Save him?
Save who?
Hearing Qin Guo'er's question, Yang An quickly scanned his surroundings, and his pupils violently contracted. He saw a ground covered in corpses, their blood staining the ice and snow red!
Beside the corpses.
Knelt a young man whose face was twisted in terror, both of his legs broken, looking utterly miserable!
Yang An took a closer look—it was actually Lin Hao!
Seeing his enemy end up in such a state at this moment brought him no joy. Instead, his heart sank to rock bottom. It seemed he had stumbled into a very troublesome situation.
Lin Hao was the son of the Yunzhou Military Governor.
The young master of a high-ranking regional official!
This woman in the red dress had actually killed all his subordinates, broken his legs, and by the looks of it, was going to kill him too!
To kill so brazenly.
This woman was likely a "Celestial Dragon" with a status even higher than Lin Hao's.
He had to quickly cut all ties with that bastard Lin Hao; otherwise, he would definitely be silenced by this woman!
In just a fraction of a second.
Yang An analyzed the general situation, knowing he absolutely could not panic right now. He was panicking like crazy on the inside, but steady as an old dog on the outside.
Guessing Qin Guo'er's noble status.
He bowed respectfully and explained his reason for being there.
"This lowly one is a hunter from Yunzhou City. I was attacked by a black eagle while picking herbs on the cliff, and accidentally fell here, disturbing Your Ladyship. Your Ladyship can see the black eagle is still lying in the crater."
After stating his identity.
Yang An paused. Seeing the woman sitting in the golden carriage say nothing and just stare at him, he grew even more panicked, though his mind remained clear.
This woman wanted to kill him.
The reason was nothing more than him seeing things he shouldn't have seen, to prevent the matter from being leaked.
Grasping this point, Yang An said in a deep voice, "This lowly one is an ignorant man who has seen little of the world and does not know Your Ladyship's identity. Your Ladyship wears a veil, so I do not know Your Ladyship's esteemed countenance either. Your Ladyship is an immortal living in the heavens, while this lowly one is just a foolish man in the mountains. In this lifetime, I will never have the chance to see Your Ladyship a second time."
"Even less will I have the chance to leak Your Ladyship's secrets."
"This lowly one swears that upon leaving these mountains, I will forget everything that happened here."
"I beg Your Ladyship to spare this lowly one's life!"
Yang An bowed deeply.
She hadn't expected him to say such a thing.
After hearing this, Qin Guo'er was stunned for a moment, and then she burst into a series of enchanting giggles. "I've seen clever ones, and I've seen handsome ones, but I've never seen one as clever and handsome as you. What an interesting little hunter."
"Manman."
Qin Guo'er called out to the maidservant beside her.
Manman, who had been eating non-stop since the beginning, was still stuffing her face. Both of her cheeks were puffed out like a squirrel's, the only difference being that the food had changed from baked flatbread to crispy candy.
Hearing the Princess call her.
Manman hurriedly shoved the remaining half of the crispy candy into her mouth, chewed twice, and anxiously tried to swallow. But the candy was too dry, and she swallowed too fast, causing it to get lodged in her throat.
Her little face turned purple.
If Qin Guo'er hadn't massaged her back with a headache-inducing sigh, she might have nearly choked herself to death.
Panting for a moment.
Having recovered her breath, Manman, terrified of the Princess's reprimand, quickly tensed her body and focused her eyes entirely on Yang An. In an instant, a faint white light emanated from her eyes.
When the white light dissipated.
Manman shook her little head at Qin Guo'er.
Just an ordinary person who hasn't cultivated a Divine Aspect?
It seems he really didn't come to save that insect.
Qin Guo'er smiled and said to Yang An, "Handsome little hunter, you may go. Don't run around recklessly in the future."
A'lan, the leader of the eight female officials, was puzzled upon hearing this.
Why is the Princess suddenly showing mercy?
Not daring to ask further, she raised her hand, and the female officials surrounding Yang An parted to create a path.
He survived!
Yang An let out a sigh of relief. After thanking Qin Guo'er for her immense grace, he turned and ran. He didn't even care about the black eagle or the eagle eggs in the crater, not daring to linger for half a second.
But before he could run more than a few steps.
Lin Hao's wailing voice suddenly came from behind.
Whether he had already gone mad from fear or just wanted to drag someone down with him before dying, he shouted at Yang An, "Don't go! Weren't you here to save me?!"
"I am Lin Hao, my father is Lin Yeping!"
"She is Princess Anle! She wants to kill me! As long as you save my life, I'll give you whatever you want!"
Lin Hao, you piece of shit!
Did I slaughter your whole family or something?! Why are you fucking me over like this!!
I didn't want to know who she was!!!
The moment he heard the words "Princess Anle," Yang An felt completely and utterly numb!
