Chapter 187.1: 187.1
187 . 1 – Qing [1]
“He’s not an officer for no reason . He dealt with this situation quite well . ”
As soon as Xue Qilin retreated to Ye Zhen’s side, she heard him evaluate Guan Qi’s way of coping with this situation in an admiring tone, which is rare for him .
“Hmm, really…?”
Xue Qilin is a bit out of the picture .
“Officer Guan preemptively punched and formally punished that person in order to prevent the Merak Temple from pursuing this matter…”
Indeed, this punch has solved many problems . If the Merak Temple pushes for a punishment, he can simply use the excuse of “disobeying orders” and send the other party to prison .
“Hey, that’s so convoluted…”
“Of course Qi’er’s restraint is also praiseworthy . ”
According to Ye Zhen’s statement, things didn’t go out of control due to Qi Qiqi’s restraint and Guan Qi’s quick response .
Nevertheless, the deterioration of the overall situation could not be avoided .
Because Chen Yong has drawn his sword, the current situation has fallen into a state of tension .
Whether it is the Merak Temple’s side or the Northern Guard Fort’s side, they all have the same grim expression . If something stirs the pot, this tense situation will become hard to deal with, and may even devolve into a fight .
Anyway, the reaction of both sides is really edgy . This also proves that the relationship between the Martial World and the Imperial Court — at least with the army — is extremely bad . Otherwise, the situation would not have been made highly strung that easily .
The scars left by that incident from 5 years ago seem deeper and more indelible than imagined . Everything is kept up on an extremely fragile balance .
Xue Qilin realized this once more at this time .
It seems that many things are not as optimistic as imagined… Restlessness welled up inside Xue Qilin’s chest .
After all, everything she now has is in the Merak Temple . If the relationship between the Martial World and the Imperial Court deteriorates to the point where they must meet on the battlefield, she won’t be able to stay out of it .
“Officer Guan, why does Great General Gong wants Qing’er brought back to the mansion — can you tell me the reason behind this?”
When he heard Qi Qiqi’s question, Guan Qi shook his head .
However, what he meant by this gesture was not “no comment”, but–
“Unfortunately, the order I received only mentioned for us to meet Young Lady Gong and escort her back to the Gong Mansion . The order didn’t state anything else . I also don’t know . ”
That’s the military for you .
Military orders cannot be disobeyed . Besides following orders, there is no room for questions .
Although Qi Qiqi can understand this, but she still didn’t give up on investigating the cause of this .
“Officer Guan, forgive me for being rude, but you should know something, right? Even if it’s just an inkling, please tell it to me . ”
Guan Qi frowned and remained silent for a while .
“I cannot comment on this . ”
In other words, he actually knows a bit about what’s this all about, but he cannot reveal anything because of his ident.i.ty .
Although the other party is in a tight spot and cannot disclose any information, but Qi Qiqi has no intention of empathizing with him and making concessions .
“In that case, I cannot comply with this order . ”
Cold, unkind words sounded .
For Qi Qiqi to a.s.sume such a tough stance, it rather surprised Xue Qilin .
“It’s hard on Qi’er…”
Ye Zhen suddenly sighed with a seemingly profound meaning .
However, Xue Qilin has no time to delve into it .
The moment Qi Qiqi categorically rejected the other party, the expressions of the cavalrymen became unsightly . Guan Qi, who had a tranquil expression all this time, furrowed his eyebrows tightly .
“Qing’er is my true disciple . She is the one who’ll inherit my legacy in the future . In other words, she is the future Temple Master of the Merak Temple . How can I — no, how can our Merak Temple hand over the future Temple Master under these dubious circ.u.mstances?”
Qi Qiqi’s stern, sonorous voice resounded in the Merak Temple .
At this time, Xue Qilin learned that Gong Tianqing is the future Temple Master .
In any case, since Gong Tianqing has such an ident.i.ty, this is not a matter that can be taken lightly .
No clan or organization would allow their successor to be taken away under dubious circ.u.mstances . After all, the successor is the one who shall carry the torch of an organization or clan . Naturally, they require strict protection .
