2: Qing'er, the maid, the only spark of hope

The Medicinal Pill melted the moment it entered his mouth.

Unlike ordinary Medicinal Pills, it wasn't bitter. Instead, it felt like a ball of fire rolling down his throat into his belly, instantly exploding through his limbs and bones!

"Ugh..."

Chu He let out a muffled groan as his entire body's skin turned crimson, and sweat mixed with black Impurities gushed out from his pores.

His whole body was in excruciating pain.

But he gritted his teeth, not making a sound. He could feel that the "hidden ailment" that had plagued him for three years was being rapidly repaired under the wash of that heat. More importantly, his long-blocked Meridians were actually being forced open!

*Crack.*

It felt as if some shackles within his body had shattered.

Second level of Body Tempering... Third level of Body Tempering... Fourth level of Body Tempering!

In just the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Chu He's cultivation broke through three realms, reaching the fourth level of Body Tempering! Although he wasn't considered a master in Qingyang City, compared to the Trash he was before, it was a world of difference.

*Phew—*

Chu He exhaled a mouthful of turbid Qi and opened his eyes. The dim Ancestral Hall seemed to brighten slightly.

He clenched his fists, feeling the surging power within him, a cold sneer playing at the corners of his mouth.

"This life creation pill is indeed domineering."

Just then, a commotion suddenly came from outside the Ancestral Hall, accompanied by a woman's exclamation and the sound of porcelain shattering.

"Yo, this little chick is quite pretty, isn't she? What future is there in following that Trash Young Lord? Why don't you come with me, and I'll show you what a 'real man' is!"

"Get away! Don't touch me! Young Lord... Young Lord, help!"

It was Qing'er!

A cold light flashed in Chu He's eyes, and the killing intent he had just calmed instantly surged.

He stood up abruptly and charged out of the Ancestral Hall... to the Chu Family Front Courtyard.

Three burly men dressed as Li Family servants were surrounding a young girl in a green dress. The girl's hair was disheveled, tear stains marked her face, and she clutched a broom tightly, shivering in a corner.

The leader, whose face was covered in pockmarks, was reaching out to pull Qing'er's collar with a lewd grin. "Go ahead and scream! Your Trash Young Lord is probably hiding under his covers crying right now. Who would dare come to save you?"

"Stop!"

A thunderous shout exploded in the courtyard.

Pockface was startled, his hand trembling as he turned to look.

He saw Chu He standing in the moonlight, emitting a heart-palpitating Evil Qi. Although his clothes were a bit messy, his eyes were terrifyingly bright.

"Oh, isn't this Eunuch Chu?" Pockface laughed when he saw who it was. "What, finished kneeling in the Ancestral Hall? We brothers are here on the Young Lord's orders to help 'inventory' the Chu Family's assets. This girl is part of those assets too. It's not too much for us to take her away for an inspection, is it?"

The other two servants joined in the laughter. "Exactly! You can't use her anyway, so don't be a dog in the manger!"

Chu He didn't waste words.

He simply took a step forward.

This step covered a huge distance and was incredibly fast!

The explosive power of the fourth level of Body Tempering was displayed to the fullest. Pockface only saw a blur before his eyes, and before he could react, an iron-like palm had already clamped onto his throat.

"Ugh—"

The laughter came to an abrupt halt.

Chu He lifted the burly man, who weighed over a hundred catties, with one hand, his feet leaving the ground!

"A dog of the Li Family dares to bark in my Chu Family home?"

Chu He's voice was ice-cold as his fingers gradually tightened.

Pockface struggled desperately, his eyes bulging and his face full of terror. He never expected that Chu He, who was a waste earlier that day, would suddenly become so strong. This strength... was at least mid-stage Body Tempering!

"Young... Young Lord, have mercy..."

*Crack.*

With a flick of his wrist, Chu He dislocated Pockface's jaw and tossed him aside like Trash, slamming him hard into the other two servants.

"Go back and tell Li Wei."

Chu He clapped his hands, his gaze disdainful. "Tell him to wash his neck and wait. Whatever he swallowed of the Chu Family's, I'll make him spit it all back out!"

The three servants were scared out of their wits, scrambling to drag the unconscious Pockface out of the Chu Family gates.

The courtyard fell silent.

Qing'er stared blankly at Chu He as if she didn't recognize her own Young Lord. It wasn't until Chu He turned to look at her that she reacted, bursting into tears and throwing herself into his arms.

"Young Lord... *sob*... Qing'er thought I'd never see you again..."

Chu He's body stiffened for a moment before he gently patted her back.

The girl's body was soft and warm, carrying a faint scent of soapberry.

[Ding! Eligible female detected!]

[Name: Qing'er]

[Appearance: 85 (Pretty and charming)]

[Physique: Mortal Body (Contains a sliver of Wood Spiritual Root potential)]

[Favorability: 100 (Follow until death)]

[Suggestion: This girl is unfailingly loyal and is the best candidate for the Host to expand his lineage.]

The System's notification sounded at an inopportune time.

Chu He looked down at the tearful girl in his arms. Over the past three years, the Chu Family had collapsed and everyone had scattered, but only Qing'er had stayed by his side. To buy him medicine, she had even secretly sold her only piece of jewelry.

"Qing'er," Chu He called softly.

"Young... Young Lord?" Qing'er looked up, her eyes misty with tears.

Chu He reached out to wipe the tear stains from her face, his gaze becoming incredibly serious. "Are you willing to marry me?"

Qing'er was stunned.

Then, her face turned as red as a ripe apple, and even the tips of her ears burned.

"Young Lord... you... please don't tease Qing'er... You are the Young Lord, and Qing'er is just a maid..."

"In the current Chu Family, what Young Lord is left?" Chu He chuckled bitterly, then stared at her with burning eyes. "I only ask you, are you willing to be my woman and... bear my children?"

Qing'er's heart pounded. She looked into Chu He's deep eyes; there was no flippancy there, only solemnity.

She lowered her head shyly, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum, yet incredibly firm:

"Qing'er... is willing. Qing'er's life belongs to the Young Lord, as long as the Young Lord doesn't mind me..."

A warmth filled Chu He's heart.

He swept Qing'er up into his arms and strode toward the bedroom.

"Young Lord! The... the door isn't closed yet!"

"It doesn't matter."

Chu He kicked open the door and gently laid Qing'er on the bed.

For the future of the Chu Family.

For the System's rewards.

And even more so for this silly girl whose eyes were full of only him.

That night, the lights of the Chu Family home did not go out all night.