Li Lan’s exquisite body was like a fine jade sculpture; a hot stream rose from Ding Hao’s groin as he glanced over it. His body felt different. He bit his tongue, took a deep breath and said, “Xiao Lan, why… why did you do that?”
Li Lan covered herself with clothes. The exposed fair skin appeared even more tempting. She smiled and said, “Because I can’t wait for you for two or three years. Who knows how many women you will have with you when you return?”
Ding Hao was embarrassed.
It was as if he enjoyed being promiscuous.
“Now that I think of it, aren’t Li Lan’s words a confession of love?”
Ding Hao’s heart began to beat faster.
Ding Hao was somewhat at a loss when he learned that Li Lan was a girl, especially at the thought of the intimate history between them…
Li Lan said calmly, “You’re leaving tomorrow. Don’t you feel you should leave a keepsake for me? If you’re lured by the tempting world outside and get distracted by other women, I would end up waiting for you forever, wouldn’t I?”
Ding Hao blurted out, “Don’t worry. No matter what happens, I will definitely come back.”
Li Lan gathered her thick black hair naturally and elegantly. She said with a smile, “Even if you come back, I’m afraid that you would come here for the graceful Xie Jieyu, the sweet Sister Yiruo, or would it be the tender Instructor Ximen?”
Ding Hao was stunned.
“Well? I didn’t know that the renowned Saber and Sword Addict would blush,” Li Lan said very firmly like a queen in the moonlight, “Those girls are enchanted by you and they ask for nothing in return. I am not the same. If I like someone, I must have him. No matter how many sweethearts you have, I was the one who took your virginity.”
It was certainly a bold declaration.
In a trance, Ding Hao appeared to see the former head of the Eastern Academy of Green Shirts, who was always confident and poised.
“But, you don’t think of me as a casual woman, do you?” Li Lan suddenly smiled gently again. “I will only have one man in my life… Ding Hao, you like me too, don’t you?”
Ding Hao was stunned and finally nodded.
He still clearly remembered the amazement and palpitation when he saw Li Lan first appear as a woman. His heart had also skipped a beat when he looked at Li Lan’s back as he treated her in the Sage Battlefield. At that time, Ding Hao had doubted himself and wondered why he would be attracted by a man. He didn’t expect that Li Lan was in fact a girl.
No man would resist such a beautiful, decisive, and queenly woman.
Let alone that Ding Hao had been with her for such a long time.
It even escaped Ding Hao’s notice that the chemistry between them had long since changed.
Li Lan burst out laughing after seeing Ding Hao nod. Her gorgeous face was as bright as a fairy’s under the moonlight. “Since we like each other, everything that happened tonight is only natural. What are you upset about? I’m not like those vulgar and stupid women who pester you for status or marriage…”
He didn’t know what to say.
Although she had gone back to being a girl, Li Lan was still the same person she used to be: decisive and unique.
Right then, the worries in Ding Hao’s heart disappeared all of a sudden.
Things had already happened.
There was no use in overthinking.
He was still being influenced by the medicine.
Ding Hao’s eyes madly swept over Li Lan with a burning light. He suddenly pounced on that sassy girl in front of him and held her in his arms. He said with a smirk, “Little girl, that’s a lot of explanation. You’ve been planning this for a long time, haven’t you? You dared to drug me with liquor…”
Li Lan finally couldn’t help exclaiming, “I also drank it…”
“Tell me, how long have you planned this? Who’s your accomplice?” Ding Hao’s hands became restless. He removed the fur covering her; he slowly slid his hands down along Li Lan’s waist and began to caress her.
Li Lan’s face instantly turned as red as blood, and her sight immediately became blurry.
“I won’t spare you. Little girl, how dare you trick me…” Ding Hao cupped his hands around her smooth and tender breasts which felt warm and soft. He smirked and said, “Her majesty is flat-chested. Haha, an A-plus at most!”
The first territory to the south of the Snow Province was the Ice Province.
It was late spring in the Northern Region, a flourishing and energetic time in the middle of the year. It also marked the start of the busy season for businessmen and mercenaries from all over the country.
Camel Caravan was an anonymous small group from the Ice Province.
At this time, Camel Caravan was busy loading luggage onto the carriages. They were getting ready to set off for the Sword Province where they planned to buy herbs and ironware and sell them upon their return.
The Sword Province was a big state in the Northern Region. It had a good geographical location and abundant resources. The Sword Heart Grass in particular, was a local specialty which was excellent for refining Gold Healing Powder. It was dozens of times more magical than the ordinary Gold Healing Powder. It was considered essential medicine for most of the middle and lower-level warriors.
