“You mean Young Master Mu Feng?”

Qin Lianyi smiled gently, her eyes observing Han Lie’s reaction. “Does Daoist Han Lie know of the Star Society?”

Han Lie shook his head.

Seeing this, Qin Lianyi offered a brief explanation.

The Star Society.

It was an exclusive organization formed by the younger generation of Qinyang City’s nobility and officials. It was personally authorized and established by the Emperor of Great Qin himself.

Its purpose was to serve as a platform for the talented young cultivators of the dynasty to deepen their exchanges, spar, and learn from one another. Furthermore, if anyone wished to venture out for training, they could find reliable teammates within the Society.

Those qualified to join the Star Society were, without exception, the future pillars of the Great Qin Dynasty.

Both Qin Lianyi and Mu Feng were prominent members.

They had originally agreed to meet today for a sparring session. However, Mu Feng received intelligence regarding Zhuo Hongyi’s return to the Zhuo Family residence. Curious about the commotion, Qin Lianyi had simply tagged along.

What she hadn’t expected was to find a hidden dragon like Han Lie amidst the drama.

“So that’s why Princess Lianyi and Young Master Mu Feng appeared together,” Han Lie said, a look of realization crossing his face.

Qin Lianyi covered her mouth with a delicate hand, laughing lightly. Her eyes teased him. “Daoist Han Lie, did you perhaps think that Mu Feng and I shared some intimate relationship?”

She took a step closer, her voice lowering slightly. “If I truly had an intimate relationship with him, I wouldn’t be standing here talking to you right now.”

“Haha, Princess Lianyi’s words make sense. It seems this humble Daoist worried unnecessarily,” Han Lie replied with an awkward yet polite smile.

“I can understand your thinking,” Qin Lianyi continued, her expression turning disdainful at the mention of the name. “That Mu Feng appears to be a refined gentleman on the surface, a man of jade. But I know full well what kind of person he truly is beneath that mask.”

“A hypocrite who frequents the Gentle Fragrance Pavilion could never catch my eye.”

“…”

Han Lie was momentarily speechless.

It seemed… he had also visited the Gentle Fragrance Pavilion just last night?

However, Han Lie quickly justified it in his heart. Unlike Mu Feng, who likely went for base carnal desires, this Senior went last night to critically experience the local customs and culture of Qinyang City.

Yes, that was it. Purely for cultural research.

“Does Daoist Han Lie have anything else to say or ask?” Qin Lianyi inquired, breaking his train of thought.

“Well, there is one more matter.”

Han Lie adjusted his thoughts, his expression turning serious.

“After Fairy Hongyi and I return to the sect, I wonder if Princess Lianyi could help look after the Zhuo Family?”

He looked toward the main hall where the Zhuo family patriarch waited.

“After the failed marriage alliance between the Mu Family and the Zhuo Family, it is hard to guarantee they won’t deliberately cause trouble for the Zhuo Family in the future out of spite.”

Qin Lianyi nodded gracefully. “Hehe, I had already anticipated that. Even if Daoist Han Lie hadn’t mentioned it, I would have kept a watchful eye on the Zhuo Family for you.”

“Then this Senior thanks Princess Lianyi in advance.” Han Lie immediately cupped his hands in a formal salute.

“Daoist Han Lie need not be so polite; it is what I should do.”

Qin Lianyi smiled warmly, a mischievous glint returning to her eyes. “Does Daoist Han Lie have time tonight? Would you like to accompany me in being ‘Qinyang Bandits’ once more?”

“Haha, naturally that is possible, but…”

Han Lie paused, calculating his time. “I might be temporarily busy for the next few days. How about three days from now?”

Experiencing the life of those chivalrous bandits from martial arts novels—robbing the rich to aid the poor—felt quite novel to Han Lie. Trying it once wouldn’t hurt. It could also be considered accumulating some good karma to offset his usual ruthlessness.

“Very well, then as Daoist Han Lie suggests. We shall meet at the South Gate three days from now.”

After finalizing the plan, Qin Lianyi asked Han Lie to bid farewell to Zhuo Cheng on her behalf and then took her leave, vanishing as quickly as she had arrived.

After Qin Lianyi departed, Han Lie returned to the reception hall.

Zhuo Hongyi and her father hurried over immediately.

