Chapter 9: Drunken Peace

  The old man didn't open his eyes, he just nodded slightly.

  "You often seem to have a biased attitude towards the Qin family, why is that?" At this moment, Qin Hao's tone still carried respect for the old man, but his eyes were sharp and piercing, with an unyielding stance as he faced the old man.

  Qin Hao knew that in the next decade or so, the old man would always stand on the side of the Qin family. But Qin Hao hoped for a definite answer. What about twenty years later? Thirty years later? He had no grasp of what he was thinking.

  Qin Hao asked this question at this moment, only for the old man's answer, an answer that would make Qin Hao decide what attitude to take towards him. Enemy? Friend?

  Old Chen carefully sized up Qin Hao, who was now fully exposed, and suddenly burst out laughing. He quickly restrained himself, and his aged eyes, which had momentarily revealed their age, became sharp again. He raised an eyebrow and said calmly, "Is it or isn't it? What's the big deal? Do you know or don't you? Does it even matter to you?"

  At this moment, the old man had an aura that intimidated people's hearts, and his frail body seemed to be filled with strength.

  A sense of superiority and majesty unfolded before Qin Hao, the old man's firm tone, and the aura of unyielding dignity that emanated from his body, all made Qin Hao feel a crushing pressure closing in on him from all sides.

  Qin Hao stubbornly raised his face and smiled faintly: "It's related. Only because I'm a member of the Qin family. As for changing, maybe not now!"

  The two of them stared at each other for a long time, neither of them showing any intention of avoiding the other's gaze.

  "I didn't expect you'd dare say that, Qin Hao, you're really quite interesting."

  The old man closed his eyes again, and his thin, long fingers lightly tapped on the armrest of the chair. After a moment of silence, the old man stretched out his finger, pointing to outside the door, and then waved his hand.

  Qin Hao sighed, this old man obviously didn't want to answer him. His action was like issuing a dismissal order, and indeed it wasn't that easy to figure out. Qin Hao reluctantly bowed his head to the old man and walked heavily towards the door.

  "If I had ill intentions towards the Qin family, it wouldn't be so troublesome."

  As Qin Hao stepped out of the doorway, he suddenly heard an answer that left him somewhat surprised. Qin Hao turned back around and asked calmly, "Really?"

  Qin Hao felt a sense of relief in his heart when he asked this question. This answer was already giving him some assurance.

  The old man opened his eyes, looked at Qin Hao, and nodded solemnly with a serious expression.

  "Why?"

  "There is no reason."

  No reason? Qin Hao was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

  Is it that there's no reason or is he unwilling to say? This old man is indeed very thorny. However, being able to get this answer from the old man, Qin Hao was already satisfied.

  Qin Hao didn't stay any longer, he nodded his head and walked out of the door, closing it behind him.

  Standing at the stairs outside the door, a gust of cool wind suddenly blew by, and Qin Hao felt an unprecedented lightness in his body and mind.

  The old man's words couldn't be more obvious. With his mood relaxed, Qin Hao's mind also became much clearer.

  Whether the old man's words are completely trustworthy is worth considering. But thinking carefully, if he really had malicious intentions towards the Qin family, relying on Ji Fan's ability to drive out the Wind family, perhaps in one day he could make the Qin family lose their name.

  Combining Qin Hao's memories of his past life, the old man's words might be believable. Why is there a subtle bias towards the Qin family? Qin Hao doesn't know now, and he isn't qualified to investigate now either. But one day he will uncover this mystery.

  Now he first needs to take over Qin Yuxian's responsibility. As for the Lin family, Qin Hao suddenly let out a cold laugh, there is plenty of time in the future, he will have his own time to entertain them.

  Thinking of Qin Yuxian still waiting for him in the hall, Qin Hao quickened his pace and walked out. When he reached the entrance of the hall, however, he didn't see Qin Yuxian, only Ji Fan looking at him with an embarrassed expression.

  Qin Hao had some doubts and furrowed his brow, asking "Big Brother Ji, where did Yu Xian go?"

