Behind Jiang Xuan, Qing Qi looked somewhat puzzled at his back, silently thinking to herself:
【Could it be that Young Master Jiang really has the power to defeat an Earth Martial expert at level nine? If he does indeed have such terrifying strength, exposing this will definitely bring endless trouble in the future. Those top-tier experts won’t give him enough time to grow.
Sigh, just now when he was angry for me, it was so beautiful. I couldn’t help but want to admire it a little longer.】
…
On the other side, holding a wooden sword, Jiang Xuan confidently approached Evil Tiger Wind Demon.
Then, Jiang Xuan struck a pose as if drawing a sword.
He slowly spoke:
“Since I didn’t bring a weapon before, you chased me for so long; it’s time we settled our debts.”
At that moment, the System within said:
“Host, are you sure you want to fight this monster beast head-on? Won’t that be too tough?”
“Tough? You’re still young, System. You don’t know my true strength. I’ve practiced sword-drawing a million times these days.
Watch closely. This next slash will show you my efforts!”
While chatting with the System, Jiang Xuan easily dodged Evil Tiger Wind Demon’s attacks.
Watching behind, Qing Qi was completely focused on Jiang Xuan’s battle, curious about what technique he would use to defeat the beast at Earth Martial level.
Her eyes were fixed on Jiang Xuan’s wooden sword.
In fact, Jiang Xuan hadn’t mastered the ‘Nourish Sword’ technique in Drawing the Sword Technique yet.
He didn’t plan on using it anyway, preferring his own creation.
He covered the wooden sword with 90% of his pure spiritual energy, mostly focused at the tip.
Then, he quietly gathered more spiritual energy.
Once everything was ready, Jiang Xuan said to the System in his mind:
“System, your sword-drawing technique isn’t very useful. Watch me improve it.”
As he spoke, Jiang Xuan dodged Evil Tiger Wind Demon’s attack once more. Seizing the opportunity, he concentrated all his gathered spiritual energy at the sword’s tip.
Then, he drew the sword.
With a terrifying outburst of spiritual energy, the wooden sword shattered at the moment it was drawn.
Jiang Xuan stared dumbfounded at the shards in his hand. Instantly, he felt like the sky had fallen.
While Jiang Xuan was distracted, Evil Tiger Wind Demon took the chance to bite him.
By the time Jiang Xuan realized it, it was too late.
Just then, he saw a tiny stone pierce through the entire head of Evil Tiger Wind Demon, along with the parasitic spider inside, finishing both off.
In shock, Jiang Xuan exclaimed:
【It’s good, Little Qi finally stepped in to save the day. I thought I might get severely hurt, but Little Qi finally stopped playing around.
Now that she’s spilled the beans, how should I react to her next? I really need to think about how a big shot thinks.]
On the other side, Qing Qi, with a black line down her face, thought to herself:
【I overestimated him. That charging strike completely destroyed the wooden sword. What is this?
No worries, though. It’s still under control. That monster beast that ruined my plans deserved it.]
…
After dispatching the beast, the System asked:
“Host, is this your improved sword-drawing technique?”
Jiang Xuan: “……”
If the System hadn’t spoken up, Jiang Xuan almost forgot he showed off earlier.
Feeling quite embarrassed, he responded:
“This move still needs some work. I’ll research it later.”
“Actually, Host, there’s nothing wrong with that technique. It’s very powerful.
If you had a decent sword, you might have already won earlier.”
“Oh? Rarely do you praise me so much. Then, how about you give me a good sword?”
The System: “……”
Hearing Jiang Xuan’s request, the System fell silent again.
Jiang Xuan thought the System must be feeling guilty, hiding something valuable from him.
Deciding to investigate further later, Jiang Xuan’s main focus was figuring out how to deal with the now open Qing Qi.
When Jiang Xuan reached Qing Qi’s side, she excitedly said:
“Big Brother, you’re amazing! I never thought you could k*ll that monster beast in one hit.
I saw it from behind, you used the wooden sword to hide your real strength. Right?
