The Ruthlessness of Zhang Qinhu

"Young Master, that young man is not simple. I cannot see through him, but the attendant beside him is an expert."

After Li Xinge and his group had walked far away, the guard beside Zhang Qin Hu spoke to him with a grave expression.

"How does he compare to you?"

Zhang Qin Hu asked.

"If I were to cross swords with him, I would undoubtedly be defeated within ten moves."

The guard's face showed a hint of shame.

Zhang Qin Hu raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. He knew his own guard's strength perfectly well.

For him to say he would be defeated within ten moves, that attendant of Young Master Li must have at least reached the Great Accomplishment of the Body Realm.

With such cultivation, even within the faction standing behind him, he could be considered an expert.

A young master with the surname Li, yet there were no prominent families with the surname Li in Ascending Dragon Prefecture.

Then, who exactly was this Young Master Li?

Zhang Qin Hu suddenly became interested.

The guard at his side observed his expression and quickly said, "Young Master, should I follow them and find out their identities?"

Zhang Qin Hu shook his head.

Since the other party did not wish to reveal their origins, there was no need for him to make an unnecessary move and offend them.

Although he had a powerful background, he did not want to make enemies for no reason.

Besides.

There was still a delicate young lady waiting for his favor right in front of him.

"Let's go. Take the young lady and head back to the manor!"

"Patriarch, this Zhang Qin Hu is from the Zhang family of the prefecture city. His father is Zhang Xingyi, the Commander of Military Affairs of Ascending Dragon Prefecture."

Li Yanzhao clarified Zhang Qin Hu's background to Li Xinge.

"What a prominent family background."

Li Xinge exclaimed in surprise.

Although he had long known that his identity was not simple, he had not expected it to be this illustrious.

The Commander of Military Affairs, as the name implied, was in charge of all the troops and horses within a prefecture.

His status was second only to the Prefect and the Prefectural Assistant, making him the veritable third-in-command of Ascending Dragon Prefecture.

Added to that was the Prefecture City Zhang Clan behind him, one of the Five Great Families of Ascending Dragon Prefecture, a terrifying existence with a powerhouse at the Great Perfection of the Qi and Blood Realm guarding the clan.

It could be said that if Li Xinge chose to fall out with him today, the Li Clan would cease to exist before tomorrow.

This was no joke.

A prominent clan like the Prefecture City Zhang Clan could crush the Li Clan just by lifting a finger.

"Patriarch, I see that this Second Young Master Zhang has the intention to befriend you. If we can use him to establish ties with the Prefecture City Zhang Clan, then our Li Clan dominating Baihe County will be just around the corner."

Li Yanzhao said with an excited expression.

Li Xinge glanced at Li Yanzhao and said indifferently, "I have my own judgment. Befriending the Prefecture City Zhang Clan is a long-term matter. The most urgent priority is to secure the Qi and Blood Pill to help the First Elder advance to the Qi and Blood Realm. After all, strength is the only hard truth."

Li Yanzhao realized he had been too impatient and gave a sheepish smile.

The group found an inn to rest for a while, waiting for the arrival of the auction tomorrow.

In the southwest corner of the prefecture city.

The renowned ancestral grounds of the Prefecture City Zhang Clan were located here.

Pavilions and towers stretched out in an unbroken expanse.

Majestic stone lions stood on both sides, silently testifying to the family's prominence.

Inside Zhang Qin Hu's courtyard.

Wen Xi looked at the portly Second Young Master Zhang beside her. A hint of undisguised disgust flickered in her eyes, but thinking of his terrifying family background, she had to force a smile.

"What, is it a grievance to have lost your virginity to me?"

Zhang Qin Hu looked at the delicate beauty beside him, patted her firm backside, and laughed.

"Being able to give myself to you is my honor."

Although she was extremely disgusted in her heart, she still spoke with a charming expression on her face.

Zhang Qin Hu laughed heartily.

"You weren't saying that when you were at Green Willow Tower. I still prefer that unruly side of you."

"Young Master, this concubine knows she was wrong. From now on, I am yours. I only hope you will cherish me."

