Qing Lin

No one had expected such an outcome. Quite a few people's jaws nearly dropped.

As for Xiao Heng, the main figure of the match, he lowered his fist and smiled faintly. "Young Master Xiao Li, I won."

Only then did Xiao Li come to his senses. In that instant just now, the power of that punch had left him utterly unable to resist. The tremendous force transmitted through the spear tip had instantly shattered his Lightning Arc Three Segment Slash, and he had nearly been unable to hold onto his spear.

Still, he was not the sort of person who could not accept defeat. He laughed heartily and said, "You kid, you're impressive! Don't call me Young Master anymore—I can't accept that. Just call me Second Brother."

Xiao Heng nodded and called out, "Second Brother!"

"Good!" Xiao Li roared, heavily patting Xiao Heng on the shoulder. Then he turned to the crowd. "What are you all standing around for? Didn't you see my brother win? Hurry up and congratulate him!"

Only then did everyone react, cheering for Xiao Heng one after another. Xiao Ding also smiled happily. He was truly powerful. At such a young age, he had already defeated Xiao Li. So high-spirited—he was just like Little Yan back then!

The matches continued afterward, but Xiao Heng and Xiao Li's battle had been far too spectacular. The following fights all seemed rather dull by comparison.

After the competition ended, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li had their men prepare a huge table of food and invited Xiao Heng to drink with them. The others drank outside. Because of Xiao Heng's arrival, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were both in rather good moods, so they gave everyone an extra meal as well.

The table for the three of them was piled high with dishes, with several jars of wine placed beside it.

Xiao Li picked up a jar of wine and opened it. A rich fragrance of alcohol swiftly filled the entire room.

Laughing, Xiao Li took a sniff and said, "Good wine! Xiao Heng, you can drink, right?"

Xiao Heng smiled. The Xiao Family Three Brothers were quite interesting. The eldest was clever, the second was ruthless, and the third... how should he put it? He was somewhat like himself.

"I can drink, but there's one more thing. This is a letter the Clan Leader asked me to bring. There were too many people around earlier, so I didn't take it out. We should read it before drinking."

He took a letter from his Storage Ring and handed it to Xiao Ding. Xiao Ding thanked him, then solemnly read it together with Xiao Li. The letter was not long, and Xiao Heng did not know what it said, but Xiao Ding and Xiao Li's expressions did not look good.

He guessed that the letter probably mentioned Xiao Yan having his engagement broken off. Xiao Li slammed his fist onto the table, looking exceptionally furious. Xiao Ding clenched his fists as well.

"That bitch!" Xiao Li cursed angrily. But Xiao Ding shook his head, signaling for him to calm down.

Looking at Xiao Heng, Xiao Ding tried his best to compose himself, then forced a smile. "Sorry. We lost our composure."

Xiao Heng shook his head, indicating that it was fine. Having lived in this world for many years, he understood how disgraceful it was to have one's engagement broken off, so he understood their feelings. "The two of you don't need to be too angry. I can roughly guess what the Clan Leader wrote in the letter, but I can tell you some good news. Xiao Yan's problem has already been resolved. The next time you see him, you may be greatly surprised."

"Really?" Xiao Li sprang to his feet at once, seeming even more agitated than before. Xiao Ding was far steadier, but his trembling hands still betrayed him.

"Really," Xiao Heng answered with certainty.

They continued talking afterward. At first, Xiao Li and Xiao Ding mostly asked about the Xiao family and Xiao Yan's current situation. Later, Xiao Heng told them about some of the things that had happened to the Xiao family after they left. Before long, the atmosphere became lively.

Just like that, Xiao Li drank cup after cup until he finally collapsed onto the table. Xiao Ding was doing somewhat better. After arranging a place for Xiao Heng to stay, he too passed out.

As for Xiao Heng, he did not know why, but he had never collapsed before anyone else when drinking. In his previous life, however, his stomach had been bad. He would seem fine in front of others, only to feel miserable afterward and vomit terribly every time. His stomach seemed much better in this life, though, so after walking back to his room, he quietly fell asleep.

He could have used Dou Qi to force the alcohol out of his body, but what would be the point of drinking then? Wasn't drinking meant to get drunk? What fun was there in not getting drunk?

Before closing his eyes, Xiao Heng seemed to suddenly remember something. Bear Two...? Hm? Xiao Heng thought for a moment. He seemed to have been dragged off by a group of mercenaries to drink. Ah... his head hurt. Whatever, time to sleep!

The night passed without incident...!!!

The next day!

Sunlight streamed through the window onto Xiao Heng's face. He raised a hand to block the light and smiled faintly before getting up.

Just then, a small figure entered carrying a basin of water and washing supplies. Seeing that Xiao Heng was already awake, the little girl was clearly nervous.

"Ah! Young Master, you're awake! My name is Qing Lin. Young Master Xiao Ding sent me to help you wash up!" The little girl blurted out everything in one breath, then lowered her head timidly, not daring to look at Xiao Heng.

Xiao Heng smiled slightly. This little girl had not appeared much in the original story, but she was also an extraordinary figure. Her powerful Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils gave her talent no weaker than anyone else's, not even inferior to those so-called Dou Di Bloodlines.

But he had no such thoughts about a little girl like this. Besides, unlike Xiao Yan, he was not good at coaxing young girls.

"Just put the things down. You don't need to call me Young Master either. We're about the same age. Besides, I'm not used to being waited on."

