His arms lowered.
Under the crescent moon's clear glow, flower trees piled snow like a drift of petals.
A face no larger than a palm was exquisitely beautiful, beyond worldly standards—her complexion pale and smooth, skin like translucent jade, fair as pure snow.
Graceful as water and wood, gentle and light as a breeze.
Li Daoqiang gazed at her, silently praising her as a true beauty of unparalleled allure.
But at this moment, that stunning face was filled with stubbornness, beneath which lay despair and panic.
Her star-like eyes were veiled with a mist of tears.
She looked pitifully charming.
Especially paired with her somewhat aloof demeanor, it lent her a unique kind of beauty and allure.
Li Daoqiang curled his lips, intrigued, and said, "Not bad-looking, but your mind's a bit off."
"Your mind's the one that's off." Mu Wanqing shot back coldly.
Li Daoqiang's gaze turned icy, his eyes sharp as blades, and he said flatly, "Don't test my patience, Chief. I'm not a good man."
"Fine, then just kill me." Mu Wanqing lifted her delicate chin, unafraid.
Her eyes still glared stubbornly at Li Daoqiang.
Li Daoqiang found it amusing. Indeed, with Mu Wanqing, you had to break her pride from the start.
She was a fiercely jealous, stubborn, and somewhat naive girl, ignorant of worldly ways and sharp-tongued.
If he didn't crush her arrogance, she'd be nothing but trouble.
Suddenly, a smile spread across his face as he looked her over, taking in her slender, well-proportioned figure.
As if intrigued, he said, "Such a beauty—it'd be a shame to kill you. Well, meeting me is your luck.
Consider yourself my mountain stronghold's lady."
"Hmph, I'd never be a bandit's wife. Just kill me now." Mu Wanqing felt even more despair. He was a robber.
She lifted her snow-white neck, closed her eyes, and spoke with cold, desperate resolve.
Li Daoqiang stepped forward with an amused expression, casually waving his hand. Mu Wanqing felt her body uncontrollably fall from the horse, letting out a startled cry.
But she immediately clamped her mouth shut, unwilling to show weakness.
Still, she closed her eyes again, lifted her chin, and put on a defiant "just kill me" look.
Up close, Li Daoqiang couldn't help but chuckle at her demeanor. After a moment's thought, he reached out and grasped her elegant neck.
His tone turned slightly cold as he leaned in, "Do you really want to die? Don't think your beauty will stop me from killing you. And even if you're pretty, if I want, you'll die ugly."
Mu Wanqing's heart trembled, an inexplicable fear rising within her.
Her slender, fair hands clenched tightly, trembling slightly.
But she suppressed her instinctive fear of death and ugliness, her face pale as she squeezed her eyes shut and gritted out, "Do it. Do as you please."
Li Daoqiang took a light sniff of her faint fragrance, then suddenly leaned in and kissed her petal-like lips.
Then he let go.
Mu Wanqing froze for a moment, then her eyes flew wide open. Her face paled, then flushed crimson.
She covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes blazing with fury, nearly breaking down: "You—you shameless—"
"You said 'do as you please,'" Li Daoqiang said calmly with a light laugh.
"A gentleman would rather die than be humiliated. You lecher—I'll kill you!" Mu Wanqing, enraged, raised her hand to strike Li Daoqiang.
In an instant, Li Daoqiang appeared several yards away.
Mu Wanqing shot a sleeve arrow, but he casually knocked it aside.
Seeing his calm, unhurried smile, Mu Wanqing completely broke down, tears streaming uncontrollably.
Gritting her teeth in hatred, she said, "Fine, I can't kill you, but I can kill myself."
With that, she drew her sword and moved to slash her own neck.
Li Daoqiang raised an eyebrow, flicked his hand, and a golden light shot out, shattering the sword without harming Mu Wanqing.
He laughed heartily, then turned and walked away.
"Remember this: don't let me see you again. If I do, I'll kiss you every time. My name is Li Daoqiang—feel free to come find me."
Before his laughter faded, his figure had already vanished over a hundred yards away.
Mu Wanqing, startled, immediately gave chase, but found no trace of him.
She shouted in panic, "You bastard, you shameless wretch—don't you dare leave!"
Her voice echoed, but there was no response.
Tears streamed down Mu Wanqing's face. She stomped her foot, consumed with rage.
Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, her expression turned resolute and stubborn.
She mounted her horse and rode off in the direction Li Daoqiang had disappeared.
Li Daoqiang, I won't let you off.
...
Not far away.
Watching Mu Wanqing ride off in one direction, Li Daoqiang felt a surge of delight.
Flirting with a beauty felt great.
Indeed, a man's spirits lift and his body relaxes only when with a beautiful woman.
He casually ordered, "Keep an eye on her, understand?"
"Yes, I understand, Chief." Blood Saber Old Ancestor immediately replied with a knowing look.
But inwardly, he grumbled.
A top-tier expert of the world, possibly even a supreme master, and here he was, gleefully teasing a young girl.
How undignified.
Why not just take her by force?
Too much trouble.
Always playing games—not human at all.
Li Daoqiang, of course, had no idea what his subordinate was thinking.
If he did, he'd dismiss it outright.
An old lecher who'd done every evil deed and had no home left—what did he know at his age?
He gazed leisurely at the spot where Mu Wanqing had vanished, certain in his mind.
This woman wouldn't escape.
Just a few more rounds of taming, and she'd be his.
