Chapter Seven Chapter Seven What are you boldly trying to do? There’s something supernatural here.

The policewoman’s eyes gradually regained their sparkle, a flash of blue light flickering deep within her pupils. “I didn’t expect to survive that…” she murmured softly, as if filled with regret.

She rolled onto her side and sat up; the blood-red handprint on her chest had completely vanished.

Leng Bingtong seemed indifferent to Yan Tian’s fixed gaze. She asked, somewhat tiredly, “Got a cigarette?”

“Huh? Cigarette? Yeah, yeah, I’ve got one!” Yan Tian hurried back inside, sprinting to his bedroom in search of a cigarette.

Shi Kexin glared at Yan Tian resentfully, brought over a newly bought casual outfit, and cautiously approached Nan Chen. With a hint of displeasure, she said, “Put this on first.”

Leng Bingtong raised an eyebrow and forced a smile. “What, afraid I’ll seduce your little lover?”

Shi Kexin snorted lightly. “If you’ve got the guts, just try!”

Leng Bingtong smiled silently and put on the clothes.

By then, Yan Tian had returned with a pack of cheap cigarettes. Looking out into the courtyard, he said somewhat disappointedly, “Why are you putting on clothes now?”

Shi Kexin gave Yan Tian a disdainful look.

Leng Bingtong smirked. “Oh? Seems you’re not too eager,” she teased, then provocatively said to Shi Kexin, “Look, he seems quite willing to accept mine.” Taking a cigarette from Yan Tian’s hand, she lit it with his lighter, inhaled deeply, and blew out several smoke rings. Yan Tian suddenly noticed the policewoman’s smoking posture was incredibly graceful and practiced, like an old smoker, yet her fingers bore no stains, and her teeth were as white as snow.

Shi Kexin ground her teeth in frustration. “Shameless!” She stomped her foot in anger and stormed back inside. Shortly after entering, she called out, “What are you two still doing outside? Come inside and sit.”

Leng Bingtong was about to rise when Yan Tian stepped forward with a smile. “Here, let me help you.”

Helping Leng Bingtong up, the two walked side by side into the house. After a few steps, Leng Bingtong asked, “You seem pretty happy I didn’t die. Is this your first time trying to kill someone?”

Yan Tian scratched his head and laughed. “Well, it’s not like I succeeded yet. Haha, you’re really tough — no wonder you’re a cop. Besides, don’t take my harsh words too seriously. Honestly, I’d never have the heart to kill a beauty like you.”

Leng Bingtong gave Yan Tian a meaningful look. “If I were just an ordinary person, that palm strike you delivered would’ve left nothing but ashes.”

Yan Tian’s heart jumped, involuntarily putting some distance between them. “Who… what exactly are you? Or rather, are you even human?”

“Scared?” Leng Bingtong glanced at him coquettishly. “If you’re scared, just kill me quick — you still have the chance.”

“Scared? Ha!” Yan Tian laughed. “So what if you’re some kind of monster? I can still beat you.” Though he said this, deep down he hoped Leng Bingtong wasn’t a monster. After all, such a stunning beauty turning out to be a monster disguised in human skin would be a major disappointment.

Fear wasn’t something Yan Tian was familiar with. The world was vast and full of wonders. Having inherited the martial arts treasures of his ancestors to become a legendary master, encountering someone like Leng Bingtong, no matter how strange, wasn’t surprising. The reason he hadn’t met people like her before was probably that he hadn’t reached the level to encounter such beings.

“Really? You truly believe that?” Leng Bingtong smiled eerily, a sharp blue gleam flashing in her eyes, unnoticed by Yan Tian.

“By the way, you seem almost eager for me to kill you. Are you crazy?” Yan Tian, as always, was blunt, even with a beauty.

Leng Bingtong’s expression dimmed. She sighed softly, “If you were as lonely and isolated as I am, maybe you’d also long for someone to end your life.”

Yan Tian was baffled. He thought this beautiful policewoman must be out of her mind. Not wanting to probe further, he silently stepped into the main room.

Once inside, Leng Bingtong leaned close to Yan Tian’s ear and whispered, “Actually, what brought me here today has nothing to do with the Gao family. The police reports and search warrants were all fabricated by me. I came because I heard about your extraordinary abilities and wanted to see if I could die by your hand.”

A sudden, inexplicable sadness welled up in Yan Tian’s heart.

