Chapter 146: Gaining Trust

"Don't move!" Jiangnan barked sharply, forcing down the agitation in his heart. He had to stay rational and not be swayed by beauty.

"You are who, exactly?" the woman glared at Jiangnan, a flash of panic flickering in her eyes.

Jiangnan steadied himself and replied in a deep voice: "I've already said my name is Jiangnan; I'm here only to look for medicinal herbs."

"Hmph, who would believe you!" the woman snorted coldly, yet dared not act rashly.

Jiangnan sighed and released his grip. "If I truly had ill intent, I could take your life right now."

The woman froze, staring at Jiangnan in surprise. She hadn't expected him to suddenly let go.

"You... why?" the woman hesitated, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.

Jiangnan turned his back to the woman and answered calmly: "I've said I have no malice."

The woman stood rooted, at a loss. Instinctively she wanted to flee, yet she was drawn to Jiangnan's behavior.

"Are you really just here for herbs?" the woman asked skeptically, eyeing Jiangnan's silhouette.

Jiangnan didn't look back, merely gave a slight nod. "I have no interest in your Gu Tribe, nor any intention to pry into secrets."

The woman hesitated a moment, then lowered her guard. "Then why are you here? This is a Forbidden Land."

Jiangnan slowly turned, his gaze burning as he looked at the woman. "I've said I entered this place by mistake."

The woman's eyes were stunned by Jiangnan's stare, and she involuntarily stepped back half a pace. She felt a powerful aura.

"You... who exactly are you?" the woman asked, uncertain.

Jiangnan didn't answer directly; instead he asked, "Has your Gu Tribe run into trouble lately?"

The woman's complexion changed abruptly, and she stared at Jiangnan warily. "How do you know?"

"I not only know you're in trouble, but also who is pulling the strings behind it," Jiangnan said, astonishingly.

The woman's pupils narrowed slightly, looking at Jiangnan in disbelief. "You... what exactly do you know?"

"That's not right, you're lying! You must be trying to extract words from me!"

The woman jolted awake, instinctively shielding herself, fury blazing in her eyes. She gritted her teeth, glared at Jiangnan, her voice trembling yet full of anger:

"You despicable, shameless bastard! If you have the skill, kill me!"

Jiangnan stared at her expressionlessly, a barely perceptible hint of helplessness flashing in his calm eyes. He spoke slowly, his voice low and hoarse:

"I'm not aligned with the Holy Sect."

Before the words finished, Jiangnan's internal true Qi surged, a boiling heat coursing through his body. In an instant, his drenched coat began to emit thin wisps of white smoke.

The woman's pupils contracted sharply, disbelief in her gaze at the bizarre scene. Jiangnan's clothing dried at a visible speed, moisture turning into mist that vanished into the air.

"This... what kind of demonic technique is this?" she exclaimed, stepping back involuntarily.

Jiangnan gave no reply, simply standing still, letting his true Qi circulate within. The warm energy dispelled the chill and soothed his inner restlessness.

The woman examined Jiangnan cautiously, her mind full of doubts. Who was this enigmatic man, and why was he in this Forbidden Land?

Jiangnan inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly. He turned his head toward the dense forest ahead, his gaze as deep as an ancient well:

"I'm just a passing cultivator who strayed into this place."

The woman frowned, eyeing Jiangnan's profile with suspicion. She sensed a powerful, mysterious aura enveloping the man.

"Cultivator?" she murmured softly, "Could you be..."

Before she could finish, she suddenly realized her slip, hurriedly closed her mouth. Jiangnan keenly detected her oddity, his eyes blazing:

"What do you know?"

The woman pressed her lips together, stubbornly turning her head away. Jiangnan sighed, his voice softening:

"I mean no offense; I'm merely curious. If I've been forward, please forgive me."

The woman blinked slightly, not expecting Jiangnan to be so courteous. After a pause, she finally spoke:

"You're... really not a Holy Sect member?"

Jiangnan shook his head, his gaze firm: "I have no connection with the Holy Sect."

The woman stared into Jiangnan's eyes, trying to find any flaw. Yet those ink‑black pupils were as calm as water, without a ripple.

"Then why are you here?" she persisted, still unwilling to believe easily.

Jiangnan pondered briefly, then explained slowly: "I'm searching for a unique spirit treasure; legend says it exists only in these deep, ancient woods."

The woman's expression grew complex, as if weighing whether to trust Jiangnan. Suddenly a cold wind blew, making her shiver.

Jiangnan noticed her unease, his brows furrowing. After a moment's hesitation, he removed his coat and handed it to her:

"Put it on; don't catch a chill."

The woman was stunned, looking at Jiangnan in disbelief. The man who just moments ago made her feel like facing a great enemy, actually

Jiangnan saw the woman hesitating, let out a soft sigh, and draped the coat over her shoulders. The warm touch made her shiver all over.

"I've said I have no malice," Jiangnan said lightly, "You may not believe me, but at least don't harm yourself."

The woman lowered her head, looking at the coat on her shoulders, emotions churning within. She pressed her lips together and spoke softly:

"Thank you."

Jiangnan nodded, saying nothing more. The two stood silently by the stream, only the babbling water and distant birdcalls surrounding them.

After a long while, the woman finally broke the silence: "You said you're looking for a spirit treasure?"

Jiangnan turned his head toward her, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. The woman bit her lip, as if making up her mind:

"If... if you truly are just after the spirit treasure, perhaps I can help you."

Jiangnan raised an eyebrow, signaling her to continue. The woman inhaled deeply:

"However, you must first answer me a question."

Jiangnan nodded: "Go ahead."

The woman stared straight into Jiangnan's eyes, asking word for word:

"You just now used true Qi, right?"

Jiangnan's pupils narrowed slightly, and he was astonished; he hadn't expected that this seemingly ordinary woman could recognize the power of true Qi.

"You know true Qi?" Jiangnan retorted.

The woman gave a wry smile: "Our Gu Tribe has had dealings with cultivators for generations. Though we don't understand the mysteries, we know a bit."

Jiangnan suddenly understood. No wonder this woman appeared in such a place; she was of the Gu Tribe.

"That's right, I am indeed using true Qi," Jiangnan admitted calmly.

A complex glint flashed in the woman's eyes, both reverence and expectation. The woman inhaled deeply, as if making a certain resolve:

"Since you are a cultivator, then… perhaps you can help us."

Jiangnan raised an eyebrow: "Help you?"

The woman nodded, a hint of pleading appearing in her eyes: "Our Gu Tribe has recently run into a big trouble. If you are willing to help, I will take you to find the spirit treasure you seek."

Jiangnan sighed deeply; the Gu Tribe's plight also exceeded his expectations.