Watching the beauty who had always been cold and dismissive toward him finally yield, Zhang Qinhu did not feel as happy as he had imagined.

However, he replied casually, "Rest assured. Follow me, and from this day forward, you shall enjoy endless wealth and glory."

"Thank you, Young Master."

A smile bloomed on Wen Xi's charming face.

But immediately, the dull ache in her scalp stirred up unpleasant memories, causing her expression to darken instantly.

Her eyes darted, and a plan formed in her mind.

Wen Xi said in a coquettish voice, "Then, Young Master, can you promise me one thing first?"

"What is it?"

"I want Li Xinge to die!"

Wen Xi said this with a face full of venom.

Compared to Zhang Qinhu, Wen Xi hated Li Xinge even more.

If not for him refusing to save her, she would never have lost her virtue to this fat pig.

"Young Master, he knew I was a woman you had your eye on, yet he treated me so roughly. He clearly doesn't hold you in any regard at all."

Thinking of the contemptuous look Li Xinge had given her, Wen Xi gnashed her teeth in hatred.

A great beauty like her had thrown herself at him, yet he had discarded her like a worn-out shoe.

Even if she had only intended to use him as a shield to fend off this fat pig's harassment, it should have been his honor.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Qinhu's expression turned cold.

Wen Xi, however, did not notice it in the slightest and continued to vent the resentment in her heart.

Suddenly, Zhang Qinhu interrupted her: "Wen Xi, do you know? Actually, I really like this face of yours. It is so beautiful."

This somewhat inexplicable remark made Wen Xi's heart tighten.

A bad premonition suddenly rose within her.

"I know exactly what you are thinking."

"For the past six months, you have kept me at arm's length—neither taking the initiative nor refusing me—all while enjoying everything I have provided for you."

"I know, you look down on me. You want to marry into a prominent noble family and become the mistress of the house, but how could you possibly think that a noble family would ever look twice at a lowly Singing Girl like you?"

"Actually, I don't care about any of that, because I like this face of yours. That is why I could endure it, and why I could become the laughingstock of my kin."

"But you shouldn't have, you absolutely should not have, tried to sow discord in front of me, wanting my Zhang family to create enemies out of thin air."

"You aren't worthy."

Zhang Qin Hu finished speaking and put on his clothes.

Wen Xi watched this scene, her heart descending into complete panic.

She hurriedly hugged Zhang Qin Hu, her face humble, weeping bitterly as she said, "Young Master, I know I was wrong. Please forgive me. I will never dare to do it again. I will be a well-behaved Canary for you, I promise."

"If you had said that before, I would have been very happy. But unfortunately, it is too late now."

Zhang Qin Hu shook his head, a cold sneer on his face.

"It's not too late, it's not..."

Zhang Qin Hu ignored her.

Instead, he turned toward the door. "Someone come in."

The door was pushed open.

Several Confidants pushed the door open and walked in.

"Young Master, what are your orders?"

Zhang Qin Hu glanced at the bloodless Wen Xi on the bed and said with a cold, indifferent expression, "She is a reward for you all. Go outside and line up. Everyone gets a turn, one by one!"

The Confidants looked at the charming beauty and couldn't help but hesitate.

They knew just how much their Young Master had cared for this woman before.

But seeing their Young Master's expression grow increasingly cold, they dared not hesitate any longer.

They stepped forward, ready to drag her away.

Seeing this, how could Wen Xi not know what was about to happen?

At this moment, her eyes were filled with disbelief.

She could not imagine that the man who had once been so incredibly gentle and doting toward her would treat her this way.

At this moment.

Only then did she realize that this man, as plump as a groundhog, held the power of life and death over her at every moment.

Her previous actions had all been teetering on the edge of life and death.

"Young Master, I know I was wrong, I truly know I was wrong. I won't dare to do it again, please spare me, please spare me."

Having come to her senses, Wen Xi knelt on the ground, kowtowing like a pestle hitting garlic as she begged for mercy.

Yet, it could not move Zhang Qin Hu in the slightest.

The sound of her begging grew fainter and fainter.

From within the room, a faint voice drifted out: "After you're done, dispose of her. Make sure it's done cleanly."