“Isn’t she in Anyang County? Why is she here at this time?” Xiao Ran was puzzled.

He opened the door and went out.

Apart from Little Zhou, Ling Qing’er was also at the door.

Her face was calm, but when she saw him, her eyes displayed a hint of relief.

“You can leave first,” Xiao Ran said.

Little Zhou was suspicious. He scratched the back of his head and glanced at Xiao Ran, then at Ling Qing’er. He was puzzled. What was going on between them?

He shook his head, thinking that he was imagining things.

The two of them were not on the same level at all. It was not that he looked down on Xiao Ran, but even if he really wanted something to happen, she might not even give him a chance.

“What are you waiting for?” Xiao Ran gave him a kick.

“I’ll leave now.” Little Zhou quickly ran away.

They were the only ones left in the courtyard.

As if afraid that Xiao Ran would misunderstand, Ling Qing’er took the initiative to explain, “Don’t think too much. I was just passing by.”

“Come in and talk!” Xiao Ran sighed wearily.

He went inside and closed the door.

He poured two cups of tea and placed one in front of her.

“Thank you!”

Ling Qing’er was stunned. “Why are you thanking me?”

“Anyang County is not far from here. There was a huge battle here previously, so it’s impossible for you not to sense it. I’m also here. If you appear at this time, with your evolution level you must have rushed here non-stop in order to arrive now,” Xiao Ran said.

“You’re overthinking it.” Ling Qing’er still refused to admit it after being exposed.

Xiao Ran did not dwell on this topic. “Have you settled the matters at home?”

“Yes.” Ling Qing’er blushed.

Xiao Ran bit his lips in speechlessness, thinking, “Why the heck did I have to mention this for?”

There was an awkward silence.

Xiao Ran really had nothing to say. “Have some tea.”

The two of them finished the whole pot of tea, and the atmosphere became awkward again.

“It’s getting late. I should leave.” Ling Qing’er stood up and prepared to leave.

“It’s almost dawn. Stop fidgeting around and stay here for the night!” Xiao Ran said kindly.

Ling Qing’er looked straight at him, making him panic.

“What’s wrong?” Xiao Ran was puzzled.

“You really want me to stay?”

“Hmm.” Xiao Ran acknowledged with a nod of his head.

Silence for a moment.

Ling Qing’er suddenly moved and stepped in front of him. She hooked his chin and kissed him.

Xiao Ran was dumbfounded. Didn’t they agree that they would forget about this matter after one time and no one was allowed to mention it again?

“I was kind enough to ask you to stay and was about to arrange a separate room for you. But you actually coveted my body?” Xiao Ran thought wildly.

It was the same as last time.

Xiao Ran was very passive from beginning to end.

Outside the courtyard,

Little Zhou sat on the flower bed and held his chin. He looked at the tightly shut courtyard door and muttered, “It’s been two hours. Why hasn’t Lady Ling come out yet? Could it be that she has a mission for Brother Xiao this time?”

A member of the Divine Sword Guards passed by.

“Lord Zhou, what are you doing?”

“Looking at the stars.” After tossing out these meaningless words, Little Zhou left.

When Xiao Ran woke up, Ling Qing’er had already left. There was a note beside him that she had left behind.

“It was an accident this time. It won’t happen again.”

He crushed the note with his fingers vehemently.

He opened the door and went out.

After breakfast,

Xiao Ran entered the rest chamber. Little Zhou stood guard outside and looked at Qian Yi, who was tied to the iron rack. He interrogated, “Who’s the mastermind backing you?”

After a night of recovery and the doctor’s treatment, Qian Yi’s condition improved a little.

His injuries were still shocking and very frightening. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said weakly.

“You’re still being stubborn at this point?”

“You attacked an official of the Imperial Court on your own volition. Even if you’re a member of the Divine Sword Guards, no one can protect you!” Qian Yi sneered.

Pow!

Xiao Ran smashed his fist into his chest and a huge force penetrated his body. Qian Yi could not withstand it and spat out a mouthful of blood. His face was pale and his aura was even weaker.

“So you remember the Imperial Court at this time?”

“Kill me if you dare!” Qian Yi said angrily.

“The prefectural magistrate and the lieutenant have handed over the evidence of your crimes to me. The evidence and report are on their way to the Imperial Court. With the Night Illumination Dragon Horse’s speed, they will arrive at this time tomorrow at the latest.”

Xiao Ran then paused, allowing him to digest this information before continuing.

“Don’t expect anyone to save you. The backer behind you probably wants to silence you now. Explain everything clearly and fight for a good ending for your family.”

“You can fool outsiders with these words, but they are useless in front of me. Whether you want to kill me or torture me, just do it. I’ll accept them all.”

“You don’t care about your family?” Xiao Ran asked.

“They’ve followed me all these years and enjoyed the wealth and luxury that others don’t have the fortune to enjoy. It’s worth it even if they die.” Qian Yi seemed to have gone mad.

Xiao Ran couldn’t be bothered to ask further. 15 consecutive shots of the Heavenly Slave Divine Fingers penetrated his body.

A quarter of an hour later,

Xiao Ran relieved his pain. Under the torture of the Heavenly Slave Divine Finger, he was about to go crazy and could die at any time.

However, he chose to bear with it and never once beg for mercy.

His face was bleeding, but he had an evil grin on his face. His disheveled hair covered his face, but he still said in a goading fashion, “Come at me again if you dare!”

Xiao Ran boxed his ears twice viciously and knocked him out cold.

He then walked out of the room.

Little Zhou hurriedly asked, “Is there a result?”

Xiao Ran shook his head. “He’s very stubborn.”

“What do we do now?”

“Wait for news from above,” Xiao Ran said.

At noon time,

the prefectural magistrate and lieutenant held a banquet at the Spring Manor and invited Xiao Ran and Little Zhou over.

Xiao Ran turned them down. The two then each prepared a generous gift and sent them to him.