After descending the mountain, my aloof fiancée became completely devoted to me.

"We can't leave! Our mission failed. Our employer is ruthless; he'll definitely kill us to silence us when we get back. We just came down the mountain, we're all alone, and we have nowhere to go!"

"We really haven't done anything wrong, we've never hurt anyone, we were just deceived. Please have mercy and take us with you. We'll do anything, I'll just stay by your side and protect you, and I'll never cause you any trouble!"

Liu Lian stared at Lin Ping with sincere, pleading eyes, her heart filled with admiration for him. She wished she could stay by his side forever and didn't want to leave him for a second.

Chi Yao quickly echoed, her voice filled with despair: "Senior, if we are separated from our employer, not only will they hunt us down, but the villains of the martial world will also target us two lone women. We will surely die. Please, have mercy on us!"

The two men, one kneeling and one standing, pleaded with each other, looking utterly miserable, completely unlike their previous menacing demeanor.

Seeing the two of them looking so disheveled and helpless, Shen Aoxue's heart softened instantly. She was kind-hearted to begin with, and when she learned that the two of them had been used and had not really done anything evil, she felt even more sorry for them.

She gently tugged at Lin Ping's sleeve and spoke softly, her eyes full of tenderness: "Lin Ping, they were forced into this situation. They didn't hurt us. It's really dangerous for a lone woman to be out in the mountains. Why don't we take them with us first? We can make plans after we're out of this forest."

She spoke softly, her eyes gentle, looking at Chi Yao and Liu Lian, but in the end she couldn't bring herself to let them fend for themselves here.

Lin Ping looked down at Shen Aoxue beside him, whose eyes were full of tenderness. Seeing her pale and weak appearance, he finally did not refuse her forcefully.

He had no intention of killing the two harmless girls, but he couldn't resist Shen Aoxue's pleas. His brows furrowed, and his face was full of helplessness. Looking at Liu Lian, who was stubborn and silly, and Chi Yao, who was extremely frightened, he was full of impatience, but he also relented.

"This is a one-time exception. Behave yourself and do nothing. If you dare to play any tricks, I will show no mercy."

His tone was icy as he uttered a warning, his gaze sweeping over the two women with an overwhelming sense of intimidation. If they dared to harbor even the slightest disloyalty, he could obliterate them at any moment.

Liu Lian was overjoyed. His eyes, which had been full of tears, lit up instantly. He smiled foolishly and nodded vigorously, like a chick pecking at rice.

"I promise! I will be obedient and protect you with my life, and I will never have any bad intentions!"

She stood beside Lin Ping, never leaving his side, her eyes fixed on him, completely becoming his little shadow, her heart filled with the joy of being able to stay by the side of the person she loved.

Chi Yao felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She quickly got up from the ground, bowed repeatedly to Lin Ping, her face full of awe. She no longer dared to have any evil thoughts and completely submitted to Lin Ping's strength and demeanor.

The tense standoff was thus completely quelled.

Lin Ping ignored the two of them, reached out and gently supported Shen Aoxue's arm. His tone instantly softened, becoming extremely gentle: "The mountain road is dangerous. I'll help you as we continue up the mountain."

Shen Aoxue's cheeks flushed slightly as she nodded gently, nestled beside him, feeling completely safe.

The four of them walked slowly into the depths of the mountains and forests. Liu Lian followed closely behind Lin Ping, never leaving his side, his eyes fixed on him with unwavering determination, determined to fulfill his promise as a "bodyguard." Chi Yao walked cautiously at the back, her head bowed the entire time, filled with awe, and dared not overstep her bounds in the slightest.

Lin Ping appeared calm and relaxed as he walked slowly forward, but in reality, his mind was constantly focused on the entire mountain forest, his inner strength flowing silently around him, always on guard against any hidden dangers.

He knew that the group of assassins earlier were just pawns; the real mastermind was still hiding in the shadows and had not yet revealed himself.