What a beautiful girl! What a graceful fighter! What a great job! Yet, why had she become mentally unwell? Alas, heaven is just; it grants you beauty and power but refuses to give you a normal mind…

---

“Have some water!” Shi Kexin brought over three cups and placed them on the coffee table, inviting Leng Bingtong to sit. Yan Tian had already plopped down on the long bench before the table. Leng Bingtong looked like she was about to sit beside him but was preempted by Shi Kexin, who sat close to Yan Tian, wrapping an arm around his, glaring defiantly at Leng Bingtong.

Leng Bingtong smiled and fetched a chair with a backrest, sitting opposite the two.

“Speak. What exactly do you want at our place?” Shi Kexin asked angrily. She hadn’t noticed Leng Bingtong’s injuries, assuming she had merely fainted and unaware of the conversation that followed. She held no particular grudge against Leng Bingtong. Of course, the phrase “our place” was somewhat intriguing.

Yan Tian smiled but remained silent, curiously staring at Leng Bingtong as if trying to find proof of her mental instability in her eyes.

Leng Bingtong took a sip of water, brushed the strands of hair from her forehead, and said, “You’re Shi Kexin, right?”

“How do you know me?” Shi Kexin asked, curious.

Leng Bingtong smiled. “Didn’t you know your agent already reported you missing?”

“Ah!” Shi Kexin exclaimed nervously. “Are you here to bring me back?”

Leng Bingtong shook her head. “This isn’t my case. But your disappearance has been reported to the city bureau, and they’re investigating. Soon, they’ll discover your connection to Yan Tian and find this place.”

“Damn it!” Shi Kexin bit her silver teeth in frustration. “I don’t care who comes looking — I’m not leaving. Hmph, what can the police do? Force me to leave?”

“Heh, Miss Shi, surely you know your father’s influence. If he pressures the authorities, even if the police use force, they’ll have to take you away,” Leng Bingtong smiled, glancing at Yan Tian. “Not even Yan Tian can stop that.”

Yan Tian shook his head, smiling. “My strength alone is limited, but if anyone dares to go against Kexin’s will and try to take her away by force, I won’t hold back. But Officer Leng, since you’re so kind to tell us this, why not help us out?”

“What’s in it for me?” Leng Bingtong’s eyes twinkled, her brows curved like crescent moons.

“I have nothing to offer, so I don’t know what benefits I could give you.” Yan Tian shrugged nonchalantly, then stroked his chin seriously. “But if Officer Leng is willing, I’d be happy to dedicate my pure… well, to you.”

“Yan Tian, you...” Shi Kexin hadn’t finished her protest when Leng Bingtong slapped the table with a loud clap. “It’s settled then! I’ll move in tomorrow~ Hehehe…”

Though a young girl’s wicked laugh in that tone felt incongruous, both Yan Tian and Shi Kexin sensed the triumphant scheming behind it.

“You don’t mean that seriously, do you?” Yan Tian’s mouth dropped open.

Leng Bingtong gave him a coquettish glare and purred, “Why, you don’t want to?”

Yan Tian paused, then nodded enthusiastically, beaming. “Of course I want to! Officer Leng, go take a shower first — we’ll start tonight. Hmm, if you don’t mind, I think it’d be better if we showered together…”

Bang! Shi Kexin dragged a spoon from who-knows-where and struck Yan Tian’s head hard. “Yan Tian, you fickle, you’re too much!”

Yan Tian rubbed his head, feeling aggrieved. “Kexin, what’s that for? If you’re feeling wronged, fine, the three of us can just be together…”

“I’m so mad!” Shi Kexin gritted her teeth, then suddenly grabbed Yan Tian’s arm and bit down hard.

Yan Tian screamed miserably. “Kexin, what are you doing? You’re the main wife — show some lady-like grace! Be a lady…”

Leng Bingtong laughed as she watched them bicker. “Looks like tonight’s… not going to happen! Alright, I’m off for now. I’ll come back tomorrow. Maybe I’ll have a little surprise for you, Yan Tian.” She smiled mysteriously, then stood and left.

After Officer Leng drove away in her police car, Yan Tian and Shi Kexin finally stopped their quarrel. Yan Tian stood, staring into the pitch-black wilderness beyond the gate. “This policewoman… is very strange.”

