Chapter 0: Causing Trouble Together
At this moment, Qin Gou was appearing in the guise of ‘Qin Yue’, so Zhao Xinting naturally wouldn’t recognize him.
One must understand that the reason Zhao Xinting could always easily exude mysterious liquid was entirely due to his own internal issues, not a physical problem. It was a deep-seated inner demon from before his cultivation. To directly startle this sect leader to the point of fainting was a skillful endeavor.
Qin Gou only had one chance. He absolutely could not let Zhao Xinting see that his cultivation had greatly regressed, so he had to be extremely cautious.
“What did you just call me?” Zhao Xinting stared directly at Qin Gou, questioning him.
Qin Gou shrugged, smiling playfully, “Sissy, fake woman, didn’t I say it right?”
“Why could you tell at a glance that I am a man?” Zhao Xinting’s eyes were filled with shock and surprise. With his delicate and beautiful appearance, full of makeup and fragrance, he envied the countless fairies of all sects and factions in the Cultivation World, besides lacking breasts and having an extra something. Moreover, he was currently wearing a rather loose white dress.
This was not because the Demon Lord had any special preferences, but because he had been forced to wear it by Ling Cuiyan earlier.
“Nonsense. If you were a woman, with this look, would you really have fallen to this state, only able to stare enviously at someone’s steamed bun stall?” Qin Gou scoffed.
This reason was very flimsy.
But Qin Gou knew that precisely because it was far-fetched, Zhao Xinting would cherish it all the more. It could make Zhao Xinting mistakenly believe that he still had a sliver of masculinity.
If a kind person were to approach Zhao Xinting at this moment and say, “Poor little girl, why don’t I treat you to a meal?” Zhao Xinting would not only be ungrateful but would also be too humiliated to eat a single bite.
“You insulted me by calling me a sissy, and I should have been angry. But you could at least tell I was a man at a glance, so the merits and demerits cancel each other out. However, if there’s a next time, I won’t be so easy to talk to.” Zhao Xinting’s twin pupils were as calm as water as he asked, “Speak, what is your purpose in approaching me?”
“I’m just a loiterer, what purpose could I have? I’m just looking for a smart companion to cause some trouble with, and you seem pretty good. Your appearance is extremely deceptive, you’ll definitely be a great asset.” Qin Gou chuckled wickedly, “You must be starving, right? How about I treat you to a meal?”
“You? Treat me to a meal? Do you have money?” Zhao Xinting looked at Qin Gou’s messy, dirty clothes with disdain, looking more like a refugee than himself, even more disheveled.
“Don’t I have you? I can’t get this job done alone, but with you, I have everything!”
A hint of suspicion flashed in Zhao Xinting’s eyes. He immediately frowned and retreated a few steps as if avoiding snakes and scorpions, his tone strange, “Kid, what do you mean by that? You like men who appear to be women like me, don’t you? I’m warning you, don’t have any illicit ideas. I’m not that kind of casual person, and if I were to show it, I wouldn’t lose to anyone.”
“Don’t force me to slap you with my big mouth.”
Qin Gou’s mouth twitched. He took out an exquisitely embroidered money pouch from his bosom and, in front of Zhao Xinting, stuffed small pebbles into it. He smiled slightly, “I have a plan that can at least allow us to feast on the finest wine and dishes, as long as you cooperate well! But let’s be clear, if your performance doesn’t satisfy me, I’ll find someone else.”
Zhao Xinting looked at Qin Gou’s actions suspiciously. Although tempted, he was still cautious, “I won’t do anything that harms my reputation, like robbing or raiding.” After all, acting in such a manner was not only risky but also wouldn’t garner any Power of faith.
“Don’t worry, absolutely no stealing or robbing… Even if the methods aren’t glorious, I won’t bully the weak and innocent.” Qin Gou smiled meaningfully.
Zhao Xinting frowned, “Black-on-black?”
