The Courtesan Queen, Zhang Xiaoxiao!

Shen Qingqing stormed in and glared at Ning Chuan with undisguised hostility, seemingly holding back her fury. "Ning Chuan, someone is here to see you!"

"See me? Who? What's gotten into you?"

Ning Chuan frowned.

Just yesterday, Shen Qingqing had affectionately called him her brother-in-law. Today, she was addressing him by name again, and she looked so furious that Ning Chuan was baffled.

"Ning Lang, it's me!"

Just then, a sweet, delicate voice rang out.

A woman walked into the courtyard, dressed in sheer gauze. She had a graceful figure, an exquisitely beautiful face, and a fragile air about her. Her large, watery eyes gazed at Ning Chuan with wounded reproach, making her look so pitiful that anyone would long to cherish her.

Hmm? It's this little bitch?

Ning Chuan paused, a strange look flickering in his eyes.

He recognized the woman before him and understood why Shen Qingqing was so furious and treated him so harshly.

The courtesan queen, Zhang Xiaoxiao!

Previously, Ning Chuan had fought with several disciples of the Li Family at the Brothel over Zhang Xiaoxiao, the courtesan queen, and ended up beaten half to death.

Ning Chuan had never expected this courtesan queen to come straight to his door today!

Interesting. Does this courtesan queen really think I'm still the same Ning Chuan as before?

Thoughts raced through Ning Chuan's mind. He knew that the previous Ning Chuan had been utterly infatuated with Zhang Xiaoxiao and had obeyed her every word. Zhang Xiaoxiao, in turn, had been as gentle as flowing water toward him, giving him a comfort of the soul he had never experienced before.

But when the Li Family's men beat the previous Ning Chuan half to death at the Brothel, Zhang Xiaoxiao didn't do a thing to stop them. She probably has close ties to the Li Family! Could they have sent her here today?

Ning Chuan pondered silently.

Hearing Zhang Xiaoxiao call Ning Chuan "Ning Lang" made Shen Qingqing even angrier. Her glare looked as though she wanted to devour someone alive.

"Ning Lang, do you still blame me? When those men from the Li Family attacked you that day, how could a weak woman like me possibly have stopped them? When I heard you were gravely injured, my heart burned with anxiety. I've wanted to visit you for so long. Only now, seeing you safe and sound, can I finally set my mind at ease!"

Zhang Xiaoxiao spoke with a fragile, pitiful expression as she looked at Ning Chuan.

She looked so vulnerable and endearing that anyone would feel the urge to gather her into their arms and cherish her.

"What did you come here for?"

Ning Chuan asked indifferently.

He could not be bothered to play along with this courtesan queen, nor did he care about whatever schemes she might have. Whether Zhang Xiaoxiao worked for the Li Family or not would cease to matter once he wiped them out.

"Ning Lang, you must save me!"

With reddened eyes and tears threatening to fall, Zhang Xiaoxiao dropped to her knees before Ning Chuan with a thud.

"Save you? What happened?"

Ning Chuan asked curiously.

"The madam wants me to receive a client in a couple of days, and he's a filthy old man from the Li Family! I only wish to preserve my untouched body for you, Ning Lang. Please save me from this sea of suffering. I'm willing to stay by your side and serve you!"

Zhang Xiaoxiao spoke in an aggrieved voice.

"You're not asking me to buy your freedom, are you?"

A strange look appeared in Ning Chuan's eyes.

"In your dreams! Ning Chuan, if you dare betray my sister and buy this bitch's freedom, I... I won't let you off!"

Shen Qingqing declared furiously.

"Second Young Miss, you've misunderstood me. Though I come from the Brothel, I'm still untouched. I ask for no status. Even if I must be a slave or a maid, I would never put Ning Lang or the eldest young miss in a difficult position!

"But the madam treats me as her money tree. How could she possibly let me go? I only hope Ning Lang can plead with the City Lord and ask him to grant me my freedom!"

Zhang Xiaoxiao looked pleadingly at Ning Chuan, her eyes brimming with expectation.

Inwardly, however, she was immensely pleased with herself. She believed that with her methods, even if Ning Chuan had regained his cultivation, he would still be utterly devoted to her and obey her in everything.

"You want me to ask the City Lord to free you?"

A faint, ambiguous smile tugged at Ning Chuan's lips. He badly wanted to ask her, Have you fucking lost your mind?

"Yes! I've heard that your medical skills are extraordinary, Ning Lang. The City Lord's granddaughter, Luo Luo, is afflicted with god-devouring gu poison. You can surely cure her! As long as you cure the god-devouring gu poison, the City Lord will certainly agree to grant me my freedom!"

Zhang Xiaoxiao spoke hurriedly, letting just the right trace of admiration show in her eyes.

Ning Chuan sneered inwardly. So this was Zhang Xiaoxiao's true purpose.

She wanted Ning Chuan to cure Zhao Luo Luo's god-devouring gu poison?

Ning Chuan almost immediately realized that this was probably a scheme by the Li Family. If Luo Luo died under his treatment, disaster would descend on him at once. The thunderous wrath of the City Lord's Manor would be far beyond what the Shen could withstand.

But for all their countless calculations, the Li Family had probably never imagined that Ning Chuan truly could cure god-devouring gu poison.

Interesting. Let's see what methods the Li Family has prepared. Could they be planning to strike a killing blow while I'm curing Luo Luo?

Ning Chuan sneered inwardly.

"Ning Lang, would you go to the City Lord's Manor and treat Zhao Luo Luo's god-devouring gu poison for my sake?"

Tender affection shone in Zhang Xiaoxiao's large eyes. At the same time, she exposed a stretch of creamy white skin at her chest, her snowy peaks faintly visible.

Feeling immensely pleased with herself, she stole a provocative glance at Shen Qingqing. She believed Ning Chuan could never refuse her.

"Of course... not!"

Ning Chuan grinned, then swung his hand.

Smack!

Without the slightest tenderness for her beauty, he slapped Zhang Xiaoxiao across the face and sent her flying!