Finest Servant Chapter 112

Chapter 112 Deep-Rooted Affection

“What?” Lin Wanrong exclaimed in disbelief, almost unable to trust his own ears. This news was too startling, so unexpected that it was hard to believe. He took a deep breath, looking at Qin Xian'er and said, “Are you certain she's dead? How… how is this possible?”

Qin Xian'er's expression grew cold as she said, “When one is dead, they are dead. Could there be any falsehood in that?”

Seeing her serious demeanor, not seeming to be deceptive, Lin Wanrong's heart skipped a beat. Could it be? Was that girl truly dead? Just a short while ago, they had been bantering with each other. How could she be dead all of a sudden? Suddenly, he remembered the caring cry of the Eldest Miss before he was taken away. Lin Wanrong felt a heavy weight in his heart. If the Eldest Miss was really dead, what would become of the Xiao family? And what about Yushuang? Wouldn't that little girl cry herself to death? The mere thought was heart-wrenching.

Lin Wanrong felt a sense of unbearable discomfort. Over this long period of time, he had argued and quarreled with this girl. While there weren't many times when they truly saw eye-to-eye, they had formed a deep bond of comradeship. How could it have disappeared so suddenly?

Remembering the times he had spanked her, remembering her proud bearing, Lin Wanrong sighed. His heart grew colder, his gaze more profound. Letting go of Qin Xian'er's hand, he said solemnly, “Miss Qin, tell me, how did the Eldest Miss die?”

Qin Xian'er did not answer his question but simply looked at him, asking, “Do you really care about Miss Xiao that much?”

Lin Wanrong nodded seriously, “Yes, she was my friend, of course I care about her. She was kidnapped by the White Lotus Sect and died here, so it must be related to them. I, Lin Wanrong, swear here and now, I will not rest until the White Lotus Sect is destroyed.”

Hearing his oath, Qin Xian'er's eyes welled up with tears as she looked at him, “Young Master, Xian'er is also part of the White Lotus Sect. Will you also destroy me?”

Seeing her pitiful expression, Lin Wanrong couldn't help but sigh, “You are not like them. They slaughter innocents and harm common people. They are undoubtedly guilty.”

Qin Xian'er gave a hollow laugh, her face pale as she said, “Young Master, you're mistaken. Xian'er is the demoness of the White Lotus Sect, I've killed more people than them. The sins I bear… even ten lifetimes wouldn't be enough to cleanse them. If you want to exterminate them, you should kill me as well.”

Lin Wanrong felt exasperated. Why was this girl so obstinate? He asked, “Xian'er, why did you join the White Lotus Sect?”

“My master is the leader of the White Lotus Sect. If I don't join, who will?” Qin Xian'er responded, her expression filled with desolation.

“Did your master treat you well? If not, we could rebel against her,” Lin Wanrong wickedly suggested.

“I have been raised by my master since I was a child. She has shown me kindness as heavy as a mountain, how could I betray her? Even if she were to kill me, I could not betray my master,” Qin Xian'er asserted.

Lin Wanrong felt a headache brewing. The situation was indeed troublesome. If he were to obliterate the White Lotus Sect, Qin Xian'er would surely be heartbroken. Yet, if he didn't, not only would Yushuang be sorrowful, he himself wouldn't find peace.

Seeing him silent for a while, Qin Xian'er let out a melancholic smile, “Young Master, have you grown tired of Xian'er?”

Lin Wanrong quickly grabbed her hand, “Xian'er, what are you talking about? You risked your life to save me; I'm overwhelmed with gratitude, how could I possibly grow tired of you?”

Qin Xian'er heaved a deep sigh, “You're only grateful for my efforts to save you, but your deepest affections and loyalties lie with Miss Xiao.”

Lin Wanrong felt his mind in a muddle. The news of the Eldest Miss' death had left his mind a jumbled mess. What was to become of the Xiao family? What of Yushuang? How were they to manage the family affairs? And the perfume business? Ah, it was only after this incident that he realized how vital the Eldest Miss had been. She simply couldn't die.

