19: Departure from Dadu

"Hmph... I just don't like you fooling around with flowers and grasses," Dao Baifeng said with a huff.

"Alright, Sister, don't deliberately make it difficult for Duan Lang."

"Duan Lang isn't fickle; he's just affectionate," Zhao Min said with a smile.

"You, you're just taking his side. Wait until he brings back even more women in the future; then we'll see what you do!" Dao Baifeng shot Zhao Min an annoyed glare.

"Hehe... Well, that will depend on whether Duan Lang has the ability to make those women willingly follow him," Zhao Min replied, still smiling.

"Hmph... Go on, get going, hurry up and leave. Don't stand there being an eyesore; looking at you annoys me!" Dao Baifeng glared at Duan Zhengchun in frustration, then got up and returned to her room.

Duan Zhengchun felt a wave of helplessness. Dao Baifeng still had that tsundere personality.

Even if she had softened in her heart, she was still unwilling to admit it with her words.

However, this also made Duan Zhengchun feel more guilt towards her. After all, because of him, she had violated the clan rules.

"Alright, Min Min, pack up, we're setting off," Duan Zhengchun said.

"Mm, alright..." Zhao Min nodded in agreement.

However, something neither Zhao Min nor Duan Zhengchun expected happened. Just as they had finished packing and were about to leave, several people blocked their path.

"Princess, please come back with us. The Prince is very worried about your safety."

A man with a cold, sinister expression at the head of the group blocked the carriage with an unfriendly demeanor.

Hearing the commotion, Zhao Min knew her father had sent people to find her.

"Duan Lang, these are probably people sent by my father. I'll handle this," Zhao Min said to Duan Zhengchun.

"I'll go with you," Duan Zhengchun replied.

The two of them stepped out of the carriage together. Seeing the people blocking the carriage, Duan Zhengchun's eyes immediately narrowed slightly.

He had already recognized who the leader was.

In the original story, these were The Two Elders of Xuanming who always followed Zhao Min. Behind them were the Bitter Monk, Ah Da, Ah Er, and Ah San.

These men were quite loyal to Zhao Min. However, this Bitter Monk's identity was not simple.

He was Fan Yao, the Right Protector of the Ming Cult. But Fan Yao's existence didn't have much impact on Zhao Min.

Moreover, his own appearance had already changed some things.

"Greetings, Princess," The Two Elders of Xuanming and the others quickly bowed in salute.

"Enough, no need for such formality."

"I was just about to return. You go back first; I'll follow shortly," Zhao Min said directly.

"Princess, the Prince ordered us to personally escort you back," Deer Staff Guest said.

"What? Does my word carry no weight now?" Zhao Min said coldly.

"Princess, please forgive us. Do not make things difficult for us," Deer Staff Guest immediately knelt down.

"You..."

"Alright, Min Min, no need to be so angry. They are just doing their duty."

"Since we are already about to return, there's no need to cause unnecessary complications."

"In that case, let's travel together," Duan Zhengchun said with a smile.

Only then did Deer Staff Guest notice there was another person beside Zhao Min.

They hadn't looked up earlier, so they hadn't noticed Duan Zhengchun's presence. His appearance now greatly surprised them.

They knew their Princess's temperament very well.

How could she be so close with a strange man?

"Fine, since Duan Lang said so, let them follow!" Zhao Min nodded.

Zhao Min's reaction immediately filled Deer Staff Guest and the others with shock and awe.

Their Princess had a proud, domineering personality. Since when did she obey a man's words so readily?

Even when facing the Prince, she wasn't this obedient!

Who exactly was this man, that their Princess would treat him this way?

Such an intimate form of address... were they dreaming?

"Princess, who is this?" Deer Staff Guest cautiously inquired.

"Don't ask questions you shouldn't. Let's go, hurry back to the manor," Zhao Min said coldly.

"Yes..."

Deer Staff Guest trembled all over, bowing even lower.

He knew he had overstepped just now. Thinking of Zhao Min's methods sent a chill down his spine.

Immediately, Deer Staff Guest, Crane Brush Elder, Ah Da, Ah Er, Ah San, and the Bitter Monk led the way in front.

Duan Zhengchun and Zhao Min rode in the carriage, heading all the way to the Ruyang Princes Manor.

The Two Elders of Xuanming and the others were all martial Masters. Anyone with any sense along the way dared not cross them.

Just as they were about to reach Dadu, the sound of clashing weapons rang out.

A virtual screen appeared before Duan Zhengchun's eyes.

Red dots were still flashing on the screen. One red dot was closest to Duan Zhengchun, only a few dozen meters away.

Seeing this prompt, Duan Zhengchun's eyes immediately lit up.

"Min Min, you go back with them first. I have some business to attend to," Duan Zhengchun said with a smile.

Seeing Duan Zhengchun's reaction, Zhao Min had a thought and immediately guessed something.

However, she had no intention of stopping him.

"Duan Lang, we're not far from the manor now. This is my personal jade pendant. After you finish your business, come to the manor to find me."

"The servants won't recognize you. When the time comes, just show them this pendant," Zhao Min said with a smile.

"Mm, alright. My Min Min is always so thoughtful," Duan Zhengchun said with a smile, giving Zhao Min a kiss on the cheek.

Zhao Min's pretty face flushed slightly, giving Duan Zhengchun a charming glare.

Duan Zhengchun got off the carriage. After the carriage departed, he then turned and hurried towards the direction the sound came from.

At that moment, in the forest, a group of people were fighting.

By the looks of it, it was a group of Mountain Bandits surrounding and attacking a young woman dressed in a black gown.

When Duan Zhengchun saw the young woman's appearance, his eyes lit up.

Truly a beauty rated above eighty by the System; she was indeed very beautiful.

Because of her martial arts training, her figure had not an ounce of excess fat, but the places that should be ample were certainly not lacking.

However, this woman was now surrounded by several Mountain Bandits, already slightly injured and her aura very unstable.

These bandits weren't even Third-Rate in strength. How could this woman be so hard-pressed by them, even injured?

Observing carefully, Duan Zhengchun quickly discovered the problem. The woman's aura was very unstable, her face flushed.

She must have been poisoned. No wonder she couldn't even handle a few bandits.

At that moment, a bandit's blade had already reached the woman. Because of the poison, she had no strength left to dodge.

Qin Hongmian watched the descending long blade, feeling deeply unwilling, but there was nothing she could do.

She was poisoned, and with the type of drug she despised the most—an Aphrodisiac.

Right now, she couldn't muster even a bit of Internal Energy. She had lasted this long purely due to her experience from roaming the Jianghu these past years.

Otherwise, these few petty ruffians would be no match for her.

Hateful! She had been very careful, yet she was still tricked by these scoundrels.

Could it be that I, Qin Hongmian, will die here today? Pitiful, I am still a virgin maiden, and now I'm going to die like this.

Unwilling, but there was no way out.