C33 Have You Ever Asked Me Before?!

Liu Xuanqing ran for his life, his head whipping back in fear as if something terrifying were on his heels. Abruptly, a sharp whistling pierced the air. Seven figures appeared, cutting off his path of escape.

The leader, wielding a long sword, exuded a fierce killing intent. He looked down on Liu Xuanqing with disdain, his eyes filled with haughty pride—as if Liu Xuanqing were merely an ant at his feet. This man was Qin Yuan, the henchman of Qin Shan, flanked by six of Qin Shan's trusted fighters.

The appearance of these seven turned Liu Xuanqing's face ghostly white; his strength ebbed away, and he crumpled to the ground, trembling, consumed by an indescribable terror and panic.

"Why stop now? Why not keep running?" Qin Yuan mocked with a cold chuckle.

"It's astonishing that a mere manager would dare to cross our Young Lord Qin Shan," he said with a sneer. "Liu Xuanqing, you've got some audacity!"

"Master Qin Shan has been looking for Qin Feng's maid, and you've brazenly protected her. What gave you such courage?" Qin Yuan's voice dripped with disdain, his intent to kill growing more palpable.

"Ha! 'Master Qin Shan'? In the vast Qin family, only Qin Feng is the rightful Young Lord!" Liu Xuanqing, realizing there was no way out, summoned a defiant courage and shouted back. "Qin Yunhai is afraid for his own status and suppresses Young Lord Qin Feng at every opportunity. Are you his lackeys not afraid of the old patriarch's fury when he comes out of seclusion?"

"How dare you!" Qin Yuan's face twisted with rage. He roared, pointing his sword directly at Liu Xuanqing.

"Liu Xuanqing, kneel and grovel like a dog. Perhaps then, I'll grant you a quick death. Otherwise, I promise you a torture so excruciating you'll plead for death!"

Qin Yuan looked down at Liu Xuanqing with an air of superiority, a cruel smirk curling his lips.

"It's inconceivable that this fool would support that failure, Qin Feng, and hide the maid's location—utterly foolish!"

"But at last, we've found her! She's quite the beauty; I must admit, she's caught even my eye," Qin Yuan boasted.

"Hahaha, too bad we can only watch. A woman Lord Lin Xu desires? We wouldn't dare covet her, and even the Young Lord must step aside," the others chimed in, their laughter echoing as they relished in Liu Xuanqing's terror.

A savage grin spread across Qin Yuan's face, imagining Liu Xuanqing on his knees, begging for mercy. The thrill of wielding power over life and death was intoxicating.

"Though I'm no hero, I've never once regretted my loyalty to Young Lord Qin Feng!" Liu Xuanqing declared, rising to his feet with an unyielding spirit. "Your arrogance won't last. The Young Lord will return to the Qin family and avenge me!"

He stood tall, his gaze piercing through the seven before him, his resolve unwavering.

"You dare speak to me, a mere insect!" Qin Yuan's face darkened as he drew his longsword and struck mercilessly at Liu Xuanqing. The sword's momentum was fierce, cutting off any chance of escape.

The Sword Qi was so intense that Liu Xuanqing had no will to fight back. As the blade neared, despair etched itself onto his face, leaving him with no options.

Then, in the nick of time, a chilling voice cut through the tension, "Did anyone bother to ask if I'd let you kill me?"

Liu Xuanqing's body jolted sharply, and the look of despair that had claimed his face vanished without a trace. In its place, a look of delighted surprise swiftly emerged.