A Shocking Dream

Qin Rongchen listened to Xie Yuan's probing words and thought to himself that it was not appropriate to reveal his true identity at this moment, lest he alert the enemy and cause further complications. The corners of his mouth curled slightly, a cold smile blooming, like a frozen flower on a cold night, graceful yet cold and unapproachable. The smile was like a thin veil, lightly covering the depths of his eyes, without truly warming them.

Then he raised his head and shouted in a voice like a loud bell, making the air around him buzz: "I am just a man of the world, passing by here, and I have an old acquaintance with Miss Lin. I can't stand anyone coming here to cause trouble and bully a weak woman." After he finished speaking, he folded his arms, his posture straight, his green shirt fluttering slightly in the wind, but he had an imposing aura, as if a towering green mountain was lying across the place, protecting Lin Wunian steadily behind him.

Xie Yuan and Zhou Junze exchanged glances, each catching a glimpse of suspicion in the other's eyes. Zhou Junze frowned, secretly sizing Qin Rongchen up. His demeanor suggested he might be a jianghu man, but the air of nobility he inadvertently exuded from his every move was unmatched by any ordinary knight. He snorted coldly, "Jianghu man? Humph, judging by your demeanor, I'm afraid there's more to you than that! It's best you stay out of this Yingzhou City affair and avoid bringing disaster upon yourself. It's only natural for us to pursue the escaped maid. If Miss Lin insists on defending her, don't blame me for being rude!" Despite his forceful words, his confidence was no longer as strong as before.

Lin Wunian raised her eyebrows, and was about to open her mouth to refute, but Qin Rongchen raised his hand slightly, signaling her not to be anxious, and then said in a loud voice: "Zhou Junze, you keep saying that you are chasing a fugitive, but where is the evidence? You want to arrest someone without any evidence, do you think that everyone in the world can be fooled? Since I am in this world, I am committed to the word "righteousness" and cannot tolerate bullying of the weak. Miss Lin is innocent, but you slander her without reason and even dare to threaten her. Do you really think that there are no one in the world?" After speaking, he took a step forward, and his body did not move, but it was as if a fierce sword energy was rushing towards him, and the guards behind Zhou Junze subconsciously took half a step back in shock.

Xie Yuan narrowed his eyes, slowly opening and closing his folding fan as if pondering a strategy. A moment later, he smiled, though the laughter didn't reach his eyes. "Your Excellency is a man of great integrity, and I admire you. However, this girl is a matter of great importance, and I don't mean to embarrass Miss Lin. Since you insist on observing the rules of the underworld, please do me a favor and allow us to search for her. If she's not found, I'll come and apologize. How's that?" He seemed to be retreating, but in reality, he pressed on, his words carrying an irresistible pressure.

Qin Rongchen sneered: "My Lord, you are joking. Search? On what basis do you search? This is the official method, not the rules of the underworld. Since I said that Miss Lin is thorough, I will not let others run wild. Whether Anian is here or not, it is not a reason for you to trample on the rules of this place at will. If you want to search today, step over me first!" Every word was sonorous and sounded, like the collision of metal and stone. The atmosphere in the front yard instantly became like a fully drawn bow, ready to explode. A conflict between the chivalrous spirit of the underworld and the tyranny of the powerful and wealthy became white-hot in this inn courtyard, and life and death were hanging by a thread.

After hearing Qin Rongchen's harsh retort, Xie Yuan's face instantly darkened, like a dark cloud covering the sun, so oppressive that the air around him seemed to freeze. He snapped his folding fan shut, a sound like thunder, shattering the false peace he had barely maintained. He took a sharp step forward, his figure swollen with rage, charging towards Qin Rongchen.

Qin Rongchen, however, stood firm and unmoved, like a deep abyss and a mountain. Xie Yuan's exasperated expression was nothing more than a clown's farce in his eyes.

He raised his eyes slightly, and his gaze was like a cold star with a sharp blade, piercing straight through Xie Yuan's fury. His contempt was evident in his words, and his voice was like a bell, shaking everyone's eardrums. "Lord Xie, don't show off in front of me and lose your dignity! This Yingzhou City under your jurisdiction is the territory of the Son of Heaven, not your private residence! I travel the world with my passion and integrity, and I can't stand seeing powerful people like you bully others and confuse right and wrong! You keep asking me what I am. Humph, today I will show you, the arrogant Lord, that I am a chivalrous man who stands tall and proud. I am not afraid of your dirty power. If you dare to act recklessly again, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Every word he spoke resonated like a tumble of stone, sending a shudder of awe to the entire courtyard. Xie Yuan was trembling with anger, his finger trembling as he pointed at Qin Rongchen. "You... you're not going to refuse my toast! I can stamp my feet in Yingzhou City, and the ground will tremble. And you, a scoundrel of unknown origin, dare to challenge me? Today I'll teach you a lesson!" He turned and shouted, "Come on, take this lunatic down!" Behind him, a throng of guards rushed forward like wolves smelling blood, their swords flashing and illuminating the courtyard.

The atmosphere was tense, as if it would snap at any moment. Just as everyone was gripped by the tense confrontation, a sharp crack like thunder suddenly exploded. Everyone turned in shock, only to see Lin Wunian, who had somehow advanced in front of Xie Yuan. She raised her hand high, then brought it down with a swift, powerful slap across Xie Yuan's face. The sound echoed throughout the courtyard, startling the birds in the corners and sending them flying.

Xie Yuan's face instantly became covered in five distinct fingerprints, and swelling and redness spread. He was completely stunned, his eyes wide open, filled with astonishment and anger, as if he couldn't believe someone had the audacity to slap him in public. For a moment, he froze in his tracks, forgetting to react. The arrogance and domineering demeanor of the former Marquis seemed to have been extinguished by the slap, leaving only a dumbfounded look of embarrassment.

Lin Wunian's eyebrows were raised, his starry eyes were burning with rage, his chest heaved violently, and he said with gritted teeth: "Xie Yuan, you evil villain! On weekdays, you are tyrannical and kill innocent people in Yingzhou City, and I can't tolerate it anymore. Today you dare to be so arrogant, trying to confuse right and wrong, commit violence and arrest people. Do you really think that no one in the world can control you! This slap is for the people whose families have been broken up by you!" Every word seemed to be wrapped in thousands of resentments, bursting out from between his teeth, and the sound hit everyone's ears.

Qin Rongchen was also slightly startled, but then a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes. He took a step forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with Lin Wunian to prevent Xie Yuan from retaliating violently. He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze as cold as frost, like a towering mountain, giving Lin Wunian a solid foundation and also deterring Xie Yuan's murderous intent.

Zhou Junze, who was watching from the side, was horrified at first and shrank back subconsciously. Then he reacted, his face flushed red, and he shouted angrily: "Lin Wunian, you are so brave that you dare to hit the Marquis. You are committing treason and you don't want to live anymore!" As he said that, he was about to draw his sword.

Lin Wunian didn't take him seriously at all.