Evan Lin sat back in his seat, leaned against the chair, and looked straight ahead, asking calmly.
"Uh..."
Hearing Evan's question, Lily Liang's voice went hoarse: "You misheard."
"I didn't say anything..."
She was utterly guilty, but more than that, she was still shaken.
"I don't mind if you tip off the Ancient Martial Rowe clan. You can even let them prepare in advance for my arrival."
Evan didn't look at Lily; he just continued, "The Shang family's destruction is done, and the Rowe family's fall is inevitable."
"As for you, just guide me to the Rowe clan. Rest assured, I won't kill you, nor do I intend to make things difficult for you."
Evan spoke in an indifferent tone.
These words settled in Lily's heart. On one hand, they confirmed Evan truly posed no threat to her life, which made her breathe easier. But on the other hand, deep down, Lily felt an indescribable sadness.
Because Lily understood that Master Lin of Seacrest never really cared about her at all. Since she wasn't even on his radar, whether she lived or died naturally didn't matter.
As for the previous Third Elder Rowe, Lily hadn't tipped him off—she didn't even have the qualifications to get in touch with a Rowe clan elder.
"I heard that the ancient martial clans are all connected. If you really wipe out the Rowe clan, the other families might come after you too."
Lily was silent for a moment; this time, she spoke with genuine feeling.
After all, Evan had just saved her life.
"Just drive properly."
With just one line, Evan shut down everything Lily was about to say.
"A dog biting Lü Dongbin—can't recognize a good heart!"
Lily frowned, grumbling to herself, and finally gave up on arguing.
The car sped out of the city, heading north at full throttle.
After nearly two hours of driving, they got off the highway. Lily drove along a narrow road for another hour, finally stopping in a mountain hollow.
"The Ancient Martial Rowe clan is inside here. You can't drive any further on this road."
Lily turned off the engine and opened the car door.
Evan got out and glanced around.
Ahead was a single mountain, but beyond it there were no more—unlike the endless ranges one might expect.
"Behind that mountain is a plain, a wide open area. The Ancient Martial Rowe clan is there. It's not easy for outsiders to get in. When I was a kid, I was lucky enough to visit once—it took me three hours to walk there."
Lily explained from the side.
Clans like these ancient martial families usually prefer peace and quiet. Except for a few who like excitement, most settle in places where few people live.
Looking around, the scenery wasn't exactly beautiful, so no tourists came. The road was rough and undeveloped, so hardly anyone ever visited.
"You can go back now."
Evan nodded, then set off down the road by himself.
Lily watched Evan's back for a moment, hesitated, then suddenly gritted her teeth and hurried after him.
"You're not leaving?"
Evan asked curiously, "Aren't you afraid I'll suddenly decide to kill you?"
"You said you wouldn't kill me."
Lily lifted her chin. "Besides, even if I go home now, it's a mess—going back would just be a headache."
"Might as well follow you and see what happens. Maybe the Rowe clan will help our Liang family get revenge. If I get to see you in trouble, that'll be pretty entertaining!"
Lily blurted out her true thoughts without thinking.
As soon as she said it, she regretted it a little. She sneaked a glance at Evan, but he just nodded, showing no sign of being angry, which made her relax.
"Don't worry. Once we're at the Ancient Martial Rowe clan, as long as you keep quiet, I won't expose your identity."
Lily added another line.
Right now, Master Lin of Seacrest and the Ancient Martial Rowe clan are mortal enemies.
On one hand, Lily wanted to see Evan get crushed by the Rowe clan. But every time she remembered how he saved her life, she couldn't help but secretly hope he'd make it out alive.
Even though Evan had ruined her family, killed Liang Chengbo, and broken the patriarch's arms.
Women really are complicated creatures.
Evan ignored Lily's tangled emotions and kept walking forward.
His feet hit the rough path; the road was hard to walk.
Not many people came to the Rowe clan each year, so there was never a clear path worn into the ground.
Evan didn't hurry. He strolled along at a leisurely pace, like he was taking a walk in a garden.
The Three Maiden Spirits circled Evan, whistling up and down, spreading out around him, occasionally glancing at the surrounding woods.
Earlier, when I had the Three Maiden Spirits possess Quentin Shang, their combined power surprised me. These ghosts, without bodies or anchors, are naturally weaker. Maybe I should forge them a container someday.
Evan was already making plans in his mind.
His first candidate was Gavin Duan. Of course, he didn't mean for the Three Maiden Spirits to take over Gavin's body—more like a power boost.
The Three Maiden Spirits would be like weapons in a warrior's hands, but he wasn't sure if Gavin could handle it.
Lily, struggling to keep up with Evan, had to jog every now and then just to match his pace.
"How is this road so tough, but you walk like it's flat ground?"
She watched Evan always stay a few steps ahead, no matter how fast she sped up. It annoyed her to no end.
What pissed her off was that this guy had zero sense of chivalry.
Sure, they'd had their share of beef, and her family got wrecked, but Lily herself—come on, she was still hot.
Back in school, every guy who saw her would light up like a Christmas tree.
But Master Lin from Seacrest? Not even a twitch.
Lily gritted her teeth, muttering complaints in her head.
She even wondered, could this dude actually be into guys?
But that was just a thought she kept to herself.
After hiking for more than two hours, Lily's feet were blistered and aching.
"Lily Liang?"
Someone called her name.
"Who?"
Lily paused, startled, and looked up.
She glanced at Evan standing nearby, then followed the voice to see a young man and woman not far ahead.
The guy looked sharp and had an air of confidence.
The girl was pretty, slim and graceful. When she saw Lily look up, she seemed a little surprised.
"Lucy Sun?"
Seeing the girl, Lily blurted out her name without thinking.
"It's really you?"
Lucy Sun walked over in a few quick steps.
She didn't even look at Evan, just went straight to Lily, her face full of surprise: "What are you doing here?"
"You shouldn't even have the qualifications to be here."