Chapter 186.2 (1/2)

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186.2 – Blooming Red Lotus

The one who spoke is the leading cavalryman.

He looked Qi Qiqi in the eyes expressionlessly — there is no respect or contempt on his face, as if he's just looking at a stone on the side of the road.

“Yes, I am the Merak Temple's Temple Master Qi Qiqi.”

Qi Qiqi responded with an awe-inspiring tone and a composed att.i.tude.

Although she is shrouded in the shadow of the other party, yet her momentum is not the least bit inferior. She is like a red lotus in full bloom, and has an overwhelming presence.

After getting his reply, the cavalryman alighted his mount with a light leap. Upon seeing this, the other two cavalrymen following him followed suit.

The leading cavalryman slapped the behind of his mount, and it took a few steps back and made room. Then, he took off his helmet and placed it under his armpit.

His face was revealed at last.

–like a sharp sword.

He is a young man of only 20 odd years of age. There is a sword scar on his resolute face that extends horizontally underneath an eye.

That must be a mark he got on the battlefield.

He is of medium build and average height.

Even though he doesn't have bulging muscles, yet his muscles still give off a feeling of strength. They are refined like a sword made of high-quality steel.

This person is probably the leader, right? Maybe he is a high-ranking officer — Xue Qilin guessed. The judgement isn't baseless. The young man not only has the corresponding temperament, but he also has Earth Realm cultivation base.

“I'm a sergeant of the Northern Guard Fort — my name is Guan Qi.”

The young man has just introduced himself, when Xia Xue let out a sneer of profound meaning.

“Hey, I didn't expect it to actually be a sergeant.”

“Hmm? Is there anything special about a sergeant?”

“Young Teacher, sergeant is a military rank that allows you to command an army of 1,000 men… In other words, these 100 cavalrymen are probably just the tip of the iceberg. There may be 900 cavalrymen stationed somewhere.”

When Xue Qilin expressed her lack of understanding, Shui Yun'er immediately gave her an explanation in a solemn tone.

There are still 900 people? Xue Qilin was dumbfounded abruptly.

If 100 cavalrymen is regarded as only a small threat to the Merak Temple, then according to the principle “many small things add up to something great”, 1,000 cavalrymen won't be a small threat, but a large threat that can hardly be ignored.

They… why did a 1,000-strong army come here? This must be a question that everyone on the Merak Temple's side is contemplating.

While Shui Yun'er was giving Xue Qilin an explanation about the rank of sergeant, Qi Qiqi asked the young sergeant — Guan Qi, “Officer Guan, why have you brought troops to the Merak Temple without permission?”

As she asked, she deliberately emphasized the words “without permission” and highlighted the improper behavior of the other party.

Guan Qi didn't answer the question right away, but rather frowned and glanced at the people of the Merak Temple. Judging by the look in his eyes, is he estimating the enemy's combat power?

When he retracted his gaze, Guan Qi finally replied in a steady and imposing tone, “We are here to pick someone up.”

–to pick someone up.

He said he's here to pick somebody up? Who? Xue Qilin couldn't hide her surprise. The other party's reason is really unexpected.

“Please forgive my lack of manners. Officer, are you here to pick someone up?”

Clearly not convinced by the answer she heard, Qi Qiqi asked the other party to confirm, uncertain. She frowned, as if to say “are you kidding me?”.

“Temple Master Qi, you didn't hear wrong. We really came here to pick someone up.” Guan Qi replied in an unquestionable tone.

If he said instead that he wants the Merak Temple to “hand someone over”, it would be less surprising.

Who would send an army to “pick someone up” — no, it should be, who is worth an army? Unless, the person to pick up is of very high status, who is worth 1,000 elites to come meet them.

Regardless of whether the other party's justification is reasonable or not, as far as Xue Qilin knows, the Merak Temple doesn't seem to have anyone who fits the description.

–no, it seems that there is someone who fits the description.

Xue Qilin suddenly thought of a possibility, and her eyes widened a little. If it was the day before, she would never have thought of this person, since she only learned of their ident.i.ty today.

The troops who came today are subordinated to the Northern Guard Fort. The master of the Northern Guard Fort has the surname Gong…

“On the orders of the Great General of the North Gong Jing, we came to meet the Gong Clan's Young Lady and escort her back to the mansion.”

The Gong Clan's Young Lady, that is, Gong Tianqing.