My Demonic Cult's Holy Maiden

“Miss Qin, please don’t do this. Marquis Guanyong is a man of great righteousness, serving the country and its people. When I first came to the capital, the Marquis helped me a lot. Whether it is public or private, it is my duty to save the Marquis. You don’t need to do this!”

Qin Xiyao was helped up by Qi Yu, and then nodded to Qi Yu as a way of thanking him.

"No matter what, I will never forget Young Master Qi's kindness!" Qin Xiyao said earnestly.

Qi Yu withdrew his hand and sighed helplessly.

Then, in a daze, Qi Yu caught a glimpse of the hairband tied behind Qin Xiyao's back, which seemed somewhat familiar!

That...it seems...it looks like it's mine!

Qin Xiyao saved his life back then, and he was worried about Su Yue's safety, so he didn't have time to repay Qin Xiyao. Therefore, he took off his hair ribbon and handed it to Qin Xiyao.

He also promised that he would do anything Qin Xiyao asked him to do, no matter what it took, to go through fire or water.

Qin Xiyao noticed Qi Yu's gaze, lowered her eyelids slightly, then reached out and pulled off the hairband, handing it to Qi Yu.

"Young Master Qi, you promised to help me with something. Does that still stand?"

Qi Yu nodded and said seriously, "It counts!"

"Okay!" Qin Xiyao nodded, her face serious. "I need you to promise me that no matter what the outcome, you must come back safely!"

You're back safe and sound!

Qi Yu looked somewhat uncomfortable. She said she had returned safely, not that she insisted on bringing Guan Yonghou back with her.

Qi Yu couldn't help but overthink things. Could this be some kind of hint?

But when he saw Qin Xiyao's calm eyes, Qi Yu's expression gradually calmed down as well.

Qin Xiyao simply owes him too many favors!

Therefore, compared to the necessity of bringing back Marquis Guanyong, she hoped that Qi Yu would be safe.

Because Qi Yu was an outsider, she always believed that Qi Yu was dragged into this.

Qi Yu looked at the hairband, then smiled magnanimously and did not take it.

"Miss Qin, please return the hairband to me when I bring the Marquis back. I haven't fulfilled my promise yet, so I can't accept it now!"

Qi Yu said, not giving Qin Xiyao a chance to speak, nodded to Li Qiushui, turned around and walked towards the horse, then mounted it.

Qi Yu waved to Qin Xiyao and her daughter, then flicked the reins, spurred the horse, and the steed immediately galloped off.

Qin Xiyao watched Qi Yu's retreating figure, her thoughts a mix of emotions.

Li Qiushui appeared beside her at some point, touched her cheek, and then sighed.

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Chapter 171 Integrity and Doubt

A day later, Qi Yu arrived at Jialing Pass. Jialing Pass was located southeast of the Dayun Dynasty. Beyond Jialing Pass lay the Wei Da Dynasty.

The general guarding the pass has been notified and is coming to personally welcome Qi Yu.

After a short rest, Qi Yu walked out of Jialing Pass.

But when the doors opened, Qi Yu was stunned when he saw the black line in his line of sight.

Those were the Davidic army, who had been waiting and stationed outside the pass for many days.

Since he agreed to go on the mission, the seven kingdoms have not attacked again, but instead set up camp on the spot.

Behind Qi Yu was a group of soldiers who would escort him out of the pass.

Qi Yu paused for a moment, then strode out of Jialing Pass.

The general guarding the pass and a group of soldiers escorted Qi Yu two hundred paces outside the pass. Then, Qi Yu took the reins from the soldiers, turned around, saluted the general and the soldiers, and led his horse toward the black line.

A fierce wind howled, blowing Qi Yu's long hair and robes, creating a desolate and tragic atmosphere. Many soldiers were moved by the sight.

Even if it means my death, I will still go!

On the wall of Jialing Pass, an artist was painting the scene of Qi Yu being led by the crowd and heading alone towards the army of the David Dynasty.

In the painting, yellow sand fills the sky, Qi Yu's long hair and clothes are blown by the wind, and he holds the reins in his hand. Qi Yu's figure is faintly visible in the sandstorm. A man and a horse, a desolate and sad atmosphere comes to mind.

Qi Yu's figure disappeared into the sandstorm. After an unknown amount of time, the David Dynasty in front of Jialing Pass withdrew its troops, and the black line gradually disappeared.

The general guarding the pass had a hint of fighting spirit in his eyes, as well as an uncontrollable respect.

He was a martial artist, and he usually looked down on the scholars of the Dayun Dynasty because they were too pedantic and useless.

He had always thought that scholars were useless, but now, seeing Qi Yu, he saw the integrity of a scholar and his impression of scholars changed.

"Return to the pass!" the general guarding the pass said in a deep voice.

The soldiers returned to Guanzhong in an orderly fashion, with the general and his adjutant bringing up the rear.

