187 . 1 – Qing [1]

  “He’s not an officer for no reason . He dealt with this situation quite well . ”


  As soon as Xue Qilin retreated to Ye Zhen’s side, she heard him evaluate Guan Qi’s way of coping with this situation in an admiring tone, which is rare for him .

  “Hmm, really……?”


  Xue Qilin is a bit out of the picture .

  “Officer Guan preemptively punched and formally punished that person in order to prevent the Merak Temple from pursuing this matter……”


  Indeed, this punch has solved many problems . If the Merak Temple pushes for a punishment, he can simply use the excuse of “disobeying orders” and send the other party to prison .

  “Hey, that’s so convoluted……”


  “Of course Qi’er’s restraint is also praiseworthy . ”


  According to Ye Zhen’s statement, things didn’t go out of control due to Qi Qiqi’s restraint and Guan Qi’s quick response .

  Nevertheless, the deterioration of the overall situation could not be avoided .

  Because Chen Yong has drawn his sword, the current situation has fallen into a state of tension .

  Whether it is the Merak Temple’s side or the Northern Guard Fort’s side, they all have the same grim expression . If something stirs the pot, this tense situation will become hard to deal with, and may even devolve into a fight .

  Anyway, the reaction of both sides is really edgy . This also proves that the relationship between the Martial World and the Imperial Court — at least with the army — is extremely bad . Otherwise, the situation would not have been made highly strung that easily .

  The scars left by that incident from 5 years ago seem deeper and more indelible than imagined . Everything is kept up on an extremely fragile balance .

  Xue Qilin realized this once more at this time .

  It seems that many things are not as optimistic as imagined…… Restlessness welled up inside Xue Qilin’s chest .

  After all, everything she now has is in the Merak Temple . If the relationship between the Martial World and the Imperial Court deteriorates to the point where they must meet on the battlefield, she won’t be able to stay out of it .

  “Officer Guan, why does Great General Gong wants Qing’er brought back to the mansion — can you tell me the reason behind this?”


  When he heard Qi Qiqi’s question, Guan Qi shook his head .

  However, what he meant by this gesture was not “no comment”, but–


  “Unfortunately, the order I received only mentioned for us to meet Young Lady Gong and escort her back to the Gong Mansion . The order didn’t state anything else . I also don’t know . ”


  That’s the military for you .

  Military orders cannot be disobeyed . Besides following orders, there is no room for questions .

  Although Qi Qiqi can understand this, but she still didn’t give up on investigating the cause of this .

  “Officer Guan, forgive me for being rude, but you should know something, right? Even if it’s just an inkling, please tell it to me . ”


  Guan Qi frowned and remained silent for a while .

  “I cannot comment on this . ”


  In other words, he actually knows a bit about what’s this all about, but he cannot reveal anything because of his identity .

  Although the other party is in a tight spot and cannot disclose any information, but Qi Qiqi has no intention of empathizing with him and making concessions .

  “In that case, I cannot comply with this order . ”


  Cold, unkind words sounded .

  For Qi Qiqi to assume such a tough stance, it rather surprised Xue Qilin .

  “It’s hard on Qi’er……”


  Ye Zhen suddenly sighed with a seemingly profound meaning .

  However, Xue Qilin has no time to delve into it .

  The moment Qi Qiqi categorically rejected the other party, the expressions of the cavalrymen became unsightly . Guan Qi, who had a tranquil expression all this time, furrowed his eyebrows tightly .

  “Qing’er is my true disciple . She is the one who’ll inherit my legacy in the future . In other words, she is the future Temple Master of the Merak Temple . How can I — no, how can our Merak Temple hand over the future Temple Master under these dubious circumstances?”


  Qi Qiqi’s stern, sonorous voice resounded in the Merak Temple .

  At this time, Xue Qilin learned that Gong Tianqing is the future Temple Master .

  In any case, since Gong Tianqing has such an identity, this is not a matter that can be taken lightly .

  No clan or organization would allow their successor to be taken away under dubious circumstances . After all, the successor is the one who shall carry the torch of an organization or clan . Naturally, they require strict protection .

