107: Unwavering until death

After sending off (or rather, watching Ji Ruxue melt into the shadows), Qin Feng sat back down with mixed feelings. Having a Peak Grand Martial Master as a personal bodyguard, and a coldly beautiful Gold Medal Assassin at that, was a treatment so unbelievable that no one would probably believe it if word got out.

He gathered his thoughts, waiting for the zi hour to arrive.

[Ding! The zi hour has arrived! The daily intelligence has refreshed!]

The faintly glowing panel unfolded as scheduled.

[Today's Intelligence:]

[White Intelligence: Ji Ruxue is immensely grateful to you for successfully helping her save her Senior Sister, increasing her favorability by +30. Learning that you are about to venture out to sea, she rushed over without delay, intending to use her own strength to protect you and repay your kindness.]

[Yellow Intelligence: Xiao Chun (Su Yuchun) has successfully broken through to the Mid-stage Martial Master level and has unexpectedly awakened the special Physique 'Body of a Hundred Medicines'. This Physique grants extremely high affinity with heaven and earth Spirit Medicines, makes cultivating wood-element and healing-type Cultivation Techniques twice as effective, and doubles the effects of any healing-type spells she casts.]

[Yellow Intelligence: The favorability ranking for females closely associated with the Host has been updated:

1. Xiao Chun (Su Yuchun): 120 (Till Death Do Us Part)

2. Su Yuetang: 90 (Can Become Dao Companions)

3. Ji Ruxue: 50 (Ordinary Friend, Slightly Grateful)

4. Xia Xue (Daughter of the Star South City Lord): 45 (Deep Impression, Holds Gratitude)

(Note: 70+ points can spark romantic interest, 80+ points qualifies for consideration as Dao Companions, 100+ points signifies 'Till Death Do Us Part')]

"..."

Looking at that last yellow piece of intelligence, Qin Feng couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth, as if several black lines were hanging from his forehead.

"My god... is this System of yours even serious?" he couldn't help but complain inwardly. "First, it was opportunities, Treasure Troves, and death warnings. Now it's even producing a favorability ranking? And it's annotated so clearly... What's with the daily hints?"

He rubbed the space between his eyebrows, feeling a slight headache coming on. He had vaguely sensed the little girl Xiao Chun's dependence and affection for him, but he hadn't expected it to have reached the 'Till Death Do Us Part' level in the System's judgment. Su Yuetang's score of 90 also surprised him somewhat; that enchanting yet formidable Pavilion Master seemed to genuinely harbor an unusual level of concern for him. Ji Ruxue's score of 50, however, was perfectly reasonable.

"Forget it, let nature take its course." Qin Feng shook his head, dismissing these distracting thoughts. The most important thing right now was to improve his strength to deal with the sea voyage in seven days... The next day, just as Qin Feng was about to go find Deputy Pavilion Master Zhao Mang to discuss the details of the voyage, Xiao Chun arrived!

He had just stepped out of the Green Bamboo Courtyard when he saw a familiar petite figure flying towards him like a young swallow returning to its nest, bringing with her a faint, refreshing scent of medicinal herbs.

"Big Brother Qin!"

Xiao Chun grabbed his arm, looked up at him with her big eyes full of excitement and attachment. Her aura had clearly reached the Mid-stage Martial Master level!

"Xiao Chun? What brings you here?"

Qin Feng asked in surprise, while thinking to himself that the System's intelligence was indeed accurate. Xiao Chun had really broken through, and that pure life aura emanating from her was likely the manifestation of the Body of a Hundred Medicines.

"I just left seclusion and came to see you right away,"

Xiao Chun said with a giggle, but then her little face fell, showing a hint of grievance. "But... the moment I arrived, I heard that you, Big Brother Qin, are going out to sea to fight those very, very bad Wokou pirates? Why aren't you taking me?"

Qin Feng's expression turned serious. He gently pried her hand off and said earnestly, "Xiao Chun, be good. This sea voyage is extremely dangerous. The Wokou are brutal, and there might even be Martial King-level experts among them. You've just broken through. Stay in the city and Cultivate properly, or help your Aunt Su with the branch affairs. Don't follow me into danger."

"I don't want to!" Hearing this, Xiao Chun immediately became anxious. Her eyes instantly reddened, her voice choked with tears. "I'm a Martial Master now! I'm not a burden! I know the Hundred Flowers Art, and I also... I also know the Healing Art my father taught me! I'm very capable!"

As she spoke, she extended her fair, delicate little hand. A soft, pure green light glowed in her palm, and a rich life aura emanated from it, making even Qin Feng feel his spirits lift. Some of the minor fatigue left from his cultivation earlier was swept away.

"Is this... a Healing Art?" Qin Feng was somewhat surprised. The effect seemed much stronger than that of an ordinary Healing Art.

"Mhm!" Xiao Chun nodded vigorously, a touch of pride in her voice. "My father said before that this is a secret art only someone like me who has awakened the 'Body of a Hundred Medicines' can learn! Big Brother Qin, please take me with you. If anyone gets injured, I can help heal them! I promise I won't run around and will definitely listen to you!"

She shook Qin Feng's arm, tears welling up in her eyes, looking pitiful and making it hard for anyone to refuse.

Qin Feng felt a headache coming on. Just as he was about to continue firmly refusing, a clear, cold voice came from the shadows nearby:

"Let her go."

Ji Ruxue's figure materialized silently. She glanced at Xiao Chun and said to Qin Feng, "If there's danger, I'll protect her and get her away first."

She paused, adding an explanation: "She is also one of my life-savers." Back in West Lake City, Xiao Chun had also helped tend to her injuries.

Seeing Ji Ruxue, Xiao Chun seemed to have found an ally. She quickly hid behind Ji Ruxue, peeking out her little head to look at Qin Feng with pleading eyes.

Qin Feng looked at the two women, one tall and one short. One was coldly beautiful and powerful, guaranteeing safety; the other was pure, kind-hearted, and possessed a rare healing ability. He sighed, knowing that if he refused any further, this little girl was likely to flood the place with her tears.

Moreover, to be fair, having a physician with the Body of a Hundred Medicines, whose healing effects are doubled, accompanying them on the perilous sea was indeed a rare and valuable safeguard.

"Sigh... alright then." Qin Feng finally relented helplessly, glaring at Xiao Chun. "But you must promise me to follow all orders and absolutely cannot act on your own! Otherwise, I'll have someone send you back immediately!"

"Mhm, mhm, mhm! I'll definitely listen! Big Brother Qin is the best!" Xiao Chun immediately smiled through her tears, jumping for joy, almost wanting to hug and kiss Qin Feng.

Watching Xiao Chun's happy expression and Ji Ruxue's icy yet reassuring gaze beside her, Qin Feng rubbed his temples.

With a little ancestor who needed special protection added to the team for this sea voyage, it seemed he could forget about having any peace and quiet.

"'Till Death Do Us Part', huh?"

Qin Feng thought to himself.