“Go to hell!”
The fat bandit felt a sharp pain explode at the back of his head. The wooden stick in Qin Fei’s hand had already cracked, yet it still hadn’t knocked him out.
“I’ve hated robbery and rape all my life.” Qin Fei tilted her neck with a cold smile. “Crossing paths with me means you’ve hit an iron wall.”
The fat bandit roared in fury, snatching up the broadsword at his side and swinging it down.
The girl in pink cried out through her sobs: “Sister, watch out!”
Qin Fei dodged the blade, then lashed out with a kick to the bandit’s waist. He was sturdier than she expected—only staggered back a step before lunging at her again. She ducked low and drove a punch into him with brutal force. He cried out in pain and stumbled back.
Qin Fei pressed her advantage, driving her knee hard into his groin.
The fat bandit clutched himself and let out a shrill scream before collapsing to the ground.
Without hesitation, Qin Fei grabbed a small table nearby and smashed it down on him. The table shattered, blood streamed from his head, and he finally lay unconscious.
Qin Fei turned to the little girl. “Sister, come help.”
Though terrified, the pink-clad girl obediently ran over. Together they lifted the bandit’s limbs and tossed him into the river.
The second floor was clear. After checking, Qin Fei found a small cabinet, hid the girl inside, and hurried down to the first floor.
Three guards had also been lying in ambush throughout the ship, tossing nearly ten men into the water.
When Qin Fei reached the lower deck, she saw four or five more bandits standing on the planks. Spotting her, they immediately surrounded her.
The hidden guards burst out at once. Qin Fei seized the chance, kicking the nearest bandit, then snatched up his broadsword from the ground and fought the rest head-on.
Meanwhile, on the longboat, Ah Yan approached several men on deck.
“Master, we’ve searched the river for so long, but still haven’t found the culprit’s trail.”
The Prefect of Kaifeng sighed. “The witness clearly saw the killer walking along the riverbank. We’ve scoured the area—how can he still be missing?”
“Since he was seen by the river, and we’ve searched so long without finding a trace, could it be that the killer threw himself into the water?”
The speaker was Wei Caixing, son of Old Prince Wei. His father had deliberately sent him to assist the Prefect of Kaifeng, hoping he would learn some investigative skills.
“Young Prince Wei makes a fair point,” Qi Siluo chimed in, muddying the waters.
Wei Caixing’s presence was one thing, but the Prefect of Kaifeng truly couldn’t fathom why Marquis Zhongyong had also shoved his son into their ranks. One after another—these young lords made the officials look careless.
Fortunately, Cen Hejue, the one presiding over the case, said nothing. The Prefect wiped the sweat from his brow and glanced toward Cen Hejue, who stood on the deck gazing out across the river.
“Preceptor, have you thought of something?”
“…”
Cen Hejue ignored him. Ah Yan, seeing the Prefect’s awkwardness, stepped in: “Our master doesn’t like to speak when he’s thinking.”
The Prefect nodded repeatedly, never realizing that Cen Hejue was simply admiring the scenery.
Ah Yan thought to himself that the Prefect was a fool. Why search for culprits? Every murderer in this case was already on the boat.
“Cen Hejue, Old Prince Wei’s influence is no small thing. If you want to succeed, you’ll need to win him over.” Qi Siluo, calm and composed, moved closer and lowered his voice: “That Wei Caixing—one glance and you can tell he’s simple, easy to deceive.”
Cen Hejue’s eyes flickered sideways toward the youth, but he said nothing.
“Look over there!” Wei Caixing’s eyes widened as he pointed at two distant ships. “Aren’t those vessels being attacked by bandits?”
The Prefect of Kaifeng hurriedly looked. Sure enough, figures were fighting on the deck. He quickly shouted for the boatman to change course toward the two ships.
“That looks like a Tan family vessel,” the Prefect muttered, catching sight of blurred characters on the hull.
“The Tan family’s ship?” Wei Caixing’s face changed at once. He shouted urgently to the boatman behind him: “Quick! Head over there!”
The Prefect blinked. “Young Prince, what’s the matter? Do you know someone aboard…?”
“My sister, Wei Ahyue, is playing on that ship,” Wei Caixing clenched his fists and explained rapidly.
At this, the Prefect’s expression grew grave. He barked orders for the men to speed up.
As they drew closer, Wei Caixing looked up and saw a pink‑clad girl waving to him from the second deck. Relief lit his face. “Faster!” he commanded.
The Prefect squinted, suddenly struck by how familiar the figure battling the bandits on deck seemed. He couldn’t shake the feeling he had seen that silhouette before.
Qi Siluo chuckled softly, leaning in behind Cen Hejue: “Didn’t I say the little princess had skill? Look—”
Cen Hejue lifted his eyelids, his gaze settling on Qin Fei, whose movements were sharp and dazzling as she fought. She stepped onto the plank, driving her foot into a bandit’s face. Her embroidered crimson skirt flared like layers of blooming lotus, radiant and arresting, beauty blazing for all to see.
Wei Caixing’s eyes fell on her too, stunned. “Who knew there could be a girl with such skill in all the world.”
