Qing Lin Wasn't Here?

"Don't worry, I'm not here to cause trouble. I just came for a drink of water.

Besides, I spent some time with your younger brother Xiao Yan, and we got along pretty well. I happened to be passing by, so I thought I'd come see you."

Qin Yun gave a brief explanation and made it clear that he meant no harm.

"Of course, of course! Never mind a drink of water-even if you have other requests, we'll make sure everything is handled beautifully.

Please take a seat inside, seniors. Give us an hour, and we'll have good wine and meat ready for you."

Hearing that their visitors weren't looking for trouble and even had a connection with their third brother, the two instantly grew enthusiastic.

They were also eager to forge even the slightest connection with a legendary Dou Wang expert.

Soon, the three men were eating roast meat and drinking wine together, taking a short rest.

"Senior... may I ask how you met our third brother?"

Xiao Li mustered the courage to ask. After all, this was a Dou Wang expert. Even their father, Xiao Zhan, would have struggled to meet one, let alone exchange a few words.

Qin Yun concealed nothing in response. He told them everything that had happened at the Xiao Clan, especially the establishment of the three-year agreement.

After hearing the whole story, the brothers became even more grateful to Qin Yun.

Their benefactor had not only resolved Xiao Yan's Dou Qi problem but also secured a dignified outcome for the Xiao Clan.

Had he not happened to pass by, the Xiao Clan's pride would likely have been thrown to the ground for others to trample underfoot.

"Thank you for your help, benefactor. If you ever need anything, just give us the word. Even if we have to climb a mountain of blades or plunge into a sea of fire, we won't so much as furrow our brows."

Their temperaments were much like Xiao Yan's. They valued loyalty and affection deeply. If he truly needed help someday, these two would surely be the first to charge forward.

"It's fine. It was only a small matter, so don't take it to heart. Besides, I don't have anything that requires you to risk your lives." Qin Yun smiled faintly.

But a moment later, he changed tack. "There actually is a small favor I need right now, though. Is there a little girl named Qing Lin in your mercenary group?"

"Qing Lin?" Xiao Ding and Xiao Li looked slightly surprised. They exchanged a glance and discovered that neither seemed to recognize the name.

"Senior, could you tell us what this little girl named Qing Lin looks like?"

"Hmm?" Seeing that they apparently didn't recognize the name, Qin Yun frowned. This wasn't quite what he had expected.

Still, he patiently described some of Qing Lin's distinguishing features.

"I'm sorry, senior, but we really don't have a little girl named Qing Lin here.

We do have some women, but most of them are adults, and they only handle things like logistical support.

After all, everyone in our mercenary group lives by licking blood off the edge of a blade. Bringing a little girl along would be far too dangerous." Worried that Qin Yun wouldn't believe him, Xiao Ding went out of his way to explain.

"She's actually not here? Could she not have encountered the Desert Iron Mercenary Group yet?" Qin Yun rubbed his chin and fell into thought.

Beside him, Xiao Li seemed to have something to say. He gathered his courage and offered a suggestion.

"Senior, I don't know where the girl you're talking about might be, but I think there's a greater chance of finding her at the Slave Market.

Human-snake hybrids like her generally have an extremely low standing. They aren't accepted by the Snake-People Tribe, and humans don't like them either.

So if you're looking for her, the Slave Market should be your first stop."

"That's a good point. Have you ever gone to the Slave Market to replenish your manpower? Or is there one you usually visit?"

Qin Yun nodded slightly and asked where they usually went. After all, it was quite possible that they would buy Qing Lin there in the future.

"We go to the Slave Market at the far western end quite often. The slave dealer there is a middle-aged man called Golden Tooth.

Sometimes we lose a few people while carrying out missions, so we often go there to replenish our support staff.

Honestly, the Slave Market really isn't a place fit for people. Most of the workers we buy are given food and drink and only handle logistical work.

We consider it doing a little good and accumulating some virtue."

Xiao Li poured out everything he knew in one breath.

"Thanks. Since we're about done here, I'll go take a look. Keep this Storage Ring as my gift to you on our first meeting.

Oh, and I'm in a good mood right now. Is there anything you'd like my help with? Once you pass this village, you won't find another shop like this."

Qin Yun felt that the brothers were genuine and rather to his liking, so he wanted to see what they would ask for once they knew he was willing to help.

"Uh, we don't really have anything we need your help with..." Before Xiao Ding could finish,

His brother cut in from beside him. "Big brother, isn't Luo Bu from the Sand Mercenary Group always making trouble for us? Last time, he even killed so many of our... mmmph!"

Before Xiao Li could finish, his older brother clapped a hand over his mouth and shot him a fierce glare.

"You idiot! He's offering a favor, not granting wishes. That big oaf Luo Bu will never get beyond Da Dou Shi in his lifetime. Just give us some time to grow stronger, and we can deal with them ourselves."

Xiao Ding sternly lectured his second brother for failing to read the situation, though he stole a few glances at Qin Yun as he did so.

"It's fine. I'll do you that favor." To Qing Yun, fulfilling this request was merely a matter of lifting a hand.

After all, a mere Da Dou Shi didn't even amount to an ant. "You can get ready. Go take over their territory in fifteen minutes."

Just as Qin Yun was about to rise, Feng Qing'er stood up before him.

"Leave this one to me. It'll be a good warm-up." Feng Qing'er nodded to Qin Yun.

After receiving his permission, she flew straight over.

She returned just five minutes later. "Done. That fellow was pitifully weak. All that's left of him is his head.

And to save some time, I wiped out practically the entire mercenary group with a single slap."

Feng Qing'er tossed something onto the ground, her tone perfectly calm, as though she had done something utterly insignificant.

"That's... it?" Looking at the round object on the ground, the brothers rubbed their eyes and confirmed that it really was Luo Bu of the Sand Mercenary Group.

This man had been the Desert Iron Mercenary Group's sworn enemy, as well as a local tyrant who frequently robbed passing merchants.

They had fought his group several times, only for the brothers to be chased like dogs that had lost their home. On several occasions, their entire group had nearly been wiped out.

In the end, they had only bought the chance to cling to life with the deaths of several brothers.

Now, seeing how easily he had been killed, the two couldn't help but sigh in amazement. The strong really did get things done directly.