C50 Golden Garden
"Is Mi Xueyin still in there?"
Choo Qin's tone was icy. He had been contemplating how to preserve Mi Xueyin's dignity, yet to his dismay, these thugs had blatantly betrayed her!
The thugs, still able to move their upper bodies, nodded frantically, though they were incapable of uttering a single word.
"You sold her out?"
The thugs hesitated, clearly at a loss, before timidly nodding again, their gazes shifting to their tall boss who was foaming at the mouth.
"Ultimate Healing Arts."
With a flick of his hand, Choo Qin cast the Ultimate Healing Arts. The thug boss, who a moment ago had been a ghastly sight, was miraculously restored to his former self.
The other underlings shuddered anew. They had seen mages before, but never had they witnessed such an extraordinary display of magic.
Who had ever seen someone fully recover from the Ultimate Healing Arts in less than a second? Surely not even a dedicated Healing Mage could achieve such a feat!
"Who bought her? Where is she now?"
Choo Qin demanded, fixing the previously outspoken thug with a gaze that showed complete disregard for life.
"Pah! You think you're something special because you're a mage? That girl's probably already been..." The tall thug, still dazed, spat out the words without thinking.
"Silence!" In an instant, Choo Qin froze him once more, then delivered a punch that shattered him. The thug's intended words were far too vile to be spoken.
For vermin like these, Choo Qin saw no reason to show mercy.
"Murder... He's killed someone!" The remaining thugs' eyes bulged in shock. A disagreement had escalated to murder, and their leader was now nothing but ice shards.
A collective gasp rose from the crowd. This mage, who acted without reason, where had he come from?
"I'll come back for you later!"
Choo Qin had acted in a fit of rage, eliminating the tall thug. He suspected these underlings knew little else. Knowing that Mi Xueyin was within Golden Garden, he decided to make his move.
Choo Qin was determined to save Mi Xueyin, and no one would stand in his way.
...
Choo Qin was swift, and as dusk fell, the inhabitants of Golden Garden remained oblivious to the skirmish that had unfolded just outside.
The Golden Garden exuded opulence, a stark contrast to the understated elegance of the Rain Listening Pavilion. This place was akin to a gilded den of luxury.
A diverse crowd mingled within the Golden Garden, their lavishness bordering on decadence. It was a mystery how Mi Xueyin had managed to spend her recent days in such an environment.
Upon Choo Qin's arrival, he was immediately accosted by two young women. They recognized him as a newcomer, perhaps even a lucrative mark, and eagerly latched onto his shoulders with delight.
"Sir, would you prefer to relax in the main hall, or would you like a private room to catch up on old times?" one of them asked, her voice wavering slightly due to the bustling crowd. Choo Qin closed his eyes, tuning out the noise as he honed in on Mi Xueyin's presence.
At last, he located her in a private room on the fourth floor, cornered by two men who appeared to be making unwanted advances.
Muttering a curse under his breath, Choo Qin attempted to make his way to her, only to find himself tightly embraced by the two women.
"Get off me!" he exclaimed, pushing them aside in a rush of urgency.
"Damn it, are you looking for trouble?" he growled.
With a forceful step, he harnessed the Wind Element beneath his feet, propelling himself towards Mi Xueyin's room. At that moment, his concern for her safety overshadowed everything else; if anything were to happen to her, he couldn't forgive himself, not with the power he possessed.