That Means Swearing Loyalty to Me

Before this stunningly alluring mature beauty, who knew how many people would be willing to display their gentlemanly manners.

But Su Qing remained seated in his chair.

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He did not rise, offer her a clean towel, or show her any kindness.

Those eyes remained calm and undisturbed as he looked Qin Lan Shan over with a condescending gaze.

Qin Lan Shan's heart trembled when she met that look.

Her earlier shivering had been a natural reaction to the cold.

But now, it was entirely because of his gaze and expression.

That scrutinizing look was like one that could see straight through her, from head to toe.

In contrast to those somewhat cold eyes was the boy's face.

Even Qin Lan Shan, who had met quite a few outstanding young men, could not help being struck by his appearance.

Though his gaze was somewhat sharp, his looks were truly beyond reproach.

Su Qing paid no attention to the approval in her eyes.

Instead, he began considering her background.

Qin Lan Shan, the adopted daughter of the Duke of Tang, a beautiful mature woman with long, straight black hair.

Gentle and elegant, a Daughter of a Great Clan.

As the highly renowned Shopkeeper of the early game, she was also the model of a virtuous wife and loving mother in the eyes of countless players.

At the same time... she was also a key figure in the plot progression of the first arc.

Beyond that was her value as a heroine!

One had to know—

Besides the traditional cultivation and monster grinding, Apocalypse of Goddesses possessed a unique leveling mechanism.

That was, by winning over heroines and raising their favorability, one could obtain unique avenues for leveling from them.

Different heroines could even provide different exclusive, major opportunities.

Simply put... an official cheat code!

As the person holding the initiative right now, Su Qing indeed had many possible ways to proceed.

He could show gentlemanly grace and offer selfless help when she was at her weakest. Given how well he knew her, winning her over should not have been difficult...

But—he had neither the time nor the interest for romance.

A real man should strengthen himself, respect himself, and stand on his own.

So, he intended to use a more direct and efficient method: force her growth in one go.

As long as he could get rewards and ensure her loyalty, that would be enough.

Then... what was the fastest way?

"This humble woman, Qin Lan Shan, greets Young Master Su!"

"I came here today to implore Young Master..."

Qin Lan Shan stepped forward and gave him a graceful bow.

But before she could finish, he cut her off.

"Miss Qin, there is no need to explain why you came. We both know perfectly well."

"I only want to ask you this: have you considered the consequences of doing this?"

Su Qing asked bluntly.

Her miserable and bedraggled appearance did indeed inspire sympathy.

But if the Realm Protectorate were reduced to ruin, who would sympathize with him?

Compassion and pity were privileges reserved for the strong.

Qin Lan Shan was momentarily speechless.

Her rain-paled face seemed to lose even more color.

Though she had prepared her words long ago, her conscience would not allow her to lie.

Being both intelligent and perceptive, she naturally understood the consequences and implications. But she could not afford to delay, and she had no other choice.

"Looks like you understand."

Su Qing spoke indifferently.

"...Yes. For this, I am willing to pay any price. I only ask that Young Master will lend a hand."

Qin Lan Shan lowered her head, her voice trembling.

The room fell into a brief silence.

Rainwater continued dripping from the tall mature beauty, soaking the luxurious carpet.

A breeze passed through, making her voluptuous, seductive body tremble lightly, lending her an indescribable fragility and softness.

Because her dress was thin, it clung tightly to her body after being soaked.

The eye-catching fullness at her chest seemed even more prominent.

Yet her posture remained tall and straight.

Clearly, she had not realized the seriousness of the matter and was still maintaining her dignity.

Su Qing suddenly rose to his feet.

Qin Lan Shan's heart jolted.

Could it be that he intended to help her?

"Then I'm rather curious. What else do you have that you can offer?"

There was a trace of coldness in Su Qing's voice.

He directly reached out and rudely gripped this Elder Sister's chin.

There was no gentlemanly grace, nor any tenderness toward a woman.

There was only the cold indifference of someone handling merchandise.

Feeling the force on her chin, Qin Lan Shan's pupils abruptly contracted.

She instinctively wanted to resist, only to meet the boy's eyes head-on.

Those merciless eyes clearly conveyed one message.

Resist... and she could leave.

The hand she had been about to raise dropped weakly.

Leave?

If she left, what would happen to Foster Father?

Then she heard the boy's voice.

"The only thing of value on you is that face of yours."

Su Qing gave a light laugh.

His fingers slowly slid downward, passing over her slightly cool neck.

The unprecedented experience made Qin Lan Shan shudder, and panic had already overwhelmed her.

Unable to endure it any longer, she suddenly raised her hand.

Smack!

The crisp sound echoed through the room.

Su Qing withdrew the hand she had slapped aside and looked at Qin Lan Shan with a faint, ambiguous smile.

"Young Master Su, please conduct yourself with dignity. I did not come here for you to kick me while I'm down!"

