Chapter 25

Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying lifted her right hand, and Jiang Sishui's entire body soared into the air, landing behind her.

Unable to sit steadily, he instinctively wrapped his arms around Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying's slender waist.

Jiang Sishui was startled, fearing Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying would be angry with him.

After all, a man's head and a woman's waist are not to be touched lightly; this act was far more serious than merely grabbing a hand.

Yet Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying did not mind, instead instructing, "Hold on tight!"

Before Jiang Sishui could comprehend her words, she flicked the reins, and the white horse beneath her broke into a gallop.

The two soon reached the front of the escort caravan; as they passed Zhao Zhao Tianhao, Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying called out, "Father, your daughter is teaching Young Master Jiang to ride, so we can travel faster."

Before Zhao Zhao Tianhao could reply, the pair on their single mount had already galloped far ahead.

Zhao Zhao Tianhao watched their retreating figures, completely bewildered.

Seeing his usually sensible and gentle eldest daughter display such childish innocence and wild delight, the astonishment in his heart was beyond words.

Could it be that Zhao Zhao Qiying had truly fallen in love?

But even if so, well... wasn't this progress a bit too fast?

At this moment, the "Central Plains' One Sword" found himself somewhat at a loss.

This escort mission... seemed to have incurred a huge loss!

Yet in the end, he chose neither to approve nor oppose nor interfere, letting nature take its course.

Zhao Zhao Zhao Mengjiao, standing nearby, also witnessed the scene of the two sharing one horse, and her heart could not help but begin to envy her elder sister.

She did not envy Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying for being close to Jiang Sishui, but rather envied that Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying had found her beloved before she did.

A strong wind whistled past their ears, carrying a wisp of the young girl's fragrance to Jiang Sishui's nose and deep into his heart.

Holding Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying's warm, fragrant, and soft body in his embrace, Jiang Sishui vaguely understood the young girl's feelings.

Although it felt somewhat incredible, perhaps love was simply like this?

Sometimes it arrives suddenly, with no reason whatsoever.

To further verify his speculation, Jiang Sishui boldly rested his chin lightly on Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying's fragrant shoulder.

Soft black hair danced in the wind, brushing against his face, tickling him, yet this sensation was not one ten-thousandth of the itch in Jiang Sishui's heart.

He did not push away the slightly disheveled tresses; instead, he took a deep breath, his breathing slight yet clearly reaching the young girl's ears.

Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying made no move of resistance, appearing perfectly calm, but Jiang Sishui, who had been observing her closely, noticed that the roots of her ears had turned completely red.

Seeing this, Jiang Sishui felt greatly reassured; he tightened his arm around her waist, pressing their bodies closer together.

At the same time, he leaned forward and planted a kiss on the young girl's rosy cheek.

Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying let out a startled cry, saying in shame and annoyance, "You... what are you doing!"

She had never expected that while she didn't mind letting Jiang Sishui take a small advantage, he would actually push his luck and kiss... kiss her?

Seeing that she had not utilized her true energy to shake him off, Jiang Sishui knew she was not truly angry, but rather acting out of a young lady's reserve and shyness, so he held tightly to her waist without letting go.

"Zhao Zhao Qiying, you are so beautiful; I like you," Jiang Sishui whispered gently into her ear, blowing softly until Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying's face turned even redder.

"You..."

She turned her head, about to say something, when suddenly her vision went dark and her lips felt warm; her cherry lips had been captured.

Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying's delicate body instantly stiffened, her eyes widening as if a clap of thunder had exploded in her mind, leaving her brain completely blank.

She forgot what she was doing, forgot where she was, and even forgot her own name.

This scene greatly exceeded her expectations once again.

After a long while, their lips parted, yet Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying still had not recovered from that state of bewilderment.

Seeing her dazed and lost expression, Jiang Sishui could not resist pecking those moist and lustrous thin lips once more.

Only then did Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying wake up, staring wide-eyed at Jiang Sishui: "You... you..."

"Was that your first kiss? Mine was too."

Jiang Sishui bowed his head slightly, pressing his forehead against hers, and said softly, "Zhao Zhao Qiying, I like you; can you accept me?"

Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying's gaze darted away evasively; after hesitating for a moment, she sighed softly, "Since you have treated me this way, how could I possibly marry anyone else?"

Hearing this, Jiang Sishui's smile grew even broader; looking at the young girl's beautiful face, his heart surged, and he leaned in to kiss her again.

This time, Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying did not freeze in a daze but responded clumsily.

This was also Jiang Sishui's first time in two lifetimes; he had no experience whatsoever, so both of them were extremely awkward, able only to explore and learn from each other to gain experience.

It was not until much later that they finally separated, panting heavily.

Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying's face was like morning clouds, flushed as red as fire, and she said, "Alright, let me catch my breath; now I will teach you how to ride."

