Qing Yin appeared calm and composed on the surface, but her heart was in a state of panic.
Ever since last night, she had been tossing and turning, unable to sleep, worrying about what excessive demands Su Yi might make.
It was only this morning that she made up her mind to confront him.
After all, the inevitable had to be faced sooner or later, so it was better to get it over with quickly.
However, when faced with the question head-on, she couldn't help but feel nervous.
"I hope my guess is correct. Knowing his temperament, he shouldn't make unreasonable requests..."
Qing Yin silently prayed in her heart.
In her eyes, Su Yi seemed young and unassuming, but deep down, he was extremely arrogant.
That aloof demeanor that looked down on everything, she had only seen it in the true giants among her sect's elders.
Those giants were capable of shaking the entire Great Zhou with just a stomp of their feet.
Even their arrogance paled in comparison to Su Yi's. He gave off the impression that everything in this world was as fleeting as shadows, and he could completely disregard it!
To look down on everything was just that.
Qing Yin also found it strange that a son-in-law from a small place could possess such an extraordinary spirit and arrogance.
It was undoubtedly abnormal.
However, it was precisely because she had discerned the arrogance in Su Yi's bones that Qing Yin had confidence that he wouldn't propose a shameful condition that she couldn't accept.
Time seemed to slow down to a crawl.
For Qing Yin, this moment felt longer than a year, and she was tormented by nervousness.
Then, she saw Su Yi look at her and ask, "Why are you so nervous?"
"Huh? Am I?" Qing Yin pretended to be calm, her bright and intelligent eyes meeting Su Yi's gaze, as if trying to prove that she wasn't nervous at all.
But the slight trace of panic inadvertently revealed in her eyes betrayed her lack of composure.
"If you exert any more force, you'll tear the hem of your clothes with your fingertips."
Su Yi chuckled.
Qing Yin was taken aback. She lowered her head and noticed that she had unknowingly clenched her hands on her clothes, with the tendons on the back of her hands protruding from the exertion.
Her delicate and beautiful face blushed, burning hot, and a hint of embarrassment flickered in her eyes. She glared fiercely at Su Yi and said, "If you don't speak up soon, don't blame me for changing my mind!"
The onlookers, including Zhou Zhili, were stunned. So, even Senior Apprentice Sister Qing Yin could be shy?
Then Su Yi pondered and said, "You possess the Spirit Xia Jade Body, which is exceptional even in this mundane world. And I happen to be in need of a handmaid by my side. If you are willing to follow me, within a year, I will not only grant you your freedom, but also help you fully unleash your innate talents."
After speaking, silence filled the room, and not a sound could be heard.
Yuan Luo Xi and the others were dumbfounded. The woman's martial arts attainments were terrifying, comparable to a grandmaster, and her identity was obviously extremely noble. Even the Sixth Prince had to address her as "Senior Apprentice Sister."
But now, Mr. Su wanted to take her as his handmaid!
Zhou Zhili couldn't help but shudder. He knew Qing Yin's identity best, and when he heard Su Yi make such a request, he was almost dumbfounded.
If Qing Yin's senior apprentices in her sect were to find out about this, it wouldn't end well.
Looking at Qing Yin, she too had a dazed expression, her eyes fixed.
She had already made up her mind that if Su Yi had really been coveting her appearance and made such a shameful request, she would rather die than agree.
Who would have thought that Su Yi would make an even more outrageous demand? He... actually wanted her to be his handmaid!
In an instant, Qing Yin's face flushed red, her teeth clenched, and her bright eyes became as sharp as blades. Her chest, hidden beneath her loose clothes, heaved violently.
"What do you take me for?"
Qing Yin enunciated each word with a seething rage.
Everyone felt a wave of tension.
But then Su Yi furrowed his brows slightly and said, "Being able to accompany me by my side is a blessing that others can't obtain."
"A blessing?"
Qing Yin burst into laughter. From childhood to adulthood, she had been regarded as the pride of her sect. Even when facing Zhou Zhili, a prince, she never showed any deference.
But now, she was being treated with such disdain. How could she not be angry?
If it weren't for the fact that Su Yi had saved her life last night, she would have drawn her sword and cut down this shameless guy.
He was truly despicable!
Unexpectedly, Su Yi also smiled and said, "I know you must feel resentful, thinking that I am demeaning you. However, it won't be too late for you to make a decision after you finish reading this."
Saying that, he took out a rolled-up piece of paper from the ink jade pendant and handed it over.
Qing Yin froze for a moment, suppressing her overflowing anger, and took the scroll.
As she opened and read it, the first line caught her off guard, "Lingxia's True Solution?"
She continued reading.
Within moments, Qing Yin's mind became fully immersed in the contents of the paper, and various expressions of astonishment, realization, trembling, and excitement appeared on her straight eyebrows. Her beautiful face also fluctuated unpredictably.
This made Zhou Zhili and Yuan Luo Xi curious about what was written on the paper.
Unfortunately, they were unable to see due to the distance.
After a while, Qing Yin reluctantly withdrew her gaze and fell into silence.
Everyone could see the intense struggle in her heart at this moment.
At that moment, Su Yi calmly said, "This is just an introductory guideline. In my opinion, with your comprehension ability, you should be able to completely grasp all the profound mysteries within a year. Of course, if you truly don't want to, then forget it. I won't bother to do something that is difficult for strong people like you."
