Volume One: A Femme Fatale Chapter 31: Indulgence

"It seems my ability to control the Immortal Execution Sword is still far from sufficient!"

At this moment, Jiang Hao had returned to his room at the Xike Inn, having intentionally taken a roundabout path on his way back. Only after confirming that no one was tailing him did he exhale a sigh of relief and head straight for the inn.

Back in the room, Jiang Hao was still reflecting on the recent skirmish. Had his master, Feng Ling'er, not intervened at the last moment to dispose of the Wild Wolf Gang members attempting to flee, how could he be feeling so relaxed now?

"Kid, you didn't train hard when you had the chance, and now you've tasted the bitterness of it, haven't you?" Feng Ling'er teased.

Hearing this, Jiang Hao nearly fainted from frustration and quickly explained, "Master, how could you say I haven't been training hard? During those days in the Misty Forest, I barely even spared time to sleep."

"Oh? And you think my demanding you train diligently is meant to harm you?" Feng Ling'er questioned coldly.

"No, no, no! If not for you, Master, how would I be where I am today? Your strictness is all for the sake of making me stronger as quickly as possible!"

"When the day comes that I am strong enough, I will certainly seek out the materials to reshape your physical body, so that you may see the light of day once more!"

Seeing that Feng Ling'er was somewhat displeased, Jiang Hao immediately resorted to flattery to prove his loyalty.

"Your skill in bootlicking has certainly become more refined," Feng Ling'er sneered.

"Heh heh, Master, don't say that. I am merely expressing my heartfelt respect," Jiang Hao explained with a straight face.

"Heh," Feng Ling'er chuckled coldly and whispered a reminder, "You kid, you should focus on recovering your spiritual energy first. If that little girl sees you looking this weak later, she will surely be terribly worried."

"Master, do you have some misunderstanding about me?" Jiang Hao asked, slightly taken aback.

"Using my Natal Flame just now has left me feeling a bit weary," Feng Ling'er said, ignoring his question and lapsing into silence.

"..." Seeing this, Jiang Hao decided not to invite further mockery and took two Spirit Pills from his Universe Ring, swallowing them.

As the pills dissolved, Jiang Hao began to circulate his spiritual energy to accelerate the absorption of the medicine into his meridians. Before long, he exhaled deeply, his complexion returning to its natural color, clearly having restored the energy spent in the recent battle.

However, the sword and knife wounds on his body remained painfully visible, as the spirit pills only restored spiritual energy and held no healing properties.

"It seems that when I leave the city tonight, I must visit Pavilion Master Qin to purchase some medicinal salves for future emergencies," Jiang Hao sighed to himself.

He then activated his Universe Ring to release Fan Caiyun, muttering, "If this girl knows that her Uncle Tang's vengeance has been served, she will surely be much happier."

As Fan Caiyun stepped out of the ring, she shook her head gently and, upon seeing Jiang Hao, rushed over to inspect him thoroughly.

"Brother Jiang Hao, are you alright? Are you hurt?"

"Brother Jiang Hao, why are you bleeding?"

"Brother Jiang Hao, you have so many scars; does it hurt a lot?"

Jiang Hao smiled, gently stroking her head to comfort her. "Silly girl, look, your Brother Jiang Hao is perfectly fine. These minor wounds are nothing to me—they aren't even as bad as the ones I got while training in the Misty Forest!"

"Don't you worry," he continued, then informed her solemnly, "Little one, I have avenged your Uncle Tang today."

"Ah? Brother Jiang Hao... what did you just say?" Fan Caiyun was clearly stunned.

"What's wrong? Do you not believe me?" Jiang Hao asked with a smile.

"No! It's not that I don't believe you! It's just that the two gang leaders of the Wild Wolf Gang are very strong, especially the head leader, whose cultivation has reached the mid-stage of the Spirit Spring Realm—he is a full level higher than you!"

Fan Caiyun suddenly looked shocked and realized, "Brother Jiang Hao, you didn't ask that Sister Qin from the Myriad Treasures Pavilion to help, did you? That Sister Qin seems very formidable."

"Brother Jiang Hao, tell me! Did you promise her something? Is that why she helped you?" She bombarded him with questions, not even waiting for him to respond.

"..." Jiang Hao stood there, blank.

"Brother Jiang Hao, don't tell me I guessed right?" Seeing his silence, she felt a sense of unease and tugged at his lapel, urging him to answer.

"Heh, this little girl is actually getting jealous? How interesting!" Feng Ling'er laughed lightly, though neither Jiang Hao nor Fan Caiyun were aware of it.

Jiang Hao regained his composure, shook his head, and smiled bitterly. "What are you imagining, child? Is your brother really so useless that he needs to borrow someone else's hand to exact revenge for you?"

"Besides, I don't have enough influence to make someone risk offending a powerful enemy like the Prince's son just for me," he added.

"This..." Fan Caiyun frowned slightly, her eyes as clear as water, staring intently at him.

Jiang Hao tapped her forehead lightly and explained, "Little one, did you think my training over this period was just for show?"

"Whether it was the second-tier 'Mountain-Splitting Palm' or that incredibly heavy Immortal Execution Sword, I have been training with everything I have! Dealing with those small-time thugs in the Wild Wolf Gang was a breeze!" Jiang Hao shrugged, smiling bitterly.

"Brother Jiang Hao, is what you said true?" Fan Caiyun blinked, looking at him with anticipation.

"Little girl, it is absolutely true!" Jiang Hao nodded with a serious expression.

"A breeze? Pfft!" Feng Ling'er couldn't help but scoff.

"That's wonderful!" Fan Caiyun hugged him, crying out with joy, "I knew it! Brother Jiang Hao is the most amazing! I have always believed in you!"

Before long, her expression turned somber, and tears welled up in her eyes. "Uncle Tang, I have finally avenged you! Although it was Brother Jiang Hao who did it, there is no difference between him and me."

"Uncle Tang, I miss you so much! I really miss you..."

Jiang Hao quickly embraced her small frame, comforting her tenderly, "Don't cry, little one! Brother Jiang Hao will always be by your side to protect you. From now on, no one will ever be able to bully you again."

"Brother Jiang Hao!" Fan Caiyun buried her face in his chest, pouring out her heart with tears and snot. It seemed that only in front of him could she truly let her guard down and release her inner emotions.

Watching her sob in his arms, Jiang Hao felt a sharp pain in his heart and sighed, "I must become stronger! Only with true power can I protect those around me!"

"Kid, you really do dote on this little girl, don't you?" Feng Ling'er sighed softly.