Chapter 57: Seducing the Old Monk

"N... No, don't overthink it. I'm just genuinely tired," Lin Chen hurriedly shook his head and explained.

The figures of the two people and the donkey disappeared into the winding mountain trails.

Meanwhile, Su Ying slowly walked out of the serene and secluded private room at the Yuelaí Inn.

At this moment, she looked utterly out of her wits, her mind completely filled with the four characters: "Amitabha."

She had exhausted every trick in her book—plearing bitterly, issuing harsh threats, even impulsively resorting to physical force, and ultimately trying seduction—yet the monk Wuxiang remained completely unmoved.

She could not even remember what that bald donkey had actually said; the mere four words "Amitabha" alone had tortured her beyond recognition, reducing her to an absolute state of wretchedness.

Dazedly walking through the bustling and noisy streets of Nanyang, she secretly swore that no matter what, she would never again provoke this intractable bald monk.

With this thought in mind, she decided to bid farewell to the Prince's Estate as soon as possible and return to the Inspection Bureau, resolving not to wander about aimlessly anymore.

In front of the Xiao family residence stood a heroic and dashing woman who had been waiting quietly for a long time—none other than Xiao Jingya.

Over the past few days, determined to stop Lin Chen from harming her family, she had resolutely taken on the duty of guarding the household.

Yet for several consecutive days, instead of waiting for Lin Chen, she encountered the dazed and disheveled Su Ying.

She hurriedly stepped forward, looking startled and perplexed as she asked, "Director, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Su Ying waved a hand, speaking expressionlessly. "Take me to your father."

Xiao Jingya nodded and led the way, passing through winding, maze-like corridors until they finally reached their destination.

Upon entering the room, they saw the one-armed Xiao Yunchao and the Prince.

"Hahaha... Director, where have you been these past few days? You kept this Prince waiting quite a while!"

Seeing the Prince's jovial expression and recalling her own miserable ordeal over the past few days, Su Ying wore a cold face and said, "Resolve this matter yourselves. Someone is standing in the way; I can no longer take action personally."

"Ah? This... What should we do now?" The Prince's smile vanished instantly, replaced by profound anxiety.

"Father, rest assured, I will never let anyone harm you," Xiao Jingya promised with earnest sincerity.

"Alas! Haven't you heard the rumors spreading on the streets? He has slain numerous realm-eight experts, and even the Yaoguang Saintess almost died at his hands. How could a single person like you possibly stop him?" The Prince shook his head repeatedly, consumed by grief and despair.

Yes, even Yan Rubing was hard-pressed to deal with him; what competence or capability did she, Xiao Jingya, possess? Yet, to keep her family alive, she had no choice but to fight to the death.

As for right or wrong, she had no time to ponder it. She only knew that her family was her everything; therefore, she could never tolerate dying before their eyes or letting them perish before hers.

Nevertheless, she firmly declared, "Don't worry, Your Daughter will—she will definitely protect Father and Mother."

The Prince merely sighed heavily, shook his head in silence, and looked away with eyes full of worry.

Seeing this, Su Ying reminded them, "Your Highness, perhaps you could speak of this to the Yaoguang Saintess. They have been searching for someone recently, and once they know, they will likely agree to send people to guard this place. Furthermore, I will return and have Jingya's master come to your aid as soon as possible."

"For now, it seems that is all we can do," the Prince heaved a heavy sigh.

After seeing Su Ying off from the Xiao family residence, Xiao Jingya stood alone in the corridor.

Gazing at the evening glow dyeing the horizon as crimson as blood, she felt a myriad of sorrowful thoughts swirling in her chest.

Her figure was drawn out long along the corridor, casting a lonely yet resolute shadow upon the ground.

"Young Miss, it's time for dinner," a maid's soft call broke her reverie.

Xiao Jingya snapped back to her senses, shook her head, and softly replied, "I'm not hungry. You may withdraw."

The maid cast a worried glance at her, but ultimately obeyed and retreated, her footsteps sounding somewhat heavy.

Xiao Jingya slowly paced back to her room. The candles flickered gently, casting their light upon the long sword hanging on the wall.

This sword was one her father had painstakingly chosen for her, carrying her former grand ambitions and bright aspirations.

She reached out to gently stroke the scabbard, muttering to herself, "Father, Mother, Jingya will surely keep you safe."

Recalling her childhood, when the whole family would sit together and endless laughter filled the air, those warm scenes felt as though they were right before her eyes.

Her father would tell her legendary tales of heroes and gallants, while her mother watched them gently from the side, her eyes filled with tenderness and affection.

Yet today, that tranquility had been shattered to pieces by the name Lin Chen, twisting everything beyond recognition.

"No matter how strong you are, I will not back down," Xiao Jingya gritted her teeth, a resolute look of martyrdom flashing in her eyes.

Even if the path ahead was fraught with thorns, and even though she knew the chasm in strength between herself and Lin Chen might be vast, her love for her family forbade her from taking even half a step back.

She began to meticulously sort through the martial arts techniques she had learned, turning over every single stance and movement in her mind to ensure they were flawless.

She knew deep down that facing Lin Chen, she had to be completely without a flaw; even if there was only a sliver of hope, she would grasp it tightly and never let go.

Late at night, absolute silence reigned.

Xiao Jingya came alone to the estate's martial arts training ground. The moonlight, like silver, spilled over her as if she were draped in a light gauze.

Clang!

Accompanied by the crisp, piercing sound of her long sword clearing its scabbard, she began to practice her swordsmanship.

The wind of the sword whistled, and her figure moved nimbly like a swallow beneath the moonlight, her posture light and graceful.

Sweat soaked her clothes, but she remained entirely unaware, pouring her heart and soul into every single strike.

"Lin Chen, if you truly dare to come, I, Xiao Jingya, will certainly make you pay a heavy price," she vowed silently in her heart.

Seeing this scene, the Prince felt both helpless and heartbroken. He sighed, slowly stepped forward, and said in a low voice, "Alas! Jingya, go back to your room and rest early. The Prince's Estate is not yet a place that can be ruined by some reckless young punk."

"Alright!" Xiao Jingya nodded obediently.

A hundred miles outside Nanyang City—

"Achoo! Achoo! I wonder which fair lady is missing me," Lin Chen sneezed repeatedly, tugging on the old donkey as he muttered to himself.

"Where on earth are we going? Sigh! Sleeping in the open and eating the wind—this is too miserable," Xie Mengmeng said with a lifeless expression.

"To Nanyang City, of course! I'm starved. If I don't eat something soon, I won't be able to hold on," Lin Chen smiled bitterly.

Hearing this, Xie Mengmeng puffed out her cheeks and snapped, "You still dare to go to Nanyang? Are you afraid you won't die fast enough?"

"The most dangerous place is the safest place. Once this matter is settled, the two of us will head to the Northern Desert together and never return," Lin Chen said after a moment of thought, his expression resolute.

"The Northern Desert is indeed a good place; at least the Yaoguang Saintess can't reach that far," Xie Mengmeng agreed, nodding.

Lin Chen figured that since he had made a promise, no matter how difficult, he had to see it through.

Completing this task would also be a way to give Xiao Yunyao a satisfactory closure. Beyond that, he held a quiet hope that her future days would be peaceful and safe.