186.2 – Blooming Red Lotus

The one who spoke is the leading cavalryman.

He looked Qi Qiqi in the eyes expressionlessly — there is no respect or contempt on his face, as if he’s just looking at a stone on the side of the road.

“Yes, I am the Merak Temple’s Temple Master Qi Qiqi.”

Qi Qiqi responded with an awe-inspiring tone and a composed attitude.

Although she is shrouded in the shadow of the other party, yet her momentum is not the least bit inferior. She is like a red lotus in full bloom, and has an overwhelming presence.

After getting his reply, the cavalryman alighted his mount with a light leap. Upon seeing this, the other two cavalrymen following him followed suit.

The leading cavalryman slapped the behind of his mount, and it took a few steps back and made room. Then, he took off his helmet and placed it under his armpit.

His face was revealed at last.

–like a sharp sword.

He is a young man of only 20 odd years of age. There is a sword scar on his resolute face that extends horizontally underneath an eye.

That must be a mark he got on the battlefield.

He is of medium build and average height.

Even though he doesn’t have bulging muscles, yet his muscles still give off a feeling of strength. They are refined like a sword made of high-quality steel.

This person is probably the leader, right? Maybe he is a high-ranking officer — Xue Qilin guessed. The judgement isn’t baseless. The young man not only has the corresponding temperament, but he also has Earth Realm cultivation base.

“I’m a sergeant of the Northern Guard Fort — my name is Guan Qi.”

The young man has just introduced himself, when Xia Xue let out a sneer of profound meaning.

“Hey, I didn’t expect it to actually be a sergeant.”

“Hmm? Is there anything special about a sergeant?”

“Young Teacher, sergeant is a military rank that allows you to command an army of 1,000 men… In other words, these 100 cavalrymen are probably just the tip of the iceberg. There may be 900 cavalrymen stationed somewhere.”

When Xue Qilin expressed her lack of understanding, Shui Yun’er immediately gave her an explanation in a solemn tone.

There are still 900 people? Xue Qilin was dumbfounded abruptly.

If 100 cavalrymen is regarded as only a small threat to the Merak Temple, then according to the principle “many small things add up to something great”, 1,000 cavalrymen won’t be a small threat, but a large threat that can hardly be ignored.

They… why did a 1,000-strong army come here? This must be a question that everyone on the Merak Temple’s side is contemplating.

While Shui Yun’er was giving Xue Qilin an explanation about the rank of sergeant, Qi Qiqi asked the young sergeant — Guan Qi, “Officer Guan, why have you brought troops to the Merak Temple without permission?”

As she asked, she deliberately emphasized the words “without permission” and highlighted the improper behavior of the other party.

Guan Qi didn’t answer the question right away, but rather frowned and glanced at the people of the Merak Temple. Judging by the look in his eyes, is he estimating the enemy’s combat power?

When he retracted his gaze, Guan Qi finally replied in a steady and imposing tone, “We are here to pick someone up.”

–to pick someone up.

He said he’s here to pick somebody up? Who? Xue Qilin couldn’t hide her surprise. The other party’s reason is really unexpected.

“Please forgive my lack of manners. Officer, are you here to pick someone up?”

Clearly not convinced by the answer she heard, Qi Qiqi asked the other party to confirm, uncertain. She frowned, as if to say “are you kidding me?”.

“Temple Master Qi, you didn’t hear wrong. We really came here to pick someone up.” Guan Qi replied in an unquestionable tone.

If he said instead that he wants the Merak Temple to “hand someone over”, it would be less surprising.

Who would send an army to “pick someone up” — no, it should be, who is worth an army? Unless, the person to pick up is of very high status, who is worth 1,000 elites to come meet them.

Regardless of whether the other party’s justification is reasonable or not, as far as Xue Qilin knows, the Merak Temple doesn’t seem to have anyone who fits the description.

–no, it seems that there is someone who fits the description.

