Chapter 38 I Will Be Your Master!

Moreover, Li Xiuning was nominally Chen Xuan's primary wife, so the matters concerning Xu Ruolan and An Ruxue were indeed within her purview.

As for whether everyone would part ways after arriving at the frontier, that was a matter for the future. Along the journey before reaching the frontier, she had to ensure that no chaos erupted.

With this in mind, Li Xiuning took a deep breath, looked at Chen Xuan, and nodded slightly. "I understand."

Shortly after, she separated Xu Ruolan and An Ruxue, who were still bickering, and pulled them aside individually to talk.

What was discussed, Chen Xuan did not know.

In short, upon their return, Xu Ruolan was all smiles, while An Ruxue still wore her iconic sullen expression.

Fortunately, her favorable impression rating of Chen Xuan had not decreased.

Looking at An Ruxue's gloomy face, Chen Xuan could not help but secretly ponder whether he should whip her.

Back when An Ruxue's favorable impression rating had broken past 1 point, he had triggered a critical strike reward, obtaining a "Maiden-Taming Whip"—whipping any woman with it would instantly increase her favorable impression by 5 points.

The only pity was that it could only be used once a day.

Chen Xuan had not used it yet, thinking he should find an opportunity to properly discipline her with it.

After the conflict between An Ruxue and Xu Ruolan was resolved, the caravan moved forward and soon rendezvoused with the group of bandits from Flowing Peak Stronghold.

Nearly five hundred bandits were carrying large bags and various bundles of luggage.

The bandits did keep horses; although the number was not large, there were around thirty of them.

In addition to horses, there were also oxen and mules used for carrying heavy items and the rations needed for the journey.

"Greetings, Grand Chieftain!"

As soon as Chen Xuan arrived, Liu Jinyu immediately led all his subordinates to kneel on the ground, kowtowing to Chen Xuan one after another.

"What did you call me?"

Chen Xuan raised an eyebrow.

Liu Jinyu immediately looked up, his face beaming with a fawning smile. "We have already discussed it internally. Starting today, I am abdicating in favor of a worthy successor. The Grand Chieftain of Flowing Peak Stronghold is none other than you, Master Chen. I will serve as the Second Chieftain from now on."

So, I have ended up in the same boat with you bandits?

Chen Xuan immediately shook his head and said with a stern expression, "No, from now on you remain the Grand Chieftain, and all the men of Flowing Peak Stronghold answer to you!"

Liu Jinyu was stunned. Was he trying to keep a distance from them? Or draw a clear line?

What was his purpose in following Chen Xuan in the first place?

It was to gain Chen Xuan's trust and extract the secret that Lord Qin wanted from him!

And now, Chen Xuan wanted to draw a boundary between them; how could Liu Jinyu let him have his way?

He immediately put on a flattering smile and said, "Master Chen, you cannot put it that way. In the future, we will all listen to you, so naturally, you are the Grand Chieftain."

Whether Chen Xuan wanted to be this Grand Chieftain or not, Liu Jinyu was going to make him be one!

In short, everything was for the sake of getting closer!

Chen Xuan calmly asked, "Are you listening to me, or am I listening to you?"

"Uh, of course I listen to you." Seeing that Chen Xuan was somewhat displeased, Liu Jinyu immediately squeezed out a smile.

"Since you listen to me, then stop talking all that useless nonsense. You will continue to be the Grand Chieftain of Flowing Peak Stronghold, and I will be your master. Do you understand my meaning?" Chen Xuan said coldly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Hearing this, the corners of Liu Jinyu's mouth twitched violently.

You? Be my master?

Damn it, isn't this taking advantage of me?

If you were the Grand Chieftain and I were the Second Chieftain, in terms of relationship, we would be brothers.

But if you become my master, the situation becomes completely different.

He, Liu Jinyu, already had a master, and that was Minister Qin.

A loyal minister does not serve two masters, and a servant does not serve two lords.

It had to be said that Chen Xuan's tactic was immensely irritating.

"What? Does being my master wrong you?"

Seeing that the fellow's expression had turned unsightly, Chen Xuan could not help but sneer.

Liu Jinyu felt an itch of fury in his heart; if not for Minister Qin's orders, he would really have wished to order his bandit subordinates to surround Chen Xuan right now.

So what if you are a good fighter alone? Are the women by your side just as capable of fighting?

As long as we capture your women and use them as hostages, let's see how arrogant you can still be!

However, such thoughts could only remain in his head. He was here on a mission and must not mess it up; otherwise, Minister Qin would not let him off.

Instantly, Liu Jinyu secretly clenched his back teeth, then dropped directly to his knees and swore an oath to the heavens: "Heaven is above! From this day forward, I, Liu Jinyu, am Master Chen's servant, to follow him unto death. Should I break this oath, may I be struck by lightning and meet a miserable end!"

Chen Xuan had not expected this fellow to swear an oath with such resoluteness, and such a vicious one at that.

He could not help but chuckle, saying, "Actually, you didn't need to swear an oath. I trust you."

Liu Jinyu nearly vomited blood in frustration. Damn it, if I didn't need to swear, why didn't you say so earlier?

Now that I've already knelt down, you make this kind of hindsight remark?

He was boiling with anger inside, yet he could not show it. Instead, he had to bite the bullet, force a flattering smile, and curry favor:

"Master Chen, you are the master and I am the servant—this is already witnessed by heaven and earth. If Master Chen still doubts my loyalty, let us take it a step further: let us swear an oath by drinking blood from the same cup, with the vast earth as our witness!"

With that, he shouted to the subordinates behind him, "Men, bring out the incense burner!"

Immediately, subordinates stepped forward carrying a table on which an incense burner and offerings were placed. At the same time, they handed over several thick sticks of incense and a sharp dagger.

According to Liu Jinyu's intention, they were to offer incense to the heavens, then cut their palms to let their blood drip into wine, and drink each other's blood wine.

Wasn't this something sworn blood brothers did when forming a sworn brotherhood?

Does a master taking on a slave also require mixing blood?

In his heart, Chen Xuan was certainly unwilling.

However, since Liu Jinyu had already gone to such lengths, coupled with the fact that the fellow had just offered a genuine tribute of one thousand taels of gold...

That thousand taels of gold had already been handed over to Li Xiuning just a moment ago.

For the sake of that thousand taels of gold, it wouldn't do to give him no face at all.

Besides, he would still need to employ them to handle tasks in the future.

Therefore, after a brief moment of internal hesitation, Chen Xuan generously let his blood drip into the wine, exchanged wine cups with him, and drank the blood wine.

"Master Chen, from now on I am your man! Whether it's climbing mountains of blades or plunging into seas of fire, just say the word and I will not hesitate even unto death!"

Liu Jinyu roared heroically in a rough voice.

All the bandit subordinates behind him fell to their knees in a very uniform posture.

Looking at their appearance, Chen Xuan could not help but find it slightly amusing. How were these people like bandits? They looked far more like well-trained soldiers.

Could these people be understood as private troops raised by Minister Qin outside the capital?

No wonder the imperial court wanted to suppress the bandits; if they were allowed to grow and expand, the emperor would not even be able to sit securely on the dragon throne.

"Climbing mountains of blades and plunging into seas of fire won't be necessary, but there is indeed a matter I need you to handle right now," Chen Xuan said.

Liu Jinyu was stunned. I was just being polite, and you're actually taking me up on it without being polite at all?