. You should keep such a good fighter for yourself, Young Master Wen, after all, you have many enemies."
Wen Ting couldn't help but laugh. Xiao Man dared not accept Elder Chen, fearing he would become his eyes, monitoring her every move. Her suspicion remained as strong as ever.
"I heard you encountered the Eight-Headed Serpent in the trial ground?"
"Is Young Master Wen interested in the Eight-Headed Serpent?" Xiao Man asked slowly. "It's a pity, though. The Eight-Headed Serpent is of a very high grade. Even with Elder Chen, it might not be possible to take it down."
"I didn't say I wanted to take it down. I was just concerned about you."
"Thank you for your concern, Young Master Wen. I am fine. If you have nothing else, I will take my leave." Xiao Man slowly backed away, her guard against Wen Ting increasing with every moment.
Seeing Xiao Man's stance, Wen Ting felt wounded. No matter what he did, she would not trust him, as if he were a scoundrel with ill intentions.
A flicker of loss crossed Wen Ting's eyes. It was true that people were often perverse. When she had given him her whole heart, he had not cherished it, causing many troubles. Now, to regain her trust was incredibly difficult.
Xiao Man, seeing that Wen Ting had no intention of stopping her, turned and left immediately. Wen Ting watched her go, reaching out as if to call her back, but ultimately did not utter the words.
"What has been lost must be regained through one's own efforts," Wen Ting said softly. "Since fate has given me a chance to start anew, I will not repeat my mistakes."