"As for Dongfang Bai, don't have any further dealings with him. If he contacts you again, let me know." Li Daoqiang said with implication.
He Qinghua's gaze flickered, looking at him with some oddity. "You're not thinking of robbing him, are you?"
"What about it?" Li Daoqiang didn't deny it, instead retorting with righteous indignation.
"You really are addicted to robbery. You see a grandmaster and want to rob them." He Qinghua shot him a glare, a strange feeling stirring within her.
Robbery itself wasn't exactly a good word.
Even He Qinghua, who deeply understood the law of the jungle, would never casually utter the word "robbery."
Many in the martial world, whether righteous or demonic, would come up with excuses for their actions.
But this guy Li Daoqiang didn't care at all. Instead, he seemed almost proud of being a robber, completely shameless.
On the other hand, the thought of robbing a grandmaster made her feel a surge of boldness.
That kind of domineering strength fascinated her.
Put together, it was just strange.
Li Daoqiang laughed at her words. "I'm a bandit by nature. It's my profession, so of course I'm addicted.
Besides, what do you know? If I don't rob enough grandmasters, how will I have enough money to support all of you?"
When He Qinghua heard that, especially the words "all of you," her expression soured. She said coldly and proudly, "Pah, I don't need your support."
"Fine, you said it yourself—you don't need my support." Li Daoqiang didn't push at all, a hint of teasing in his tone.
"You!"
He Qinghua grew even angrier, glaring with puffed-up cheeks.
"Alright, I'm done teasing you. Remember, if Dongfang Bai contacts you, notify me. Don't initiate any contact with him from now on.
And as for the Heavenly Demon Qin, you must not get involved anymore. Find a place to hide—right here in my Black Dragon Stronghold." Li Daoqiang said seriously.
"I'm not afraid, and don't think you can make me enter the Black Dragon Stronghold to become your plaything." He Qinghua lifted her chin, stubbornly retorting.
Li Daoqiang tightened his grip slightly, his tone growing more severe and unyielding. "You don't have to enter the stronghold, but you must stay in Jingzhou City."
He Qinghua wanted to argue further, but meeting his gaze, she eventually turned her head and said nothing.
Li Daoqiang knew that was her tacit agreement. His tone softened. "Don't rush to improve your strength. Trust me, before long, I'll get you a suitable divine technique manual."
A flicker of joy rose in He Qinghua's heart, but she still said nothing, pretending to be indifferent.
Li Daoqiang didn't mind. Women always liked to be stubborn, and He Qinghua was especially so.
He reached out a hand, lifted her delicate chin, and kissed her deeply.
He Qinghua immediately resisted weakly, but against Li Daoqiang's immense strength, she could only helplessly endure.
"Don't... not here."
He Qinghua gritted her teeth, holding onto her last shred of resolve.
Li Daoqiang's hands kept moving, pausing only briefly to speak. "It's fine. The sky as our blanket, the earth as our bed—that's the joy of life. And no one will know."
With that, he continued, giving He Qinghua no chance to argue.
Helplessness flickered across He Qinghua's face. She glared at him a few times before surrendering.
About half an hour later, in a flat stretch of forest, Li Daoqiang held He Qinghua, stroking her delicate skin as he said with satisfaction, "Qinghua, are you sure you won't come back to the Black Dragon Stronghold with me? Think it over."
After their intimacy, he felt a bit softhearted and couldn't help reminding her again.
"No." Without hesitation, He Qinghua, eyes closed and resting, said firmly.
"Fine, as you wish." Li Daoqiang didn't insist, even feeling a bit relieved.
Good that she wasn't coming—it saved trouble later.
"For now, stay in Jingzhou City. Let the Flying Swallow Sect handle their own relocation." Li Daoqiang instructed seriously.
"I know. So naggy." He Qinghua said impatiently.
"Heh." Li Daoqiang laughed, his hands starting to move again. "Alright, I'm naggy? I'll make you beg for mercy. Let's see if you dare call me naggy then."
Hearing that, He Qinghua opened her eyes and resisted.
