That girl was quite the actress. But how could Jun Moxie believe her? Don't let the pitiful look fool you; in the next instant, she could turn instantly into arrogance and dominance.

Having seen a ghost, was he still afraid of the dark? Jun Moxie had learned his lesson multiple times; to be fooled again would be an injustice against heaven.

"So, you really intend to send us back?" Dugu Xiaoyi's pretty eyes immediately widened. Although her charming eyes were still lovely when wide, the look was now threatening, her speed of transition clearly improving.

"Sisters, if you stay here, all you’ll do is cause trouble. What can you two even do? Tell me, if you were asked to kill someone, would you dare?"

Jun Moxie let out a scornful snort. "Go back obediently, and nothing more will be said. Otherwise, don't blame me for tying you both up like zongzi and sending you back! Don't think I wouldn't do it! That would be embarrassing for both of you!"

"You wouldn't dare!" The young girl bared her teeth, her ferocity fully revealed, her true nature showing.

"Forget it, Xiaoyi, stop begging him. This person has not a shred of sympathy," Guan Qinghan remained calmly standing, her expressionless gaze fixed on Jun Moxie, but she spoke toward Dugu Xiaoyi. "Let's go ourselves; we don't need to follow him. Didn't we walk over 1,400 li on our own? Don't we have two legs? Can't the two of us reach Tiannan?"

"Exactly! What's with the attitude? We'll go ourselves!" Dugu Xiaoyi lifted her chin. "Isn't he just a minor general? And one who got in through connections! Hmph, I’ve met plenty of great generals; none of them had airs like you!"

Seeing the two women turn to leave after a few sarcastic remarks, Jun Moxie became genuinely anxious. If he let them go to Tiannan alone, even if they arrived safely in the end, he would certainly face a severe scolding upon his return. Old Master Jun, Third Uncle, Old Master Dugu, and Dugu Wudi would likely not spare him. Jun Moxie could even predict the lecture: You let two weak women travel thousands of miles to Tiannan? Are you that unconcerned? What if something happens? Even if nothing happens, this is still unacceptable!

"Stop them! Seize them all for this young master!" Jun Moxie gritted his teeth and roared the command. Seven or eight Soul-Devouring members moved swiftly, like wolves and tigers, blocking the women's path. Jun Moxie snorted twice. "You two had better behave. If you follow my wishes, there will be benefits for you. Hmph, otherwise—"

At this point, Young Master Jun suddenly stopped. This tone—wasn't it exactly like a ruffian kidnapping village girls?

"Jun Moxie, I must go to Tiannan today. If you truly insist on using force against me, then I, Guan Qinghan, will keep my word. I will die right here, right in front of you! Do you think I wouldn't dare?" Guan Qinghan’s expression was complex, but she swiftly drew a gleaming dagger and held it against her delicate neck.

Jun Moxie, don't you know? I must go to Tiannan, and it’s not for any other reason than for you and Third Uncle. If I weren't worried that the Blood Soul Manor would cause trouble for you because of me, why would I travel ten thousand li to Tiannan? Am I such a small-minded girl who cannot distinguish between what is important?

You, Jun Moxie, would risk your life, ignore everything, just to protect my honor. Am I, Guan Qinghan, the sort of ungrateful woman who would watch you charge into the tiger’s den without acting?

Is it only allowed for men to value righteousness over life, while we women must merely cling to survival? If this journey to Tiannan goes smoothly, so be it. If not... why should I hesitate to sacrifice this life of mine?

Dugu Xiaoyi, however, was not one for such elaborate considerations. But seeing that Guan Qinghan's deadly threat seemed effective, she immediately became smug and triumphant. "That's right! If you don't let us go, we'll die right here! Do you think we wouldn't dare!? Hmph hmph, hehehe!"

Never had one seen a person threatening suicide acting so pleased about it. The dignified Miss Guan had spoken with impassioned conviction; when the young girl imitated her, the flavor twisted into something completely unrecognizable, and she even started laughing. It was truly speechless...

Jun Moxie felt his head swelling to the size of a bushel.

Dugu Xiaoyi might just be looking to stir up trouble, but he could clearly see from Guan Qinghan’s calm eyes that she absolutely meant what she said and would follow through! If he truly prevented her from going, he would instantly be looking at a corpse!

He couldn't gamble, and he certainly dared not!

"You're ruthless!" Jun Moxie stared intensely at Miss Guan, letting out a hateful sigh. Compared to the young girl, Young Master Jun was confident he could find other means to deter her retreat. But his 'sister-in-law' here was too much of an individualist; he truly couldn't afford to provoke her. Young Master Jun felt utterly stifled, realizing he had rarely felt this suppressed, even in his two lifetimes. He said hatefully, "Get them two horses. Ride them away."

"Now that’s more like it." Guan Qinghan cast a sidelong glance and finally smiled. All she desired was to reach Tiannan alongside them; the quality of treatment wasn't important. She also understood that Jun Moxie agreeing to their company was already taking a huge risk. If nothing else, under military discipline, bringing women along on a campaign was a major taboo, potentially costing him his life.

