142: Su Ling'er!
Once, and then again.
He kowtowed with immense force, as if only by doing so could he vent the fear in his heart.
Soon, his forehead was a bloody mess, and his entire being looked wretched.
Seeing this scene, the surrounding commoners felt a mix of complex emotions.
They never imagined that the usually high-and-mighty, insufferably arrogant Young Master Liu would have such a miserable day.
And all of this was simply because he had provoked someone he shouldn't have.
Looking at Liu Jie kneeling on the ground, kowtowing and begging for mercy incessantly, the anger from being humiliated had long since vanished from Su Linger's heart.
In its place was a complex set of emotions.
There was a sense of relief, but even more so, she couldn't bear to see it.
After all, she was just a kind-hearted girl.
She turned her head, glanced at the indifferent youth beside her, and said softly:
"Young Master, that's enough. Let him go."
Hearing this, Li Qing finally withdrew that terrifying pressure.
He glanced at Liu Jie on the ground, whose head was broken and bleeding, barely looking human anymore, and said indifferently:
"Get lost."
"Don't let me see you again."
Those lackeys, who had long been scared witless, felt as if they had been granted a great pardon upon hearing those words.
They scrambled over, hoisted up their half-dead Young Master, and fled in a panic without looking back.
Before leaving, the carried-away Liu Jie didn't forget to look back, glaring at Li Qing with eyes full of venom and hatred.
That gaze was like a venomous snake waiting to devour someone.
Li Qing noticed his gaze but didn't care at all.
Just a piece of trash.
If he dared to seek death again, then Li Qing wouldn't mind sending him on his way.
The farce came to an end.
Seeing the wicked Young Master driven away, the watching commoners cast looks of admiration and gratitude at Li Qing, but soon they dispersed in small groups, carrying a hint of worry.
This is a big deal!
There's going to be a good show!
This matter isn't over yet.
By beating the son of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, a deep grudge had been firmly established.
This mysterious youth's future days in the Royal Capital would likely not be easy.
Soon, only Li Qing and Su Linger were left on the street.
"Young Master..."
Su Linger looked at Li Qing, hesitating to speak.
Her heart was full of gratitude, but even more so, worry.
"Thank you, Young Master, for saving me today."
She bowed deeply to Li Qing.
"I, Su Linger, have no way to repay you. However, Young Master, you have caused a great disaster today!"
Her voice was full of anxiety.
"Although Liu Jie is a useless fool, his father, Liu Xing, Minister of Personnel, holds immense power in the court and is known for being vindictive and ruthless."
"You humiliated him so much today; he will definitely not let this go!
You... you should leave the Royal Capital as soon as possible!"
She was sincerely worried for Li Qing.
However, Li Qing only gave her a faint glance.
"His son deserved the beating."
Five simple words, filled with an unquestionable dominance.
Su Linger was left speechless by his nonchalant attitude, momentarily at a loss for words.
Is this Young Master too carefree?
That's the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel!
She looked at Li Qing and bit her lip, appearing to have made a decision.
"Young Master, the Liu Family is powerful. They will surely conduct a city-wide search for you soon."
"If you don't mind, Young Master, could you... could you stay at my home for a while to hide? It would also allow me to show a bit of my gratitude."
She extended an invitation.
This was both to repay his kindness and to provide a temporary sanctuary for the benefactor who had saved her.
Li Qing was somewhat surprised by Su Linger's invitation.
He glanced at the girl, whose face was full of sincerity and worry, and his impression of her improved slightly.
In this cold-hearted Royal Capital where everyone looked out only for themselves, having such a heart was quite rare.
"Your home?"
Li Qing raised an eyebrow.
"Yes." Su Linger nodded heavily.
"My family runs a small medicine hall in the west of the city. Although it's not big, it's quite secluded. The Liu Family's people shouldn't be able to find it for a while."
She paused and then added.
"Rest assured, Young Master, my father is also a Martial Artist. Although his cultivation isn't high, he is very bold and hospitable. Once he knows you are my savior, he will surely treat you well."
"A medicine hall?"
Li Qing's heart stirred.
His main purpose in coming to the Royal Capital this time, besides finding a new home for his Clone, was to seek more cultivation resources.
Medicinal Pills and precious herbs were exactly what he urgently needed.
This Su Linger seemed to come from a medical family; visiting her home might yield some unexpected gains.
Furthermore, he did need a place to learn about the deeper power distribution in the Royal Capital.
The Su Family, as locals of the Royal Capital, surely knew much more than a newcomer like him.
Thinking this, Li Qing nodded.
"Very well."
"Then, that's wonderful!" Seeing Li Qing agree, a heartfelt smile finally appeared on Su Linger's face.
That smile was like sunlight after a rain, making her entire being seem a bit brighter.
"Young Master, please follow me."
She hurriedly led the way, taking Li Qing through several bustling streets towards the west of the city.
Along the way, perhaps fearing Li Qing might change his mind, or due to her gratitude and worry, her mouth never stopped moving.
She introduced the customs and culture of the Royal Capital to Li Qing—which places were fun, which were forbidden zones, and which powers were absolutely not to be provoked.
Of course, what she talked about most was Liu Xing, Minister of Personnel.
"Young Master, you might not know, but Liu Xing's reputation in the Royal Capital is terrible."
"Relying on his power over official promotions, who knows how much money he has embezzled or how many people he has harmed over the years."
"Many officials who couldn't stand his actions suffered his frenzied retaliation—at best being banished to remote areas, and at worst, their families being ruined."
"He is a cancer in the Royal Capital's officialdom! Yet, he deeply enjoys the current Your Majesty's trust, and no one can do anything about him."
"As for his son, Liu Jie, he relies on his father's influence to commit all sorts of evils in the Royal Capital, having ruined countless innocent women. Many victims dare not speak out for fear of the Liu Family's power."
Su Linger's tone was filled with indignation and helplessness as she spoke of these things.
Li Qing listened quietly without interrupting.
He roughly understood.
This Liu Xing was equivalent to a local tyrant in the Royal Capital, and an officially sanctioned one at that.
By beating his son today, he had indeed stirred up a significant hornet's nest.
However, he didn't care.
Soldiers come, generals block; water comes, earth covers.
He even dared to offend the Grand Princess; what did a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel matter?