But resistance was futile. Seeing this, as if provoked by pride, she threw caution to the wind, lifting her chin and saying, "Fine, bring it on. Let's see how you make me beg for mercy."
"I love your never-say-die attitude. If I don't make you beg for mercy today, my name isn't Li Daoqiang." His interest grew even stronger. His vigorous, dragon-like physique gave him boundless confidence.
A few hours later, Li Daoqiang emerged from the forest, looking refreshed and invigorated.
As for He Qinghua...
Thinking back to the scene, Li Daoqiang smiled smugly.
The tenth level of the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art—did they think it was a joke?
I'm not an ox; I'm a divine dragon, a giant elephant.
How could a single patch of land stump me?
Ridiculous.
The proud and aloof He Qinghua, too ashamed to face him, had gone to Jingzhou City.
This time, his virile display made him prouder than overpowering her with force.
Let's see if He Qinghua dared to talk back to him again.
He'd definitely tame her.
Chest out, head high, he leisurely made his way back to the Black Dragon Stronghold, in high spirits.
Suddenly, he felt more confident than ever about building a grand harem in the future.
When he returned to the stronghold, Lü Tengkong and his wife had arrived, along with a young man.
"Chieftain." Lü Tengkong and his wife bowed.
Li Daoqiang gestured for them to rise, turning his gaze to the young man.
"Chieftain, this is my son, Lü Lin. Lin'er, greet the chieftain." Lü Tengkong quickly said.
He had only found Lü Lin today and brought him to the stronghold.
"Lü Lin greets the chieftain. Thank you for saving my mother. I'll go through fire and water without hesitation." Lü Lin clasped his hands solemnly.
His tone carried sincere gratitude but also youthful arrogance.
Toward Li Daoqiang, he felt more curiosity than awe.
Li Daoqiang noticed but didn't mind. He always had a more magnanimous attitude toward certain people.
Lü Lin was one of them.
He gave him a once-over and smiled slightly. "Not bad. Like father, like son. From now on, we're family. No need for thanks.
Just train hard and contribute to the stronghold."
Lü Tengkong breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the chieftain was fairly satisfied with Lin'er.
He quickly signaled Lü Lin with a glance.
Lü Lin understood and immediately said, "Thank you for the praise, Chieftain. I will train hard and serve our Black Dragon Stronghold."
He stumbled a bit over the words but managed to say them.
Li Daoqiang grew even more satisfied.
Though young and proud, he could still face reality, showed gratitude, and wasn't ungrateful. That was enough.
He could be molded over time.
Li Daoqiang nodded slowly. "Good. Familiarize yourself with the stronghold's rules quickly. But let me tell you one of our rules:
No one in the Black Dragon Stronghold will ever be bullied. No one.
So train hard and reach the grandmaster realm as soon as possible. I believe you can do it."
Instantly, Lü Lin felt a surge of excitement.
Those words were truly inspiring!
He clasped his hands and bowed. "Lü Lin will not disappoint the chieftain's expectations. I will break through to the grandmaster realm as soon as possible."
Off to the side, Lü Tengkong and Ximen Yiniang exchanged a glance, both showing a hint of helplessness.
Lü Lin was still too young.
A few words, and he was already won over.
But they didn't feel bad about it. In fact, they were somewhat relieved.
They had worried that Lin'er, being young, might look down on the bandit identity.
Now it seemed he could accept it. That was good.
"Mm. Accumulate merits. With enough contributions, the chieftain and the stronghold will do everything to help you break through to the grandmaster realm." Li Daoqiang encouraged with a smile.
"Yes." Lü Lin replied eagerly, full of confidence.
Though he wasn't fond of the bandit identity either,
compared to the debt of gratitude for saving his mother, it meant nothing.
And before him stood the renowned Li Daoqiang, a top-tier expert of the world, young and legendary.
He had saved his mother and praised him. Lü Lin respected him and even felt a hint of admiration.
Under these circumstances, he accepted it.
(Thank you for your support. Not sure why, but today's update took a long time to show up.)
…………