Ding Dian returned to Black Dragon Stronghold to continue holding down the fort. He gave Li Daoqiang a slightly curious glance but said nothing and went back directly.
Li Daoqiang glanced at Huang Xuemei, who was still recovering through meditation, then walked out of the room and moved several dozen zhang away. A figure was already waiting there.
"How is the information blockade in Jingzhou City?" Li Daoqiang asked coldly.
The figure bowed respectfully and replied, "The blockade is fully in place, and all factions are cooperating. Within half a month, we can ensure that no news of the Six Finger Villa incident spreads in the city."
Li Daoqiang felt a slight relief and said calmly, "Tell Wang Lin to keep a close watch and report at any time."
"Yes."
The figure acknowledged, and with a slight wave of Li Daoqiang's hand, quickly retreated.
Li Daoqiang looked toward Jingzhou City, a rare trace of worry flickering in his eyes. *I hope I can buy more time.* The longer he delayed, the more confident he was in deepening his bond with Huang Xuemei. Once the feelings were strong enough, he would have a better chance when the time came.
Frowning in thought for a moment, he glanced back at the house and vanished. In just a few breaths, he arrived outside a room.
Inside, Lü Lin was sleeping. Over the past three days, they had traveled thousands of li, which was exhausting even for a martial artist at the Xiantian level. By now, Blood Saber Old Ancestor and the others were completely drained. Sleep was the best way to recover.
Silently entering the room, Li Daoqiang waved his hand, and Lü Lin, already asleep, fell into an even deeper slumber. To make the act complete and guard against any mishaps, Li Daoqiang had come personally for the final confirmation and preparation.
He pulled open Lü Lin's shirt, revealing the clearly visible birthmark. A smile curled at the corner of Li Daoqiang's mouth. *Everything is ready. Time to act. I must win over Huang Xuemei, this proud and aloof plum blossom, in one go.* Turning, he strode out.
Soon, night fell. Li Daoqiang carried a tray into the room where Huang Xuemei was staying.
"Xuemei, take a break and eat something. It will help with your recovery," Li Daoqiang said gently, setting the tray on the table.
Huang Xuemei, still meditating, hesitated for a moment before stopping her practice and stepping down from the bed. She walked to the table and sat down but didn't touch the food. With a serious expression, she said, "The mastermind could strike at any time. I've recovered more than half. It's better to go to Black Dragon Stronghold."
In her eyes, Li Daoqiang had deliberately come here to avoid the mastermind, giving her time to recover—even sacrificing the safety of Black Dragon Stronghold to some extent. She felt a bit guilty and couldn't help suggesting they return.
Li Daoqiang, of course, had no intention of going back to Black Dragon Stronghold now. It was far less safe there; He Qinghua could get word at any moment and attack. As for the mastermind's assault, he wasn't worried. First, time was on his side—he was fast enough and expected to return in a day or two. Second, he trusted his perception; most of Floating Cloud Mountain Range was within his sensing range, so he wasn't concerned about a surprise attack on the stronghold. Third, if the mastermind truly wanted to kill Huang Xuemei, they'd first need to find her, not stir up trouble by attacking the stronghold.
"Don't worry, I have it under control. Eat first. After dinner, I have something important to tell you," Li Daoqiang said with a serious smile.
Huang Xuemei frowned, curious, but she wasn't one to press for answers, so she simply nodded.
Li Daoqiang clapped his hands, and several servants entered with dishes, laying out a full table. Of course, he would eat with Huang Xuemei, so it couldn't be just one or two dishes. Carrying the tray himself was just a gesture to win her favor. He wasn't skilled at wooing women, but he figured being attentive and seizing every opportunity couldn't be wrong.
"It's not much. Give it a try," Li Daoqiang said.
He meant it. Though the dishes were infused with nourishing herbs, Black Dragon Stronghold had risen too quickly and lacked deep resources. Truly good medicinal ingredients were scarce—something the entire world was short of, and money alone couldn't buy them.
Huang Xuemei glanced at the table, her eyes pausing briefly, a trace of softness flickering deep within. She looked away from Li Daoqiang and said calmly, "It's already very good."
"Don't hold back. Eat," Li Daoqiang said with a laugh, picking up his chopsticks first.
Huang Xuemei squeezed her slender, jade-like hands, suppressing the urge to flee in nervousness, and began to eat. Soon, she set down her chopsticks, having eaten little. Li Daoqiang didn't press her. After the servants cleared the table, his expression turned serious as he looked at Huang Xuemei. "Xuemei, your injuries have stabilized. It's time to tell you about your brother."
Huang Xuemei, who had been keeping her eyes downcast, avoiding Li Daoqiang's gaze, perked up and looked at him. She didn't speak, but her excitement and anticipation were clear, mixed with some unease.
Li Daoqiang patted her shoulder, signaling her to calm down, and stood up. "Come, I'll take you to see him."
Huang Xuemei immediately rose, steadying her breathing, and followed quickly.
