Chapter 59: The Competition
The next day.
The sunlight streaming through the window gradually warmed Xiao Yu's face, easing him awake. The headache from last night's drinking made Xiao Yu frown, but he sat up and began to circulate his Dou Qi to expel the remaining alcohol from his system.
After a dozen breaths, Xiao Yu finished his practice and his mind cleared. At that moment, the door creaked open.
Xiao Yu turned his gaze toward the door, where a delicate figure stepped inside. Seeing Xiao Yu awake, the girl looked surprised, then timidly greeted him, "Young Master Xiao Yu, I'm Qing Lin. Team Leader Xiao Ding has arranged for me to serve you."
Xiao Yu noticed the girl's elegant light green attire and her cute, delicate face. He recognized her as Qing Lin.
"Alright, I understand. Please bring me some water," Xiao Yu said with a warm smile.
Qing Lin, who had been as nervous as a frightened rabbit, relaxed slightly upon seeing Xiao Yu's gentle smile. However, she remained cautious, afraid of making any mistakes.
Xiao Yu got out of bed and went to the wooden rack to wash up with the towel Qing Lin handed him. While doing so, he asked, "What's your name?"
"Ah?" Qing Lin hesitated for a moment, then stammered, "I-I'm Qing Lin."
Xiao Yu nodded with a smile. "Qing Lin? That's a nice name. Coincidentally, my sword is named Mo Lin!"
Following Xiao Yu's gaze, Qing Lin saw the dark-colored long sword propped by the bed. She couldn't help but find it beautiful.
However, she quickly carried the water basin out after Xiao Yu finished washing up.
Xiao Yu shook his head with a smile, thinking how innocent she was.
Soon, Qing Lin returned with the empty basin. Xiao Yu asked, "Have you seen the two sisters who came with me yesterday?"
Qing Lin looked a bit alarmed but cautiously replied, "I saw them following Xue Lan to the market."
Since they had gone to the market, Xiao Yu assumed they were buying herbs and didn't press further. He asked, "What about my older brothers?"
Qing Lin, now more at ease with Xiao Yu's kindness, softly said, "Team Leader Xiao Ding and Team Leader Xiao Lie are busy with the affairs of the team. Tomorrow is the quarterly test, so they have a lot to do. Young Master, during this time, I'll be your personal maid. You can ask me to do anything you need!"
Xiao Yu wasn't surprised by Qing Lin's new role and patted her small head with a smile. "Then I'll be relying on you, Qing Lin."
Qing Lin quickly waved her hands. "It's no trouble at all; it's my duty!" Xiao Yu's gentle demeanor and words warmed her heart.
Xiao Yu took up his sword Mo Lin and said, "Since they're all so busy, how about you show me around the Mo Iron Mercenary Group? It will help me familiarize myself with the environment here!"
"Okay," Qing Lin agreed softly, carefully following behind Xiao Yu.
As they walked through the Mo Iron Mercenary Group's grounds, they encountered many mercenaries who greeted Xiao Yu politely. However, when they saw Qing Lin, their expressions turned to open disdain. This made Xiao Yu frown slightly.
Every time a mercenary cast a contemptuous glance at Qing Lin, her small figure trembled slightly, and her cute face showed signs of sadness, her eyes dimming.
Seeing the repeated disdainful glances towards Qing Lin, Xiao Yu came to a halt. He drew his sword's scabbard and coldly addressed the surrounding mercenaries, "Why must you insult a little girl like this?"
The Mo Iron mercenaries were initially surprised by Xiao Yu's words. It took a moment before they realized he was referring to Qing Lin. They sneered, "Young Master Xiao Yu, we respect you because you're the team leader's brother. Perhaps you don't know, but this Qing Lin isn't fully human; she's more of a half-human, half-beast!"
"Her origins are not her choice. Shouldn't you reflect on why snake people are able to run amok in human territories? Imposing your humiliation on a weak person only shows your own incompetence!" Xiao Yu's words made the crowd ponder deeply.
As someone with both snake and human blood, Qing Lin faced discrimination and scorn from both sides, which was extremely unfair to her!
The mercenaries' gaze towards Qing Lin seemed to shift slightly, but the long-standing prejudice was not easily changed. Xiao Yu swept his gaze over them and said, "Qing Lin is under my protection. Anyone who disrespects her is disrespecting me!"
With a flick of his wrist, Xiao Yu released a powerful burst of energy from his sword's scabbard, shattering a nearby boulder with a resounding crash. In the awe-struck gazes of the onlookers, Xiao Yu took Qing Lin's hand and left.
At a corner, Xiao Yu stopped and gently said to Qing Lin, "Qing Lin, don't worry too much about what others think. Life is not about living for others; it's about living for yourself. Being timid will only show your weak side; strength will earn you respect." With that, he patted Qing Lin's small head and walked on.
Qing Lin stood stunned by Xiao Yu's words. After a while, a bright smile appeared on her face, and her delicate features glowed with a hint of charm, her eyes shimmering with green flecks.
"Thank you, Young Master Xiao Yu," Qing Lin murmured softly, then flashed a uniquely enchanting smile before trotting after Xiao Yu.
As they exited the main courtyard, Xiao Yu encountered Little Doctor Immortal and the two other women coming towards him. "What did you buy?" Xiao Yu asked.
Little Doctor Immortal smiled and replied, "We bought some snow grass to prepare fragrance pouches. It helps keep things cool in this hot weather."
Xue Lan, standing beside her, praised, "Little Doctor Immortal is truly impressive, knowing so much about herbs. It feels like she's even better than the doctors in our mercenary group!"
Xiao Yu chuckled, "That's natural. Little Doctor Immortal's medical skills are indeed remarkable!"
Little Doctor Immortal playfully scolded, "You're just teasing me!"
"Alright, no more jokes. I heard the Mo Iron Mercenary Group is holding a test tomorrow?" Xiao Yu asked Snow Lan.
Snow Lan glanced at Qing Lin beside Xiao Yu and nodded, "Yes, tomorrow's test will be quite lively. Are you planning to participate?"
Before Xiao Yu could answer, a voice interjected, "Of course he's participating! I'm looking forward to seeing how much Little Yu has progressed over the years!"
It was Xiao Lie. Xue Lan shot a disapproving look at him and said, "Hmph, you might not be stronger than Xiao Yu."
"Hahaha, I just want to see how much stronger our Xiao family's prodigy has become!" Xiao Lie laughed heartily.
Xiao Yu looked at Xiao Lie with a strange expression and asked, "Second Brother, you're so eager to see?"
Xiao Lie shook his head and said, "I've been looking forward to it for a long time. Tomorrow, we definitely have to spar!"
Xiao Yu shrugged and said calmly, "Alright then."
However, Xiao Lie sensed a hint of danger from Xiao Yu's calm demeanor but brushed it off, knowing that he was no pushover. With a determined shake of his head, he dismissed the thought.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone