Chapter 0.22 Another One Arrives
“May I know your esteemed name?”
On the other side, Qin Gou asked the ‘male cultivator’ walking alongside him.
“I am Gong Yu.”
She chose not to lie.
Because it was only when she truly met the ‘Fellow Daoist Qin’ mentioned by Gong Wumeng that she realized she couldn’t discern Qin Gou’s cultivation level at all. It was impossible not to feel a sense of awe. Although she was somewhat confident in her habitually proud disguise technique, as long as she wasn’t deliberately locked onto by the opponent’s spiritual power, she still had to be extra cautious.
“Qin Gou. Back then, Gong Wumeng and I had a friendship that started with a misunderstanding.”
“I know. Wumeng mentioned Fellow Daoist Qin to me a long time ago.”
“Then I guess Gong Wumeng probably didn’t say many good things about me to you?”
“Fellow Daoist Qin is joking.” Gong Yu shook her head with a smile. “What Wumeng mentioned the most was how highly you esteemed your Dragon Clan disciple, treating him with utmost care. This impression wasn’t just hers; even Fellow Daoist ‘Bei Si’ was deeply impressed.”
Hearing this, Qin Gou mused, “So, Fellow Daoist, you even know ‘Bei Si’? It seems Gong Wumeng truly held nothing back from you, demonstrating her deep trust in you.”
“Wumeng and I, after all, grew up together.” Gong Yu’s smile remained unchanged. To put it more directly, Gong Wumeng was someone she watched grow up.
“So, Fellow Daoist also knows Gong Wumeng’s true origin?”
“The Abyss Clan, Nine Deaths Saint Monarch. But I do not know the detailed events.” Gong Yu pondered for a moment before asking, “I can see that Fellow Daoist Qin seems to understand this matter better. May I ask you a question?”
“Go ahead, let me hear it.”
Gong Yu’s tone became serious. “I wonder, after Wumeng truly goes to complete the resurrection of that senior, the Nine Deaths, will that wench still retain her own consciousness? Although I understand that I absolutely cannot stop Wumeng’s own choice, I can’t help but dwell on this matter, constantly seeking a clear answer!”
As for this answer, Qin Gou actually knew it very clearly.
To put it plainly, it would mainly depend on the thoughts of the Little Saint Monarch who ultimately became the dominant consciousness. If it were based on Banwei’s gentle nature, let alone retaining consciousness, then everyone would naturally be loving sisters.
However, at this moment, Qin Gou did not explain directly. “I understand Fellow Daoist Gong’s feelings, but when it comes to the matter of the Nine Deaths Saint Monarch, that’s a long story.”
“It’s alright, I don’t have many trivial matters to handle today, so I’m quite free and willing to listen with an attentive ear.” Gong Yu cupped her fists.
Qin Gou nodded slightly. “Then perhaps we can discuss it further when we reach the cave mansion you’ve prepared for me? After all, this matter is of great importance.”
“Thank you, Fellow Daoist Qin.” Seeing Qin Gou nod, Gong Yu’s eyes lit up with joy.
“However, since I’m asking someone else a question, for politeness’s sake…”
Qin Gou gazed calmly at Gong Yu and suddenly changed the subject, saying word by word, “Would Fellow Daoist first disperse your disguise in front of me?”
“Wh-…” Gong Yu’s expression changed drastically, her eyes trembling.
In fact, Qin Gou had a habit that was usually very good and quite gentlemanly: he never liked to suppress others by relying on his cultivation realm. Even when they first met, even if Qin Gou had immediately locked onto Gong Yu with his divine sense, she likely would have only dared to be angry but not speak. But out of politeness, Qin Gou almost never acted so domineering towards someone who wasn’t an enemy.
Therefore, logically speaking, although Qin Gou could now easily see that Gong Yu’s spiritual power seemed excessively restrained for some reason, he wouldn’t have immediately thought that she was deliberately using a disguise.
But this time, with his unusually active and excited old pal… when there was no danger, this guy was the most dangerous, but when a crisis emerged, he was definitely the most reliable. Ah Xi, right after Qin Gou stepped off the spirit boat and set foot on this land, had loyally and directly reported: “Ding! Reporting to the host, this person is disguised!”
…
In the sky above, clouds and mist swirled.
A woman in colorful attire, with unwavering focus, traversed the void at an extremely fast speed.
If Qin Gou and Ao Banwei were present, they would immediately recognize this woman as ‘Zhu Yuping,’ another Little Saint Monarch under the residual soul ‘Bei Si.’ She was the unfortunate child who had been left with deep trauma from exhaustion after a head-on battle with the Little White Dragon.
And just as Gong Wumeng had told Qin Gou earlier, her destination at this moment was precisely where Gong Wumeng and the others were.
However, at the same time, Zhu Yuping was unaware that her figure was being watched by someone with a much higher cultivation, and that person was quietly following behind her, having waited for a long time.
“Sister Xi You, I wonder where Zhu Yuping is going. Can’t we make a move yet?”
The speaker was ‘Huan Baiyao.’
The Little White Snake, who had once received a favor from Qing Yu, was now the clan leader of the main vein of the Empty Illusory Snake in the Beast Land.
After she and Qin Gou imprisoned the Fire Crow envoy Yan Qihao, and Qin Gou decided to infiltrate the Fire Crow Bi Fang Clan alone, she was arranged by Qing Yu to migrate her entire clan to Dragon God Island for safety. Now, she had been active in the Sea Race territory.
“From what I know, Bei Si possesses more than one Little Saint Monarch, so Baiyao, do not alert the enemy now. We should cast a long line to catch a big fish.” Hei You’s voice, the residual soul, immediately echoed in Huan Baiyao’s mind.
“Yes.”
“By the way, Baiyao, I previously asked you to use spirit power transmission to inquire with Qing Yu about Qin’s recent movements. You haven’t forgotten, right?”
“Sister Xi You, please rest assured. However, due to the distance, we still need to wait a while for an answer from Lord Qing Yu,” Huan Baiyao replied with a faint smile. “Actually, Baiyao misses Brother Qin just as much as Sister Xi You does.”
“Who, who misses that brat?”
Xi You quickly retorted, “I know you have quite a good impression of Qin, but don’t drag me into it. If Qin finds out, wouldn’t it be a disgrace to my master’s dignity? I was just… quite curious. It’s been several months, what is Qin busy with that he can’t spare any time to visit and care for his master? This scoundrel… his wings have truly grown strong.”
The memories inherited by residual soul Xi You were precisely her teacher-student relationship with Qin Gou. To the point where, when Qin Gou had seriously asked, “How did we end up as Dao Companions later on?” this girl Xi You had suffered a massive mental shock, and even argued with Old Qin for a long time… who among these two rascals had made a move on whom?
“Sister Xi You, Baiyao truly admires Brother Qin, but last time, after our brief communication with that residual soul sister named ‘Kong Ju,’ didn’t we already confirm that Sister Xi You, you, as a Saint Monarch, also…”
“Stop!”
“Baiyao, you are my only Little Saint Monarch, the child I’ve watched grow. No matter how you see Qin, as long as you don’t go too far, I won’t interfere. So, at this point, can you please stop repeating this and bullying your elder sister?”
In Huan Baiyao’s sea of consciousness, Xi You covered her face tightly, her voice filled with embarrassment. “Why did it turn out like this? Didn’t Master clearly decide to matchmake Qin Gou and Sister Jing? I wonder where that tigress ran off to now?!”