Qin Xian'er noticed his dazed expression and felt a sharper sting in her heart, “Young Master, would you feel the same sorrow if Xian'er were to die?”

“Don't speak such nonsense,” Lin Wanrong said softly, “You're beautiful and highly skilled, you won't die.”

“But what if I do die one day? Would you be equally heartbroken?” Qin Xian'er asked, looking at him.

Lin Wanrong didn't know what to say to her. Reeling from the sudden news of the Eldest Miss' death, he was in no mood for playful banter with Qin Xian'er. He gave a wry smile, “Xian'er, can you tell me who exactly killed the Eldest Miss?”

Qin Xian'er looked at him with a cold smile, “Do you really want to know?”

Lin Wanrong nodded, and a strange smile surfaced on Qin Xian'er's face, “Well then, take a good look. The person who killed the Eldest Miss is both far on the horizon and right before your eyes.”

“What? Was it you?” Lin Wanrong exclaimed in shock. This revelation was even more shocking than the Eldest Miss' death.

Qin Xian'er nodded seriously, “Yes, it was me.”

Lin Wanrong was stunned. He felt his mind wasn't sufficient to process the current situation. Despite his self-proclaimed brilliance, he had no way to make sense of it all. Qin Xian'er had killed the Eldest Miss? What on earth was happening?

Lin Wanrong tried hard to calm himself, repeatedly reminding himself to stay cool-headed. The situation couldn't be that simple. “Why did you kill the Eldest Miss?” he managed to ask calmly. There seemed to be no reason for this girl to have killed the Eldest Miss.

“When you were captured by my senior brothers, I had no choice but to distract them. I poisoned the Eldest Miss, and when the poison took effect, I took the opportunity to rescue you while they went to investigate,” Qin Xian'er explained calmly.

Lin Wanrong broke out in a cold sweat. So, this diversion was for his sake? He laughed bitterly, “Miss Qin, why did you have to use poison? That could kill someone. Wouldn't a knockout drug have sufficed? It's an essential in the martial arts world, I even carry some myself.”

Qin Xian'er snorted, “I'm a demoness of the White Lotus Sect. I only know how to kill, not to save. I only carry poison, not a knockout drug. My hands are already soaked in blood, what's a little more? I had no quarrel with the Eldest Miss. If I kill her to save you, she has served her purpose. If she has anyone to blame, it's only her thin luck.”

Lin Wanrong sighed, “How can you kill people so easily? You killed her and saved me, but isn't that implicating me in your injustice? Ah, it would be better if I just gave up my life.”

Tears welling up in her eyes, Qin Xian'er said, “I am a demoness of the White Lotus Sect, I have done many evil deeds, what's one more? Even if she was still alive, I would still want to kill her.”

'She really is a demoness,' Lin Wanrong sighed inwardly. 'Your actions have left me in a predicament. I always thought I was rather unconventional, but this demoness Xian'er is even more unpredictable.'

Seeing his expression, Qin Xian'er's stubbornness flared, “What's the big deal about me killing her? Even the woman who saved you that night, I want to kill her too.”

“You want to kill Xiao Qingxuan too?” Lin Wanrong was getting tired of her killing spree, his voice raising a bit, “In that case, why don't you just kill me and save me the trouble?”

Qin Xian'er paused, her eyes filled with swirling tears, “Her name is Xiao Qingxuan? You're defending her to the point of not even caring about your own life?”

'What on earth is she thinking? Killing all day long, she's almost a female demon. She was such a good girl back at the Miaoyu Pavilion, but ever since she returned to the White Lotus Sect, she has become so savage. That damn White Lotus Sect truly is strange.'

“You're at a loss for words? I'm going to kill Xiao Qingxuan.” Qin Xian'er's eyes flashed with a dangerous glint.

“Kill, kill, kill, you just never stop. Why do you want to kill her? Are you jealous?” Lin Wanrong shouted.

Qin Xian'er's face turned red, “I'll kill if I want to kill, what does it have to do with jealousy?”

From her reaction, anyone could tell that she was fiercely jealous. Lin Wanrong sighed, “Enough, stop killing people recklessly. Give me the antidote.”

“What antidote?” Qin Xian'er asked.