“Old man, what did Princess Qin Lianyi say to you?” Zhuo Hongyi asked, her eyes searching his face.

Han Lie didn’t hide anything. He briefly recounted his conversation with Qin Lianyi, including the request for protection and the tacit agreement regarding their future connection.

“I knew it! That Princess Qin Lianyi hasn’t given up!” Zhuo Hongyi pouted, clearly feeling a distinct pang of jealousy.

“Hongyi ah, you don’t understand Daoist Han’s deep care and consideration!”

Zhuo Cheng, however, had a completely different reaction. He immediately grasped why Han Lie had agreed to Qin Lianyi’s request.

He turned to his daughter, explaining succinctly, “Do you think Daoist Han is simply interested in Princess Qin Lianyi? He is doing this for our Zhuo Family’s sake!”

“If Daoist Han hadn’t agreed to maintain a relationship with Princess Lianyi today, how would our Zhuo Family cope with the Mu Family’s wrath in the future?”

Zhuo Cheng’s face was grave. “Without the Princess’s protection, I’m afraid within three years, the Zhuo Family would be swept out of Qinyang City!”

“…Ah?”

Zhuo Hongyi was stunned for a moment. Then, realization dawned.

It seemed… that really was the reasoning?

Han Lie nodded with a faint, self-sacrificing smile. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t feel at ease returning to the sect either, right? It’s fine. For the sake of the Zhuo Family, enduring a little hardship is nothing.”

“…” Zhuo Cheng’s mouth twitched. He almost couldn’t hold back his expression.

Zhuo Hongyi rolled her eyes outright.

You call this suffering?

Marrying the Princess of the Dynasty alongside her? It was more like a double blessing!

It was also surprising that Princess Qin Lianyi would agree to such an arrangement. But then again, upon careful thought, it wasn’t so strange. A peerless prodigy who reached the Golden Core from Qi Refining in two years—if word got out, the major sects of the Tianyuan Continent would scramble to recruit him.

Compared to losing him entirely, sharing him was a small price for the Princess to pay.

“Father! Now you have no objections anymore, right?” Zhuo Hongyi looked at her father proudly.

“No objections! Of course, no objections!”

Zhuo Cheng completely changed his initial attitude. He rubbed his hands together, animated and eager.

“Not only does Daoist Han possess unparalleled cultivation talent, he is also a man of deep loyalty and righteousness.”

“Such an ideal son-in-law is truly impossible to find, even with a lantern in broad daylight!”

At this moment, Zhuo Cheng was grinning from ear to ear.

Just moments ago, he had been saying that Han Lie offered no value to the Zhuo Family. Yet, in the blink of an eye, Han Lie had resolved the threat of the Mu Family and secured royal protection.

With Princess Qin Lianyi backing them, what could even the Minister of War do?

The reversal was so absolute that Zhuo Cheng almost couldn’t process his own good fortune.

Han Lie merely smiled noncommittally. He didn’t give Zhuo Cheng a hard time about the sudden flip-flop.

Putting himself in the man’s shoes, he could understand. The Zhuo Family wasn’t an ordinary household; the patriarch had to prioritize survival. If Zhuo Hongyi could truly choose love freely without consequences, he wouldn’t have gone through such pains to arrange a marriage alliance in the first place.

“Hongyi ah, regarding the marriage arrangement with the Mu Family—Father will go cancel it immediately. There’s no need for you and Daoist Han to trouble yourselves further about it,” Zhuo Cheng said cheerfully.

Then, he seemed to remember something vital.

“Ah yes! It seems we haven’t arranged accommodations for Daoist Han yet?”

He turned to his daughter, his eyes twinkling with meaningful intent.

“Hongyi ah! Hurry up and pick out the finest room for Daoist Han! And spend more time accompanying him… strive for Father to hold his grandchild sooner rather than later!”

“…!”

“Father! What nonsense are you saying!”

Zhuo Hongyi’s pretty face flushed a deep crimson.

Although she and Han Lie had dual-cultivated many times already… having such matters explicitly mentioned by her father was mortifying.

“Father isn’t speaking nonsense!” Zhuo Cheng said seriously, looking at Han Lie with the gaze of a man entrusting his legacy.

“Daoist Han! I’ll also have to trouble you to put in more effort! I really, really want to hold a grandchild soon!”