Vol. 2 - Chapter 63 - Hatred

Lu Nuo's teasing words were met with silence from Qiong Longshan.

A trace of sorrow and guilt lingered in his eyes.

“Xiaolian…”

Qiong Longshan called out hoarsely.

From within the crowd, a slender figure stood out—dressed in black, upright and graceful.

Her bright eyes shimmered with frost.

A breeze swept through, lifting the hem of her clothes like ink on rice paper.

Her cold gaze locked onto Qiong Longshan, eyes brimming with undying hatred and murderous intent.

A killing aura poured from her like winter frost.

The horses pulling the prison cart neighed in panic, startled.

The constables from Six Gates rushed to calm them.

They turned to look at Xiaolian, eyes narrowing as they felt the chill of her intent.

“Jade-Handed Asura—Chen Lian?”

One constable muttered, finally recognizing her identity.

The name fell like a stone in a still pond.

Though not as universally known as Qiong Aohai, Jade-Handed Asura was a name that still struck awe in the martial world.

A prodigy of the second realm, she had mastered the Tang Clan’s forbidden art—"Rain of a Thousand Blossoms"—a feat unseen in a hundred years.

If not for the backing of the Jade Leaf Hall, the Tang Clan's master would've long since dragged her in by force.

Realizing who she was, the constables immediately turned solemn.

Eyes sharp, they fixated on her hands—afraid she might unleash a hidden weapon without warning.

Even the remaining members of the Haijing Gang turned to stare.

These were Qiong Longshan's old brothers—men who had shared life and death with him. Naturally, they knew he had a daughter named…

Qiong Xiaolian.

Two years ago, she'd left home under mysterious circumstances and vanished.

Not one person from the gang had seen her since.

Yet now, after more than two years, the feared “Jade-Handed Asura” turned out to be none other than their leader’s daughter.

Their eyes lit up with hope.

Could she… save the gang leader?

But the moment passed, and silence returned.

After all, between second and first realm—stood an unbridgeable gap.

In the prison cart, members of the Qiong family recognized Xiaolian.

Their expressions twisted with complexity.

A beautiful woman clutching her son to her chest looked at Xiaolian with blazing jealousy.

If looks could kill, Xiaolian would've been slain a hundred times over.

In the second cart, an elderly woman with graying hair saw her and burst into tears.

Qiong Longshan looked at Xiaolian, his voice rasping:

“Xiaolian… back then…”

“It was me… I wronged your mother.”

At the mention of that word—

Xiaolian's body tensed like a cornered wildcat. Her voice turned to ice.

“Shut up!”

“You’re not worthy to even mention my mother!”

Her tone dripped with venom. Her body trembled with rage.

Her eyes burned with hatred.

Two years ago…

She had left her home and stepped into the blood-soaked martial world—for this very moment.

To avenge her mother.

This day…

She had waited for it far too long.

Qiong Longshan, stung by her outburst, gave a bitter smile.

His once-proud face seemed to age decades in a breath.

“Xiaolian,” he said quietly, “with Captain Lu here, you won’t be able to kill me.”

“You’re still not strong enough.”

“When this matter is over, when I return to the gang, I’ll give you the chance.”

“For now… leave.”

His voice carried a desolate calm.

He knew full well she was here to kill him.

Yet in his words, there was still the faint care of a father toward his daughter.

That matter—he had handled it poorly.

He couldn't blame her for hating him.

Anyone in her shoes… would feel the same.

Off to the side, Lu Nuo fiddled with his iron rings, eyes glinting with amusement.

He understood.

A daughter seeking vengeance from her father…

He was thoroughly enjoying the drama—and made no move to interfere.

Xiaolian's gaze shifted from Qiong Longshan to the first prison cart—toward the beautiful woman inside.

“Jealous shrew.”

She spoke in a voice like cold steel.

Her killing aura flared.

In a blink, her figure blurred.

With a gust of wind, she appeared beside the cart.

Her movement was swift beyond words—a masterclass in lightness skill.

The beautiful woman’s eyes widened in bitter resentment.

Xiaolian reached into the cart and tapped her lightly.

The woman’s mute point was unsealed.

They locked eyes.

Xiaolian’s cold fury was undisguised.

The woman smirked, hate in her eyes.

“You little wretch,” she sneered, “here to gloat at me?”

“Can’t kill your father, so you came to kill me instead?”

Her tone dripped with venom. She glanced toward Lu Nuo, who was still spectating.

“Captain Lu Nuo! She’s part of the Qiong family too!”

“She bears the name Qiong—she’s Qiong Longshan’s daughter!”

“Why is my son shackled while she walks free?!”

Her words oozed jealousy and rage.

Lu Nuo blinked, then realization struck him.

The Six Gates’ orders were to capture all members of the Qiong family.

Lei Zhengyang had gone to Wuchang to arrest Qiong Aohai.

Letting Qiong Xiaolian roam free… that wouldn't do.

A family should stay… united.

Lu Nuo’s fingers twitched. His iron rings clinked together in a crisp rhythm.

Ding. Ding. Ding.

He glanced at Xiaolian.

Then at his deadly iron rings.

His expression turned troubled.

His rings struck only fatal points.

With her second-realm strength, one clean hit from him might kill her on the spot.

He sighed.

“Enough!”

“I have nothing to do with the Qiong family!”

Xiaolian’s eyes were cold as she raised her hand—

SMACK!

A clear slap rang out.

The woman’s face twisted from the blow. Her vision blurred with stars.

Blood welled from the corner of her mouth. Her cheek swelled red and ugly.

“I am Chen Xiaolian,” she said coldly.

“I have no ties with the Qiong family!”

The other Qiong members in the cart went silent.

Those who knew the truth lowered their heads.

In the second cart, the old woman gripped the bars, teary-eyed and trembling, trying to say something.

The woman who had been slapped suddenly straightened, eyes ablaze with fury.

Her voice was shrill with contempt.

“Taking your husband’s surname now?”

“No matchmaker. No formal rites.”

“Just like your mother—both of you, cheap sluts!”

SMACK!

Another slap.

Xiaolian’s eyes were frozen glass.

This time, the woman’s other cheek ballooned with bruising.

Xiaolian hadn’t held back—she had used internal force.

The child in the woman’s arms, seeing this, lunged at Xiaolian, teeth bared.

SMACK!

SMACK!

Xiaolian didn’t hesitate.

Two crisp blows landed on the boy’s face.

Blood burst from his nose.

The woman shrieked in anguish.

“I’ll kill you!”

“You little bitch!”

She lunged for Xiaolian.

Xiaolian sneered, her eyes scanning the woman's every feature.

Her mother's death… had everything to do with this woman.

Xiaolian had no intention of letting her die easily.

Feeling her gaze, the woman’s heart chilled.

“Ahem…”

Lu Nuo finally coughed and spoke.

“That’s enough. Do me a favor, will you?”