Shi Kexin tenderly touched the row of teeth marks she had left on Yan Tian’s arm, complaining, “If you think she’s so strange, why did you agree to such a ridiculous request?”

Yan Tian frowned. “No choice… if she doesn’t help, you might really be taken back to Beijing by the police.”

---

Shi Kexin’s heart fluttered sweetly as she rested her head on Yan Tian’s shoulder, intentionally brushing her ample chest against his arm. “So you made such a big sacrifice for me… Yan Tian, you’re so good.”

“Of course, for you.” Yan Tian said seriously. “But that policewoman really is beautiful. She wants to move in and live with me — I couldn’t ask for more. Haven’t you heard most men think with their lower halves?”

“You…” Shi Kexin was so angry she bit him hard again, causing Yan Tian to scream in agony once more…

---

After a tiring day, Shi Kexin fell asleep. Yan Tian sat by her bedside, waiting until he was sure she had started dreaming before gently withdrawing his arm from her embrace.

He went to the central courtyard, jumped into the pit, sat cross-legged on the jade stone, and resumed absorbing the true energy it contained. The battle with Leng Bingtong made him realize how much he still lacked. If not for his extraordinarily powerful “One Yang Finger” and “Profound Nether Divine Palm,” he might have lost today.

His inner strength was strong, but his technique was not yet refined. Both “One Yang Finger” and “Profound Nether Divine Palm” relied on brute force to overpower skill, but at their highest level, they could return to simplicity and triumph by clumsiness. He had not yet reached that pinnacle, and against a strong, skillful opponent, victory was not guaranteed.

Though Yan Tian instinctively believed there were few such bizarre beings like Leng Bingtong in the world—otherwise she wouldn’t have spoken of loneliness—the encounter proved many unknown wonders remained. It was wise to prepare. What if he faced a monster even more formidable than Leng Bingtong? It might not matter if he died, but what about those close to him, like Shi Kexin?

Moreover, before he had conquered all the world’s beauties, how could he bear to die?

Therefore, Yan Tian resolved to quickly absorb twenty percent of the true energy from the jade stone. Once he reached that level, he could begin training a third skill — the “Heavenly Sword” swordsmanship, which emphasized technique above all.

Another night of arduous cultivation passed. At dawn, Yan Tian ended his practice, dressed, and climbed out of the pit. After some thought, he covered the jade stone with a layer of loose soil. Only Shi Kexin would know the secret of the pit; it was better to keep it hidden. He even planned to say, if questioned by Leng Bingtong, that it was for planting trees and greening the area.

After washing up, Yan Tian started preparing breakfast. Cultivating internal martial arts restored energy and strength better than sleep. Feeling invigorated, he decided to make a hearty meal.

Having acquired the jade stone nearly two months ago, Yan Tian hadn’t had a proper meal in a long time. Yesterday, he and Shi Kexin had bought plenty of food, perfect for rewarding her. There’s a saying: to win a man’s heart, you must first win his stomach. And it worked both ways.

While cooking, Shi Kexin got up. Seeing Yan Tian busy in the kitchen, she put a toothbrush in her mouth and teased, “Demon King, need help?”

Yan Tian laughed. “No thanks, go handle your own stuff. Besides, I still remember how your tomato egg soup once poisoned a rat when you were little.”

“Hmph!” Shi Kexin punched Yan Tian and went off to wash.

The sumptuous breakfast was laid out on the dining table in the main room. Shi Kexin, dressed in pajamas, sat down and eyed the colorful dishes, her appetite whetted. She praised Yan Tian enthusiastically and, without chopsticks, grabbed a piece of fragrant egg pancake and stuffed it into her mouth.

Just as Yan Tian brought two bowls of steaming millet porridge to the table, a loud pounding came at the courtyard gate.

“So early?” Hearing the knocking’s rhythm, Yan Tian knew who it was. Setting down the porridge, he tapped Shi Kexin’s head. “Guests are here. Mind your lady-like image.”

Shi Kexin snorted, smug. “Not gonna be ladylike. So what?”

Yan Tian smiled and hurried to the door, opening it while saying, “Officer Leng is here so early… huh?”

Yan Tian suddenly let out a startled shout. Shi Kexin dashed out, pouted, and her expression quickly darkened.

Before the gate, four beautiful women stood in a line, including Leng Bingtong, each wearing a different expression as they looked at Yan Tian…