Li Daoqiang was truly good to this Little Dragon Girl.
At the very least, none of them had ever seen Li Daoqiang treat an outsider so gently. Not even when he dealt with Wan Wan.
Sure, Wan Wan could joke and banter with Li Daoqiang, but weren’t they all sharp-eyed? They could naturally see the difference.
Li Daoqiang’s attitude toward Wan Wan was one of ‘playing around’—a domineering stance where she was dispensable. But toward this Little Dragon Girl, he was genuinely gentle. A kind of tenderness that seemed to care deeply.
Silently and subtly, their thoughts shifted. Their gazes occasionally lingered on the Little Dragon Girl.
Another untouchable person had joined Black Dragon Stronghold.
Wan Wan’s eyes, however, subtly lifted at the corners, unable to lower again.
“Mm.” The Little Dragon Girl paid no attention to the others. She only glanced at Li Daoqiang’s face, avoiding his eyes, then lightly nodded, her lashes drooping. There was no trace of the murderous intent or hatred she’d shown toward Nian Lian Dan and the others, as if their fate had nothing to do with her.
This reaction naturally didn’t escape the notice of the observant.
Li Daoqiang acted as if he hadn’t noticed, his indifferent gaze falling on Nian Lian Dan and the others. Coldly, he said, “Today, you’ve all fallen into my hands. Out of respect for my friendship with Brother Si, I’ll spare your lives. You—go back and tell Brother Si: close friends settle accounts openly. Nian Lian Dan, five hundred thousand taels of silver; that Dharma King, one hundred thousand taels; the rest of you, eighty thousand taels each. Deliver the banknotes to Wu City within three days, and then Nian Lian Dan and the others can leave.”
The man singled out froze for a moment, then quickly nodded repeatedly, nervously hurrying away.
Nian Lian Dan and the others breathed a sigh of relief—at least they wouldn’t be killed. None dared to object. Instead, they immediately offered sincere thanks: “Thank you, Chief, for sparing our lives.”
Ignoring them, Li Daoqiang turned to the Little Dragon Girl with a smile. “Miss Long, I’ve never been fond of killing. Besides, they’re from the Mongol Yuan, so I have to show them some face. That’s why I handled it this way. Do you have any objections?”
Nian Lian Dan, Wan Wan, and the others were left speechless and stifled.
Not fond of killing. Showing face.
Ha.
They only felt a domineering air of disregard—disregard for Nian Lian Dan and the others, and a boldness toward the Mongol Yuan behemoth. It was easy to imagine that when Si Hanfei got the news, he’d hand over over six million taels of silver and still thank Li Daoqiang. Not because Li Daoqiang was in the right, but because he was strong—strong enough. Sparing Nian Lian Dan and the others was doing Si Hanfei and the Mongol Yuan a favor. It was a favor forced on them, one they had to accept. Accept, pay up, and say thank you.
In short, it was robbing them and making them say thanks.
At the same time, it was a blatant disregard for everyone present except the Little Dragon Girl—unconcealed, uncaring if they knew, an honest dismissal. A domineering, forceful dismissal. You all know what’s going on, but you have to play along.
The others naturally dared not speak up; any resentment had to be buried deep inside.
Only Wan Wan’s eyes flickered with complexity. A silent flame of defiance rose within her.
She had been ignored! And because of another woman.
This was going too far. Yesterday, he was joking with me; today, I’m air. Her delicate hand clenched, then relaxed, her gaze steadying.
After the Little Dragon Girl calmly shook her head to indicate no objections, Wan Wan’s sweet, innocent smile bloomed, brightening the world around her. “Chief, you’re so good to Miss Long. I’ve never seen anything like it. Miss Long, you’re truly fortunate,” she said with wide, guileless eyes.
Ding Chunqiu and the others tensed, sensing a clash brewing. Without a word, they edged back, unwilling to get involved.
Li Daoqiang glanced at Wan Wan indifferently, as if he hadn’t heard a thing.
Wan Wan breathed a sigh of relief—Li the Bandit didn’t care if she competed. Then she grew more irritated. That bastard was probably waiting for her to compete, hoping she would. Bastard.
Though she didn’t want to play into his hands, she couldn’t hold back anymore. Fine, she’d compete. She’d put this Little Dragon Girl in her place and slap his face. How dare he ignore me for another woman? I’ve never suffered such an insult. Just wait.
Smiling brightly at the Little Dragon Girl, her elfin beauty was no less striking than the latter’s ethereal, otherworldly grace. Side by side, they were a breathtaking sight. Unfortunately, only Li Daoqiang could fully appreciate it. The others deliberately lowered their heads, even Zhou Botong glancing twice before seemingly awed, looking away. It was as if these two stunning women were tigers.
Subtly, the atmosphere grew strange.
The Little Dragon Girl didn’t notice, only looking at Wan Wan with slight confusion. She shook her head, speaking calmly and earnestly, “Miss, you’re mistaken.”
“Wan Wan isn’t mistaken. The Chief is so good to you, Miss Long—aren’t you moved?” Wan Wan chuckled.
