Battle Through the Heavens: Flame Emperor, Please Restrain Yourself—Your Brother Is Truly Quite Down-to-Earth

"Speaking of calamities."

Zhang Yuan turned to look at Qing Yanjing and found that she indeed looked utterly despondent.

She was surely blaming herself, believing that she, an ill-omened person, had once again brought danger upon others. Otherwise, why would that Sixth-Rank Magical Beast have been suppressed above Qingyun Town, and why had it landed on the Myriad Books Pavilion?

"Master Qing, the Myriad Books Pavilion has been destroyed. What do you plan to do?" Zhang Yuan asked.

"Ah?" Qing Yanjing's thoughts were interrupted, and she looked up in confusion.

What was there to plan? Of course, she would spend money to rebuild it, and she would have to reduce her contact with people even more in the future.

If not for her mother's final wishes and consolation before her passing, she would have long since lost the desire to live.

"Why not stay by my side from now on?" Zhang Yuan asked directly.

"Ah!?" Qing Yanjing's heart seemed to miss several beats.

Especially when she saw the gentleness in Zhang Yuan's gaze and the hint of a smile on his lips, her heart fell into complete turmoil.

Had Lord Zhang Yuan taken a liking to her?

Qing Yanjing had always been confident in her appearance, and she had never lacked admirers.

But those men only ever pretended to be refined before her, flaunting their literary talent, wealth, or strength.

Among all the peers she had met over the years, Zhang Yuan was undoubtedly the most outstanding in every respect.

Still, wasn't this approach a little too direct?

The same doubt arose in Ling Ying's mind.

He had watched Zhang Yuan grow up and had secretly guarded him for two years, so he knew this young master's personality well.

He was somewhat flirtatious, but not excessively so. After all, the only person he had ever reported to Xun Er was "Xiao Yi Xian."

Zhang Yuan had encountered quite a few beauties of all kinds over the years. After his talent was revealed, various factions had come to recruit and invest in him, and naturally, offering beauties was no issue—but he had rejected them all.

This was the first time he had been so proactive toward someone like Qing Yanjing. Could it be because she was simply too beautiful?

Ling Ying's urge to tattle was stirring.

"You don't need to rush to refuse."

Seeing that Qing Yanjing seemed about to speak, Zhang Yuan said seriously, "Someone told me about your past experiences. I also know about this so-called title of ill-omened person, but I don't believe a single word of it, and I advise you not to believe it either."

"Perhaps there is something special about you, but that is absolutely not fate. If fate had long been predetermined, then the efforts of cultivators like us would be the greatest joke of all."

"No matter why you are somewhat special, if you trust me, come find me before my Xuan Character Camp sets out for Qingyan City tomorrow. I will keep you safe, just as I did earlier."

Having said that, Zhang Yuan turned and left without another word.

Qing Yanjing watched his departing back, softly murmuring those words to herself as a different light appeared in her eyes.

"Lord Commandant, thank you for saving my life."

Zhang Yuan entered the ruins and used his soul perception to locate the unconscious Qin Hai, who had been buried beneath the rubble. He then woke him up.

After learning what had happened and discovering that he had nearly been crushed to death by a Sixth-Rank Magical Beast, Qin Hai almost dropped to his knees, but Zhang Yuan held him up.

"Escort Master Qin, we can already be considered friends. There is no need to be so polite. Although your injuries are not serious, you should return first and take some pills to recover," Zhang Yuan said.

Qin Hai thanked him profusely again before leaving.

Zhang Yuan came before Meng Xu and sighed. "Sorry. I had no strength left to save him at the time."

Tears filled Meng Xu's eyes. Clearly, he and Meng Xing had not been ordinary relatives. Hearing Zhang Yuan's words, he immediately shook his head and said, "My lord, you saved this subordinate's life as well. My cousin was destined to suffer this calamity. No one is to blame."

Zhang Yuan reached out and patted Meng Xu on the shoulder. He said nothing more and turned to leave.

His gaze met Qing Yanjing's, and he merely nodded at her.

After returning to the military camp, he entered his tent and sat cross-legged to contemplate the Thunder God Diagram.

As for the impact the Sixth-Rank Magical Beast had caused within Qingyun Town, someone would naturally handle it. It had nothing to do with him.

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, Zhang Yuan was putting on his armor when Princess Yaoye walked straight into his tent.

"Your physique is quite impressive." Princess Yaoye openly appraised Zhang Yuan's bare upper body.

Zhang Yuan continued putting on his armor without changing expression. "Princess, please conduct yourself with dignity. Otherwise, do not blame me for punishing you according to military regulations for barging in without permission."

Princess Yaoye curled her lips and casually tossed him a Storage Ring. "I personally delivered the materials and medicinal herbs you had someone request for exchange yesterday, yet you don't appreciate a good deed."

Zhang Yuan accepted the Storage Ring and said indifferently, "Without you, someone else would naturally have delivered them."

Princess Yaoye was driven nearly mad with frustration. If this were the Imperial Capital, what man would dare treat her this way?

But when she thought of Zhang Yuan's mysterious background, she could only swallow her displeasure.

"Having personally experienced Qing Yanjing's ill omen yesterday, how did it feel?"

Princess Yaoye made conversation for the sake of it, her eyes full of teasing.

Yesterday, Zhang Yuan had been left utterly disheveled.

(End of Chapter)