Chapter 261: Lu Qing's Unusual Attitude

“Old Zheng!”

Seeing the Gray-Clothed Big Man sprawled on the ground writhing in agony, even the girl felt stunned. The Red-Clothed Woman and the Lean Small Man were utterly shocked.

They couldn’t believe it—the Gray-Clothed Big Man, a Jin Gu Jing Wan Man cultivator, had been bested by a mere street urchin.

More importantly, they hadn’t even seen how Lu Qing had moved.

One moment, the man was standing firm. The next, a blur—then he was on the ground, limbs shattered, utterly broken.

Their eyes darted fearfully to Lu Qing. They finally understood—this time, they had truly misjudged.

Before them stood a boy who looked frail, but was in truth a predator disguised as prey, his cultivation far exceeding anything they’d imagined.

Lu Qing turned his head toward them.

“Young master…” The Red-Clothed Woman’s heart skipped a beat. She wanted to beg for mercy, but before she could speak, sharp whooshes echoed through the air.

Pain exploded in their limbs. Their bodies collapsed instantly, rolling on the ground, screaming in agony.

Unbeknownst to them, in a single, lightning-fast motion, Lu Qing had shattered every joint in their arms and legs with precise Stone strikes.

“Shut up.”

The soft command cut through the air.

The three screams froze mid-cry. Their bodies jolted violently, silenced by sheer will.

Even as agony tore through their limbs, they bit down hard, grinding their teeth, refusing to utter another sound.

“Alright,” Lu Qing said, turning to the wide-eyed girl. “You may continue. Why did they want to kill you?”

The girl shivered under his calm, unblinking gaze. She snapped back to reality.

She glanced at the three former bullies—now whimpering like dogs on the ground, faces twisted with terror.

It hit her then. This time, she’d truly found salvation.

“Sir,” she stammered, “those three wanted to kill me… to steal the Xuan Xin Zong Token I hold.”

“And what makes this token so special?”

“It’s a token my father bought at great cost,” she explained. “With it, I can attend the Xuan Xin Zong’s recruitment ceremony—held once every three years. They wanted to take it, so they could take my place and participate in the trial.”

Lu Qing tilted his head. “Recruitment is no small matter. Doesn’t Xuan Xin Zong have safeguards? Can anyone really just walk in?”

The girl sighed. “Normally, yes. But my father saved money and bought a cheap, nameless quota. There’s only one token. Whoever holds it can attend the ceremony. Xuan Xin Zong doesn’t question how you got it.”

“…Hmm.”

A strange feeling stirred in Lu Qing’s chest.

It sounded less like a real recruitment, more like a money-making scheme.

“Then why did your father let you travel with them?” Lu Qing pressed.

“Who could’ve thought they’d be so heartless!” Her voice trembled with anger. She glared at the three on the ground.

“They were once grateful to my father. In town, they treated him with respect, even called him brother. But they’d been eyeing my token all along. As soon as we left the valley, they forced me to hand it over. And worse… they even…”

She faltered, her face burning. Though furious, she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

But everyone knew.

“Any last words?” Lu Qing asked, staring at the three.

Their eyes widened in terror.

“Please, young master! We’re sorry! Forgive us! We’ll never do it again!”

But before they could finish begging, Lu Qing flicked three Stones.

A sharp crack split the air.

The three froze mid-scream. Blood bloomed at their foreheads—pierced through the center of their brows. Their eyes glazed over. They were dead before they hit the ground.

“Just arrived in Zhong Zhou, and already another kill,” Lu Qing sighed, shaking his head. “Ma Ye, toss these bodies off the cliff.”

Then he turned to the girl. “Miss Hu, can you walk?”

The girl, still reeling from Lu Qing’s ruthless efficiency, snapped back to attention.

She glanced at her leg, wincing. “My leg… the woman struck me with a whip. I think the bone’s broken.”

“I’ll take a look.”

Lu Qing didn’t hesitate. He placed a hand on her leg.

“Yep. The lower leg bone is fractured.”

Not just fractured—her leg was a mess of torn flesh and blood.

That she’d held out this long without fainting was a testament to her willpower.

“Miss Hu, we have medicine in the carriage. I’ll set your bone and dress the wound.”

“Y-yes…”

Her face flushed crimson. She was embarrassed—her clothes were torn, her body exposed, utterly undignified.

“Zi An, bring the medicine chest.”

Lu Qing didn’t even glance at her discomfort. He simply began the procedure.

With his martial cultivation and deep knowledge of anatomy, resetting a broken leg was effortless.

The bone was only split into two pieces—no splintering. Easy to fix.

By the time Wei Zian arrived with the chest, Lu Qing had already perfectly realigned the bone.

To her astonishment, the process was gentle. She felt almost no pain.

Next, Lu Qing secured the leg with wooden splints, then dusted the wound with Golden Wound Medicine.

“Ah!” The medicine stung. She gasped.

“Hold on,” Lu Qing said calmly. “It’ll hurt less in a moment.”

“Sir… will there be a big scar?” She winced, staring at the ruined flesh.

“Do you mind scars?” Lu Qing asked.

“No… I’m already lucky to be alive thanks to you. I can’t ask for more.” She shook her head, but her eyes betrayed her disappointment.

Lu Qing paused. “No scars? It’s possible. But it’ll take extra effort.”

“Really? You can do it?” Her eyes lit up.

“Mm. But I’ll need to prepare special herbs. You’ll have to wait a while.”

