Chapter 26

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

Because he couldn't sit steady, he instinctively grabbed Zhao Qiying's slender waist.

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

One must know that a man's head and a woman's waist are not to be touched casually; what he had just done was far more serious than grabbing a hand.

Yet Zhao Qiying didn't mind, and instead urged, "Hold on tight!"

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

The two soon reached the very front of the escort caravan. Passing by Zhao Tianhao, Zhao Qiying called out, "Father, your daughter is teaching Young Master Jiang to ride; this way we can travel faster too."

Before Zhao Tianhao could answer, the two of them on one horse had already charged far ahead.

027: Flash Love, A Cloud Crane Appears Halfway

Zhao Tianhao stared at their retreating backs, utterly dumbfounded.

Watching his usually sensible and gentle eldest daughter reveal such a little girl's innocent, wild playfulness, the astonishment in his heart was beyond words.

Could Qiying really have fallen in love?

But even so, what about... isn't this all moving a bit too fast?

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

This escort job... seems like a huge loss!

But in the end, he still chose neither to approve nor oppose nor interfere, letting things take their natural course.

Zhao Mengjiao nearby also saw the scene of the two sharing one horse, and couldn't help but begin to feel jealous of her elder sister.

Not jealous that Zhao Qiying was getting along with Jiang Sishui, but jealous that Zhao Qiying had found a sweetheart one step ahead of her.

……

The fierce wind whistled past their ears, carrying a wisp of the maiden's faint fragrance to Jiang Sishui's nose and into his heart.

Holding Zhao Qiying's warm, fragrant, soft body in his arms, Jiang Sishui vaguely understood the maiden's feelings.

Though it seemed a bit incredible, perhaps love was just like this?

Sometimes it came when it came, with no reasoning at all.

To further verify his guess, Jiang Sishui mustered his courage and gently rested his chin on Zhao Qiying's fragrant shoulder.

Her smooth black hair fluttered in the wind, brushing his face, tickling him, but not a fraction as much as the itch in Jiang Sishui's heart.

He didn't brush aside the somewhat disheveled hair; instead, he took a deep breath. Though his exhale was slight, it clearly reached the maiden's ears.

Zhao Qiying showed no resistance; she even appeared nonchalant. But Jiang Sishui, who had been watching her closely, noticed that the roots of her ears were already flushed red.

Seeing this, Jiang Sishui felt greatly reassured, tightened the arm around her waist, and pulled the two of them closer together.

At the same time, he leaned his mouth over and kissed the maiden's rosy cheek.

Zhao Qiying cried out in surprise, embarrassed and annoyed: "You... what are you doing!"

She had never expected that she didn't mind letting Jiang Sishui take some small liberties, yet he actually pressed his advantage and kissed... kissed her?

Seeing that she hadn't used true qi to blast him away, Jiang Sishui knew she wasn't truly angry, but was acting out of a maiden's reserve and shyness, so he held her waist tightly and wouldn't let go.

"Qiying, you're so beautiful, I like you." Jiang Sishui breathed softly by her ear, blowing until Zhao Qiying's face grew even redder.

"You..."

She turned her head, just about to say something, when she felt darkness before her eyes, warmth on her lips—her cherry lips had been captured by someone.

Zhao Qiying's delicate body instantly stiffened, her eyes wide. In her mind it was as if a thunderbolt had exploded, shaking her brain blank.

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

This turn of events greatly exceeded her expectations as well.

After a long while, their lips parted, and Zhao Qiying still hadn't recovered from that daze.

Seeing her blank, lost expression, Jiang Sishui couldn't resist pecking once more at those dewy, juicy thin lips.

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

"Was that your first kiss? Mine too."

Jiang Sishui lowered his head slightly, pressing his forehead against hers, and said softly, "Qiying, I like you. Can you accept me?"

Zhao Qiying's gaze flickered evasively. After a moment's hesitation, she sighed softly, "After what you've done to me, how could I possibly marry anyone else?"

Hearing this, the smile on Jiang Sishui's face grew wider. Gazing at the maiden's beautiful face, his heart stirred, and he leaned in to kiss her again.

This time Zhao Qiying didn't space out, but clumsily responded.

This was also Jiang Sishui's first time in two lifetimes; he had zero experience. Both of them were utterly inexperienced and could only explore and fumble together, gaining experience.

After a long while, they finally parted, gasping for breath.

Zhao Qiying's face was like the morning glow, flushed red as fire, and she said, "Alright, let me catch my breath. Now I'll teach you to ride."

Having gotten the advantage, Jiang Sishui was delighted and naturally agreed.

So Zhao Qiying began to teach him, hand over hand.

During this, various physical contacts were naturally unavoidable, growing ever more ambiguous.

Tasting the flavor of love for the first time, this young man and maiden were both deeply intoxicated.

