Chapter 192: Heir Apparent Makes a Move, Luo Family Strikes

Ling Ruoxue breathed a sigh of relief only once she was certain Xiao Wenli had gone.

She was still annoyed with Qin Xiao, but decided to warn him anyway.

“Qin Xiao, you need to be careful around this Xiao Wenli.”

Ling Ruoxue warned him.

After warning him, she reminded herself that she was not worried about Qin Xiao. She was only afraid he would drag Man’er into trouble.

“What do you mean?”

Qin Xiao didn’t understand why Ling Ruoxue would suddenly bring this up.

Could the Heir Apparent be petty? Just because he’d refused him, would he seek revenge?

“This Xiao Wenli is very likely the one backing Chen Shunyi.”

Seeing that Qin Xiao was truly thick-headed, Ling Ruoxue spoke plainly.

“Ah? That serious?”

Only then did Qin Xiao catch on. No wonder he’d felt uneasy around the man from the start-so this was Chen Shunyi’s backer. But then why had he tried to recruit him just now? Was it a test? Or something else?

“Then isn’t the Governor-General risking offense by protecting me?”

Qin Xiao asked quietly.

“The situation in Qingzhou isn’t as peaceful as it appears.”

Ling Ruoxue then explained Qingzhou’s circumstances to Qin Xiao.

Once he had heard the explanation, Qin Xiao understood. The Qingzhou Prince had a title but no official authority. His heir likewise held the title without the powers it normally carried, much like Ling Wushuang.

That was only the surface, of course. They were actual members of the imperial family, far above someone merely granted a princely title. They might have no authority, but their status remained.

Qin Xiao did not know what the prince had done to offend the Celestial Emperor and be demoted. But as a former Imperial Prince, how could he be content with a title and no authority? Naturally, he had been building up his influence in Qingzhou.

The prince had infiltrated many parts of Qingzhou, including the ranks of its officials. That was one reason the Governor-General had protected Qin Xiao: he wanted Qin Xiao to draw the prince’s attention while he secretly regained some of that ground.

“Good thing I didn’t agree. That man is a treacherous snake.”

Qin Xiao felt relieved he hadn’t befriended the Heir Apparent. If he’d gotten too close, the Governor-General might abandon him, and in the end, the Heir Apparent would squeeze him dry before disposing of him.

“Don’t worry too much. Even if they want to target you, they can’t easily do it openly. They’ll have to resort to other means. Officially, Qingzhou is still under the Governor-General. Even the Qingzhou Prince can’t deliberately break the law.”

Not wanting Qin Xiao to worry, Ling Ruoxue reassured him.

“Forget it, this place is far too chaotic. I’d better hurry back to Tianyi City. My head isn’t sharp enough for their schemes.” This chapter was copied from novelping(.)com without permission.

Qin Xiao did not mind. He would head back to Tianyi City after the meal. If he could not afford to provoke them, he would simply stay clear.

“That would be wise. The Qingzhou Prince’s influence is concentrated mainly in Qingzhou City. His reach weakens considerably beyond it.”

Hearing that Qin Xiao intended to return to Tianyi City, Ling Ruoxue agreed it was better to avoid confrontation for now.

They ate a little and broke up. Ling Ruoxue was too angry to have much appetite, and she still had to go to the Western District.

Ling Wushuang was going over the news. So much had happened while he was in seclusion.

Yun Man and Qin Xiao wanted to get back to Tianyi City as soon as possible. They could not stay in Qingzhou for now.

After the meal, Ling Wushuang wanted Qin Xiao to visit headquarters, but Qin Xiao refused. This place was too dangerous. Getting out came first.

Ling Wushuang didn’t insist. Indeed, with Xiao Wenli personally involved, leaving first was the sensible choice.

After they parted, Ling Ruoxue prepared to go to the Western District, and Ling Wushuang returned to headquarters. Qin Xiao took Yun Man out of the Inner City, ready to head home.

“Heir Apparent, Qin Xiao has left the Inner City. He’s reached the Middle City now.”

Atop a tall building in the Middle City, an attendant reported to Xiao Wenli.

“He’s finally here. Go, have the Luo Family act.”