Withdrawing his gaze, he looked toward Duan Yu's direction. Time for business.
Over two hours later, Duan Yu was captured and knocked unconscious by Yue Laosan, his guards all killed.
Yue Laosan took Duan Yu to rendezvous with Duan Yanqing.
Li Daoqiang and Blood Saber Old Ancestor followed slowly behind.
The next day.
Li Daoqiang spotted his two targets.
A glint of anticipation flashed in his eyes as he stepped forward.
"You're the Four Evils of Western Xia?"
In a calm voice, Li Daoqiang appeared with Blood Saber Old Ancestor.
"Who goes there!"
The crippled Duan Yanqing's expression shifted, his sharp gaze darting over, a strange voice emanating from his belly.
The other three—Ye Erniang, Yue Laosan, and Yun Zhonghe—all tensed up.
"Black Dragon Stronghold, Li Daoqiang."
Li Daoqiang offered a slight smile, appearing polite.
Instantly, all four changed expressions.
"Li Daoqiang!" Duan Yanqing frowned deeply, heavy wariness in his eyes.
Ye Erniang and Yun Zhonghe immediately raised their weapons.
"Li Daoqiang of Black Dragon Stronghold? You're that rising star everyone's talking about? Perfect, perfect—let's see how you stack up against your Grandpa Yue Laosan of the Southern Sea Crocodile!" Yue Laosan, after a moment's surprise, grew excited, brandishing his shears boisterously.
In an instant, everyone present—including Ye Erniang and Yun Zhonghe—looked at Yue Laosan as if he were an idiot.
Blood Saber Old Ancestor's eyes lit up.
"Third Brother, hold your tongue."
Duan Yanqing's face darkened, and he barked in a low voice.
"Heh."
Li Daoqiang just smiled, his gaze shifting to Yue Laosan.
The next moment, he appeared before Yue Laosan.
"Show mercy."
Duan Yanqing's eyes widened, instinctively thrusting his short staff forward.
But a golden light burst forth, an overwhelming force like a storm, blasting Duan Yanqing and the others back.
Li Daoqiang extended a hand, lightning-fast, and slapped Yue Laosan across the mouth.
"Ahhh!"
With a scream, Yue Laosan's burly frame tumbled several times, a string of bloody teeth and half a piece of flesh flying from his mouth.
He crashed to the ground, immediately clutching his mouth and writhing in pain.
Li Daoqiang smiled calmly. "Can't speak properly? Then what use are your tongue and teeth? I've cleaned them out for you. Use belly speech from now on."
"Ahhh!"
Yue Laosan rolled on the ground in agony, screaming incessantly.
The others felt a chill run down their spines.
Looking at the severed half-tongue and dozens of teeth, even the three Evils and Blood Saber Old Ancestor—all hardened killers—felt a creeping dread.
Except for Duan Yanqing, even Blood Saber Old Ancestor showed a flicker of fear.
Duan Yanqing narrowed his eyes, then said calmly, "Third Brother was out of line. This punishment is deserved. I ask Chief Li to show leniency."
That casual slap had sent him reeling.
The overwhelming power told him he was no match.
So this was the real Li Daoqiang. He had to endure and bow his head.
"Well said." Li Daoqiang responded with a faint smile.
He looked at Duan Yu, still unconscious on Yun Zhonghe's shoulder, and said with a smile, "Wake him up."
Yun Zhonghe stepped back in fear, not daring to argue, and nervously looked at Duan Yanqing.
Duan Yanqing's heart grew heavier. He asked, "What does Chief Li intend to do?"
Li Daoqiang raised an eyebrow, looking puzzled at Yun Zhonghe. "Didn't you hear me?"
Yun Zhonghe trembled, then stammered obediently, "I—I heard."
"Then why aren't you doing it?" Li Daoqiang said with a smile.
"Doing it—right away." Yun Zhonghe, pale-faced, ignored Duan Yanqing and nodded frantically.
Duan Yanqing's face darkened like water, but he still nodded.
Yun Zhonghe, not daring to hesitate, woke Duan Yu.
Duan Yu stirred, disoriented, then took in the scene and showed a panicked expression.
"Who—who are you?"
He then saw Yue Laosan, who had been immobilized and was barely suppressing his pain, looking wretched, and jumped back in fright.
"You must be Duan Yu, the Crown Prince of Dali, right?" Li Daoqiang said with a smile, clasping his hands in greeting.
Seeing Li Daoqiang's friendly demeanor, Duan Yu suppressed his panic, nodded, and returned the gesture. "I am Duan Yu. May I ask, sir, who are you...?"
"Heh, Brother Duan, let me explain the situation."
Li Daoqiang stepped forward warmly. "These are the Four Evils, as you probably know. They captured you to threaten your father and uncle.
I happened upon them and thought to rescue you."
Hearing this, Duan Yanqing's face twisted, his hands gripping his crutches tightly, but he said nothing.
Ye Erniang and Yun Zhonghe naturally had no objections.
Duan Yu was first startled, casting a fearful glance at the Four Evils, then overjoyed, bowing solemnly. "Thank you, sir, for saving me."
"Don't thank me yet—I haven't saved you." Li Daoqiang waved a hand with a smile.
Duan Yu froze, looking at Li Daoqiang in confusion.
The others did the same.
Only Blood Saber Old Ancestor's brows twitched, a hint of oddity in his expression.
(Chapter 1, thanks for your support, please subscribe.)
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