“Who do you think you are? Don’t you have any culture?” Qin Gou glared at Zhao Xinting with a look of disappointment, “The old gentlemen in the private school all said that punishing the wicked and supporting the weak, robbing the rich to help the poor, is a righteous act. Seeing you like this, I know you didn’t receive much good education in the past.”
Zhao Xinting’s clear eyes instantly turned as cold as frost, sharp and piercing.
Qin Gou was stunned for a moment and then let out a dry laugh, “I was just teasing you. You’re quite hot-tempered for your age.”
…
In the bustling market, a motley crew of people.
Zhao Xinting, wearing a white dress and with skin as white as snow, walked aimlessly. A plump, exquisite money pouch slipped from his waist unintentionally, but Zhao Xinting continued to walk straight ahead without looking back.
A moment later, a fat man dressed as a merchant stooped down and picked up the money pouch. Instead of reminding Zhao Xinting, who was not far away, he squinted his eyes and held it tightly in his arms.
“Hoh, brother, you have good luck. Congratulations, congratulations.” Qin Gou, who had been waiting nearby, immediately stepped forward.
The fat merchant eyed Qin Gou vigilantly, “Who are you? Do I know you?”
“Hehe. Let’s cut the nonsense. Is this money yours? My eyes see very clearly. As the saying goes, those who see it get a share!” Qin Gou rubbed his hands together and said with a smile.
The fat merchant sneered, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Really? That beautiful young lady hasn’t gone far yet? Look at the exquisite style and heavy weight of this money pouch. That young lady must be from a noble background. Aren’t you afraid I’ll shout and call her back?” Qin Gou’s lips curled into a wicked smile, pressing his advantage.
“You! You little punk.” The fat merchant gritted his teeth, quickly pulled Qin Gou to a nearby corner, and said coldly, “How much do you want? Here’s a little something for you, now scram.”
“Half and half.” Qin Gou spread his hands.
“Dream on!” The fat merchant roared angrily.
“Oh no, my money pouch… What should I do?”
Not far away, Zhao Xinting cried out in alarm and quickly returned.
Qin Gou was so startled that his whole body flinched. In a panic, he pushed the heavy money pouch into the fat merchant’s arms and said, “Hide it quickly, or we’ll both be finished.”
The fat merchant hid the money pouch in his outer garment, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes.
However, Zhao Xinting, as if guided by divine assistance, accurately arrived in front of the two ‘culprits’, Qin Gou and the fat merchant, and asked with a suspicious look, “You two, the shopkeeper at the street stall told me that it seems you two found my money pouch?”
“Slander.” Qin Gou crossed his arms, looking like a rogue who couldn’t be helped.
The fat merchant nodded in agreement, “We just happened to be passing by. This young lady has no proof, so don’t wrongly accuse good people.”
“Is that so?” Zhao Xinting’s lips curved into a playful smile, “My money pouch has a rather distinctive appearance, and it’s filled with more than a dozen valuable Spirit Stones. Whether you took it or not, I’ll know with a glance!”
“Alright, Spirit Stones, right? Look, do I have any Spirit Stones?” Qin Gou took out a tattered money pouch from his bosom and casually threw it to Zhao Xinting.
Zhao Xinting’s face turned red with anger. He gritted his teeth and glared at the fat merchant, “And you?”
The fat merchant sneered and unfastened his own money pouch from his waist, handing it to Zhao Xinting, “I’ve never even known what Spirit Stones are in my life.”
Zhao Xinting clutched the money pouch, his face a mask of shock and anger, “How could this be? Damn it, you two must have hidden my money pouch! Two damned commoners, how dare you toy with me! I’m going to search you!”
As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Gou turned and ran.
“Shifty-eyed scoundrel, I knew you were up to no good!” Zhao Xinting cursed angrily and chased after him without hesitation.
Leaving the fat merchant alone, his face beaming with pride and joy, he happily ran in the opposite direction, clutching a large bag of broken stones.