There’s no way that Guan Qi would not understand such a simple truth .
In fact, after listening to Qi Qiqi’s statement, his expression eased a little .
“So that’s the case . ” He shook his head somewhat apologetically, “Reasonably speaking, our actions are indeed improper . ”
The other party’s softened att.i.tude let Qi Qiqi release a sigh of relief .
“Officer Guan, since you understand–”
Guan Qi raised his hand to signal Qi Qiqi to be silent .
“I understand that it may be unreasonable . ” Guan Qi sighed, “It’s a pity, but . ”
Qi Qiqi creased her slim eyebrows deeply . “But” generally indicates a turning point where the situation is likely to develop in an unfavorable direction .
Guan Qi closed his eyes and uttered in an oppressive tone, “The order we got states to bring Young Lady Gong back to the mansion at all costs . ”
There was an unnatural pause in his words .
“–at all costs . ” He emphasized .
“… can it really not be avoided?”
“Military orders must be obeyed . ”
Guan Qi raised his hand apathetically, ready to give some kind of signal . Xue Qilin can easily perceive killing intent congeal . A fight can happen at any time .
But what about the remaining 900 people? Where are they hiding? Xue Qilin’s thoughts revolved rapidly . She doesn’t think that Guan Qi is so impulsive and brazen as to use his current military power to contend against the Merak Temple . That would just be throwing away lives, utterly meaningless .
As if to answer the upcoming signal–
Killing intent surged from different directions .
Hundreds of soldiers suddenly appeared between the trees on both sides of the road and aimed the crossbows in their hands at the Merak Temple’s main gate .
They came stealthily! Xue Qilin opened her eyes wide .
Before the ambush, no one in the Merak Temple has noticed their existence .
The la.s.s suspects that these people must belong to a military branch that specializes in stealth arts, which is evidenced by the fact that they only wear light leather armor with leaves and mud stuck to it as camouflage . Although they are martial pract.i.tioners, but their breath is weak, which obviously means that it is being suppressed .
On the other hand, the more than 90 cavalrymen gripped the spears hanging from their mounts and a.s.sumed a stance, ready to charge at anytime .
With just one gesture, hundreds of killing intents locked on the people of the Merak Temple .
Everyone of the Merak Temple was rattled .
Even though they have prepared themselves beforehand, but now that things are really happening, they couldn’t help but waver .
Xue Qilin and Ye Zhen looked at each other solemnly, and then took a step at the same time and protected Qi Qiqi and the people of the Merak Temple . If a fight really takes place, they need to serve as a sharp sword and defeat the enemy .
Ye Zhen unsheathed the sword Heavenly Glimmer, whose hilt he has been holding tightly all along . But Xue Qilin has no sword to draw . Her mechanical sword is still under repair . Therefore–
“Young Ancestor, catch the sword!”
Li Wanting’s voice sounded, and Xue Qilin looked back .
Then, a green flash broke into her field of vision, and she subconsciously reached out and grabbed it .
“This is–!”
Xue Qilin exclaimed when he saw the true appearance of the thing in her hand .
It is a familiar sword . The cross guard is engraved with a dragon pattern, while the sword body is glowing with gentle light green light .
It’s Luo Qing’s sword .
In a daze, Xue Qilin saw a green shadow .
–Young Ancestor, protect the Merak Temple .
A green voice, a green smile, a green will .
Xue Qilin stroked the sword, a bitter expression on her face .
“Okay, okay, I got it . ”
Xue Qilin and Qi Qiqi exchanged a look, and then the latter nodded at the former .
Then, the la.s.s, with the sword in hand, turned around .
Images dotted with cold rays appeared before her eyes .
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[1] – Qing (青) is Luo Qing’s name, not to confuse with Gong Tianqing’s Qing (晴) . Luo Qing’s name Qing means “green”, while Gong Tianqing’s name Tianqing means “clear sky” . Luo Qing is the girl who effectively committed suicide in Vol . 1