"Our families have been friends for generations. Even if you are unwilling to help, there is no need to humiliate me like this!"

Qin Lan Shan's voice was filled with shame and indignation.

Her pale cheeks had gained a faint flush from anger.

She knew the best course would be to pretend nothing had happened, but she could not bear it.

How could he do something so excessive at a time like this?

"Sister Qin, moral blackmail doesn't work on me."

"You looked very sincere, kneeling in the rain. So that was all you had?"

Hearing her reproachful voice, Su Qing sneered.

Qin Lan Shan's expression froze slightly at his words.

"You should understand what kind of situation the Realm Protectorate would fall into if I rashly helped you."

"Who knows how many people would die because of your recklessness, but what about you?"

"You refuse to sacrifice even yourself, yet you speak of dignity and restraint. How laughable!"

"Sister Qin, to be honest, I'm truly disappointed in you."

Su Qing sighed.

He had no intention of continuing to pester her and sat back down.

Disappointment was plainly visible on that handsome face.

"H-how could it come to that?!"

Qin Lan Shan was somewhat stunned and blurted out a denial.

How could helping out lead to people dying? How could things possibly be that serious?

"Sister Qin, don't play dumb when you know perfectly well. You can't possibly fail to see it."

"The Realm Protectorate was originally independent of this storm, yet you want to drag it into the heart of it."

"You are asking for help for the Duke of Tang, yet with nothing but words, you want the Realm Protectorate to stake everyone's lives."

"You speak of sacrifice, yet you have constantly wanted to preserve yourself and shift the responsibility onto the Realm Protectorate..."

"So, are you repaying the kindness of being raised, or are you outsourcing your filial duty for your own selfish sake?"

Su Qing spoke in an even tone.

She wanted someone to help her, yet had no intention of paying a price. Who was that posture supposed to impress?

Sorry, but he would not fall for that.

Qin Lan Shan's body trembled even harder.

The torrential rain outside continued pouring, while the room was warm.

Yet she felt that it was even colder inside than outside.

The room fell silent once again.

Every word the boy said struck at her heart, crushing what little dignity Qin Lan Shan had left.

"Sister Qin, if you are asking someone for help, you need to show the proper attitude. You should understand that."

"I can help you, but how much resolve do you truly have?"

Su Qing asked softly.

Those not particularly harsh words were like the last straw that broke the camel's back.

An adult's collapse often happened in an instant.

Qin Lan Shan swayed, her delicate body no longer able to stand straight.

The weakness in her body and the blow to her spirit left her unable to maintain her composure.

The next moment, she completely lost her strength and sank to her knees before the boy.

As though she had given up on herself, her body slowly bent forward.

Her posture formed an orz shape, displaying those incomparably perfect curves.

A few glittering droplets fell, and it was impossible to tell whether they were rainwater or tears.

"Smart girl."

Su Qing chuckled.

"You are the only one who can save them. Please... save them..."

"I can never repay Young Master's immense kindness. In my next life, Lan Shan will repay this great debt of gratitude, even if I must wear grass in my hair and carry rings in my beak!"

Qin Lan Shan's voice trembled.

One could hear the faint, suppressed sobbing in it.

Saying such words was clearly already her limit.

"If you had done this earlier, wouldn't we have saved ourselves some time?"

Su Qing sighed.

Compared to before, his attitude had softened considerably.

Warmth surged in Qin Lan Shan's heart.

He... really was a good person. He was simply saying one thing while meaning another.

But the next second—

"However, the next life is too long. I'm afraid I won't be able to wait that long, so this life will do."

"After all, I am someone who seizes the day."

"So I hope you can accept my gift..."

Su Qing's words once more filled the hopeful mature beauty with unease and anxiety.

Qin Lan Shan's heart skipped a beat.

The strange feeling of his fingers gripping her chin seemed to surface again.

Yet the latter half of his words left her somewhat confused.

He had prepared a gift for her?

Why had he suddenly brought up a gift? It was truly strange...

Then she heard the sound of someone rummaging through drawers and boxes.

Though she was curious, Qin Lan Shan did not raise her head to look.

Did giving her a gift mean that he acknowledged her?

"Of course this is my recognition of you. Don't disappoint my expectations."

Su Qing's voice drew closer from afar.

It was accompanied by a series of clinking sounds.

Qin Lan Shan relaxed inwardly.

So he accepted?

Tang State Residence was saved...

Her thoughts broke off when she felt something cold against her face.

Turning her head, she saw a black collar pressed to her cheek.

"Then, Sister Qin, please become my slave first and swear your loyalty to me."

"That way, as your master, helping you would naturally be only right."

Su Qing said it in an utterly casual tone.

Qin Lan Shan's body tensed at that moment.

The shadow cast by the young man blocked her view, bringing with it an immensely heavy pressure.

Overwhelmed by tension, she instinctively held her breath.