Silken robes fluttered and ethereal music drifted through the air.
The City Lord's Mansion of Stone Desert City was still bustling late into the night. Guests toasted each other while dancers posed gracefully—a scene so out of place on the Dou Qi Continent that it left Chen Guan feeling a little dazed.
He had arrived in Stone Desert City that evening. After meeting up with the Wang brothers, he had naturally stayed the night at the City Lord's Mansion.
General Huang Yipeng, an enthusiastic man, had insisted on arranging a "surprise" for him. The scene before him was the result.
Although it was supposedly for him, Chen Guan glanced at the old general, who was staring intently at the lead dancer, and felt this party probably wasn't arranged specially for him.
"General Huang is a free-spirited man," Wang Yan explained in a low voice, sitting nearby. He seemed worried that his young master might form a poor opinion of the general. "He has guarded Stone Desert City for more than thirteen years and has repelled dozens of attacks, large and small, from the Snake-People. He is very prestigious here. This… is the old general's only hobby."
Chen Guan returned to his senses and chuckled calmly.
Wang Yan's worries were unnecessary. He had no other thoughts on the matter; he was just surprised. The general is a one-star Dou Wang. He has guarded the border for the empire for many years and made great contributions. Shouldn't he be allowed to enjoy himself?
"The old general truly lives a carefree life. This is the kind of life I once imagined for myself," Chen Guan mused. "But let's not talk about this. Did you find Qing Lin today?"
"No, Young Master," replied Wang Dalang, taking over the conversation. "Wang Yan and I searched the city for a while, but we didn't find the girl you mentioned. However, we have informed the general, and he has sent many of his men to search the city. I believe we should have results soon."
Chen Guan nodded. He planned to stay in Stone Desert City for a while, so he wasn't in a hurry.
The thought had barely crossed his mind when a soldier hurried in from outside and whispered a few words in the general's ear. The latter immediately sat up straight, his expression growing much more serious.
He waved his hand, dismissing the dancer and stopping the music.
"Haha, my friend, we've found the little girl you were looking for."
The old general laughed heartily and motioned for the soldier to come forward and explain.
The soldier stepped forward, looking a little constrained. He saluted. "My Lord General, and you two lords. I did find the girl. When I saw her, the deputy leader of the Desert Metal Mercenary Group was about to take her back to his compound. I happened to see him and, after inquiring, I intervened."
"The Desert Metal Mercenary Group?"
The familiar name caught Chen Guan's attention.
If I remember correctly, isn't that the group run by Xiao Yan's two brothers? It seems Xiao Yan's current situation is quite difficult if his brothers had to come all the way out here to carve out a new path for him.
"Yes, my Lord. The Desert Metal Mercenary Group. Their leader and deputy leader are brothers who arrived in Stone Desert City just a few months ago. Neither is very strong; they haven't yet broken through to the Dou Shi realm. However, the two are a perfect pair—one provides the brains, the other the brawn. They are ruthless yet methodical, and their cooperation has allowed them to quickly establish a foothold among the smaller mercenary groups."
"Well, there was no conflict, was there?" Chen Guan asked.
"No, sir. After I revealed my identity, their deputy leader immediately handed the girl over. I tried to return the gold coins he'd paid for her, but he wouldn't take them. He was very easy to talk to."
The soldier replied truthfully, his impression of Xiao Li clearly a good one.
Thinking of the description of Xiao Li in the original story, Chen Guan shook his head and laughed. The soldier's account was enough to prove the man was indeed quite capable.
"Thank you for your hard work," Chen Guan stood up and said. As he passed the soldier, he gave him a bottle of first-grade medicinal pills as a reward. "Forget it. I'll go take a look myself."
The value of a first-grade pill wasn't high, but for a common soldier, a whole bottle was a luxury. He held the jade bottle, his surprise unconcealed.
"I'll take you there, my lord!"
Chen Guan did not refuse, nodding in agreement.
The two Wang brothers exchanged a look and chose not to follow, not wanting to disturb them. General Huang had no intention of moving at all. To live a free and easy life, one shouldn't meddle in others' affairs or be too curious.
"Come on," he called out. "Continue the music!"
In the front yard, Chen Guan saw a girl standing quietly outside a pavilion, twisting the hem of her clothes in her hands, her uneasiness palpable.
With her head lowered, her face was obscured in the dim light, but he could feel the weakness radiating from her. Combined with what he already knew, Chen Guan couldn't help but feel a pang of pity.
After waving the soldier away, he walked over slowly.
His footsteps were not loud, but the girl still heard them. Like a frightened little rabbit, she looked up hastily and then quickly lowered her head again.
"Heh, do I look that scary?"
"No… I'm sorry. I was just told not to stare."
Chen Guan had tried his best to appear gentle and approachable, but the girl still spoke hesitantly, not daring to look up. More than ten years of living at the bottom of society, accustomed to bullying and insults, had ingrained a timidity in her bones that could not be easily changed with a few words.
"It's okay, I don't blame you. I'm not one of those bad-tempered mercenaries. I'm only a few years older than you. I may even have to trouble you to take care of me in the future, so don't be so restrained."
Hearing this, the girl looked up timidly. Seeing the boy's smiling face, it seemed he was indeed easy to get along with.
I just don't know if he will still look at me this way after he discovers my weirdness.
The girl bit her lower lip, and her mood, which had just been relieved a little, sank again. She didn't dare meet his eyes.
"Come, sit down. Let's get to know each other first. What's your name?"
"Qing Lin."
"That's a much better name than mine. I'm Chen Guan. There's a little devil back in the Imperial Capital who tells me my name is ugly every day. It makes me so angry."
Seeing the girl tightly grasping her sleeves, Chen Guan knew exactly what she was thinking. He was in no hurry to force a change; haste makes waste. Compared to a direct approach, he preferred to guide her slowly, as a friend, so that she could become confident without even realizing it.
Sitting in the pavilion, the two of them chatted for nearly half an hour without stopping.
To be precise, it was Chen Guan talking alone, complaining to her about some of his experiences and the silly thoughts he had been too embarrassed to say at the time.
He talked on and on until his mouth was dry, but he succeeded in making the girl relax. She would occasionally let out a soft chuckle in support, and their relationship quickly grew closer. The effect was remarkable.
But correspondingly, the girl also mentally attached a label to him: chatterbox.
She had never met such a talkative person in her life. He could complain endlessly, but she found it surprisingly interesting.
She, too, wished she could speak her mind so freely, to discuss things with others without fear.
But she didn't dare.
Silently shaking off her distracting thoughts, the girl had a feeling that following this young man… she would be very happy in the future.
***
(End of Chapter)
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