Qing Lin cautiously set down the basin, but she still clutched the towel tightly in her hands. In a soft voice, she said, "Young Master Xiao Ding told me to come serve Young Master."

Xiao Heng smiled helplessly. This little girl had clearly suffered quite a lot before, to be this cautious.

Xiao Heng walked over to take the towel, but the little girl simply would not let go. It was not that he could not take it from her, but he was afraid of hurting her if he used force. In the end, he could only give up.

"Fine, then. Help me wash up."

Only then did the little girl lower her head timidly and carefully help Xiao Heng wash up. But seeing how cautious and pitiful she was made Xiao Heng feel rather uncomfortable.

It was not that he could not accept being served by someone else, but she was far too young! And she looked so pitiful.

Qing Lin carefully wiped Xiao Heng's face, not daring to use even a bit too much strength for fear of hurting him. Then, by accident, she knocked over a basin from the rack. Frightened, the little girl hurried to clean it up, apologizing as she cried.

"I'm sorry, Young Master. It was Qing Lin's fault. Qing Lin didn't mean to... sob... sob sob!"

Xiao Heng truly did not know what to say. "Sigh!" He let out a sigh, still at a loss for words.

"It's fine. Don't cry."

"I'm sorry, Young Master, I'm sorry!" But the little girl kept her head lowered and apologized without stopping.

Flames spread out and instantly evaporated the water on the floor. Xiao Heng looked at the little girl helplessly again. If someone saw this scene, they would think he had done something to her!

He patiently said, "Alright, there's no water on the floor anymore. You can stop crying now, right?"

The little girl saw with her own eyes that the water on the floor had vanished. Hearing Xiao Heng tell her not to cry, she slowly stopped sobbing. Then she cautiously glanced at Xiao Heng. When she saw that he was still looking at her, she timidly lowered her head again.

Her pitiful appearance made Xiao Heng laugh. He wiped away her tears and said gently, "Alright, it's fine. I didn't blame you! And you don't need to call me Young Master."

Qing Lin lowered her head and said timidly, "Young Master is the younger brother of the two commanders, so naturally you are Young Master."

Xiao Heng smiled helplessly. How was he supposed to explain it to her? "I was picked up by the Xiao Family too. I'm not their real younger brother; I just happen to share their surname! Anyway, why am I telling you this? Take me to see the two captains first!"

Perhaps seeing how pitiful Qing Lin was reminded him that his own childhood had not been all that happy either. People had bullied him too. But unlike this little girl, he had lived fairly well after being taken in by the Xiao Family. As for those who had bullied him, more than ten years had passed, and he had long forgotten them. He did not even know whether they were still alive. There was no need to think so much about it.

Qing Lin lowered her head. Hearing Xiao Heng ask her to take him to see the two captains, she gave a quiet "Mm." Then she led Xiao Heng toward Xiao Ding's room. As for Xiao Li—sorry, he still had not woken up!

When Xiao Ding saw Xiao Heng again, he was clearly much warmer toward him. Perhaps he truly regarded him as a younger brother now. Smiling, he asked, "How did you sleep last night?"

Xiao Heng smiled as well. "Pretty well."

"That Kid still hasn't gotten up. I couldn't tell before, but you can really hold your liquor. Sit." As he spoke, Xiao Ding had Xiao Heng take a seat, then told Qing Lin to brew two cups of tea.

Qing Lin timidly answered, "Yes," before going to make the tea. Xiao Ding noticed the tear marks still lingering on her face and looked curiously at Xiao Heng, as though he were looking at something extraordinary. "This little girl is quite pitiful too."

The unspoken meaning was: Don't bully her. Xiao Heng understood instantly and quickly explained what had happened earlier to Xiao Ding so he would not misunderstand.

Naturally, Xiao Ding knew Xiao Heng was probably not that kind of person. But after last night, he had grown much closer to Xiao Heng as well, so he merely wanted to tease this newly acknowledged younger brother.

"Mm, that little girl really is rather careless."

Though Xiao Ding said that, Xiao Heng still felt that the look in this bargain big brother's eyes was not particularly friendly.

"Cough, cough! Big Brother, I came to see you about something important!" Xiao Heng was forced to cough twice, making it clear to Xiao Ding that enough was enough.

Xiao Ding was not an improper person by nature. He had merely acted on a whim just now. Hearing that Xiao Heng had serious business, he became serious as well.

"Tell me. If it's something I can do, I'll certainly do my best."

Hmm, this bargain big brother seemed like a pretty good one to acknowledge. Xiao Heng said, "Two things. First, I need Big Brother to send people to help me find a medicinal herb called Sand Mandara. Second, I need to borrow someone familiar with the surrounding area to guide me."

Xiao Ding considered it for a moment. "The second matter is no problem. Everyone in my mercenary group knows this area well. As for Sand Mandara, I've only heard of that herb. I'm afraid it may be difficult."

Xiao Heng naturally understood that. He was just trying his luck. If they could not find it, he would look elsewhere. If all else failed, he could always make a trip to the Snake People Tribe's territory. With Bear Two accompanying him, as long as they were careful, entering the Snake People Tribe's territory to find a medicinal herb would not be too difficult.

"It's fine if we can't find it. I'm only trying my luck. If it truly can't be found, then so be it. Of course, if you do find it, I'll offer a generous reward."

"Let's not talk about rewards yet. I'll find someone to guide you first. As for that herb, I'll keep an eye out for it."

Xiao Heng clasped his fists. "Then thank you in advance, Big Brother."

Xiao Ding waved his hand. "It's no difficult matter. No need to be so polite."