  There’s no way that Guan Qi would not understand such a simple truth .

  In fact, after listening to Qi Qiqi’s statement, his expression eased a little .

  “So that’s the case . ” He shook his head somewhat apologetically, “Reasonably speaking, our actions are indeed improper . ”


  The other party’s softened attitude let Qi Qiqi release a sigh of relief .

  “Officer Guan, since you understand–”


  Guan Qi raised his hand to signal Qi Qiqi to be silent .

  “I understand that it may be unreasonable . ” Guan Qi sighed, “It’s a pity, but . ”


  Qi Qiqi creased her slim eyebrows deeply . “But” generally indicates a turning point where the situation is likely to develop in an unfavorable direction .

  Guan Qi closed his eyes and uttered in an oppressive tone, “The order we got states to bring Young Lady Gong back to the mansion at all costs . ”


  There was an unnatural pause in his words .

  “–at all costs . ” He emphasized .

  “.…… can it really not be avoided?”


  “Military orders must be obeyed . ”


  Guan Qi raised his hand apathetically, ready to give some kind of signal . Xue Qilin can easily perceive killing intent congeal . A fight can happen at any time .

  But what about the remaining 900 people? Where are they hiding? Xue Qilin’s thoughts revolved rapidly . She doesn’t think that Guan Qi is so impulsive and brazen as to use his current military power to contend against the Merak Temple . That would just be throwing away lives, utterly meaningless .

  As if to answer the upcoming signal–


  Killing intent surged from different directions .

  Hundreds of soldiers suddenly appeared between the trees on both sides of the road and aimed the crossbows in their hands at the Merak Temple’s main gate .

  They came stealthily! Xue Qilin opened her eyes wide .

  Before the ambush, no one in the Merak Temple has noticed their existence .

  The lass suspects that these people must belong to a military branch that specializes in stealth arts, which is evidenced by the fact that they only wear light leather armor with leaves and mud stuck to it as camouflage . Although they are martial practitioners, but their breath is weak, which obviously means that it is being suppressed .

  On the other hand, the more than 90 cavalrymen gripped the spears hanging from their mounts and assumed a stance, ready to charge at anytime .

  With just one gesture, hundreds of killing intents locked on the people of the Merak Temple .

  Everyone of the Merak Temple was rattled .

  Even though they have prepared themselves beforehand, but now that things are really happening, they couldn’t help but waver .

  Xue Qilin and Ye Zhen looked at each other solemnly, and then took a step at the same time and protected Qi Qiqi and the people of the Merak Temple . If a fight really takes place, they need to serve as a sharp sword and defeat the enemy .

  Ye Zhen unsheathed the sword Heavenly Glimmer, whose hilt he has been holding tightly all along . But Xue Qilin has no sword to draw . Her mechanical sword is still under repair . Therefore–


  “Young Ancestor, catch the sword!”


  Li Wanting’s voice sounded, and Xue Qilin looked back .

  Then, a green flash broke into her field of vision, and she subconsciously reached out and grabbed it .

  “This is–!”


  Xue Qilin exclaimed when he saw the true appearance of the thing in her hand .

  It is a familiar sword . The cross guard is engraved with a dragon pattern, while the sword body is glowing with gentle light green light .

  It’s Luo Qing’s sword .

  In a daze, Xue Qilin saw a green shadow .

  –Young Ancestor, protect the Merak Temple .

  A green voice, a green smile, a green will .

  Xue Qilin stroked the sword, a bitter expression on her face .

  “Okay, okay, I got it . ”


  Xue Qilin and Qi Qiqi exchanged a look, and then the latter nodded at the former .

  Then, the lass, with the sword in hand, turned around .

  Images dotted with cold rays appeared before her eyes .

  ＊


  [1] – Qing (青) is Luo Qing’s name, not to confuse with Gong Tianqing’s Qing (晴) . Luo Qing’s name Qing means “green”, while Gong Tianqing’s name Tianqing means “clear sky” . Luo Qing is the girl who effectively committed suicide in Vol . 1