El joven amo desvergonzado

Capítulo 5

Tan Huan hesitated for a moment, then nodded. What exactly are you trying to say?

"Qingfeng has a bad temper, but he's a good person at heart. You have a good relationship with Qingqiu, so you should try to get along with Qingfeng too. It's not that difficult."

Tan Huan nodded expressionlessly. She would nod no matter what he said. A loving relationship with Wu Qingfeng? This was a huge joke.

"Tan Huan, among the three children, you have the best martial arts skills and the greatest talent. If you were a boy, your father might have chosen you as his successor." Wu Canyang tried to appeal to family ties. "This time, you're going to Lingfeng with me. You must do your best to assist Qingfeng and help him win a ranking. Before his competition, you must protect him from injury, otherwise it will affect his performance. You should also know how important the Lingfeng Sword Tournament is, and how much it affects the Wu family."

Tan Huan lowered her head and nodded. She understood. Although it was said subtly, her father meant that she should be Wu Qingfeng's shield, to take the first hit in danger, and to face the first problems.

“However, let me make this clear first: if something happens to Qingfeng, but you are unharmed,” Wu Canyang said with a grim face, “then you won’t need to come back.”

Tan Huan nodded, very understandingly, "I know." She had always known, and smiled slightly, "Don't worry, Father, I understand what you mean."

I understand it better than I ever could.

Chapter Three: The Lotus Bud Just Begins to Show Its Tip

Tan Huan had never traveled far from home in her entire life. Therefore, ignoring Wu Canyang's rambling words, she was actually quite excited about the prospect of traveling. It wasn't that she disrespected her father or was simply letting things go in one ear and out the other. Rather, given her background, living in the Wu family would be extremely painful for her if she lacked mental fortitude and had a sharp memory.

In the past four years, besides making great progress in martial arts, Tan Huan felt that his temperament had also improved significantly. When he was a child, he would fantasize about this and that, but eventually he became numb. Whether he got it or not, it was still life. Since it was all life, he might as well let himself off the hook and stop forcing things.

More importantly, even if she insisted, she still wouldn't get anything.

If others cannot give her happiness, then she will create the life she desires for herself.

So, Tan Huan happily forgot what Wu Canyang had said, cheerfully packed her luggage, grabbed her sword, and prepared to set off in front of the Wu family mansion. This time, the three children of the Wu family were leaving together. Wu Canyang thought that with Wu Qingqiu as the middleman, Tan Huan and Wu Qingfeng's relationship would be simpler.

The three of them rode slowly along the road, each on a horse. Although Wu Qingqiu had studied martial arts, she was only sporadic in her practice, and her horsemanship wasn't very good. So, to match her pace, Tan Huan and Wu Qingfeng rode at a leisurely, sightseeing pace. Anyway, they still had a month to go, so there was no need to rush.

During the journey, Tan Huan suddenly remembered some things Wu Canyang had told her. She raised her eyebrows and glanced at Wu Qingfeng, "Hey, I heard you pleaded for me back then?"

Such an impolite address, she must be calling him. Wu Qingfeng glanced back at her, "What plea?" He couldn't remember.

Tan Huan grinned and said, "Four years ago, the time we fought." She paused, then added with a mischievous smile, "The time you lost so badly."

Wu Qingfeng's veins bulged, and he squinted, saying, "I forgot." Is this guy here to cause trouble?

"Father said you knelt in front of his door all night?" Tan Huan shook her head and sighed, regretfully saying, "Is that not true? Father is lying to me? I was originally planning to repay his kindness."

"You're repaying a debt of gratitude? Are you kidding me?" Wu Qingfeng scoffed. "I'd rather not repay a debt of gratitude. Just don't cause any trouble."

Tan Huan blinked. So it really was true? Hmm, should she consider being nicer to Wu Qingfeng in the future? A peaceful and friendly scene between her and Wu Qingfeng appeared in her mind, and Tan Huan shuddered. Forget it, she would get goosebumps all over if she did that.

The horses galloped along, and the wind blew gently. The three of them came to a fork in the road, where Tan Huan and Wu Qingfeng's opinions diverged. Tan Huan pointed to the left, "We should take this road."

Wu Qingfeng objected, pointing with his finger, "No, it's this one."

Tan Huan refused to compromise, saying, "I've looked at the map carefully; you must have made a mistake."

