Chapter 428: Offering Oneself

Jin Ying and her family members found a relatively intact room; after entering, she settled the children down, then sat to one side, lost in deep thought.

She looked at the scorching sun outside the window, thinking of the road ahead, and felt a sudden chill in her body and mind.

Now that only her branch of the Jin family remained, she had to shoulder the responsibility of the family.

And Cheng Feng, the man who had saved everyone, was perhaps the person she could rely on.

"Must I really do that?" Jin Ying thought secretly to herself, a blush rising on her face.

In this chaotic world, for the sake of the family's survival, she might truly need to make some sacrifices.

Just then, the sound of footsteps came from outside the door. Jin Ying was startled and hurriedly stood up. The door was pushed open gently, and Cheng Feng walked in.

"Junior Sister, I have come to check on your situation here," Cheng Feng said.

Jin Ying felt a wave of panic; she feigned composure and said, "Senior Brother Cheng, we are doing fine here, thank you for your concern, Senior Brother."

Cheng Feng nodded, his gaze sweeping around the room, then said, "Junior Sister, the Jin family now depends on you; you must be strong."

Hearing this, Jin Ying felt a surge of emotion; she looked at Cheng Feng and said, "Senior Brother Cheng, I will. It is just... I ask for your continued care in the future, Senior Brother."

Cheng Feng smiled slightly and said, "Rest assured, Junior Sister. Since you have chosen to follow me, I will naturally protect you all well."

Jin Ying's heart stirred; she gathered her courage and said, "Senior Brother Cheng, I... I have a request."

Cheng Feng looked at Jin Ying and said, "Speak your mind, Junior Sister."

Jin Ying bit her lower lip and said, "Senior Brother Cheng, the Jin family is now weak. I wish to form an alliance with you to face this chaotic world together. I wonder what you think of this, Senior Brother?"

Cheng Feng heard this and was slightly stunned, looking at Jin Ying.

If he had no backup plan, this would count as providing charcoal in snowy weather.

But since he had already made proper arrangements, what did this count as?

Seeing Cheng Feng unmoved, Jin Ying clutched her hem and said anxiously, "Senior Brother Cheng, my Jin family long enjoyed the trust of the Imperial Court in Qingxi, relying on a Raw Iron Business Permit.

Yet today we have met with a great disaster; my uncles are all dead, and the main branch is left with only my Junior Sister, my aunt, and my nephew—three people.

My nephew is only five years old, and we two women have no way to carry on.

I am willing to offer all the assets in my possession.

I only ask for your protection, Senior Brother."

Cheng Feng heard these urgent and sincere words from Jin Ying, and his gaze flickered slightly.

These local magnates in the county really did have deep foundations.

In this chaotic world, the importance of resources and connections was clear, and the Raw Iron Business Permit mentioned by Jin Ying was undoubtedly a trump card of immense value.

But for him at this moment, this was not enough.

"Junior Sister," Cheng Feng spoke slowly after a moment of contemplation, "I naturally understand the weight of what you have said.

I also see the past foundations of the Jin family and the predicament you face today.

However, this matter of an alliance is no child's play; we still need to deliberate at length."

Seeing that Cheng Feng did not directly refuse, a glimmer of hope ignited in Jin Ying's heart, and she hurriedly said, "Senior Brother Cheng, the situation is critical now; how can there be so much time to deliberate slowly?

The road from Qingxi County to the Prefecture City is long, and the dangers along the way are unknown.

This Raw Iron Business Permit can only be used in the Prefecture City; as long as it is used properly, it will surely help us recruit many men and exchange for many supplies.

Moreover, those servants of my Jin family, although their Martial Dao skills are shallow, can still contribute at critical moments."

Cheng Feng frowned slightly; he walked to the window, looked at the scorching sun outside, pondered for a moment, then turned around and looked at Jin Ying with a firm gaze: "Junior Sister, it is not that I do not recognize this alliance. It is just that since we are to form an alliance, there must be a clear set of rules.

If your Jin family brings out assets to assist, I, Cheng Feng, will naturally not be stingy. These brothers under my command are all brave men who dare to fight and kill, and they have a certain amount of influence in this chaotic world. With mutual support, we will surely be able to preserve ourselves."

Jin Ying felt a surge of joy.

"However, that would be if I, Cheng, had no preparations at all.

What if I have preparations?"

Cheng Feng's "however" made Jin Ying feel a chill in her heart.

The subsequent words shocked Jin Ying even more.

How long had the Hong Sect been establishing its presence in Qingxi County?

How did this Senior Brother Cheng already have such intelligence channels?

And judging by his tone, he had been prepared before the Red Lotus Rebel Army arrived at the city walls??

Hearing Cheng Feng's meaningful words, Jin Ying felt as if her heart were churning like the sea.

She had originally thought that by offering the Jin family's final assets and foundations, she could exchange them for a stable alliance with Cheng Feng, but she had not expected that Cheng Feng seemed to have long been confident and had his own preparations.

If this continued, would she not be picked clean by others?

"Senior Brother Cheng," Jin Ying took a deep breath, trying hard to calm herself, her gaze fixed tightly on Cheng Feng,

"Since you have long been prepared, Senior Brother, I wonder what your plans are? My Jin family is weak now, but we also wish to find a glimmer of survival in this chaotic world, and I hope you can be frank with me, Senior Brother."

Looking at the rather clever Jin Ying,

Cheng Feng could only sigh; she was naturally gifted, intelligent, and resourceful.

But you cannot withstand the fact that I have a cheat!!!

"Senior Brother Cheng," Jin Ying gritted her teeth and said, "Although my Jin family is weak now, that Raw Iron Business Permit is indeed a rare trump card.

Furthermore, my Jin family has also accumulated many connections and resources in the Prefecture City. If you can protect the Jin family, Senior Brother, we will surely be able to integrate these resources and add to your grand plan, Senior Brother."

Cheng Feng's gaze flickered slightly; he naturally knew that what Jin Ying said was not false.

The Jin family's foundations in Qingxi were indeed deep, and that Raw Iron Business Permit could bring about huge benefits and influence.

But he was also worried that Jin Ying might have ulterior motives and bring him unnecessary trouble in this chaotic world.

To be able to think of uniting with others to seek self-preservation the very first moment disaster struck,

Such a person, and a woman at that...

Watching Cheng Feng still looking hesitant.

Jin Ying understood in her heart; she could only bring out her bottom line.

Judging by the news she knew,

there were quite a few female relatives in Senior Brother Cheng's household, and Senior Brother Cheng's attitude toward these female relatives was by no means one of casting them aside like worn-out shoes.

Knowing that Cheng Feng was busy with affairs and that there might be fewer opportunities to see him later, she realized the current opportunity was rare and made up her mind.

"Senior Brother Cheng, if you are willing to accept the Jin family and protect my nephew as he grows, I am willing to gift you all the servants and assets of my family, as, as my dowry..."

"Senior Brother, what does Senior Brother think?"

Hearing Jin Ying's offer, Cheng Feng was finally satisfied in his heart.

Given the current situation,

if she still wanted to retain independent rights, it would be very difficult for Cheng Feng to handle.

The news about Hong Village was currently still a secret.

If one truly requested protection, one had to show sincerity.

This was not the time to be coy.

"Good, I have also long been fond of Junior Sister; the Jin family nephew, I will protect."