Qi Ling wasn't surprised by this. After all, considering that Azure Dragon and Hua Wanzi could only communicate through a single line, and no third person knew Hua Wanzi's identity, their relationship was definitely extraordinary.
Moreover, this can be seen from Hua Wanzi's behavior at this moment. It was not a look of loyalty or greed for fame and fortune, but a look containing a very fervent emotion.
With that look in his eyes, Qi Ling believed that no matter what he said, the other party would agree unconditionally. So he said, "So, what information are you going to give me this time?"
"Yes, sir. The intelligence I'm giving you this time concerns the rebels' movements!" Hua Wanzi said. "Although the enemy appears to be divided into five groups, they actually have a backup plan!"
Subsequently, Hua Wanzi told Qi Ling all the intelligence she had obtained. Qi Ling, who had some knowledge of military affairs, immediately judged that this was indeed crucial intelligence that could determine the outcome of a war.
"Yes, I understand. This is indeed very important intelligence. I will go back and... Hmm? What are you doing?" Qi Ling said, her words punctuated by surprise.
Because in front of Qi Ling, this originally cold and aloof female knight-errant had actually taken off all her clothes, her face flushed and panting, her eyes seemingly expecting something.
"My lord, I have completed the task you assigned me, so please give me a reward!" Hua Wanzi said excitedly. "I can't wait any longer, my lord, please hurry!"
"I... I... I... What can I reward you with?!" Qi Ling was so shocked by the situation that he almost started to stutter. He never expected things to develop this way.
"My lord, you're so mean! Don't you know what kind of reward it is? Stop teasing me!" Hua Wanzi said impatiently, "Without your reward, my lord, I can't survive! My lord, please hurry up and do it!"
To be honest, it's impossible for Qi Ling not to be moved by such a beautiful woman, who is also a renowned heroine. However, this development has taken a toll on Qi Ling, leaving her unsure of what to do.
More importantly, she had no idea what the reward actually was. Although she seemed to have a pretty good idea, what if she was wrong? Wouldn't she expose herself?
Just as Qi Ling was in a dilemma, Yang Qianqiong's voice suddenly came from outside the door. "Senior Sister? Senior Sister, are you alright? I think I heard some noise coming from your room?"
Upon hearing Yang Qianqiong's voice, Hua Wanzi seemed to suddenly snap out of her frenzied state and angrily said, "That brat! Of all times to come, she had to come now!"
"Master, it seems we'll have to wait until next time for our reward. What a pity," Hua Wanzi said regretfully. "There's a secret passage under my bed. Please leave through there, my lord."
Qi Ling felt a sense of relief, but also a little regret. However, he still left first, since now was not the best time to deal with Hua Wanzi.
Putting aside whether he could beat her, just figuring out how to deal with her was a huge problem. Killing her was definitely out of the question; otherwise, he'd be left with no way to explain himself and would be hunted down.
As for other methods, Qi Ling didn't have a good way to control her, so maintaining the status quo was undoubtedly the best choice. In any case, no one but herself would know her identity, let alone pass on her information.
It's just a pity for Yang Qianqiong, that silly girl. She really trusted the wrong person this time. It seems that her ability to judge people isn't very accurate after all.
With Hua Wanzi's consent, Qi Ling was granted permission to visit Ning Rongrong. However, Hua Wanzi could not leave, so Yang Qianqiong accompanied Qi Ling on her journey again.
"Young hero Qi Ling, don't forget our promise!" Hua Wanzi said meaningfully as she left, but the spring-like affection in her eyes only lasted for a moment before she returned to her icy demeanor.
Looking at Hua Wanzi, who was completely different when they were alone, Qi Ling couldn't help but sigh that she was truly a terrifying woman. She wondered how many talented young men would fall for her facade.
The two headed towards the headquarters of the Light Observation Hall. Along the way, Yang Qianqiong kept remarking on how lucky Qi Ling was. She hadn't expected that Hua Wanzi would agree to Qi Ling's request after just one night. She wondered what had happened. Qi Ling could only smile helplessly at this.