“What antidote? You don't know? The antidote for the Eldest Miss!” Lin Wanrong exclaimed.

“That was a potent poison, contact means death, there is no antidote.” Qin Xian'er said, then added quietly, “Even if there were an antidote, I wouldn't give it to you.”

“In that case, give me some of the poison.” Lin Wanrong said.

“Why do you want the poison?” Qin Xian'er was startled.

“I'll try it, see if I'll die.” Lin Wanrong said helplessly.

Hearing that he intended to test the poison on himself, tears started to fall from Qin Xian'er's eyes, “For her, you're willing to risk your own life?”

Lin Wanrong was both exasperated and amused. 'This girl, it's not even her turn to be jealous.' Thinking about his interactions with Qin Xian'er, how they had faced each other daily at the Miaoyu Pavilion, he hadn't realized her feelings for him had taken such deep roots. Not only had she warned him repeatedly, but she had even risked her life to save him this time. He was overwhelmingly grateful and delighted for her feelings. However, her jealousy was intense. If he really ended up with her, wouldn't his household be turned upside down?

Ah, being pursued by a beautiful woman was quite a painful experience. He shook his head helplessly and said with a wry smile, “Miss Qin, my relationship with Miss Xiao is not what you imagine. We're just casual acquaintances, nothing more. You know she's the daughter of the Xiao family, and I'm a servant of the Xiao family, how could I not save her?”

“Really?” Qin Xian'er felt a bit better, quickly lifting her head, her tear-streaked face resembling a pear tree in the rain, exceptionally beautiful.

Lin Wanrong was stunned, thinking to himself, 'This girl, so beautiful, if you say she's not a demoness, who would believe it?'

“Don't worry, my relationship with her is nothing more than quarrels, nothing dirty like you imagine,” Lin Wanrong laughed.

“You're the dirty one,” Qin Xian'er said shyly.

“Give me the antidote then,” Lin Wanrong stretched out his hand.

Qin Xian'er hummed in a sullen tone, “How do you know I have the antidote?”

Upon hearing her tone, Lin Wanrong felt a wave of joy and quickly grabbed her hand, “Because I know Xian'er wouldn't recklessly kill the innocent.”

Qin Xian'er sighed, “You don't understand, Young Master. I've indeed killed countless people. I've lost count of the lives I've taken.”

“No matter what, by giving me the antidote, you've shown you didn't intend to kill Miss Xiao.” Lin Wanrong felt relieved knowing the Eldest Miss was not dead.

Qin Xian'er shook her head, “This drug doesn't actually need an antidote. She would wake up on her own after an hour.”

“Really?” Lin Wanrong was surprised and delighted. 'This girl, she loves to make things mysterious, she really deserved a spanking.'

“So what if it's true? She fell into my senior brother's hands. It's probably worse than death. I'm only willing to save you, not her,” Qin Xian'er pouted. Lin Wanrong broke out in a cold sweat, thinking this girl's thoughts were really unpredictable. She wanted to kill someone she didn't even know, for a bizarre reason.

Qin Xian'er hummed again, “This time you saved her life, but next time, I will still kill her.”

'God, have mercy on me, this girl's jealousy was extremely strong. The worst part was, her martial skills were a thousand times, ten thousand times stronger than mine. Was I destined for a barbaric girlfriend? But what about Qiaoqiao, and Yushuang? These two girls were the apple of my eye, facing Qin Xian'er's vinegar jar, if she got unhappy, and broke their necks, I would be in misery for life.'

Seeing Lin Wanrong's troubled expression, Qin Xian'er sighed, “Young Master, do you really dislike Xian'er that much?”

Lin Wanrong spoke honestly, “Xian'er, your current personality is vastly different from when you were at the Miaoyu Pavilion. I genuinely don't know which is the real you.”

Qin Xian'er replied, “Naturally, this is the real me. When at the Miaoyu Pavilion, I had to put on a show for others, which wasn't enjoyable.”

Lin Wanrong frowned, but Qin Xian'er chuckled softly, “Young Master, don't worry. When I'm with you, I'm genuinely happy. There's no deceit.”

