Chapter 4: The Little Girl, the Mature Beauty, and the Rugged Uncle

“Flower Pavilion~”

“Wang Qianqian~”

“I didn’t expect to see you two here as well. Looks like this mission is anything but simple. With both of you participating, I’d best tread carefully.”

Just as the two locked icy gazes, silently clashing, a crisp and enchanting voice—at once alluring and commanding—drifted over, soft and languid.

They turned to look; through the open doors of the grand hall, a girl in a red dress entered, surpassing even the celestial maidens in beauty. She looked no more than fourteen or fifteen, petite and delicate, with brows arched like willows, eyes bright as the stars, and skin as fair as polished jade—a true beauty in the making.

Her long black hair was tied up in a high ponytail, a hint of mischief between her brows, innocence sparkling in her eyes. The vivid red dress lent her a touch of playful charm.

“Hmph!”

At her arrival, the two adversaries ceased their face-off, each snorting coldly and turning away.

Qin Lang: “……”

That voice…!?

Qin Lang stared at the girl in astonishment, his thoughts in turmoil. He wasn’t mistaken; this girl had definitely spoken with the voice of a sultry, commanding woman.

What on earth—a loli with the voice of a femme fatale? Was this some kind of devil’s trick?

As Qin Lang reeled from shock, a robust, booming voice—one that clearly belonged to a burly man—rang out, “Well, well! I thought I’d be the first to arrive, but it seems you all beat me here. Looks like I’m a little late.”

Turning toward the voice, Qin Lang was dumbstruck, inwardly cursing, What the heck? A hulking middle-aged man?!

Striding in was a towering figure, nine feet tall, built like a tiger with the waist of a wolf, head shaped like a leopard, arms as thick as an ape’s—he looked to be in his forties, every inch the intimidating warrior. His mane of black hair danced with every step, eyes glowing like burnished copper, blazing with fury. His black armor gleamed with a menacing red light—he looked every bit a demon god as he strode into the hall.

Now Qin Lang was completely flummoxed.

First, the man with the bizarre name, then a cross-dresser, followed by a loli with the voice of a seductress, and now a burly middle-aged man. What kind of group was this?

The imposing man greeted the three in front, then spotted Qin Lang hiding behind a pillar and strode over.

Standing before him, the man cracked a smile. “You must be Qin Lang, the special member of this mission, right?”

Swallowing nervously, Qin Lang eyed him warily. “Sir, yes, I’m Qin Lang. Do you know me?”

“No, but the boss told me there’d be a special member named Qin Lang—a mere mortal. I figured that must be you.”

After a slight shake of his head, the man’s expression turned cold. “And another thing—I’m not ‘sir.’ Don’t let my size fool you; I’m only twenty-eight.”

Sir?! He was only twenty-eight—how could he be a ‘sir’? He was still unmarried! Sure, his build was unusual, but he was still young. How could this kid call him ‘sir’ at first sight?

Qin Lang: “???”

He looked the man up and down, a skeptical glint in his eyes.

As if saying, do you really expect me to believe that?

Twenty-eight?

Brother, you must be joking.

You look at least forty-eight, minimum.

Watching this, a vein pulsed on the man’s forehead and his mouth twitched—was he really that hard to believe?

Flower Pavilion approached with a smile. “Brother Qin, you needn’t doubt it—Big Brother Liu Man is truly only twenty-eight. He just looks a little… unusual.”

…

From the depths of the hall, Wang Kai walked out, lips curling in a faint smile as he watched the group chatting and laughing. “It seems you all get along quite well.”

At his words, everyone straightened, immediately falling silent and showing him great respect.

Flower Pavilion and the others grew solemn, breathing carefully, while Qin Lang remained relaxed, a faint smile on his lips.

Wang Kai glanced at Qin Lang. “I assume you already know who these people are—no need for introductions.”

Qin Lang chuckled awkwardly. They had, in fact, introduced themselves during the earlier conversation.

The oddball was Flower Pavilion, the cross-dresser was Prince Mo, the girl with the sultry voice was Su Momo, and the burly man was Liu Man.

