Following Lin Xiao's gaze, Qin Changsheng slowly turned his head to look at the ruins of a village not far away.
That used to be his home, but now it was all in ruins.
Even for Qin Changsheng, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, finding someone in the vast Beihai Prefecture was extremely difficult.
After a moment of silence, he slowly withdrew his gaze and asked, "Chief Escort Lin, do you know where Qin De is?"
Lin Xiao's previously humble and respectful expression instantly changed, replaced by an extremely strange one, a mixture of surprise, realization, and disbelief. He remained silent for a long time.
After quite some time, Lin Xiao slowly composed himself, his expression turning strange: "Immortal Master, is this Qin De you speak of the old man Qin in the western suburbs village? Does he have a son named Qin Chang'an?"
Upon hearing the name "Qin Chang'an," Qin Changsheng nodded slightly.
Qin Chang'an was Qin Changsheng's younger brother. When Qin Changsheng left Beihai County, he was barely eight years old.
Now he should be around twenty.
Seeing Qin Changsheng nod in confirmation, Lin Xiao's face flashed with joy: "Immortal Master, you may not know, but Qin Chang'an is my son-in-law. My daughter and Chang'an are deeply in love, and they were only recently engaged!"
Qin Changsheng listened with some suspicion.
After all, Chief Escort Lin came from a wealthy and powerful family in Beihai County; how could his daughter possibly be betrothed to Qin Chang'an?
However, Qin Changsheng didn't point it out.
Lin Xiao, fearing he might offend Qin Changsheng, quickly said, "Immortal Master, this is a ruined place, dusty and unsuitable for conversation."
"Why don't you come with me back to the Jingfeng Escort Agency, have a cup of hot tea, and rest for a while? I'll send someone to bring Chang'an over immediately."
Qin Changsheng pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly.
Seeing Qin Changsheng's agreement, Lin Xiao's face lit up with even more joy. He quickly stepped aside and gestured for him to enter, his tone respectful and enthusiastic: "Immortal Master, please! Immortal Master, please!"
As he spoke, he carefully walked beside Qin Changsheng, chatting with him all the way, his tone full of flattery and intimacy, completely lacking the composure of the former head镖师 (chief escort).
The two walked side by side towards the Jingfeng Escort Agency.
Before long, they arrived at the entrance of Jingfeng Escort Agency. The agency's gate was magnificent, flanked by two tall, imposing bodyguards with solemn expressions. Upon seeing Lin Xiao return, they immediately bowed and greeted him, "Chief Escort!"
Lin Xiao waved his hand, his tone urgent, "No need for formalities! Quickly, serve the best tea, and be treated with utmost care!"
After speaking, he turned to Qin Changsheng, his face beaming, "Immortal Master, please sit in the reception room for a moment. I'll be right back and bring Chang'an soon."
Qin Changsheng nodded slightly, watching Lin Xiao's hurried departure, and slowly entered the agency's reception room.
The reception room was decorated in a simple yet elegant style, with tables and chairs made of fine wood. A delicate tea set was laid out on a tea table. Servants quickly stepped forward to greet him, poured him hot tea, and then respectfully retreated to the side, not daring to say a word.
At the same time, Chief Escort Lin hurriedly summoned men and ordered them to search for Qin Chang'an's whereabouts.
"Chief Escort! Chief Escort!" A short while later, the steward rushed over.
"Is there any news of Qin Chang'an?" Chief Escort Lin asked hurriedly.
"Chief Escort, I just inquired around and found the whereabouts of the scout Qin Chang'an. He... he's currently playing with Miss in the pavilion behind the manor!"
As he spoke, Lin Fu secretly glanced at Lin Xiao, then quickly added, "Chief Escort, you've always forbidden Miss from associating with Qin Chang'an. Now that they've met in private, should I take some men over now, lock Miss back in her room, and dismiss him so he'll never dare approach Miss again?"
In Lin Fu's view, Lin Xiao had always looked down on Qin Chang'an, considering him of humble origins and merely a scout, unworthy of his young mistress. He strictly forbade the two of them from contacting each other privately. Now that they dared to secretly play in the manor, it would surely enrage Lin Xiao.
His suggestion was intended to appease Lin Xiao, but he hadn't expected to be met with a fierce glare from Lin Xiao. "What nonsense are you spouting!"
Lin Xiao glared fiercely at the steward. "Who told you to touch Miss and Young Master Qin!"
The steward looked at Lin Xiao with astonishment, completely bewildered by the head镖师's sudden change in attitude.
Normally, he wouldn't allow Qin Chang'an to have any contact with Miss Lin Qing'er, and had even considered dismissing Qin Chang'an, the scout.
Why was he protecting Qin Chang'an today, even addressing him as "Young Master"?
Lin Xiao ignored the steward and hurriedly ran towards the pavilion behind the mansion.
Shortly afterward, Lin Xiao arrived at the pavilion.
The pavilion sat in the center of a lotus pond, surrounded by lush lotus leaves that rippled gently in the breeze.
From afar, two figures could be seen sitting in the pavilion: his daughter, Lin Qing'er, and Qin Chang'an.
Lin Qing'er, dressed in a pink dress, was smiling and talking to Qin Chang'an, her eyes crinkling with a shy blush. Qin Chang'an sat beside her, a gentle smile on his face, occasionally responding with a few words.
The two sat side by side, the atmosphere harmonious, completely unaware of Lin Xiao's arrival.
Only when Lin Xiao's footsteps drew near did the two in the pavilion snap out of their daze and look up.
Upon seeing Lin Xiao, their smiles froze instantly, their expressions changing drastically.
