Qingqing—a soft, gentle sound, and Nord York’s sinking expression instantly snapped back to its previous amiable facade. The invitation in his hand moved forward again, almost brushing against Luo Qingqing’s pale arm. “Many influential figures will be attending. It will be greatly beneficial for the development of the Luo Merchant Guild. Please don’t refuse…”

Beneficial for the Merchant Guild? Luo Qingqing finally managed to regain some composure. Brother Qianjin would surely become a great warrior someday. She had heard that a great warrior required an enormous hoard of gold, and if he were to become a general and establish his own domain, the amount of money needed would rival the stars in the heavens. She absolutely had to attend this event and expand any potential business opportunities, lest Qianjin needed funds in the future and she was unable to provide them.

“Thank you, Mr. Nord…” Luo Qingqing turned gracefully in Qianjin’s embrace to nod politely, accepting the crimson, flowing-gold invitation with both hands. “I will certainly be there when the time comes…”

Nord York’s eyes were fixed intently on Luo Qingqing’s fair, tender hands. He felt a powerful urge to reach out and seize those small hands, to cherish them tenderly.

“Heh heh…” Nord York let out a dry chuckle. “I wonder, Qingqing, if you might have a dance partner that evening…”

Qianjin’s eyes, filled with ill-will, glared fiercely at Nord York. Was this a provocation? Asking about a dance partner when he knew very well he was her fiancé?

Nord York wore a slight, confident smile, his eyes sparkling with a challenge only men understood. He was not from the eight great powers of Yongliu, the Lei Family; he was the son of the Lord of Yongliu City! And he was certainly no waste like Lei Wei. As long as there was no life-or-death duel, this man couldn't stir up much trouble.

“The City Lord’s son, are you…” Qianjin placed his right arm firmly around Luo Qingqing’s shoulder, pulling her close to his chest, and fixed his gaze on Nord York, whose face held a trace of arrogance. His left hand suddenly spread open, five fingers splayed, and Battle Qi surged violently within them, pressing down with immense, imposing pressure!

Nord York’s vision momentarily blackened, and his chest felt an inexplicable weight, as if a colossal stone were crushing him. His limbs felt bound by ropes, utterly immovable!

Beast Battle Skill: Bear Crush? Nord York frantically circulated his inner Battle Qi, but even that felt sluggish. How could this be? Such a common Beast Battle Skill, yet it carried such ferocious momentum? I can’t evade it? I’m finished! Is this kid a savage? Has he gone mad? I am the City Lord’s son!

The air exploded with sharp cracks. Qianjin’s five fingers suddenly clenched, grabbing the collar of Nord York’s chest. He flipped his wrist upward, hoisting the man high into the air, then deftly flicked his elbow, tossing the captive backward.

Weighing nearly 140 pounds, the tall and sturdy warrior Nord York sailed through the air like a pebble tossed by a child, tracing a beautiful arc. He landed like a sack filled with dry weeds, striking the ground with a heavy thud.

The stone-brick ground of the Hongliu Fortress garden was meticulously swept. Nord York’s collision was dull and heavy, failing to kick up the dust that would normally scatter upon impact.

Luo Qingqing tilted her head up, staring blankly at Qianjin for a moment. Her cheeks rapidly flushed crimson again, and her eyes, filled with joy, secretly dropped downward. She cried out happily in her heart: Brother Qianjin is jealous! Brother Qianjin is jealous! I thought he didn’t care about me.

Qianjin stared at the palm of his hand that had just released Nord York. He had been jealous… That was right! As a man, seeing someone try to flirt with his woman right in front of him, it would be strange not to react at all.

A man! For the sake of survival, one might swallow insults and bow low, but if he couldn't even protect his own woman, he would fight fiercely, even against the Emperor himself! Let alone the son of the City Lord.

The life he had lived these past few days—facing the Qian Family Patriarch, fighting Qian Family warriors, staying at the Pan Family mansion, drinking and conversing with the Pan Family Patriarch—had broadened Qianjin’s perspective and made his mentality wider than before. He was no longer as timid and hesitant as he was when he first arrived in Yongliu.

The son of the Yongliu City Lord? Qianjin turned and smiled faintly at Nord York, who was leaping up from the ground. If he comes to provoke my woman, even if the dispute goes all the way to his father, or even to the Emperor, I won't be afraid!

“Nord York…” Nord York sprang high, his face a mask of anger and disbelief. He roared halfway, but his gaze passed over Qianjin’s shoulder, and his surging fury was suddenly extinguished as if fire had met cold water.

“Nord York, do you believe I won’t snap every one of your ribs with one kick…”

A soft, cool, and even voice drifted slowly from the quaint little house. Gu Yue Jiaying’s tone was always unhurried, her composure serene, brimming with an indescribable nobility.

Nord York instinctively stepped back a pace. The arrogance and rage vanished from his face as he looked at Gu Yue Jiaying, who was slowly emerging from the room while holding a small child—the woman he would never forget!

Who else dared to kick the son of Yongliu City Lord, Lord Li Deyork, down the stairs right in front of the City Lord himself?

Gu Yue Jiaying! Nord York swallowed repeatedly. This woman appeared gentle and placid, but when she truly fought, she was more demonic than the Demon Race!

