Chương 17: 17 Shy Blue Scales

Luo Bu was knocked back by Xiao Ding's palm strike, staggering and almost losing his footing.

His arm was still numb, and the area between his thumb and forefinger was cracked from the impact.

Fresh blood dripped down his fingers.

"How is that possible..."

Rob looked at Xiao Ding, a look of shock flashing in his eyes.

Xiao Ding's strength was clearly inferior to his before.

How did you suddenly become so strong?

Before he could think any further, Xiao Li had already charged in from the side.

He punched him in the temple.

Rob quickly dodged to the side.

But Xiao Li was too fast.

Rob had no choice but to take the hit head-on.

boom!

The two palms collided, producing a muffled thud.

Rob's body flew backward and crashed heavily to the ground.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and his face turned deathly pale.

"Commander!"

The mercenaries of the Sand Mercenary Group changed their expressions simultaneously upon seeing this scene.

Several people wanted to rush up and help.

Xiao Li turned around and gave them a cold look.

The mercenaries immediately stopped in their tracks.

"Rob, weren't you being very arrogant just now?"

Xiao Ding said coldly.

Rob raised his head and looked at Xiao Ding, fear flashing in his eyes.

"Xiao Ding... don't go too far."

"Too much?"

Xiao Ding smiled.

"You led your men to storm the gates of my Desert Iron Mercenary Group, intending to kill my people, and you still say I'm going too far?"

He raised his foot and stepped on Rob's chest.

Rob groaned, and another mouthful of blood gushed from his mouth.

I won't kill you today.

Xiao Ding said coldly.

"Go back to your Sand Mercenary Group, and never let me see you again."

"If you dare to step into my Desert Iron Mercenary Group's territory again, I will wipe out your Sand Mercenary Group."

"roll."

Rob struggled to his feet, clutching his chest, and staggered backward.

He glanced at Xiao Ding, a flash of hatred in his eyes.

"Walk."

Rob gritted his teeth and waved to the mercenaries behind him.

The mercenaries quickly helped him up and slunk away.

Xiao Ding turned around and walked up to Lu Chen.

"Brother Lu Chen."

"Thanks to the pills you gave us, my brother and I were able to break through."

"Otherwise, this hurdle today might not be so easy to overcome."

Xiao Li also walked over and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Brother Lu Chen, I am deeply grateful and cannot express my thanks."

"From now on, you will be the benefactor of our Desert Iron Mercenary Group."

Lu Chen looked at them, his face expressionless.

"It was just a small favor."

He said lightly.

Qinglin stood aside, looking at Lu Chen with gratitude in her eyes.

"Lord Lu Chen, thank you."

She spoke.

"If it weren't for you, I would have been arrested by them today."

Lu Chen glanced at her.

"fine."

Then he waved his hand, indicating that it was nothing to worry about.

Looking at his calm expression, Qinglin felt a surge of warmth in her heart.

……

The group returned to the base of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group.

Xiao Ding had his men clean several rooms and also ordered a banquet to be prepared.

"Brother Lu Chen, stay with us tonight."

Xiao Ding said.

"Let us treat you to a good meal."

Xiao Li also said.

"Yes, Brother Lu Chen, you've helped us so much."

"We should at least be treated as hosts."

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen was about to speak.

Qinglin walked up to him and looked up at him.

"Lord Lu Chen, please stay."

Her eyes were pleading.

Lu Chen looked at her and remained silent for a moment.

"OK."

……

At night.

Xiao Ding had a table of food and wine prepared.

The dishes weren't particularly fancy, but the portions were generous, and they were all local specialties from the Shimo City area.

Lu Chen sat at the table, with Xiao Ding and Xiao Li sitting on either side of him.

Qinglin also sat down, right next to Lu Chen.

"Brother Lu Chen, we two brothers raise a toast to you."

……

After dinner.

Qinglin led Lu Chen toward their residence.

Qinglin walked in front, and Lu Chen followed behind her.

"Lord Lu Chen, your room is just ahead."

Qinglin spoke.

"Um."

Lu Chen responded.

The two arrived in front of a house.

Qinglin pushed open the door and went inside.

The room was very clean, and the bedding was all new.

"Lord Lu Chen, please see if there's anything you're missing, and I'll go get it for you."

"Qinglin said."

That's enough.

Lu Chen said.

Qinglin stood in the room, looking at Lu Chen, and suddenly lowered her head.

"Lord Lu Chen."

She spoke.

"Um?"

Thank you for today.

"Qinglin said."

"Thank you also to the two group leaders."

"If it weren't for the pills you gave them, they wouldn't have been able to break through."

Lu Chen looked at her without saying a word.

Just then, a system notification popped up.

[Quest triggered, gain 20 points of Qinglin's favorability.] [Upon completion of the mission, you will receive a duplication reward.] Lu Chen looked at the system's notification and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

Twenty points of favorability.

He was making plans in his mind.

"Lord Lu Chen, I'll go get you some water to wash your face."

After saying that, she turned and walked out of the house.

Qinglin returned carrying a basin of hot water.

She placed the basin on the shelf and took a clean cloth from the side.

"Lord Lu Chen, please wash your face."

"Qinglin said."

Lu Chen walked to the basin and was about to reach out his hand.

Qinglin had already soaked the cloth, wrung it out, and handed it over.

"Let me help you."

She spoke.

Lu Chen glanced at her but did not refuse.

Qinglin took a cloth and carefully wiped Lu Chen's face.

Her movements were very light, as if she were wiping something precious.

After wiping her face, Qinglin put the cloth back in the basin.

She picked up the basin of water and was about to turn around.

My foot slipped.

The basin of water flew out of his hand, splashing water everywhere.

He helped Qinglin up.

Their hands touched.

Qinglin's body stiffened.

She could clearly feel the warmth of Lu Chen's palm.

Qinglin's face flushed red instantly.

She quickly withdrew her hand and took a step back.

"I... I'm sorry, Lord Lu Chen."

"fine."

He said lightly.

Qinglin lowered her head, not daring to look at Lu Chen.

Her face turned bright red.

My heart was pounding.

She recalled the time she had spent cultivating in the desert.

She took off her clothes and asked Lu Chen to help her circulate her internal energy.

At that time, Lu Chen saw her entire body.

Thinking of this, Qinglin's face turned even redder.

Just then, a system notification popped up.

[Qinglin's favorability +10 points.] [Current favorability level: 10 points.] Lu Chen looked at the system notification, a smile flashing in his eyes.

"Lord Lu Chen, I... I'll take my leave now."

Qinglin said with her head down.

"Um."

Lu Chen responded.

Qinglin turned and walked out of the house, her steps somewhat hurried.

……

Qinglin returned to her residence.

Lord Lu Chen just touched her hand.

Qinglin thought to herself.

He suddenly recalled his training at the desert base...

She took off her clothes, and Lord Lu Chen saw her entire body.

Although she was shy at the time, she didn't think much about it because she was focused on her cultivation.

Looking back now, it's simply...

Qinglin covered her face.

Qinglin took a deep breath and calmed herself down.

She sat cross-legged on the bed and closed her eyes.

So he prepared to begin his cultivation.

She activated the fighting spirit within her body, circulating it according to the method Lu Chen had taught her.

Battle energy flowed slowly through his meridians.

Her heart gradually calmed down.