Chapter 298 Xiao Xun'er's Visit

Shen Wen's brows furrowed slightly.

Qing Lin continued, "I have already placed a brand on Demon Crow. Although it cannot replace yours, he listens to me now."

"With the addition of Yao Ming and Yao Gu, if I go to the Nine Serene Earth Nether Python tribe, I can definitely be of help."

Shen Wen did not speak immediately.

Cao Ying and Xiao Yi Xian exchanged a look; neither of them interrupted.

Qing Lin looked at him, her gaze serious and determined: "Brother Shen Wen, I want to do things to help you."

Shen Wen looked at her, suddenly feeling a bit dazed.

The timid little maidservant in his memory had now grown into a graceful young woman, standing before him and speaking these words with such a firm gaze.

He shook his head. "It's too dangerous."

Qing Lin grew anxious. "But—"

"The Nine Serene Earth Nether Python tribe has a Dou Saint presiding over it." Shen Wen interrupted her. "Even though the three of them, including Demon Crow, are under your control, if anything goes wrong and Yao Xiaotian notices, you won't even have a chance to run."

Qing Lin pursed her lips but did not back down. "I will be careful. Besides, Demon Crow and the others hold significant status within the tribe. With them as cover, nothing will go wrong."

Shen Wen was about to speak further, but Cao Ying suddenly spoke up. "I think it's feasible."

Shen Wen looked at her.

Cao Ying continued, "Sister Qing Lin is right. With Demon Crow and the others there, as long as she acts cautiously, the danger is manageable."

She paused and looked at Qing Lin with a hint of admiration. "Besides, the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils are inherently the nemesis of snake-type Demonic Beasts."

"If Sister Qing Lin can infiltrate the Nine Serene Earth Nether Python tribe, she might be able to subdue even more high-ranking members using Demon Crow and the others as cover."

"By then, the Nine Serene Earth Nether Python will no longer be a threat, but our ally."

Shen Wen fell silent.

He knew Cao Ying had a point.

But looking at Qing Lin's still somewhat childish face, he couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Qing Lin seemed to sense his hesitation; she stepped forward and gently took his hand.

"Brother Shen Wen," she said softly, her voice tender yet carrying an unprecedented firmness.

"I know you're worried about me. But I'm no longer that little maidservant from back then."

"I am now a Dou Zong, I have the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, the Heavenly Demon Body, and the Great Charm Technique. I can protect myself."

"And..."

She looked up at Shen Wen, her emerald eyes full of sincerity. "I want to help you. Not by standing behind you waiting for protection, but by standing at your side, facing those enemies together."

"You are destined to become a Dou Di in the future. If I always hide behind you, how can I keep up with your footsteps?"

Shen Wen looked at her and suddenly smiled.

He reached out and rubbed her head.

"You've grown up."

Qing Lin's cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn't pull away, simply looking at him as she waited for his final answer.

Shen Wen was silent for a moment before finally nodding.

"Go then."

Qing Lin's eyes lit up.

Shen Wen added, "But remember, no matter the gains or the schemes, none of it is as important as a single strand of your hair. If there is any danger, retreat immediately without any hesitation."

Qing Lin nodded vigorously, her eyes turning slightly red.

She threw herself into Shen Wen's arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.

"Brother Shen Wen, I will definitely be fine."

Shen Wen held her, gently patting her back.

Cao Ying and Xiao Yi Xian watched from the side, neither saying a word.

After a long while, Qing Lin finally released him, wiped the corners of her eyes, and a smile bloomed on her face.

"Then I'll go back and pack; I'll set out tomorrow."

Shen Wen nodded and added, "Let Demon Crow go back first to make arrangements. Once you arrive, don't rush into anything. Familiarize yourself with the environment first and take it slow."

Qing Lin nodded in agreement and turned to leave the Flower Hall, her steps light.

Shen Wen watched her figure disappear at the end of the corridor before withdrawing his gaze.

Cao Ying walked to his side and asked softly, "Reluctant to see her go?"

Shen Wen gave a small smile and didn't speak.

Xiao Yi Xian also came over and said gently, "Sister Qing Lin is right. She has to grow up eventually."

Shen Wen nodded and sighed. "I know. It's just... I still feel somewhat uneasy."

Cao Ying looked at him and suddenly laughed.

"Don't worry. That girl Qing Lin is smarter than you think."

...

Two days later, Tang Huo'er arrived as scheduled.

Shen Wen received her in the Flower Hall. The young woman was wearing a fiery red long dress today, her hair pulled up high to reveal her long, fair neck. She looked like a walking flame, bright and dazzling.

The two took their seats, and the maidservant withdrew after serving tea.

Tang Huo'er held the teacup, in no hurry to drink, instead sizing up Shen Wen with her bright eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Shen Wen felt a bit uncomfortable under her gaze. He cleared his throat and got straight to the point. "Miss Huo-er, I've invited you here this time to discuss a business deal."

Tang Huo'er raised her striking eyebrows, her tone unhurried. "Oh? What business?"

Shen Wen said, "I heard that the Burning Flame Valley has many branch sects in the south and maintains deep relationships with local powers. I want to use the Burning Flame Valley's connections to open up medicinal herb channels in the south."

He left out the matter of the zun ji pill, only saying that he needed a large quantity of rare medicinal herbs and hoped to purchase them from the south.

After listening, Tang Huo'er put down her teacup and leaned back in her chair, her eyes still fixed on him.

After a moment, she suddenly spoke, "I've waited for you for so many days, yet you don't even have a word of greeting, jumping straight into business?"

Shen Wen was slightly taken aback.

Tang Huo'er continued, "I come running to your place every few days; do you really think I have nothing better to do?"

Her tone was flat, revealing no emotion, but there was a hint of resentment in her eyes.

Shen Wen's expression became somewhat awkward.

He opened his mouth to say something but found he didn't know what to say.

Seeing him like this, Tang Huo'er suddenly burst into laughter.

That smile was like a spring flower in bloom, bright and moving.

"Fine, fine, look at you." She waved her hand, her tone returning to its usual briskness. "This business is between you and the Burning Flame Valley anyway; I will definitely help you."

She paused, a glint of mischief flashing in her eyes. "However, don't you dare take advantage of my feelings for you to intentionally drive down the price."

Shen Wen laughed upon hearing this.

"Don't worry, I won't."

He paused and added, "The price will be whatever it should be. I'm not one to take such petty advantages."

Tang Huo'er nodded and was about to speak when a sudden flurry of urgent footsteps came from outside the door.

Cao Ying walked in quickly.

Her expression was a bit off, her brow slightly furrowed. Her gaze fell on Shen Wen as she said in a low voice, "Husband, someone is asking to see you."

Seeing her expression, Shen Wen raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

Cao Ying took a deep breath and slowly uttered two words:

"Xiao Xun Er."

As the words fell, the Flower Hall became silent for a moment.

Shen Wen's brows furrowed slightly.

Xiao Xun Er?

Why was she here? To be honest, Shen Wen hadn't thought about her for a long time since she returned to the Gu Clan; he had only asked Cao Ying to keep an eye on news regarding Xiao Yan.

Since Xiao Xun Er had come now, could it be that something had happened to Xiao Yan?

Cao Ying whispered, "Xiao Yan has already arrived in the Central Plains. Besides looking for Xiao Xun Er, he is also looking for someone else."

"Who?"

"Yun Yun."