C82 Lin Qingshan's past

"Yu Lao," Lin Qingshan greeted with a respectful bow, her fists cupped in the traditional salute. Though she outwardly showed reverence, she etched his name in her memory, planning to inquire about him once Han Feng regained consciousness.

Approaching Han Feng, Yu Lao produced a pill from within his garments.

"Yu Lao!" Lin Qingshan's face tensed as she stepped forward.

Yu Lao understood her concern at a glance but remained unoffended. Instead, he commended her, "Well done. If you're wary of me, hold onto this pill. Once my young master awakens, you can ask him whether he wishes to take it."

Her suspicions of Yu Lao had been significant, but his response eased her doubts. Still, she needed to confirm things with Han Feng.

Suddenly, Yu Lao's demeanor shifted to one of icy resolve. "Thinking of leaving? That depends on whether I allow it."

In a blink, Yu Lao vanished from Lin Qingshan's view and reappeared before Lin Tao.

"Sky Fire Cloud Slash!" Lin Tao executed his desperate strike.

With a mere sleeve flick, Yu Lao dissipated the crimson sword's phantom. He then reached out with a palm that seemed slow yet was incredibly swift.

Lin Tao could only watch helplessly as the palm connected with his chest, instantly caving it in and expelling a mist of blood.

He crumpled to the ground.

"Senior, please have mercy!" Lin Tao coughed up blood while pleading for his life.

Yu Lao was unmoved. He stepped forward and crushed Lin Tao's head underfoot, snuffing out his existence.

Yu Lao claimed the lower-grade spiritual sword and casually tossed it to Lin Qingshan. "This upper-tier lower-grade spiritual tool should be given to my young master upon his awakening. Without a spiritual tool, one is at a disadvantage in the world."

"Yes!" Lin Qingshan accepted with reverence.

Then, Yu Lao stroked his beard thoughtfully and remarked, "My dear, I can see you bear a deep hatred for the Lin family. Considering how you've looked after my young master, shall I take care of this matter for you?"

Yu Lao truly didn't consider the Lin family a threat. With his capabilities, he could obliterate them within thirty minutes of setting foot in Xuanxing City.

Lin Qingshan, taken aback, declined, "I appreciate your offer, but I'd rather handle this myself."

A flicker of surprise crossed Yu Lao's eyes before he nodded in approval, his respect for Lin Qingshan growing. Had she accepted his offer, Yu Lao would have followed through but with diminished regard for her.

Before departing, Yu Lao advised, "Young lady, once the young master reaches the Four-star Human Rank, send him home, lest the Han family faces peril."

Confused, Lin Qingshan nonetheless responded, "Understood."

By the time she looked up again, Yu Lao had vanished from her view.

"Could this elder be allied with the Han family? If they're facing danger, his protection should avert any crisis."

"And if he's unable to intervene, there's no way I'd let my brother return."

With these thoughts, Lin Qingshan scooped up Han Feng and swiftly left the area.

Moments after Lin Qingshan's departure, Yu Lao reappeared, his brow furrowed in confusion. "I've never seen the young master employ that martial skill before."

"The Profound Flame Chain came from the City Lord's Mansion, but what about the other technique that enlarges the body?"

"The young master certainly has his secrets, befitting the son of the young miss."

"Yet his preferences are quite peculiar. He seems to favor an older sister type—this young lady is nearly a decade his senior."

As the wind whispered through, the area was left deserted, as if no one had ever been there.

Deep within a cave, Lin Qingshan vanquished the Devil Beast and set Han Feng down.

Roughly half a day later, Han Feng groggily came to.

"Brother, you're all right," Lin Qingshan greeted him with a warm smile.

Han Feng was about to respond when he suddenly felt a chill over his body. Glancing down, he was utterly mortified.

In a rush, Han Feng quickly grabbed a piece of clothing and threw it on.

Lin Qingshan let out a small smile. "No need to hurry and cover up. I've already seen all of you."

Han Feng blushed. "Sister Lin!"

Lin Qingshan playfully leaned in, her chest brushing against Han Feng, his nose caught between her two peaks. Han Feng was so flustered he felt sweat on his nose.

"Sister Lin," Han Feng stuttered, torn between pushing her away and wanting to keep her close.

Sister Lin teased him with a mischievous tone, "Go ahead and touch if you want to."

Han Feng's throat went dry as he fixated on Lin Qingshan's chest, unconsciously swallowing repeatedly.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Han Feng shut his eyes and yelled, "Sister Lin, enough with the games!"

Lin Qingshan let out a chuckle. "Alright, I'll stop. Open your eyes. You're still developing; I wouldn't take advantage of you."

Yet, deep down, Lin Qingshan harbored a sliver of regret.

She appeared to be toying with him, a fact that perhaps only Lin Qingshan truly understood.

Han Feng clenched his teeth. "Give me a couple more years, and I'll be fully grown."

Lin Qingshan's lips curved into a smile. "Well then, I'll be waiting."

Han Feng's heart raced at her words, internally cursing, "Damn it, where did my self-control go?"

Unbeknownst to Han Feng, Lin Qingshan had employed a seductive Cultivation Method, which explained why she so easily stirred him.

Of course, it was also because Han Feng had let his guard down around Lin Qingshan.

After her playful interlude, Lin Qingshan got back to business. "Who is Yu Lao?"

Han Feng was taken aback. "Yu Lao? How do you know about him?"

Lin Qingshan shared the earlier events, leaving Han Feng in awe. "I knew Yu Lao was formidable, possibly a Mystic Rank powerhouse, but I never imagined his true strength would surpass my expectations."

Lin Qingshan sighed, "There's a fifty percent chance he's a late-stage Mystic Rank master, a twenty-five percent chance he's at the peak of Mystic Rank, and a twenty-five percent chance he's an Earth rank expert."

"Earth rank!"

Han Feng inhaled sharply, taken aback by the revelation.

"You're no longer part of the Han family. According to Yu Lao, it seems he's not from the Han family either." Lin Qingshan paused briefly before voicing her question.

Since her confrontation with Lin Tao, Lin Qingshan felt her bond with Han Feng had deepened. She was keen to uncover all there was to know about him, though she couldn't quite pinpoint why her curiosity was so intense.

Han Feng saw no reason to hold back and shared his story with her.

Lin Qingshan's eyes widened in realization. "I see. Are you interested in hearing about my past?"

"Would that be alright?" Han Feng asked, sensing that Lin Qingshan's history might be fraught with difficulties.

With a touch of sorrow, Lin Qingshan replied, "You're the only one I can confide in now."

After a moment of contemplation, Han Feng responded, "Sister Lin, go ahead. I'm all ears."