Chapter 5: Senior Brother of the Outer Sect

Jinling University was ranked number one among all universities in Jinling. As a member of the Dongfang family, it was only natural for Dongfang Qingwan to attend this institution. What surprised Qin Xuan slightly was that Dongfang Wenhao, that boy, was also coming to register. It made sense, though; the two were siblings and not far apart in age, so starting their freshman year together was perfectly normal.

When the black business car stopped at the university gate, it didn’t attract much attention. The Dongfang family was known for their low profile, and the car itself was an unremarkable brand that blended right in at the entrance to Jinling University.

But the moment Dongfang Qingwan stepped out of the car, everything changed.

“Wow, look over there—what a beauty!”

“Is she a freshman this year?”

“Finally! Someone tell Brother Wei, quick!”

A crowd of young men began to gather, eyes fixed on her.

When Qin Xuan got out, he was startled by the attention. All around, dozens of eyes, both near and far, were fixed on them. Even at the train station, he hadn’t been such a spectacle.

“Who’s that Taoist?” someone whispered.

“No idea. Why is he getting out of the car with the beautiful freshman?”

Hearing their mutterings, Qin Xuan was at a loss. He was a swordsman, not a Taoist priest, so why did everyone keep calling him one?

Just then, a fierce shout erupted behind him.

“What are you looking at? Get out of the way!”

The surrounding crowd immediately retreated several steps. Qin Xuan turned in mild surprise to see a burly man in a black trench coat and sunglasses stepping out of the driver’s seat. It was Brother Fu, the driver.

Qin Xuan could tell at a glance that this man was built like a mob boss, muscles rippling beneath his coat—a seasoned fighter, no doubt. An ordinary person wouldn’t stand a chance against him.

It seemed bodyguards like him were still the most in demand, Qin Xuan thought to himself.

With Brother Fu’s shout, a path opened before them. Dongfang Qingwan breathed a sigh of relief and followed Brother Fu toward the school gate, her steps light and graceful, almost ethereal.

Dongfang Wenhao also got out and flashed a conspiratorial wink at the crowd.

Qin Xuan noticed his little gesture but only smiled. His main concern was ensuring Dongfang Qingwan’s safety; as for Dongfang Wenhao, he regarded him merely as a mischievous child, no threat at all.

A mob boss, a stunning beauty, a supposed Taoist, and a handsome youth—such a group caused quite a stir at the university gate.

Among the onlookers were several boys whose eyes were fixed on Qin Xuan. As Qin Xuan passed by, they suddenly made their move, extending their legs to trip him up.

Qin Xuan remained composed, strolling forward as if nothing was amiss.

“Ah!”

“Hey, ouch!”

“It hurts!”

All five boys cried out at once, each clutching his foot and limping away. With lightning speed, Qin Xuan had stepped on each of them, a light punishment for trying to make trouble on Dongfang Wenhao’s behalf.

These five were Dongfang Wenhao’s high school buddies, now enrolled at Jinling University as well. On the first day of orientation, they’d heard from Dongfang Wenhao that someone was after his sister, and, righteously indignant, were eager to teach the culprit a lesson.

They’d all met Dongfang Qingwan before and considered her their goddess.

Now, after Qin Xuan’s maneuver, they were left bewildered, thinking it was just an unfortunate accident.

“What happened, Little Third?” Dongfang Wenhao, trailing behind Qin Xuan, had missed the whole thing and was left puzzled by their sudden cries.

“It’s so weird. Someone stepped on me out of nowhere—it hurts like hell,” wailed the short boy called Little Third, staring at Qin Xuan’s retreating figure in confusion.

“Same here. I was about to trip that guy, and then I got stepped on…”

“We’ll deal with him later when there are fewer people. For now, let’s take a break…”

The group hobbled away to rest.

Dongfang Wenhao scratched his head, baffled, and joined his friends to plot their next move.

“What’s your brother up to?” Qin Xuan asked Dongfang Qingwan as they walked side by side, noticing Dongfang Wenhao and his friends sitting by a flowerbed.

“Those are his classmates,” came the soft reply.

Though Dongfang Qingwan didn’t think highly of Qin Xuan, her gentle nature made her willing to answer such simple questions.

“I see,” Qin Xuan nodded.

Brother Fu glanced at Dongfang Wenhao but paid him no further mind, leading Qin Xuan and Dongfang Qingwan inside. On the first day, they only needed to complete some formalities, which Brother Fu would handle.

As for Dongfang Qingwan and Qin Xuan, they were simply there to familiarize themselves with the campus.

Suddenly, Qin Xuan paused.

Not far inside the gate, a large screen was displaying the news.

“The fugitive Zhou Daqiang, who had recently slipped into the city, was apprehended near the train station early this morning. Chief Yang of the Public Security Bureau said they received a tip-off from the public, immediately dispatched a team to the abandoned industrial area near the station, and, after a fierce struggle, captured Zhou Daqiang alive…”

Qin Xuan recognized the man in the photo instantly. Wasn’t that the burly fellow he’d tied up at the abandoned factory? So that was Zhou Daqiang. But hadn’t he already tied him up? Why did the police need to engage in a ‘fierce struggle’?

Puzzled, Qin Xuan decided not to dwell on it. It was a trivial matter, after all.

“I’ll handle the paperwork. Qin Xuan, take Miss for a walk around the campus,” Brother Fu said, his broad, reassuring face visible even behind his sunglasses.

Qin Xuan smiled. “You trust me more than Dongfang Wenhao does.”

Brother Fu chuckled heartily and clapped him on the shoulder. “If the old master sent you, that’s good enough for me.”

With that, he turned and left, leaving Qin Xuan and Dongfang Qingwan together.

Dongfang Qingwan shot Qin Xuan a glance, her fine brows knitting, but she said nothing and walked off on her own, graceful as ever.

Qin Xuan naturally fell into step beside her, taking in the sights of the campus. Jinling University certainly lived up to its reputation as the city’s top institution—lush trees, scenic lakes, and artificial hills created a truly beautiful environment.

All along the way, they drew plenty of attention, especially Dongfang Qingwan, whose beauty made her the focus wherever she went.

“By the way, do you have a phone I could borrow?” Qin Xuan asked, holding the slip of paper Dongfang Jingtang had given him. Having just come down from the mountains, he hadn’t had a chance to buy a phone yet.

Without a word, Dongfang Qingwan handed him a small white phone.

“Thank you.” Qin Xuan dialed the number.

“Hello?” A cheerful male voice answered.

“Hello, this is Qin Xuan…” He meant to ask about accommodation, but the man interrupted before he could finish.

“Haha, Junior Brother Qin, calling at last! This is your Senior Brother Zhao Long from the outer sect.”

Qin Xuan was taken aback. He had no idea he even had a senior brother from the outer sect.