It was over. He knew the woman's identity!
He was dead!
He was definitely going to be silenced!
Yang An didn't stop his feet, sprinting desperately toward the woods in hopes of fighting for a sliver of a chance to survive. However, as an enchanting,嬌媚 laugh rang in his ears, "You can't blame this Princess now~"
After a dizzying spin.
Yang An was grabbed by the arms by the green-robed female officials without any ability to resist and dragged back.
Thump. He was thrown down next to Lin Hao.
Laying in the snow.
Yang An hated Lin Hao to death. Wanting to cry but having no tears, he said to Qin Guo'er, "Your Ladyship, if I said I didn't hear anything just now, would you believe me? Have mercy and let this lowly one go. My cheap life isn't worth anything."
Seeing Yang An's pitiful appearance.
Qin Guo'er found it highly amusing. She leaned forward and smiled like a demon, "No can do~"
"Must I absolutely die?"
"Yes~"
"Is there no room for negotiation?"
"None. But this Princess gives you the right to commit suicide."
Qin Guo'er lifted her beautiful chin, gesturing toward the dagger planted in the snow in front of Yang An.
The dagger was extraordinary.
A faint glow emanated from the blade.
Snowflakes blown against the edge by the wind were effortlessly sliced in two.
The butcher's block and the fish.
Pleading was useless.
Yang An lowered his eyes. After a moment of silence, he picked up the dagger planted in the snow—the very dagger Lin Hao hadn't even dared to look at.
Holding it in his hand.
Yang An examined it closely. The craftsmanship was exquisite; not only was the pattern on the blade gorgeous, but the handle was wrapped in gold thread, and the pommel was inlaid with a crystal-clear gemstone.
Who knows how much silver a dagger like this could sell for.
To die by such a luxurious dagger.
I guess this life wasn't a complete waste?
Swish!
As Yang An swung the blade, the sharp dagger traced a perfect crescent moon through the freezing wind and snow!
While severing all the falling snow and wind in its path.
It also severed Lin Hao's neck...
Scalding blood splashed across the vast expanse of snow like ink being thrown onto a canvas, the strokes bold and penetrating deep. The crimson color contrasted sharply against the sky full of flying white snow.
Lin Hao's large head rolled away.
The look of horror remaining on his face gradually stiffened in the chilling wind.
The world is truly unpredictable.
He never expected that the revenge he planned to take ten years from now.
Would be taken just a few hours later.
Yang An glanced at the dagger in his hand. It was as sharp as he thought; killing a man left not a single drop of blood on it. Yet, he still carefully wiped the sharp blade on his sleeve. Then, kneeling on one knee before Qin Guo'er, he offered the dagger up with both hands and declared loudly:
"This lowly one lacks talent!"
"But I am willing to pledge my loyalty to the Princess! To serve the Princess like a dog or a horse! Even if I must brave mountains of blades or seas of fire, my death would not be a pity!"
Lin Hao was Lin Yeping's son.
By killing Lin Hao, he had completely offended Lin Yeping to the point of no return.
Naturally, he was now in the same boat as Princess Anle, and Princess Anle no longer had a reason to kill him.
In the current situation.
This was the only way Yang An could think of to survive, and he even managed to get his revenge along the way.
A'lan and the other seven female officials were stunned.
Even Manman, who only knew how to eat, took a few extra glances at Yang An.
The wind howled.
Snowflakes the size of goose feathers rustled as they hit the ground.
Yang An waited anxiously for Qin Guo'er's response.
With his head lowered, he couldn't see the rare look of astonishment that appeared in Qin Guo'er's phoenix eyes. The little hunter's sudden action had far exceeded her expectations.
She originally thought he was just an interesting little hunter.
But she didn't expect this little hunter to be far more interesting than she imagined...
Perhaps it was only an instant.
Or perhaps it was the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
In the tense atmosphere.
Qin Guo'er's delicate, vibrant red lips slowly parted. "Handsome, clever, possessing courage and魄力 (boldness/resolve), ruthless and decisive, and knows when to advance and retreat..."
"Very good, a rare talent indeed."
"This Princess has taken a liking to you."
With each word of praise from Qin Guo'er, the heavy stone in Yang An's heart gradually lifted. However, before he could safely touch down, he heard Princess Anle's tone suddenly shift as she spoke ominously:
"What a pity your courage is too great."
"A mere mortal kills the son of a third-grade official, killing him just like that, without a hint of hesitation in your eyes."
"You have no reverence; you act without scruples."
"Because the situation forced you to today, you killed this insect. Then tomorrow, because of the situation, you will also press the dagger in your hand against this Princess's neck."
Yang An hurriedly said, "This lowly one will absolutely never betray the Princess!"
