Qingyang City

Su Yu's steps paused slightly. He turned to look at the girl hurrying after him.

Sunlight filtered through gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows across his handsome profile and outlining his straight nose and sharply defined jaw.

"Is there something else?" His voice was calm as still water, yet Qin Yue's heart skipped a beat.

The girl gazed dazedly at the lifesaver before her, unable for a moment to tell whether her racing heart was from the thrill of surviving the ordeal or from the sight of his exceptionally handsome face.

The mountain breeze stirred the blue ribbon tying back his hair. A few loose strands swayed gently across his forehead, adding to his otherworldly air.

When Su Yu asked her that, she suddenly found herself at a loss for words. Her pink lips trembled. "I... I..."

Her almond eyes brimmed with gratitude and uncertainty, but she didn't know how to express it.

"Thank you, young hero, for saving my sister!"

A deep voice broke the brief silence.

The dark-faced strongman covered the distance in three quick strides and stopped before Su Yu, clasping his rough hands together.

This usually unyielding man had a faint glimmer of tears in his eyes.

Qin Yue was the only family he had left in this world. If the wolf's claws had fallen just now, he feared he would have had no face to go on living.

Su Yu's gaze swept lightly between the siblings.

He could see that the strongman's gratitude came from the heart, and that the sincerity in the girl's eyes was genuine.

But he merely shook his head. "It was nothing. I just happened to be there."

The dark-faced strongman stepped forward and clasped his rough hands in greeting, his voice booming like a bell. "I'm Qin Lie, captain of the Qingyang City Hunting Squad."

As he straightened his back, the flame emblem on his leather chest armor gleamed in the sunlight.

At that moment, the mature, beautiful woman also stepped forward with graceful strides.

She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and parted her red lips. "I'm Liu Fei."

As she spoke, she glanced discreetly at Qin Yue, who was still shaken, and a trace of lingering fear flickered in her eyes.

If something had happened to Qin Yue right in front of her, the guilt would have haunted her for the rest of her life.

"Thank you, young hero, for saving my life."

Liu Fei bowed solemnly, her tight leather armor accentuating her graceful curves.

The young man called Chen Mo came over too, though pain showed on his face.

The wound on his right arm was still bleeding. Clearly, he had paid a price in the earlier battle.

Qin Lie waved a hand and declared resolutely, "Young hero, since you slew this Magic Wind Wolf and saved my younger sister, the spoils rightfully belong to you."

"Boss!"

Chen Mo couldn't help speaking up, a trace of reluctance flashing between his brows.

The four of them had fought hard for a long time, each suffering injuries before they finally drove the Magic Wind Wolf to the brink. And now they were supposed to hand over their hard-won victory...

Qin Lie raised a hand to stop Chen Mo from saying more. His tiger-like eyes flashed with unyielding resolve. "I've made up my mind."

When he turned to Su Yu, his gaze was sincere once more.

"Please accept it, young hero. Otherwise, my sister and I will never be able to live with ourselves."

Liu Fei gently tugged at Chen Mo's sleeve, signaling him not to say another word.

She understood the captain's decision, and she understood Chen Mo's frustration.

After all, they really had paid a hefty price to take down the Magic Wind Wolf.

The mountain breeze swept through the woods as Su Yu's gaze passed lightly over the four of them.

He had saved them on a whim and had never expected anything in return.

Just as he was about to decline, he suddenly recalled his fruitless search in Black Wind Valley over the past two days. He couldn't help asking, "Why are there so few Magic Wind Wolves in Black Wind Valley? I've searched for two days without seeing a single one."

At his words, a look of rueful emotion crossed Qin Lie's rugged face. "A few months ago, this place was still a gathering ground for Magic Wind Wolves. But ever since their pelts shot up in price on the market, hunters from all over have flocked here."

He pointed at the wolf carcass on the ground. "This one is probably among the last few left in the valley."

Su Yu nodded thoughtfully, his gaze settling on the carcass. "If you really want to thank me, just give me one of its fangs."

Though the fangs were valuable, they were nothing compared to the now priceless pelts.

