"Hahaha, is that so? Perfect. It's no wonder I, as the chief, heard of your excellence, Wanwan, and came specifically to find you, to make you my wife. We truly are kindred spirits." Li Daoqiang laughed, a hint of surprise in his voice.
Wanwan's smile froze, and she stared dumbfounded at Li Daoqiang, who showed no restraint, took her words at face value, and soared with them.
Her brows twitched, and then she playfully pouted, "Chief, you're really teasing Wanwan. I'm still young and not ready for marriage yet."
"Marriage has nothing to do with age. You're old enough to wed, Wanwan, and I never joke." Li Daoqiang spoke earnestly, a gentle smile on his face.
Wanwan's heart grew heavier. Could this damned bandit chief be serious?
A chill surged within her, but she feigned coyness, "Then I'd need my master's approval first."
"Chief Zhu is a woman of great wisdom; she won't refuse. Besides, this is between you and me. I'm not marrying your master, so her consent isn't needed. If you agree, Wanwan, I'll handle the rest." Li Daoqiang thumped his chest, brimming with confidence.
Wanwan bit her lip, barely restraining the urge to curse aloud.
Not far away, Shi Feixuan's expression flickered with a hint of strangeness—part amusement, part concern.
Wanwan must be quite frustrated right now, she thought.
Was Li Daoqiang's aim only Wanwan? Or...?
Behind Li Daoqiang, Kou Zhong wore a smirk of schadenfreude. He knew Wanwan well, having been tormented by her before, and now felt a surge of satisfaction.
No matter how cunning you are, when faced with absolute power and a straightforward, unflappable chief like this, you're helpless.
"Alright, for now, I only admire you, Chief, not love you yet. Chief, let's talk about this after I've fallen for you, okay?"
Wanwan stomped her delicate foot, pouted, and spoke with a shy, coquettish tone.
She had no choice but to be more explicit. If she didn't clearly refuse, she feared he'd settle things on the spot.
The thought made her grit her teeth inwardly. This bandit Li was utterly shameless.
"Heh, Wanwan, I have to offer you some advice here." Li Daoqiang smiled, his tone even more earnest, as if he had her best interests at heart.
Wanwan's eyes flickered as she listened intently.
"We're both adults, already at the Grandmaster level. Talking about love or not—isn't that childish?" Li Daoqiang said seriously.
Wanwan's gaze faltered, and even Shi Feixuan's brow twitched, a strange look crossing her face.
Li Daoqiang acted as if he hadn't noticed, continuing solemnly, "What is love? Vague and elusive, troublesome and immature. Marriage is what truly symbolizes a family. I'm this outstanding, and you're equally excellent, Wanwan. Marrying me is a perfect match—proper and natural."
Wanwan's mouth twitched as she watched him spout nonsense with a straight face, fighting the urge to slap him twice.
Shameless.
Too bad she couldn't beat him.
Shi Feixuan furrowed her brow slightly, feeling speechless.
It seemed his sense of shame was... thick.
"Then could you give me some time to think it over?" Wanwan lowered her head, hiding the coldness in her eyes, her voice still playful.
"Of course. I never force women; I only go by mutual consent." Li Daoqiang affirmed without hesitation.
Wanwan was half-convinced but felt a bit relieved. Regardless, she needed to escape first.
Suddenly, a thought struck her, and she giggled, "Chief, what about Sister Shi? She's a rare beauty in this world."
She glanced at Shi Feixuan, blinking innocently.
Shi Feixuan shot Wanwan a flat look, then bowed to Li Daoqiang with a hint of respect, "Feixuan greets the Chief."
That sly, cunning nun, Wanwan cursed inwardly.
"Haha, no need for formalities, Feixuan. Though I'm a peerless expert, I'm still young. We're not far apart in age, so why stand on ceremony?" Li Daoqiang said familiarly, not holding back.
He paused, then added seriously, "I came here precisely because I heard of your and Wanwan's excellence, intending to take you both as my wives. So feel at ease; don't be constrained."
Shi Feixuan's expression remained unchanged, her tone polite yet respectful, "Chief, the accomplished are teachers. Besides, Feixuan is devoted to serving the Buddha and has no interest in worldly matters. I hope you'll understand."
"Don't listen to Sister Shi, Chief. Look, she still has her hair—how can she claim to serve the Buddha? She's just shy for now." Wanwan said with a serious look.
"Practicing with hair is a form of worldly cultivation. You misunderstand, Wanwan." Shi Feixuan replied calmly.
"Heh, Wanwan, don't be mischievous." Li Daoqiang laughed, cutting off Wanwan's retort.
His face turned serious as he looked at the two women, "Feixuan, Wanwan, perhaps my sudden arrival and blunt honesty have led you to misunderstand me. That's normal, given how many slander me in this world. You've heard rumors and formed misconceptions about me—it's only natural. Here, let me clarify things for you."
