That day, Zhang Qingyao was walking through the market as usual, purchasing firewood, rice, oil, and salt for a dozen people.
Having been in the capital for almost a month, Zhang Yuge and his group spent nine out of ten days hiding in the pawnshop near the West City Gate.
Zhang Qingyao had transformed dramatically—from a clueless, easily scammed fat lamb to a savvy little master who could now bargain with stall owners.
Because of her outstanding looks, she inevitably caught the attention of some local ruffians, but Zhang Yuge had explicitly forbidden her from attacking ordinary people.
Yet, who was Zhang Qingyao?
She was a ruthless and lawless local bully.
Her docile demeanor in front of Zhang Yuge was like that of a little kitten, but that didn’t mean she was a kitten in front of others.
At times like this, she would put on a shy face and quietly tell those small-time thugs that there were too many people around and suggested moving somewhere quieter.
A few spirited young men found it especially delightful that this girl had such a contrasting personality.
However, once they led Zhang Qingyao into a deserted alley, what awaited them was at best broken bones, and at worst, lifelong disability.
“Hmph, a bunch of broke losers. How can you only have this little money on you? Not enough for me to buy a pot of wine,”
Zhang Qingyao scoffed as she stuffed the copper coins into her pouch and kicked the man lying on the ground.
She picked up her basket filled with groceries, adjusted her skirt and collar, then casually left the alley.
Back on the main road near the West City Gate, Zhang Qingyao noticed that the crowd was larger than usual, and lively noises came from afar.
People had gathered, watching something intently.
A large formation of soldiers was approaching, seemingly escorting prisoners.
To Zhang Qingyao’s surprise, many of the Ye family’s top fighters were also present.
She recognized several of them.
A month ago, she had followed Zhang Yuge to storm the Ye residence, and several of these fighters were seriously injured by Zhang Yuge then.
To avoid being noticed by the Ye family, Zhang Qingyao hid at the back of the crowd, peering at the procession through the gaps between people.
Besides the Ye family members, there were many soldiers collaborating in escorting these prisoners.
Judging by their attire, they were agents of the Dali Temple.
Zhang Qingyao’s expression gradually shifted from detached curiosity to shock and terror.
One by one, iron cage carts passed before her eyes, each containing a familiar face.
Leading the group was none other than her own father—Patriarch of Zhang Family, Governor of Ningzhou, Zhang Zhengzhi.
Zhang Zhengzhi stood inside the cage, his head and hands locked outside the iron bars, with thirty-pound iron shackles fastened to his ankles.
Two iron chains pierced through his collarbones, connecting to his handcuffs.
It wasn’t just the Patriarch; several Elders of Zhang Family shared the same fate, locked in iron cages with similar restraints.
Two Elders who possessed Foundation Establishment stage strength remained, but one looked near death.
The second strongest Elder was nowhere to be seen.
One cage after another passed before Zhang Qingyao’s eyes, and all she could do was search desperately for her mother’s figure.
Never before had Zhang Qingyao hated her own weakness as much as she did now.
Her family was trapped in dire straits, and she was utterly powerless.
She hated that she couldn’t be like her brother, young yet already possessing Foundation Establishment cultivation and being a Core Disciple of Divine Phoenix Sect.
In this situation, her brother must be unaware, and she had no way to contact him.
The last letter Zhang Qingyao received from Zhang Qinglin was two years ago.
That person was…
Zhang Qingyao even spotted members of the Zhong family among the group.
Naturally, she recognized the Patriarch of Zhong Family—her biological father of this very body, Zhong Shi.
What was he doing?!
Zhong Shi’s face was cruel as he spoke harshly to the people inside the iron cages.
Suddenly, he grabbed and violently pulled the long hair of a female family member.
When Zhang Qingyao saw the woman’s face clearly, it was none other than her mother, Lin Yi.
Lin Yi was the only person in the entire Zhang family who had ever treated Zhang Qingyao kindly—the only one who never looked down on her.
Zhang Qingyao valued Lin Yi’s life more than her own.
Her eyes reddened, and she lost all reason as she lunged forward.
“I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you! I’m going to kill you!”
“Ugh!”
A large hand suddenly covered Zhang Qingyao’s mouth, and another arm wrapped around her waist, stopping her from moving forward.
Before she could react, she was dragged into an alley, farther away from the crowd.
Zhang Qingyao tried to struggle, but the tattoo on her abdomen suddenly flared up, making her body limp and weak, her face flushed.
Thus, powerless, she was dragged into the deserted alley by the mysterious figure.
Fear gripped her, and the basket she held slipped to the ground.
“It’s me, Zhang Yuge.”
A comforting voice whispered in her ear, and the girl stopped struggling.
Zhang Yuge released her, and Zhang Qingyao collapsed weakly into his arms.
“Young Master, mother… mother was taken.”
Removing the black mask that had covered his face, Zhang Yuge nodded.
“The servants had already informed me. Everyone in the Zhang household was captured by the Ye and Zhong families working together. Since I knew it was your time to go out for groceries, I was worried you might act rashly, so I was looking for you.”
“Young Master, please help me. I saw mother being beaten. Please, save my mother.”
The girl turned around and knelt before Zhang Yuge.
Her voice trembled with sobs, revealing a vulnerability Zhang Yuge had never seen in her in over two months.
No matter how much verbal abuse, discipline, or humiliation she endured from him, Zhang Qingyao would never cry.
Even after spending so much time together, she sometimes even cheekily retorted to Zhang Yuge.
But now, seeing her like this was a first.
Seeing his girl so heartbroken, Zhang Yuge felt a pang of guilt.
He crouched down and gently embraced her, his hand softly stroking the back of her head.
“I promise you, I will rescue everyone in the Zhang family. If anyone dares to harm your mother, I will make them pay with their blood.”
“Y-young Master… ugh…”
Zhang Qingyao hugged him tightly, clutching as if to grasp a final straw, fearing Zhang Yuge would leave her at any moment.
“Xiao Yao, don’t cry. Your family will be fine. This place isn’t safe; let’s return to the pawnshop first.”
“Mm…”
Helping the tear-streaked girl to her feet, Zhang Yuge picked up the fallen basket and held her small hand, leading her back.
They slipped into the pawnshop through the back door.
Zhang Qingyao’s face was ashen the whole way, silent.
It wasn’t just her; the other Zhang family servants, including the maid Lüzhu, wore worried expressions.
“Lüzhu, Xiao Yao isn’t feeling well. Please take care of lunch. Everyone, don’t worry too much. I’ll find a way to save them.”
After giving his instructions, Zhang Yuge took Zhang Qingyao to the secret chamber where Li Yuluo was cultivating.
Li Yuluo and Zhang Qingyao always exchanged barbs upon meeting, but Li Yuluo had clearly noticed something was wrong this time.
“Young Master, what’s wrong with her?”
“Yuluo, I have something I want to discuss with you.”
“Please speak, Young Master.”
“I want to cooperate with your royal brother. Can you help me contact him?”