First Meeting Qing Lin

Hai Bodong and Yun Yun remained in that courtyard, while the Xiao Family group and I left. The place was full of Old Guys; it was uncomfortable staying there.

"Ye Gege, was that plan really devised by you alone?"

Xiao Meier walked on my right, her beautiful eyes blinking as she looked at me, filled with curiosity, mixed with admiration and affection.

I laughed heartily. It was a massive plan involving two Dou Emperors, one Dou Wang, two Dou Spirits, and several thousand Dou Zhes. With Xiao Meier's limited experience, wouldn't she see me as some divine genius?

I raised a hand and pointed at the mercenaries filling the streets, saying spiritedly, "Of course. And once tomorrow's council meeting is over, I'll be the overall commander of this operation! By then, from the Dou Emperors above to the mercenaries and guards throughout the city below, all of them will have to listen to me."

My words made Xiao Meier gaze at me tenderly, her eyes fixed on me so intently that I felt thoroughly refreshed. At that moment, Xiao Yan asked again:

"Your plan... where is the Azure Lotus Core Flame? How do you intend to seize it?"

I did not answer, merely giving a mysterious smile. "Third Brother, you'll find out when the time comes."

"Mm, let's go see First Brother and Second Brother now. Don't worry, we're all family. I definitely won't let them suffer losses in this operation."

Seeing that I was unwilling to discuss it, Xiao Yan did not press further. After passing through several streets, our group finally arrived before a large compound—the headquarters of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group.

Xiao Yan and the others had already been here for several days, and the mercenaries guarding the gate recognized them. We were quickly allowed inside.

The compound was somewhat crowded. Quite a few mercenaries sat dejectedly in the corners; they were members of the Sand Mercenary Group.

When we reached the Council Hall, Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, and Luo Bu were all there, discussing something. Seeing us arrive, they stopped talking, and the two Xiao brothers rose to greet us.

After exchanging pleasantries, I looked at Luo Bu with a smile. "Luo Bu, you haven't caused any trouble while I was away, have you?"

Luo Bu gave a bitter smile. Now that I had entered Stone Desert City, I was like a tiger with wings, and he feared me even more. He hurriedly said, "Young Master Nalan, I haven't done anything at all. I've been obedient the whole time. You can ask the two Commander Xiaos if you don't believe me."

Xiao Yan had no favorable impression of Luo Bu, who had set his sights on his own First Brother. With a cold snort, he waved a hand and sent him away.

After Luo Bu left and everyone took their seats, Xiao Yan briefly explained what had happened earlier. Xiao Ding and Xiao Li immediately looked at me, their eyes flickering.

After a moment, Xiao Ding said solemnly, "Little Yezi is family too. This time, the Desert Iron Mercenary Group can follow your command."

"First Brother, don't worry. I definitely won't let you suffer any losses in this matter."

I laughed heartily. With the serious business concluded, everyone exchanged a few more pleasantries. A Green-Clad Maid came in to serve tea. I did not pay her much attention at first, but when she brought tea to me, I happened to glance over—and instantly froze.

As the little maid served the tea, a section of her wrist was exposed. Several blue-green scales actually grew on it!

My breathing suddenly became ragged. I stared fixedly at those scales as something boomed in my mind, and countless memories buried deep within surfaced.

Could this be... Qing Lin?

I abruptly raised my head and stared hard at the little maid before me. She wore a light green dress, with a youthful and adorable face, though her skin was somewhat rough.

"Ah! Crash..."

The little maid was startled by my gaze. She let out a soft cry and hurriedly backed away several steps, spilling the tea in her hands.

"Young, Young Master, I'm sor—"

Seeing the shattered porcelain and spilled tea on the floor, the little maid's eyes reddened. She looked at me helplessly, like a frightened rabbit, and was about to kneel and apologize.

But if she really was Qing Lin, how could I let her kneel?

I sprang to my feet and stepped in front of the little maid, gripping her right wrist tightly. She looked at me in shock, while everyone from the Xiao Family seated on either side turned to look over. For a moment, I was at a loss as well.

I glanced around and knew that I had overreacted, but it was hard to explain. I could only keep up the act. My face turned cold as I stared at the blue-green scales on the little maid's wrist and demanded:

"Who are you? You... are you a snake-person?!"

Perhaps I was gripping too tightly. The little maid winced in pain and struggled slightly, but she was far too weak to break free.

Her eyes reddened, and she looked ready to cry. Raising her head to look at me, she said anxiously, "Young Master, my name is Qing Lin. I-I'm not a snake-person. I'm... I'm human."

At that moment, Xiao Ding rose as well and shook his head. "Nalan Ye, it's like this. Stone Desert City is close to the Tagor Desert, and snake-people often attack villages near the city. Then, well, that..."

He glanced toward Xiao Xun'er and the other girls, then got stuck, unable to say it aloud. After a pause, he gave a dry cough and continued:

"Anyway, that's what happens, and then some human women give birth to children. If they're tough enough to survive and grow up, those children will have some scales on their bodies, just like Qing Lin. It's nothing serious."

"So that's how it is..."

I paused, and my expression eased somewhat, though I was reluctant to let go.

Qing Lin, Qing Lin...

Jade Eye Three Flower Pupils, Jade Eye Three Flower Pupils... This was difficult, far too difficult. Now that I had run into this, how could I let go?

But looking at Qing Lin before me, I inexplicably thought of the Little Fairy Doctor again. That big pig trotter who had swept away over ten thousand gold coins' worth of materials, copied the Seven Coloured Poison Scripture, and then run off!

Qing Lin wouldn't do the same, would she?

I sighed. No matter the outcome, I had to try. If I did not, I would never be at ease. If it worked, I would make an absolute fortune!

I slowly released Qing Lin's wrist, lowered my head to look at her, and smiled gently. "Qing Lin, right? I'm truly sorry about earlier. I... got a little carried away."

Tears had already flowed from the corners of Qing Lin's eyes. She rubbed her wrist, bit her lip, and shook her head without saying anything. Then she crouched down to gather the broken porcelain.

I rubbed my nose and turned awkwardly toward Xiao Ding. "First Brother, the trace of bloodline in this little girl's body could help with my plan. Do you think you could lend her to me for a few days?"

Before Xiao Ding could speak, Xiao Yan spoke first. He frowned and said, "Qing Lin isn't even a Dou Zhe. That... tiny bit of bloodline in her body—what do you want to do with her? Don't tell me you intend to use her as bait?"

"Absolutely not. She's already so pitiful. How can you use her as bait?"

Looking at Xiao Yan's tense expression, I could not help sighing inwardly.

From what I had observed, perhaps because Xiao Xun'er was by his side, Xiao Yan and Qing Lin were not particularly close. They could only be considered ordinary acquaintances.

Yet even so, even though they had only just met, even though his relationship with her was not particularly good, when she encountered trouble, he still had to step forward to protect her—was this another talent of a protagonist?

I gave a dry laugh and spread my hands. "Third Brother, you've misunderstood. Do I look like that kind of person? Qing Lin really can help with my plan. She only needs to stay by my side; she won't be in any danger."

Xiao Yan paused slightly, then turned to look at the little girl, who had already cleaned up the broken porcelain but did not dare leave, standing there in a panic. He said stubbornly:

"Even so, you have to ask Qing Lin what she wants first. Only if she's willing to help you can you take her away."