Frontier Army Warrior

Chapter 1062: Human Heart is Unpredictable

Lin Feng shook his head: "Miss Duan was abducted by bandits. Have you thought about what your father would think?"

“My dad must be worried. He’s probably organizing people to come and rescue me right now.”

"If you were Master Duan's son, your father would likely mobilize all available resources to rescue you, but you're a daughter..."

Duan Jingqiu frowned and stared at Lin Feng.

"Mr. Kikawa, what's wrong with me being a daughter?"

Lin Feng smiled: "Miss Duan, have you ever heard of a good ending for a woman who was abducted by bandits and mountain thieves throughout history?"

Duan Jingqiu blinked: "How could there not be a good one? My father has a lot of influence in the Dazheng Dynasty. Whether it's the Imperial Guard or the martial arts world, he can mobilize enough people to save me."

"You just mentioned the issue of reputation. What will people think if a young, unmarried woman is kidnapped by bandits?"

Duan Jingqiu squinted at the rushing river, his expression gradually becoming serious.

"But...besides you...no one else..."

“I didn’t do anything to you. I was just saving your life. But you insist on thinking like that. How is that any different from how other people think?”

Duan Jingqiu plopped down on the ground, staring blankly ahead, his eyes unfocused.

"No... my dad wouldn't think that way, he... he loves... me very much..."

"Alas, Miss Duan may be very good at business, but she is probably a bit weak in understanding people's hearts. Even if your father doesn't want to think this way, you can't stop the thoughts of the other family members in Luo City."

Duan Jingqiu was completely speechless. Her face was expressionless, her eyes were vacant, and the more she thought about it, the more terrifying it seemed.

Although she was much stronger than the average woman, she still couldn't resist the fact that society valued a woman's reputation more than her life.

Perhaps her father at this moment would rather his daughter be dead than live and lose her reputation.

Duan Jingqiu still held a sliver of hope in his heart. His father, Second Master Duan, loved him so much that he even entrusted him with the management of his most valued business, while hardly ever interfering in his affairs.

Everyone knew that Master Duan valued business more than his own life.

"Mr. Kikawa... what should I... do?"

Duan Jingqiu completely lost his composure, looking at Lin Feng with a blank and fearful expression.

The former center of the Taisho era, Rakujo Prefecture.

Master Duan's study.

Second Master Duan Enji was nearly fifty years old, but he still had a straight back, sharp eyes, and a few white strands mixed in with his black hair and beard.

At this moment, he was sitting behind a huge desk, his eyes fixed on a pot of orchids in front of him.

Besides Master Duan, his advisor, Lu Fang, was also in the study.

The two were classmates in a private school and childhood friends.

"Enji, don't waste any more time. Third Sister has been kidnapped. Every minute that passes means more danger."

Duan Erye's eyes then turned to Lu Fang's anxious face.

“Lu Fang, I know you treat Third Sister like your own daughter, but have you ever thought about it? Is King Song an easy bandit to deal with?”

Lu Fang's veins bulged: "Song Chen is not someone to be trifled with, but is Second Master Duan someone to be trifled with? All the heroes under heaven respect you as Second Master. If you just say the word, I think Song Chen will die without a burial place."

Master Duan shook his head slightly: "Lu Fang, have you considered Jing Qiu's reputation?"

"Enji, how can fame be more valuable than life?"

Master Duan gave a wry smile: "Sigh, Jingqiu is strong-willed. She has a good reputation and manages most of the Duan family's business. The main problem is His Highness the Crown Prince..."

Lu Fang paused, his trembling hand slowly falling to his sides, his expression changing from excitement to fear.

“Our elder brother Miao Changfeng once acted as matchmaker, betrothing Jingqiu to His Highness the Crown Prince. The Emperor has already tacitly approved, and His Highness the Crown Prince is also very fond of Jingqiu. But now, with this happening, how can you expect me to announce this to the martial arts world?”

"This... does that mean even the Imperial Guards can't be touched?"

"Of course, it cannot be touched."

Lu Fang was deathly pale and completely lost.

Master Duan sighed, "Lu Fang, take my token and go to Tianshan to ask Elder Yan for help."

Lu Fang's eyes lit up: "Enji, that's exactly how it should be!"

"Unfortunately, my father once said that Elder Yan of Tianshan owes this favor. If he sees the token, he will definitely make a move, and then he will have no further dealings with my Duan family."

Duan Erye felt a pang of sympathy.

"Why think so much now? Saving lives is the priority. I'll set off now and try to get to Tianshan as soon as possible."

Before Lu Fang could finish speaking, he had already left the study.

Master Duan got up and rushed out, grabbing Lu Fang's arm.

"I have one more thing to say, and you must remember it: if his innocence cannot be proven, it is better to..."

He conveyed his decision to Lu Fang with his eyes, causing Lu Fang to shudder.

"You...sigh..."

Lu Fang forcefully broke free from Master Duan's grasp and strode away.

As soon as Master Duan saw Lu Fang's figure disappear through the courtyard gate, he beckoned the steward standing in the corner to come forward.

"Have Duan Long and Duan Hu take twenty assassins, change into civilian clothes, and secretly go to find the Thirteen Horse Gang. If they can take the life of Heavenly King Song Chen, I will reward them handsomely."

The butler bowed and agreed, took three steps back, and turned to leave the courtyard.

Master Duan returned to his study and remained silent for a long time.

“Alas, my poor son, he should not have made this mistake. He should go back and leave behind a good name.”

After a moment of lamentation, Master Duan looked up at the roof beam.

"Act according to the situation, and it's best not to leave any loose ends."

The study was very quiet, as if a sigh could be heard, but upon closer listening, there was no sound.

At the Yongding River wharf, three miles outside Fu'an Prefecture, Ye Haishan and his apprentice remained on the boat. One meditated with his eyes closed in the cabin, while the other cooked over a fire at the stern.

Rong Rong cooked white porridge, glancing at the cabin from time to time.

They have been here for two days, but their master still hasn't given any instructions. They don't know how much longer they will have to stay before they can leave.

Rong Rong felt that her master, Ye Haishan, had a bit too high an expectation of Mu Chuan.

Although Kikawa is a genius, his unruly nature makes it difficult to make him submit.

The master's three disciples, though not geniuses, were all exceptionally intelligent, and most importantly, they were obedient and never caused trouble for their master.

Mu Chuan is different; judging from his actions, he is definitely not someone who is content to cultivate in the mountains.

Rong Rong thought to herself, knowing she couldn't persuade her master. Helplessly, she looked up at the distance where a pair of vicious eyes were staring at her small boat.

It is said that when Kikawa disappeared, so too did Tsuruta Cho, the daughter of Tsuruta Gen of the Munenryu school.

Two days have passed, and there is still no word from Tsuruta Cho and Kikawa.

They both knew the relationship between the two and knew they would never elope; rather, one of them would die and the other would escape.

Who died? Who escaped? Everyone was puzzled, especially Tsuruta Gen, who knew his daughter's abilities and that she also possessed a valuable treasure.

Tsuruta Gen sent his disciples to keep watch at the dock, while he ordered Tsuruta Oka of Fuan Prefecture to send out two thousand soldiers, divided into dozens of teams, to search the area.

He himself was stationed at the highest point of the city gate tower, ready to rush to the scene immediately if there was any news.