Chapter 5: Worthless, But Still Mine

Heh!
“So, Master Qin likes me this much?” After a brief flare of anger, Linglong reverted to her usual mischievous grin.
She knew well that what Qin Daofei despised most was her irreverent, playful demeanor, but what could he do? The more he disliked it, the more delighted she felt.
As expected, at her words, a clear flash of disdain swept through Qin Daofei’s eyes. His voice was cool and detached as he said, “Feng Linglong, you’re overthinking things.”
“In that case, Master Qin, why don’t you explain why you cling so tightly to a woman guilty of every crime under the sun?” Linglong toyed with the dice at her waist, her face alight with an easy smile—a smile that never touched her eyes.
Qin Daofei raised his brows, a mocking half-smile on his lips. “What’s this? You’re so eager for me to divorce you? I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. Anything that belongs to me, no matter how worthless, is still mine. No one else should even think of coveting it.”
Worthless? You’re the worthless one, you bastard, you bastard, you bastard!
Linglong ground her teeth in fury, but she would never show it in front of Qin Daofei.
“Fine, then. That hundred thousand taels of silver—take it as payment for Master Qin’s noble condescension in sharing my bed years ago. I don’t want it anymore. From now on, let us go our separate ways and live in peace on opposite sides of the martial world!” Linglong feared that if she lingered any longer, her own trembling cowardice would become apparent.
He was not a good man; she could not afford to show her true self.
This was a lesson five years in the making—perhaps learned too late, but she would remember it for the rest of her life.
“Linglong, you’re scared.” Qin Daofei curled his lips, advancing on her step by step.
Linglong swallowed hard and forced a smile. “Two years apart, and Master Qin has grown quite the sense of humor. In all my life, there’s nothing I, Feng Linglong, have ever feared!”

With that, Linglong darted out from under Qin Daofei’s arm, slipping away like an eel and bolting downstairs.
Qin Daofei caught a whiff of her familiar fragrance—one he had once deeply loathed—lingering briefly before vanishing into the wind, impossible to grasp.
Watching Linglong flee as if chased by a dog, a sly glint flashed in the depths of Qin Daofei’s eyes. “Trying to run, are you? Very well, Feng Linglong.”
Linglong dashed to the door and was about to search for a way to open it when she caught sight, through a crack, of a group of masked men in black wielding broadswords. They were pouring something around the gates of the Carefree Manor.
A sharp, pungent odor filled the air.
It was kerosene!
The heavy stench of fuel rushed into Linglong’s nostrils. Without time to think, she immediately turned back.
“Feng Linglong, isn’t this back-and-forth just because you want me to ask you to stay? If that’s what you want, I’ll take you back myself.” Qin Daofei stood in the corridor, looking down upon her with a condescending tone, as if granting her a favor.
Linglong nearly shattered her teeth in frustration. She wanted nothing more than to leave and let this bastard die, but there were still so many unanswered questions—she couldn’t bear to watch Qin Daofei perish just yet.
“There are people pouring kerosene at your door. If you’re not afraid to die, then stay here!” No sooner had Linglong spoken than an explosive crash sounded from the direction of the gate. Both of them turned to see flames instantly engulfing half the Carefree Manor.
Yet Qin Daofei didn’t even blink.
“Damn it, you country bumpkin, if we don’t go now, we’re really going to die!” Linglong, seeing his indifference, hoisted her skirts, tucked them at her waist, and prepared to climb a tree to escape.

That fire in the prison years ago had nearly claimed her life. Even after two years, it still haunted Linglong’s dreams. Fear gripped her heart, and though she tried several times, she couldn’t manage to climb the tree.
Qin Daofei tapped lightly with his foot, leaping from the second floor and seizing Linglong by the waist, carrying her up into the air.
At the same moment, several black-clad men sprang up, broadswords slashing at Qin Daofei’s side.
As the blades flashed before them, Qin Daofei used one sword as a pivot, pushing off with force to spring over the courtyard wall, holding Linglong as he ran towards the street.
“After them! Kill the woman at Qin Daofei’s side!” At a single command, the black-clad men withdrew from the manor and gave chase.
These assassins were determined to end Linglong’s life; at every street corner, new killers emerged to block their way.
Though Qin Daofei’s martial skills were high, carrying Linglong made his movements awkward. With more and more assassins closing in, he dared not risk fighting for fear of harming Linglong, and could only evade.
“Master Qin, put me down. If this goes on, you’ll never escape,” Linglong said, watching the sweat bead on his brow. She had thought he would abandon her, but astonishingly, he did not.
The sudden ache that welled inside caught her completely off guard.
Agh!
Linglong’s pained, bewildered expression distracted Qin Daofei for a split second, and he took a blade to his arm.