Qiao Yaoyao

Qiao Family Fort lay more than eighty li from Willow Creek Town. They set out at dawn, encountered no trouble along the way, and arrived just as night fell.

On the way here, Yang Yi and Qiao Wuwang had chatted quite a bit. Yang Yi had particularly inquired about Qiao Family Fort and learned that it was divided into an Inner Fort and an Outer Fort.

The Inner Fort was the heart of the Qiao Household, where the clan and its disciples all resided.

The Outer Fort, meanwhile, was a small city called Qiao'an City, named after Old Master Qiao.

Inside an inn in Qiao'an City, Qiao Wuwang settled Uncle Yang's family before pulling Yang Yi outside. "Yang Yi, the Inner Fort has its rules. It wouldn't be convenient to bring anyone in at this hour. Rest here for the night first. I'll go back and report to Eldest Sister, then come fetch you tomorrow."

The eldest sister he spoke of was the Qiao Household's eldest young lady, Qiao Yaoyao. Old Master Qiao was advanced in years, and after an incident several years ago, he had withdrawn from the world and handed the clan's authority to Qiao Yaoyao. The Qiao Household was now managed by her.

Since he was already here, Yang Yi accepted the situation. He cupped his fists and said, "Sorry for the trouble, Third Young Master."

Qiao Wuwang left in high spirits.

When Yang Yi returned to the room, the whole family turned to look at him.

Aunt Yang called out hesitantly, "Xiao Yi..."

She could see it too. Ever since Yang Yi had carried off a corpse last night without changing expression, something had changed.

Especially after Yang Yi left last night, Yang Yong had been unable to bear the pressure and confessed how he and Yang Yi had joined forces to kill the black bear that day. Only then did Aunt Yang learn what kind of mental torment her child had endured these past few days.

From Yang Yong's account, she also learned that Yang Yi had risked making a move solely because he feared the black bear would discover Yang Yong.

By comparison, Yang Yi was undoubtedly far calmer and braver in his actions.

"Xiao Yi, are we really staying here?" Uncle Yang still found it hard to believe. At this time yesterday, they had still been trembling with fear in Yang Family Hollow, yet now they were already a hundred li away.

"Since we're here, we might as well stay. Qiao Family Fort is very safe. Black Wind Stronghold wouldn't dare come here," Yang Yi reassured him.

As they spoke, the innkeeper personally brought a waiter in with a full table of food and wine. He said warmly, "Third Young Master instructed us to take good care of our distinguished guests. If there is anything you need, simply call for us."

Uncle Yang and the others had never experienced such treatment and were too tongue-tied to speak. Yang Yi was the one who stepped forward to thank him, pulling out silver from his robes.

He had taken this silver from the bodies after killing those men yesterday. There were over thirty taels in all, most of it from Iron Eagle.

The innkeeper repeatedly declined. "I wouldn't dare accept it. This is all by Third Young Master's order. Please do not shame this humble one."

With that, he led the waiter away.

They were left staring blankly at the lavish spread of food and wine on the table.

Even during the New Year, Uncle Yang's family had never eaten anything so good. None of the dishes on the table looked cheap.

"Grrrrumble..."

No one knew whose stomach had growled.

"Eat. We can't waste their kindness," Yang Yi said, taking a seat first.

He and Qiao Wuwang could, for the time being, be considered friends who had shared life and death. What was wrong with eating one of his meals?

Only after seeing him move did Uncle Yang's family sit down one after another.

Qiao Wuwang knew the Yang family's circumstances and had likely given special instructions. Thus, the food and wine were not only exquisite, but abundant enough to fill their bellies.

It was the most satisfying meal Yang Yi had eaten since coming to this world.

Yang Yong ate until his eyes rolled back, yet he still could not bear to put down his bowl and chopsticks.

Within Qiao Family Fort's Inner Fort, Qiao Wuwang made his way to a room, pushed open the door, and cried excitedly, "Eldest Sister!"

The room was brightly lit by candles. Qiao Yaoyao sat upright in a grand chair, holding an account book. Without even raising her head, she said coolly, "Kneel!"

Those two airy words carried little weight, yet Qiao Wuwang, who had rushed before Qiao Yaoyao, said nothing and dropped to his knees with a thud.

Qiao Yaoyao raised her eyes slightly. "Isn't this the Third Young Master of the Qiao Household, elusive as a divine dragon that shows its head but never its tail? What wind blew today that Third Young Master remembered to come home?"