Xue Qilin suddenly thought of a possibility, and her eyes widened a little. If it was the day before, she would never have thought of this person, since she only learned of their identity today.

The troops who came today are subordinated to the Northern Guard Fort. The master of the Northern Guard Fort has the surname Gong…

“On the orders of the Great General of the North Gong Jing, we came to meet the Gong Clan’s Young Lady and escort her back to the mansion.”

The Gong Clan’s Young Lady, that is, Gong Tianqing.

“You are here to pick Qing’er up!”

Qi Qiqi exclaimed loudly, startled.

“Yes, the person we came to pick up is the Gong Clan’s Young Lady Gong Tianqing. Temple Master Qi, please convey this.”

Xue Qilin’s prediction came true. The person the other party wants to meet is indeed Gong Tianqing.

However, if it is just to take Gong Tianqing back home, is there a need for such a great spectacle? It shouldn’t be for protection… Xue Qilin thinks that something smells fishy.

No matter from which angle she looks at it, its feels more like the other party has come to take someone into custody rather than pick somebody up.

Probably because she needs time to calm down, Qi Qiqi stayed silent for a while.

“Please tell me the reason why.”

She replied with an unyielding attitude.

Guan Qi didn’t respond immediately, but fell into silence. He should be thinking about whether to answer or not. However, the young soldier standing to his right suddenly took a step forward.

Surprisingly, what he said was–

“Stop talking nonsense and just pass it on.”

These words are particularly harsh, causing the people of the Merak Temple to frown at the same time.

It seems that it is not only the Merak Temple’s side that is dissatisfied with his words.

Guan Qi said, displeased, “Chen Yong, shut up.”

“Officer Guan! Why argue needlessly with them? People of the Martial World are not civilized to begin with! What’s more, it’s a military order, what explanation is there?”

The soldier called Chen Yong looked around at the people of the Merak temple, a fierce glint in his eyes. The killing intent he exudes is so strong that Xue Qilin can feel it.

Swing! He unexpectedly drew his sword and pointed it at Qi Qiqi.

“If you don’t behave, we’ll raze this place to the ground!”

The cold sheen gleaming atop the sword caused Xue Qilin’s pupils to shrink sharply. Although she knows that with his cultivation base, the other party cannot cope with Qi Qiqi. But it cannot be ruled out that this is some unique signal.

“Impudent!”

In order to protect Qi Qiqi, Xue Qilin ejected without thinking and rapidly blocked in front of Qi Qiqi. She cannot let the other party harm a hair on Qi Qiqi’s head.

As a result–

Bang! A heavy sound rose into the air, and Chen Yong was sent flying.

Xue Qilin couldn’t help but open her eyes wide. Unexpectedly, Guan Qi punched his subordinate in front of everybody.

“Officer, Officer Guan!”

Qi Qiqi cried out, flustered.

“The relationship between the Martial World and the Imperial Court is poor to begin with, so there’s no helping the fact that Officer Chen is hostile towards us. But there was really no need to use force.”

“No, we were rude.”

After instructing someone to take Chen Yong away, Guan Qi turned around and apologized to Qi Qiqi. Then, he looked at Xue Qilin.

“Your Excellency must be ‘Natural Disaster’ Xue Qilin?”

Judging by Guan Qi’s attitude, you would think that nothing happened just now.

“…”

Xue Qilin didn’t answer, but silently stared at him with her sharp gaze.

Qi Qiqi put a hand on Xue Qilin’s shoulder and shook her head when the lass looked back.

“Qilin, you can take your leave first.”

Xue Qilin glanced back at Qi Qiqi and found that the other party is looking at her with a reassuring expression.

“… I’ll be behind you.”

Qi Qiqi responded, “Mhm, I got it.”

Upon hearing this, Xue Qilin warned the young sergeant not to act rashly with her eyes, and then quietly retreated behind Qi Qiqi.

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