The girl initially dared not move a muscle. Qin Jun kept smiling. "Don’t be afraid. What good will fear do you? At least now, holding this sword beats being empty-handed."

"Don’t you want to kill the enemy who’s controlled you all this time?"

"Think hard about how it’ll feel—this sword piercing his skull. One strike, and you’ll never see his hideous face again. He’ll be nothing but bones."

Gradually tempted, the girl’s hand crept toward the sword in Qin Jun’s grip. When her fingers finally touched it, her eyes lit up with fierce determination, like a cub tiger baring its fangs. She forgot her fear completely, gripping the sword and stepping forward, one slow step at a time, toward the slave shop owner.

The slave shop owner’s face twisted in agony. Only when the girl stood right before him did he notice her.

His terror deepened. "What do you want? What are you going to do?"

The girl didn’t reply. Her face stayed cold and dark, unreadable. She simply raised the long sword slowly above her head, then swung it down with all her might.

A sickening crunch echoed—the sound of steel meeting bone. As expected, the sword split the slave shop owner’s skull open, brains splattering out. The girl burst into a maniacal laugh: "Hahaha!"

Her laugh was eerie and chilling, but Qin Jun didn’t mind. Smiling, he asked, "What’s your name?"

Hearing this, the girl turned to face him. Naked, she drew Qin Jun’s lingering glance. Truly, she was a fine specimen—already breathtakingly beautiful, destined to become a nation-captivating beauty.

That glance enraged her. She developed murderous intent toward Qin Jun. In her eyes, he was no better—just another man coveting her beauty. Falling into their hands would be worse than death. Better to fight. If she couldn’t kill him, she’d kill herself.

Acting instantly, the girl said nothing. She raised the sword and swung. Qin Jun jumped back, startled—he’d saved a lunatic.

In one swift move, Qin Jun disarmed her, tossing the sword aside. The girl panicked, realizing she was no match. She lunged for the fallen blade.

Qin Jun sighed. "Freeze."

The girl froze mid-swing, sword raised. Strangely, it looked unintentionally funny. Qin Jun nearly laughed.

He asked, "Why bite the hand that feeds you? Is this how you treat your savior?"

The girl stayed silent.

Qin Jun continued, "I saved you with no special purpose. I just felt sorry for you, little thing. If I’m in a good mood later, I might even take you as my wife."

She remained silent, but inwardly cursed: *I’d rather die than be your wife, you beast.*

"Now I’ve lost the mood to save you. But I like your spirit. What if I touched you right now? What could you do? You can’t move an inch."

Terror gripped her heart. She could only watch helplessly as Qin Jun’s hands grabbed her breasts. Utterly humiliated, she couldn’t budge.

Qin Jun grinned wickedly. "Saving you doesn’t make me good. I could take you right here if I wanted."

Her face turned ashen. She’d decided: if he violated her, she’d smash her head against the wall the moment she could move.

But she hadn’t expected Qin Jun was bluffing. After speaking, he made no further move.

Seeing her silence, Qin Jun knew she was stubborn. He disliked such girls—they were too inflexible. In this world, what mattered more than survival? As the saying went, "Better to live to fight another day." That was his style, a lesson from his previous life. He didn’t care about others, though he respected their stubbornness—he couldn’t do it himself.

He told her, "I’m not playing anymore. I’ll release the spell soon. Go wherever you want. I have no interest in little girls. If you were mature, I might take you home as my wife—but resistance is futile."

He conjured clothes and a few Amethyst Coins. "Here. Dress and leave. This is money. Who knew I’d be so kind?"

He released the immobilization spell, looking disgusted like discarding trash. "Hurry up, get dressed and get out. If you want to die, I won’t stop you."

The girl stared blankly at Qin Jun. Was he telling the truth? Was he really letting her go? Had she heard wrong?

Then came his scolding voice: "Aren’t you leaving? Do I need to chase you out?"

Terrified, she quickly dressed, grabbed the sword, and sprinted out—blindingly fast. Qin Jun was speechless.

He didn’t dwell on it. This girl was just a whim. Seeing her reminded him of his destitute past—he’d been sold out too, like a slave. Back then, if someone had saved him, he’d have given his life. This girl running off was amusing.

Qin Jun smiled. "Time to clean up the mess."

He walked toward the slave merchant’s corpse, grinning. "You had no morals as a merchant? Killing your own customer for profit? You reap what you sow."

"People shouldn’t be greedy. Know your limits. Go to hell and ponder that."

He cast a fireball spell. The slave shop’s room burst into flames, reducing the merchant to ashes.

As Qin Jun watched the fire, he prepared to leave. Unexpectedly, the girl returned. She ran to his side, hugging her sword, silent.

Qin Jun was surprised. "Why did you come back?"

She stayed silent.

"I know you’re not mute. Speak or I’m leaving."

He walked out of the slave shop. The girl followed behind, silent as his shadow.

After they emerged, neighbors finally came out to check the fire.

Qin Jun sped up and slowed down ahead. The girl mirrored him, making him smile. He thought he understood—she’d returned to repay him but was too proud to speak.

In truth, she’d been captured here. In an unfamiliar place with no strength, she feared being enslaved again within days. Better to follow this beast-like Qin Jun. If he violated her, she’d kill herself to preserve her purity.

If Qin Jun knew this, he’d be furious—sending her to the desert to fend for herself. What a girl.

Interpreting it his way, Qin Jun said nothing. He strolled leisurely, leading her to the mansion. Fulun and others saw their master bring an exquisitely beautiful girl. They didn’t dare speak or ask questions, though Qin Jun often said not to be formal. They waited nearby.

Qin Jun instructed, "She’s your new helper. For any task big or small, make her do it. I saved her life—I’ll squeeze every drop out of her."

Fulun chuckled and nodded. Amov and the other three said, "Yes."

Qin Jun then went to sleep. Slave merchants were troublesome, ruining his rest.

After he left, Fulun followed down. He saw clearly—this girl might become the lady of the house.

Amov thought the same: *She’s so beautiful, any man would be tempted. The master might take her into his harem. If we mistreat her now, how will we survive later?*

Amov and the three fawned over her. "Let us show you to your room."

The girl gave them a cold, sideways glare. Strutting confidently with Qin Jun’s sword, she found a clean room and settled in.

This left Amov and the three baffled. Kexi scratched his head. "This girl must be crazy."

Amov smacked his head. "Don’t say nonsense."