"Alright!"
Gu Changqing nodded, then added with a smirk:
"On one condition—if you come over and sit in my arms, I'll let Lin Fei go. How about that?"
He extended his other hand, motioning for the tall, stunningly beautiful Xue Mei to approach him.
Xue Mei's face flushed red as she quickly took two steps back, casting an apologetic glance at Lin Fei.
"Lin Fei, I... I'm sorry. I don't know what else to do. Maybe... you should just be his girlfriend?"
Honestly, Gu Changqing wasn't a bad choice. Handsome and powerful, the only issue was his lack of tact, his shameless audacity, and that irritating playboy charm.
"Xue Mei! How could you betray me like this? This is all because of that stupid bet! I can't believe you're abandoning me now!"
Lin Fei was on the verge of tears. Her so-called "best friend" had been the one who dared her to confess to Gu Changqing, and now that she was stuck in this mess, Xue Mei was conveniently backing out.
"Lin Fei, I... I really can't help you..."
Xue Mei's face burned with shame. What else could she do? There was no way she was going to throw herself into Gu Changqing's arms—that would be like walking straight into the lion's den.
"Hmph! Xue Mei, you've pushed me too far! The next time we compete, don't expect me to hold back. I swear I'll become a Rank 1 Alchemist before you, and when I do, I'll make you kiss some random guy right in front of me!"
Frustrated and humiliated, Lin Fei swore to get her revenge.
"Well, good luck with that!" Xue Mei encouraged her with a grin, unfazed. They were both evenly matched, and she wasn't about to be intimidated by Lin Fei's threats.
"Oh? So, your bet is to see who becomes a Rank 1 Alchemist first? Lin Fei, would you like me to help you out?"
Gu Changqing squeezed Lin Fei's slender waist playfully as he asked, a mischievous smile on his lips.
"You pervert! Let go of me, now!" Lin Fei slapped his hand, attempting to stop his wandering fingers.
Slap!
Gu Changqing, showing no mercy, swatted Lin Fei's round, firm backside with a sharp smack. Her once-perfect shape momentarily flattened under the impact, and Lin Fei winced, her face scrunching up in pain as she glared at him.
"Behave, or I'll make sure your behind is really sore."
His voice was low and casual, but the threat was clear.
"Fine..."
Lin Fei hastily covered her stinging backside, realizing she had no choice but to comply for now.
"Well, it looks like Lin Fei has finally met her match," Xue Mei murmured, shrinking back slightly. In Black Rock City, the only one bold enough to spank the city lord's daughter like this was Gu Changqing. Just what kind of background did he have? Could it be that Lin Fei was really at his mercy now?
"Let's go," Gu Changqing said, glancing at Xue Mei. "Take your boyfriend to the Alchemist Guild. Don't worry, I'll make sure you win that bet."
With that, he tightened his hold on Lin Fei's waist and started walking. She had no choice but to follow along, her attempts to escape thwarted by his firm grip.
Thud! Thud!
Suddenly, armored soldiers appeared from all directions, surrounding the trio and the small Amethyst Winged Lion by their side.
A middle-aged general, clad in heavy armor and riding a black-scaled warhorse, stepped forward. His spear pointed directly at Gu Changqing as he shouted:
"Release Miss Lin Fei at once, you scoundrel!"
Lin Fei and Xue Mei's faces lit up with relief. This general, Kang, was a powerful Dou Master—surely, they were saved now.
"General Kang! Save me! Arrest this scoundrel and throw him in prison!" Lin Fei called out, struggling to break free and run toward the general.
But Gu Changqing wasn't about to let that happen. He pulled her back into his arms, locking her in place.
"You dare?!"
General Kang face twisted with rage as he leaped from his horse, spear aimed directly at Gu Changqing's chest.
"Watch out!"
"General Kang, don't kill him!" Lin Fei's expression changed in an instant, suddenly pleading for Gu Changqing's life.
She wanted to teach him a lesson, not have him killed!
Clang!
Kent responded, slightly altering his attack. Instead of piercing, he swung his spear to smash into Gu Changqing's shoulder.
"Pathetic trick."
With a swift movement, Gu Changqing drew a blue longsword from thin air, parrying the spear with ease.
Clang!
The spear and sword clashed. Gu Changqing, still holding Lin Fei, effortlessly sidestepped while Kang barely managed to regain his footing, a wary look crossing his face.
"Who are you, and what is your purpose here in Black Rock City?"
That brief exchange told Kent everything he needed to know—Gu Changqing was no ordinary fighter. He had just taken an attack that could flatten most Dou Fighters, and he had done it with one hand while holding Lin Fei.
"From Wutan City, of the Xiao Clan. Gu Changqing."
Gu Changqing's tone was calm, almost bored.
"As for why I'm here in Black Rock City..."
He glanced down at the stunned Lin Fei in his arms, tightening his grip around her waist.
"Care to explain, Lin Fei?"
"You...!"
General Kang anger flared, but there was also a hint of fear. He knew of the Xiao Clan, but even they didn't have any Dou Kings in their ranks. The Black Rock City lord, a Dou King, could easily crush them.
"Gu Changqing, if I'm not mistaken, your Xiao Clan only has a few Dou Masters at best. Our city lord is a Four-Star Dou King. Do you really think you can get away with abducting his daughter?"
General Kang words were meant to intimidate, banking on the city lord's power.
"You've got it all wrong, General," Gu Changqing replied with a chuckle. "Lin Fei here confessed her love to me, and I graciously accepted. She's my girlfriend now. What's wrong with a man holding his own girlfriend?"
Then, with a mocking smile, he added, "But thanks to your interruption, you've cost the city lord a fine son-in-law. What do you say to that?"
"Shameless!"
General Kang rage boiled over. He was certain this arrogant brat was just a talented young man blinded by his own arrogance. Such geniuses needed to be taught a lesson.
Without further thought, General Kang charged again, spear in hand.
Clang! Clang!
The sound of their weapons clashing echoed through the wide street. Even though Gu Changqing still held Lin Fei with one arm, he easily fended off General Kang attacks with his sword.
The longer the fight dragged on, the more anxious General Kang became. He had already unleashed most of his strength, yet he couldn't land a single hit on Gu Changqing. The boy was barely trying, still holding Lin Fei as if he had all the time in the world.
To make matters worse, Gu Changqing's calm, composed expression showed that he wasn't even taking the battle seriously.