Taking Qing Lin Away

Xie Tianxiao saw Qing Lin's concerns and spoke softly, "Say whatever you want. I won't mind."

Xie Tianxiao knew that Qing Lin did not trust him, but he was in no hurry. He simply waited for her answer.

"Qing Lin... Qing Lin is the child of a snake-person, and I bring calamity to others. How could I possibly go with you, sir?"

Qing Lin lowered her head and spoke in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

Qing Lin did not know who this man was, the man whom both mercenary corps leaders treated with such respect, nor did she know why he had come looking for someone like her, someone reviled by the world.

Moreover, Qing Lin was very grateful to the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps for taking her in, giving her food to eat and sparing her from wandering everywhere. Thus, she was somewhat unwilling to accept Xie Tianxiao's proposal.

"What snake-person's child? I do not care about such things."

As Xie Tianxiao spoke, he reached out and stroked Qing Lin's soft, silky hair. "As for this nonsense about bringing calamity, it is merely the ignorance of the world—people who cannot recognize true treasure even when it is before their eyes."

"R-Really...?"

Hearing Xie Tianxiao's unconcerned reply, Qing Lin was momentarily at a loss.

But when she felt Xie Tianxiao's movement, her heart jumped, and her body trembled slightly.

Then, Qing Lin secretly glanced at Xie Tianxiao. Seeing that he made no further move, she finally relaxed.

"I would naturally never deceive you."

After saying that, Xie Tianxiao seemed to notice something and added, "If you do not like it, I will not touch you again."

Qing Lin was only an eleven- or twelve-year-old girl. Xie Tianxiao did not have any peculiar fetishes.

"I-It's fine."

Qing Lin lightly bit her red lip and spoke somewhat shyly.

Although Xie Tianxiao's earlier action had been unintentional, it still had quite an effect on a pure and innocent young girl like her.

"Hehe..."

Seeing Qing Lin's little expression, Xie Tianxiao could not help but smile.

His gaze fell upon the wrist partially concealed by her sleeve, where a few snake scales were exposed. "Those are the snake scales, aren't they?"

"Ah, I'm sorry, sir! Please do not look at them. They will bring a curse."

Qing Lin hurriedly pulled her hand back and hid it, lowering her head as she explained in a flustered manner.

She was the child of a snake-person and a human woman. These snake scales were both a mark of her identity and one of the reasons people looked down on and cursed her.

"What curse? Do not be afraid. Not only are these scales beautiful, they are also a mark belonging only to you, Qing Lin."

Seeing Qing Lin's frightened, flustered look, as though she feared anyone seeing the snake scales on her wrist, Xie Tianxiao could not help comforting her.

"Beautiful?"

Hearing Xie Tianxiao praise her snake scales, Qing Lin froze in surprise. She raised her head carefully and asked, "But... don't you find them frightening, sir?"

Since the day she had been born, he was the first person to call her scales beautiful...

"Frightening? I have seen things far more terrifying than those scales of yours."

Xie Tianxiao glanced at Qing Lin's snake scales and shook his head slightly.

He also understood why Qing Lin cared so much. After all, she had been treated as a monster because of these scales since childhood. Even she herself had come to believe that they were an ominous curse.

"B-But..."

Hearing Xie Tianxiao's assessment, a trace of sweetness rose in Qing Lin's heart, but she still felt uncertain and spoke hesitantly.

"Enough, no more 'buts.' I am getting tired of hearing them."

Xie Tianxiao could not help sighing softly as he interrupted Qing Lin.

"Oh."

Seeing Xie Tianxiao's expression, Qing Lin thought he had become impatient. She did not dare say anything more and merely hid the snake scales beneath her sleeve, lowering her head in silence.

"That is more like it."

Seeing Qing Lin's obedient appearance, Xie Tianxiao nodded and looked toward Xiao Ding. "Xiao Ding, I am taking Qing Lin away. Do you have anything to say?"

When Xie Tianxiao addressed him, Xiao Ding paused. He then glanced at Qing Lin and shook his head. "If Qing Lin is willing, then naturally I have no objections."

Xiao Ding was a clever and steady man. He knew that Xie Tianxiao had come for Qing Lin from the very beginning.

Though Xie Tianxiao appeared to be asking for his opinion, he was really only giving him notice. Whether Xiao Ding agreed or not, the decision was not his to make.

Therefore, Xiao Ding left the choice to Qing Lin. If she was willing to go with Xie Tianxiao, he would do him the favor. If she was unwilling, then it would not be his fault either.

"Qing Lin, are you willing to come with me?"

Xie Tianxiao looked at Qing Lin, who had lowered her head, and asked.

"Ah..."

Qing Lin had not expected Xie Tianxiao to ask her that question again. For a moment, she hesitated, not knowing what to do.

"Do not be afraid. Speak your mind boldly. I will not be angry," Xie Tianxiao comforted her.

Though that was what he said, if Qing Lin still refused, Xie Tianxiao could only take her away by force.

As he had said before, was he supposed to leave her for Xiao Yan?

Only then did Qing Lin raise her head. After looking at Xiao Ding and then at Xie Tianxiao, she asked softly, "Then... would you beat or scold Qing Lin, sir?"

Qing Lin did not know what her situation would become after leaving the mercenary corps.

Thus, she was deeply worried, afraid that after she left, Xie Tianxiao might beat or scold her in a moment of displeasure, or even kill her.

Beat or scold her?

This time, it was Xie Tianxiao's turn to be stunned. Then he smiled. "Qing Lin is so well-behaved. Not only will I not beat or scold you, I will make everyone who has offended you disappear!"

After speaking, Xie Tianxiao deliberately—or perhaps casually—glanced around him.

Feeling Xie Tianxiao's gaze, everyone could not help shuddering.

"Who is this guy? He is terrifying."

"Yeah, I feel like he could kill me with a single look."

"That girl Qing Lin is lucky. Such a powerful expert actually thinks highly of her!"

The crowd began murmuring among themselves. Though their voices were low, Qing Lin could still vaguely hear them.

This made her little face flush red again. She lowered her head, not daring to look directly at Xie Tianxiao.

But then, recalling Xie Tianxiao's earlier praise and encouragement, she raised her head again and gathered her courage. "Qing Lin is willing to follow you, sir. I only ask to become a maid and serve you."

"Oh? You are willing to be a maid?"

Hearing Qing Lin's words, Xie Tianxiao raised his brows in surprise.

"Mmm... n-no? Is that not allowed?"

Hearing Xie Tianxiao's words, Qing Lin lowered her head and asked uncertainly.

"Qing Lin, with your talent for cultivation, you will become a renowned expert across the continent in the future. There is no need to wrong yourself by becoming a mere maid, and I do not lack people to wait upon me."

Hearing Qing Lin's answer, Xie Tianxiao frowned slightly, but ultimately tried to persuade her.

"Ah... Sir, do you not want Qing Lin anymore?"

Hearing Xie Tianxiao's words, Qing Lin immediately became anxious, panic appearing on her pretty face.

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