"Nonsense! Would a map be drawn in such detail? Would a map even show these two roads?" Wu Qingfeng rolled his eyes at her. "If it is, please show me that magical map."

Greedy for pleasure persisted, saying, "Although I haven't drawn the path, I still remember the general direction. You must be wrong."

Wu Qingfeng would consider anything Wu Tanhuan said wrong, even if it was true. Wu Qingfeng scoffed, "Someone who has never traveled far dares to give directions? You can go whichever way you want, but Qingqiu and I won't accompany you. We'll only go this way."

Wu Qingqiu didn't know whose side to take, so she could only compromise and say, "Tan Huan, my brother often goes out and is more familiar with the roads, so let's do as he says."

Tan Huan stared at him intently and snorted. They weren't at home now; why should she listen to him? Anyway, her martial arts were superior to his; she could do whatever she wanted, what could he do about it? "Even if he's wrong, is there any need to listen? My memory has always been better than his since childhood; listening to me is the right thing to do." With that, she adopted a "what can you do about it?" expression.

Wu Qingfeng laughed in anger. From childhood to adulthood, the two of them had never agreed on anything. This brat acted one way in front of their parents, and completely different when they weren't around! "Wu Tanhuan, I can't be bothered with you! Just go your own way. Let me make this clear: the money is all with me. If you don't come with me, you'll go hungry." He glanced at her maliciously and said to Wu Qingqiu, "Qingqiu, let's go. Don't pay her any attention!"

With the thunderous sound of hooves, Wu Qingqiu glanced helplessly at Tan Huan and could only follow her brother as they rode away.

Upon hearing this, Tan Huan's face immediately fell. Yes, all the money was with Wu Qingfeng; this was a big problem. But before she could answer, the two men had already left. Tan Huan's temper hardened; so what if she had no money? Would she starve to death? So she resolutely spurred her horse and headed down another road.

Spring is a colorful season. Blue skies, white clouds, green water, red, yellow, purple, gold... Flowers of all colors sway in the breeze, butterflies flutter their elegant wings around the fragrant flowers, willows sway gently, and green grass grows lush.

Without Wu Qingfeng by her side, even the air smelled better. Tan Huan happily strolled along the road, her spirits high during the day, but by nightfall she was starving, and after walking for so long, she still hadn't left the forest. Heavens! Had she really gone the wrong way? Impossible! Tan Huan's brow furrowed involuntarily at the thought of Wu Qingfeng's smug expression. Never mind, keeping going was definitely the right thing to do!

On the other side, Wu Qingfeng and Wu Qingqiu had already checked into the inn, and the two of them were eating their fragrant and hot meal.

Wu Qingqiu glanced at her brother furtively and whispered, "Brother, did Tan Huan take the wrong path?"

Wu Qingfeng smiled faintly, "Both routes can reach the destination, but there are fewer towns along the way. That brat should be having trouble finding a place to sleep right now."

Wu Qingqiu's eyes widened, and she stood up abruptly. "Brother, you knew all along?" She pointed at him tremblingly. "You...you deliberately wanted Tan Huan to suffer?"

Wu Qingfeng scoffed, "So what if it is?" He already disliked that brat, so what's wrong with teaching her a lesson?

"You..." Wu Qingqiu was speechless for a long time, then sighed, "Brother, I think Tan Huan is very pitiful. Can't you get along with her properly?"

"What's so pitiful about her?" Wu Qingfeng asked in surprise. With such exceptional martial arts talent, what's there to be pitiful about? He wanted her but couldn't have her.

Wu Qingqiu held her chopsticks, poking at the food in her bowl. Her thoughts drifted back to the scene four years ago when her father attacked Tan Huan. That day, she suddenly realized that Tan Huan was different from them at home. "Neither Mom nor Dad like her..."

Is that all you're capable of being pitiful? Wu Qingfeng almost choked. What was so likable about that brat? Isn't it perfectly normal not to like her? If anyone liked her, that person must be out of their mind.

"Why don't I like Tan Huan?" Wu Qingqiu muttered to himself, "I like her very much."

Wu Qingfeng froze, then coughed incessantly, choking on the rice grains that went down his throat.

On this side, Tan Huan quickened the horse's gallop and finally saw the lights in the distance. A surge of excitement welled up inside him; he didn't care where it was, as long as he could sleep there.

