Chapter 0 11.Returning What Was Lost
Every time a trial participant was knocked out, the Little Gambler would expertly strip them bare. Then, on Qin Gou’s suggestion, they’d inflict a few shallow cuts in non-fatal areas. These unfortunate souls would then be instantly teleported by the formation to the actual healing grounds, where they’d be meticulously cared for at any cost.
Qishou would never have imagined that the very rules he had personally set would ultimately become the best helper, the greatest contributor, to Qin Gou and his companions in their bloody work.
While Li Yuanzhen, who was clearly enjoying herself, handled all the dirty and strenuous tasks, Qin Gou was not idle. Despite still being in a trial that was fraught with danger for everyone else, Qin Gou held a jade slip in his hand, completely immersed in comprehending the fourth level of the Azure Emperor Painting Scroll’s cultivation technique. One of the rewards for this mission was that once Qin Gou successfully obtained the Sacred Dragon Manual, the system would immediately boost it to the same level as the Azure Emperor Painting Scroll. Qin Gou naturally wanted to maximize his benefits.
Meanwhile, the “business” at the Qin family’s Truce House was becoming increasingly popular. With more and more guests, even the gentle, kind, and dignified Fairy Li was becoming overwhelmed.
Qin Gou calmly glanced at his charming guests, feeling completely at ease. He was the only one present who could use spiritual power. Although not at full strength, he could still handle the unsuspecting crowd with ease.
Just as Qin Gou slowly rose and exchanged a meaningful glance with the Little Gambler, preparing to unleash their ‘Face-Changing’ technique together, a beam of light from the sky pierced through the Truce House’s ceiling and enveloped Qin Gou alone.
As if bathed in sweet dew, Qin Gou immediately felt his strength significantly surpass what it was before the rules were imposed.
“Extraordinary power?”
“Hahaha, how interesting! This fellow was actually bestowed with extraordinary power within the Truce House. I wonder if it’s luck or misfortune.”
Everyone watched Qin Gou with amusement. Some even openly gloated.
“This is the Truce House. He would never dare to attack us, or he’d automatically lose his qualification.”
“You lucky dog, get out of here! The Truce House doesn’t welcome you!”
Upon hearing this, Qin Gou’s lips curled into a wild grin. “Who are you telling to get out?”
“We’re talking about you!”
“You dare to be so presumptuous within the Truce House? How audacious!”
Qin Gou maintained his smile as he drew the staff sword at his waist and slowly approached his charming guests. Finally, some began to panic, rushing towards their greatest reliance at the moment. “Lord Dragon, Fairy Li, won’t you do something? This person dares to disregard the trial rules and act so arrogantly!”
Ao Banwei’s gaze drifted, feigning ignorance. She said to Li Yuanzhen, “Sister Yuan Zhen, look at the birds singing and flowers blooming in the woods. Why don’t we go for a stroll together?”
“Indeed, indeed. This humble Daoist has the same intention. Little Banwei is so understanding.” Li Yuanzhen smiled and took Ao Banwei’s small hand. The two walked away, chatting and laughing, without looking back.
“What is going on?”
“Lord Dragon, Fairy Li, can’t you see? This guy is using his extraordinary power to run rampant in the Truce House! Hurry and teach him a harsh lesson, then disqualify him!” Everyone was dumbfounded and in a panic.
“He is the owner of this Truce House, so he can do whatever he wants. What can we do?” Ao Banwei and Li Yuanzhen confessed innocently.
“What!?”
In a moment, Qin Gou was like a tiger entering a flock of sheep. Screams and curses echoed throughout the Qin family’s Truce House.
“Damn it, you’re allowing favoritism!”
“I will definitely report this to Manager Qishou, just you wait! Ow, ease up, don’t hit, don’t hit, I’ll eliminate myself!”
“Um, before I’m eliminated, may this humble one use the restroom? I was too embarrassed to ask in front of the beautiful and moving Fairy Li just now. Wouldn’t it be even more awkward once I’m transported to the healing grounds… You devil!”
“Uh, that fellow probably won’t have to worry about using the restroom again until his injuries are healed.”
A moment later, Qin Gou pushed open the door of the Truce House and came out. The interior was already empty.
“This extraordinary power seems to last for a while. I shouldn’t waste it. I’ll be right back. You two be careful.” Qin Gou instructed and immediately departed.
Li Yuanzhen looked enviously at Qin Gou’s retreating figure and said, “Why wasn’t I the one bestowed with extraordinary power? That way, I could help A’Qin more and use it to repay my gambling debts.”
“Sister Yuan Zhen, just how much do you owe Master?” Ao Banwei asked curiously.
“Let me see… The only thing I haven’t lost yet is probably this pure heart of this humble Daoist!”
“So you have nothing left then?”
Next, Qin Gou had only one thing to do: to intentionally guide and coerce all the trial participants he encountered into the Qin family’s Truce House as much as possible.
