Chapter 0: Qin Gou Takes Me Away
“Why did that wench come here? Little Gambler, she’s my registered disciple. Take her here immediately,” Qin Gou commanded, full of suspicion.
He felt something was off, sensing a trap in this mission. He suddenly realized, “System, what’s going on? Where’s the punishment? You deliberately didn’t tell me the punishment for the last mission, did you? If there truly was no punishment, it should have been stated as a failure with no penalty, just like the ‘Wrath of the Burning Heavens’ mission before. It’s not that I’m afraid of catching whatever Ao Banwei has, I’m just afraid you’ll try to trick me!”
“This mission has a time limit of six months. If the mission fails, the punishment will be carried out by the Dragon Saint Qingyu… the system will only forcibly transport the host to her.”
“So it is!” Qin Gou said dejectedly. “What heinous crime have I committed to deserve this? You’re deliberately trying to trick me like this? And Qingyu will carry out the punishment? What does she plan to do to me? Isn’t this a dead end whether I go or not?”
“Another branch mission has been added, which can inform the host of the specific punishment.”
Qin Gou gritted his teeth. “You’re getting smarter and smarter. Are you just retaliating because I forced you to flatter me before? Fine, I agree. I just want to know what that little Qingyu plans to do to me?”
“Ding. In addition to beating the Dragon Saint’s buttocks one thousand times, an additional mission is to offer a sincere kiss to the Dragon Saint Qingyu. The punishment for failure is: the host will be beaten one thousand times on the buttocks, shout ‘I am a pig’ one thousand times, travel naked around the Four Seas Dragon Palace, and tell everyone encountered, ‘If I don’t wear it directly, I, Qin Gou, will never wet my pants again.'”
Qin Gou was completely stunned. “So, if I go, Qingyu intends to do these things to me? And if I don’t go, you’ll force me to go, and I’ll still receive these punishments, right?”
“Completely correct.”
“Kill me!”
Qin Gou almost fainted from anger, “I’ve raised an ancestor! Why does Little Yu hate me so much?!”
“Flowers follow the water, and water carries flowers. The fallen petals have intentions towards the flowing water, but the water has no heart for the falling petals.”
“Then I’ve made my decision. As soon as I see her, I’ll yell ‘Qin Gou is here’ and immediately take off my pants. Do as you please,” Qin Gou said with firm resolve, without any pretense.
System: ???
…
“Sixth Disciple Banwei greets Master,” led by Li Yuanzhen, Ao Banwei finally met Qin Gou and saluted respectfully.
“You’re still just a registered disciple… And how did you find me?” Qin Gou asked, puzzled.
“Banwei’s Love-betrothal Dragon Pearl is in Master’s hand. It’s like a part of Banwei’s body, so Banwei can sense its location easily, anytime and anywhere,” Ao Banwei said obediently.
“I see. What business do you have with me then?” Qin Gou nodded slightly.
“Banwei hopes to stay by Master’s side and follow Master,” Ao Banwei said, her big watery eyes blinking, her face flushing slightly. “Banwei noticed that Master doesn’t seem to have a suitable mount yet. Banwei believes she can help Master.”
Li Yuanzhen suddenly said strangely in Qin Gou’s ear, “Why do I feel your disciple has a strange personality? But I can’t quite pinpoint what’s strange about her.”
Qin Gou didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “You’ll know.” Then, he asked Ao Banwei, “You’ve come at the right time. I have some questions about your Dragon Clan that I need you to help me with. That is, what does it take to qualify for cultivating the ‘Sacred Dragon Manual’? And what kind of person is the Dragon Saint Qingyu?”
Ao Banwei’s face stiffened. Her ancestor had instructed her not to mention her too much in front of her master, but they had only just met. How could she answer?
“Now, the ancestor has officially announced the selection of an heir. All races can participate, and only the final winner of the trial can inherit the ancestor’s mantle and the ‘Sacred Dragon Manual’. As for Ancestor Qingyu, Master, you probably know her better than Banwei, right?” Ao Banwei said with a bitter smile. When her master was mentioned, Ancestor Qingyu had become so excited, she looked like she was about to have a seizure. Who would believe there was nothing between them?
“I know her?” Qin Gou chuckled to himself. “Indeed, she used to be my…” Qin Gou wanted to say pet, but considering Qingyu’s current status among the Dragon Clan, he hesitated.
Unexpectedly, Ao Banwei’s eyes lit up, and she said expectantly, “She used to be your beloved, right? You and the Ancestor must have had many complicated grudges and affections that others couldn’t possibly know!”
“Oh, you child!” Qin Gou frowned deeply, sighing with loss. “You’ve spoken the absolute truth!”
“Banwei knew it had to be so. Otherwise, why would the ancestor have gotten so excited when she heard your name?” Ao Banwei said excitedly, her small face flushing, completely unaware she had fallen into the trap.
Qin Gou skillfully guided her, “She was very excited? Hmm, she really hasn’t changed a bit. Besides that? Did she say anything else about me?”
“The ancestor just complained that you’ve been out of seclusion for so long and haven’t visited her. She didn’t really say anything else,” Ao Banwei said sincerely.
