Chapter 68

Chapter 68: Qinglin

"Is the Xiao family really that powerful? Their presence seems to be everywhere," thought Xiao Yixian, though she couldn't recall ever hearing of a wealthy family named Xiao. This only added to the mystery surrounding Xiao Ning's background.

When she heard Xiao Ning mention meeting his family, a faint blush crept across her face, and for a moment, she felt flustered.

She hadn't expected to meet Xiao Ning's family members so soon, nor did she expect things to progress this quickly. Although she had met Xiao Yan, she never thought that she would be formally visiting his family this time.

How would his family perceive her and Xiao Ning?

For a brief moment, Xiao Yixian's mind was in turmoil, unsure of how things might unfold.

Xiao Ning, oblivious to her thoughts, assumed she was feeling nervous due to her previous encounter with Xiao Yan.

Comforting her, he said, "Don't worry, I'll handle everything. You have nothing to be concerned about."

At these words, Xiao Yixian blushed even more.

As they neared Stone Desert City, the giant blue eagle began to circle down, following Xiao Yixian's commands. When they were about ten meters above the ground, Xiao Ning gently took her hand, tapped his foot lightly, and soared through the air like a bird spreading its wings, landing smoothly on the ground.

Glancing back at the blue eagle still hovering overhead, Xiao Ning chuckled, raised his hand high, and waved, calling out, "Xiaolan, you can roam around nearby.

We'll be back soon."

The blue eagle let out a loud screech, ascended into the sky, and swiftly disappeared from view.

Xiao Yixian brushed the dust off her clothes and looked at Xiao Ning with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

"Your relationship with Xiaolan has grown stronger.

It's never been this close to anyone other than me before."

Xiao Ning laughed heartily but didn't explain further. Instead, he pointed toward the distant Stone Desert City and said, "Maybe it knows I'm a good person.

Let's get going."

Without another word, he strode forward toward the city, and Xiao Yixian, though exasperated, quickly followed.

Compared to the cities within the empire, the desert cities had a simpler, more rugged feel.

Perhaps due to their proximity to the Tagor Desert, the defenses here were noticeably stricter.

Heavily armed soldiers could be seen patrolling everywhere near the city.

After paying the entrance fee, Xiao Ning and Xiao Yixian joined the crowd entering Stone Desert City.

The city seemed a bit more run-down compared to other desert cities.

Casually, Xiao Ning grabbed a passerby to ask for directions.

The man, initially startled and ready to snap back, realized quickly that he couldn't break free from Xiao Ning's iron grip.

Smiling kindly, Xiao Ning asked, "Brother, could you tell me where I can find the Desert Iron Mercenary Group?"

The passerby, realizing Xiao Ning's strength, relaxed and pointed to the south of the city.

"Head that way, turn right, then take another left."

As soon as he finished, he felt Xiao Ning's grip release, and a few gold coins quietly fell into his hand.

"Thanks."

The passerby looked up in surprise to see Xiao Ning and Xiao Yixian already disappearing around the corner of the street.

Having found the correct location, Xiao Ning and Xiao Yixian made their way toward the mercenary group's base. But just as they rounded a corner, they heard a commotion and saw a stone hit the ground, bouncing off something.

At the same time, they heard a shrill voice.

"You wretch! How dare you stay in the city? Get out!"

Xiao Ning frowned and slowed his pace, glancing in the direction of the noise.

Several children were gathered around, throwing rocks and garbage at someone.

The small figure they were surrounding turned out to be a little girl.

The leader of the children threw a bag of dirt at her, cursing as he did.

"You filthy snake-person! How dare you stay here?"

The other children cheered, taunting the little girl with cruel laughter.

"Look at the snake-child!" they jeered.

"Hehe, what a freak!"

At first, the little girl stayed silent, but after being hit several times, she finally stood up, pushed the leader, and shouted, "I'm not a snake!"

The other children immediately pointed at her and yelled louder.

"The snake-girl is hitting people!"

"She's going to kill us!"

"Help! She's dangerous!"

The leader, now angry, shoved the girl to the ground. Grabbing her sleeve, he started pulling it while mocking her. "If you're not a snake, then show everyone your hands!"

The little girl tried desperately to protect her sleeves, but the fabric tore under the force, revealing fine scales covering her wrist.

She was young, perhaps 11 or 12 years old a hybrid between a human and a snake-person.

At that moment, Xiao Ning's mind raced, and he recognized the character from the original story.

Just as he was about to intervene, Xiao Yixian, unable to stand the sight any longer, stepped forward.

"These children have gone too far!" she muttered angrily.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing?!" Xiao Yixian shouted.

Her voice, full of righteous anger, startled the children. Seeing an adult approach, they quickly scattered, fleeing down the alley without even looking back.

The little girl was left alone.

Xiao Yixian squatted down beside her, her heart aching at the sight. She glanced at the girl's wrist, noticing the scales. Without a word, she took out a piece of clothing from her storage ring and gently wrapped it around the girl.

"Thank you, sister..." the little girl whispered.

Xiao Yixian smiled softly.

"It's okay. I've sent those bad kids away."

"What's your name?" she asked gently, trying to comfort the girl.

As she spoke, Xiao Yixian couldn't help but think of herself. If her own poisonous body had been exposed to the public, would she have been treated like this? She was fortunate to have met Xiao Ning, someone who understood and accepted her, but who did this girl have?

The thought deepened Xiao Yixian's sympathy for the child.

"My name is Qinglin," the little girl murmured softly.