Qin Chang'an, in particular, froze in fear, immediately standing up, speechless, his eyes filled with terror.
He knew Lin Xiao's attitude all too well, fearing that Lin Xiao would punish him on the spot.
Lin Qing'er reacted quickly, standing up abruptly and walking briskly to Qin Chang'an. She spread her arms, shielding him behind her, her face showing fear, but she forced herself to remain calm, saying to Lin Xiao, "Father! Don't be angry, it's not Chang'an's fault, it's all my fault! I was the one who invited Chang'an to come here, I was the one who pestered him. Punish me if you must, don't make things difficult for Chang'an!"
She thought Lin Xiao had come to punish them, and her heart was filled with anxiety; she only wanted to protect Qin Chang'an.
These past few days, she knew her father had always looked down on Qin Chang'an and strictly forbade them from seeing each other, but she genuinely liked Qin Chang'an and could only meet him secretly. Now that her father had caught them, she wanted to bear all the punishment alone.
Lin Xiao looked at his daughter, who stood defiantly in front of Qin Chang'an, but felt no anger.
He took a deep breath and asked calmly, "Qing'er, tell me honestly, do you truly love Young Master Qin and refuse to marry anyone else?"
Lin Qing'er's face flashed with surprise, then she nodded vigorously, "Father, I truly love Chang'an. I want to be with him, and no matter how much you object, I will not give him up!"
She spoke with unwavering determination, showing no sign of backing down.
Lin Xiao scrutinized Qin Chang'an and noticed a six-point resemblance between him and that immortal master.
At this moment, he already had a guess in his heart: that immortal master must be related to Qin Chang'an.
Lin Xiao said, "Alright, Father agrees to your marriage."
These words exploded like thunder in Lin Qing'er and Qin Chang'an's ears. Their faces instantly showed extreme astonishment, their eyes widening as they stared intently at Lin Xiao, as if they couldn't believe their ears.
They knew Lin Xiao's attitude all too well. These past few days, Lin Xiao had relentlessly obstructed their relationship, looking down on Qin Chang'an's background, strictly forbidding the two from seeing each other, and even repeatedly warning Qin Chang'an to stay away from Lin Qing'er.
But today, Lin Xiao had completely reversed his stance, personally agreeing to their marriage. This sudden change left the two of them stunned and bewildered.
After a moment, Qin Chang'an was the first to recover. The astonishment in his eyes instantly gave way to overwhelming joy, and his whole body trembled slightly with excitement.
He hurriedly stepped forward, repeatedly kowtowing to Lin Xiao in gratitude: "Thank...thank you, Chief Escort Lin! Thank you, Chief Escort Lin, for granting my request!!"
Lin Xiao, seeing his overjoyed expression, spoke with a hint of reproach, but no real anger: "What are you thanking me for? Now that I've agreed to your marriage, why are you still calling me Chief Escort Lin? You should change your address!"
Upon hearing this, Qin Chang'an's ecstatic joy intensified. He instantly realized his mistake, straightened up, and shouted loudly: "Father-in-law! Thank you, Father-in-law! Thank you, Father-in-law, for granting my request!"
This "Father-in-law" was uttered sincerely and earnestly, without the slightest restraint.
Seeing his expression, Lin Xiao's tense face softened slightly. He nodded gently, his tone becoming more gentle: "That's more like it."
Lin Qing'er, who was standing to the side, finally came to her senses. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she quickly walked to Lin Xiao's side, tugging at his sleeve, her voice choked with joy: "Father! Thank you!"
She never expected that her father would actually agree to her marriage with Qin Chang'an. All the worry and anxiety of the past few days had now transformed into overwhelming joy.
Lin Xiao patted his daughter's hand, his expression gradually becoming serious. He looked at Qin Chang'an and said, "I think things are going well for now. There are no urgent matters at home. I will have people prepare for your wedding as soon as possible, striving to have you two get married soon, so that I can put my mind at ease."
Upon hearing this, Qin Chang'an bowed again, his tone respectful yet joyful: "I will follow your arrangements, Father-in-law!"
He was filled with joy at this moment. Whatever arrangements Lin Xiao made, he would wholeheartedly agree, feeling like the luckiest person in the world.
He hadn't expected that Lin Xiao wouldn't look down on him as merely a spy, but instead would betroth his daughter to him.
Lin Xiao waved his hand, gesturing for him to stand up, then his tone became more serious as he said, "There's one more thing right now. You'll come with me to see someone."
Qin Chang'an was taken aback, then asked softly, "Father-in-law, see...who is it?"
He couldn't understand why Lin Xiao would suddenly send him to see someone, and even give him special instructions.
After all, he was just a lowly spy.
Lin Xiao didn't explain, but solemnly instructed Qin Chang'an, "You don't need to ask. You'll find out when we get there. Remember, when you meet that person, be very careful with your words and actions. Listen more and speak less. Don't be reckless, and especially don't say anything that might offend them, understand?"
His tone was grave, his eyes full of warning, with no hint of jest.
After all, Qin Chang'an was to meet Qin Changsheng, a powerful immortal master. If Qin Chang'an spoke carelessly and offended Qin Changsheng, it would not only implicate himself but also the entire Jingfeng Escort Agency.
Although Qin Chang'an was full of doubts, not understanding why Lin Xiao was taking this so seriously, nor knowing who he was meeting, seeing Lin Xiao's solemn expression, he knew this matter was of utmost importance.
He quickly suppressed his joy and nodded heavily.
Seeing Qin Chang'an's agreement, Lin Xiao was slightly relieved, nodded, and said, "Alright, then come with me, don't be late."
With that, he turned and walked out of the pavilion.