Chapter 7: For the sake of the Shen family, Luo buried his name and discussed the progress of Qin Lei's fist and footwork.

  Bid farewell to old friends and welcome new ones. Li Guangyuan left and Tie Zhonghao arrived.

  Another middle-aged man with a calm and elegant demeanor. He was of medium build, slightly plump, with a ruddy complexion and well-groomed. His eagle eyes were surprisingly similar to Qin Lei's, but more weathered, with a deeper gaze.

  This was the second time they met, and last time Qin Lei pretended to be ill, he came to visit. As for this person, Qin Lei only knew that he was the leader of the Zhongdu merchants in Qi, and also hinted by Li Guangyuan that this person had some kinship with himself.

  "My surname is Shen and my name is Luo." This was Tiejun Hao's opening remark.

  Qin Lei didn't react much, he didn't understand what was behind the name. But Tie Ying understood, and he asked in a low voice: "Shen Luo? What's your relationship with our lord's uncle's family?"

  A man who claimed to be Shen Luo, with a heroic and unrestrained air, knelt down on one knee in front of Qin Lei, clasped his fists and said: "I am the eighth brother of Princess Jin, the outer housekeeper of the Shen family."

  Qin Lei hastily supported her, and Jin Fei was his mother in this life. His mother's brother wasn't a maternal uncle, what was he?

  Qin Lei helped Shen Luo up and said with a wry smile: "Uncle killed his nephew, please sit down quickly." He was still very happy in his heart.

  Shen Luo did not decline, after sitting down, he carefully examined this 'nephew' who had brought him to the capital and was now about to give up his current life. He seemed stronger than when he last visited, and also more spirited.

  Qin Lei saw that Shen Luo seemed to be trapped in a certain mood, and he didn't rush him. He quietly watched the steaming hot air rising from his teacup, and he could feel that the man in front of him had just made some kind of decision, which was somewhat heavy.

  People who are more successful have strong self-control, and Shen Luo is no exception. He quickly regained his composure and solemnly said: "Sixteen years ago, I was ordered to come to the capital in secret to protect Your Highness. My master ordered me to conceal my identity and not contact you, only appearing before you when Your Highness is in the most danger. Please forgive me." This explained why he had not taken care of him for sixteen years.

  Qin Lei was not originally a poor boy, so he didn't have any feelings about the miserable history of the past sixteen years. Therefore, he sincerely said: "Uncle, you're being too serious, elders are far-sighted and wise, how can juniors like me dare to speak rashly? Besides, your arrival at this time speaks for itself."

  After hearing these warm and comforting words, Shen Luo's brow slightly relaxed, and he smiled: "Thank you, Your Highness, for your comfort. From today on, the 500 brave warriors of my Shen family in the capital city, as well as our assets of 8 million, will all be handed over to you."

  Even if it were two lifetimes as a human being, Qin Lei couldn't help but stand up and exclaimed: "Really?"

  Shen Luo saw that the usually refined and elegant Young Master finally showed his youthful appearance, and he couldn't help but smile in his heart. He nodded and said: "A thousand truths, a myriad of proofs, as long as Your Highness can escape, even if it means our Shen family's arrangements in the capital are completely ruined, it will be worth it." Sixteen years ago, I said that, added Shen Luo in his heart.

  The situation turned sharply and fell, with Zhong being thousands of miles away. It was too late to show up. At this time, it was not executing the command 16 years ago, and there were excuses at that time, but after Shen Luo's contradiction, he still resolutely executed it.

  Even if he didn't know the inside story, Qin Lei knew that life could only have a few sixteen-year-olds. Looking at Shen Luo's appearance, it seemed that he had left Zhongdu when he was eighteen or nineteen years old, and the best part of his life was spent here.

  Qin Lei suddenly realized: "That night when we were ambushed, Iron Eagle said someone was helping us, it must have been Uncle."

  Shen Luo nodded and said: "Not bad, but the opponent is too strong, we lost a lot of men and couldn't save the prince."

