Chapter 475 - Wolf Pendant
The guard only stared at him. His face devoid of any expression.
"Thank you." Li Qiang said.
"Thank the Princess. Her Highness, your mother." The guard said. His somber tone was enough to make Li Qiang frown. This body's mother already passed away ten years ago. Does this mean that this man had been following Li Qiang for ten years now?
"What is your name?"
"My people call me Dou, you can call me Dou Lin."
Li Qiang nodded and eyed the daggers in the man's waist. "Thank you for saving my life in the past as well."
"Nineteen times." Dou Lin chided. "I have prevented nineteen assassinations including the one in the forest." His words left Li Qiang in silence. He knew that a lot of people hated him because of his brash behavior and womanizing ways. However, not many of those could get close enough to try to assassinate him.
"My late mother ask you to follow me around?"
"And it took you ten years to realize that." Duo Lin said, sarcasm laced his tone. To his surprise, Li Qiang did not clap back and ignored his words.
"How many people are following me?"
"I am not liable to answer that." Duo Lin said. "We are organized by her highness to keep you safe."
"I see. I want to talk to your head… leader or whatever you call him." Li Qiang's words earned a scoff from Duo Lin. "I want to see him." Li Qiang added ignoring the man's reaction.
"And what?" Dou Lin said. "You can never lead us." He spouted.
Li Qiang looked at Dou Lin and rose from his seat. He calmly approached him. "You don't understand." He said, his gaze chilly. "I was not asking a question nor a permission." In a swift move, he detached one dagger from Dou Lin's waist and pressed it against his neck. The move was too quick that it took the man opposite him by surprise.
Duo Lin widened his eyes. But his surprised was short lived as he maneuvered himself and quickly moved away from the knife, expecting Li Qiang to lose his footing and stumble. But who was Li Qiang? In the previous world, very few people could defeat him in hand to hand combat. Li Qiang shifted his weight to his left leg and release a kick towards Dou Lin.
While the kick was not enough to make Duo Lin unconscious, the surprise that he felt was enough to make him fall on the floor. How could Li Qiang not fall to his knees after his previous stunt? Li Qiang was a useless trash! He does not even know the basic of the basics when it comes to martial arts. Moreover, Li Qiang does not have any idea on how to control his Qi. Yet, Li Qiang was there, standing, towering over him.
"Who are you?" Duo Lin managed to ask as Li Qiang approached him. He took a step back, gaze wary. He took three daggers, intending to throw it towards the man approaching him. He watched as Li Qiang gave another cold smile. "Who are you!?" Dou Lin hissed.
"Before my mother died… she gave me a pendant that looked like a wolf." Li Qiang said. "Only me and her knows this. That was bigger than the pendant of the necklace that you are wearing now."
Dou Lin narrowed his eyes at him. Only members of their organization were given such pendant. It was inscribed with pure Qi that the owner can use in case of emergency. "Show it!"
"I will show it to your leader." Li Qiang answered and halted his steps. He titled his head towards the door before he looked at Dou Lin, meeting his eyes. "People are coming." He said. "Tell your people not to approach any further."
Again, his statement made Duo Lin widened his eyes. His comrades were already approaching Li Qiang's room with the intention of helping Duo Lin. Li Qiang's ability to sense them… does not make any sense at all! Dou Lin woke up from his stupor when a few knocks echoed inside the room.
"Master?"
Dou Lin was looking at Li Qiang who was smiling at him. "I will be down in a minute." Li Qiang uttered, the chill in his voice completely gone. It was as if it was never there in the first place. His gaze never left Duo Lin.
"You tricked me." Dou Lin said. Realization hit him. After Li Qiang attacked him, his comrades moved closer to the mansion. This should be enough for Li Qiang to sense them. It was all a trick. He intentionally attacked him to reveal the people watching over Li Qiang.
"You won't tell me anything." Li Qiang shrugged and smiled at him. Watching Li Qiang smile only made Dou Lin more irritated. It was sweet — too sweet. However… it was something that did not reach Li Qiang's eyes. His smile contained a hint of danger, something sinister, something that Dou Lin could not fathom. "Now… I have to eat my dinner. You can leave. Don't forget to tell your leader to talk to me."
Li Qiang turned his back and walked towards the door. "And Dou Lin?" he looked over his shoulders. The same sickening smile was plastered on his face.
"What?"
"I am very glad to have meet such and outstanding man like you." Li Qiang said. "Let's work together in the future, alright?" He beamed before walking out of his room, leaving Dou Lin in daze.
...….
"Master," Gregory said respectfully, when he saw Li Qiang walked towards the dining room. "We have a little problem."
"Hm?" Li Qiang lifted an eyebrow.
"Some of the mistresses, threw a tantrum when they knew that you will have dinner out of your quarter today. Some said they kill themselves if you won't let them join you for dinner."
"Is that so?" Li Qiang's lips thinned.
"Moreover, the second madam also insisted in joining you prompting the other madam to join as well."
"How many of them are already in the dining room?"
"About twenty-five and many are still coming."
"I see." Li Qiang nodded. "Then… Bring me my sword."
"Master?" Gregory lifted his head and looked at him.
"Didn't you hear me? I want to practice my skills in swordmanship." Li Qiang tilted his head and met Gregory's eyes. "Bring. Me. My. Sword."