Oops, the princess is surrounded by the male protagonists

Chapter 576 Could it be that the old monster Tianyi is being kept by this generous old lady?

Ruoxian was so frightened that her legs went weak and she knelt down with a thud, burying her head deep in her hands, not daring to even breathe.

His arrogant demeanor vanished instantly, leaving only trembling fear.

However, Ming Jingxing didn't even glance at him out of the corner of his eye.

His entire attention was focused on Shen Xingmian beside him, his face showing unprecedented eagerness and tenderness, and his tone was cautious and ingratiating.

"Xingmian, you've walked so far, aren't you tired? The mountain path is rugged, how about... I carry you up?"

As he spoke, he reached out to put his arm around Shen Xingmian's waist. His fawning manner was completely different from that of Tianyi Old Monster, who had just smashed the mountain gate with a single palm and threatened the entire scene!

Shen Xingmian blushed slightly at his unabashed intimacy, quickly turned away, gently shook her head, and softly refused.

"No need, Brother Ming, this mountain path is nothing, I can walk it myself."

"Xingmian, please don't be shy with me. I'll be heartbroken if you get tired!"

Everyone present was dumbfounded by Ming Jingxing's sycophantic attitude.

They suspected that the Ming Jingxing in front of them had been replaced. Otherwise, how could the infamous and ruthless Tianyi Old Monster be as docile as an obedient dog in front of an old lady?

"Brother Ming, what you're saying..."

At this moment, Shen Xingmian noticed Ruoxian kneeling on the ground, trembling like a leaf, and couldn't help but be surprised as she quickly stepped forward.

"Huh? Why is this Taoist priest performing such a grand ceremony? Is this how Zixiao Temple always welcomes guests...?"

Ming Jingxing then followed her gaze and casually glanced at Ruoxian.

His gaze was icy and chilling, which frightened Ruoxian so much that she froze and buried her head even lower.

Ming Jingxing chuckled and said to Shen Xingmian without any concern.

"He's just a spineless coward. He's so scared of me that his legs go weak. Ignore him."

Seeing this, Rakshasa suddenly spoke up, breaking the slightly awkward atmosphere.

"It's hot outside, and I'm a bit thirsty after walking all this way."

She waved to the two vendors carrying the plum juice.

"Hey, you selling plum juice over there, come over here and give us a few bowls too."

The two men dared not delay and quickly carried their loads over. They deftly ladled out several bowls of chilled plum juice and presented them to Luosha, Ming Jingxing, and Shen Xingmian, speaking in a flattering tone.

"Please, esteemed guests, this is refreshing and cooling, and it's free!"

Luosha took the bowl of plum juice, held the edge of the porcelain bowl, and took a sip.

The perfectly balanced sweet and sour flavor melted on her tongue, quenching her thirst and making her exclaim with delight. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

"Hmm? This plum juice tastes really good. Xiaoye and the others should try it too."

Shen Xingmian also sipped the soup, the cool broth sliding down her throat, and nodded in agreement.

"It's really refreshing and thirst-quenching, and the ingredients are high-quality."

Her gaze swept over the two vendors, and seeing their simple, patched clothes and weathered faces, she couldn't help but feel pity.

She took a bright yellow gold leaf from the purse in her sleeve and handed it to the fat merchant.

"We'll take all of these plum juices, and you can keep this gold leaf."

When the two vendors saw what Shen Xingmian was holding, they were so frightened that their hands trembled.

They waved their hands repeatedly, bowing deeply in gratitude.

"This... Madam! No, absolutely not! Our humble soup is not worth so much money! A few dozen coins are enough, really enough!"

"Take it."

Shen Xingmian shook her head and placed the gold leaf in the other person's palm.

"I just heard that you are having a hard time, so I will keep the rest of the money to help with your household expenses."

After saying that, she took out several gold leaves from her purse and walked over to several other vendors carrying loads who looked on with envy but dared not approach, handing one to each of them.

The merchants had never seen such a generous benefactor before. They stood there stunned for a long time before they reacted. They knelt down excitedly, kowtowing repeatedly and expressing their gratitude.

"Thank you so much, Madam! Thank you so much, Madam! You have the heart of a Bodhisattva, the greatest philanthropist in the world!"

Ming Jingxing watched from the side, and instead of finding Shen Xingmian extravagant, he looked proud and honored.

He put his arm around Shen Xingmian's shoulder and proudly raised his chin at the thankful merchants.

"Hmph! My Xingmian has many good qualities! But she belongs to me alone, so don't even think about competing with me for her!"

After saying that, he put his arm around Shen Xingmian, whose face was slightly embarrassed, and continued walking up the mountain with a smug look on his face, as if he were showing off a rare treasure.

Rakshasa then turned and gave an instruction to the two vendors selling sour plum juice.

"You guys, follow me."

Her tone was flat and even, yet it carried an undeniable air of command, leaving no room for disobedience.

The two vendors exchanged a glance, a hint of panic flashing in their eyes, but they dared not ask any questions. They quickly picked up their loads, lowered their heads, and cautiously followed behind Rakshasa up the mountain.

The tense atmosphere at the foot of the mountain only eased when Ming Jingxing, Shen Xingmian, Luosha, and the two merchants disappeared at the end of the winding mountain road.

Everyone breathed a long sigh of relief, their faces filled with the joy of surviving a disaster.

Someone, in a very low voice and with an incredulous tone, muttered something under their breath.

"My goodness... that old monster from the other day, could it be... that he's being... kept by this generous old lady?"

Although the voice was soft, it was exceptionally clear in the quiet setting.

Many people had strange expressions on their faces, wanting to laugh but not daring to, feeling that what they had seen and heard today had completely overturned their previous understanding of martial arts masters.

Who would have thought that the eccentric Tianyi Old Monster was actually a doting husband?

On the other side, Rakshasa led the two merchants, deliberately walking very slowly, eventually getting further and further away from Shen Xingmian and Ming Jingxing. After several twists and turns, they arrived at the edge of a secluded and deserted forest.

Surrounded by lush green trees, the wind rustled through the leaves, isolating it from the noise of the outside world and giving it a somewhat eerie feel.

Rakshasa stopped and slowly turned around.

The smile on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a chilling scrutiny.

Her gaze was fixed on the two men, and her voice became deep.

"Wang Ba, Zhi Qi, shouldn't you two be guarding the Demonic Sect's headquarters and obeying the sect leader's orders right now?"

She paused, her gaze becoming even sharper.

"Why are you disguised and brought to this martial arts gathering of righteous people? And why are you selling plum juice among the vendors? Tell me! What is your purpose?"