Luckily, it seemed he already knew, but hearing it said to his face still packed a punch.
Now that everything was out in the open, there was no need to keep wearing the skin she loathed.
A golden glow suddenly enveloped Xue Qinghe.
His originally refined, gentle masculine features began to change. His Adam's apple vanished, his figure grew slender and tall, and long golden hair cascaded down like a waterfall.
The light faded.
A breathtakingly beautiful woman appeared before Qin Feng.
Her skin was as white as snow, her phoenix eyes radiated authority, and beneath her high nose was a pale red pair of lips. She exuded an air of nobility and holiness.
This was Qian Renxue's true appearance.
Qin Feng looked at the beauty before him, a flash of amazement in his eyes.
He had to admit, Qian Renxue was indeed one of the most beautiful people on the Douluo Continent. She was much easier on the eyes than that stuffy, fake Xue Qinghe.
"What do you think? Do you believe me now?"
Qian Renxue's voice had returned to its original cool, melodious tone, though a hint of lingering blush still colored her cheeks.
Qin Feng put away his surprised expression, sat back down in the lounge chair, and crossed one leg over the other.
"I believe you."
"But I'm curious. Why tell me all this?"
"This is a secret that could cost you your head. Aren't you afraid I'll go report you to Emperor Xue Ye?"
Qian Renxue looked at Qin Feng, the corner of her mouth curling into a self-mocking smile.
"Would you?"
"If you wanted to report me, you would've done it already. Why wait until now?"
"And besides... I don't want to face you under that false identity anymore."
"Living behind a mask every day is exhausting."
Qian Renxue walked over and sat beside Qin Feng. This time, she made no effort to keep her distance.
Perhaps it was because of the things she'd written in her diary, or perhaps because she'd just come clean. Either way, she lowered her guard around Qin Feng.
"My mother... Bibi Dong has never accepted me."
"I've been lying low in this enemy kingdom for years, all to prove to her that I'm stronger, that I can do things she can't."
"But sometimes, I want to be myself again, too."
Qian Renxue's voice was low, tinged with a rare vulnerability.
It was the first time she'd ever opened her heart to someone outside her circle.
Qin Feng looked at the dejected girl before him and chuckled inwardly.
This little minx is playing the sympathy card now?
Since you've come to me of your own accord, I won't hold back.
Qin Feng reached out. This time, he didn't pat her chest. Instead, he seized Qian Renxue's smooth, jade-like chin and forced her to look up at him.
"Tsk, tsk. Such a pretty face. What a waste to hide it behind a mask all day."
"But why tell me all this? Are you hoping I'll feel sorry for you?"
"Call me 'big brother' and see. Maybe I'll take pity on you."
Forced to look at Qin Feng, Qian Renxue found their faces mere inches apart, their breaths mingling.
She could clearly see the teasing in his eyes.
This guy...
I'm feeling this miserable, and he's still flirting with me!
Qian Renxue tried to turn away, but Qin Feng's grip was astonishingly strong.
"You... let go," Qian Renxue said, flustered and angry.
"No."
Qin Feng's fingers gently rubbed her cheek, which felt smooth and delicate.
"Now that you've come clean about who you are, you ought to act a little more like a woman."
"Always wearing that long face like some old fossil. Who'd ever like that?"
"Come on. I'm taking you somewhere."
Qin Feng let go, stood up, and took Qian Renxue by the wrist.
Qian Renxue froze.
"Where?"
"Shopping."
Qin Feng answered as if it were obvious. "Didn't you say you wanted to be yourself again? How can you do that if you're cooped up in the palace all day?"
"Today, I'll let you experience the life of an ordinary girl."
Without waiting to see whether Qian Renxue agreed, Qin Feng took her hand and headed toward Heaven Dou City.
Qian Renxue stumbled a couple of steps. Looking at the tall figure ahead of her, she felt a strange sensation stir within her.
No one had ever dared to treat her this way.
He was domineering and rude, yet somehow not at all unpleasant.
The busiest commercial street in Heaven Dou City.
The street was bustling with people.
Qian Renxue had put her veil back on, hiding her astonishingly beautiful face, but her otherworldly bearing still drew frequent glances from passersby.
Qin Feng pulled her through the crowd, stopping to look at this and buy that, acting nothing like an expert.
Just as the two passed a jewelry shop,
a sudden commotion of cries and wails erupted up ahead.
"Let go of me! I'm not going!"
"Please, let me go!"
Several rowdy-looking Soul Masters had surrounded a rather pretty commoner woman, grabbing and tugging at her.
Their leader was a fat man with a fleshy face and tiny, leering eyes fixed on the woman's chest. He was practically drooling.
It was Ma Hongjun.
"Heh heh, little beauty, why hide?"
"Come with me, big brother's a Soul Master. I'll make sure you eat and drink well."
"Besides, my Evil Fire is burning hot. I need you to help me put it out. You should consider it an honor!"
As Ma Hongjun spoke, he reached out with a greasy, chubby hand and moved to slip it under the woman's clothes.
The surrounding commoners were angry but dared not speak up.
After all, Soul Masters were the privileged class in this world. Who would dare provoke one?
Qian Renxue stopped, a flicker of disgust in her eyes.
As the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall, she might have been ruthless, but she despised this kind of sordid bullying and abuse.
"Stop!"
Qian Renxue's sharp command was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable authority.
Ma Hongjun froze and turned around.
When he saw Qian Renxue in her veil, his tiny eyes went wide.
He couldn't see her face, but just her figure and bearing were countless times better than the commoner woman's.
She was a top-tier beauty!
Ma Hongjun promptly forgot about the commoner woman. Rubbing his hands together, he sidled toward Qian Renxue with a lecherous grin.
"Well, well. Where'd this little beauty come from? Got quite a temper."
"But big brother likes a woman with some fire in her."
"Come on, take off your veil and let me see your face."
"If you're pretty, big brother might favor you tonight."
Killing intent flared in Qian Renxue's eyes.
Before she could act,
a figure stepped in front of her.
Qin Feng folded his arms and looked down at Ma Hongjun, his eyes fixed on him as if he were a pile of garbage.
"You fat pig, you're trying to abduct a woman in broad daylight? Why don't you take a piss and look at yourself?"
"You bloated swine, you think you're fit for her?"
Ma Hongjun heard that familiar voice, and his expression changed.
The moment he recognized Qin Feng, old and new grudges surged through him.
"Qin Feng! It's you!"
Ma Hongjun ground his teeth, the fat on his face trembling.
"You could've taken the road to heaven, but you chose the path to hell!"
"Third Brother's been searching for you everywhere. I can't believe you walked right into our hands!"
"You dare meddle in this? You must be tired of living!"