'You're happy, but I'm suffering,' Lin Wanrong thought. Seeing Qin Xian'er laughing like a little fox, he felt a surge of anger. 'This girl, when she gets jealous, she wants to kill. If I don't teach this little girl a lesson, I will be living in constant fear. If I wasn't so busy at the moment, I would take you to bed. Regardless of your martial arts skills, you would surrender after calling me brother and husband a few times,' he thought wickedly.

He wasn't skilled in martial arts, but he had a set of tactics for dealing with a female martial artist like Qin Xian'er. He gave her a meaningful look and said, “Xian'er, if you keep killing people indiscriminately, no one will like you.”

Qin Xian'er sighed, “I don't want to kill randomly either, but without someone to control me, I can't change this habit.” Her eyes sparkled with mischievous light as she whispered, “How about you let me stay by your side, Young Master, to manage this problem?”

“Alright,” Lin Wanrong eagerly agreed. Having a martial arts expert and peerless beauty by his side would surely be impressive.

“But, I'm a demoness from the White Lotus sect,” Qin Xian'er lamented, “Being by your side might bring you trouble.”

Lin Wanrong grinned, “Well, you can just leave the White Lotus sect then.”

These words touched Qin Xian'er's heart. She looked deeply at Lin Wanrong before lowering her head, her expression melancholic. The ruthless demoness had become a wronged woman once again.

“Young Master, once everything is settled, can Xian'er stay by your side forever?” Qin Xian'er suddenly looked up at him, her eyes full of hope.

Lin Wanrong held her hand and nodded, “Yes, then we will roam the martial arts world together, laughing at the world.”

Qin Xian'er covered her mouth and laughed at his grandiose and shameless boasting, but she felt exceptionally happy talking with him.

After conversing with him for the duration of a cup of tea, she knew she had to leave to avoid arousing suspicion. She bit her lip and said to Lin Wanrong, “Young Master, I have to go now.”

Lin Wanrong nodded gently. He originally wanted to ask her to take care of the Eldest Miss, but thinking about this girl's temperament, he decided against it.

Qin Xian'er looked deeply at him, her face shyly expressing, “Young Master, wait for me here. I promise I'll return.”

Seeing her coy and charming demeanor, Lin Wanrong thought, now that's gentleness. However, he then heard her say softly, “That vixen Xiao Qingxuan, I'll definitely kill her.”

Thud. Lin Wanrong collapsed on the spot. Even at a time like this, this girl couldn't forget her jealousy. It was really extraordinary.

In Miss Xiao's cell, a well-dressed young master stood with a green face, unmoving. Behind him stood Lu Zhongping and another man, both standing silent as cicadas, not daring to utter a word. Xiao Yuruo, unconscious, lay on the bed.

“Zhongping, you said when the changing guard saw Miss Xiao, she was already unconscious on the bed?” the well-dressed young man standing next to the youth inquired.

“Yes. There was no unusual noise in between, and nobody had touched the young lady. The second junior sister had just checked on her, she is merely unconscious and will wake up in about an hour,” Lu Zhongping responded.

“It's too late,” the well-dressed young master sighed, “What a great move to lure the tiger away from the mountain. I fear that Lin San has already fled far away.”

The young man next to the well-dressed young master asked, “But why would that person only abduct Lin San and not the young lady? Lin San is just a coarse servant. What value could he possibly have?”

“Could it be for the secret formula? Young master, we've recently encountered a mysterious woman in white in Jinling City who blocked us in several major households. On the day Lin San was abducted, that woman risked her life to save him. Could it be her doing?” Lu Zhongping suggested.

The well-dressed young master was startled, “If that's true, this place is likely exposed and no longer safe for us to stay long. Lu Zhongping, you take your people and retreat first. Also, inform Cheng De to send his troops ahead of schedule to charge up this mountain. As for Lin San, we'll deal with him later.”

He then turned to the young man next to him, smiling, “Today is the day you and Miss Xiao have your wedding night. I wish you a hundred years of happiness.”

“Thank you, young prince,” the youth said gratefully. All three of them burst into laughter.

Chapter end