Xiao Wenli had already made his arrangements. Acting in the Inner City would be difficult, and the Middle City had imperial guards too. But the Outer City was beyond anyone’s control. He had ordered Qingzhou City’s Luo Family to intercept Qin Xiao there and kill him.

The Luo Family did have a reason to go after Qin Xiao.

In the Secret Realm Quota competition, Qin Xiao had injured two of the Luo Family’s prodigies. Rumors even claimed he had deliberately humiliated the two young women by demanding they become his disciples.

The Luo Family was a major clan in Qingzhou City, a Fourth-Level Force. Its ancestor was at the peak of Soul Formation, and it had many mid-stage Soul Formation elders. The family head was talented and had already reached late-stage Soul Formation.

What did it matter if Qin Xiao had no fear of early-stage Soul Formation cultivators? With several mid-stage experts attacking, he would still be doomed.

This was Qingzhou, not Tianyi City where Ye Qiuyue could shield him. A sudden ambush would leave no time to summon help.

While passing through the Middle City, Qin Xiao sensed someone following him, but he paid it little mind. He’d grown accustomed to being watched wherever he went.

Once they reached the Outer City, Qin Xiao was about to have Yun Man take them away by Sword Flight when four people suddenly rushed out.

“Who are you?”

Qin Xiao looked up. Four strangers barred the way ahead-he didn’t recognize any of them.

“Master, they are all at the mid-stage of Soul Formation.”

Yun Man sensed their cultivation levels first and reported to Qin Xiao. You are reading on novelping . com, the official source.

“Qin Xiao, you humiliated two of our Luo Family’s prodigies. You insulted our entire family! If we don’t kill you today, what dignity will we have left?”

The leader among the four spoke directly.

“Wait! What do you mean, I humiliated your prodigies? I don’t remember humiliating anyone from the Luo Family. Have you got the wrong person?”

Qin Xiao was speechless. Was he the sort to go around humiliating people? He had only ever done that to Fang Xiuxian, and these people were not from the Fang Family.

“Qin Xiao, your excuses won’t help. Our two young ladies happen to be returning home today. The ancestor has sent people to meet them, and they’ll be here soon. The Luo Family does not kill innocent people indiscriminately. You’ll know why you are dying.”

The leader spoke again.

When Qin Xiao had still been a Tianyuan Sect disciple, they naturally had no recourse. Later, with Ye Qiuyue’s protection, they remained helpless. Fortunately, the Heir Apparent had informed them that Qin Xiao had come to Qingzhou today without escort.

Though they’d only intended to teach Qin Xiao a lesson rather than kill him, the ancestor had given orders-Qin Xiao must die. They could only obey.

“Yun Man, have I humiliated the people they mean?”

Qin Xiao was at a loss. He was not that kind of person! Were they just making up an excuse to kill him? Or was that damned heir apparent behind this?

“Master, have you really forgotten, or are you pretending?”

Yun Man was at a loss. Wasn’t this obvious? These were Third and Fourth’s family members.

“What do you mean?”

Qin Xiao began searching his memory. Had he really humiliated someone?

“Third and Fourth.”

Yun Man didn’t bother guessing whether Qin Xiao was playing dumb or genuinely confused-she simply stated it plainly.

“Ah? Aren’t they from the Mysterious Yin Sect? And I never humiliated them! Besides, how was I supposed to know they were from Qingzhou City?”

Qin Xiao had never connected this to his two disciples. Setting aside the fact that he’d never bullied them-these places were separated by considerable distance. Who could have guessed they’d be from Qingzhou City?

“What? Remembered now? We had no intention of killing you originally, but the ancestor has commanded it. Be more careful in your next life.”

The lead elder could tell from Qin Xiao’s expression that he remembered now.

“Misunderstanding! This is truly a misunderstanding! Listen to my explanation!”

Qin Xiao finally realized what the misunderstanding was and called out hastily.

“Misunderstanding? There is no misunderstanding. The young ladies will arrive momentarily. Your excuses mean nothing. Attack-seize this boy first.”

The lead elder thought less of Qin Xiao after hearing his protests. So he dared act but refused to admit it? Perhaps the rumors were not so reliable.

All four immediately attacked, striking toward Qin Xiao and Yun Man together.