Chapter Eight: PIA, PIA, PIA!

The little girl appeared to be around seven or eight years old, her hair smooth and dark, dressed in a delicate pale pink garment with a simple white gauze robe draped over it. She looked ethereal, her demeanor extraordinary, like a little princess, and was ceaselessly nuzzling in Liu Ping’s arms.

Hearing Liu Ping’s question, she pouted and replied, “Isn’t it obvious? Of course it’s me. So, am I beautiful?”

“Hmm... very cute,” Liu Ping said, gently pinching Bai Zhi’s cheek. The plump, soft sensation was quite pleasing. So adorable—when she grows up, she’ll surely be a beauty capable of causing nations to fall.

“It’s not cute, it’s beautiful! Beautiful!” Bai Zhi protested, clearly dissatisfied with Liu Ping categorizing her as a child. “I am your wife! Oh, right, little husband, just now there was a bad guy chasing us. He was so annoying!”

“Hey… what’s going on?” Wang Hong, standing nearby, was already dumbfounded, barely able to believe what he was hearing. This beautiful little girl actually knew Liu Ping, and she just called herself his wife? Good heavens! Usually, Liu Ping looks so proper, but he’s into this? Truly depraved! Shameless! Scum of humanity! For such a person, one almost wants to say, why didn’t you invite me along?

“This must be Young Master Liu, right? It’s a pleasure to meet you.” The charming young woman approached with graceful steps, offering Liu Ping a slight bow, her face still adorned with a gentle smile. “I often hear little Bai Zhi mention you. Please treat her well in the future.”

“This… this is…” Wang Hong stared at the charming young woman in shock, his eyes nearly bulging from their sockets, his words stammering.

Wang Hong, looking like a country bumpkin who’d never seen a beauty, had utterly lost any semblance of wealthy arrogance, prompting Liu Ping to secretly disdain him.

Just then, a harsh, duck-like voice shattered the pleasant atmosphere.

“Fourth Young Master! Fourth Young Master! That beauty is here! She’s right here!”

At these words, the charming young woman’s gentle smile faded into a frown, and Bai Zhi, even more dissatisfied, said, “The bad guys are back! Little husband, help us drive them away!”

“Bad guys? Hmph, who dares act out on my family’s territory?” Wang Hong seized the chance to show off, straightening up and speaking in a cold tone.

Liu Ping frowned, following the direction of the voice.

A lavishly dressed youth approached, flanked by five attendants.

Upon seeing the youth, Wang Hong’s expression turned grave, and he spoke in a low voice, “Why is it him?”

“Who is he?” Liu Ping asked.

By this time, the youth had strode over, glancing disdainfully at the plainly dressed Liu Ping before ignoring him and fixing his gaze on the charming young woman. “I am Wang Ke, styled Ji Yu. Forgive my earlier rudeness—your beauty so captivated me that I lost my composure. I hope you’ll excuse my faults. Would you honor me by joining me to enjoy the autumn maples?”

“Fourth, are you ignoring me?” Wang Hong spoke coldly. “And your flunkies—what does surrounding us mean? Is this an invitation or coercion?”

Wang Ke stared at Wang Hong and replied coolly, “What business is it of yours? If you have nothing to do, you can leave. Staying here is an eyesore. And drop the ‘Fourth’—who do you think you are?”

Wang Hong retorted, “I’m your cousin! Get lost!”

“Get lost?” Wang Ke sneered, waving his hand, and two burly men immediately seized Wang Hong. He struggled desperately, but his small arms and legs were useless.

“Wang Ke! How dare you!” Wang Hong raged. “I’ll tell Father about this!”

“Hmph. Aside from tattling to your father, what else can you do? The Wang family of Qinshui is losing its backbone. With your kind at this autumn exam, there’s no way you’ll pass.” Wang Ke mocked with a sneer.

“You’ll pass? That’s the biggest joke in the world!” Wang Hong retorted.

“The Wang family never relied on officialdom… Hmph, what’s the point of talking? If you have nothing to do, leave. Staying here is an eyesore…” Wang Ke said disdainfully, then pointed at Bai Zhi, hiding behind Liu Ping. “Leave her. The two of you, go now, or I’ll use force.”