  Ji Fan revealed a apologetic smile and said: "Qin Hao, I've caused you trouble. Yu Xian is in the hall, go find him yourself." After finishing, he patted Qin Hao's shoulder and walked away with quick steps.

  What's going on? Qin Hao was baffled. Why is this guy acting so strangely?

  Qin Hao walked into the hall with a thoughtful expression. As soon as he entered the hall, Qin Hao knew what was going on.

  Qin Yuxian was leaning softly on a chair, with a somewhat languid expression. Her dark eyes were filled with a hint of moisture, her cheeks flushed with a faint red glow, and her lips shone with a subtle sheen. The corners of her mouth curled up into an enchanting smile. Qin Yuxian, who had gotten drunk, looked less icy than usual, but instead exuded a captivating aura. In her hand was still a transparent wine glass, which was slightly tilted, with a few drops of pale blue dew gathering on the rim, slowly dripping onto the floor.

  Qin Yuxian seems to have gotten drunk.

  Qin Hao was puzzled. Most of the drinks tonight were fruit wines, which weren't easy to get drunk on. How did Qin Yuxian end up in this state after just leaving for a little while?

  Qin Yuxian walked over, gently pried open Qin Yuxian's hand, took the wine cup and sniffed it, suddenly feeling extremely helpless. This wine seemed to be different from the ones he had drunk earlier, and upon closer inspection, under Qin Yuxian's chair was an empty wine jug...

  Qin Hao's face turned black with rage. It seemed that this wine was provided by Ji Fan, and Qin Yuxian had even drunk a whole jar of it...

  Qin Hao really didn't understand, how could the mature and steady Ji Fan do such a thing? And how could Qin Yuxian, who was usually somewhat cold and indifferent, suddenly drink so much wine?

  Qin Hao hadn't figured it out yet, but Qin Yuxian seemed to have come back to her senses. Her eyes stared at Qin Hao, and she smiled foolishly, hugging the wine jar into her arms, with her small face pressed tightly against the wall of the jar, a look of satisfaction on her face.

  Qin Hao rubbed his forehead, a wave of headache. Looks like he really got drunk.

  Qin Hao leaned in close and coaxed Qin Yuxian, "Yuxian, we're going back."

  "Where are you going? What are you going to do?" Qin Yuxian's eyes seemed to be on guard against Qin Hao, and the arm holding the jar tightened slightly.

  "Go home and drink." Qin Hao coaxed like a little girl, quietly opening Qin Yuxian's hand and putting the wine jar aside.

  "Drink? Ice blue fruit wine?" Qin Yuxian asked excitedly.

  Ice Blue Fruit Wine? It seems that this is the name of the wine she drinks. Qin Hao, who was feeling depressed in his heart, still didn't forget to show a warm smile to Qin Yu Xian and said: "Yes, it's Ice Blue Fruit Wine. We have a lot at home!"

  Qin Yuxian's eyes suddenly lit up. She stood up, smiling foolishly and said: "Okay, okay, let's go home..." As she spoke, she walked out, but after a few steps, her body swayed and her feet stumbled, almost falling to one side.

  Qin Hao hurried over to support her and asked softly, "Why don't I carry you back?"

  Qin Hao turned around, with his back facing Qin Yuxian, and crouched down tentatively.

  Qin Yuxian seemed to have gotten a bit tipsy and, without thinking, leaned against Qin Hao's body, wrapping her arms around his neck.

  Qin Hao let out a bitter laugh, really not knowing how to deal with Ji Fan anymore. That guy had caused him trouble, and by rights he should be very displeased. But if Qin Yu Xian hadn't gotten drunk like this, his attitude towards him wouldn't have been like this either.

  He's really a pitiful brother. Usually, Qin Yuxian is cold and distant towards him, not even willing to say a few more words, only when she's drunk does she act like a little sister and rely on him.

  Thinking of this, Qin Hao felt both depressed and helpless.

  Perhaps he should thank Ji Fan? Qin Hao thought with a bitter smile.

  Qin Hao tightened his arm, letting Qin Yuxian's body lean in closer. A faint blue fragrance wafted around the edges of his sleeve, and on his skin was Yuxian's warm and gentle body. At this moment, Qin Hao suddenly felt a sense of solidity wash over him.

