My Ares Son-in-Law

"Let's go." Xiao Chen said calmly, taking the lead in walking towards the mountain path. His steps were steady and unhurried, yet he exuded an aura that left no room for argument.

Qin Xianglan followed without hesitation, her expression respectful, staying close to Xiao Chen and constantly alert to any movement around them.

Bai Qiaoli frowned, reluctantly opened the car door, and followed.

She quickly caught up with Qin Xianglan, lowered her voice, and said urgently:
"Xianglan, are you really going to go up with him? Wake up!"
"Things are chaotic up there right now. There are all sorts of powerful figures, a real mixed bag, and fighting could break out at any moment. Aren't you afraid something will happen if you bring such a burden along? If that happens, I might not be able to protect you!"

Qin Xianglan stopped and turned around, looking at Bai Qiaoli seriously. She said in a solemn tone, word by word, "Qiaoli, I have something to tell you. Remember, don't underestimate Mr. Xiao."

"What is it?" Bai Qiaoli asked, puzzled, but still disdainful... What could an ordinary person possibly have that was worth her attention?

"Mr. Xiao is the first person in the Western Region."

Qin Xianglan's tone was extremely serious, with a hint of awe, "His strength is unfathomable. He is only temporarily hiding his brilliance now. In the future, he may very well become the number one person in the entire Dragon Kingdom, unmatched by anyone."

Bai Qiaoli froze instantly, her face contorted with confusion, her eyes filled with disbelief.

A moment later, she laughed as if she had heard the funniest joke in the world, laughing so hard that tears almost streamed down her face. The sarcasm and disdain in her tone were even stronger than before.
"Xianglan, have you been bewitched by a man? What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Him? The number one in the Western Region? The number one in the Dragon Kingdom? Looking at him, dressed plainly, with an ordinary demeanor, he doesn't even have the slightest aura of a strong person. Are you sure you're not joking with me?"

In her opinion, Qin Xianglan had gone completely mad, exaggerating an ordinary pretty boy into becoming the number one person in the western region. This was utterly ridiculous.

Qin Xianglan's face instantly darkened. Just as she was about to retort, Xiao Chen's voice came from not far ahead, calm and indifferent, without the slightest ripple: "Let's go, don't waste any more time."

He had already started climbing the mountain, his steps still steady, without pausing for a moment because of Bai Qiaoli's mockery, as if everything that had just happened had nothing to do with him.

Qin Xianglan glanced helplessly at Bai Qiaoli, said nothing more, and quickly followed Xiao Chen, leaving Bai Qiaoli alone, standing there, muttering disdainfully:

"He's completely bewitched... What do you mean, the number one in the West? I think he's more like the number one pretty boy in the West. Let's see how he cries when we get into danger!"

Despite her complaints, Bai Qiaoli still didn't dare to stay alone at the foot of the mountain...

It wasn't safe at the foot of the mountain either, with powerful figures from all walks of life gathering there, and conflicts were bound to occur. She couldn't protect herself on her own, so she could only reluctantly follow Xiao Chen and Qin Xianglan up the mountain.

Mount Wanhua rises high into the clouds, its mountain path rugged and steep, littered with loose rocks and overgrown with weeds, making it extremely difficult to traverse. The higher one climbs, the more people gather, and the more oppressive the atmosphere becomes.

Some people acted alone, their eyes alert, carefully climbing upwards;
Some people form groups of three or five, forming alliances, looking out for each other, and being wary of strangers around them;

Others simply display their strength, bully the weak, and seize shortcuts to climb the mountain.

Everyone was climbing upwards, their gazes unwavering, their eyes filled with greed for the rare treasure. They were hostile and distrustful of one another.

Xiao Chen walked at the front, his pace neither hurried nor slow, seemingly casual, yet each step was steady and firm.

Even on the steepest sections of the road, he walked with ease and without any sign of strain, his aura remaining restrained and composed.

Qin Xianglan followed closely behind him, her expression respectful, constantly watching her surroundings. If anything seemed amiss, she would immediately prepare to defend herself, standing protectively in front of Xiao Chen. Bai Qiaoli brought up the rear, struggling to climb while occasionally curling her lip, her gaze towards Xiao Chen still filled with contempt and disdain.

She was breathing heavily and muttering to herself:

"Walking so slowly, his stamina is even worse than mine, a woman. He calls himself the number one in the West? It's a joke. I think he can barely climb a mountain, yet he wants to compete for rare treasures. He's simply overestimating himself!"

And so the three of them climbed upwards for about half an hour.

A sudden, violent commotion broke the silence of the mountains, accompanied by shrill screams and angry curses.

"what……!"

"Bastard! You dare kill me!"

"Get out of the way! He's gone mad!"

Xiao Chen paused abruptly, looked up and stared ahead with eyes as sharp as an eagle's.

In the middle of the mountain road not far ahead, a man dressed in black was in a frenzied state, holding a gleaming curved knife.

The blade was stained with bright red blood. His eyes were bloodshot and his gaze was ferocious. He slashed and killed anyone he saw, charging madly upwards. No one could stop him, and screams of agony echoed everywhere he went.

"Get out of my way! All of you get out of my way! Anyone who blocks my path will die!"

The man in black swung his knife wildly while roaring, his voice hoarse and filled with violence.

With a flash of light, two more people were caught off guard and struck by the blade, falling into pools of blood and instantly losing their breath.

The people around were so frightened that they quickly moved aside, their faces pale. No one dared to step forward to stop him... This man in black was too strong, his attacks were ruthless and deadly. To try to stop him would be to commit suicide.

Upon witnessing this scene, Bai Qiaoli's face turned deathly pale, her body trembled slightly, and she instinctively hid behind Qin Xianglan, her voice tinged with fear as she whispered:

"It's Lin Peng! Lin Peng, ranked seventy-third on the Celestial Ranking! Why is he here? Why has he become so crazy?"

Qin Xianglan's expression also turned extremely solemn. She instinctively shielded Bai Qiaoli behind her, her eyes warily fixed on Lin Peng ahead, and she said in a low voice:
"Lin Peng has always been violent and bloodthirsty. Now, in his quest for the rare treasure, he has probably gone completely mad. He intends to fight his way to the mountaintop and monopolize the treasure!"

Lin Peng, blinded by rage, charged forward recklessly, his blade flashing and blood and flesh flying everywhere. He quickly reached Xiao Chen, Qin Xianglan, and Bai Qiaoli.

His gaze swept over Qin Xianglan and Bai Qiaoli. Seeing their outstanding looks and graceful figures, a greedy and lewd glint flashed in his eyes, and he paused in his sword-wielding motion.

Lin Peng's gaze was fixed on Qin Xianglan and Bai Qiaoli, the lewd light in his eyes growing stronger. He stuck out his tongue and greedily licked his lips, his tone both obscene and violent:

"Two young vixens, quite pretty, just what I like. Keep me entertained, and if you please me, I'll spare your lives. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless!" (End of Chapter)