"Give the order: starting tomorrow, add an extra hour to the training time. If Wen Zun doesn't return, then we will raze the David Dynasty to the ground!" the general guarding the pass said in a deep voice.

The adjutant nodded solemnly, a hint of fighting spirit in his eyes.

……

Qi Yu was sent as an envoy to the Davidic dynasty, but the Davidic dynasty withdrew its troops and returned to the Davidic dynasty.

According to information relayed by spies within the David Dynasty, as soon as Qi Yu arrived in Tiansheng City, the capital of the David Dynasty, the king and his officials greeted him at the city gate, which is enough to show how much the David Dynasty valued Qi Yu.

That evening, King David hosted a state banquet to welcome Qi Yu.

After the state banquet, King David spoke privately with Qi Yu, and they talked until dawn.

No one knows what they talked about, but after Qi Yu left, according to the eunuchs waiting outside the palace, King David looked very grim.

The David dynasty arranged a guesthouse for Qi Yu, providing him with a place to rest.

The next day at daybreak, the Imperial Guards responsible for protecting the emperor surrounded the post station, claiming it was to protect Qi Yu's safety.

But anyone with eyes can see that this is a cover for protection, a disguised way of monitoring and imprisoning Qi Yu.

Then that afternoon, large boxes were carried into the post station, and a group of stunningly beautiful women poured into the post station.

Many people scoffed at this, wondering if Wen Zun's integrity could be subdued by such methods.

But the reality was a slap in the face to those who thought that way!

Because none of those chests of gold and silver treasures and those stunningly beautiful women ever left the post station.

What about the integrity of scholars?

Wealth and status cannot corrupt one?

Many people were greatly disappointed, and their feelings towards Qi Yu became very complicated.

Those who knew Qi Yu's character understood after thinking about it, and then couldn't help but worry about Qi Yu.

Three days later, King David once again invited Qi Yu to a banquet and a boat trip on the lake.

Surrounded by a group of ministers, Qi Yu and the king of the David dynasty toured the royal gardens, chatting about family matters and gossip, without discussing any state affairs.

For the next two weeks, Qi Yu spent most of his time at the envoy's post station, occasionally attending banquets at the palace.

In the past few days, almost every day, all kinds of stunningly beautiful women have been visiting the post station, and countless antiques and paintings have been flocking to it.

The inn was like a mythical creature, only taking in but never leaving; those beautiful women and countless treasures of gold and silver never came out.

Then someone secretly did a count, and the amount of stuff sent in was enough to buy the entire Tiansheng City.

Of the twenty-three stunningly beautiful women—some alluring, some innocent, and some dignified—none of them came out.

This continued until the twentieth day, when Qi Yu took the initiative to meet with the King of David to resign.

Many people who thought Qi Yu had been blinded by money and beauty were slightly taken aback.

What is this operation?

The king of the Davidic dynasty granted Qi Yu's request, with only one condition.

As long as Qi Yu can leave the David dynasty!

Qi Yu left the post station without taking anything with him, and he didn't touch any of the women; they were all still virgins.

When someone asked them if Qi Yu had ever slept with them, they all shook their heads in disappointment.

Then, they all gave a unified evaluation.

"Wen Zun Qi Yu is a gentleman!"

Some people wanted to dig up more gossip and ask in detail what they were doing inside during those twenty-odd days.

The women all gave the same answer: to give a lesson!

Qi Yu taught them new things and ideas. Just as he had said, everyone was equal. Qi Yu did not look down on them because they were social women.

Most of the time, they would discuss poetry and songs with Qi Yu by the pond in the backyard.

Then they dropped a bombshell, which wasn't exactly news: Wen Zun Qi Yu's calligraphy was actually quite ugly.

Before leaving, Qi Yu gave each of them a letter as a talisman.

Their purpose was to seduce Qi Yu and bewitch his mind. If they failed to complete this task, they would be sent to the Imperial Music Bureau.

This is why Qi Yu didn't kick them out after they entered the inn.

Qi Yu's letter to them saved them; after all, even the emperor had to give Qi Yu face.

Those who had previously mocked Qi Yu for being nothing special, or even questioned his integrity, were now thoroughly humiliated.

Then the person who was proven wrong mocked him, saying that Qi Yu could remain unmoved even with a beautiful woman in front of him, so did he not like women, or did he have some hidden illness?

The spread of such rumors is clearly a deliberate attempt to smear China.

Then the twenty-three women united to make a statement on behalf of Qi Yu.

The reason Qi Yu didn't touch them was simply because he was already married and loved his wife very much.

After Qi Yu left, the soldiers cleaned up the room where Qi Yu had stayed and found a piece of paper covered with writing inside.

The handwriting on the paper was ugly, but barely legible.

Judging from the paper and the messiness of the handwriting, the person must be practicing calligraphy!

This is a poem written by Wen Zun Qi Yu, titled "Farewell to My Wife"!