First Meeting with Qing Lin

After chatting for a while, Xiao Li asked curiously, "Cousin Xiao Ce, how long do you plan to stay in Shimo City? In another half year, it should be time for the clan's collective coming-of-age ceremony, shouldn't it?"

Xiao Ce smiled. "I still have some matters to handle in Shimo City, so I may have to trouble my two cousins for a while longer. As for the coming-of-age ceremony, I'll make it back in time."

Every year, the Xiao Clan held a coming-of-age ceremony for its younger generation at a fixed time. Every clan member who had reached sixteen had to attend. Those who failed to meet the standard would be assigned to manage business in the Xiao Clan's properties elsewhere.

"Hahaha, Cousin Xiao Ce, you can stay here as long as you want." Xiao Li looked hearty and forthright.

"Right, there's one more matter I may need my two cousins' help with."

"Oh? What is it? As long as we can help, Cousin Xiao Ce, just say the word."

"I need my two cousins to help me find someone."

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were taken aback.

"Who are you looking for, Cousin Xiao Ce? Are you sure they're in Shimo City?"

"Although our Moti Mercenary Group isn't among the top mercenary groups in Shimo City, we do have some reputation. Finding someone is no difficult task."

"I'm looking for a human-serpentfolk hybrid. She should not be very old, at most eleven or twelve."

"A human-serpentfolk hybrid? With that information, finding her will indeed be much easier."

"Rest assured, Cousin Xiao Ce. Leave this matter to us. If such a person truly exists in Shimo City, we'll find her for you within three days at most." After hearing him out, Xiao Ding agreed without much thought, his expression confident.

In the Tagor Desert, incidents of human women being violated by serpentfolk happened from time to time.

Under normal circumstances, relations between serpentfolk and humans would not result in pregnancy. However, nothing was absolute. Under extremely unlikely circumstances, children born of serpentfolk and humans could still come into existence.

The circumstances of such mixed-blood infants were often exceedingly tragic. Not only was their survival rate extremely low, making it difficult for them to live past the age of two, but they were also rejected by both races, regarded as curses, and subjected to endless contempt and harassment.

The reason Xiao Ding was so confident was naturally that such hybrids were extremely rare. Coupled with the serpentfolk traits on their bodies, they were easy to identify.

After hearing this, Xiao Ce cupped his hands toward them in thanks. "Then I'll have to trouble you two cousins."

"We're family. Why say such formal things?" Xiao Li waved his hand, while Xiao Ding wore a gentle expression.

Members of the Xiao Clan naturally had to support one another when away from home.

That evening, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li hosted another banquet for the three of them.

After the banquet ended and everyone had left, Hai Bodong looked at Xiao Ce irritably. "I was wondering why this all sounded so familiar. So you're actually a member of the Xiao Clan, one of that old fellow Xiao Lin's clansmen."

"I didn't expect Elder Hai to see through me after all."

"Does Elder Hai want to change his mind now? It's not too late yet. But once Elder Hai follows me to Wutan City, it will be too late."

Xiao Ce wore a faint smile, not surprised that Hai Bodong knew of the Xiao Clan.

After all, the Xiao Clan had once been prosperous in the Jia Ma Empire. Its previous clan head, Xiao Lin, had even been a Dou Wang powerhouse with quite a reputation throughout the Jia Ma Empire. It was hardly strange that Hai Bodong knew him.

"Heh, this old man will never go back on something he has promised. Besides..."

"As long as you brat can truly help this old man break the seal within three years, so what if this old man serves as your Xiao Clan's nanny for three years?"

Hai Bodong shot Xiao Ce a sidelong glance.

Although he had guessed Xiao Ce's true intentions, Hai Bodong was not angry. Instead, an idea flashed through his mind, and he came to feel that following Xiao Ce to the Xiao Clan was an excellent move.

As the Supreme Elder of the Mite'er Family, Hai Bodong was not a pure businessman, but his instincts for investment were exceptionally sharp.

Especially after learning of Xiao Ce's true strength, he keenly sensed an opportunity for the Mite'er Family to soar to unprecedented heights.

The talent Xiao Ce had displayed was simply terrifying. Let alone the Jia Ma Empire, even across the entire Northwest Continent, he would likely rank among the very best. In the future, let alone becoming a Dou Zong, even reaching Douzun might not be impossible.

Investing in him now, before he had completely risen, was like offering aid in the midst of a snowstorm.

Then, when he grew to a height the Mite'er Family could no longer hope to reach, it would be the time for the Mite'er Family to rise alongside him.

A sharp gleam flashed through Hai Bodong's eyes.

Perhaps he could use this time to see Xiao Ce's character clearly, and then—

Go all in!

Xiao Ce did not know what Hai Bodong was planning at that moment. He said confidently, "Rest assured, Elder Hai. Within three years, I will certainly fulfill your wish!"

Hai Bodong laughed loudly. "Then this old man shall wait and see!"

After Xiao Ding and Xiao Li mobilized their connections, they found Qing Lin in just one day.

After all, a serpentfolk hybrid who had managed to grow as old as Qing Lin was already extremely rare.

Moti Mercenary Group Hall.

"Cousin Xiao Ce, take a look. Is this the person you were looking for?"

"We searched all of Shimo City, and this is the only girl who met your requirements."

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li pointed at the center of the hall, where a petite and immature girl in a light green, elegant outfit stood, and asked.

Facing the gazes of everyone in the hall, the girl appeared timid and fearful, like a frightened little rabbit.

Xiao Yi Xian looked curious.

Was this the special constitution A-Ce had sensed?

I wonder what was so special about her.

Xiao Ce stepped forward and asked gently, "What is your name?"

"Q-Qing Lin!"

Qing Lin's voice trembled slightly.

Although the handsome older brother before her did not seem fierce at all and spoke especially gently, Qing Lin, who had endured countless cold stares and mockery since childhood, could not help but feel timid and afraid.

It really is her!

Upon hearing that name, Xiao Ce remained outwardly calm, but a trace of delight flashed through his heart.

If one had to name the special constitution in the original plot that was easiest to win over, it was undoubtedly Qing Lin.

Because she had suffered countless cold stares and discriminatory treatment since childhood, Qing Lin desperately lacked affection. She only needed to be shown the slightest kindness, and she would remember it forever.

Xiao Ce gently patted her head.

"It's a very lovely name. Your eyes are beautiful too!"

After hearing this, Qing Lin's little face instantly turned as red as a ripe apple.

"Thank you."

Qing Lin's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

Ever since she was young, everyone had treated her as an outsider.

This was the first time someone had said her name sounded nice, and the first time she had heard someone praise her eyes as beautiful.

Xiao Ce smiled and nodded, then turned to Xiao Ding and Xiao Li. "It's her. Thank you, Cousins."

"It's her? Good!"

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li smiled, without asking why Xiao Ce was looking for this serpentfolk hybrid.

After all, everyone had their own secrets!

Hearing this, Xiao Ce looked at Qing Lin again.

"My name is Xiao Ce. From now on... stay by my side. No one will despise you, and no one will ever bully you again!"

Perhaps these were the most beautiful words Qing Lin had heard in all her years.

In her eyes, the handsome older brother named Xiao Ce seemed to radiate a golden light.