The Little Dragon Girl frowned, turning to Li Daoqiang. She felt this was a bit awkward but didn’t know how to respond. After a moment’s thought, she lowered her head and said, “Chief, thank you for saving my life. I can repay you.”
Her earnest tone made everyone instantly believe she truly meant it, asking what she could do to repay him.
“No rush, Miss Long. You’ll have your chance.” Li Daoqiang didn’t stand on ceremony, accepting directly.
The Little Dragon Girl didn’t find anything wrong with that, nodding in agreement.
Wan Wan’s brow furrowed inwardly. Was she really that naive?
“In that case, Miss Long, if you want to repay the Chief, why not stay with us? That way, you’ll have more chances to show your gratitude,” Wan Wan suggested, looking at her.
The Little Dragon Girl hesitated briefly, then looked at Li Daoqiang.
Seizing the moment, Li Daoqiang said, “Right. Miss Long, your internal injuries are quite severe, and I need enough time to help expel the sword qi. From now on, you’ll travel with me—killing two birds with one stone.”
His blunt, direct words sounded strange to others, as if he were leveraging his favor. But to the Little Dragon Girl, it was perfectly normal. She nodded in agreement.
Li Daoqiang smiled inwardly. As expected, with the Little Dragon Girl, you couldn’t be indirect. Politeness was fake. Only directness worked—she couldn’t refuse.
Then he shot Wan Wan an approving look, acknowledging her role in keeping the Little Dragon Girl.
Wan Wan returned a proud, “praise me” glance, though inwardly she snorted.
Fine, I’ll go along with it for now, score some points. Just watch how I outshine this Miss Long.
“Release Old Imp from his poison,” Li Daoqiang ordered.
“Yes.” Nian Lian Dan didn’t hesitate, producing the antidote.
Zhou Botong took it, and the poison was quickly suppressed. With his own skills, he was mostly fine.
“Old Imp, this incident is no small matter. You’d better head back and report to Wang Chongyang,” Li Daoqiang said with a faint smile.
Zhou Botong glanced at the Little Dragon Girl, wanting to say something but holding back. He nodded vigorously. “Alright, alright, I’ll go now. Thanks, Chief.” After speaking unsteadily, he looked at the Little Dragon Girl and sent a furtive telepathic message: “Little Dragon Girl, be careful. I’ll tell my senior brother about you.”
The Little Dragon Girl looked at him in confusion, as if asking, “Be careful of what?”
Zhou Botong shot a glance at Li Daoqiang, who seemed unruffled, then strode away without another word.
“We’re heading to Wu City,” Li Daoqiang commanded the others. Turning to the Little Dragon Girl, his gaze softened. “Your injuries can’t wait. We’ll go like this—I’ll carry you.”
The Little Dragon Girl glanced at the hand on her shoulder, instinctively struggling and about to refuse. This wasn’t proper.
“Chief, let Wan Wan take Miss Long instead. A big man like you—it’s inconvenient,” Wan Wan said, stepping forward to take the Little Dragon Girl’s hand.
The Little Dragon Girl resisted briefly but then acquiesced.
Li Daoqiang smiled at Wan Wan, who returned an innocent, sweet smile.
After a breath, Li Daoqiang stepped back, saying calmly, “Fine, I’ll suppress the sword qi for now.” A flash of golden light entered the Little Dragon Girl’s body, suppressing the qi, and he withdrew his hand. Then he led the way, walking at the front.
“Miss Long, let’s go.” Wan Wan shook her hand, smiling warmly.
The Little Dragon Girl was puzzled. For some reason, she felt this unfamiliar woman harbored hostility toward her. But the next moment, she dismissed the thought. She had no interest in dwelling on it. Once she repaid the two life-saving debts, she could leave.
The group set off again.
Li Daoqiang at the front.
Wan Wan leading the Little Dragon Girl behind.
Wan Wan still wore a smile, but deep in her starry eyes, a gleam flickered now and then, as if scheming.
The Little Dragon Girl was as calm as still water, quietly moving along.
Ge Shutian, Ding Chunqiu, and the others hung back several zhang, eyes downcast, wisely not looking ahead, keeping their distance as they pondered their own matters.
At the very front, Li Daoqiang was quite satisfied.
The first goal was mostly achieved. He’d smoothly brought the Little Dragon Girl along. Even better, he’d successfully provoked Wan Wan. Both had gotten off to a good start.
After a few breaths, he carefully considered the next steps.
He had a clear plan for the Little Dragon Girl. She wasn’t like other women—she was almost without desires or needs, her thinking and values different. Transactional approaches wouldn’t work with her. To win her over, he had to take it slow, from acquaintance to subtle intimacy, step by step. Otherwise, even if he got her by other means, she’d leave afterward, or even wither away. He had to make her truly willing to marry him.
In short, with a woman like this, he had to start with feelings.
The Little Dragon Girl would likely be his toughest conquest. But he was willing, and she was worth it.
As for Wan Wan, the effect just now was good. He just needed to keep treating the Little Dragon Girl differently and maintain the right balance. It wouldn’t take long. He had that confidence.
(Chapter 1. Thanks to Nuan Yang 1314 for the Platinum reward—first time getting a Platinum reward in years of writing. Thank you. I’ll add extra chapters.)