Chapter 580: You Owe This Young Master a Favor
She looked up to see the ground scorched pitch-black. The massive fire had burned all the way to the summit.
Ye Qianning looked over and saw that the trees on the summit were also mostly burned away. For the fire to have reached this intensity, it must have already crested the mountain before the heavy rain began.
’If Chu Yue and the Imperial Family’s Hidden Guards managed to find temporary shelter, their survival rate is around thirty percent.’
"The path down the mountain is treacherous. Everyone, be careful," Gu Shuo said, taking the lead and leaping across a fissure in the rock.
The fire had left nothing in its wake. The path was littered with the charred carcasses of countless animals.
Four-direction Mountain, a range that had stood for a thousand years, was now a smoldering ruin.
Ye Qianning looked away, the agonizing cries of the mountain’s creatures still seemingly echoing in her ears. ’Sooner or later,’ she thought, ’I’ll make them pay for this debt.’
Gu Shuo, who had been hurrying along, suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Qian Fanji sensed something was wrong as well. The group halted, warily scanning their surroundings.
"Master! Master! I’ve finally found you!" a guard in close-fitting attire yelled, rushing toward them like a whirlwind.
The man in red glanced at him.
The guard ran up to him, a blubbering mess. "I knew you would be alright, Master! The heavens have protected you, they truly have..."
Seeing how filthy he was, the man in red wrinkled his nose in disgust. "Stand back."
"But Master... I came up the mountain in a downpour. It’s only natural I’d be a little dirty," the guard said, looking wronged. Heavens knew how terrified he had been all day.
If anything had happened to his master, he would never have been able to face the clan again.
"Get up."
The guard stood up, still looking put-upon. His gaze finally swept over the area. "Master, a lot of soldiers have appeared at the foot of the mountain. I think they’re looking for them."
"A lot?"
"Judging by their uniforms, they’ve been dispatched from the main military barracks. Master, it would be best if we didn’t get involved."
The man in red pondered for a moment before walking over to Ye Qianning.
A wary look flashed in Gu Shuo’s eyes.
"Little one, you do remember that you owe me a favor, don’t you?"
"I remember. If it’s convenient, Sir, you can tell me your address. Once I’m back in the Capital City, I’ll be sure to have a lavish gift prepared and delivered to you personally." Ye Qianning had certainly not forgotten the kindness he’d shown her.
"There’s no need for a lavish gift. It’s enough that you remember. In the future, I will personally come to collect on this debt. You’d better not try to weasel your way out of it then, little one."
"Of course, as long as your request isn’t too outrageous."
"Outrageous?" The man in red raised an eyebrow. "So, are you saying that if my request *is* outrageous, you plan to go back on your word?"
"That depends," Ye Qianning didn’t deny.
"Heh. Truly, it is said that women and small-minded men are the most difficult to deal with."
"That’s not necessarily true. You seem rather difficult to deal with yourself." Ye Qianning knew he wasn’t someone to be trifled with. While she was grateful that he had saved her life, it seemed he wasn’t interested in wealth or glory.
And she had no intention of complying with any unorthodox demands.
Her retort left the man in red speechless, but he wasn’t angry. He simply chuckled. "Rest assured, it will be something well within your capabilities."
"That’s good to hear. Sir, could you leave me your name? If you need anything, you can find me at the General’s Estate in the Capital City." ’As long as it’s nothing too extreme, I will repay this debt,’ she thought.
"Feng Xiuyi."
"Master..."
The guard was astonished. His master had actually revealed his real name.
"I’ll remember it," Ye Qianning said.
Feng Xiuyi held out his hand.
Ye Qianning gave him a puzzled look.
"A token of your promise."
"..."
Ye Qianning pulled a large, emerald-green bangle from her wrist and handed it to him.
The bangle was meant for an adult, but because she was rather chubby, her wrist was thick enough to wear it, so she always had it on.
Feng Xiuyi was taken aback by her extravagance. Even in his wealthy clan, an emerald of such purity was a rare sight. Yet, she had given it to him without a second thought.