Li Man'er pushed Qi Yihan again. He remained unmoved, instead looking at her with an amused expression, as if she were a helpless ant.
Li Man'er, who had always been proud, became furious. She reached out and jabbed at Qi Yihan's ribs. The man was quick, grabbing her wrist and looking at her provocatively.
She could tolerate a lot, but this was too much.
Li Man'er lifted a leg and kicked hard at Qi Yihan's arm. He immediately let go and stepped back. Li Man'er followed closely, a silver needle appearing in her hand as she lunged to stab Qi Yihan.
Qi Yihan's martial arts were unfathomable; he was no ordinary ruffian. It would not be easy for Li Man'er to strike his acupoints.
Outside the door, Ah Qi felt as if his heart were growing restless. Although he knew these two wouldn't truly fight, he wondered why they had started quarreling.
What was going on?
Despite his curiosity, he dared not peek, so he stood guard outside obediently.
Inside the room, Qi Yihan grabbed Li Man'er's hand and pulled her into his embrace, then held her tight. "Still fighting?"
Li Man'er stomped hard on Qi Yihan's foot, but he had anticipated it and dodged.
She was exasperated!
She had always known Qi Yihan was a master of martial arts, but she had underestimated him. She was considered a top expert from the Xuan Yi Sect, yet against Qi Yihan, she likely had no chance of winning.
Of course, he was an ancient person who knew ancient martial arts. Unless she used her space or unleashed her spiritual energy, she truly couldn't defeat him.
But then again, using spiritual energy to activate her Xuan Yi skills would be too powerful. What if she accidentally injured the esteemed Ninth Prince? She certainly didn't want her entire family to be annihilated.
"Your Highness, you had best release me, or this commoner will have to resort to other means. While I may not be able to defeat you, I possess several peculiar medicinal concoctions. My sleeping smoke can incapacitate even a prince. Although one can hold their breath, their pores cannot. As long as the skin is exposed, it can lead to unconsciousness. Your Highness can try it."
Qi Yihan leaned in and whispered, "Do you intend to incapacitate me in your room for some nefarious purpose?"
Li Man'er exclaimed in shock, "You are the Ninth Prince, are you not a mere automaton? Why are you suddenly so talkative and making ambiguous remarks repeatedly? This doesn't sound like the Qi Yihan I know."
"What do you mean?"
"From my understanding, the Ninth Prince is taciturn, speaks only when necessary, and usually maintains a cold demeanor. Yet, you are acting rather strangely tonight, as if you've had too much to drink."
For some reason, after Li Man'er said this, Qi Yihan released her.
When Li Man'er turned to look at him, he seemed to have returned to his usual self. He spoke in a businesslike tone, "Regarding the matter of entering the Moluo Mountain Range, Miss Li should reconsider. If you were to truly ask the Marquis of Iron Will to intercede, there might be further misunderstandings."
"Three!" Li Man'er gritted her teeth and glared at him, repeating, "Three."
Qi Yihan nodded and readily agreed. "Very well." With that, he turned, opened the door, and left with Ah Qi, who was practically vibrating with curiosity.
As soon as Qi Yihan left, Li Man'er couldn't help but chuckle.
She had struck gold!
She had always intended to go to the Moluo Mountain Range, partly out of interest in the Wu tribe's grand tomb, and partly because the conditions Qi Yihan offered were too tempting.
Thirty percent of the tomb's burial goods, plus the two conditions he had agreed to – she was practically getting everything she wanted!
Her refusal was merely a message to the Xiao family.
*I am being forced to join you; I have no genuine interest in the affairs of the Wu tribe.*
Even for Ning Daocheng's sake, she would have ventured into the Moluo Mountain Range. And now, after a scuffle, two conditions had become three. This was an absolute windfall!
As for the death qi accompanying the burial goods, she paid it no mind. With her spatial ability, any death qi could be neutralized. It was hardly worth mentioning.
However, on second thought, she seemed to have stumbled upon Xiao Qiniang's secret.
When Xiao Qiniang had suddenly changed her attire and asked Li Man'er to advise her on clothes and jewelry, it must have been for Qi Yihan.
If it weren't for the man she admired, why would she humble herself to someone she disliked?
So, Xiao Qiniang liked Qi Yihan. This was truly...
Li Man'er burrowed under the covers, closed her eyes, and thought, *Since I'm going anyway, I might as well extort more from Miss Xiao tomorrow.*
The next day, Xiao Qiniang arrived as expected, again asking Li Man'er to serve as their team's physician and accompany the Xiao family to the Moluo Mountain Range.
The Ninth Prince was considerate enough not to reveal their prior agreement.
Li Man'er still shook her head. "Miss Xiao Qiniang, as I've said before, I don't lack money. I'm not interested in this matter. Please find someone else."
Xiao Qiniang, however, said, "Miss Li, there's no need to rush your refusal. I believe you will come."
"Why?" Li Man'er clearly sensed that Xiao Qiniang had become very confident, as if she had found a surefire way to get Li Man'er to agree.
"Your maternal uncle has been missing for many years. Don't you wish to know where he is, whether he is alive or dead?"
Li Man'er shot up from her chair, her face contorted with displeasure.
Xiao Qiniang smiled. "Miss Li, why be so shocked?"
"Do you know my uncle's whereabouts?" Li Man'er wasn't so much shocked as she was surprised that Xiao Qiniang would use Ning Daocheng to persuade her. How despicable could the Xiao family be to concoct such a scheme?
If she hadn't rescued Ning Daocheng beforehand and learned the truth, she might have fallen into Xiao Qiniang's trap and willingly followed her into the mountains.
"Naturally, I do," Xiao Qiniang replied. "Your uncle's master, the divine physician Qiu, disappeared in the Moluo Mountain Range. Your uncle, in search of her, ventured deep into the mountains several times, but alas, all his efforts were in vain. The last time, he likely encountered some danger and never returned."
Li Man'er let out a cold laugh and sat back down. "Miss Xiao Qiniang, if you intend to deceive me, at least come up with a more believable excuse! My uncle is no ordinary person, and neither is the divine physician Qiu. How could they easily fall into trouble? Besides, they have no connection to the Wu tribe. What would they be doing in the Moluo Mountain Range?"
Xiao Qiniang curved her lips into a smug smile. "That, I do not know. However, many in Mobei know that Ning Daocheng ventured into the mountains to search for his master. If you don't believe me, feel free to inquire. See if I've lied to you."
Li Man'er sighed in resignation and reluctantly said, "I can go with you, but I have one condition. I can only leave after my father has fully recovered."
"Easily done!" Xiao Qiniang said gleefully. "Miss Li, rest assured, our Xiao family will treat you exceptionally well."