"Even parents betray their children, how can you guarantee you won't betray this Princess?" Princess Anle said with pity, "Little hunter, your right to commit suicide is gone. Qiu'er, Dong'er, help him."
The two green-robed female officials stepped forward, swords in hand.
The white, featureless masks on their faces were as cold as their hearts. The killing intent they exuded made Yang An's heart tremble! It felt as if it wasn't two women walking toward him, but two man-eating beasts!
I am not their match!
Even with a tenfold combat power, I am no match for them!
It's over! I'm really going to die this time! If I die, what about my sister! What about my brother-in-law!! My brother-in-law is still waiting for me to save his life!!!
Why!
Why does everyone have to bully us! Who did we offend! We just want to live a good life, why is it so hard!
Yang An clenched his fists tightly.
He violently raised his head and glared at Qin Guo'er sitting in the phoenix carriage.
A tyrannical rage surged in his eyes!
You dog of a woman! You damned dog of a woman!! If you won't let me live, I won't let you live either!!!
[Fated Against Tai Sui]!
OPEN!!!
Under the terrifying shock, before the two green-robed maids could swing their swords, Yang An, his combat power surging tenfold, struck first. He kicked Lin Hao's corpse, sending it flying toward the two of them. In the instant Autumn and Winter swung their swords to shred Lin Hao's body.
Yang An crushed the snow beneath his feet with an explosive stomp!
Like a dormant beast suddenly springing to action, he burst forward with a speed that defied everyone's expectations. Slipping past the female officials, he crossed the several yards of distance in the blink of an eye, lunging fiercely at the luxurious phoenix carriage!
Capture the ringleader first!
Yang An's large hand reached for Princess Anle's throat!!
A talented martial artist?! Never expecting Yang An to have hidden such a move, Qin Guo'er was astonished. Sitting in the carriage, she couldn't react in time.
As Yang An lunged over, she hurriedly leaned back.
Riiiiip!
Yang An didn't manage to snap her neck.
But he did tear away the crimson veil covering her face!
A lion uses its full strength even when hunting a rabbit. Throwing his entire body into the lunge, Yang An held nothing back. Having missed his grab, his arms wrapped around Qin Guo'er's warm, jade-like, fragrant body in the next instant.
He tackled her right off the phoenix carriage!
Rolling several times in the snow, he pinned her firmly beneath him, his hands gripping her smooth, tender neck. With a look of pure savagery, Yang An pressed close to Qin Guo'er and growled, "Let me go, or I'll drag you down with..."
Before he could finish his sentence.
Yang An, locking eyes with the number one beauty of Great Xia, saw her face.
It was a face so beautiful it defied description.
A face that had received all of heaven's favoritism.
Pure yet enchanting, radiant yet elegant.
Words like "magnificent posture," "skin like creamy jade," "bones of ice and jade," or "peach blossoms and plums in spring"—any modifier used to describe beauty would fail to capture even half of hers.
Her beauty was as natural and undeniable as the coldness of snow, the heat of fire, or the softness of water!
So beautiful that one only needed a single glance.
To understand from the bottom of their heart.
That there could never be another woman in this world with such beauty.
Even as he pinned her down, Yang An caught a faint, lingering, elusive fragrance. It drifted into his nose and seeped into his body, teasing his most primal desires!
Having lived two lifetimes.
Yang An had never seen a girl this beautiful, profoundly understanding the true meaning of the word "breathtaking."
But what's the use of being beautiful!
She's so wicked!
A heart like a viper! She's just a ruthless, poisonous woman!
Quickly snapping out of the momentary awe brought by Qin Guo'er's beauty, Yang An tightened his grip on her neck and roared, "Let me go, or I'll drag you down to hell with me!"
The eight female officials protecting Princess Anle were completely dumbfounded!
Even the little maid Manman was so scared she forgot to eat!
It's over, it's over, the Princess is going to be furious! The Princess hates being touched by others the most! Especially men!
A'lan shouted angrily, "Audacious thief, release the Princess at once!"
They hurriedly rushed forward with their swords to save her!
Unexpectedly, they heard Qin Guo'er say with a smile, "Stand down."
From childhood to adulthood.
She had always been a neat freak.
Princess Anle, who disliked others getting close to her the most.
Was violated by a man for the first time today.
Pinned beneath this damned dog of a man, and pinned in the filthy snow no less!
A dragon has a reverse scale; touch it, and it will be enraged!
A phoenix has a delicate neck; offend it, and you will die!
Qin Guo'er lifted her face to meet Yang An's gaze. Her eyebrows and eyes were as radiant as the sun, her charming and bright complexion unparalleled in the world. If it weren't for the coldest, most ruthless red glint flickering within those smiling eyes, she might have looked even more stunningly beautiful!
"Is this Princess's body soft? Does it smell nice?"
"Does it feel good holding me?"