Interesting

The coldness in Eldest Miss Chen's voice startled the town mayor, prompting him to hastily bow and explain.

If I may report, Miss.

This gentleman is not a local of Qinghe Town. He is merely a scholar passing through who teaches here.

The mayor was a man of great experience. He immediately sensed that the young miss had taken an interest in Mr. Yi Feng, and that was by no means a good thing.

Mr. Yi was a benefactor to Qinghe Town. He absolutely could not be sent off to war. Otherwise, how would the mayor ever face the children of the town again?

However, Miss Chen's imposing aura was simply too overwhelming. The old mayor did not dare to speak his mind directly. He could only tactfully plead on Yi Feng's behalf, using his status as an outsider to excuse him from military conscription.

But the moment the words left his mouth...

Chen Yuxin cast a sidelong glance, her tone turning even more chilling!

I asked you if he is on the conscription list!

Her low voice exuded an undeniable dominance. Spoken with cold condescension, it terrified the old mayor into bowing even lower, as if he had committed some grave offense.

Even so,

the old mayor gritted his teeth and stood his ground.

No, he is not.

Mr. Yi is an outsider, so he is not on the conscription list.

No matter the pressure, he had made up his mind. Even if the tragedy of conscription could not be entirely avoided for the town, he had to at least protect Yi Feng, allowing their benefactor to live out his days in peace.

For an ordinary town mayor to show such resolve was truly rare. Under the crushing pressure radiating from Miss Chen, his cupped hands trembled slightly.

Yet, Chen Yuxin could not even be bothered to spare him a second glance.

Her clear eyes remained fixed on the white-clad scholar in the distance as she issued an immediate command.

Add him to the conscription list!

Her voice was as cold and unyielding as iron, leaving no room for argument!

The old mayor jolted in shock, nervously raising his eyes in disbelief.

He swallowed hard a few times before finally mustering the courage to plead urgently.

M-Miss?

This gentleman truly does not belong to Qinghe Town. Moreover, he is merely a scholar with absolutely no cultivation base, nor does he possess any ordinary martial skills. By all reason and logic, he should not be sent to the battlefield.

I beg for your mercy, Miss. Please spare him.

The old clan patriarch, equally horrified by the decree, chimed in to plead.

We beg Miss to be lenient!

Both men were white-haired elders, known for their composed and steady demeanor. Yet at this moment, they cast aside their dignity, bowing low and pleading desperately just to protect Qinghe Town's benefactor.

Faced with such earnest pleas, an ordinary person would have shown some hesitation, or at least given them some face and reconsidered.

Unfortunately...

Chen Yuxin had been the high and mighty daughter of the City Lord since childhood. Her word was always absolute law. She was completely blind to the struggles of commoners, possessing the tyrannical arrogance of one who held the power of life and death.

Parting her red lips, she spat out an angry, cold rebuke!

Insolent fools!

Adding this man to the conscription list is not up for discussion. It is my command! How dare you defy me?!

Along with her furious shout, her surrounding guards unleashed terrifying auras.

The two elders felt as though a mountain was crashing down upon them. They were instantly enveloped by immense pressure, cold sweat beading on their foreheads. Even an expert at the Martial Spirit realm like the old patriarch had to fear the terrifying might of the City Lord's Estate!

The old mayor hesitated repeatedly, still wanting to bite the bullet and speak up to fight for Yi Feng's last chance at survival.

But the moment his hands lowered to bow, a palm strike came hurtling right at his face!

Bang!

With a muffled thud, the mayor's chest was struck directly by her jade-like hand. He was sent flying backward like a kite with a snapped string, collapsing heavily several yards away, severely injured and unable to rise!

The old patriarch rushed forward to help him up, forcibly suppressing the endless humiliation burning in his eyes.

Seeing that there would finally be no more interruptions,

Chen Yuxin withdrew her gaze with cool indifference, her lips curled in slight displeasure.

So noisy.

It was only when she looked back at the white-clad scholar sitting beneath the large locust tree in the distance that a faint smile graced her red lips. Stepping lightly in her embroidered shoes, she resumed her usual aura of aristocratic elegance and walked toward him.

The commotion had terrified the surrounding pedestrians into fleeing. It also startled the old men gathered beneath the tree, who turned to look at the source of the noise.

