Chapter 0.30: Sharing Master’s Worries, Zhao Xinting
“Fellow Daoist Liang, how truly great…”
At this moment, Qin Gou found himself unable to conjure any other more vivid or powerful word than ‘great’ to describe Liang Tiantian standing before him.
Qin Yuan had indeed predicted it correctly; if this brat knew the true origin of Jade Girl Chahun, he might even thank himself?!
“Great is a bit much, it’s just a promise made in my youth that still shines brightly in my memory. As this young master, a formidable and iron-blooded man, I always keep my word!”
Although he said this, a flicker of self-satisfaction still flashed in Liang Tiantian’s eyes. He then solemnly patted Qin Gou on the shoulder and earnestly encouraged him, “Fellow Daoist Qin, you may not fully understand right now. But if you were to experience the same incredible fortune as I have, I believe that given your noble character, you would undoubtedly make the same choice as this young master!”
No, only you would!
Qin Gou felt a pang of shame and said, “Then I wish you smooth sailing, Fellow Daoist Liang.”
“Are you referring to the trial, practicing? Cough, Fellow Daoist Qin, the reason I’ve explained all this in detail is actually because I have a small, ungracious request.” Liang Tiantian clasped his fists solemnly, “Seeing as we’ve met, could Fellow Daoist Qin allow me to accompany you for a while?”
“Why is that? Didn’t Fellow Daoist Liang rush to find Brother Zhao and Virtuous Brother Sun…” Qin Gou’s expression showed confusion.
Liang Tiantian gave a dry laugh, “It’s not an embarrassment to tell you, Fellow Daoist Qin. I’ve lived a life of luxury since childhood, and coupled with my decent talent, even with my daily idleness in cultivation, I’ve gradually been propelled to this current realm by my family’s resources. However, I’ve never once gone out alone for training like this… So I only ask for Fellow Daoist Qin’s care. When we pass by the sects of the brothers I’m familiar with, I will depart.
During this time, Liang Tiantian will follow Brother Qin’s lead and adhere to all your arrangements.”
Upon hearing this, Qin Gou fell silent for a moment, then suddenly thought of something and said with a smile, “It’s not impossible, but is it true, what Fellow Daoist Liang said about following my lead from now on?”
“Of course! Can Brother Qin not trust my promise, Liang Tiantian’s,?” Liang Tiantian declared, patting his chest.
“I trust it, I absolutely trust it!” Qin Gou immediately recalled the ‘youthful pact of righteousness’ that Liang Tiantian had mentioned!
He had always thought this fellow was just an arrogant and reckless dandy, but looking at him now, in terms of keeping his word and ‘caring’ for his close friends, Fellow Daoist Liang was absolutely peerless and worthy of respect.
“Then now, I will make my first arrangement for Fellow Daoist Liang. The Lang Chen Escort Agency has a vast network of influence. Since Fellow Daoist Liang is going out for training now, you mustn’t be too conspicuous. So, the name Liang Tiantian is definitely out.”
Qin Gou’s tone was filled with deep resentment, “From now on, you will be called Liang Chudi.”
On the Spirit Boat.
“What?” Liang Tiantian’s face was full of surprise, “Brother Qin’s given name is ‘Qin Gou’? As in the hook of the iron painting and silver hook? Isn’t that exactly the same as the honored name of the Master of Arc-Moon Mountain?”
“I am Qin Gou of Arc-Moon Mountain,” Old Qin replied without hesitation.
“You…” Liang Tiantian couldn’t help but erupt in laughter, holding his stomach. “Brother Qin, Brother Qin, it’s one thing for Madam Mu to borrow Master Qin’s influence and act arrogantly, but you’re even bolder, directly impersonating him! I’d say, Brother Qin and Madam Mu are truly a match made in heaven, a perfect pair!”
“Are you insulting me again?” Qin Gou’s nose was almost twisted with anger, and he glared fiercely at Liang Tiantian.
Liang Tiantian chuckled, “Moreover, even if you wanted to impersonate someone, shouldn’t you prepare beforehand? Look at your current appearance, in what way do you resemble that Ancestor?”
“Then tell me, where do I not resemble him?” Qin Gou’s mouth twitched.
“This young master has seen the portrait of Ancestor Qin since childhood. With Brother Qin’s current face, at most, you resemble the upper three layers!” Liang Tiantian shook his head helplessly.
“Your portrait…”
Liang Tiantian immediately crossed his arms, confident, “It was ‘seized’ from the Purple Extreme Demonic Sect, so its credibility is extremely high!”
Case closed.
In fact, whether it was the sacred image of Demon Master Qin Gou worshipped by the Purple Extreme Demonic Sect or the Mystic Maiden Raksha Palace, besides Old Qin’s wishful thinking that it was a perfect likeness, everyone who had actually seen it—Little Gambler and Little White Dragon alike—felt that Cult Master Zhao and Palace Lord Ye had beautified their impression of Old Qin to an absurd, unrecognizable degree…
“Besides, Brother Qin, out of all the identities you could have borrowed, why choose that Ancestor? It’s simply too exaggerated. If you were truly the Master of Arc-Moon Mountain, then I’d be the current courtesan of the Hidden Immortal Absolute Beauty Tower!” Liang Tiantian said, half-amused and half-exasperated, waving his hand.
“Hidden Immortal Absolute Beauty Tower?”
“You don’t know? Ever since the last courtesan disappeared, everyone has been speculating which female cultivator will be so fortunate as to become the next Mistress of Ten Thousand Flowers of the Hidden Immortal Tower.”
…
At Xinghu City, Heaven’s Substitution Sect.