  He gathered his disheveled thoughts and carried Qin Yuxian out of the city lord's manor.

  Qin Hao carried Qin Yuxian on his back and walked slowly along the main road in the city.

  The night had already deepened, and the shops and wine houses on both sides were all closed. The street was also deserted, with only a faint light from a few households shining quietly on the stone road.

  Qin Hao carried Qin Yuxian on his back, feeling a sense of peace in his heart.

  All the way, Qin Yuxian asked a lot of questions, and Qin Hao also patiently coaxed her. After a long time, Qin Yuxian finally fell asleep on Qin Hao's back. Qin Hao turned his head and looked at Qin Yuxian who was sleeping quietly.

  At this moment, Qin Yuxian's little head is leaning on Qin Hao's right shoulder, her eyes are tightly closed, and her long eyelashes occasionally flicker with a slight tremble. Her delicate face has a rosy glow, looking very cute. Occasionally, she smacks her lips, apparently sleeping very soundly.

  On the side of her face, there was a small patch of moisture. Upon closer inspection, one could see that at the corner of Qin Yuxian's mouth, a thread of saliva glistened like silver.

  A gust of wind came, blowing up Qin Yuxian's few strands of hair, her full head of beautiful hair dancing lightly with the wind, a few strands of hair with a hint of fragrance brushing against Qin Hao's cheek.

  Qin Hao's heart suddenly trembled.

  Yu Xian was after all just a fourteen-year-old girl. She usually looked calm and mature, even Qin Hao would sometimes forget her age.

  Qin Yuxian bears a lot of burden in the Qin family. Managing the Qin family's martial arts arena, instructing the younger generation's martial skills, and outside, representing the young generation of the Qin family, dealing with people like Lin Bi who harbor evil intentions towards the Qin family.

  Is she really as mature and calm as she looks? Can she easily handle these things? Qin Hao knew the answer all too well. At this moment, Qin Yuexian had shed her usual mask, lost her usual coldness, and gained a bit of the loveliness and cuteness that was unique to girls of her age. Qin Hao thought that this version of Qin Yuexian looked even better than usual.

  Qin Hao made a silent vow in his heart, no matter what, he would not be as naive and childish as before in this life, these things, from now on, would be shouldered by him.

  Qin Hao walked closer to Qin Yuxian and continued to move forward at a steady pace.

  Walking to the end of the main road, Qin Hao turned into a small path. Following this small path and walking to the end before turning around would lead to the Qin Manor.

  The path is not very flat, with some potholes and unevenness, and the lights on the path are sparse, making it difficult to move forward.

  Afraid of startling Qin Yuxian awake, Qin Hao carefully avoided the potholes and moved forward with extreme caution, one step at a time.

  Not far from walking, a figure emerged from the darkness at the corner of the wall in front.

  Qin Hao narrowed his eyes slightly, and when the man's face was fully revealed from the darkness, he couldn't help but reveal a hint of cold smile.

  "Master Lin, so interested in waiting for me here?" Qin Hao sneered and asked.

  That man was none other than Lin Feilin, the young master who had a conflict with Qin Hao.

  Lin moved his body, exercising each part of it, revealing a mouthful of white teeth, and smiled gloomily: "Qin Hao, aren't you very arrogant? That's right, I'm here specifically waiting for you."

  Lin returned home in a hurry as soon as he left the city lord's mansion, and told his father about the Feng Qi Sect's quota for assessment and the extreme martial arts technique taken out by the city lord, and also mentioned his conflict with Qin Hao.

  The assessment quota and the extreme martial arts, really shocked Lin Zhanbei. Busy finding a few elders in the clan to study the situation, Lin Zhanbei naturally didn't have the heart to spend too much time on Lin Bi and Qin Hao's affairs.

  Lin couldn't extinguish the fire in his heart, so he ran out of Lin's house again and walked to this shortcut leading to Qin's house, waiting for Qin Hao's arrival.

