Breaking the Cocoon

"This is my boudoir," Tian Chun's pretty face flushed slightly.

"How did I get here?" Qin Shuang recalled the fight in the water earlier. "Did you save me?"

"Yes, I had some business at the pier and saw from afar that you were ambushed. I immediately sent people to rescue you, but unfortunately, we couldn't capture the attacker."

"You..." Qin Shuang felt confused but didn't know how to speak.

As if guessing Qin Shuang's thoughts, Tian Chun gently confessed, "Actually, I should apologize. I lied to you all at the Pu River before. My real name is Lei Chun."

"Lei Chun?" Qin Shuang murmured the name, as if recalling something. He looked up at Lei Chun and asked, "Is Lei Sun of the Six-and-a-Half Hall...?"

"He is my father."

Although Qin Shuang had suspected Tian Chun's identity was not simple at the Pu River, he had only thought she was the daughter of a prominent family in Chaoge City. He never imagined she would be the beloved daughter of Lei Sun, the head of one of Chaoge City's largest gangs, the Six-and-a-Half Hall.

Looking at the woman before him, who seemed even more radiant in the snow and more vibrant against the frost, Qin Shuang felt an inexplicable sense of loss. He said sheepishly, "I never expected you to be Miss Lei!"

"Brother Shuang, are you angry?" Lei Chun lowered her head, looking wronged and helpless.

Seeing this, Qin Shuang hurriedly said, "No, don't overthink it. You saved my life; I'm grateful to you!"

"But the way you're speaking to me has become so distant."

"I..." Qin Shuang was momentarily speechless. Lei Chun's sudden change in identity had indeed made him feel a bit reserved.

"Chun'er, come out for a moment!" A deep voice called from outside the room, relieving Qin Shuang's awkwardness.

"Brother Shuang, it's my father. Please rest for a while longer; I'll be right back." Lei Chun patted Qin Shuang's shoulder and turned to leave the room.

How could Qin Shuang lie comfortably on Lei Chun's bed now? He quickly got up and tidied his clothes, preparing his response in case Lei Sun came in to question him.

To Qin Shuang's surprise, Lei Sun and Lei Chun spoke a few words outside the room and then left, not entering.

Qin Shuang vaguely heard the words "Su Mengzhen" and instantly understood everything. He knew about the sensational engagement in Chaoge City between the Golden Wind Fine Rain Tower's Master Su and Miss Lei of the Six-and-a-Half Hall. Thinking about how he had been worried about facing Lei Sun earlier, he couldn't help but laugh at himself. How could an unknown nobody like him possibly catch the eye of the Six-and-a-Half Hall's leader?

Lei Sun's visit was merely to remind Lei Chun to be mindful of appearances and avoid unnecessary gossip.

However, Lei Sun was indeed Lei Sun. With this simple, understated action, he conveyed a stark reality to Qin Shuang: he and Lei Chun were now people from two entirely different worlds! Su Mengzhen, the hero with great ambition and exceptional talent, was the one who stood beside Lei Chun.

Qin Shuang stood up. His already tall and slender figure now stood as straight as a pine in the bitter winter. This time, he didn't choose to leave without saying goodbye. Instead, he faced Lei Chun as she re-entered the room. "Xiao Chun, I've recovered completely. The ambush still needs to be investigated, so I won't be staying long. Your life-saving grace will be repaid in full someday!

"Brother Shuang..." Seeing that Qin Shuang was no longer hesitant and spoke naturally, Lei Chun felt inexplicably worse.

Qin Shuang smiled slightly, cupped his fists in a salute, and said, "No need for such formality. Chaoge City isn't that big; you can always find me at the Dragon Guard. This isn't the place for us to reminisce. We'll meet again. Farewell!"

"Take care!" Lei Chun forced out the two words stiffly. As intelligent as she was, she immediately understood Qin Shuang's concerns. She realized a chasm had opened between them, perhaps making it impossible for them to communicate openly ever again.

Stepping out of the Six-and-a-Half Hall, Qin Shuang's steps were firm. The cold wind that blew against him felt invigorating.

Was he troubled? Disappointed? Inferior?

There was no need!

One's origins were predetermined, an unchangeable fact. However, one's future could be changed through effort!

I am only eighteen years old this year, and I am already a Garrison General of the Dragon Guard and a warrior at the Postnatal Peak. I will overcome all obstacles before me and stand equally before anyone, neither servile nor overbearing!

Qin Shuang believed this with all his heart. Each step he took was more powerful than the last. One step, two steps, three steps... A surging fighting spirit burned like a blazing flame in his chest with his every stride. All the past frustrations and confusion in his heart were incinerated!

At this moment, Qin Shuang broke free from his mental shackles and officially entered the Innate Realm!

Outside the main entrance of the Yellow River Gang's headquarters in Chaoge City, Shen Hu Chan and a group of Dragon Guards were blocked by hundreds of yamen runners. A middle-aged man in a third-rank official uniform spoke righteously, "If there's a case, you can report it to the yamen. What do you intend to do by gathering and surrounding a residential area?"

Shen Hu Chan suppressed his anger. "Since when does the Dragon Guard need the Prefect of Jingzhao's permission to arrest people and investigate cases?"

"What case? Do you have arrest or search warrants?" the Prefect of Jingzhao asked persistently.

"We just found out that the Yellow River Gang organized an attack on our Dragon Guard Garrison General. I'm here to arrest them and interrogate them."

"Investigation? What investigation? Your word is not enough. If you don't have the relevant documents, please go back and complete the procedures before speaking to me." The Prefect of Jingzhao did not back down an inch.

"If we go back and forth, they'll be long gone!" Shen Hu Chan said anxiously.

The Prefect of Jingzhao stopped responding, wearing an expression of helplessness.

"Brother Hu, what's going on?" Qin Shuang walked up from behind, with Gao Jian Fei leading the way.

"Captain Qin, oh no, General Qin, it's great that you're alright!" Shen Hu Chan's heart was put at ease seeing Qin Shuang safe and sound. He then briefly recounted the situation to Qin Shuang.

After hearing Shen Hu Chan's account, Qin Shuang turned to look at the Prefect of Jingzhao, his eyes sharp, like a beast ready to devour.

"I'm not killing you, not because of who you are, but simply because you're wearing this official uniform today, representing the imperial court. So many civilians are watching, and I don't want to tarnish the court's dignity. We all know what kind of people are inside, and you're just a pawn in their hands. Don't force me to kill you!" Qin Shuang leaned close to the Prefect of Jingzhao and whispered in his ear, his tone gradually becoming stern.

"This... this..." The Prefect of Jingzhao was terrified.

Qin Shuang then glanced at the yamen runners who had drawn their swords, and in an irrefutable tone, said, "Don't draw your swords in front of the Dragon Guard. I'll consider it a provocation!"