“Thank you, sir!” She bowed deeply, tears welling up.

No girl was indifferent to beauty. She’d thought she’d be left with a lifetime mark. Now, knowing she could be scar-free—she’d do anything to avoid it.

“Done,” Ma Gu announced from outside. He’d returned after dumping the bodies.

“Miss Hu, what are your plans? Would you like us to escort you back to Qinglong City?” Lu Qing asked.

“No…” She shook her head. “The city gate only opens once every seven days. Unless something dire happens, it won’t open. With the gate sealed, I can’t return until then.”

Lu Qing remembered the gate—guarded by dozens of Jin Gu Jing warriors.

No way a single girl could persuade them to open it early.

But they couldn’t wait seven days either.

Was this fate’s design?

A faint, curious glint flickered in Lu Qing’s eyes. He smiled slightly.

“Then, if you don’t mind, Miss Hu, why not travel with us? We’ll keep you safe along the way.”

She had been afraid—worried they’d just leave her here.

Now, she beamed. “Thank you, sir!”

“Right. Let’s keep moving. Miss Hu, forgive me.”

Lu Qing bent down, lifted her gently, and carried her toward the carriage.

“Master,” he explained as they reached the vehicle, “this young lady’s leg is injured. With no one around, leaving her alone would be dangerous. She’ll have to travel with us for now.”

“No problem. We’ll make room,” Old Doctor said calmly.

He’d already heard everything.

Blushing, Hu Ze Zhi was carried inside and settled near the back. Wei Zian climbed in after her.

The carriage was spacious—just barely enough for all of them.

“Ma Ye, we’re ready. Go full speed. Let’s find an inn before nightfall.”

“Full speed?” Ma Gu blinked.

But then he felt it—the subtle ripple of Green Qi Flow in the air.

Understanding dawned. His eyes lit up. He cracked the whip.

The two horses ahead snorted, sensing the change, their hooves lifting with excitement. They began to move—slowly at first, then faster.

Then, like magic, the Green Qi Flow surged around the carriage.

After days of practice, Ma Gu no longer struggled with control.

The carriage accelerated smoothly—first slow, then gathering speed. Within ten breaths, it was flying forward, protected by the flow, moving at incredible velocity.

All of this happened in silence. Inside, no one felt the rush.

The girl was even more confused. She’d expected a bumpy ride, but the carriage felt perfectly steady.

But her mind wasn’t on that.

She was still flustered—mortified—from being carried in by Lu Qing.

And the silence in the carriage made it worse.

“Ah, Miss Hu,” Lu Qing noticed her discomfort and casually changed the subject. “Forgive me, but I never asked your name.”

“Didn’t you know my father?” she asked, surprised.

“We only met once when we entered the city. Hardly acquainted.” Lu Qing smiled.

“Wait—wasn’t this young lady the daughter of the City Guard who collected the entry fee?” Wei Zian suddenly realized.

“Ah… so you and my father weren’t really acquainted?” Hu Ze Zhi understood.

She’d been puzzled—why would her father know someone so powerful? Why had she never heard of him?

Now she knew. He was just a stranger.

That made Lu Qing’s rescue even more meaningful.

A stranger, yet he’d risked everything to save her.

Tears welled in her eyes. “Thank you… thank you for saving me. If not for you…”

“Ah, destiny brought us together,” Lu Qing said lightly. “Meeting us was your fortune. No need for thanks.”

“…My name is Ze Zhi.”

She blushed again at the mention of “fate.”

“Ze Zhi?” Lu Qing frowned. “But back at Qinglong Pass, your father called you Xiao Lian.”

“Wait—you were there?” Hu Ze Zhi blinked.

“Oh, I happened to pass by during the bridge crossing. Overheard your conversation. Apologies if I intruded.”

“Of course not!” She shook her head. “If you hadn’t heard… I’d be dead.”

She glanced at him, then lowered her head. “Xiao Lian… is just my nickname. Father always calls me that.”

“Ah, I see.” Lu Qing nodded. “By the way, I haven’t introduced myself properly. I’m Lu Qing. This is my master, Chen Ye. My little sister is Xiao Yan. And this young master here is Wei Zian of the Wei Family.”

As Lu Qing listed them, the girl didn’t react—but Old Doctor paused. A flicker of unease crossed his face.

He’d sensed something… off.

“Pleased to meet you,” Hu Ze Zhi said politely, bowing despite her injury.

“Please, no need.” Old Doctor smiled, but his unease deepened.

“Big sister,” Xiao Yan asked gently, “does your leg hurt?”

“A little… but the medicine helps.” Hu Ze Zhi smiled warmly.

“Of course! With Brother here, you’ll be fine soon. His and Chen Ye Ye’s medical skills are top-notch. You’ll be back on your feet in no time!” Xiao Yan declared with fierce sincerity.

“Thank you,” Hu Ze Zhi said, smiling. Her beauty was striking.

Xiao Yan stared, dazed.

“Big sister… you’re so pretty!”

Hu Ze Zhi flushed. “You’re sweet too. You’re even cuter than me.”

“Really? When I grow up, will I be as beautiful as you?”

“Absolutely!” She nodded firmly.

Not a lie. Xiao Yan was clearly destined to be a beauty.

Lu Qing watched the two, shaking his head with a small smile.

Then—

A voice echoed in his mind.

“A Qing… what happened? Why are you treating this girl so differently?”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end