38: Chapter 38 You're Lacking a Master

Just as Steward Li's finger was about to touch Qiu Shuzhen, a tall, mountain-like figure silently inserted itself between the two.

It was Ding Qing.

He stood like an iron tower, holding the child, effectively blocking Steward Li's outstretched hand.

Steward Li's finger nearly jabbed into Ding Qing's bare arm, which seemed forged from refined iron.

A wave of bone-chilling Evil Qi washed over him, causing him to shiver violently and choke back the rest of his words.

"You... who are you?"

Startled by this sudden, menacing figure, Steward Li's face changed slightly, his voice tinged with suspicion and a hint of anger.

The household guards beside him immediately stepped forward warily, hands resting on the hilts of their swords and clubs at their waists.

Ding Qing raised the brim of his hat slightly.

His icy gaze, sharp as a tangible blade, swept over Steward Li's plump, pale face and those outwardly fierce but inwardly timid guards.

He did not answer Steward Li's question.

His voice was low and raspy, like the grinding of two pieces of raw iron, carrying an undeniable force:

"You lack an expert."

It was not a question, but a statement. As if stating an ironclad fact.

Steward Li was taken aback, then anger surged within him.

But when he saw the emotionless eyes beneath Ding Qing's hat brim.

And felt the oppressive presence emanating from the other man, akin to a primordial Vicious Beast.

Especially when he glimpsed the faint, sinister black patterns on those knotted muscles, a chill shot from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.

This was definitely not a refugee he could casually berate.

This was absolutely a murderous fiend who killed without blinking!

And... he seemed to possess terrifying skills.

His eyes darted rapidly, weighing the pros and cons in an instant.

Currently, Panshi City was growing increasingly chaotic, with heretical sects running rampant and banditry flourishing.

His reputation as a 'great philanthropist' made him a target, and his household was indeed in urgent need of truly strong guards.

This man before him was fierce, no doubt, but if he could be subdued, he would absolutely be a formidable guardian.

As for that bit of offense... it was worth it to gain such a protector!

His thoughts raced, and the anger on Steward Li's face instantly transformed into deliberate delight and enthusiasm:

"Ah! You have a sharp eye, Strong Man! My humble residence is indeed in need of a robust and formidable guard expert like yourself. May I ask your esteemed name, Strong Man? Would you deign to serve? I, Li, will certainly treat you generously!"

"Room and board provided, monthly pay is negotiable!"

Ding Qing's gaze passed over Steward Li and landed on Qiu Shuzhen, who was being helped up by two sturdy maids behind him.

Qiu Shuzhen was also looking at him.

In those large, watery eyes, the previous grief and fragility had faded somewhat.

Replaced by a more intense curiosity, scrutiny, and even... a hint of excitement, as if meeting a worthy opponent.

She had clearly also recognized Ding Qing's extraordinariness and saw through his purpose in intervening.

It was definitely not simply for a guard position.

The cold curve at the corner of Ding Qing's mouth seemed to widen slightly, carrying a hint of a beast discovering interesting prey.

He did not look at Qiu Shuzhen again, turning back to Steward Li and uttering only one word:

"Ding."

"Excellent! Strong Man Ding! Straight to the point!"

Steward Li was overjoyed, as if he had found a rare treasure.

"Quickly! Please escort Strong Man Ding to the carriage—no, Strong Man Ding is holding a child, it's inconvenient. Someone! Bring my horse for Strong Man Ding!"

He turned and instructed Qiu Shuzhen and the two sturdy maids:

"Please escort this Miss Qiu and her mother onto the carriage as well. Take good care of them and settle them in... that quiet side room in the west courtyard."

"The matter of the elder must be expedited!"

A servant brought over a rather spirited chestnut horse.

Ding Qing held the swaddled baby with one hand and casually grasped the reins with the other.

The action seemed casual.

Yet the originally restless steed, as if restrained by an invisible, immense force, instantly became docile, even trembling slightly.

His movement of mounting the horse was fluid, carrying an indescribably fierce and formidable Aura.

The carriage set off, carrying Steward Li and Qiu Shuzhen and her mother, each with their own thoughts.

Ding Qing rode the tall horse, holding the swaddled baby, silently following beside the carriage.

The horse's hooves clopped on the bluestone pavement, emitting crisp sounds that echoed through Panshi City's dilapidated streets.

Sitting in the gently swaying carriage, Qiu Shuzhen peered through a crack in the window, her gaze fixed intently on the figure on horseback—steady as a mountain, yet dangerous as a Vicious Beast.

A curve appeared at the corner of her mouth, one that was utterly different from her fragile appearance, carrying cunning and wildness.

"Ding... Interesting. I truly didn't expect to encounter someone like this in this dump."

She murmured to herself, her voice filled with eager excitement.

This mysterious and powerful man had actively walked into the net she and her Master had carefully laid.

Was it an accident, or... did he have his own agenda as well?

Things seemed to have become more interesting than anticipated.

Ding Qing sat upright on horseback, his gaze fixed on the dilapidated city gate tower ahead.

The infant in his arms seemed to feel the jostling, smacking its tiny lips.

His rough finger gently pressed on the swaddling clothes, transmitting a stable yet scorching force.

Panshi City, the Li Residence.

We've arrived!

...

The Li Residence's entrance was considered imposing in Panshi City.

Vermilion lacquered gates, stone lions standing guard.

Ding Qing, holding the swaddled baby, followed the beaming Steward Li inside.

The steward and several guard captains were already waiting by the screen wall.

Their gazes, filled with curiosity or scrutiny, fell upon this tall, barefoot, long-haired man with a fierce Aura, holding an infant.

One among them, with a physique as tough as iron, bore an old scar running diagonally across the bridge of his nose, his eyes sharp as an eagle's.

This was the Li Residence's guard instructor, surnamed Wang.

He had once been a squad leader in the northern border army, with much blood on his hands.

He looked Ding Qing up and down.

The fierce, latent Qi beneath those knotted muscles made him instinctively tense his nerves.

But seeing the cumbersome baby in the other's arms and those seemingly shabby fur clothes, a sense of defiant courage and contempt rose within him.

"Steward, who is this?"

Instructor Wang stepped forward, clasping his fists in salute. His voice was loud, carrying the particular toughness of the military, but his gaze pierced directly at Ding Qing.

"Hahaha, Instructor Wang, you've come at the right time!"

In excellent spirits, Steward Li pointed at Ding Qing and said:

"This is Strong Man Ding. From now on, he is the chief guard and personal protector of my Li Residence! Strong Man Ding possesses unfathomable skills. You must obey his commands well in the future."

"Chief guard? Personal protector?"

Instructor Wang's brows knitted into a frown. The trusted guards behind him also showed expressions of indignation.

He, Wang Tieshan, had served the Li family for many years, his skills forged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Was he to yield his position to a man of unknown origin, holding a nursing baby?

"Steward!"

Instructor Wang's voice deepened. His hands, still clasped in salute, did not lower.

"This subordinate dares to request! The duty of Li family guards is of great importance. Only those with true talent and learning can hold the chief position!

I beg your permission to spar with this... Strong Man Ding!

This will also allow the brothers to be convinced and follow orders with proper understanding in the future!"

The guards behind him chimed in agreement, their eyes filled with provocation.

Steward Li's smile froze, and he looked somewhat awkwardly at Ding Qing.

"Strong Man Ding, what do you think of this..."

Ding Qing's gaze from beneath his hat brim swept over Instructor Wang and those eager guards behind him.

"If you want to fight, come at me together."