Seeing such an important figure walking steadily toward them,

her mere appearance and bearing were enough to make the old men feel deeply ashamed of their own lowly status. Even the legendary ladies of noble houses could not compare to a speck of dust on the hem of this woman's skirt.

With just a few stealthy glances,

the old men were filled with awe and fear. Falling silent, they nervously scrambled to their feet.

Chen Yuxin's eyes, however, remained cold and aloof. She completely ignored the stares of these vulgar old men; her gaze was fixed solely on the white-clad scholar, Yi Feng. When she spoke, her words were merciless.

Irrelevant people, get lost immediately.

Though spoken casually, her words carried a terrifying pressure that made the old men's hair stand on end. They hastily bowed their heads and scrambled away, their trembling legs entirely lacking their usual agility.

In the blink of an eye,

the once-lively area beneath the great locust tree was left with only Yi Feng sitting alone. It suddenly felt deserted, the previous laughter and relaxed atmosphere entirely swept away.

The two locked eyes for a few breaths, neither saying a word.

In the distance, the severely injured mayor slowly limped over, supported by the old patriarch. Despite the humiliation he had suffered, he dared not show any resentment, obediently returning to stand by and await orders.

Seeing the old mayor's wretched state, Yi Feng seemed to understand what had transpired.

The arrogant woman before him lowered her gaze and spoke, a twisted sense of accomplishment flickering in her eyes.

You tell him what his future holds.

The old mayor's face turned deathly pale at her words. He lowered his head with great difficulty, his eyes brimming with guilt.

Mr. Yi...

Our Qinghe Town falls under the jurisdiction of Ye City, and this is the Eldest Miss of Ye City. War is approaching Ye City, and you have been conscripted into the army. You will be sent to the battlefield...

I am deeply ashamed. You have graced Qinghe Town by teaching our children, a profound kindness we could never hope to repay. Yet, I have allowed you to fall into such a state. I am truly unfit to be the mayor of this town!

As he spoke, tears welled up in the old mayor's eyes, shimmering with complex emotions.

I have failed you, Mr. Yi!

He gave a deep bow, too ashamed to lift his eyes for a long time.

Beside him, the old patriarch also hung his head. Stripped of his usual dignified demeanor, he could not even bring himself to look Yi Feng in the eye.

Chen Yuxin took in their humiliating posture with a sweeping glance.

A haughty smugness appeared on her beautiful face. It was as if she reveled in the power to toy with the lives of others. Utterly crushing a person's spirit was even more exhilarating to her.

How dare a tiny place like Qinghe Town say no to her? She didn't just want the man; she wanted Qinghe Town to personally hand him over and state his fate to his face.

How could a mere scholar ever escape her grasp?

Supreme confidence gleamed in Chen Yuxin's eyes, the smugness of absolute control evident on her face.

Yet, Yi Feng remained as calm as ever where he sat. Not a trace of panic showed on his face. Acting as if none of this concerned him, he sat steadily on his woven cushion beneath the old locust tree, even pouring himself a cup of tea as if absolutely nothing had happened.

Seeing this, Chen Yuxin was suddenly taken aback.

Even in Ye City, the so-called young masters of noble families would not dare to act so casually in her presence. For a frail scholar to possess such poise... it seemed he had a bit of nerve after all.

How interesting.

She stared at him in surprise for a long moment, completely unable to read Yi Feng's thoughts. She could not fathom how this scholar could remain so composed.

She only felt that his movements as he poured the tea were incredibly elegant, possessing an indescribable, captivating charm.

It was only when Yi Feng finished his cup of clear tea and finally spoke that she snapped back to reality.

Just as the mayor said, I am merely a mortal. I have no cultivation base, nor do I know any martial arts. I'm afraid I cannot be of any help when it comes to joining the army and fighting a war.

"There are many children in the town waiting for my lessons. My morning break is nearly over, and I must return to the academy shortly. As for this matter of joining the army, I am afraid I must decline."

The voice was calm and devoid of emotion, yet in that moment, it sounded harsh to the ear.

As the Young Miss of the City Lord's Manor, Chen Yuxin's word was law. No one had ever dared to make excuses to her, let alone reject her so arrogantly right to her face!

This was a slap in the face!

Chen Yuxin's expression instantly turned gloomy. Her hand snapped to her waist and drew out a flexible sword!

Swish!

The blade lashed out like a green snake flicking its tongue, its cold tip aiming straight for the teacup on the table!