With the help of Qin Gou’s Freedom Intent physical form, Mu Man’er, whose body shape had been altered, had gradually recovered her original appearance over time. She was now a petite, clever, and exquisitely carved little girl.
Returning to her bedroom, Mu Man’er immediately spotted a familiar yet unfamiliar figure.
“G-Greatest Senior Brother?” Mu Man’er rubbed her dark eyes with her small hands, exclaiming in a clear and sweet voice.
Although she had not had much interaction with Zhao Xinting due to differences in their realm and when they became disciples, Qin Gou’s study in Arc-Moon Mountain always displayed portraits of all his disciples who had “graduated” and descended the mountain. She often sat there alone, lost in thought.
Over time, Mu Man’er had become quite familiar with her Eldest Senior Brother’s appearance.
Even though the outside world had already spread rumors of this Eldest Senior Brother being a demon who drank human blood and brought disaster upon the world, she was willing to believe that he would never harm her.
“Mu Man’er, sixth disciple of the Celestial Master Pavilion?” Zhao Xinting’s clear and bright eyes, like a cold spring, calmly appraised the little figure before him. “I’ve already learned about your special circumstances from Master. Come, look at this!”
Saying so, Zhao Xinting opened his palm, revealing a strand of Jade Girl Chahun, sleeping peacefully.
Originally, even though Zhao Xinting was also a World Master of the God Realm, it would not have been so easy to forcefully obtain such a wondrous item. It was just that the true master of the Little Profound Realm in the Hidden Female Country, Mo Qingxin, was now in such a pathetic, half-dead state.
“What is this…” Mu Man’er blinked her dewy, spiritual eyes, filled with curiosity.
A moment later.
“Come, try to summon your Natal Spirit Tool.”
“Okay!”
Mu Man’er obediently nodded her small head. In the next instant, she was enveloped by a sacred white light and transformed into a delicate and graceful young girl with skin like condensed fat and a graceful figure.
She appeared to be sixteen or seventeen years old, brimming with captivating youthful energy, but it was not merely a simple enlargement and lengthening like Qin Gou’s transformation.
Her pretty face was as white as snow, pure and lovely. Her dark eyes were clear and mischievous. With every smile and frown, she could captivate the heart and linger in one’s memory. However, her innate nature was still as troublesome as ever…
“Senior Brother, look, as soon as Man’er disperses her spirit tool, she returns to her original state.”
“I’ve gotten smaller.”
“I’ve gotten bigger again!”
“Man’er gets smaller again, Man’er gets bigger again, hahaha, Man’er again…”
“Slap.”
“Ouch, it hurts!”
For a moment, Mu Man’er clutched her little bottom, feeling extremely wronged. “Why is it that besides Master, Eldest Senior Brother also likes to spank bottoms.”
Zhao Xinting glared at the naughty wench with annoyance and asked, “What are your plans next?”
“Man’er wants to go home first, and then immediately go find Master. His little Arc-Moon Mountain bean sprout has finally grown up!”
“What? Didn’t you tell Master before that the reason you wanted this appearance was to better represent the Heaven’s Substitution Sect in cooperating with other sects, so as not to be seen through by those who possess Eye-type Spirit Tools?”
“Senior Brother, for Man’er, how can these trivial matters compare to giving Master a surprise and personally witnessing Master’s astonished and gratified smile!”
Hearing this, Zhao Xinting looked at Mu Man’er, who was excitedly pacing around the room, showing signs of what seemed like childhood hyperactivity, and couldn’t help but smile knowingly.
Master had indeed done a great deal for them, his disciples. Now that Zhao Xinting had become a World Master, it was time for her to share his burdens.
After helping Mu Man’er this time, the next step was to leave an External Incarnation at the Mystic Maiden Palace to protect its inhabitants temporarily for Xiao Shuang’er, as she had been pleading with her for a long time.
Even though she inexplicably refused to clearly state her intentions after leaving the Mystic Maiden Palace… Could it be that girls mature faster, and she now found this old Senior Brother boring, with no common topics?
She let out a cold snort, feeling a little jealous inwardly. But everyone around Zhao Xinting knew that the Purple Extreme Demon could never truly be angry with the Mystic Maiden Palace Lord. In fact, just hearing her name would instantly soften Zhao Xinting’s eyes.
It was as if she could still see Xiao Shuang’er, who would always run to her to cry and act spoiled whenever she was reprimanded by Master.
That year on Arc-Moon Mountain, Qin and Zhao had a perfect division of labor and roles, the strict father and loving mother, which was very clear.
“Oh, and Yi Chengying. If Xiao Shuang’er is out enjoying herself, how can we forget that hardworking little girl? It’s quite by chance that these two sisters desire to go out for training at the same time.”
At this moment, Zhao Xinting could not have imagined that the first destination for Ye Qishuang and Yi Chengying after their liberation would be exactly the same…
“If Master finds out that Xinting is wholeheartedly trying to resolve worries for him and that the disciples of the Celestial Master Pavilion are so united and helpful, he will surely praise me highly!”
She had intended to use Spirit Power Transmission to report her great achievements to Master Qin Gou, but on second thought, it would be more impressive if Ye Qishuang, Mu Man’er, Yi Chengying, and others spoke of their model Eldest Senior Brother’s immense contributions firsthand!
For a moment, Zhao Xinting crossed her arms, displaying an air of arrogant pride, with anticipation in her eyes.
Three days later.
Vanishing without a trace, the long-dormant Mu clan wanderer and the Evil Sword Fairy, with greatly increased power, like demons breaking free from prison, returned to the Jianghu.
