Qin Lei was a second too late. Third Brother's Heaven-Covering Palm had already clashed head-on with Linglong's Heavenly Net Technique.
A swirl of countless palm shadows exploded into nothingness on contact. Third Young Master stood atop the carriage, unmoving as a mountain. Linglong, however, was sent flying like a kite with its string cut, her body shivering as if struck by lightning.
Qin Lei caught her soft, limp form. Looking down at the pale-faced beauty in his arms—no color on her lips, her breath barely there—he couldn't tell if she was alive or dead.
The Thunderblade God had never known his Third Brother possessed such terrifying palm strength. In his memory, this peculiar younger sibling had always shown interest only in lightness techniques. Even the Heaven-Covering Palm taught by their father—Third Brother had merely memorized the chant and half-heartedly shattered a few roof tiles. Yet now, after a year apart, his martial skill had soared beyond comprehension.
Though pleased by his brother's progress, Second Young Master couldn't help but worry about Linglong's condition. Carrying her, he leapt onto the carriage roof. "Third, when did you become this strong? Can she still be saved?"
Qin San laughed, "Relax, Second. Your little sweetheart won't die. I only used fifty percent of my strength. Her inner force has been scattered, so she'll be unable to fight for a few days, that's all. She's just unconscious now. She'll wake up in twelve hours or so—trust me! And hey, I did it for you!"
Had he used his full strength, Linglong would surely be dead.
"W-Who says she's my sweetheart?!" Qin Lei stammered, cheeks flushing. "Third, I don't care how close we are—accuse me like that again and I'll sue you for slander!"
Third Brother raised an eyebrow knowingly, then grinned and led his embarrassed elder brother into the carriage, signaling Qiao Wei to drive on.
The crowd, realizing there was no more drama to witness, slowly dispersed, chattering about Third Young Master's ruthless style—how he crushed beauty without a second thought. The praise was oddly unanimous.
Qiao Wei drove the carriage toward the town, searching for an inn. Inside the carriage, Qin Lei still held Linglong, her head resting against his chest as if in peaceful sleep.
"Second," said Third Brother, "what's with the act? Playing the rogue now?"
Qin Lei sighed. "Third, you think I want to dress like this? She forced me into it! I tried disguising myself, but no matter what I wore, she always recognized me. It's like she's got some kind of sixth sense!"
"Well duh," said Qin San, rolling his eyes. "Your disguise was terrible. You just wore ragged clothes, messed up your hair, and grew a bit of stubble. You didn't change your blade! That thunder-splitting monstrosity is unmistakable!"
Qin Lei gave a wry smile. "Well, I never learned disguise techniques... and hey, I'm the Thunderblade God! I can't not carry my blade!"
Third Brother eyed Linglong curiously. "So, who is this violent stunner? Pretty, but that temper... you better learn to rein her in. Come on, tell me—how'd you win her over?"
"I didn't!" Qin Lei groaned. "That girl's trouble. She's the eldest daughter of Hua An—the Crown Prince's Imperial Tutor! Total tomboy, hangs out with men more than women. I met her at a banquet in the capital. She drank half my friends under the table. Eventually, they begged me to challenge her. I did. And then—"
"You both got drunk, admired each other's spirits, and woke up naked?" Third Brother grinned devilishly.
"No! I swear, I passed out fully clothed!" Qin Lei cried. "Next morning, she claimed I defiled her and insisted on following me ever since. I tried everything to escape—disguises, fleeing from the capital... but every time, she found me again!"
"So..." Third Brother leaned in. "You haven't actually slept with her?"
"Absolutely not!" Qin Lei said firmly.
"Do you like her?"
Qin Lei hesitated. "...A bit. But who takes a woman on the road with them? No one does that."
Third Brother shook his head. "Wrong. There's no rule saying a wanderer can't bring a woman. Listen, Second, you've got three options: First, while she's unconscious, sleep with her and continue running. Second, sleep with her and take her with you. Third, sleep with her, then kill her and bury the body. Problem solved."
Qin Lei blinked. "Why does every option start with sleeping with her?"
Third Brother smirked, "Because passing up a willing beauty is the mark of a fool. So... which will it be?"
Qin Lei grit his teeth. "Fine! If she insists I wronged her... then I will wrong her. Make her lie become truth. And then—"
"And then kill her!" Third Brother cheered.
Qin Lei rolled his eyes. "No. I'll take her on the road. And if she can't handle it, I'll send her home to our parents."
"Wait... then why'd you suddenly release killing intent just now?"
"Because I heard a woman crying for help nearby," Qin Lei said grimly. "Someone's committing a crime in broad daylight, and it just so happens they ran into me."
He gently tossed Linglong to Third Brother.
"Hero saving damsel? Again?" Third Brother groaned. "Fine! I'm coming too. Not staying with her alone!"
The two brothers leapt from the carriage, leaving poor Linglong to crash onto the floorboards and roll under the seat, unconscious and blissfully unaware of the pain.
They vanished down the alley like twin bolts of lightning, startling the driver, Qiao Wei. "No wonder ladies love them. That martial skill... unbelievable!"
Following the cries, the brothers sprinted down a narrow alley. Qin San asked, "This the place?"
"Definitely," Qin Lei said. "They must've dragged her into that house."
They scaled the courtyard wall like shadows. A sharp female scream confirmed their suspicion: "Help! I'm dying!"
Qin Lei's expression turned grim. "From the woodshed!"
Third Brother squinted at the decrepit shack. "Hey, Second... between rape and drugging, which is the heavier crime?"
Qin Lei growled, "Rape, of course! At least drugging takes skill."
"Don't worry, I'd never rape," Third Brother said seriously. "I'd only drug someone."
Qin Lei patted his shoulder. "See? You're all about finesse."
Third Brother chuckled. "Time to play hero?"
Qin Lei nodded. "That bastard couldn't even afford sleeping powder? Let me teach him what real punishment looks like!"
In a flash, the Thunderblade God soared into the sky. With a metallic roar, his Blazing Thunderblade unsheathed—its glow split the heavens.
One slash.
It shone brighter than the sun, cut heavier than a mountain, stretched vaster than the void.
The world fell silent. Even the light dimmed before that blade.
Then—nothing.
The blade vanished. Qin Lei landed silently behind the shed, his sword already sheathed.
Behind him, the shed split in two, collapsing in a perfect divide.
Amid the dust, moans echoed—feminine sobs, masculine grunts, and rhythmic slapping sounds.
Qin Lei turned, ready to shout, "Scoundrel! Prepare to—"
His voice caught. His eyes bulged. Mouth agape.
Even Qin Ren, still on the wall, was stunned.
In the middle of the wreckage stood a wooden post. A naked woman clung to it, arms tied, legs wrapped around a burly man. Her face flushed, head tossing wildly, she moaned, "Faster, darling, harder... I'm dying... save me... make me die..."
The man grunted with every thrust. "Yes, baby, let's die together..."
Qin Lei blinked. "Excuse me... what's going on?"
The man turned. "Get lost! Can't you see I'm with my wife?!"
"Ah. My apologies," Qin Lei nodded. He grabbed Qin Ren and leapt back over the wall.
Twenty meters later, they both collapsed, gasping with laughter.
"I can't—hah—believe it!"
"Who knew—haha—her cries were just... moans!?"
"Remind me never to draw my sword during your special moments!"
Another faint cry floated down the alley: "Help me, someone, please!"
Third Brother rolled his eyes. "This damn town. Every woman screams 'help' during sex! Not falling for that again!"
But Qin Lei's expression hardened. "This one's real. I hear a master's wind-breaking step!"