"We want the carriage," the young girl was clearly inexperienced and hadn't realized this. Seeing Young Master Jun relent, she was quite happy, but when she heard him ordering them onto horses, only arranging two steeds, she immediately looked dismayed, staring at him, then at the exquisitely luxurious carriage. She felt her entire body ache—her waist, her hips, everywhere was sore.

"No way. I’m already letting you come along, and you still want a carriage?" Jun Moxie scoffed. "Go if you want, or don't. If you refuse, I can arrange for someone to send you back immediately. Guards, bring them two horses!"

"You—you—fine!" Dugu Xiaoyi pointed at him furiously, then her eyes suddenly darted. With a swift movement, she drew her own blade and placed it across her throat: "If you don't let me ride in the carriage, I'll die right here in front of you! Do you think I wouldn't dare?!"

The girl saw that Guan Qinghan’s threat of death had played a decisive role, and her own imitation had served to push the effect further; it was highly effective. With such a good trick in hand, why not use it again?

A good trick is never too repetitive, as long as it works!

Who knew that this time, when she uttered, "Do you think I wouldn't dare?!" a series of stifled chuckles erupted all around. Looking over, the grim-faced sturdy men were all shaking their shoulders, clearly struggling hard not to laugh.

This couldn't be blamed on the men's poor discipline. Even a clown wouldn't perform like this twice. Elder Sister Guan meant it; she was truly prepared to die, there was no pretense. But for Young Miss Dugu to imitate it once was one thing, but to do it repeatedly was simply inexcusable. Moreover, the excuse this time was too ridiculous: you'll die if I don't let you ride in the carriage? You're far too easy to kill off, aren't you?

Jun Moxie rolled his eyes. "Be my guest! But please, die a little further away, so we don't have to see it, out of sight, out of mind. I ask for so little, surely that’s not too much to ask?!"

Sister, even if you genuinely intend to threaten death, you should at least appear to possess the will to die for the threat to hold any weight! Otherwise, threatening death becomes universally applicable: I'll die if you don't let me ride the carriage; I'll die if you don't let me eat; I'll die if you don't let me hit you... What kind of standard is this?

"You—you—you are too detestable." Dugu Xiaoyi stamped her foot, utterly speechless. She suddenly twisted her body, strode forward a few steps to the carriage, flipped the curtain, and burrowed inside, refusing to come out. From within, she called, "Sister Qinghan, hurry in! It’s so spacious in here, and there's a bed! It’s so comfortable, hehehe..."

Action is the most practical approach!

The Young Master was enraged!

This truly was beyond tolerance! If they were inside, where was he supposed to go? This young master had finally managed to catch a corrupt official and extort a carriage through great effort—was he supposed to let them steal his spoils of war just like that? Hmph!

Jun Moxie sprang forward, grabbing Dugu Xiaoyi’s arm. "Get down!"

"I won't get down! I won't get down! I want to ride in the carriage!" Dugu Xiaoyi quickly grabbed the inner wall of the carriage with her other hand, struggling with all her might to pull herself backward. Her little face flushed crimson; she was determined to hold on and not let go.

A white shadow flashed past, and an elegant fragrance drifted over as Guan Qinghan settled into the carriage. She reached out and patted Jun Moxie's hand, chiding him, "Fighting with women over a carriage—our young master of a noble family is truly capable of this."

Jun Moxie roared back, "What? Me fighting with you over the carriage? What kind of talk is that? It's clearly you two women snatching my carriage! Am I supposed to just swallow this injustice silently? Today I truly understand what it means to twist logic and argue shamelessly!"

Guan Qinghan ignored him, reached out, and lowered the carriage curtain. Next came rustling sounds from within, as if the two women were already lying down, perhaps even undressing for sleep, because Dugu Xiaoyi's satisfied groan was clearly audible: "So comfortable, I can finally sleep soundly."

With his chest swelling with anger, Jun Moxie cursed himself as a fool for trying to argue facts and reason with women—what else was he if not an idiot? But now that his sister-in-law was inside, even the unrestrained Young Master Jun had to avoid any suspicion of impropriety. Now, no matter how unwilling he was, he had to dismount!

The procession continued. After traveling for half a day, Young Master Jun, swaying on his horse, finally found riding a magnificent steed much less comfortable than being in the carriage. He turned back resentfully, then his brow suddenly furrowed—an idea struck him.

The next moment, Young Master Jun let out a scream, his head lolled, and he plopped down from his horse, falling heavily to the ground. His eyes snapped shut, unconscious.

The guards panicked for a moment, but none were fools; they instantly understood. One by one, they chimed in with forced lamentations: "Oh no! Young Master has fainted! His injury hasn't healed yet!" The sound was truly mournful.

Injury hasn't healed?

Fainted? Young Master Jun was momentarily confused. When did I get injured? Hmm... but this excuse... it’s quite good. I must find an opportunity to praise and reward someone later; they are truly perceptive.

"What happened?" Dugu Xiaoyi flung open the carriage curtain, asking with concern. On the other side, Guan Qinghan watched Jun Moxie lying still on the ground, her gaze thoughtful.