Qiao Wuwang knew his eldest sister's temperament and paid no heed to her barbed sarcasm. He merely smiled. "Eldest Sister, your Third Brother pays his respects."

His grinning appearance made Qiao Yaoyao even more annoyed. She sprang from her chair, strode over to him, and began smacking him with the account book as she scolded, "For running all over outside! For not coming home! For making Grandfather worry!"

Third Young Master Qiao simply grinned without a word.

Qiao Yaoyao suddenly stopped and sniffed lightly. "You're injured?"

Qiao Wuwang had fought a bloody battle last night. Though Yang Yi had applied medicine to his wounds, they could not have healed so quickly. The scent of blood was faint, but Qiao Yaoyao still caught it.

Qiao Wuwang was helpless. He privately wondered if his eldest sister had a dog's nose. He had concealed it well, fearing she would worry, but she had still smelled it.

If not for Yang Yi's urgent matter, he would have waited until his injuries healed before returning home.

"It's nothing. Men get bumps and bruises when they're out there..." Qiao Wuwang said with a smile, only for Qiao Yaoyao to roughly pull open his clothes.

Qiao Wuwang cried out, "Eldest Sister, I'm already this grown..."

"No matter how grown you are, I'm still your elder sister..." Qiao Yaoyao said. Then her movements halted. She stared fixedly at the unhealed wounds on his body, breathing heavily several times before speaking again. "Who did this?"

Beneath her calm voice, fury roiled like a volcano on the verge of eruption.

"Eldest Sister, sit down. Let me tell you something." Qiao Wuwang rose and tried to guide Qiao Yaoyao aside.

Qiao Yaoyao did not move. She only looked at him, her eyes reddening.

"It has to do with these injuries. Someone saved me."

Only after hearing this did Qiao Yaoyao sit down.

After Qiao Wuwang told her what had happened last night, Qiao Yaoyao could not help showing surprise. "You said that child is only sixteen, and he's already in the Mistblood Realm?"

"That Iron Eagle from Black Wind Stronghold was also close to the Mistblood Realm, yet someone punched him hard enough to cave in his skull. It was a sneak attack, but ordinary people don't have such skill. He must be in the Mistblood Realm. Now that he has been dragged down by his family, he doesn't dare remain in Yang Family Hollow, so I brought him to Qiao Family Fort. He is currently settled in the Outer Fort, and I intend to make him an Attendant of the Qiao Household."

"Sixteen... Mistblood Realm..." Qiao Yaoyao's eyes were full of disbelief. She had never heard of anyone entering the Mistblood Realm at such a young age. Then she sighed softly. "What a pity!"

Qiao Wuwang nodded. "It is a pity. My little brother's talent is peerless, but it's a shame he never met a good teacher. Chasing a moment of quick success has ruined his future."

Even so, his Mistblood Realm strength was there for all to see. He was still talent the Qiao Household desperately desired.

"Eldest Sister, you still haven't agreed."

"Did you ask about his teacher?" Qiao Yaoyao asked. Anyone capable of raising a sixteen-year-old youth into the Mistblood Realm was certainly no ordinary person. Since the Qiao Household wished to recruit that person's disciple, they naturally had concerns.

"He said his teacher lives secluded in the mountains..." Qiao Wuwang said indignantly. "I think that person is simply irresponsible. Otherwise, little brother Yang would never have so readily agreed to come with me to Qiao Family Fort."

If that teacher had truly been responsible, he would not have allowed Yang Yi to enter the Mistblood Realm at sixteen.

Qiao Yaoyao pondered briefly, then smiled. "Leaving aside his considerable strength, he saved your life. An Attendant position is naturally no problem. Follow the rules and grant him the treatment of a Grade-B Attendant. Bring him tomorrow for me to have a look."

"That was exactly my intention. Thank you, Eldest Sister!" Qiao Wuwang replied with a smile.

The smile in Qiao Yaoyao's eyes gradually faded. She said softly, "Go to Yang Family Hollow and investigate this Yang Yi."

As the acting head of the Qiao Household, she had to be cautious in all matters. Though Yang Yi's family seemed to pose no problem based on Qiao Wuwang's account, they still had to be thoroughly investigated.

"Yes." A voice came from the shadows, and the candlelight flickered for an instant.