Chapter 89

Chapter 89

Friendliness: Ignored

She seemed completely unaware of your existence, utterly indifferent to you.

"So it really is her!"

Having spotted his mission target, Qin Han immediately stood up and walked over. In his mind, this Black Stronghold was a backwater, far from a desirable place. No matter how much gold one had, it was useless if there was nothing to buy. Though Li Yang had mentioned that this woman had threatened the High Priest, demanding the golden house as a condition for marriage, Qin Han suspected it might just be a delaying tactic. After all, the Sword Dojo held far greater prestige in the Myriad Heavens than some so-called High Priest. Only a fool would choose to be a bandit's wife over that.

"You—"

As Qin Han approached Lan Xin from behind, she caught sight of him in the mirror. She sprang to her feet, instinctively backing toward the door while scolding, "How dare a guard enter my room! If the High Priest finds out, he’ll have you killed!"

Qin Han: "Don’t misunderstand. I’m here to take you back to the Sword Dojo."

The woman froze at his words, her expression shifting rapidly. "He sent you?" She snorted. "Go back and tell him I’ve had enough of those miserable days with him. From now on, I’ll live for myself."

Qin Han was taken aback. "Is the Sword Dojo that poor?"

Lan Xin sneered. "He’s a Sword Maniac, utterly incapable of making money. With him, I ate coarse food and wore plain clothes, spending my days washing and cooking for him—nothing more. I’ll never go back to that life."

"Here, I’m second only to one, living in luxury with every need met. I want for nothing."

"Leave. Tell him our marriage is over."

Qin Han: "..."

He still couldn’t believe she’d stay for such trivial temptations. "If you’re being coerced, blink twice. Everyone on this island combined is no match for me. I can get you out safely."

Lan Xin’s face twisted with mockery. "You think I’m joking? Go back. My life is none of your concern."

"If you push me, I’ll kill myself right here. Then you can take my corpse to that Sword Maniac."

With that, she grabbed a sharp hairpin and pressed it to her throat, her expression resolute.

Qin Han frowned. "Is the title of chieftain’s wife really that important?"

"Fine. If you won’t return to the Sword Maniac, I’ll give you 10,000 gold coins—even pack up everything here for you. You could build your own estate and live freely. Isn’t that better than depending on someone else?"

"Remember, beauty fades, and so does love. Can you really trust the High Priest to cherish you forever?"

At the mention of the High Priest, Lan Xin’s face softened with shyness. "He’ll love me forever. What we have is beyond your understanding."

"Go. If you don’t leave now, I swear I’ll die."

As she spoke, she pressed harder, a trickle of crimson staining her pale neck.

"Don't worry, I'll leave. But I hope you won't mention our meeting today." Seeing the situation, Qin Han had no choice but to relent for now.

Lan Xin scoffed, "Hmph, if I told anyone you came, it would surely displease the High Priest. I'm not that stupid."

Qin Han nodded, turned around, and leaped out the window in a few swift movements, leaving without hesitation.

On his way back to Li Yang's residence, he couldn't shake his confusion.

From the mission details, the Sword Maniac clearly held his wife in high regard. With the Sword Maniac's strength, if she truly wanted a life of luxury, she need only ask, and it would be granted. Why would she come to this remote backwater and submit to a tribal chief for wealth?

The whole thing was downright bizarre.

...

When he returned to his lodgings, Li Yang had also come back—bringing bad news.

The High Priest had left yesterday and had yet to return.