Having gained an advantage, Jiang Sishui was delighted and naturally agreed.

Thus, Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying began teaching him hand in hand.

Naturally, this process involved various physical contacts, becoming increasingly ambiguous.

Having tasted love for the first time, both the young man and young girl were deeply intoxicated.

Suddenly, a powerful force tore through the air, striking directly at Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying on horseback!

Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying snapped awake instantly, drawing the long sword hanging before her saddle; in the instant she turned her head, she thrust the blade toward the attacker's face.

The newcomer wielded a steel claw; since Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying had already perfected the "Nine Swords of Senior Senior Dugu," even in this urgent counterattack, she instinctively employed the most appropriate move, "Breaking the Whip."

"Breaking the Whip," one of the "Nine Swords of Senior Senior Dugu," specializes in countering short weapons such as steel whips, crutches, acupoint picks, and Mount Mount Emei awls.

The opponent's steel claw was merely three or four feet long, so it was naturally suppressed by this technique.

This sword strike arrived after being launched yet reached its target first, following the opponent's flaw to attack where they were forced to defend.

Indeed, the newcomer had no choice but to swing the steel claw horizontally to block the sword strike, while simultaneously using the force to leap, flipping over the pair and their mount to land on the road ahead.

Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying's heart grew solemn.

They had exchanged only a single move; the opponent's cultivation realm was no higher than hers, both being at the early Grandmaster stage, yet his lightness skill was extraordinarily formidable.

Vanishing like wisps of smoke, soaring into the dark void, even an ordinary Great Grandmaster would likely fail to catch him without superior lightness skill.

Against such an opponent, fleeing was the worst option; Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying hastily pulled Jiang Sishui off his horse, shielding him behind her.

Then, holding her sword, she performed a martial arts salute and asked, "May I ask your honorable name? When did this humble woman offend you, prompting such a sudden ruthless attack?"

Observing Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying's calm demeanor from behind, noting how the killing intent from moments ago had completely vanished, Jiang Sishui realized she was deliberately stalling for time, waiting for Zhao Zhao Tianhao to arrive with reinforcements.

Thus, he remained outwardly composed, gazing toward the opposite side.

The newcomer was extremely tall yet exceedingly thin, resembling a bamboo pole, with a face equally terrifying to behold.

Jiang Sishui glanced again at the man's weapon, his heart stirring: "The last of the Four Evils from 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils'—the Extremely Vicious Yun Yun Zhonghe?"

Indeed, after casting a greedy, lecherous gaze over Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying's graceful figure, the newcomer revealed his identity with a grin: "One of the Four Evils—Yun Yun Zhonghe!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying's expression changed, and she quickly scanned her surroundings.

Sure enough, atop a small hill not far away stood three figures of bizarre appearance.

Seemingly aware that Yun Yun Zhonghe could not defeat his opponent alone, the three others activated their lightness skill and rushed toward them.

"This old master is blessed with great fortune today! Little lady, judging by your reaction, you must have heard of my reputation, so just come quietly with me!"

Knowing he held the advantage, Yun Yun Zhonghe remained unhurried, using lecherous laughter and taunts to disturb Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying's mind and undermine her will to resist.

Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying said nothing, simply thrusting her sword directly at Yun Yun Zhonghe.

However, Yun Yun Zhonghe was a seasoned veteran of the martial world; after that single exchange, he knew this delicate young lady, though young, possessed exquisite swordsmanship and could not be confronted head-on.

Thus, he avoided engaging Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying directly, activating his lightness skill to retreat.

Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying's speed was insufficient, and burdened by the need to protect Jiang Sishui, she dared not pursue.

In that brief interval, the other three evils arrived.

"Haha, Fourth Brother! You can't even handle a woman! Call me your dear grandpa, and I'll help you capture this little girl!"

Yue Yue Laosan clicked his crocodile-mouth shears with a "click-clack" sound, laughing uproariously, yet showing no intention of attacking.

Nearby, Ye Ye Mengse, cradling a crying infant in her arms while constantly soothing it, smiled upon hearing this and said, "This little girl is quite wild, Fourth Brother; be careful she doesn't slice you with one sword strike."

Blocking Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying's retreat, Yun Yun Zhonghe called out loudly, "Second Sister, help me subdue this woman, and later I'll find you ten or eight sons!"

"Ten or eight?" Ye Ye Mengse's eyes lit up with apparent delight, and she covered her mouth, letting out a cheer.

But as she loosened her grip, the infant in her arms lost balance, tilting headfirst until its head slammed solidly against a rock on the ground.

In an instant, the skull cracked open, and brains splattered everywhere!

The crying ceased abruptly.

Zhao Zhao Zhao Qiying's eyes snapped wide open in shock, staring in horror as an infant not yet weaned died miserably before her eyes, her mind profoundly shaken.