After taking Liu Yue back to Liu City, Li Xuan, feeling somewhat apologetic, chose to leave. After all, the Liu family had gone through this ordeal, and it was largely because of Li Xuan. He really didn't have the thick skin to stay any longer.
Although Liu Yun and even the members of the Liu family kept trying to persuade Li Xuan to stay, they could not change his mind as he was resolute.
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and Li Xuan emerged from the void. After leaving Liu City, Li Xuan traveled south but found no cities at all. Helpless, Li Xuan had no choice but to proceed on foot.
Perhaps, he thought, he might even encounter a mere mortal.
"Hiss."
Just as Li Xuan had been walking for several hours, he suddenly heard the sound of a beast's roar ahead. Li Xuan's heart stirred, and he vanished from his spot.
"What is this thing?" Li Xuan, concealed by the dense weeds, peeked out quietly.
He saw a mount resembling a horse, but with two pairs of fleshy lumps growing on its body. Its fur was a pristine white and shone brightly. On its forehead, it bore a sharp, pointed horn. Beside it, there were about a dozen more of them scattered about.
Could this be a qianlima, he wondered, and continued to observe.
He saw about ten or so people, each with their muscles bulging so much they looked like they would burst at any moment. Their clothing was also quite uniform, suggesting they belonged to the same faction.
In the center was a carriage, carrying an exquisite jade couch. The couch was draped with a thin veil all around, yet no matter how he looked, Li Xuan could not discern what lay within.
This veil must have the effect of blocking spiritual senses, Li Xuan thought to himself and prepared to leave.
"Who?"
Just as Li Xuan was about to depart, a sharp cry suddenly came from the jade couch. Following the voice from the couch, the more than ten people standing outside the couch instantly became alert. Six of them remained to surround the couch, while the rest moved towards Li Xuan's hiding place.
Not good! I've been discovered.
Seeing their approach, Li Xuan couldn't help but inwardly exclaim. He was curious how this woman managed to detect him.
"Esteemed sirs, I am merely passing through and meant no offense. Please allow me to proceed."
Seeing that they were already closing in on him in a pincer movement, Li Xuan knew they had indeed sensed his presence. Thus, he stepped out openly.
"Who are you? What are you doing hiding here so sneakily?"
One of the men, who appeared to be the leader, looked Li Xuan up and down and asked.
"Brother, I am just a passerby. I heard noises here and came to investigate," Li Xuan replied with a wry smile.
"Stop playing dumb! Speak honestly. Are you a spy sent by the Qin family? If you confess, you won't suffer physical pain." The leader said fiercely, though a hint of fear flickered in his eyes, for reasons unknown.
"Brother, do I look like a spy sent by your so-called Qin family?" Li Xuan asked the leader with a wry smile.
"Regardless, you must come and be examined by the young lady. If it's confirmed you're not a spy from the Qin family, I, Hu Er, will apologize. But if you are, then don't blame me for showing no mercy."
Hu Er looked at Li Xuan and indeed, he didn't seem like a spy from the Qin family. His demeanor alone was incomparable to that of a spy from the Qin family. However, for safety's sake, he patiently continued.
"Please, brother Hu Er." Seeing Hu Er's demeanor, Li Xuan realized he was a loyal man and did not trouble him further.
"Uh... follow me." Seeing Li Xuan's cooperation, Hu Er was now about eighty to ninety percent sure he wasn't a spy from the Qin family. However, the words had already been spoken, and the young lady had also made a sound. It wouldn't be right not to bring him to her for a look.
"Young lady, we've discovered someone, but I don't think he's from the Qin family." Standing beneath the jade couch, Hu Er clasped his hands and called out to the couch.
"Brother Hu Er, he is not a spy. Let them go." A clear voice came from within the jade couch, sounding like she was no older than twenty.
"Yes, young lady." Hu Er grinned and cupped his hands towards Li Xuan, "I am truly sorry. It's my duty, please don't be offended. Since the young lady has spoken, you may leave."
"So, farewell." Li Xuan gave the jade couch a meaningful glance before turning to leave.
"Farewell? That person's speech is rather strange." Hu Er looked at Li Xuan's departing figure with some curiosity, then urged the others to continue their journey.
"Eldest young lady, according to our current itinerary, we will reach Shuangyang City in two days. Then we won't have to worry about people from the Qin family anymore," Hu Er said, riding his mount to the side of the central jade couch and bowing inward.
