Traveling Between Two Worlds: From Bread for Maids to Fantasy Overlord

Led by the captain of the guard, Huang Yiming led Yang Xiu through the cobblestone streets. The houses along the way were neat and orderly, and the vendors were calling out, creating a lively scene inside the fortress, which contrasted sharply with the desolation and ruin of Black Wind Ridge. The people still treated him with great respect, giving him a wide berth and not daring to look him in the eye. They made their way through without any obstacles and soon arrived at the core of Qin Family Fortress—the main hall of the Qin family.

The main hall was magnificent, with wooden beams and pillars carved with ancient patterns. Seated in the central seat was a middle-aged man with a resolute face and dignified eyes, exuding the aura of someone long accustomed to a high position. This was Qin Cang, the lord of Qin Family Fortress. He wore a brocade robe, his fingers lightly tapping the table, his sharp gaze fixed on Huang Yiming as he entered, clearly having been waiting for some time.

Standing to the left of the main seat was a burly young man, about seventeen or eighteen years old, with an honest face and straightforward eyes. He wore a tight-fitting outfit, with a large sword at his waist. He scratched his head from time to time, looking quite endearing. This was Qin Hu, the son of the fortress lord. He curiously sized up Huang Yiming, his eyes filled with no malice, only pure curiosity.

Standing to the right of the main seat was a young woman, about sixteen or seventeen years old, dressed in a light blue dress. She was tall and slender, with a pretty face but also a touch of aloof pride, and a hint of heroism in her eyes. This was Qin Yuling, the eldest daughter of the Qin Family Fortress. She held a sword, her brows slightly furrowed, her gaze fixed on Huang Yiming, scrutinizing him from head to toe with suspicion and judgment. She could clearly sense that Huang Yiming possessed no spiritual energy whatsoever, clearly not a cultivator, yet he wielded such a strange and dangerous weapon—a truly suspicious situation.

Huang Yiming led Yang Xiu into the main hall, his expression calm and composed, neither humble nor arrogant, showing no stage fright whatsoever. Yang Xiu remained hidden beside him, head down, not daring to look directly at the people in the hall, yet she still followed Huang Yiming closely, never leaving his side.

"You audacious madman, why don't you kneel before the Lord of the Fortress?" An elder beside him shouted sternly, trying to give Huang Yiming a hard time.

Huang Yiming glanced at the elder and said in a calm tone, "I am neither a citizen of Qin Family Fortress nor your subordinate, so why should I kneel?" His tone was neither warm nor cold, but it revealed an unquestionable confidence, showing that he did not take the other party's pressure seriously at all.

Qin Cang raised his hand to stop the elder's reprimand, staring sharply at Huang Yiming. He cut to the chase with a stern tone: "Who exactly are you? Where do you come from? Where did you get your magical artifact? Why have you come to my Qin Family Fortress?" A series of questions, each one piercing to the heart, clearly aimed to force Huang Yiming to tell the truth.

Qin Yuling also spoke up, her voice cold: "You have no spiritual energy fluctuations on your body, you are definitely not a cultivator, yet you possess such a powerful magic weapon. This matter is too strange. If you don't explain yourself clearly, don't even think about leaving Qin Family Fort today." Her tone was firm, and her eyes were wary, as if she was afraid that Huang Yiming was a spy sent by an enemy force.

Faced with the questioning and probing of the crowd, Huang Yiming remained unfazed, his eyes open and honest, having already prepared his explanation in his mind. He spoke calmly and steadily: "I am a reclusive orphan. Since childhood, I have lived in seclusion in the deep mountains with my master, cultivating the ways of the mortal world, detached from worldly affairs. Before my master passed away, he bequeathed me a magical artifact, allowing me to enter the world and gain experience. Passing through Black Wind Ridge, I rescued this young lady, and having heard of the Qin Family Fortress's adherence to order and righteousness, I came to seek refuge here, with no other intentions."

This explanation was flawless, both explaining his mysterious origins and the ownership of the magical artifact, and demonstrating his willingness to join them, leaving no room for doubt.

Qin Cang frowned slightly, clearly disbelieving but unable to find a reason to refute. Legends of reclusive sects and hermit masters were widely circulated in the Azure Netherworld. These people were often eccentric and unpredictable in strength; if one were to truly offend them, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Just as the atmosphere reached a stalemate, Qin Hu suddenly scratched his head and said in a simple and honest voice, "Dad, I don't think this brother is a bad person. Look at the girl next to him, she looks so pitiful, she doesn't seem like a spy at all. Besides, his magic weapon is so powerful, if he really wanted to harm us, he would have done it at the city gate just now."

Upon hearing this, Qin Cang immediately became so angry that he puffed out his beard and glared. This silly son of his, why did he have to bring up the sore spot? Wasn't he just blatantly undermining him? Qin Yuling also helplessly rubbed her forehead; her brother's straightforward personality was truly a headache.

Looking at Qin Hu's honest and simple appearance, Huang Yiming's lips curled slightly, and he felt a growing fondness for this straightforward young man. He remained calm, allowing everyone to scrutinize him without flinching, his feigned weakness perfectly executed. The more composed he was, the more wary Qin Cang and the others became, hesitant to make a move.

Qin Yuling stared at Huang Yiming, trying to detect a hint of panic on his face, but Huang Yiming's eyes were open and honest, leaving no room for doubt. Instead, her suspicions gradually turned into curiosity. What was the background of this young man? Despite his ordinary aura, he always exuded a strange sense of pressure.

Qin Cang pondered for a moment, knowing he couldn't easily offend Huang Yiming, so he simply went along with it and softened his tone: "Since that's the case, it must be a misunderstanding. You are a guest from afar, and my Qin Family Fortress naturally welcomes you. Men, prepare a banquet to entertain you and this young lady."

While he claimed to be treating Huang Yiming well, he actually wanted to use the banquet as an opportunity to further probe Huang Yiming's background, secretly sending people to monitor his every move and find out his true purpose.

Huang Yiming saw through Qin Cang's thoughts at a glance, but remained calm and nodded slightly: "Then thank you for your hospitality, Lord of the Fortress." He took advantage of the situation to establish himself in Qin Family Fortress, demonstrate his value, and make the Qin family take the initiative to win him over.

Qin Hu immediately came over with a cheerful smile, patted his chest and said, "Brother, don't worry, in this Qin Family Fortress, I'll protect you, no one will dare to bully you!" His honest and simple appearance was so endearing that it was hard not to laugh.

Yang Xiu looked up at Qin Hu, then at Huang Yiming, gently tugged at Huang Yiming's sleeve, and whispered, "Young master, this man seems very kind."