"Ah!"
Qing Lin let out a sharp scream, instinctively covering her chest with her hands. Her face flushed red with embarrassment, and she quickly turned away, crouching down in a shameful attempt to hide.
"Hahaha!"
Watching her in such a flustered state, Gu Changqing couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter.
Despite his amusement, he quickly took out a basin of clean water from his storage ring, along with a towel, and handed them to her.
Qing Lin, still in a daze, accepted the items. She hastily cleaned herself but froze halfway through. Panic overtook her, and she suddenly knelt on the ground, her face drained of all color. Trembling, she began to mutter frantic apologies.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have dirtied your towel... I shouldn't have dirtied your basin... I—"
Years of self-loathing and the rejection from others had convinced her that anything she touched would be considered filthy. She feared the consequences of using Gu Changqing's belongings—the scolding and beatings that would surely follow. Overwhelmed by terror, she couldn't stop apologizing.
"Enough. You're not dirty. Get up," Gu Changqing said calmly, taking her hand and pulling her to her feet. He gently brushed off the dust from her knees and wiped her small hands with the towel. "I'll take you to buy some new clothes."
Qing Lin stood in stunned silence, too shocked to resist as he led her away. No one had ever treated her with such kindness.
"Master," called Liu Mei and Xue Lan, who had been eavesdropping outside the door. Startled, they quickly stood straight and greeted Gu Changqing, trembling slightly.
Gu Changqing shot them a stern look. "I'll deal with both of you later. For now, you're coming with me to help Qing Lin pick out some clothes."
"No... there's no need... I already have clothes..." Qing Lin stammered in panic, trying to refuse.
"Come on, those clothes are so worn out they've lost their color. I'm willing to bet they were discarded by someone else, and you picked them up to wear," Gu Changqing said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "From now on, as long as you're with me, you won't have to wear rags anymore. I'll buy you as many beautiful clothes as you want. I'll dress you up like a princess—someone cherished by everyone. You won't ever go hungry or be bullied again. You'll be my little sister, my princess. Isn't that nice?"
Liu Mei and Xue Lan exchanged astonished glances. Since when was their master this gentle?
As for Qing Lin, her eyes welled up with tears. Just hearing Gu Changqing's words filled her with a sense of happiness she had never imagined. But that happiness felt so distant, so unattainable.
"I don't deserve this... I don't deserve this..." Qing Lin sobbed as they continued walking, her tears flowing freely.
Gu Changqing paid no mind to whether she felt worthy or not. He held her hand firmly, strolling confidently through the streets. Along the way, members of the Mo Tie Mercenary Group noticed them, whispering as they passed by.
"Is that the young genius from the Jia Ma Empire's noble family? His tastes are rather... peculiar."
"Another spoiled rich brat, treating women like playthings. Just look at that filthy half-blood, he's already made her cry!"
"You're just jealous. He even got Xue Lan under his thumb, I heard she's become his..."
Swoosh!
Gu Changqing stopped abruptly and pointed at the man who had just insulted Qing Lin. In the blink of an eye, a multi-colored sword light shot out, piercing the man's shoulder and leaving a bloody hole. The sword light continued to shoot forward, cutting through a tree in the distance.
"From this moment on, anyone who dares speak ill of Qing Lin will be executed on sight," Gu Changqing said coldly, his voice as sharp as the sword he wielded.
The bystanders recoiled, stepping back several paces in fear.
Once Gu Changqing and the others walked away, they cautiously approached the wounded man, and when they saw the gaping wound, everyone sucked in a breath of disbelief.
"So powerful!"
"Is that Dou Qi projection? Could he be a Dou Master or higher?"
"This is insane!"
Meanwhile, Gu Changqing continued leading Qing Lin through the markets of Stone Desert City, picking out clothes. Anything that caught his eye, he bought on the spot, without hesitation. Even Liu Mei and Xue Lan ended up with new outfits.
As they moved from shop to shop, a crowd gathered, some pointing at Qing Lin, muttering insults about her being a "dirty half-blood." Gu Changqing showed no tolerance for them. Every offender received a slice of his sword Qi, either leaving them with bloody wounds or, for the more defiant, losing their lives entirely.
Soon, the commotion drew the attention of Stone Desert City's guards, who arrived, intent on upholding order.
Without hesitation, Gu Changqing slapped them to the ground, leaving no one standing. He declared loudly, "From today onward, Qing Lin is my sworn sister. Anyone who dares utter a single insult against her will face my wrath!"
"Her blood is not dirty. The only reason your women fell into the hands of the snake people was that you were too weak to protect them. Instead of blaming this innocent girl, you should reflect on your own failures. If I hear another word about this, I'll wipe out every last one of you!"
Gu Changqing's words were merciless, and his overwhelming strength sent shockwaves through the street. Even the city's mayor, a newly advanced Dou Spirit expert, was alerted. He personally came out to apologize to both Gu Changqing and Qing Lin.
The mayor of Stone Desert City was considered a formidable figure in this region. For someone of his stature to bow down so humbly, no one else dared to challenge them.
Soon, people's attitudes began to shift. The same townspeople who once scorned Qing Lin now envied her, admiring how the despised half-blood had gained the favor of a noble young master.
Even those who had bullied Qing Lin before fled the city, terrified that she might seek revenge.
Afterward, Gu Changqing brought Qing Lin to a fine inn, where he had her bathed and dressed in a lovely new gown. The once-downtrodden girl was transformed into a cute and elegant young lady. Holding her hand, Gu Changqing took her to a grand feast.
Qing Lin had never experienced such luxury—fine clothes, exquisite food, and most of all, kindness. Her heart overflowed with emotions. Even if Gu Changqing planned to torture her or sell her after today, she would accept it without complaint.
Of course, Gu Changqing had no such intentions.
"Is this a dream?"
The next morning, Qing Lin awoke in a soft, plush bed, something she had never experienced before. She ran her hands over the smooth sheets, feeling like she was living in a fantasy. As she continued to caress the fabric, tears once again streamed down her cheeks.