Making Demands

It was the first time Jiang Feng had ever seen such a stunningly beautiful woman. Whether in the Great Yin Dynasty or the world he had lived in before, he had never laid eyes on such a face.

In that instant, he was actually somewhat dazed.

But it lasted only a moment. Immediately, the vigilance in his eyes gathered once more, growing even more intense than before.

A woman with such looks appearing in a place like this was, in itself, indescribably strange.

Neither Sun Bowei himself nor any outside accounts of the Sun Family had ever mentioned this woman.

Based on these looks alone, no matter where she lived, it was impossible for her to be unknown.

"Speak, who exactly are you? Why are you here?"

As if startled by his cold, stern tone, the woman's body trembled slightly, and her voice wavered:

"This humble one is named Liu Ruyan, originally from Qingshan County.

My family ran a restaurant, and life was quite prosperous... but later, Qingshan County was invaded by evil spirits, thousands were killed or injured, and corpses littered the ground."

A flash of genuine terror crossed her eyes, as if she were seeing the tragedy of that day once more.

"I was traveling with my husband to seek refuge in Ping'an County, but who would have thought we would encounter villains on the road? My husband was killed by them, and I was forcibly abducted here and have been imprisoned ever since..."

Having said this, she began to sob in a low voice right there, tears sliding silently down that beautiful face, like rain on a pear blossom—a sight to stir anyone's pity.

Good grief, she was actually a widow.

However, the vigilance in Jiang Feng's eyes did not fade in the slightest.

He did his best to put on a look of concern, softened his tone, and asked in a low voice: "The ones who abducted you, were they the four Sun Brothers?"

Liu Ruyan thought carefully for a moment, then answered timidly:

"I do not know their names, only that they were three burly, thick-waisted men."

As soon as she finished speaking, she seemed to think of something, her expression panicked as she looked at Jiang Feng in terror.

"You... you wouldn't be that fourth person, would you?"

Jiang Feng smiled and waved his hand, his tone becoming increasingly kind:

"You've misunderstood. I was also targeted by the Sun Brothers by chance, but I was lucky enough to be more skilled and drove them away."

As he spoke, a flash of blade-light flickered in his hand, and the padlock on the iron door fell with a clatter. He stepped aside to clear the doorway and said warmly to Liu Ruyan:

"Madam Liu, you are safe now. Before those villains return, you should leave here quickly."

Liu Ruyan pushed the iron door open gently and stepped out of the dark room.

Just a moment ago, he could only see her face through the door, but now that she stood in the light, even Jiang Feng couldn't help but have his breath hitch slightly.

She wore a slightly soiled, plain white ru-skirt with a green cloth belt tied around her waist. Though her attire was simple, it could not hide her curvaceous figure.

Her chest was full and rounded, her backside firm and shapely; she was like a perfectly ripe peach, making one uncontrollably want to taste its sweetness.

Jiang Feng finally understood why she had been kidnapped.

To be honest, in this short moment of contact, he couldn't help but have other thoughts arise in his mind.

Liu Ruyan seemed to notice his gaze, and as if she knew how provocative her face was, she kept her head lowered, not daring to meet Jiang Feng's eyes.

After hesitating for a moment, she walked up to Jiang Feng and bowed gracefully, her voice as soft as spring water in March:

"This humble one thanks you, benefactor. If not for your rescue, my fate would surely have been miserable beyond words."

The smile on Jiang Feng's face remained warm as he waved his hand gently, his tone casual and mild:

"It is nothing, nothing at all. You should leave quickly, lest there be any more accidents. The cellar exit is right over there; just climb the ladder and you will be out."

As if afraid she wouldn't find the way, he even pointed to the location of the ladder, showing great patience.

Liu Ruyan nodded slightly and turned to walk toward the exit, her steps still somewhat unsteady, her back so fragile it seemed a gust of wind would scatter her.

But the moment she turned her back, the smile on Jiang Feng's face vanished completely. His palm silently tightened around the Ghost-Head Blade, his knuckles turning white.

He was not a man who would be blinded by desire.

This woman's story seemed reasonable, and she had handled the verbal traps he intentionally laid with seamless perfection, but he could not verify any of it—he didn't even know which direction Qingshan County lay in.

More importantly, the news of his presence here must not leak out; he could never let anyone link him to the deaths of the Sun Brothers.

This was Black Water Town, and the Benevolent Heart Medicine Hall was more than just a little influential here. He was still too weak at the moment; if he were viewed as an enemy by the Medicine Hall, he would have no place to stand in this town.

Weighing both sides, he reached a conclusion that couldn't be simpler: disposing of this woman was the safest way to cut off all future trouble.

But just as he was about to swing his blade, Liu Ruyan suddenly stopped and turned around.

She bit her lower lip, her charming face full of conflict and struggle, as if there were words stuck in her throat that she wanted to say but dared not.

Jiang Feng's expression remained unchanged, the killing intent in his eyes receding like a tide, replaced once again by that same gentle face—so fast that it seemed the man who had been ready to crush the flower had nothing to do with him.

"Madam Liu, what is it? Is there something else you wish to tell me?"

Liu Ruyan hesitated for a moment, then finally seemed to make up her mind and looked up at Jiang Feng:

"Benefactor, I have no other relatives left in this world. Penniless and stranded alone in this strange place, the outcome... I fear, will be no better than before."

Jiang Feng raised an eyebrow: "Are you asking me for some silver?"

Liu Ruyan waved her hands hurriedly, speaking in a rush:

"No, benefactor, you have misunderstood.

I... I wish to follow you, to serve as your attendant and look after your daily life. As long as you do not despise me, I would be content with just a meal."

Jiang Feng was slightly stunned at these words. He had never expected the other party to take the initiative to make such a request.

If this woman were truly willing to stay here and never leave his side, it wouldn't be a bad solution.

More importantly, as a hot-blooded young man, who wouldn't be happy to have a beautiful maid attending to their daily needs?

The Bedchamber Arts he possessed had been sitting idle for some time; it was indeed time to refine them.

However, the vague, indescribable suspicion in his heart still reminded him that this woman was not right—there was an unspeakable strangeness about her.

After weighing it repeatedly, Jiang Feng finally nodded, though his tone left no room for negotiation:

"Miss Liu, it is not impossible for you to stay by my side.

But there are a few rules you must listen to clearly.

First, you must unconditionally obey any request I make, even if I require your body, you may not refuse.

Second, your range of movement is limited to this cellar; you are not to step out a single inch without my permission. If you can accept these two terms, you may stay.

If you cannot accept them, then it is best you leave as soon as possible."