He led her to Lü Lin's room, where Lü Lin was still sound asleep. Walking to the bedside, Huang Xuemei stared intently at the figure she had seen many times before. Confusion, doubt, tension—all these emotions swirled within her.
Li Daoqiang pointed at Lü Lin's chest and stepped back a few paces.
Huang Xuemei suddenly felt a pang of fear, afraid it was all a lie. Taking a deep breath, her resilient nature kept her outwardly calm as she stepped forward and pulled open Lü Lin's shirt. The birthmark, etched deeply in her memory, came into view.
In an instant, Huang Xuemei froze. Her fingers trembled slightly as she reached out to touch the mark. *It's real. It's real. It's Xiao Lin.* Under her slightly ragged breaths, her heart quaked. Her usually cold or calm eyes reddened. Her other hand reached out to touch Lü Lin's cheek.
Joy, excitement, and a lingering fear and confusion washed over her. She was terrified thinking back to how she had chosen Lü Tengkong to deliver the escort, nearly costing both him and Lü Lin their lives. The confusion came from suddenly not knowing how to face him.
Li Daoqiang turned and walked out, saying softly, "I'll wait outside. It's best not to tell Lü Lin the truth for now."
Once he left, Huang Xuemei couldn't hold back any longer. Tears streamed down her face as she stared blankly at Lü Lin.
Outside, Li Daoqiang looked up at the bright moon in the sky. Someone like Huang Xuemei needed time alone—to vent her emotions and calm down. He waited patiently, mentally rehearsing what he would say next.
About half an hour later, Huang Xuemei emerged, her expression calm, still like the proud plum blossom standing in the cold wind. But Li Daoqiang keenly sensed a change in her. Her aura had lost some of its lifeless coldness, replaced by a hint of lightness and joy.
"Xuemei, congratulations," Li Daoqiang said with a smile. This version of Huang Xuemei was undoubtedly more to his liking and easier to bond with.
Huang Xuemei looked at him seriously and suddenly said, "Thank you."
"This is what I promised you. And by chance, Lü Lin has become a member of Black Dragon Stronghold. It's fate—the fate that we're meant to be family," Li Daoqiang said with a grin.
Huang Xuemei had never faced such words before. If it were anyone else, she would have struck them dead. But the one saying this was the man she had already agreed to marry. Coupled with her joyful mood, she could only turn her head away. A faint blush crept up her slender neck.
Li Daoqiang's eyes lit up. *Truly beautiful.* Under the moonlight, a shy yet composed Huang Xuemei was breathtakingly lovely—almost unreal, like a goddess from the moon.
Feeling his gaze on her, Huang Xuemei grew even more uncomfortable and had to speak up. "Xiao Lin... what exactly happened?"
"It's quite a coincidence," Li Daoqiang began, reciting the story he had rehearsed many times. "As you know, Black Dragon Stronghold rose quickly and has been recruiting experts. At the Han Mansion, I took him in partly because the stronghold needed him and partly because I was moved by Lü Tengkong's love for his wife. After taking his family in, I naturally investigated their background. Through various inquiries, I found that Lü Lin's origins were suspicious."
He paused, then continued seriously, "Lü Lin first appeared in the Lü family when he was at least two or three years old, as if he suddenly showed up. I suspected he wasn't Lü Tengkong's biological son. He also had a master named Chi Lai. According to my investigation, Chi Lai visited your home back then and was a close friend of Lü Tengkong. Initially, I didn't pay much attention to all this."
Smiling, he added, "But perhaps it was fate. I overheard Zhu Yuyan saying that your brother's body hadn't been found. That made me think of Lü Lin. Lü Lin, Huang Lin—even the names are similar. If one coincidence is a coincidence, and two are also a coincidence, then three or four coincidences—I absolutely refuse to believe they're still coincidences. So I took a gamble. Luckily, you trusted me."
Huang Xuemei listened carefully. When he finished, she felt a sense of clarity. *Could it really be fate?* She couldn't help but feel that way. Lü Lin's family had been saved by Li Daoqiang, taken in as his subordinates, and investigated. Then Li Daoqiang heard Zhu Yuyan's words and boldly guessed Lü Lin's true identity. Using that, he convinced her and truly protected her before tens of thousands of martial artists and over a dozen grandmasters. And now, she was reunited with Xiao Lin. Each step seemed like a twist of fate.
As for doubt, there was none. The story was clear and straightforward. Li Daoqiang had no reason to deceive her.
"Xuemei, no matter what you think, as your husband and Xiao Lin's brother-in-law, I want to offer a suggestion," Li Daoqiang said, breaking the silence as Huang Xuemei remained lost in thought.
Hearing those terms, Huang Xuemei's heart pounded heavily, feeling very uncomfortable. But she held back, maintaining her composure. "What is it?"
"I think you shouldn't reveal yourself to Xiao Lin just yet," Li Daoqiang said seriously.
(Thank you for your support.) ………………