  Qin Lei shook his head and said seriously, "Uncle, your words are wrong. If it weren't for the sacrifice of those brothers, I wouldn't have been able to hold on until the assassins retreated." He stood up, adjusted his collar, and bowed to Shen Luo, saying, "I am deeply grateful for Uncle's great kindness, but I dare not express my thanks in words. I can only repay you with filial piety in the future."

  Shen Luosheng returned the courtesy, feeling greatly relieved. Although they were uncle and nephew, Qin Lei was a prince after all, and the etiquette of ruler and subject took precedence over family ties. By speaking in this manner, Qin Lei had abandoned the etiquette of ruler and subject, and from now on would only consider their familial relationship. This attitude undoubtedly made Shen Luosheng very satisfied. He laughed loudly and stood up, supporting Qin Lei as he asked: "Your Highness, have you come to a decision?"

  The two of them went into the study and conspired for a long time. It wasn't until nightfall that Shen Luo left the prince's residence with a shocked expression.

  Seeing Shen Luo off, Tie Ying thought to herself: "The young master really doesn't like people staying for meals, even his own uncle has to go home for dinner."

  ~~~~~~~

  Days passed by, Shen Luo visited the big and small dignitaries in Beijing according to plan. After a while, he would come to Qin Lei's mansion to sit down and discuss something. Indeed, money can make ghosts work, the gatekeeper Jin Wu was very polite to Shen Luo, letting him come and go as he pleased.

  Qin Lei continued to temper himself in an orderly manner, as if nothing had happened.

  After dinner, it's time for the usual sandbag punching exercise.

  Qin Lei started with a whip kick as usual, Tiejia's reaction was slightly slower and he didn't block in time. The whip kick flew towards his temple, Tiejia leaned back but it was too late. The leg that was full of momentum suddenly stopped right next to his ear, only an inch away.

  Qin Lei saw that Tie Ying's mind was not at ease, and he had just kicked him awake with a fake kick. He smiled and said, "Big Brother Tie, are you thinking of that powdered head in the garden?"

  Tie Ying had already become immune to the two faces of his master, automatically filtering out the teasing words, and asked in a rough tone: "Your Highness really doesn't plan on using force?"

  Qin Lei nodded and smiled: "I said Iron Big Brother worried about what, I am planning to let Qi Guo Li send me back to the country."

  Tie Ying didn't respond and continued to say in a wronged tone, "I am the leader of Your Highness's personal guard, I should be protecting you, how can you not want me?"

  Qin Lei smiled and said, "I understand Iron Big Brother's intention, but I couldn't think of a second reliable person to send the letter to Hangguan Pass. I don't trust anyone else."

  Tie Ying knew that Qin Lei was extremely cautious, and even if it was Shen Luo's person, he wouldn't trust him completely. It seemed that this task was tailor-made for him. Tie Ying reluctantly asked: "What about the safety of the young master?"

  Qin Lei brushed his hair back from his forehead with one hand and snorted: "Did you think that these days, Ben Gongzi was showing off?"

  Tie Ying nodded, made a starting gesture and said in a low voice: "Just about to ask Your Highness for advice." As soon as he finished speaking, a Black Tiger Heart Piercing Fist, his right fist struck out from under his armpit. Before they parted ways, Tie Ying finally took the initiative to attack once.

  "Good timing!" Qin Lei said with a clear voice. He made a horse stance, and with a move of the "Noble Lady's Mirror", he deflected Tieying's punch. Immediately after, he shifted his body to the side, and with his right elbow, he struck Tieying's ribcage fiercely. Tieying hastily moved his arm down to protect his internal organs, attempting to block this strike. Little did he know that it was a feint, Qin Lei's forearm suddenly swung, transferring power to his fist, accelerating its speed - squarely hitting Tieying's nose, instantly causing blood to gush out, a ghastly sight.

  Iron Eagle couldn't hide his astonishment: "Your Highness has made tremendous progress, with significant improvements in both speed and strength. Coupled with that unorthodox attacking style, ordinary masters can no longer keep up with you." He tore off two strips of cloth from his collar, forcefully stuffing them into his nostrils to stop the bleeding, and said in a deep voice: "Since Your Highness has made up your mind, I'll follow your lead." His tone was somewhat melancholic.