Slap Him Across the Face

Looking at Hu Liena, who was standing in front of him with her fur bristling, Qian Yun couldn't help but smile wryly and gesture with his chin toward behind her.

Hu Liena turned around to look, and Lina had already fastened her chest buttons, her face red enough to drip blood. However, she was holding something that looked like a note in her hand.

The note in Lina's hand was about the size of a palm and beige in color. It was engraved with symbols that were hard to tell apart as either writing or doodles.

"What is this?" Qian Yun examined the plain-looking note, his intuition telling him it was something good. Because, in his perception, he couldn't detect the existence of this note at all.

His spiritual power had passed directly through it without any feedback whatsoever!

Lina's warm palm gently stroked the surface of the note, her slender fingers carefully feeling the patterns on it, her eyes filled with reluctance.

"This thing is called the Dharma Source Barrier. It is a treasure passed down through generations in my mother's lineage, capable of concealing one's own aura and abilities. When activated with soul power, it absorbs surrounding attacks." Lina quietly stated the specific functions of the Dharma Source Barrier.

"It really is a good thing." Qian Yun did not hide his admiration for the Dharma Source Barrier. If he could obtain this item, the survival security for both Hu Liena and himself would be greatly improved.

"Then do you know what the patterns on this are for?"

"I don't know, maybe they're just for decoration." Lina looked at Qian Yun with burning eyes. "Well, do you accept these terms?"

Hearing this, Qian Yun pondered for a long time. The Dharma Source Note had the functions of blocking attacks and concealing one's aura; either function alone was a rare treasure.

At this moment, Hu Liena beside him quietly tugged at his sleeve.

"Fine, I accept!" Qian Yun finally nodded. "How soon do we leave?"

Lina took one last reluctant look at the Dharma Source Note as it fell into Qian Yun's pocket, forcing herself to look away. "The sooner, the better."

"Then without further ado, let's go now. You lead the way." Since there was nothing to do right now anyway, it was better to cut the Gordian knot.

Lina hadn't expected Qian Yun to be so decisive. After reacting, she quickly said, "Ah, okay."

Qian Yun and Hu Liena followed behind her. Hu Liena looked at her back and laughed, "Miss Lina gave us such a generous reward just to have us do this one thing. Don't you think it's a bit of a loss? In my opinion, there's no need to ask for the person, let's just..."

As she spoke, she held her hand to her neck and made a throat-slitting gesture. "Anyway, that Suo Jie doesn't do anything good on a daily basis."

Qian Yun shook his head amusedly. Hu Liena naturally wouldn't kill someone for no reason; what she was saying now was just a joke.

Lina was silent for a moment, her head lowered and her long hair obscuring her expression. "No, although that Suo Jie has no one daring to provoke him in Fanhai City, I know that behind him, he may be involved with other forces, and he has deep ties with the Martial Soul Hall in nearby cities."

Listening to Lina's calm analysis, Qian Yun clicked his tongue in secret. He hadn't expected this seemingly quiet and weak girl to have actually considered taking Suo Jie out directly behind the scenes. Truly, one cannot judge a book by its cover.

On the carriage, Qian Yun spoke first, "Miss Lina, let's be clear, our commission does not include combat. It's not too late for you to regret it now."

Lina smiled, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "Don't worry, you only need to go to his mansion later and show something that can prove your identity, then directly ask for the person. I will handle the rest."

Soon, the three of them stopped their carriage in front of a three-story building with exquisite decoration.

There were no guards to be seen outside the large courtyard, only a tall old man wearing a clean and tidy uniform who walked up.

He clearly recognized Lina. He first bowed unhurriedly, then spoke directly, "Miss Lina, our young master is not at the mansion today, please come back another day."

Lina looked at him coldly, ignoring his meaning entirely and walking straight ahead. Her slender figure actually forced the old man to retreat continuously.

"Miss Lina, please don't make it difficult for me. If you insist on breaking in, then please forgive my offense." The old man flashed in front of her, his solid body like a high wall.

"A good dog doesn't block the path! Leo, you had better move aside. If Suo Jie is really not here, then why are you, his personal bodyguard, appearing here?" Lina found it difficult to take another step forward facing this wall that was Leo.

Facing Lina's insults, Leo remained unmoved. When Lina moved, he moved with her, and for a time, the two were at a stalemate.

Lina gritted her teeth and clenched her fists. She still remembered the last time she was blocked outside the door by Leo just like this. Was she going to repeat the same mistake again this time?

"Miss Lina, let me handle it." Qian Yun stepped forward to the front of Lina and stood between the two.

Leo looked down at Qian Yun, who looked like a child, not understanding what he wanted to do.

Qian Yun knew the other party didn't take him seriously. He looked up at the tall Leo in front of him, a flash of disdain in his eyes.

"Envoy of the Pope Hall, ask Suo Jie to come out and receive us!" Qian Yun didn't waste any words and directly took out the Pope Order.

Once the Pope Order appeared, it was as if seeing the Pope herself!

"This?!" In front of the Pope Order, Leo could finally no longer maintain his composure.

"I don't want to say it a second time." Facing the shocked Leo, Qian Yun reached out and grabbed his clothes, saying word by word, "Quick! Go!"

Leo's eyes finally moved away from the Pope Order, and he hurriedly bowed his head. "Yes, yes! My lord, please wait a moment."

Leo stumbled under his feet and rushed into the small building.

Qian Yun put away the Pope Order and smiled at Lina, who was already dumbfounded.