But the wooden sword failed to support your power and could only be used once.”
Jiang Xuan: “? ? ? ? ?”
With her words, a dazed Jiang Xuan thought:
【Why did that monster become my k*ll? What’s Qing Qi trying to say?
Does she not want to break the facade so she’s giving me all the credit?
She’s hard to predict. Oh well, I’ll play along with her wishes.]
Jiang Xuan responded humbly:
“I don’t know what happened myself. The monster dared to hurt you, so in a rage, I burst out some of my strength!
Oh, and how’s your condition? Let me check.
Big Brother, you can relax. My constitution is special, and the injuries have mostly healed.
But… I feel there might still be some lingering effects. Can you carry me back to the small wooden house?”
Nodding immediately, Jiang Xuan said:
“Little Qi, sorry. I got sidetracked by that sudden monster and haven’t made dinner yet. You must be hungry. Once we return, I’ll cook something delicious right away.”
“It’s fine. I’m more concerned about your safety. It’s reassuring that you’re okay…”
Listening to Qing Qi’s concern, even knowing she’s just acting, Jiang Xuan still felt moved.
He wished Qing Qi could keep up the act forever.
Compared with the domineering and sick women he encountered before, Jiang Xuan genuinely preferred Qing Qi’s gentle manner.
In his heart, aware it’s all a dream, he remained alert. To the System, he complained:
[System, System, why did you remind me to clone Little Qi’s root if it was going to fail?
System, you’re doing more harm than good!”]
Scan System: “? ? ? ? ?”
The poor system started scribbling in a corner.
Under the moonlight, Jiang Xuan carrying Qing Qi became a stunning sight.
As they approached the small wooden house, Qing Qi hesitantly whispered in Jiang Xuan’s ear:
“Big Brother, there’s something I wanted to tell you before…”
“You don’t have to say anything, Little Qi. I understand. I’ll stay here with you.”
Qing Qi: “? ? ? ? ?”
Jiang Xuan tensed up when Qing Qi mentioned she had more to say.
Scared she might break the facade and ruin their current situation, he hurriedly interrupted.
All the while, Qing Qi’s tone turned icy:
“Big Brother, you better listen to my request…”
“Ah… what do you want to say? I’m listening…”
“Before that monster interrupted us, I wanted to say that I’d rather be your partner than your stepsister. Are you willing?”
Jiang Xuan: “!!!!!”
Hearing this, Jiang Xuan’s body went cold. He couldn’t help exclaiming in his mind:
【This is bad. Little Qi is done playing nice. There’s no turning back, no matter what I say!
Forced calm, he said lightly:
“Little Qi, before telling your story, let me share a hidden part of my past.”
Behind him, Qing Qi furrowed her brows, nodded lightly, resting her head on his shoulder.
“Sure, I also want to hear more about Big Brother.”
“Little Qi, before meeting you, I likely could have become the Emperor of a small imperial dynasty.
But that wasn’t my wish because of my looks, being different and mocked as a youth. Mother warned me not to leave the courtyard.
I stayed there until adulthood when Mother arranged my marriage to the General’s daughter. She locked me away out of fear.
Trapped, day after day, I was broken down by suffocating love. One day, by chance, I escaped.
Then met a female emperor who took me away, forcing me to be her leader. Defiant, I was beaten unconscious.
When I woke, I found myself with you, Little Qi, and your kindness saved me. Your gentle nature attracts me like no one else.
But I worry this is too good to be true. Worried you might reject me after knowing my past.
Your feelings made me happy, but little do you know—calling you my stepsister is my way of expressing how unworthy I feel.”
Listening to Jiang Xuan, Qing Qi teared up, stunned.
Realizing Jiang Xuan’s hesitation, he inwardly rejoiced:
【Seems my story worked. After cooking her dinner, I’ll get her to rest soon. I need to practice further.
As she replied lovingly:
“No worries, I won’t look down on you, Big Brother…”
Jiang Xuan: “!!!!!!”
