“Driving away the royal guards, Young Master Chen, you are quite impressive!” Lin Xiao said with a look of mock surprise. “A dog scaring off a pack of smaller dogs is indeed surprising!”
“You’re asking for death!” Chen Tong roared, his killing intent flaring. He was about to charge at Lin Xiao when, in that very moment, a loud female voice rang out: “Stop!”
Hearing this voice, Chen Tong’s heart skipped a beat. His charging figure immediately halted, and his gaze turned toward a woman quickly approaching through the crowd. He froze in place: “Cousin Qing’er!”
This was Chen Yan’s younger sister, a second-grade advanced spiritual power cultivator, far stronger than him. If it came to a fight, he would undoubtedly lose.
More importantly, regardless of whether Chen Qing’er took action herself, if she got angry, Chen Yan would come knocking, and he was far more ruthless than anyone else.
Last time, a talented young clansman had angered Chen Qing’er, and Chen Yan had nearly crippled him. The young man had to lie in bed for months before he could get up, and the family didn’t even intervene. Instead, they had to apologize to Chen Yan and Chen Qing’er.
Additionally, there was that fat madman, Zhou Xiong, who would be the first to charge in if anyone dared to provoke Chen Qing’er.
And that guy was a genuine lunatic. He didn’t care if you were a prince or a young master—if you weren’t stronger than him, he’d beat you up.
So, facing this gentle and elegant woman, Chen Tong didn’t dare to show the slightest hint of defiance.
As the crowd watched the beautiful woman approach, they were equally shocked. This was Chen Qing’er, one of the four great beauties of the imperial city and the second most talented genius of the Chen family.
No one had expected Chen Qing’er to show up at this trade fair.
With Chen Qing’er stepping in to stop Chen Tong, it seemed there would be no more drama.
“Cousin Qing’er, why… why are you here?” Chen Tong forced a smile that looked more like a grimace and spoke to Chen Qing’er with utmost respect.
However, Chen Qing’er didn’t even glance at Chen Tong. Instead, she immediately walked over to Lin Xiao, bowed slightly, and said in a polite tone:
“Lord Heimu, I sincerely apologize. Our family has failed in disciplining these people. I will ensure they are properly dealt with when we return. I hope you can forgive us.”
“What?” Everyone’s eyes widened in shock.
What was going on? Chen Qing’er, one of the four great beauties of the imperial city, was actually bowing and apologizing to this young man?
In the imperial city, Chen Qing’er held an incredibly high status. Countless people dreamed of getting close to her, yet today, she was apologizing to this young man?
No one could make sense of it. What was happening?
Chen Tong and Wu Neng were equally dumbfounded, their eyes nearly popping out of their heads, their faces filled with disbelief.
How was this possible? Could it be that Chen Qing’er had taken a liking to this kid? But that seemed even more impossible!
Seeing Chen Qing’er’s apologetic expression, Lin Xiao was also slightly taken aback. He hadn’t expected to run into Chen Qing’er at this moment.
With Chen Qing’er putting aside her status and reputation to apologize to him in front of so many people, he couldn’t be too harsh.
After all, the one he had a grudge against was Chen Yan, not Chen Qing’er.
Of course, if that weren’t the case, Chen Tong daring to direct killing intent at him would have ended very badly for both of them.
In other words, Chen Qing’er was essentially pleading for their lives.
With a light chuckle, Lin Xiao said mockingly, “It’s fine, it’s fine. They just wanted to kill me, no big deal.”
Chen Qing’er’s lips twitched slightly. Trying to kill someone was no big deal? If she had arrived any later, these two might have lost their lives.
“Moreover, Miss Qing’er, we don’t seem to be very familiar, do we? Let’s just let this go. In the future, please don’t interfere in my affairs,” Lin Xiao added.
As soon as these words were spoken, the onlookers erupted.
“What the hell!”
“Did I hear that right? He actually rejected Chen Qing’er’s goodwill? Countless people dream of getting close to her, and he just turned her down?”
“Damn it, is he blind? Such a beauty, and he says he’s not familiar with her and doesn’t want her meddling in his business?”
“Chen Qing’er just saved his life, and he says ‘let’s just let this go’? Is this kid out of his mind?”
“Madness, this world has gone mad!”
“Even I want to beat this kid up now…”
The murmurs were barely concealed. If Chen Qing’er hadn’t been present, many would have rushed forward to give Lin Xiao a good beating.
This was one of the four great beauties of the imperial city, their goddess, and this brat had the nerve to reject her?
“Cousin Qing’er, this kid is so ungrateful. Step aside, let me teach him a lesson…” Chen Tong’s face turned purple with rage. He had swallowed his anger when Chen Qing’er intervened, but now Lin Xiao was even disrespecting her. This made him even more furious.
However, what he received in return was a furious glare. Chen Qing’er scolded him, “If you don’t want trouble, get lost!”
“I…” Chen Tong’s words were stuck in his throat.
Ignoring Chen Tong and the others’ reactions, Chen Qing’er turned back to Lin Xiao and apologized again, “I’m truly sorry about Chen Tong’s behavior…”
She paused for a moment, then added, “I think there might be some misunderstanding between us?”
Lin Xiao shook his head and said indifferently, “No, I just prefer not to have others meddle in my affairs.”
The crowd was stunned by Chen Qing’er’s reaction and Lin Xiao’s response. Chen Qing’er was practically throwing herself at him to protect him, and he was complaining about her meddling?
At this point, Lin Xiao no longer looked at Chen Qing’er. Instead, his gaze turned to Chen Tong and Wu Neng, who were still standing there in shock and anger. He said coldly, “I’ll give you three breaths to get out of my sight. Otherwise… you’ll face the consequences.”
“You!” Chen Tong was seething. If it weren’t for Chen Qing’er protecting him, he would have already charged forward to kill Lin Xiao. Now, this guy was threatening him, telling him to get lost?
Chen Tong was on the verge of exploding, but when he met Chen Qing’er’s sharp gaze, he shuddered and swallowed his anger. He glared at Lin Xiao and said, “You… just you wait!”
With that, Chen Tong stormed off, and Wu Neng, still dazed, limped after him.
Watching Chen Tong leave after his empty threat, Lin Xiao glanced at Chen Qing’er and said, “Miss Qing’er, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”
With that, Lin Xiao walked forward without looking back at Chen Qing’er.
Chen Qing’er was momentarily stunned, feeling a sense of defeat. Was she really that unlikable? Why was this guy so cold toward her?
“Hey, I… I’m also here to trade for some medicinal herbs. Would it be alright if we go together?” After a moment of hesitation, Chen Qing’er suddenly spoke up.
“Whatever,” Lin Xiao replied indifferently after a pause.
Then, Chen Qing’er followed Lin Xiao, leaving the crowd in utter disbelief.
What was going on? Was Chen Qing’er actually chasing after him? The famously aloof beauty of the imperial city was now pursuing a young man? This was unprecedented. It was certain that rumors would spread like wildfire in the imperial city soon.
Lin Xiao naturally paid no attention to the onlookers’ thoughts or gazes. He walked calmly through the crowd that had parted for him.
However, after just a few steps, he saw Chen Tong and Wu Neng returning, accompanied by a young man dressed in royal robes.
Behind them was the royal patrol team, marching over with an imposing aura.
