Return 3

Qin Feng was a little surprised by that question. It appeared that the relationship between Lady Xie and the Heaven Sword School was more strained than he had originally thought. Otherwise, she was actively recruiting him. No doubt, Li Changhai had something to do with that decision.

So he simply shook his head, and waved a hand to the mountain range in the distance. "I believe that Lady Xie has an agreement with the Heaven Sword School, and I am no longer one of its disciples, so it wouldn't be proper if I were to receive any of the rewards that they have been promised. However, if you were to insist on gifting ... resources to a particular disciple ..."

The Old Marquis' wife smiled as soon as she heard that. "I trust you are referring to that disciple that you were so close to? That Lingxi girl? Very well. I can arrange for her to receive the items that should be given to you. And make sure that they are suitable for boosting her cultivation. They should be sufficient to bring her up to a level where the School is likely to offer her an Elder's position. I think that should satisfy you, hmmm?"

Qin Feng bowed at once, wearing a look of sincere appreciation on his face. That should be enough of a distraction, he thought. Lingxi would no doubt be receiving the brunt of the questions that the rest of the Heaven Sword School would toss out regarding him, so this should be a bit of recompense, for all the unwanted attention.

He liked to think that he was fair to everyone who had dealt with him. After all, he had no intention of ever returning to this part of the world in the future.

"Qin Feng thanks Lady Xie for her consideration."

The woman laughed in response to his attempt to mimic her grandson's manners. Second Ducal Prince Li Changhai was his only reference for what passed for proper behavior after all, so Qin Feng had no alternative but to steal some of his mannerisms. Fortunately, the Old Marquis' wife did not appear to be upset by his attempt.

"Ah. You are a quick study. And you have picked up the proper way to address the members of the nobility. That should be enough to keep you out of trouble, when we get to the Ducal City. I trust Sanlang has told you about our decision to rush back there?"

Qin Feng shook his head at once, before he found the right words to convey his ignorance. "I am afraid that we did not go into that. Nor did we speak about his plans hereafter."

"Oh? Well, that is not surprising. Sanlang is usually a little careless about such things. Perhaps he did not think it very important."

Lady Xie's tone, however, made it rather clear that whatever it was that her grandson had left out, was important. At least, it was to her eye. "You see, young Qin Feng. My daughter is the Second Wife to the Duke, and there will be a celebration in Yanyun City soon enough, to celebrate his birthday. Naturally, Changhai has to rush back there, to make his preparations.

"Including getting his hands on a suitably impressive birthday present for his father."

Qin Feng smiled and nodded. It was clear what Xie Nianxue was hinting at now. And he had to agree with her; Li Changhai was rather good with some of the ordinary tasks that was expected of a nobleman, like fighting in the armies and making deals in the marketplaces. But Qin Feng didn't think very highly of the man's abilities when it came to sucking up to his elders.

From the way that he had behaved when it came to his uncle, the new Marquis, it was rather obvious that he tended to be a little more casual about such matters than he should be.

Was that why the Old Marquis' wife was trying to rope in Qin Feng now? So that he could support Li Changhai in this small matter?

But she was going on, as though she was simply conversing about the whole thing casually. Although he could see the expectant look in her eyes as she did so.

"Knowing his father like I do, I am certain that he would enjoy something that was significant in battle here, as a sort of souvenir. But I fear that Sanlang would simply pass some pitiful piece of equipment that he snatched away from the enemy as a present. Which would not do, you understand? That should be given to his father as part of his report about the situation here, rather than as a present.

"For something as significant as a birthday, he should put in a bit more thought and effort, don't you agree?"

Qin Feng's smile broadened, even as he nodded in agreement. "That is only to be expected. But I believe that gifting his father, the Duke, with an weapon that had been taken from the enemy may not be as unappreciated as you may believe. Provided, of course, that the weapon is ... significant? In some way?"

He gestured at the ring that he was wearing then, which had the woman in the pale lilac robe smiling at him. And nodding back, as though to grant him permission. He wasn't the least offended by that gesture, of course. After all, he was intending to pull out a weapon.

More precisely, it was the saber that he had taken from the old fellow that had been killed during that little adventure that he had, with those two young women from the Snow Swallow Palace. The weapon was clearly one of the best that he had come across. And he was rather certain that Li Changhai wouldn't be trying bargain the price down.

So he was likely to be able to snatch away quite a hefty profit from selling this particular item. And he was also rather certain that Xie Nianxue would be able to tell just how unusual this weapon was.

What he didn't expect, naturally, was Lady Xie shooting to her feet immediately, and almost snatching the weapon out of his hands!

"Green Shadow Saber! This is the Green Shadow Saber! How did you get your hands on this weapon?"

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