Qiao Yaoyao

Qiao Family Fort lay more than eighty li from Liuxi Town. They set out at dawn, encountered no trouble along the way, and barely arrived by nightfall.

On the way here, Yang Yi and Qiao Wuwang had chatted quite a bit. Yang Yi had focused on gathering information 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 members and disciples all resided.

The outer fort 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 aside. "Yang Yi, the inner fort has its rules. It wouldn't be appropriate to bring people in at this hour. Rest here for the night first. I'll return and report to Eldest Sister, then come pick you up 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 Old Master Qiao was advanced in years, and after an incident some years ago, he had withdrawn from the world and handed the clan's authority to Qiao Yaoyao.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 here, Yang Yi made himself at home. He clasped his fists and said, "Then sorry for the trouble, Third Young Master."

Qiao Wuwang left in high spirits.

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

Aunt Yang called out hesitantly, "Xiaoyi..."

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

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

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

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

"Xiaoyi, 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. Blackwind Stronghold wouldn't dare come here," Yang Yi reassured him.

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

Uncle Yang and the others had never experienced such treatment and were momentarily at a loss for words. Yang Yi was the one who stepped forward to thank him, pulling 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. Honored guests, please don't shame this humble one."

With that, he led the waiter away.

The people left in the room stared blankly at the lavish food and wine on the table.

Not even during the New Year had Uncle Yang's family eaten anything so fine. None of the dishes on that table looked cheap.

"Grrr..." Someone's stomach began to growl.

"Eat. We can't waste their kindness." Yang Yi spoke and took a seat first.

He and Qiao Wuwang could be considered comrades 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 Household's circumstances and had likely given special instructions. Thus, the table of food and wine was not only exquisite, but plentiful enough to fill them all.

This 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 through the halls, pushed open a door, and called out excitedly, "Eldest Sister!"

The room was brightly lit by candlelight. Qiao Yaoyao sat upright in a grand master's chair with an account book in hand. Without even raising her head, she said coolly, "Kneel!"

Those two weightless words had barely fallen when Qiao Wuwang, who had rushed before Qiao Yaoyao, dropped to his knees with a thud without a word.

Qiao Yaoyao raised her eyes slightly. "Isn't this the Qiao Household's Third Young Master, a divine dragon that showed its head but never its tail? What wind blew today, that even Third Young Master remembered to come home and take a look?"

Qiao Wuwang knew exactly what his eldest sister was like. He ignored her barbed sarcasm entirely and merely said with a grin, "Eldest Sister, your third brother greets you."

His cheerful grin only made Qiao Yaoyao angrier. She sprang from her chair, strode to Qiao Wuwang, and snatched up the account book to strike him with it, saying with every blow, "For running around everywhere outside! For not coming home! For making Grandfather worry!"

Third Young Master Qiao kept grinning and said nothing.

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

Third Young Master Qiao had fought a bloody battle last night. Though Yang Yi had applied medicine to his wounds, how could they have healed so quickly? The scent of blood was faint, but Qiao Yaoyao still caught it.

Qiao Wuwang felt helpless. He privately wondered whether his eldest sister had a dog's nose. He had concealed it well, fearing she would worry, yet 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. A man is bound to get a few bumps and bruises 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 that calm voice, fury churned like a volcano on the verge of eruption.

"Eldest Sister, sit down. I need to tell you something." Qiao Wuwang rose to his feet and guided Qiao Yaoyao toward the side.

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

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

Only after hearing Qiao Wuwang say that did Qiao Yaoyao sit down.

After Qiao Wuwang recounted last night's events, Qiao Yaoyao could not help revealing a look of shock. "You said that child is only sixteen, yet he's already at the Mistblood Realm?"

"That Iron Eagle from Blackwind Stronghold was also close to the Mistblood Realm. His skull was punched in with a single blow. Though it was a sneak attack, an ordinary person couldn't possibly possess such skill. He must be at the Mistblood Realm. Now, burdened by his family, he doesn't dare remain in Yang Family Hollow, so I brought him to Qiao Family Fort. He's currently settled in the outer fort, and I intend to make him an Attendant of the Qiao Household."

"Sixteen... the Mistblood Realm..." Qiao Yaoyao's eyes were full of disbelief. She had never heard of someone reaching 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 encountered a good teacher. Chasing momentary speed has ruined his future."

Even so, the strength of the Mistblood Realm was right there. 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 who could raise a sixteen-year-old youth to the Mistblood Realm must have an extraordinary background. Now that the Qiao Household intended to recruit that person's disciple, they naturally had concerns.

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

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 here tomorrow and let me take a look at him."

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

The smile in Qiao Yaoyao's eyes slowly 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 appeared to have no problems from Qiao Wuwang's account, they still had to be thoroughly investigated.

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