  "Oh, what an honor, I don't know what else Lin has to say to you? If it's because of my previous words, and you felt enlightened and came to express gratitude, then there's no need. I just didn't want others to think that everyone in Tianlang City is crazy for doing this."

  "It seems Qin Yuxian has gotten drunk? So your last protective charm is gone too. Now, here, I'd like to see who can help you." Lin Bi revealed a ferocious smile, step by step approaching Qin Hao.

  That's why he didn't rush over immediately, but instead walked slowly, it was because he wanted Qin Hao to gradually feel fear. Lin Bi couldn't wait to see Qin Hao kneel down and beg for mercy.

  "Do you want to take action?" Qin Hao said disdainfully: "Don't forget what Old Man Chen said, he said this matter is settled like this, and you also agreed. If you let Old Man Chen know about your behavior, I don't know if you can bear his methods."

  Qin Hao didn't show any signs of fear at all.

  "There's no one else here, I'll break one of your arms and one of your legs first, then leave immediately. Can you make people believe just by saying a few words? I can also say that the Lin family's enemy knows about our past conflicts and is intentionally targeting you to frame me."

  Lin Bi didn't stop in his tracks and quickly approached Qin Hao within seven steps, while the golden aura on his body also emitted a dazzling light at this time.

  "Oh, since you said that, I'll give you two words." Qin Hao didn't show a hint of fear due to Lin Bi's words. A calm smile floated on his face, and then he spat out two words from his throat: "Idiot."

  "Go ahead and say whatever you want, I'll see if you can still be so arrogant later!" Lin's entire chest was filled with rage at this moment.

  Qin Hao stretched out his hand and casually pointed behind him: "Take a look back there."

  "I'd like to see what other tricks you have up your sleeve." Lin Bi sneered, looking past Qin Hao's back. As soon as he did, his face completely froze.

  Behind Qin Hao, about a dozen steps away, stood a black-clad martial artist, who was staring at him with an icy gaze. Due to the darkness on the small path, the martial artist's all-black attire blended in, and his attention was focused on Qin Hao, so he didn't notice that someone was standing behind Qin Hao from start to finish.

  Although that martial artist seemed to be making no move, Lin Bi knew that the guy could definitely knock him out thoroughly before his fist hit Qin Hao's body.

  He recognized the black-clad guards of the City Lord's manor as warriors.

  Qin Hao looked at him with a mixture of pity and warning, saying: "Do you think Old Man Chen wouldn't have anticipated this move? The guests he invited, if anything were to happen to them after attending his banquet, how would he be able to show his face? I dare tell you, every single guest that old man invited tonight has one or two martial artists like these following closely behind them on their way back."

  Qin Hao knew that the old man must have left some hidden cards from the moment he came out. Therefore, after leaving the city master's mansion, he secretly paid attention and found the guy following him.

  Qin Hao carried Qin Yuxian on his back, bypassed Lin Bi and moved forward, not forgetting to strike Lin Bi: "This is not the time for you to be distracted. I think you'd better come up with a suitable reason to explain to that old man."

  "Are you just going to rely on others?" Lin Bi was struck with indignation from behind.

  "At the banquet you relied on Old Man Chen, now you rely on Hei Yī Wèi. Who will you rely on in the future? Qin Feng? Qin Yu Xian?"

  "It's true, after all, you're no different from a waste product now. The flaws in your technique will forever prevent you from breaking through the Eighth Layer of Condensed Mystique, and even your 14-year-old sister has reached the peak of Condensed Mystique. How can you compare? Lin Bi said this, suddenly feeling a thrill in his heart, and his anger was also vented: "You just continue to hide behind others, relying on others for protection, being a waste product that can only muddle along until death, occasionally reminiscing about the glory of reaching the Eighth Layer of Condensed Mystique at the age of ten."

  Qin Hao's footsteps paused, and he turned back to say: "I'll give you a chance. Two months later, at the martial arts competition, I will attend. If you want revenge, let's see your skills."

  Lin was shocked and then suddenly overjoyed, he didn't think that his few words could make Qin Hao make this decision.

  Looking at Qin Hao's back, Lin Bi thought viciously in her heart: Bastard, two months later I will make you a complete waste of a person.