A moment later, a thin, golden-haired man dressed in exquisite clothing opened the door. Seeing the direction of Qian Yun, he then trotted toward the group.

Whether it was because of his excessive indulgence or an underlying illness, after just that short distance, he was already panting by the time he reached Qian Yun.

"Suo... Suo Jie greets the envoy. Huff-huff-" Suo Jie panted heavily and barely managed to bow to Qian Yun.

Qian Yun and Hu Liena smelled the strong scent of alcohol on him and fanned the air in front of their noses without hiding it. "Suo Jie, my friend is at your mansion, right?"

Qian Yun's words left Suo Jie somewhat confused for a moment. He asked boldly, "The envoy's friend?"

"The cat-eared girl!" Qian Yun added with an impatient look.

Suo Jie's heart skipped a beat. Only then did he see Lina on the side and thought to himself that it was bad.

"Uh, we don't seem to have a cat-eared girl here." As if to prove the truth of what he said, he looked back at Leo and asked, "Leo, do we have a cat-eared girl here?"

Without waiting for Leo to answer, Suo Jie spread his hands on his own, "I don't think so!"

"Heh." Qian Yun sneered; it seemed he needed to help this foolish fellow wake up to reality.

"Smack!" The crisp sound of a slap left Suo Jie, who had still been harboring delusions, completely sober. After the blow, Qian Yun grabbed him by the collar, forcing him to look him in the eye.

"Don't play games with me. This is your last chance... hand over the person, or you become a corpse." Qian Yun's icy words felt like a bucket of cold water, chilling Suo Jie to the bone.

Having fully grasped the situation, Suo Jie's legs trembled as he nodded. "Yes, I'll hand her over, I'll hand her over."

"Hmph!" Qian Yun let out a cold snort and released his collar.

"Leo, you donkey! Why aren't you rushing to bring her out?!" Feeling as if he had been granted a reprieve, Suo Jie immediately barked at Leo.

"Yes! Young Master!" Leo dared not show the slightest hesitation and rushed back into the house once more.

Seeing his actions, Suo Jie finally let out a sigh of relief. He turned back, hunched over, and wore a fawning smile on his pale face. "Heh, what a coincidence today, isn't it? I apologize for letting you see me in such a disheveled state, my lord."

"Heh." Looking at Suo Jie, who still wore a welcoming smile despite the handprint on his face, Qian Yun sneered.

Qian Yun's indifferent attitude left Suo Jie feeling uncertain. He gave an awkward laugh and asked, "Since you are from the Pope Hall, I wonder if you know Young Master Zhou of Martial Soul City? He and I are good friends." Suo Jie continued to ask with cautious flattery.

"Oh? Which Young Master Zhou?" Qian Yun countered.

Suo Jie was taken aback; he hadn't expected anyone in Martial Soul City not to know Young Master Zhou. "Why, it's Zhou Qingtian of Rosen Bank, Young Master Zhou."

"Oh, never heard of him." Qian Yun's expression remained detached, clearly showing no interest in the Young Master Zhou that Suo Jie spoke of.

Suo Jie's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly fawned, "If you don't know Young Master Zhou, that's perfect! I shall host a dinner another day to introduce you two. Young Master Zhou has always loved making friends with talented people, and I'm sure he would love to meet a rising star like yourself! I..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Leo led out a young girl with skin as white as snow and a rather delicate appearance.

"A Xiao!" Seeing the newcomer, Lina could no longer maintain her composure and rushed forward.

"Young Miss!"

A Xiao was overjoyed to see her and hurried to meet her. As the two embraced tightly, tears of excitement streamed down their faces.

"Young Miss, I thought I would never see you again." A Xiao buried her face in Lina's neck, her words filled with attachment.

Lina patted A Xiao's back and said softly, "It's alright now, A Xiao. We will never be separated again."

A Xiao's cheeks flushed slightly. "Mm."

Watching the touching scene of the mistress and servant reuniting, Qian Yun also felt a weight lift from his heart; things were proceeding quite smoothly.

As Lina hugged A Xiao and walked past Suo Jie, she said coldly, "Suo Jie, although A Xiao is unharmed today, let me tell you, this is not over!"

Hearing Lina's threat, Suo Jie merely curled his lip in disdain. The most important thing right now was to build a good relationship with the envoy.

Just as he turned back, he saw that Qian Yun had already walked away. Qian Yun and his companion boarded the carriage with Lina and A Xiao, and after slapping him, the group departed under his respectful gaze.

Inside the carriage, Lina held A Xiao's hand tightly and whispered to her, "A Xiao, these two are your benefactors, Amiga and Boli. If they hadn't stepped in, I wouldn't have been able to bring you back safely."

A Xiao was half-hidden in Lina's embrace. Upon hearing this, she only peeked out half her face and said in a timid voice, "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Hu Liena looked from Lina to the girl in her arms, giggling.

Lina said with some embarrassment, "She has been this timid since she was a child. Please don't mind her."

Qian Yun, meanwhile, curiously examined the girl named A Xiao. After a brief look, he noted that A Xiao lived up to her name, standing a head shorter than Lina. Her features were beautiful yet cute, and paired with her innocent expression, she truly evoked a sense of pity.

Of course, the most eye-catching feature was the pair of fluffy cat ears on her head. These were not hair accessories, but real cat ears!

Qian Yun had once read about such cases in the Library of the Martial Soul Hall; frankly speaking, this was a type of martial soul mutation.