Chapter 316 - 209: The Lantern Festival

Chapter 316: Chapter 209: The Lantern Festival

Xie Yuan listened to Situ Qin’s unusually stern rebuke. Her already large, beautiful eyes were wide and round, glaring fiercely at him.

Xie Yuan, who was used to enjoying Situ Qin’s warmth, generosity, and playfulness, had never been scolded by her before and was momentarily at a loss. But looking into those bright, wondrous eyes, he saw that beneath the anger lay nothing but worry, and his heart was moved.

Xie Yuan let out a breath. He made a show of cupping his fist and bowing his head, saying:

"As you command, Your Highness!"

Situ Qin had been completely serious, but seeing him act like this, she froze on the spot. Torn between laughter and anger, she couldn’t stop herself from giving him a hard thump, saying with a pout:

"I’m trying to have a serious conversation with you! And don’t call me a princess! I will never be a princess! Or a Commandery Princess!"

Had it been Song Qingping, he would have surely replied, "But you are my princess..."

For some reason, Xie Yuan’s thoughts suddenly drifted to that man.

But seeing that Situ Qin wasn’t fond of the title, he chuckled and said:

"Alright, Miss Qin, I have received your order!"

Situ Qin glared at him again.

"Be serious! I’m talking to you about something important. With your level of strength, taking on two opponents who are two realms above you is just too reckless! Even though you won in the end, it was still... too dangerous. Didn’t you ever think about what would happen if you failed?"

As she spoke, her voice grew softer.

Xie Yuan’s expression softened, a trace of sincerity appearing on his handsome, sunny face.

"I know you’re worried about me, Miss Qin, and I’ll listen to you. From now on, I’ll do my best to avoid taking risks. But inside the Slaughter Tower, the people from the Western Regions have the upper hand. If I just hid on the sidelines and let them get the treasure, they’d just turn around and use it against the Martial Artists of Great Li. Who knows what would happen then?"

Situ Qin nodded silently, tacitly agreeing with his point.

"But if you run into a situation like this again, I hope you’ll think more about your own safety. ’As long as the green hills remain, there will be wood to burn.’ If you were gone...

"With no one to listen to my music, I would be heartbroken for a long time."

Situ Qin’s beautiful eyes were fixed on Xie Yuan, as if they held many more unspoken words.

Xie Yuan gazed into Situ Qin’s expressive eyes, his heart trembling. He was speechless for a long moment.

"Alright. I’ll remember that."

Xie Yuan let out a breath and answered with solemn gravity.

Only then did Situ Qin break into a smile, as radiant as a spring blossom in the first month of the year, instantly brightening the entire room.

But then she snorted softly and muttered:

"But you’re such a rogue! No, this won’t do. The next time you run into danger, you probably won’t be able to resist charging in to fight. I have to think of a way to deal with you..."

She pondered for only a moment before clapping her small hands together, untying the Jade Pendant from her waist, and shoving it at Xie Yuan.

"Here, take this and wear it. It can save your life at a critical moment."

Xie Yuan’s eyes widened. ’Isn’t this the protective Jade Pendant that saved both our lives in the Sword Lair? The one that can block a Grandmaster’s strike?’

He immediately pushed it back.

"No way! Absolutely not! This Jade Pendant is far too precious. I can’t possibly accept it!"

"Take it! No matter how precious it is, it’s just a material object. How can it be more important than your life?"

Situ Qin’s eyes widened in displeasure.

Xie Yuan shook his head repeatedly. Although Situ Qin came from a wealthy family, she probably only had one of these. Back in the Sword Lair, when the Jade Pendant was destroyed, she had immediately wanted to return to her estate to get a new one, which meant she didn’t carry spares of such treasures.

A treasure that could automatically activate to block a Grandmaster’s attack... Xie Yuan had never even heard of such a thing, let alone seen one.

This kind of item didn’t seem to be a product of this world’s Martial Dao; it was most likely found in some ancient ruins. Each one used was one less in existence. How could he take Situ Qin’s life-saving item?

And so, Situ Qin was determined to give it, and Xie Yuan was determined not to take it. They both ended up holding the Jade Pendant, pushing and pulling it back and forth.

In the end, Xie Yuan had to forcibly grasp Situ Qin’s small, delicate hand and push the pendant firmly back to her. He said with utmost determination:

"Absolutely not! This is your life-saving treasure. If you give it to me, how could I ever have peace of mind?"

Hearing this, the strength in Situ Qin’s hand finally lessened. Her heart softened, but her words remained stubborn.

"I have plenty more of these... alright, not *that* many, but definitely enough for you to have one and me to have one."

Xie Yuan still shook his head.

"You need it more than I do."

Situ Qin pouted and snorted lightly.

Her eyes darted about, and she untied a red cord from around her neck. A Jade Buddha Statue was attached to it—another protective treasure.

"Here, take this then. It’s not as good as the Jade Pendant, but it can block several attacks from a Third Transformation Realm expert. You can accept this one, can’t you?"

Seeing Situ Qin pull out yet another treasure, Xie Yuan was both speechless and, somehow, not surprised at all.

But he still shook his head.

"No. If you give this to me, you’ll only have the one that blocks a Grandmaster. That’s not..."

"Underestimating me, are you?"

Situ Qin huffed and waved her hands in front of him.

"These rings? Each one can block a full-power strike from a Third Transformation Realm expert.

"This gold bracelet wards off evil, protects against poison, and is impervious to water and fire. This jade bangle bolsters my inner breath and resists an enemy’s Inner Strength.

"And these earrings! They focus the mind and purify the heart, making me immune to disorienting Illusion Techniques.

"One more or one less makes no difference to me! So you’d better take this, or I’ll get really angry!"

Xie Yuan stared at the array of accessories on her, some exquisite, others inconspicuous. The sheer number of them was dazzling.

Heavy with the weight and fragrance of money.

Even with the good relationship Xie Yuan and Situ Qin shared, he couldn’t help but grit his teeth and push down her smugly displayed hands.

"Alright, alright, I see them! Stop showing off all your treasures to just anyone. Don’t you know not to flash your wealth? A hidden treasure is the best treasure, understand?"