Suddenly, a gust of fierce wind tore through the air, heading straight for Zhao Qiying on the horse's back!

Zhao Qiying snapped awake, immediately drew the long sword hanging before the saddle, and in the instant she turned her head, thrust a sword toward the assailant's face.

The attacker held an iron claw. Zhao Qiying had already brought the "Nine Swords of Solitude" to perfection, so even in this urgent counterattack, she instinctively used the most appropriate move, "Breaking the Whip."

The "Breaking the Whip" stance of the "Nine Swords of Solitude" is specifically designed to counter short weapons like iron whips, crutches, acupoint-poking truncheons, and Emei daggers.

The opponent's iron claw was only three or four feet long, so it naturally fell prey to this stance.

This sword, though launched later, arrived first, following the opponent's opening and attacking where they had to defend.

Sure enough, the attacker had no choice but to swing the iron claw sideways to deflect the blade, and at the same time used the force to leap, vaulting over the two riders and landing on the road ahead.

Zhao Qiying's heart gave a jolt.

They had only exchanged a single move just now, and the opponent's realm was no higher than hers—both were at the Early Grandmaster Stage—but this Lightness Skill was truly extraordinary.

Vanishing like a wisp of smoke, a swan vanishing into the heavens—even a Grandmaster of the Bandeda Sect, without superior Lightness Skill, probably could not catch him.

Facing this kind of opponent, fleeing was the worst option. Zhao Qiying hurriedly pulled Jiang Sishui down from his horse and shielded him behind her.

Then, holding her sword, she offered a jianghu salute and asked, "May I know your honored name, sir? When has this humble Miss ever offended you, that you should suddenly strike with such viciousness?"

Seeing Zhao Qiying's unhurried, unruffled manner behind him, and that the killing intent from a moment ago had been entirely reined in, Jiang Sishui knew she was deliberately stalling for time, waiting for Zhao Tianhao to come to their aid.

He kept his composure and looked toward the opposite side.

He saw that the newcomer was extremely tall, yet exceedingly thin—like a bamboo pole—and his face was terrifyingly long.

Jiang Sishui glanced at the man's weapon, and his heart stirred: "The last of the Four Great Evildoers of 'Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils'—the Utterly Wicked Yun Zhonghe?"

Sure enough, the newcomer's pair of thieving eyes swept over Zhao Qiying's slender, shapely, alluring body once, his face revealing greed and lewd cruelty, as he announced his own name: "The Four Great Evildoers—Yun Zhonghe!"

Hearing this, Zhao Qiying's expression changed, and she hurriedly looked around.

Sure enough, on a small hill not far away, three oddly-shaped figures were standing.

As if knowing Yun Zhonghe could not take down his opponent, those three also Unleash Lightness Skill, rushing toward this side.

"This old man's luck with the ladies is not shallow today! Little lady, judging by your look, you must have heard of this old man's reputation, so just obediently come with me!"

Yun Zhonghe knew the advantage was his, so he was unhurried, lewdly laughing and making flirtatious remarks, disrupting Zhao Qiying's concentration and shattering her will to resist.

Zhao Qiying said not a word, and directly thrust her sword toward Yun Zhonghe.

But Yun Zhonghe was also an old hand of the jianghu. After just that one exchange, he knew this delicate little lady was young in age, but her Sword Technique was extremely exquisite, and could not be met head-on.

So he did not engage Zhao Qiying in combat, and Unleash Lightness Skill to retreat.

Zhao Qiying's speed was inferior, and having to protect Jiang Sishui, she dared not pursue.

And in just this short span of time, the other three of the Four Great Evildoers had also rushed over.

028 I already said, my swordsmanship is very formidable.

"Haha, Fourth Brother! Can't even handle a woman! Call this old man 'Dear Grandpa' quickly, and this old man will help you take down this little wench!"

Yue Laosan clicked his crocodile-mouth scissors—"Crack, crack"—laughing heartily, but showed no intention of making a move.

Beside him, Ye Mengse held a crying baby in her arms, continuously soothing it, and upon hearing this laughed: "This little Miss is wild, Fourth Brother—be careful she doesn't slice you in half with one sword."

Yun Zhonghe blocked Zhao Qiying's retreat and called out loudly: "Second Sister, you help me take down this woman, and afterward I'll find you ten or eight sons!"

"Ten or eight?" Ye Mengse's eyes lit up, seeming extremely delighted, and she covered her mouth and let out a cheer.

But the moment she loosened her grip, the baby in her arms lost its balance, its head tilting downward, head-first, feet-up, and crashed solidly against the rock on the ground.

In an instant, the skull split open and brains splattered!

The crying sound stopped abruptly.

Zhao Qiying's eyes suddenly flew wide open, staring in shock as an infant not yet out of its swaddling clothes died a wretched death before her very eyes, her mind greatly shaken.