The contents written on this page were called "Lingxia's True Solution," which explained the secrets of the "Spirit Xia Jade Body" talent and included many secrets for exploring and utilizing such talents.
In his previous life, he had researched and deduced the uses of different talents on the path of cultivation, using the "Hierarchy of Heavenly Spirit Bodies" as a guide. He had sought out various natural spirit bodies in the world and conducted deductions and contemplation one by one, which had brought him great rewards.
The "Lingxia's True Solution" was one of the brilliant deductions he had made.
All eyes turned to Qing Yin, as if waiting to see how she would decide.
"Can... can I consider it?"
After a long time, Qing Yin stammered and timidly spoke up.
Su Yi nodded and said, "Of course you can, but my patience is limited. You need to give me a definite answer before we reach Yunhe County."
Qing Yin breathed a sigh of relief and didn't linger any longer. She quickly bid farewell to Zhou Zhili and left.
"Mr. Su, if you lack a handmaid by your side, I can help you find one, no matter what kind of personality, I can find as many as you need."
Watching Qing Yin leave, Yuan Luo Xi couldn't help but speak up.
Su Yi smiled and said, "I just rarely come across someone with a natural spirit body. I was curious, that's all. Of course, it's fine if she refuses. Everyone has their own desires."
Huang Qianjun sighed and said, "Only Su ge has the confidence to do something like this. If it were someone else, with Qing Yin's abilities, they would have already been furious and killed."
Cheng Wuyong couldn't help but laugh and said, "In my opinion, rather than saying that Su Yi made a request to her, it's more accurate to say that Su Yi bestowed her with a great opportunity. Whether she accepts it or not is up to her."
Su Yi smiled, neither confirming nor denying.
Suddenly, Yuan Luo Xi remembered something and said, "By the way, Mr. Su, the day after tomorrow, in the evening, we will arrive at Yunhe County. If you don't have a temporary place to stay, why don't you come to my house?"
"I have a place to stay."
Su Yi shook his head, and in his mind, he couldn't help but recall the three years of cultivation at the Qinghe Sword Mansion and some of the people and events in Yunhe County.
Of course, he also remembered Wen Lingxue.
...
The eighth day of the second month in the Da Zhou calendar.
On the bustling docks by the Great Cang River outside Yunhe County, boats and ships were coming and going.
In the distance, a massive ship was sailing towards them.
"Yunhe County, I, Su Yi, have returned once again..."
Standing with hands behind his back at the window of a tower, Su Yi murmured as he gazed at the imposing city silhouette on the shore.
Yunhe County, the heartland of the nineteen cities of Yunhe County, was like the capital of this land, with a population of three million.
The Qinghe Sword Mansion, renowned throughout the nineteen cities of Yunhe County, stood tall among them.
Compared to Guangling City, Yunhe County was undoubtedly much more prosperous and wealthy.
Here, various forces of different sizes thrived, and martial practitioners gathered.
Among the nineteen cities of Yunhe County, almost all the young talents aspiring to martial arts had converged here.
"Mr. Su, the ship is about to dock near the pier. Shall we prepare to disembark?"
Yuan Luo Xi, dressed in military attire, had a hint of excitement on her face.
The prospect of returning home soon clearly filled this arrogant young girl with joy.
Cheng Wuyong and Huang Qianjun had also made their preparations.
Seeing this, Su Yi nodded and left the tower directly.
"Su Yi."
While on his way, he saw Qing Yin approaching from a distance.
Her injuries had completely healed, and her long hair was tied up in a ponytail. With her flawless skin and delicate and beautiful features, she exuded an extraordinary charm.
After she approached, without waiting for Su Yi to speak, she announced, "I have made up my mind. Perhaps you have good intentions, but I don't want to be inferior to you!"
The young girl stood tall and slender, her hands crossed in front of her chest. Her lips curved slightly upwards, and her bright eyes were filled with pride.
Su Yi calmly smiled and said, "I admire your decision."
Su Yi didn't show any sign of disappointment in his expression, which surprised Qing Yin a little.
Immediately, she pondered her words and said, "However, I owe you a debt of gratitude for saving my life. I will repay you in the future."
Su Yi waved it off and said, "No need. In my opinion, you should worry more about your nephew and avoid causing any more trouble."
Qing Yin hesitated for a moment, seeming a bit embarrassed, and asked, "If you don't mind, may I ask where you obtained the 'Lingxia True Explanation'?"
Su Yi casually replied, "I figured it out myself."
Qing Yin was taken aback and couldn't help but say, "In my opinion, a profound technique like the 'Lingxia True Explanation' is something that even the earthly immortals in the world may not be able to comprehend. If it weren't for me not becoming your maid, making you disappointed, why would you say such nonsense?"
She clearly thought that Su Yi was concealing the truth and deliberately not telling her.
Su Yi couldn't help but laugh and said, "Remember what I told you yesterday. Being able to be my maid is a blessing that others can't attain. That's it. If we have the chance, we'll meet again..."
"No, it's better not to meet again in the future. I don't want to be inexplicably dragged into trouble," Qing Yin interjected.
Having said that, Su Yi had already taken steps forward.
Yuan Luo Xi and the others quickly caught up.
Under the light of the sky, the young man in the green robe walked leisurely with his hands behind his back.
Qing Yin stood still, gazing at Su Yi's gradually receding figure, feeling inexplicably complex in her heart.