As dusk fell, this was just a small shop in a mountain village, selling tea and dry food. Although it was a bit rudimentary, it was the only shop for miles around, so it had quite a few customers.

Greedy and hungry, Tan Huan jumped off his horse and sat down in the empty seat, saying, "Bring me some food."

What would you like, sir?

Tan Huan slumped halfway across the table, listless. "Anything to fill my stomach is fine." After saying this, she suddenly realized she had no money on her. Her eyes darted nervously around. What should she do? Dine and dash? Tan Huan watched the waiter leave, her stomach churning with hunger. At a time like this, she couldn't maintain her noble character. No matter what, she had to eat first.

A moment later, the waiter brought over a plate of steamed buns and a cup of tea. Tan Huan's eyes lit up at the sight of the food. She picked one up and took a bite—it was delicious! She had never thought steamed buns could taste so good. After eating two buns, her stomach wasn't so hungry anymore, and she finally had the leisure to observe her surroundings.

She had noticed something strange about the atmosphere when she dismounted. Tan Huan's eyes darted around; there were seven or eight other guests nearby, all burly adult men, except for one handsome young man who was smiling at her.

Tan Huan blinked, wondering why she was looking at him.

The young master's smile widened, and he stood up and sat next to her, resting his head on his hand. "Is the young lady traveling alone?"

Tan Huan was still munching on a steamed bun. The atmosphere here was too strange, and she didn't want to get involved in any trouble, so she didn't say anything and just nodded.

The young master stared intently at her, yet his gaze was not disrespectful. "Where are you going, young lady?"

Tan Huan didn't want to pay him any attention. This man's nose looked a lot like Wu Qingfeng's, which made her dislike him immediately. No matter how handsome he was, it didn't matter. She casually uttered two words, "Lingfeng."

Everyone knows that the biggest event in the martial arts world recently is the "Lingfeng Sword Tournament," where any child under the age of sixteen can participate. Therefore, as soon as the words "Lingfeng" were uttered, all eyes turned to Tan Huan's face.

"Oh, so you're a martial arts practitioner?" The young master asked with interest. "You're so young, yet you want to compete? You'll lose miserably." Although anyone under sixteen can compete, most children are over twelve years old. After all, if you're too young, you won't have much time to practice martial arts, which is obviously a disadvantage.

"I'm not competing; I'm just going with my brother."

The young master smiled and nodded, unmoved by her coldness. "And what about your brother?"

"...We got separated."

The young master looked at her with a smile, then suddenly asked a surprising question, "By the way, you don't have any money on you, do you? How are you planning to pay the bill later?"

Tan Huan choked instantly, half a steamed bun still in her mouth. She stared at him blankly, "What did you say?"

"You looked guilty just now, like you didn't bring any money." The young master spoke slowly, his eyes full of amusement. He was clearly a novice in the ways of the world; his thoughts were written all over his face. "So, do you need my help?"

Tan Huan's eyes sized him up. Was he a good person or a bad person? Did he have ulterior motives? She suddenly smiled. Oh well, as long as he helped her pay, he was a good person. "Why did you help me?"

"Because you're beautiful." The young master spoke flippantly, lifting her chin with his fan. This face was clearly that of a future beauty; who knew how many heroes she would captivate when she grew up. "Besides, the Du family has plenty of money; I don't care." He paused, then added, "By the way, my name is Du Suizhi; you can just call me Suizhi."

As soon as he said this, two swords were suddenly placed against Du Suizhi's neck. Two burly men stood beside him; they were the guests who had been sitting there earlier. "Du Suizhi, you dare to introduce yourself? Liao Liang paid for your life, and today your death is at hand!"

Tan Huan blinked. Du Suizhi? That name sounds familiar. Where have she heard it before?

Two gleaming silver swords were almost scraping his neck until it bled, but Du Sui didn't even glance at them. His eyes remained fixed on the beautiful young woman before him, a smile playing on his lips. What was so interesting about swords? Especially when two ugly men were wielding them! Of course, the beauty before him was more attractive. Such looks at such a young age... Hmm, should he take advantage of her youth and innocence to lure her home?