The Sword Heart Grass could only grow in the Sword Province and had gone extinct in other provinces in the Northern Region.
This was the season for the Sword Heart Grass to flourish. All the caravans in the Northern Region headed to the Sword Province to collect a batch and sell it to all the major provinces. Although the profit wasn’t that high, many small and medium caravans could earn enough money for the following year after several trades.
They could make it up if they purchased and sold some other herbs and goods to obtain a decent profit.
Camel Caravan had close to 30 people. The boss was Hua Huai’an, a martial artist at the peak of the Great Martial Mentor Realm, who had been running the caravan for more than ten years.
His fellows were martial arts practitioners.
Having followed Hua Huai’an for so many years in the wilderness, all of them were as close as a family.
The staff was busy preparing their luggage in front of the caravan’s yard.
Around forty valiant martial artists in black leather armor were sitting or standing in the courtyard. All of them looked fierce, intimidating and muscular. Judging by their appearance and weapons in hand, one could see they had to be outlaws who had killed people before. Those were armed escorts hired by Hua Huai’an from a famous escort agency in the Ice Province.
A ten-year-old boy named Hua Mojian was holding Hua Huai’an’s hand. He looked up, and asked, “Father, father, father, could you please stay?”
Hua Huai’an smiled.
The tall, dark-skinned man looked at his son dotingly. He stroked the boy’s head and said with a soft voice, “Jian’er, why don’t you let dad go?”
The cute and chubby Hua Mojian spoke innocently, “You always take too long in returning. My nanny and I are always worried about you.”
Hua Hai’an beamed with even greater delight.
He was 53 years old. Ten years back, his wife had an obstructed labor and died of severe hemorrhage when giving birth to their only son.
Being middle-aged, he was deeply aggrieved over the death of his wife, so he swore he would never marry again.
On the other hand, he had his son when he was in his forties. Having become a father at such an age, he was so excited that he didn’t sleep for three days. He treated his son as a treasure and was willing to get the moon for him should he ask for it. He named his son Hua Mojian, hoping that he could be like a precious sword to withstand all challenges and shine with rays of light by the myriads.
“Dad has to make money to send Jian’er to the Deerhunter Academy. I have to work… I can’t stay at home forever.” Hua Huai’an stroked his son’s head with a smile. There was deep affection in his eyes.
Hua Mojian didn’t let him down.
The little boy had shown excellent talent in the tests of aptitude. His future would be limitless if he could become a disciple of a big sect.
Mr. Hua had always wanted to send his son to learn martial arts at the Deerhunter Academy, the most prestigious institution in all of the Ice Province.
Unfortunately, the Deerhunter Academy was highly competitive. It required not only aptitude but also wealth.
Hua Huai’an had been taking risks to travel around and earn more money over the past few years. Hua Mojian would have met the age requirement in the coming year when the Deerhunter Academy would start to admit new disciples. His dream would be fulfilled if he could send his son to the academy and pick a brilliant master there.
A one-eyed, bearded man approached him and reported, “Boss, we’re almost ready. All the armed escorts of the Changfeng Escort Agency are here.”
Hua Huai’an nodded. He turned around and said loudly, “Brothers, the auspicious time has come. Let’s burn the incense, kill the chicken, and set off immediately!”
His followers responded loudly and began the final ceremony.
That was the common practice of businessmen before they went on a long journey. They carried out some ancient sacrificial offerings and prayed to receive blessings of the gods, hoping to return home safely. After all, it was very dangerous to walk in the wilderness outside their settlement.
Although most of the journey could be completed through the inter-province transmission gate, there were still roads that required walking despite the risk of demon attacks.
“Well, Jian’er, listen to your nanny at home. I’ll be back soon.” Hua Huai’an picked up his son and kissed the pink face with his bearded mouth.
“Ah, dad! Your spiky beard again…” The little boy smiled and grabbed his father’s beard.
Right at this moment—
A gentle and clear voice was heard next to them, “Sir, I heard that you are heading to the Sword Province. Is that so?”
Hua Huai’an turned his head around.
A slender and handsome young man in a green shirt walked over.
The young man in green was dressed in plain clothes, but he had an otherworldly aura. He carried nothing but a white cat sitting on his shoulder. He looked at Hua Huai’an with a smile. This scholarly young man was the one who asked the question.
“You are…” There was a trace of doubt in Hua Huai’an’s eyes.
The handsome scholar said with a smile, “I’m Ding Hao, a wandering scholar. I also want to visit the Sword Province, but I don’t know the way. I heard from people in the city that Camel Caravan would travel to the Sword Province, that’s why I’m here. I wonder if you could take me along the way, sir.”
“Well…” Hua Huai’an was a little hesitant.