"Brother Hu, thank you all. When we return to the manor and father is cured, I will host a banquet to thank everyone. You have all worked hard on this journey," came the young lady's clear voice from within the couch, stirring the emotions of many around her.
"Eldest young lady, rest assured, we will do our utmost to protect you. Even if we die, we will escort you safely to Shuangyang City. Everyone, don't you agree!" Hu Er suppressed his inner excitement and then called out to everyone.
"We swear to escort the eldest young lady back to the city!"
The crowd, their emotions stirred by Hu Er, shouted loudly, causing the surroundings to tremble.
"Oh, it seems we've missed something. What a touching scene. What a group of loyal servants. You truly move this young lord within his heart."
Just as everyone was shouting, a cold voice suddenly interjected. Then, a man in a purple-gold long robe, holding a feather fan, walked over with a mocking expression, followed by about twenty people with fluctuating spiritual energy.
As soon as the man finished speaking, the people behind him spread out and surrounded Hu Er's group.
"Qin Wuming! What is your intention in blocking our path!"
Upon seeing the newcomer, Hu Er immediately dismounted with everyone else, his gaze wary as he looked at the surrounding people, while secretly sending a telepathic message, instructing everyone to be ready for a fight.
"What is Commander Hu saying? This young lord heard that the eldest young lady of the Hu family has obtained a rare and precious medicine. Fearing she might encounter some bandits along the way, I specifically came to protect her. Moreover, I am also very curious about what this rare and precious medicine looks like."
Qin Wuming fanned himself with his feather fan and said with a smile. However, his gaze was fixed on the jade couch with a lustful glint.
"So, Xue Man should thank Young Master Qin for his kind intentions. However, protection is not necessary. Brother Hu and the others will protect me and escort me back. Furthermore, since it is a rare and precious medicine, it cannot be casually viewed. I trouble Young Master Qin for your concern. Please leave. When we return to Shuangyang City, our Hu family will always welcome Young Master Qin to view it."
As soon as Qin Wuming finished speaking, Hu Xueman emerged from the jade couch and took over the conversation, looking at Qin Wuming and speaking calmly.
Upon seeing the person, Qin Wuming's eyes became even more eager, his eyes flashing with a sharp light, as if he were about to devour Hu Xueman whole.
"Eldest young lady, why have you come down? Quickly go back up, leave everything here to me!" Hu Er exclaimed in alarm when he saw Hu Xueman come down. He quickly blocked Hu Xueman with his body and bowed to her, saying.
"Ahem, Commander Hu, I'm not saying this, but if I leave it to you, can you ensure Xue Man's safety? What if something unexpected happens? If you ask me, why don't I just protect Xue Man? I guarantee I will escort Xue Man back to Shuangyang City with utmost safety!"
Seeing that Hu Er was blocking his view, Qin Wuming cleared his throat and spoke with feigned seriousness.
"Qin Wuming, put away that hypocritical act of yours. How dare you casually call the eldest young lady by her name? Don't think I don't know that you arranged for your men all along the way. We lost so many of our men, and I will settle this score with you when we get back to Shuangyang City!"
Hu Er said disdainfully, seeing Qin Wuming's lecherous gaze behind him.
"Commander Hu, you must be mistaken. This young lord only received the intelligence not long ago and rushed here without delay. Arranging men along the way? This young lord knows nothing about that. Commander Hu, please don't tarnish this young lord's image in Miss Xue Man's heart."
Qin Wuming shrugged and said with a smile, but his eyes were gradually turning cold.
"Whether it's a misunderstanding or not, everyone knows. Your Qin family and our Hu family have always been irreconcilable. Stop pretending here. In short, please leave!" Hu Er said neither subserviently nor arrogantly, not noticing Qin Wuming's expression.
"Oh? Can Commander Hu represent the Hu family?"
"Brother Hu's meaning is my meaning. Can I represent the Hu family?" Hu Xueman walked out from behind Hu Er and said clearly to Qin Wuming.
"Good, good, good. Since the eldest young lady of the Hu family has spoken, then we shall... capture them all!"
Qin Wuming smiled, put away his feather fan, and said slowly.
As soon as he finished speaking, he shot towards Hu Xueman. Following Qin Wuming's movement, the people around him also pounced towards Hu Er's men.
"Eldest young lady, be careful!"