Top Soldier Pursued by a Beauty

As she spoke, Mu Yu removed a bronze token from her waist. With a proud look, she dangled it and smiled. "Besides, without this elder token, you'd never be able to open the Mountain Protection Array."

Since he was under her roof, Zhao Dong knew he had to bow his head. He finally relented. Looking at Mu Yu's stunning beauty, he couldn't even muster much anger. So be it. I'll just think of it as getting a beautiful master for free. Even if she can't help me much in the future, she's still a pleasure to look at, right? And as my master's good disciple, won't the dirty work of massaging her feet fall to me? At this thought, his sense of loss vanished, replaced by a flicker of anticipation.

THUMP!

Zhao Dong knelt on one knee. "Master, please accept this disciple's bow!"

"Hehe... Very good, my good disciple!" Seeing how tactful Zhao Dong was, Mu Yu giggled with delight. As she made to get out of bed, he immediately stepped forward and grasped her small foot.

"What are you doing!?" Mu Yu yelped, a blush spreading across her pretty face. Actively grabbing my foot and passively having it held are two completely different things! Even if I'm naive, I'm still a woman! It's a part of my body! How could he just touch it without permission?

Zhao Dong chuckled, picked up Mu Yu's shoe, and carefully helped her put it on. "With your disciple present, why should Master trouble herself with something as trivial as putting on her own shoes?"

Well now, he catches on quick, doesn't he? Mu Yu was secretly pleased. I thought that since he turned the Blood Sect upside down, he'd be a thorn in my side. I figured I'd need a few tricks to handle him. But looking at him now, he doesn't seem so fierce after all! Yes... I'm quite satisfied with this disciple!

Happy with this outcome, Mu Yu flicked her wrist and tossed out a pill. "This is a Breakthrough Pill. Consider it your gift for becoming my disciple."

"A Breakthrough Pill?" Zhao Dong's jaw hung open in excitement. This easily-won master of his was certainly generous!

Nearby, Qing Yu and Dai Ruyu had been slightly annoyed by Zhao Dong's earlier fawning, but their displeasure vanished the instant they saw Mu Yu toss out the Breakthrough Pill. So that's how it is! No wonder we never get any rewards from Master! It's because we haven't been good enough disciples, isn't it? Look at Zhao Dong! He got a priceless treasure just for putting on Master's shoes! If we'd known earlier, wouldn't we have been waiting by her door every day to do the same?

That man is truly formidable! Qing Yu thought. He got Master wrapped around his little finger with such a simple gesture. I must learn from him!

Able to bend and submit when necessary? This Zhao Dong isn't like other men, Dai Ruyu mused. Could it be... that my understanding of men is truly that shallow?

While the two young women were lost in their own thoughts, Zhao Dong had already thanked his master for her immense generosity and tossed the Breakthrough Pill into his mouth. A moment later, the pill's power erupted within him.

Foundation Establishment... sixth level!

With this, Zhao Dong was only a single minor realm away from experts like Mu Yu and Ouyang Hong. He now felt confident that if he were to face Ouyang Hong again, while he still wouldn't be a match, he at least wouldn't end up in such a sorry state as before.

Zhao Dong hurriedly bowed to his benefactor once more. "This disciple thanks Master for her great kindness!"

"Mm," Mu Yu nodded slightly, her eyes filled with both shock and satisfaction. This Zhao Dong was a worthy investment!

Now that the immediate crisis was over, Zhao Dong's excited mood grew heavy once again. He looked at Mu Yu and said gravely, "Master, I..."

"You want to ask about Xu Yafei, don't you?" Mu Yu interrupted him.

Zhao Dong gave a bitter smile. "Master, the entire purpose of my coming here was to rescue Yafei. I can't return empty-handed..."

Mu Yu shook her head. "Forget it. Xu Yafei has already been taken by Ouyang Hong and is now under the watch of several elders. Even if I went with you, we couldn't possibly rescue her."

A heavy weight settled in Zhao Dong's chest. "But that old dog Ouyang already plans to force himself on her. If I can't save her, Yafei will surely be defiled by that scoundrel!"

Hearing this, Mu Yu fell into deep thought. Having accepted Zhao Dong as her disciple, she was now in the same boat as him. She couldn't very well shatter his hopes, but rescuing Xu Yafei right now was indeed unrealistic.

"I have an idea!" Mu Yu suddenly exclaimed. "In the medicinal field on the back mountain, there is a herb called Absoluteweed. It's a great tonic, but after consuming it, a man is rendered impotent for ten days. I can find a way to mix this herb into Ouyang Hong's drink. That will keep Xu Yafei safe for ten days!"

Ten days? Although it was a short time, it gave Zhao Dong some breathing room. Deeply moved, he bowed again. "This disciple thanks Master for her great kindness! I will never forget my master's grace for the rest of my life!"

Mu Yu nodded slightly, clearly satisfied with his response. "Don't celebrate too soon," she said calmly. "This trick with the Absoluteweed will only work once. Ouyang Hong will certainly be on his guard next time. If you can't rescue Xu Yafei within ten days, she will still fall victim to his cruelty."

"Rest assured, Master! I will find a way to rescue Yafei within ten days!" Zhao Dong declared, his voice firm and his eyes blazing with murderous intent.

Previously, Zhao Dong wouldn't have been confident he could kill that old dog Ouyang within ten days. But after taking the pills from Senior Sister Dai and Mu Yu, his strength had increased dramatically. Now, only a single minor realm separated him from Ouyang Hong. Ten days was still a tight deadline, but Zhao Dong had no other choice.

After a bit more conversation, Mu Yu turned her beautiful eyes to Qing Yu. "Qing Yu, pack your things. You'll leave with Zhao Dong later. I will help you both get out."

"Leave?" Qing Yu was stunned. Her eyes welled with tears as she cried, "No, Master, I won't go! I'm your disciple, I won't leave!"

Qing Yu's face was filled with reluctance. She had trained under Mu Yu since she was a child and had long since come to see her as a mother. She knew that if she left now, she would be an enemy of the Blood Sect if she ever returned. And what kind of wrath would Mu Yu face for letting them escape? She couldn't let her master bear everything alone.

At this moment, Dai Ruyu also pleaded, "Master, Qing Yu is a member of the Blood Sect, after all. Please, let her stay."

"Stay? How can she stay?" Mu Yu gave a bitter smile. "You are my disciples, but you must grow up someday. I can't stay by your side forever. Besides, Qing Yu has already gravely offended Ouyang Hong. If she stays, do you really think I can protect her? If you don't want to die, leaving is your only option!"

"Master..." Qing Yu sobbed, still refusing to leave.

Mu Yu shot Zhao Dong a meaningful look.

Understanding at once, Zhao Dong stepped forward and hugged Qing Yu. "Silly girl, staying here will only make you a burden to our Master. She is powerful; she'll be fine even without you. But if you stay, she'll have to divide her attention to protect you."