"Th-this..." Qin Lie's tiger-like eyes widened. Clearly, he hadn't expected the other to be so modest.

Liu Fei's red lips parted slightly, and a trace of admiration flickered in her eyes.

She had assumed that a young genius like him would inevitably be proud and arrogant. She hadn't expected him to be so reasonable.

"How could a single fang repay you for saving our lives?"

Qin Lie insisted on offering both a fang and the Beast Core. His bronze face was set with determination.

"Please don't refuse, young hero. This is our heartfelt thanks."

Seeing how insistent he was, Su Yu could only accept.

Something suddenly occurred to him, and he asked, "I heard you're from Qingyang City. How far is it from here?"

"Are you going to Qingyang City?"

Qin Yue's almond eyes lit up, the fear she had felt earlier already cast to the winds.

"It's only a little over a hundred li away! Why not come with us?"

Liu Fei gently smoothed her hair and added with a smile, "Tomorrow happens to be Qingyang City's Auction Festival, held once every three months. If you're interested, young hero, you should come take a look."

She observed the mysterious young man discreetly.

His handsome features, steady bearing, and remarkable cultivation at such a young age meant he had to be the scion of some powerful faction.

Chen Mo had also put aside his resentment by now. He clasped his hands and said, "When you arrive in Qingyang City, you must let us play host."

The mountain breeze swept by, stirring Su Yu's blue robe. He considered it briefly, then nodded. "All right."

"Wonderful!"

Qin Yue cheered, her pretty face blossoming into a bright smile like a flower suddenly opening in the woods.

She hopped off to gather her things, having completely forgotten the danger they had just faced.

As the sun sank in the west, the five figures receded into the distance along the winding mountain road.

Su Yu walked among them, listening to Qin Yue's bell-like laughter and watching the faint outline of the city in the distance. A rare sense of ease rose in his heart.

By the time dusk had settled in, the towering city walls finally came into view.

Su Yu stopped to look into the distance. Qingyang City's walls stretched for dozens of li, banners fluttering atop its towering gates. It was far more magnificent than Skywind City.

At the city gate, carriages and horses flowed like a river. Merchant caravans lined up in a long queue to enter, while shouts in all sorts of accents rose and fell without pause.

"Is this your first time in Qingyang City, Young Master Su?"

Qin Lie laughed as he patted a guard on the shoulder. The guard nodded familiarly in greeting and even waved them past the usual inspection.

Su Yu noticed the Black Iron Gate at the city entrance, its surface glimmering faintly. It had clearly been carved with a Defensive Formation; such an impressive work was rare in a small city.

The moment they entered the city, a wave of clamor washed over them.

The bluestone-paved streets were more than ten zhang wide. On either side stood buildings with sweeping eaves and elaborate brackets, their red-lacquered signs gleaming in the sunset.

Colorful silks fluttered outside fabric shops, strange fragrances wafted from pharmacies, and the music of strings and flutes drifted from teahouses and taverns. Everywhere spoke of a great city's grandeur.

"The crystal shrimp dumplings at Drunken Immortal Tower in the eastern part of the city are absolutely delicious!"

Qin Yue moved up beside Su Yu and pointed with a slender finger. "And there's Nishang Pavilion on South Street. Last month, they just brought in a batch of Cloud Silk from the Imperial Capital..."

The girl rattled off one thing after another, excitement dancing in her almond eyes.

The silver bells in her hair chimed with every step, drawing frequent glances from passersby.

When they reached a crossroads, Qin Lie clasped his hands and said, "We need to take this wolf carcass to the Myriad Treasures Pavilion first, Young Master. Why don't you go rest at Yuelai Inn?"

He pointed to a three-story building with red lanterns hanging nearby. "I'll treat you to a welcome dinner in an hour."

At his words, Qin Yue's little mouth unconsciously puckered, her eyes full of reluctance.

Only when Liu Fei smiled and pinched her cheek did she reluctantly follow her brother away.

As they parted, she didn't forget to turn back and remind him, "Big Brother Su, you absolutely have to try the pastries at Drunken Immortal Tower!"

After watching the four of them disappear around the corner, Su Yu turned toward the inn.