Turning to the other three, Wang Kai said, “I’m sure you’re all curious why I included a mere mortal in your team for this mission.”

“Mm!” The three nodded in unison, clearly puzzled.

Bringing a mortal along—wasn’t that just inviting trouble?

Seeing their response, Qin Lang rolled his eyes inwardly. What’s wrong with being a mortal? Mortals are people too!

Wang Kai said no more but pulled out a scroll. As he unfurled it, the contents appeared along with a portrait.

The painting depicted a woman—sweet-faced, alluring figure, fair-skinned and beautiful, curves that could tempt any mortal soul. But don’t be fooled—this was no ordinary beauty. She was a demon, a formidable one at that, called the Enchantress Demon. Details about her were written beside the portrait.

Storing the scroll, Wang Kai’s gaze turned steely. “The Enchantress Demon is powerful and cunning. Your task is to capture her alive and bring her back.”

After a moment’s silence, Liu Man narrowed his eyes. “Boss, what does this have to do with bringing a mortal along?”

“He’s the executioner from the Heavenly Prison. His body is saturated with baleful energy, which suppresses the Enchantress Demon’s powers.”

Liu Man’s expression shifted; he looked at Qin Lang. “Boss, he’s not just any ordinary executioner, is he?”

How could a mere mortal executioner qualify for this mission—unless…

Sensing Liu Man’s suspicion, Qin Lang’s face twitched, speechless.

Wang Kai didn’t mince words. “You guessed right. He’s the infamous Executioner of a Thousand—Qin Lang.”

“The Executioner of a Thousand—Qin Lang!!”

The three, apart from Liu Man, gasped, their eyes fixed on Qin Lang in shock, unable to recover for a long time.

…

Three days later.

On a small road in Nan Hong.

Under the setting sun, four men and one woman walked together—it was Qin Lang and his companions.

Noticing that Qin Lang showed not the slightest sign of fatigue—even growing more energetic—Liu Man grew curious. “Brother Qin, how is it that the farther we walk, the more energetic you get? You don’t seem like a mere mortal at all.”

Given the distance they had traveled, Qin Lang should have been exhausted, needing a rest before continuing. Yet, surprisingly, he seemed untouched by fatigue.

At Liu Man’s question, the other three also looked at Qin Lang in confusion.

He wasn’t even flushed or out of breath; was he really just a mortal?

Hearing this, Qin Lang finally realized—he really hadn’t felt tired at all during their journey.

Glancing at the others, he forced a sheepish smile. “Brother Liu, I really am just a mortal. I just don’t know why my body’s been so strange lately.”

A mortal?

He was anything but—he was now a bona fide cultivator.

Though his cultivation was shallow, a cultivator he remained. His technique allowed him to conceal his aura, making him indistinguishable from an ordinary person.

“Brother Qin, has something changed in you lately? Did you eat some kind of rare elixir?” Flower Pavilion peered at him with curiosity.

“I wish I could, but the problem is—I can’t afford them~”

Flower Pavilion: “……”

Prince Mo: “……”

Su Momo: “……”

Can’t afford them? Who’s he trying to fool?

They all knew how wealthy executioners could be.

If he couldn’t afford it…

This guy’s excuses were as elaborate as a pig in lipstick and a bra.

“Ahem—” As the three chatted, Liu Man fell silent, gazing ahead at the setting sun. “Everyone, perhaps we should fly on our swords, or we won’t make it to the city before nightfall.”

As soon as he spoke, everyone drew their flying swords. The swords hovered in mid-air, waiting for their masters to mount.

Each took out their sword and stepped on. Liu Man lowered his large sword to about ten centimeters above the ground. “Brother Qin, hop on—but hold tight. I can’t promise you won’t fall off.”

“Alright!” After a moment’s hesitation, Qin Lang stepped onto the sword, gripping Liu Man’s sleeve tightly, afraid he might fall.

Once he was steady, Liu Man smiled. “Shall we?”

As the sword accelerated, Qin Lang’s face changed dramatically. “Whoa, whoa, whoa! Brother Liu, can you slow down? This isn’t Fast & Furious—let’s not get ourselves killed!”

…

P.S.:

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