Chapter 55: They Might Be Making Out Outdoors

"What's wrong, don't believe me?" Su Muqing pressed her lips together in a smile. "My brother is the next head of the Su family. Many media outlets in Jinling, like Jinling TV and the Jinling Evening News, are under our control. Spreading a piece of news isn't as difficult as you might think."

Qin Xuan understood at once. No wonder. With control over media channels, a message could indeed spread throughout Jinling overnight.

"Don't worry. Tomorrow you can just join them for military training. Actually, when I left the school just now, the school leaders were already a bit swayed by what I said…"

"Thank you," Qin Xuan nodded.

"No need for thanks. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been targeted by Li Shihao in the first place. It's only right that I help you." Su Muqing's smile bloomed.

"Alright then. It's already so late—do you want to head home first?" Qin Xuan said, but as he looked at the torn dress Su Muqing wore, he couldn't help but frown. "Is it convenient? If you'd like, I could give you a ride."

"No, it's fine. I'll just call my family," Su Muqing shook her head.

"I can't just leave you here alone to wait for a ride, not in your current state. Besides, I don't want to run into those police again on the way back…" Qin Xuan frowned, drawing the Taiqing Sword once more. "Come with me, let's cross this slope to the mountain road on the other side."

"It's really not necessary, Qin Xuan. I can just double back and wait. Earlier… earlier I only chased after you to apologize." As she said this, Su Muqing blushed again.

"No way. What if you get kidnapped again?" Qin Xuan teased with a smile. "I can't be in two places at once, and I wouldn't be able to save you then. Come on, the road isn't far. Just be careful not to get scratched again."

With a sweep of the Taiqing Sword, the thicket ahead was instantly cut through, clearing a neat little path with ease.

Watching Qin Xuan walk ahead, clearing the way for her, Su Muqing suddenly felt something strange in her heart. This was the young man who had saved her from kidnapping twice, and even after being misunderstood by her both times, he had never blamed her…

Su Muqing hurried to keep up.

Bathed in moonlight, the Taiqing Sword radiated a silvery gleam, casting Qin Xuan's figure in an unearthly, graceful light.

"What kind of sword is that? Could it be the legendary Xuanyuan Sword?" Su Muqing suddenly asked, curious.

"The Xuanyuan Sword? That's a legendary divine artifact—how could it possibly end up in my hands?" Qin Xuan shook his head with a chuckle. "This is the Taiqing Sword, nothing magical about it."

"But it seems pretty powerful to me."

"Even in the hands of an ordinary person, the Xuanyuan Sword could shatter mountains and rivers. The Taiqing Sword is far inferior. Unfortunately, the Xuanyuan Sword has been lost for two hundred years—no one in all of China knows where it is."

Though he said this, holding the Taiqing Sword, Qin Xuan felt an unwavering conviction: As long as the sword remains, so do I!

They passed through a mountain hollow and emerged onto another section of the mountain road. Su Muqing took out her phone and called home, while Qin Xuan sheathed the Taiqing Sword and called Zhao Long.

"Senior Brother Zhao, it's me. Sorry to bother you again, but I have a question to ask."

"Haha, Junior Brother Qin, have you changed your mind? Don't worry, I'll help you deal with that brat Li Shihao. What do you want to ask? Just say it."

"Do you know any Buddhist masters in Jinling with profound spiritual power?" Qin Xuan asked.

He specifically mentioned Buddhist masters instead of Daoist priests because he didn't want to deal with Daoists… Moreover, Buddhist experts are renowned for their expertise with souls, and surely someone suitable could be found in such a vast city.

"Buddhist masters with profound power?" Zhao Long was puzzled, unsure what Qin Xuan wanted with such a person. Nevertheless, he thought for a moment. "Of course—Master Jingguang, the abbot of Jingguang Temple on General's Mountain. Do you know of him?"

Qin Xuan shook his head. "Please tell me more, Senior Brother."

"Haha. Since you've been to Qixia Manor, you must know there's a powerful barrier there, right?"

"Hmm? Could it be… the barrier at Qixia Manor was set by this Master Jingguang?" Qin Xuan was surprised. The barrier outside Qixia Manor was every bit as potent as the one at his master's villa!

"Exactly. When Dongfang Qingwan was born, the Dongfang family asked Master Jingguang for help."

"Alright, then I'll go see him tomorrow," Qin Xuan said, ending the call.

By his side, Su Muqing had just put her phone away and turned to look at him.

"Let's go to Jingguang Temple on General's Mountain tomorrow—do you know it?" Qin Xuan asked.

"I've heard of it. Is there really someone there who can summon Yang Ling's spirit?" Su Muqing had guessed what Qin Xuan was thinking.

"That's right. Let's go and see, whatever the outcome."

Qin Xuan nodded solemnly.

"Alright, I'll go with you," Su Muqing said, a hint of anticipation in her voice.

Suddenly, a four-ring Audi pulled up in front of them.

"Hey, beautiful, what are you doing out here so late? Need a ride?" A man's voice called from the car, and then the window rolled down.

"Ah, Su… Su Muqing, why is it you!" The man was startled when he saw her face.

Qin Xuan glanced inside and recognized the man—it was the same playboy he'd seen once at Tenglong International, one of Li Shihao's lackeys. What was this guy doing here so late at night?

"Why shouldn't it be me? If you're heading home, then go. Don't let me see you again," Su Muqing frowned.

"Yes, yes, I'm leaving right away." The playboy quickly rolled up the window and sped off.

"Does his family live nearby?" Qin Xuan asked, puzzled.

"Yes, they have a villa around here," Su Muqing explained, though she seemed reluctant to discuss him further.

...

Hua Tianjiao immediately called Li Shihao.

"Hello, Brother Li?"

"What's up, Hua?"

"I saw Su—well, Su Muqing on the mountain road… And that guy in the black robe from last time. I think they might be, you know, messing around outdoors," Hua Tianjiao said, recalling how Su Muqing's clothes were a little disheveled, sharing his own speculation.

"Messing around, my ass!" Li Shihao cursed without hesitation. "Did you know Fatty Lei got caught?"

"What, that fat Lei Jinde?"

"Yeah, just got the news. He's finished now—they even confiscated a bunch of guns. Since you saw Muqing and that guy on the mountain road, it's very likely they're the ones behind it."

"No way, Brother Li. You know what kind of person Fatty is. Forget about Su Muqing, but how could that kid possibly take him down?"

"You still think that kid is an ordinary person? Last time I sent the Black Wolf Gang after him, nothing happened to him at all," Li Shihao reminded.

"I've talked to some Japanese exchange students at school—they say Qin Xuan is probably someone from China's cultivation world. So dealing with him isn't as easy as you think."

Hua Tianjiao frowned. "A cultivator? What do we do then?"

"Hmph, that's not your concern. Muqing is mine, and I'll stop at nothing to get her! If I need you, I'll let you know—just be ready to do your part."

"Sure, Brother Li! Oh, by the way, I picked up another innocent beauty today. Want to join…?"

"Oh? The usual place then."

"Alright, Brother Li—Royal Supreme, Room 1111. It'll be ready for you soon!"

After hanging up, Hua Tianjiao couldn't help but feel excited. The thought of Fatty Lei getting arrested spurred him on—he immediately contacted his father to discuss their next move.

The Hua family, too, made their fortune in real estate. Though their influence had once been limited, now that Lei Jinde had been taken down, if they acted quickly, their opportunity would come!