Madam, You Wouldn't Want To...

The first light of dawn crept across the sky.

With his hands clasped behind his back and a relaxed air about him, Ning Chen strolled into Qingshan Town.

Because Qingshan Town lay near the Magic Beast Mountain Range, it drew large numbers of mercenaries, and their comings and goings had made the town quite prosperous.

But prosperity did not make it a safe place to live. Compared with Wutan City, strength mattered far more here.

At least ten hostile gazes had already settled on Ning Chen as he made his way through town.

He paid them no mind and headed straight for the largest herb shop in town. Three large characters were written on its signboard:

—Wanyao Pavilion.

Before he even stepped inside, the rich, complex scent of medicinal herbs wafted toward him.

Behind the counter, Mr. Yao, the proprietor of Wanyao Pavilion, was working an abacus, though the corner of his eye kept watch on everything happening in the shop.

When Ning Chen appeared in the doorway and stepped inside against the morning light, Mr. Yao's fingers paused for the briefest moment.

He had run Wanyao Pavilion for many years, met countless people, and developed a keen eye.

With just one glance, he could tell this man was no ordinary rich young master!

There was more to him than met the eye!

Mr. Yao quickly reached his conclusion.

He hurriedly set down the abacus, pasted a smile on his face, and came around the counter to greet him with a slight bow.

"Sir, your visit brings great honor to our humble shop. What medicinal herbs are you looking for? Though we're in a remote border town, we have a fairly broad selection of commonly used herbs, and we occasionally get some rare varieties as well."

Ning Chen waved casually. His gaze barely lingered on the rows of herbs, and his tone was even.

"No need to fuss over me. I'm just looking around."

As he spoke, his attention shifted to a somewhat crowded area toward the back of the shop.

Seven or eight injured mercenaries had gathered there, grimacing in pain. The smell of blood was stronger in that corner.

What caught Ning Chen's eye was the slender figure moving among them.

She was a young woman dressed in a pale white skirt.

She seemed quite young. Her features were delicate and lovely, and though she wore no makeup, she had a pure, gentle air about her, like a little white flower growing in a treacherous swamp, inspiring pity.

Her slender waist, cinched with a green sash, looked especially delicate and fragile.

She leaned slightly forward, gently and deftly cleaning the wound on a mercenary's mangled arm, applying medicinal powder, then wrapping it in bandages.

So this was Xiao Yi Xian...

A flicker of admiration crossed Ning Chen's eyes. He wasn't in a hurry; he simply stood quietly at a short distance, as if browsing the herbs, though his gaze remained fixed on Xiao Yi Xian.

About fifteen minutes later, the last injured mercenary left after thanking her profusely. Xiao Yi Xian let out a soft breath and wiped her hands with a clean cloth. Only then did she have time to look up at the shop.

She spotted Ning Chen standing nearby, apparently examining the herbs.

He was neatly dressed and had an air of distinction. He didn't look like a mercenary seeking treatment or medicine, but since he was in the shop, he must need something.

Xiao Yi Xian smiled and asked in a soft voice, "Sir, are you looking for any medicinal herbs, or is there something troubling you?"

At the sound of her voice, Ning Chen slowly turned around and looked at her.

He didn't answer right away. Instead, he walked over to the chair where the injured mercenary had been sitting and sat down at ease, directly across from Xiao Yi Xian and the small table covered with medicine bottles and bandages.

Xiao Yi Xian blinked her clear, bright eyes, puzzled.

Why had he sat down? Was he really here to see a doctor?

But he looked healthy and his breathing was steady. He didn't seem injured or ill.

"Sir?"

Xiao Yi Xian asked again, softly.

Only then did Ning Chen smile faintly. His smile was warm, yet for some reason it made Xiao Yi Xian feel that something was wrong.

He shook his head and said, "I'm not here to buy herbs, and I'm not injured or sick."

"Then what brings you here, sir...?"

Xiao Yi Xian was even more confused. If nothing was wrong, why come to an herb shop?

Ning Chen continued to watch her calmly, smiling without a word.

Then, as the young woman grew increasingly uneasy, he slowly raised his right hand and pointed one finger at her.

His voice was quiet, yet Xiao Yi Xian felt as if she had plunged into an icy cavern.

"The person who needs treatment..."

"Is you."

Boom—!!

Xiao Yi Xian stiffened as if struck by lightning. Her pupils contracted, and a storm of shock swept through her heart!

What did he mean?! Could it be... that he knew...?

No, impossible!

I've hidden this secret so well. No one in Qingshan Town knows!

Though her heart was in turmoil and her face had turned pale despite her efforts, Xiao Yi Xian forced herself to remain calm and feigned confusion.

"Sir... what do you mean? I'm a physician, and I haven't noticed anything wrong with my health."

Tsk. Just as I expected... Ning Chen had already seen it coming.

He suddenly leaned toward her, closing the distance.

Xiao Yi Xian instinctively tried to pull back, but his next words froze her in place, sending a chill through her entire body.

"Madam... I mean, miss,"

Ning Chen lowered his voice, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips.

"I doubt the brutes around Qingshan Town know about your terrifying constitution, do they?"

He paused, savoring the sight of the color draining from her lovely face and her eyes widening in terror. Then he leaned close and whispered on, his voice like a demon's murmur.

"Miss, you... wouldn't want them to find out, would you?"

"Judging by your expression, you understand what I mean. If you don't want this town to become a dead zone because of you..."

"Then come with me quietly. Otherwise..."

"Ke ke ke..."

His soft, sinister laugh shattered Xiao Yi Xian's last glimmer of hope.

Her delicate body trembled. She bit down hard on her lower lip, almost drawing blood.

Struggle, fear, and despair flickered through her eyes, until at last they turned as lifeless as ash. She had accepted her fate.

He knew... He really knew about this accursed constitution!

If he had come looking for her, his strength must be far beyond anything she had imagined.

Fight back? Run?

Either would expose her secret and bring disaster upon the people of Qingshan Town—the very people she had lived alongside and treated for so long!

Her kind nature left her no choice.

"...I... I'll go with you."

Xiao Yi Xian's voice trembled with despair, barely louder than a whisper.

She lowered her head, not daring to meet Ning Chen's eyes or look at anyone else in the shop. She moved carefully and silently until she stood behind him, obedient as a lamb led to slaughter.

Mr. Yao and the few mercenaries who had yet to leave had all seen what happened.

Mr. Yao furrowed his brows, looking back and forth between Xiao Yi Xian, pale as a sheet and on the verge of tears, and Ning Chen, who looked relaxed and clearly meant her no good.

With a single glance, he guessed that something was amiss. The mysterious young man had probably seized on some weakness or secret of Xiao Yi Xian's and was using it to threaten her.

But after weighing their likely strength against his own, especially considering Ning Chen's unfathomable air, Mr. Yao swallowed hard and furrowed his brows, shielding everyone behind him.