Unbeknownst to everyone, atop a towering ancient tree deep in the dense forest, stood a ethereal figure with unparalleled beauty, her robes fluttering, her aura otherworldly.

Her gaze was deep and fixed on Lin Ping, who stood below with an aloof posture and a profound aura. Her eyes flickered slightly, revealing a hint of extreme surprise and scrutiny.

The woman gently picked up a leaf with her fingertips, parted her red lips slightly, and murmured to herself in a clear and ethereal voice, so soft that only she could hear it.

"Hidden in the city for years, you possess such extraordinary strength, effortlessly annihilating top-tier assassins. Your inner power is unfathomable... Lin Ping, just who are you?"

"This trip down the mountain was definitely worthwhile. I am determined to uncover the secrets you hold, and you can only ever be mine."

As soon as she finished speaking, her aura completely disappeared, blending into the mountains and forests without a sound. Even with Lin Ping's extraordinary strength, he could not pinpoint her exact location. He only sensed a faint but powerful aura that flashed by.

Lin Ping suddenly stopped, a cold glint flashed in his eyes, and a fierce aura quietly rose around him, which he then quickly suppressed, returning to his usual calm and unremarkable appearance.

He knew in his heart that the real top enemy lurking in the shadows was about to surface, and this conspiracy against him had only just begun.

Meanwhile, the three women with distinct personalities have completely intertwined his fate with his. His nemesis and forces, hidden in the city and the martial arts world, are converging on him in an endless stream, and an even greater crisis is quietly approaching!

After a while, the four of them finally crossed the mountain path and arrived at the secluded Valley of Oblivion.

The valley was filled with spiritual energy, and a bamboo house was nestled there. An old man with white hair and beard stood with his hands behind his back in the courtyard, his eyes deep and thoughtful, having been waiting there for a long time.

Lin Ping led Shen Aoxue forward slowly, cupped his hands in greeting, and said in a calm tone, "Junior Lin Ping has come to purchase a thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum to save my loved ones."

The old man looked up at Lin Ping, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes, and laughed loudly: "So it's you, kid! Your master and I were close friends back then, and your cultivation level is truly a direct inheritance from him!"

Lin Ping paused slightly, waiting for what would happen next.

The old man stroked his beard, his gaze sweeping over the three women beside Lin Ping. A deep smile played on his lips as he spoke directly, "I can give you the Ganoderma lucidum for free. However, your master and I made a marriage agreement years ago, betrothing you to my last disciple. That marriage should be honored!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent.

Shen Aoxue's face turned deathly pale instantly. Her fingertips clenched the hem of her clothes tightly, and her eyes welled up with grievance and bitterness. Her hands, hanging at her sides, trembled slightly.

Liu Lian, standing to the side, immediately became agitated. Her face tightened, and she stepped forward, staring at the old man with displeasure. Then, she glanced timidly at Lin Ping, her heart filled with jealousy, and blurted out, "No way! He's mine! I won't let him marry anyone else!"

Chi Yao stood to the side, her expression solemn, and she frowned inwardly, instantly making the atmosphere tense.

Lin Ping's brows furrowed suddenly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, completely unaware of this long-forgotten marriage agreement.

The old man raised his hand to signal, and from behind the bamboo curtain, a stunningly beautiful and aloof figure slowly emerged, exuding an otherworldly aura. It was the mysterious woman who had been secretly watching Lin Ping from the treetops just moments before.

The woman's eyes were fixed intently on Lin Ping, filled with a possessive desire that seemed determined to win him over.

Lin Ping's aura deepened slightly, but before he could speak, the old man spoke, his tone carrying an unyielding force and a subtle probing pressure, clearly intending to force him to fulfill his promise.

The surrounding spiritual energy suddenly tightened, and a conflict caused by a marriage contract was completely ignited, bringing the hidden power struggle in the martial arts world into the open!