The young woman landed steadily, her reactions swift. She kicked the bandit before her against the railing, seized his collar, and slapped him hard across the face—twice in quick succession.
“Ah!”
“Ah! Ah!”
“Stop hitting me!”
Another bandit took advantage of her distraction, slamming a fist into her back. Qin Fei staggered two steps, lost her footing, and fell to the deck. The bandit lunged forward with a kick.
Qin Fei rolled like a carp springing from water, flipping to the side. Bracing against the railing, she hooked her leg sharply—precise and ruthless—then pivoted and drove a heavy punch into the man’s chest. He collapsed in agony, unable to rise for a long while.
Standing tall upon the deck, the princess radiated fierce authority. Her movements, swift as wind and cloud, made Wei Caixing’s heart race.
“Princess, behind you!” a guard shouted.
Qin Fei spun around. The last bandit had raised a long blade, swinging it down toward her. The tip hovered mere centimeters from her hair—too close to dodge. She could only retreat, raising her elbow to shield her face. Just as she prepared to counter with a side kick, there came a sharp hiss— The blade never reached her.
Blood sprayed. A deadly arrow had pierced straight through the bandit’s skull.
Qin Fei froze, then followed the arrow’s path with her eyes.
On the longboat stood a man, tall and unyielding. His black hair was bound high beneath a silver coronet, a cloak of dark wolf fur sweeping the ground. His cold, chiseled features were sharpened by the austere garment. In his obsidian eyes burned only the chill of winter—majestic, predatory, like a bloodthirsty beast roaring across mountains and seas toward her.
Qin Fei shivered involuntarily. Meeting Cen Hejue’s gaze, her heart faltered. Had he seen her fight just now?
On the ship, nearly all the bandits were unconscious. Those still aware had been bound by the guards.
The longboat drew alongside until the two vessels touched. The Prefect of Kaifeng led his officers aboard, checking the wounded and tying up the remaining bandits.
Meanwhile, Qin Fei lifted the planks beneath the carpet. Beneath them, Gu Nian lay dazed, leaning weakly against the hidden space. When she saw Qin Fei, she raised her head.
“Your Highness… you found me.” Qin Fei sighed, helping her out of the cramped compartment.
Cen Hejue and his men boarded the ship. Qin Fei quickly called for Ah Yan—thankfully, he carried antidote pills for drunkenness. After feeding Gu Nian two, her gaze gradually cleared.
Qin Fei helped her to a seat to rest, then stepped onto the deck, intending to probe Cen Hejue. Just then, light footsteps sounded from the second floor.
The little girl she had saved earlier rushed headlong into her arms. “Big Sister, you’re amazing!”
Qin Fei froze, instinctively glancing at Cen Hejue. His expression remained calm, as though he hadn’t grasped the meaning behind the child’s words.
The girl’s clothes had been torn by the bandits, and with so many men aboard, Qin Fei quickly removed her own outer robe to cover the child.
“Ahyue!” Wei Caixing had just boarded when he saw the heroic young woman dressing his sister. Alarmed, he cried, “Are you all right, Ahyue?”
Wei Ahyue turned, saw her brother, and clutched Qin Fei’s hand as she ran toward him. “I’m fine, Brother. This elder sister saved me.”
Qin Fei blinked. When Tan Hua and Pang Xiangsi had introduced her earlier, she hadn’t noticed this girl. Clearly, the child didn’t know her true identity.
“So it was this young lady who saved my sister.” Wei Caixing clasped his fists and bowed deeply. “Many thanks, miss. On behalf of my parents, I offer our gratitude.”
Qin Fei could hardly accept such a grand courtesy. She quickly helped him up. “It was nothing, just a small effort. Anyone would have stepped in to help a little girl in danger.”
Wei Caixing, hearing this, recognized her as a kind and understanding woman. Earlier, from below the ship, he had only admired her skill. Now, up close, he realized she was breathtakingly beautiful—so much so that he couldn’t look away.
“Miss…” Wei Caixing stared at Qin Fei, utterly entranced.
Qin Fei didn’t notice his gaze at all. Her eyes lingered only on Cen Hejue.
If Cen Hejue discovered she knew martial arts, would he suspect she wasn’t the original person? He was sharp, but surely he couldn’t guess she was from another world…? Her thoughts tangled in unease—until a sudden thud startled her.
Qi Siluo had just boarded and, upon reaching Cen Hejue’s side, saw Wei Caixing kneeling before Qin Fei.
“What the—” Qin Fei jumped back half a step. “What are you doing?”
Wei Caixing, a fair and delicate youth, now fixed his bright black eyes on her with blazing sincerity. Solemnly, he declared: “You saved my sister. The Wei family owes you a debt. I, Caixing, fell for you at first sight. I boldly beg to marry you, to devote myself to you.”
“?!” Qin Fei’s eyes widened like copper bells. Who could have imagined such a foolishly earnest boy? Instinctively, she looked toward Cen Hejue.
Cen Hejue stood unmoving, his gaze narrowed, shadowed, flickering between her and Wei Caixing.
Qi Siluo nearly burst out laughing. “Looks like someone’s trying to steal your bride.”