Tan Huan stared back without blinking. She racked her brain for a long time, the name sounding familiar, but she couldn't remember who it was. "Forget it," she thought, "I'll remember when the time is right." She continued eating her steamed bun, slowly asking, "Aren't you going to run?" Her gaze swept over the two men. "You'll be dead."

Du Sui smiled like a virtuous gentleman, "Aren't you going to save me?"

Tan Huan was surprised and asked, "Why should I save you?" They were complete strangers, so why would she put herself in danger for a stranger?

Du then smiled and said, "If it weren't for me, how would you pay the bill later?"

Tan Huan blushed. "I never said I had no money. It's just your guess." As she spoke, she secretly glanced at the waiter, but the shop owner and waiter had already hidden themselves away. "Although I don't have much money, I can still afford a few steamed buns..." In reality, she didn't have a single penny. Tan Huan's voice grew softer and softer as she spoke, her confidence waning.

The two burly men chasing Du Suizhi turned ashen-faced. This guy truly deserved to die. They had only heard that Du Suizhi was naturally a womanizer, but they had no idea he would even abduct such a young girl. The two men couldn't bear to watch such a beautiful girl being deceived by Du Suizhi's looks. "Young lady, don't meddle in this. This man crippled someone's leg; he deserved it!"

After much deliberation, Tan Huan blurted out, "So, if I don't get involved, you guys will pay for my bill later?"

Du was practically bursting with laughter inside. The conversation was clearly not about the issue at all. Others had kindly advised the girl to stay out of this mess, but she was only concerned about the cost of the meal. They assumed she was just using the meal money as an excuse, but in reality, she genuinely only cared about how to pay the bill…

As expected, the two men's expressions turned much uglier. "Young lady, if you still value your life, don't make a move. We've already done more than enough by reminding you. Once we make a move, we will show no mercy."

Tan Huan's eyes darted back and forth. These two guys had bulging muscles; a true master wouldn't show any signs of weakness. She nodded; they shouldn't be too difficult to deal with. Thinking this, she glanced down at the steamed buns on her plate. In the end, she'd actually sold her strength for a few buns. Sigh, she was so worthless.

Du then unfurled his paper fan and spoke with a dashing air, "Miss, are you going to save me or not?"

Tan Huan swallowed the last bite of his steamed bun. "You mean what you say?" After thinking for a moment, he still felt uneasy. "Take out the money first, if you don't have any money with you either..."

Du chuckled lightly, ignoring the two knives at his neck, and reached out to take out a silver ingot and place it on the table.

Tan Huan's eyes lit up. If she had money, if she had this ingot of silver, she could go to Lingfeng smoothly.

The two men were furious at being ignored. "Du Suizhi! Don't be so arrogant!"

Du Sui looked at Tan Huan's eyes with amusement. Hmm, they looked just like his cat's eyes when it saw fish. Should he trick this guy into taking him home and keeping him? He lightly waved his paper fan. "Liao Liang said that killing me would get him one hundred taels of silver, but capturing me alive and bringing me before him would get him two hundred taels." He raised a brow and chuckled, "Are you willing to give up that one hundred taels difference?"

One hundred taels? Two hundred taels? Tan Huan pouted, deflated. Wasn't she too cheap? Should she grab this guy and take him to that Liao Liang? She could collect the two hundred taels herself. However, her main reason for needing the money now was to get to Lingfeng. If she got the money but was late, it would be putting the cart before the horse. Oh well, she'd let this guy have it.

Tan Huan covered the silver ingot with her left hand, her eyes half-closed. Taking advantage of the other party's momentary daze, she suddenly drew her sword from her waist with her right hand, the silver light sweeping sharply across a semi-circular arc.

The blade was silent, utterly still.

The two men stared in disbelief, faint bloodstains appearing on their necks.

Greedy Huan stuffed the silver ingot into his pocket with satisfaction and said in Wu Qingfeng's tone, "Get lost!"

The two men retreated and ran far away.

Du Sui's eyes gleamed with increasing interest, as if he had found a dancing kitten. "Are you short of money?"

Tan Huan said, "It's alright." Wu Qingfeng's bastard tone was really effective; everyone was afraid of him, and even ghosts were terrified of him.

"Want to make more money?" Du tempted.

Tan Huan looked up. "What do you mean?"

"Be my bodyguard." Du then pulled out another gold ingot from his pocket, confident of victory. "This gold ingot is yours."