Translator: AnubisTL
At the border of Qingzhou, a young girl dressed in a purple gauze skirt was galloping across the fields beside the official road on horseback.
Beneath the skirt, two sections of her calves, as white as lotus roots, gleamed brightly in the sunlight.
The girl's face was exquisite, especially when she smiled with her eyes narrowed, resembling a delicate flower bud.
Behind her, several black-clad riders followed. Upon closer inspection, a nine-colored lotus was embroidered on the chest of their garments.
"Hurry up! Sect Leader Grandpa promised me that if I can seize the treasure of the Number One Sword of Qingzhou on this trip, he'll let me wield the Red Lotus Blade for two years!"
The girl on horseback waved her whip, her speed incredibly fast. Her fluttering dress danced in the wind like a purple lotus.
"Protector, wait for us!" The voice from behind revealed the identity of the girl in purple.
Such a spirited and lovely girl was actually the Lotus Guardian of the Nine Lotus Sect!
The horse of the Purple Lotus Protector was swift, clearly of noble blood, a fine steed that left the followers far behind.
"Hmm?"
The girl pulled on the reins, her gem-like eyes narrowing as she looked at two carriages approaching in the distance.
On the roof of the foremost carriage, a round-headed little tiger lay proudly, surveying its surroundings.
"Wow! It's a little tiger!"
Upon seeing it clearly, the girl in purple giggled and whipped her horse directly toward the carriage.
Her speed was astonishing, and in no time, her horse was close to the carriage.
The tiger cub on the roof, alert, stared at the approaching girl in purple, baring its teeth in an attempt to intimidate her.
Unfortunately, the girl showed no fear; instead, her eyes sparkled with delight.
She dismounted, her toes lightly touching the ground, and with a few swift movements, she leaped onto the carriage.
Bang!
Hearing the commotion outside, Li Qing immediately stopped his martial arts practice.
"Who's outside?"
There was no response, only the impatient growls of the little tiger.
Swish!
Frowning slightly, Li Qing pulled open the carriage curtain.
Inside, a strikingly beautiful girl in purple was holding the tiger cub in front of her, continuously rubbing its head.
"Is this tiger yours?" the girl asked, glancing at Li Qing.
Li Qing instinctively looked outside the carriage. A fiery red steed was slowly approaching. To leap such a distance, even he would find it somewhat strenuous!
This girl was at least an External Strength Expert, possibly even beginning to touch the realm of Inner Strength.
Considering this possibility, Li Qing's heart grew wary, though his expression remained largely unchanged.
"It is."
The girl chuckled and said, "This tiger is quite nice. Would you be willing to sell it to me? Name your price!"
"Hmm? Little tiger, how about following me from now on?"
Unfortunately, the tiger cub was unmoved, continuously trying to escape the girl's embrace.
Li Qing clasped his hands and said, "You jest, miss. Fan Tong has grown up with me since he was little, and we've developed a bond over time. I can't bear to part with him."
The girl in purple raised her willow-leaf-like eyebrows, revealing a row of pearly white teeth, and said, "Fan Tong? That's quite a casual name you've given him."
"Alright, a gentleman does not take what others cherish. Since you are reluctant to sell, I won't force the purchase. Carrying it around would just be a burden."
After saying this, she reluctantly scratched Fan Tong's head before letting the little tiger run back to Li Qing.
"Thank you for understanding, miss!"
Soon, the several black-clad men who had been following the young girl also arrived.
Li Qing glanced at them and, upon noticing the nine-colored lotus embroidered on their collars, felt a slight chill in his heart.
People from the Nine Lotus Sect!
Are they also here to join the excitement surrounding the Number One Sword of Qingzhou? Qingzhou is truly in chaos these days!
"Purple Lotus Protector, what is your command?" one of the black-clad men asked.
The girl waved her hand and said, "Let's go. If you ever decide to sell this little tiger, take this token to any Nine Lotus Sect branch in any city, and the price will surely satisfy you."
With that, she tossed a token engraved with a purple lotus to Li Qing.
"Also, what is your name?" the girl asked casually as she mounted her horse again.
To think that someone so young has already become a protector of the Nine Lotus Sect! What a formidable girl!
"I am Wu Chong!"
Not wanting to get involved with such people, Li Qing quickly came up with a fake name.
"Wu Chong? Alright, I, the Protector, will remember you. My name is Shen Lianyi."
After saying this, the girl once again whipped her horse and headed towards Jingyang City.
Li Qing watched Shen Lianyi's figure disappear into the distance and couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
"A protector of the Nine Lotus Sect, truly a troublesome figure. Fortunately, she isn't a tyrannical person."
"If she had insisted on buying it, you might have had to endure some hardship for a while."
Li Qing patted the tiger cub's head, which still wore a silly, ingratiating expression.
More than ten days passed in the blink of an eye.
Summer was nearing its end, but the weather remained unbearably hot.
Li Qing brought Gu Yu and his family to the Imperial Capital, Shengtian!
The bustling streets outside the city were filled with lively sounds.
Master Gu's grandson, Gu Yi, was an energetic and mischievous boy. He stuck his head out of the carriage, marveling at the incredibly prosperous streets.
He had never seen such a wealthy place in his life; it was truly an eye-opening experience.
"Mom, look, what is that?"
Just then, a lion dance passed through the street, drawing the attention of many onlookers. Little Gu Yi's eyes were glued to the spectacle.
"Are we really going to live here?" Gu Yi asked excitedly, his mind brimming with questions.
"Yes, yes, we will live in Shengtian from now on," his mother replied affectionately, patting his head.
Settling in Shengtian was undoubtedly far better than staying in Qingzhou!
The wealth of the imperial capital was beyond imagination.
Thus, the carriage continued its journey and eventually returned to Chiming Street.
Due to the appearance of a mysterious treasure in Qingzhou, a significant number of martial artists had left the city, making it much quieter than before.
The attention of the entire martial world had shifted from Shengtian to Qingzhou.
Li Qing got off the carriage and headed straight for the former site of the Green Mountain Martial Arts School, intending to quickly buy a house and set up a business for Gu Yu's family.
For such matters, Boss Fang was the best person to approach, as he was a local power.
As soon as Li Qing reported his name, to his surprise, Boss Fang hurriedly came out to greet him.
"Ah, Great Master Li, you've finally returned!"
Boss Fang's next words caused Li Qing's mouth to drop open in astonishment.
"You have no idea, during the time you were away, a female commander from the Maple Guard has been waiting for you with bated eyes!"
(End of the Chapter)
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