Qin Gou nodded. “In that case, I do need to go and see her. How about this, I’ll go and witness the so-called trial as well. After all, I am somewhat interested in the ‘Sacred Dragon Manual’. But my main purpose is to see Qingyu. Will you lead the way for me, Banwei?”
“It would be my honor! Master, you truly are a man of deep affection and righteousness,” Ao Banwei said, deeply moved.
Qin Gou nodded with a smile. From their brief exchange, Celestial Master finally understood that his “beloved” seemed to be a woman, or rather, a female?
“Are you planning to leave now?” Li Yuanzhen asked, her tone full of reluctance.
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll go with you,” Li Yuanzhen said without hesitation.
“What are you going to do?”
Li Yuanzhen said seriously, “Naturally, I’m going to participate in Dragon Saint Qingyu’s trial. Didn’t this sister Banwei just say that all races are eligible to participate?”
“Fine, you can go by yourself. You don’t need to follow us,” Qin Gou teased with a half-smile.
“How can that be? It’s on the way, why would you exclude me?” Li Yuanzhen said with a hint of grievance.
Qin Gou smirked, “Who told a certain Little Gambler not to tell the truth? Are you really trying to participate in that trial? Alright Banwei, there’s no time to delay, let’s…” As he spoke, Qin Gou took a step forward, about to leave.
“Qin Gou, take me with you!”
Before anyone could react, Li Yuanzhen lunged forward, grabbing Qin Gou’s leg. The sudden movement almost tore off Qin Gou’s pants.
“Please, take me with you! This humble Daoist doesn’t want to be a Saintess; I just want to do evil deeds with Celestial Master forever!” Li Yuanzhen clung to Qin Gou’s right leg shamelessly, not caring who saw. The dignified Righteous Valor Fairy acting so rudely and throwing a tantrum; she never cared about appearances anyway.
What an insult!
This Celestial Master had done so many good deeds, helping the weak and punishing the strong, yet in the eyes of this wretched Saintess, he was doing evil!
Qin Gou vowed that one day he would train this Little Gambler into a dignified lady of good breeding!
Several days later, on the Spirit Boat.
The dice landed.
“How is this possible? I lost again? It’s one thing to lose to A’Qin, but I can’t even beat you, Ao Banwei, a beginner? Why is my luck so bad lately?” Li Yuanzhen exclaimed with wide, disbelieving eyes.
Ao Banwei smiled sweetly. “This must be beginner’s luck. By the way, Sister Yuan Zhen, didn’t you say that whoever lost between us had to do something within their power for the other? Banwei has already thought of it.”
“Speak,” Li Yuanzhen said with a dejected frown.
“Banwei wants Sister Yuan Zhen to insult me, the more harshly the better.” Ao Banwei’s small face flushed slightly, her golden eyes filled with a hint of joy.
“What did you say? Did I hear you correctly?” Li Yuanzhen asked, surprised.
“Of course, Banwei is not joking.”
Li Yuanzhen gasped, and with sincere admiration, patted Ao Banwei’s shoulder. “Good girl, you’re truly a good gambling friend, at least a thousand times kinder than A’Qin! Shall I begin to curse?”
“Yes!” Ao Banwei said expectantly.
Li Yuanzhen deliberately put on a stern face and shouted, “You little worm, what kind of dragon are you? Just die early. You’re only fit to be used as material for a pair of snake-skin boots, and to be trampled under my feet.”
After speaking, Li Yuanzhen became somewhat worried. “Was that too harsh? Banwei, I’ve always had a sharp tongue.”
“No, no! Sister Yuan Zhen is amazing!” Ao Banwei’s watery eyes sparkled with starlight, and she was so delighted she could barely contain herself from hugging Li Yuanzhen.
Li Yuanzhen’s expression instantly turned as if she had seen a ghost. She shrieked and fled, rushing to Qin Gou’s side, babbling nervously, “A’Qin, why are you taking lunatics as disciples?”
Qin Gou glared at her impatiently. “Are there not enough lunatics around me?”
“Who else?” Li Yuanzhen asked, confused.
“Heh heh.”
“Master!” At this moment, Ao Banwei’s small feet padded happily as she ran over, pointing to an island below the Spirit Boat. “That’s where Banwei’s home is. Can we stop the Spirit Boat to rest for a while? Banwei wants to invite Master to our home as a guest.”
Qin Gou nodded slightly. “As long as it doesn’t delay the trial, of course.”
“Great! Thank you, Master.”
The Spirit Boat slowly landed on the island, and someone immediately came forward. Upon seeing Ao Banwei return, they respectfully saluted, “Welcome, Eldest Young Lady.”
However, someone else looked displeased and stammered, “Why has Eldest Young Lady returned at this time? Young Master Mo Yu is currently visiting the palace.”
Ao Banwei bit her red lip, annoyed. “It’s that guy again.”
Qin Gou asked curiously, “Who is Young Master Mo Yu? Why do you get so angry when his name is mentioned?”
“He’s a persistent fellow, the Second Prince of the Abyssal Demon Race.”