Liu Ping had remained silent until now, as if he hadn’t heard a thing, and turned to Wang Hong. “This guy really needs a beating. It won’t be a problem if I hit him, will it?”

“Huh?” Wang Hong gaped, taken aback, blinking and whispering, “We should just leave for now.”

Liu Ping understood Wang Hong’s intent—withdraw, then come back with reinforcements. But Liu Ping had no patience for such delay.

Wang Ke overheard Liu Ping and snorted. “Who do you think you are? I gave you a chance to leave and you didn’t take it, so don’t blame me…”

“Well, since you said so, even if there’s trouble, I’ll still have to teach you a lesson.” Liu Ping grabbed the charming woman’s wrist and pulled her behind him.

“Hey, kid, you really don’t know your place!” The burly men leered, reaching out to drag the young woman away, clearly savoring the opportunity for inappropriate contact.

The charming woman was disgusted, and pleaded with Liu Ping, “Young master, help me!”

Without replying, Liu Ping quickly pointed at his own abdomen, silently reciting, “Power of the Heavenly Soldiers. Command!”

“The little beauty’s running—ah, ah!” One of the burly men, reaching for the woman’s shoulder, was met with a punch from Liu Ping that broke his hand. He screamed in agony, his face contorted, clutching his right hand and curling up on the ground like a shrimp.

“Hit him!” The other two, seeing their companion hurt, abandoned the young woman and attacked Liu Ping.

“Courting death!” Liu Ping’s eyes widened with fury, his expression terrifying. The two men hesitated, but their attacks could not be retracted, so they pressed on.

Bang! Bang!

Fist met fist, leg met leg—Liu Ping’s blows sent both attackers flying, writhing on the ground in pain, howling loudly.

“Monster! Monster!” Wang Ke watched as Liu Ping dispatched three burly men in three moves, his eyes wide with terror as he retreated four or five steps.

The two men restraining Wang Hong immediately released him and shielded Wang Ke, fear in their eyes—what kind of sorcery did this youth use? He was far too formidable, almost inhuman!

Wang Hong stared at Liu Ping, as if seeing him for the first time.

Suddenly, Wang Hong recalled the moment, days ago, when Liu Ping had saved him—he’d shouted at a wolf the size of a calf and driven it off, which Wang Hong had attributed to luck or recklessness. Now, it seemed true skill was at work!

Bai Zhi looked at Liu Ping’s back with pride: Truly worthy of being her husband!

The charming young woman breathed a sigh of relief, gazing at Liu Ping with gratitude.

Liu Ping took a few steps forward, advancing on Wang Ke, causing the two burly men to abandon their master and flee in panic.

Wang Ke kept retreating, terror in his eyes. “What are you doing? Do you know who I am? You—”

Smack!

A resounding slap cut off Wang Ke’s ridiculous threat.

“You dare hit me?! Are you looking for death?! You—” Wang Ke raged, but before he could finish, smack! Another slap silenced him.

“Why aren’t you speaking?” Liu Ping asked with a smile, and slapped him once more.

Smack!

Wang Ke’s lips were swollen, blood pouring from his mouth, his eyes full of terror as he collapsed, clutching his face, not daring to utter another word.

“Are you not leaving? Do you really want to die?” Liu Ping demanded coldly.

The icy words sent Wang Ke reeling, and he hurriedly crawled away.

The three henchmen on the ground also followed Wang Ke in departure.

Watching their retreating figures, Wang Hong laughed heartily. “That was so satisfying!”

Liu Ping sighed, “Ah… it certainly felt good, but did I cause trouble? That guy’s your cousin?”

Wang Hong patted his chest. “Don’t worry! I’ve got your back! Once the autumn exams come and you pass as a Scholar, they won’t dare bother you again!”

Liu Ping replied, “That’s true.”

Scholars may carry swords, marking the first step on the official path. If Liu Ping succeeded, he would be a thirteen-year-old Scholar, a weighty achievement, and the sons of merchants would never dare provoke him, lest they court disaster.

“Thank you, young master, for your rescue! I’m sorry for causing you so much trouble today,” the charming young woman said with a bow.

A beauty’s apology brightened Liu Ping’s mood. “It’s nothing. By the way, may I know your name?”

But Bai Zhi answered first, “My sister is called Ying Ning.”

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Ps: Does the early bird get tickets? Three chapters today.