He didn’t mind being taunted and insulted by them as they smugly laughed under the protection of Ao Banwei and Li Yuanzhen. In fact, even if Qin Gou and Li Yuanzhen were eliminated now, with the battle merits they had accumulated, they would certainly pass this trial smoothly. Qin Gou was still fighting so desperately to clear the obstacles for future trials, planning ahead for contingencies.
Before long, the Qin family’s Truce House and its surroundings were packed with people, treating Ao Banwei, the Lord Dragon, and Fairy Li as their last hope. Qin Gou approached them with a wicked smile.
“Is this guy crazy? He’s already entered the Truce House!”
“Lord Dragon, please immediately order him to leave, or simply disqualify him.”
Amidst everyone’s cries of alarm, Ao Banwei and Li Yuanzhen employed the same tactic again: feigning deafness and blindness, out of sight, out of mind…
Just then, Qin Gou felt a heaviness in his body and froze on the spot. Those who had previously gained extraordinary power within the Truce House immediately burst into laughter. “This guy’s extraordinary power has ended!”
“Heaven helps me! Let this bastard dare to be arrogant again. Fellow Daoists, let’s attack together and eliminate him directly!”
“To lose extraordinary power at this moment, is there anyone more unlucky than him in this world?”
In an instant, those who had been like pitiable and helpless lambs turned the tables, surrounding Qin Gou with sinister smiles.
“What are you all doing? Let me tell you a secret, Qin is definitely going to be the biggest winner of this trial. Do you believe it?” Qin Gou shrugged and smiled.
“Believe it! Dreams are where anything is possible.”
“We’ll send you to the healing grounds now. Once you get there, you can slowly have your daydreams, you unlucky fellow.”
Qin Gou sighed helplessly. Then, the Qin family’s Truce House, which had seemed the fairest and safest place in everyone’s eyes, rapidly transformed before them, shrinking into a small seed. It swiftly penetrated countless bodies and returned to Qin Gou’s fingertip, spinning rapidly. Ao Banwei and Li Yuanzhen, under everyone’s astonished gaze, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Qin Gou as if it were natural, their hands poised for action.
The harvest had begun.
…
Finally.
By the end of this trial, the two who had accumulated the most battle merits were Qin Gou and Li Yuanzhen.
First place: Qin Gou, 96 battle merits. Second place: Li Yuanzhen, 37 battle merits. The Little Gambler’s battle merits alone were twenty more than the third-place finisher, let alone others. It made one exclaim, “Did these two open a slaughterhouse during the trial?”
As Qin Gou and his party returned to their cave dwelling to rest, laden with spoils, Dragon God Island was in an uproar. Voices crying “prearranged,” “nepotism,” and “favoritism” erupted everywhere. Qishou, annoyed to no end, came knocking shortly after.
“You fellow actually had Banwei impersonate the Truce House to help you during the trial?” Qishou asked sternly, his gaze sharp. “You are truly too audacious.”
Qin Gou said dismissively, “Manager Qishou exaggerates. The rules you announced at the beginning didn’t forbid such actions. I was merely doing my best to secure more battle merits.”
“Then how were you able to use spiritual power during the trial?” Qishou asked, frowning.
Qin Gou explained with a mix of truth and falsehood. Qishou mused, “Carrying such a high-grade meridian-repairing pill with you. Your capabilities are truly remarkable. If anyone else tried to emulate you, they’d constantly consume spiritual power to protect their meridians and stop bleeding, which would be a net loss.”
“Now Manager Qishou knows, I have indeed not violated any rules,” Qin Gou said, shrugging. “Of course, if Manager Qishou insists on disqualifying me, it’s merely a matter of your word, whether I broke rules or not.”
“I am still considering that. After all, directly disqualifying you and announcing it to the public would be the best way to quell the resentment,” Qishou said, staring at Qin Gou teasingly, half-jokingly.
Qin Gou was silent for a moment, then suddenly produced an object from somewhere, concealing it in his hands. With a mysteriously pleased smile, he said, “But if I present this item, I believe Manager Qishou will no longer make things difficult for me.”
Qishou’s expression stiffened at first, then his gaze became incredibly sharp. He sneered, “You intend to bribe me? Have you gone mad and are seeking your own death?”
“Manager Qishou misunderstands me,” Qin Gou said with a smile, shaking his head. At the same time, he opened his palm, saying meaningfully, “This humble one is merely returning lost property to its rightful owner.”
In view was an item that originally belonged to Qishou: a very familiar and exquisite cyan ribbon.
In an instant, Qishou’s aura became unstable. His bright eyes widened to their maximum, and reflexively, his slender legs went slightly weak, making his entire body feel numb.
At the same time, inside the small space within the ribbon on Qin Gou’s arm.
“Wuwuwu…” Qiu Qianyue clutched her flat stomach, tears streaming down her face, feeling extremely wronged. “Master, why are you doing this? Why do you keep bullying this Qian girl and always snatching away the ribbon she likes!”