Shi Feixuan and Wanwan watched him silently—one wary, the other amused.
"I've taken a liking to you both and want to marry you, but I never force women; I only go by mutual consent. Coming to you was just to make my intentions clear. If one day you change your minds or need something from me, come to me. The price will be yourselves. Consider it a bride price. Oh, and one more thing: think carefully. Everyone has their own value; the more outstanding, the greater the worth. If you want me to do something, offer a bride price of equal weight. First, weigh yourselves honestly—what are you worth?—then come to me. Understand?"
Li Daoqiang spoke word by word, smiling earnestly.
So earnest that even Shi Feixuan couldn't help but frown.
For some reason, she felt Li Daoqiang was confident—confident that she would seek him out and willingly marry him.
She quickly dismissed the thought, not daring to dwell on it.
Wanwan felt the same, her heart growing heavier. She feared this bandit Li might deliberately create situations to threaten her.
Though the Yin Gui Sect was powerful and deeply rooted, a young, peerless expert who was also shameless and unscrupulous—if he targeted her—was a real concern.
"Alright, I've said what needed to be said. Feixuan, Wanwan, I'll await your good news."
Li Daoqiang nodded slightly, turned, and walked in one direction.
Ding Chunqiu and the others quickly followed.
Shi Feixuan and Wanwan both froze. He was leaving just like that?
They exchanged glances, seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.
Neither had expected Li Daoqiang to depart so easily.
It seemed he had only come to tell them that one thing.
Or maybe he hadn't come specifically for them—just happened to run into them and mentioned it offhand?
Their minds churned with doubt, unable to be certain.
But setting that aside, recalling that matter, they couldn't help but feel grave.
No one could take a peerless expert's solemn words lightly.
If Li Daoqiang had said it, he must have some confidence.
Unless it was just a casual remark to toy with them. That was even less likely.
"Sister Shi, why don't you try marrying Chief Li?" Wanwan suddenly blinked and giggled.
"You're joking, Wanwan." Shi Feixuan said flatly.
Wanwan parted her lips, then paused, a thought striking her, but she said nothing.
Could this nun really sacrifice herself one day, using Li Daoqiang for the Buddhist sect's benefit?
Even if not for the sect, getting Li Daoqiang to target the Yin Gui Sect was plausible.
Very plausible.
These fake nuns were masters of that game—first seduce, then fight if seduction fails, and marry if you can't win.
Three steps, and what man could resist?
Shi Zhixuan hadn't back then.
The more she thought, the more likely it seemed, and the heavier her heart grew.
That bandit Li was greedy for wealth and lust; he'd definitely fall for it and collude with those fake nuns.
As Wanwan's mind grew heavy, Shi Feixuan was also struck by a similar thought, her mood darkening.
Though Li Daoqiang was a bandit, he hadn't fully descended into evil or heinous acts.
If Wanwan truly agreed to marry him, the consequences would be... unimaginable.
Others might not know, but she did.
Li Daoqiang had already reached the eleventh level of the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art. At his age, achieving such a realm was astonishing and rare in the world.
According to Buddhist elders' estimates, he could reach the true peak—the twelfth level—within a decade.
At that point, he'd be nearly unmatched among peerless experts.
Once he made up for one flaw in the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art, he could enter the Heavenly Realm.
Perhaps Li Daoqiang himself could compensate for that flaw, stepping into the Heavenly Realm upon completing the twelfth level.
Such a being must never fall into evil.
Li Daoqiang had reached this point through firm resolve, but his greed for wealth and lust made him vulnerable. With enough riches and beauty, he might be led astray.
Wanwan and the Yin Gui Sect had exactly that.
The more she thought, the heavier her heart.
She shot a covert glance at Wanwan, silently wary.
She had to inform her master of this, to prevent the Yin Gui Sect from luring Li Daoqiang into evil.
"Wanwan, today's duel is postponed. We'll settle it another day."
With a gentle farewell, she turned and flew away.
Wanwan hesitated, then glanced at the direction Li Daoqiang had gone, suppressing the urge to fight.
Forget it. She'd discuss countermeasures with her master first.
Even if that nun planned to sacrifice herself, it wouldn't happen overnight.
In a flash, the ethereal, elf-like figure vanished.
The forest fell silent once more.
Elsewhere.
Li Daoqiang walked at a leisurely pace, in a fairly good mood.
The seeds had been planted; now he just waited for them to sprout and bear fruit.
Those two would likely reach the peerless expert level—how many bandit points would that be?
Just thinking about it filled him with excitement and anticipation.
(Chapter 2, requesting subscriptions. Novel group: [Xingchen Yu Novel Chat Group], newly established. Feel free to join and chat.)
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