Xuan Qing: Would You Come with Me?

Xuan Qing walked up to Qing Lin and slowly crouched down before her.

Sensing the light dim, Qing Lin cautiously raised her head and met Xuan Qing's gaze.

She shuddered in fright, then abruptly looked down at the ground, waiting for the beating she expected.

One second, two seconds, three seconds...

The expected pain never came. Instead, a warm hand settled atop her head.

Xuan Qing's deep, gentle voice slowly rang out.

"Don't worry. We won't hurt you."

Qing Lin slightly raised her eyes. Her emerald pupils widened faintly, filled with confusion and disbelief.

She looked up and saw a handsome face with sharp brows and bright eyes.

This big brother was not looking at her with the disgust and contempt everyone else had shown.

Biting her lower lip, she spoke in a voice as frail as a candle flame in the wind, thick with uncertainty.

"Y-You really won't hit me?"

"Really."

Xuan Qing softened his tone and asked, "What's your name?"

Qing Lin stared blankly at him, tears shimmering in her green eyes as her tense body gradually relaxed a little.

Clutching the hem of her tattered clothes, she lowered her long lashes and answered softly but earnestly.

"I... I'm Qing Lin."

"Qing Lin. That's a lovely name."

Xuan Qing smiled.

"My name is Xuan Qing."

As his words fell,

Xuan Qing looked at the timid little girl before him, who had suffered bullying year-round, and at the patchwork of old and fresh wounds covering her body.

"Qing Lin, do you want to become strong? Do you want to never be bullied again? As long as you follow me, I can make you one of the strong in this world."

After saying that,

Xuan Qing suddenly felt that his pitch sounded suspiciously like those pyramid schemes that specialized in luring in pitiful little girls.

Xuan Qing then slowly stood and extended his hand toward Qing Lin, who was still sitting on the ground.

"Would you come with me?"

Qing Lin blankly stared at the clean, warm palm before her, then lifted her eyes to Xuan Qing's gentle, harmless expression. A feeling she had never experienced before surged in her heart.

She hesitated for a moment before finally gathering her courage and placing her hand in Xuan Qing's palm.

"I will. I want to become strong. I don't want to be bullied anymore!"

The girl's voice trembled slightly, yet it was incomparably firm.

Xuan Qing grasped her little hand and pulled her up from the ground.

He looked at the dense bruises on her arms and neck.

A smooth, round healing pill with a refreshing fragrance appeared in his palm.

He brought the pill to Qing Lin's lips and spoke gently.

"Come, take this pill. It will heal your injuries and ease all your pain."

Qing Lin blankly looked at the lustrous white pill in his palm, its faint, elegant medicinal fragrance lingering beneath her nose.

She hesitated for an instant and instinctively looked toward Xuan Qing.

Seeing the gentleness in his eyes and not a hint of ill intent, she parted her lips slightly and carefully took the pill.

The pill melted the moment it entered her mouth, turning into a warm, sweet current that slid down her throat and into her stomach.

The next instant!

A mild, gentle medicinal power suddenly spread through her body, flowing along her meridians and into every limb and bone.

The old bruises that covered her body and ached faintly were gently enveloped by that warmth.

Wounds that had hurt in the wind and stung at the slightest touch healed at a visible rate.

The piercing soreness and aches accumulated over the years all vanished, replaced by an unprecedented sense of ease and warmth.

The exhaustion and pain that had built up in her body over several years were completely soothed at this moment.

Qing Lin's whole body trembled lightly. Her emerald eyes flew open, filled with shock and disbelief.

She instinctively raised her slender arm and watched the vicious bruises slowly fade, her skin becoming smooth and fair once more.

Every wound vanished completely.

In only a brief moment, there was no longer the slightest trace of Qing Lin having been bullied.

The warm medicinal power flowed through her body, making her nose sting and her eyes instantly redden.

The grievances, pain, and helplessness she had suppressed for years all surged up at this moment.

She gently rubbed her reddened eyes, lifted her little face, and thanked him in a soft, sincere voice.

"Thank you, big brother."

Xuan Qing led Qing Lin by the hand, with Xiao Yi Xian beside them, as they walked through the streets of Stone Desert City.

The news of Xuan Qing intimidating everyone in the alley and killing with a thought had already spread.

The mercenaries and passersby along both sides of the street silently glanced over, their gazes landing on Qing Lin, whose hand was held by a powerful expert. Everyone understood what that meant.

No one dared approach to provoke her, much less cast another hostile glance her way.

The snake-girl who had once been bullied by everyone now had an expert no one dared offend standing behind her.

Unused to being watched by so many people, Qing Lin lowered her head slightly in unease.

Tightly clutching Xuan Qing's palm, she asked timidly.

"Big brother, where are we going?"

"I heard you've always worked under the Desert Iron Mercenary Group. We'll go there first and speak with your captains."

He glanced sideways at Qing Lin beside him.

"From now on, you'll follow me."

Qing Lin nodded.

"Mm. The captains have always treated me well. They gave me food and a place to stay..."

Xuan Qing nodded lightly in approval. He had to admit that the Xiao family was quite decent.

Before long, the three arrived at the Desert Iron Mercenary Group's headquarters.

The mercenaries guarding the entrance revealed disdainful expressions when they saw Qing Lin and stopped Xuan Qing to ask,

"Who are you?"

Clearly, news of Xuan Qing killing people had not yet reached the Desert Iron Mercenary Group.

The two gate guards knew nothing of it and still regarded Qing Lin as a lowly servant they could scorn and order around as they pleased.

Xuan Qing could not be bothered to waste words. An invisible pressure spread outward and enveloped the two guards.

An immense, mountain-like pressure crashed down upon them. The two mercenaries stiffened all over, nearly unable to hold their weapons as their legs began to tremble.

Their earlier arrogance instantly vanished without a trace.

Xuan Qing's expression remained calm.

"I'm here to see your captains."

The two mercenaries were utterly shaken. How could they dare delay any longer? They immediately bowed and replied, "Please wait! I'll report this right away!"

One of them hurriedly turned and rushed into the mercenary group's compound, scrambling in panic.

Before long, two figures hurried out from the courtyard.

The young man in front had a refined and gentle face, with a composed temperament. He was Xiao Ding, the chief captain of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group.

At his side followed a powerfully built man with a fierce, sharp air between his brows and a formidable aura. He was the second captain, Xiao Li.

Upon hearing that an exceptionally imposing distinguished guest had arrived at the entrance, the two brothers did not dare delay and personally came out to greet him.

Their gazes immediately fell upon Xuan Qing, whose bearing was otherworldly and whose aura was unfathomable. Their expressions instantly turned solemn.

Then their gazes shifted to the two figures beside Xuan Qing.

On one side, Xiao Yi Xian possessed an elegant, gentle temperament, clear and lively eyes, and plain robes untouched by worldly dust. Her tranquil appearance instinctively inspired goodwill.

On the other side, Qing Lin stood timidly with her little hand held by Xuan Qing, her brows and eyes gentle.