"You two, did you really receive a recommendation from Senior Sister Hua to visit the Hall Master?" Outside the Light Observation Hall, the disciples on patrol took the recommendation letters from the two and asked with some skepticism.
After all, it was unimaginable that Senior Sister Hua Wanzi would recommend a man to meet the Hall Master, because in their impression, Senior Sister Hua Wanzi never showed any favor to any man.
"Of course it's absolutely true! If you don't believe me, don't you believe your senior sister's judgment?" Yang Qianqiong said matter-of-factly.
"Sigh, alright then. Since that's the case, I'll go in and announce your arrival for you two. But whether the sect leader will actually see you or not, I can't say for sure." The disciple said, then turned and went inside.
Qi Ling and Yang Qianqiong waited outside. Qi Ling originally thought that with Hua Wanzi's letter of recommendation, he would be able to meet Ning Rongrong. However, to his surprise, what awaited him soon was not permission to enter, but a group of fully armed women soldiers.
Led by a more mature-looking beautiful woman, the disciples of the Light Observation Hall surrounded Qi Ling and Yang Qianqiong, their gleaming swords pointed directly at them, their expressions clearly hostile.
Qi Ling and Yang Qianqiong were completely bewildered by the situation before them, not knowing what had happened. Yang Qianqiong hurriedly said, " Grandmaster, it's me! Why are you surrounding me? I haven't done anything wrong!"
The Grandmaster said, " Qianqiong, we're not targeting you, we're targeting the man next to you! He's extremely suspicious!"
"Huh? How could that be, Senior Sister? We got Senior Sister Hua Wanzi's permission. Don't you even trust Senior Sister Hua Wanzi?" Yang Qianqiong said hurriedly.
"It's precisely because it's Hua Wanzi that we have reason to suspect him!" the Grandmaster said. "Everyone in the Light Observation Hall knows that Hua Wanzi would never show any affection to any man, let alone recommend one to see the Hall Master! Especially since the reason is so ambiguous and the attitude so firm, we have reason to suspect that Hua Wanzi must have been threatened by him!"
Qi Ling was speechless. She never expected that Hua Wanzi's good intentions had backfired. Because Qi Ling's situation was indeed difficult to explain to others in detail, there would naturally be loopholes in her words.
"How could this be? Grandmaster, please let me explain! Qi Ling is truly a good person. You've all misunderstood him!" Yang Qianqiong said anxiously.
The Grandmaster said firmly, " Qianqiong, you must have been deceived by him too! Come here quickly! After we capture him, we'll hand him over to the hall master!"
Yang Qianqiong was about to explain, but Qi Ling suddenly realized what her Grandmaster's words meant—wasn't this exactly what he wanted?
Qi Ling then said, " Qianqiong, you don't need to explain for me anymore. Since that's the case, have your senior sisters tie me up. I'll find a way to prove my innocence after I see your hall master."
Seeing that Qi Ling also said so, Yang Qianqiong had no choice but to step aside. Several disciples of the Light Observation Hall immediately stepped forward, tied Qi Ling up tightly, and forced him inside with swords.
Upon entering the interior of the Light Observation Hall, Qi Ling couldn't help but marvel at how it truly was a fairyland, with its various pavilions, terraces, and cascading waterfalls, a sight to behold.
Afterwards, the Grandmaster instructed several disciples to keep an eye on Qi Ling while she went to inform the hall master, Ning Rongrong. Not long after, the Grandmaster returned with another person.
"Who is this person that warrants such a large commotion? Don't wrongly accuse them." Accompanied by this voice that Qi Ling was extremely familiar with, the beauty that Qi Ling had been longing for for many days finally made her appearance.
After some time apart, Ning Rongrong's appearance hadn't changed much, but her temperament seemed to have undergone a complete transformation, making her almost unrecognizable as the same person.
At this moment, Ning Rongrong was dressed in a moon-white long dress, which perfectly accentuated her noble and elegant temperament. Compared with her previous young lady demeanor, she had become more mature and graceful, and indeed looked more like the head of a family.
As soon as she appeared, the disciples of the Light Observation Hall, who were already rare beauties, paled in comparison. Everyone's attention, including Qi Ling's, was drawn to Ning Rongrong herself.