"Yes, that’s right. It’s the Jiuli Flower. I’m happy to say I found it!" Tang Yi said with a grin, looking absolutely delighted.
’Of course he was happy. By finding the Jiuli Flower, he had not only earned a favor from Liuu Tian—and though that favor didn’t seem very useful, it was better than nothing—but more importantly, he had also completed a quest. How could he not be thrilled?’
WHOA!
When they heard Tang Yi had handed the Jiuli Flower to Liuu Tian, the surrounding members of the Nine Cities Mercenary Corps stared, their jaws hanging open in utter shock.
’How long had he been gone?’
’Not even two days, right? He found the Jiuli Flower that fast?’
’That’s just too incredible!’
’As expected of a disciple from the West Mansion. As expected of a supreme expert with countless techniques, someone who could easily defeat a Battle King. His abilities are simply heaven-defying.’
Even Liuu Tian’s beautiful eyes flickered with shock and joy. She said, "Tang Yi, this is the third time. Including just now, you’ve saved my life three times. And now, you’ve done me this enormous favor. I truly don’t know how to thank you. Just name it, what do you want? Anything our little Mercenary Corps can do, or anything I can do personally—just give the word. If we can do it, we will. If we can give it, it’s yours."
Liuu Tian’s offer was incredibly generous, no doubt due to her excellent mood. But she didn’t seem to consider that Tang Yi was a grand expert far beyond the level of a Battle King. With her strength and the status of their Mercenary Corps, what could they possibly give him? How could they ever help him?
"That’s right, Brother Tang Yi," Li Qingqing chimed in playfully from the side. "If it weren’t for you, we would’ve been wiped out by the Black Blood Wolves. Then, when we encountered the Qianxi Mercenary Corps, you returned in the nick of time to save us. We can never truly repay you for these two kindnesses. So how about this? I imagine you wouldn’t be interested in ordinary things, Brother Tang Yi, and the Nine Cities Mercenary Corps isn’t wealthy enough to offer you a great fortune. The only thing we have that’s truly worth giving... is our Captain. You have to admit, our Captain is quite a looker, right? She’s gorgeous, a first-class beauty. If we marry her off to you, Brother Tang Yi, that should count as repayment, don’t you think? What do you say?"
Hearing this, Liuu Tian’s face flushed red. Before Tang Yi could even speak, she strode over to Li Qingqing, rapped her on the head, and scolded, "Li Qingqing, what nonsense are you spouting? Stop talking rubbish!"
"But I’m just telling the truth!" Li Qingqing pouted stubbornly. "Otherwise, what are you going to use to repay Brother Tang Yi? Do you have anything he would even want? Besides, we’re just a small Mercenary Corps. With our strength, what could we possibly do for him? We’re lucky we don’t cause him more trouble as it is."
"You! I!"
Liuu Tian was speechless. Thinking about it, she realized Li Qingqing actually had a point.
Then, she cautiously approached Tang Yi and asked in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum, audible only to the two of them, "Tang Yi, what if... what if I really do offer myself to you? I know I’m not exactly the gentle or refined type, but... I should be able to... to bear you a few healthy, chubby babies..."
By the end, Liuu Tian’s voice had dwindled to a whisper, so quiet she could barely hear herself. Her face was beet-red, and she was so embarrassed she wanted to find a hole to crawl into and hide.
’She felt she had no choice. He had done her such a huge favor; she couldn’t just get away with a simple "thank you," right?’
But as soon as the words were out, Liuu Tian was filled with regret. ’That was so shameless! How could a girl just propose something like that herself?’
Nearby, although Li Qingqing hadn’t heard Liuu Tian’s words, her mischievous mind allowed her to guess what was said. She couldn’t help but cover her mouth to stifle a giggle as she watched her captain.
Some of the Nine Cities Mercenaries were tending to Wang Dali, others were looking around, and the rest were resting off to the side. Though they all pretended not to be paying attention, after Li Qingqing’s bold suggestion, every single one of them had their ears perked, trying to subtly gauge the situation.
Ahem.
Seeing Liuu Tian’s incredibly shy expression, Tang Yi cleared his throat, feeling extremely awkward. He had helped her, but certainly not because he wanted her to marry him.
’Having a great beauty fall for him was certainly a pleasant feeling, but now wasn’t the time for romance and starting a family. He still had so much to do. Besides, there was someone else, someone even more beautiful, waiting for him.’
The thought of that well-behaved, sweet, and pure figure filled Tang Yi’s heart with immense longing. His desire to mature and become stronger as fast as possible intensified.
’I have to get stronger. I have to go find her, and soon!’
As he handed the Jiuli Flower to Liuu Tian, a system prompt sounded in Tang Yi’s mind, notifying him that he had completed the quest.
However, Tang Yi had no time to check his rewards. First, he had to resolve this awkward situation. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Sister Liuu, you’ve misunderstood. Your gratitude is more than enough. We’re friends, and friends are supposed to help each other. I never expected anything in return for helping you. You really don’t need to do this."
"Besides, I’m not the kind of person to take advantage of a situation like this. Marriage should be built on a foundation of mutual affection. We’ve only known each other for a short time; it’s far too early to be talking about getting married. Also, about what happened earlier... I hope you don’t misunderstand, Sister Liuu. When I told Qiu Wenguang you were my woman, it was because you had said the same thing to him. I only said it to get under his skin. I hope you don’t mind."
Tang Yi’s words amounted to a tactful rejection.
"Uh... Brother Tang Yi, you’re saying our Captain isn’t good enough for you?" Hearing his words, Li Qingqing walked over, her small face scrunched in a mixture of surprise and indignation.
’She really didn’t get it. Their captain was so beautiful! Countless men had practically broken down their door for a chance with her, and she’d refused them all. Now, she was offering herself up, and this Tang Yi was actually turning her down? What kind of man was he?!’
’Does he think her strength isn’t good enough for him? Or her status?’
’If only he knew that the Captain’s true identity was...’
"Of course not," Tang Yi said, offering another excuse. "As you can see, I’m still young. I have a long journey ahead of me on the path of the Martial Dao, and I don’t want to distract myself with marriage so early on. So..."
"What’s being young got to do with it?" Li Qingqing retorted, still dissatisfied. "Where I’m from, people your age are already holding their own babies."
Li Qingqing wanted to say more, to argue on her captain’s behalf, but Liuu Tian cut her off. "That’s enough, Qingqing. Not another word. Tang Yi has his reasons."

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