Gu Yue Jiaying shot Qianjin a sidelong glance, then gently rocking the giggling Luo Jin in her arms, she said in a low voice, “Why are you still standing there dumbfounded? You’re back, why not come see your son first.”

Son? A swarm of bees seemed to buzz noisily in Nord York’s mind. Gu Yue Jiaying had a child? And it was Qianjin’s? No wonder this fellow was doing so well! It seemed he had a real way with women! Qianjin’s body tensed slightly. He stepped forward with a smile, opening his arms wide, daring to embrace Gu Yue Jiaying as well. Since their relationship was already close to this point, being coy now would make him less of a man.

A flicker of surprise crossed Gu Yue Jiaying’s usually tranquil expression, and a faint blush traced the edges of her pale ears. She leaned forward compliantly into Qianjin’s embrace, a sound as faint as a mosquito’s whine rising in her throat: “Don’t press on the child.” Nord York’s eyes widened, unable to believe what he was witnessing. That violent woman—she actually… Luo Qingqing, Gu Yue Jiaying, and that unknown one-eyed beauty—weren’t they all top-tier beauties? And they were all with Qianjin? By what right? He was just a common warrior, and I am the son of the City Lord!

“Good… Very good…” Nord York nodded repeatedly, turned, and quickened his pace toward the outside of Hongliu Fortress. This Qianjin dared to make me look so utterly pathetic in front of Qingqing. Fine! Let’s see who can outplay whom! I am the son of the Lord of Yongliu City! Can’t I handle you?

Lucifer Flowing Eyes rolled her large eyes, staring at Gu Yue Jiaying and Luo Qingqing. No wonder that slimy snake Duan Fengbu’er always said I had no chance. They truly are beauties among beauties! Qianjin is destined to be my Empress Lucifer Flowing Eyes’ husband; how can he be shared with others?

Gu Yue Jiaying slipped out of Qianjin’s embrace, transferred the child into his hands, and turned to calmly appraise Lucifer Flowing Eyes.

It wasn’t an arrogant gaze, nor was it overtly hostile, yet Lucifer Flowing Eyes felt profoundly uncomfortable, as if a new bride were being lectured by the senior wife upon entering the household.

What an irritating feeling! Lucifer Flowing Eyes maintained a deferential smile. What is she looking at? Qianjin is destined to be my Emperor; you have no chance!

“You must be Sister Jiaying, right?” Lucifer Flowing Eyes rubbed her palms together repeatedly, showing the awkwardness and unease of a new wife. “Brother Jin has mentioned you to me many times. My name is Yuan Xunyu, but you can just call me Xiaoyu.”

Gu Yue Jiaying folded her arms across her chest, gently tapping her forearm with her index finger. She suddenly raised an eyebrow and looked at Qianjin, who was currently amusing the child. “How many more are you planning to bring home?”

“Ah?” Qianjin, holding Luo Jin, paused slightly, his eyes drifting toward the old woman who had been following Luo Qingqing for a long time. He waved his hand lightly, flashing an awkward smile. “Granny, could you perhaps step aside for a moment?”

“Yes, yes.” The old woman quickly retreated toward the main hall of Hongliu Fortress. As she passed Qianjin, she whispered, “Young man, although I am employed for wages, I have watched Miss Qingqing grow up. You can’t keep bringing women home endlessly. Even warriors must exercise restraint, restraint!” Qianjin could only offer a wry smile to this kindhearted auntie. This was truly a situation where he had no place to argue his case. When did I ever start bringing women home? What is all this nonsense?

In the garden cottage, only Qianjin and the three women remained. Gu Yue Jiaying watched him quietly. “Can you explain now?” Qianjin took a deep breath, pondered for a moment, then pointed at Lucifer Flowing Eyes. “She is of the Demon Race.”

“Demon Race?”

Gu Yue Jiaying merely frowned, quietly studying Lucifer Flowing Eyes, trying to discern any demonic traits. She did not display the alarmed panic common to ordinary people upon hearing the word ‘Demon Race.’

The Twin Moon Scimitar remained still within her long sleeve, as if she were facing not a member of the Demon Race, with whom the Zhence Dynasty held centuries of blood feud, but just an ordinary woman wishing to marry into the Qian family.

Lucifer Flowing Eyes intensely disliked Gu Yue Jiaying’s composed tranquility. This composure, which should only belong to royalty, was present in a human who might not even possess bloodline power—and she was a woman!

“Demon Race,” Qianjin nodded. “Lucifer Clan, Third Level Awakening of the Fallen Angel Bloodline.”

The calm corner of Gu Yue Jiaying’s lips curved into a slight, appreciative smile. “Quite capable, bringing a Demoness home. Next, are you planning to bring someone surnamed Zhence back?”

Lucifer Flowing Eyes froze. This woman had shown little reaction to learning she was of the Demon Race, yet she reacted this way to learning she was Demon Royalty, even joking with Qianjin about Zhence? Qianjin looked at Gu Yue Jiaying’s smile and shook his head repeatedly. Her words sounded like a jest, but as a man listening closely, he could still hear the underlying dissatisfaction of a woman.