Chapter 0.12: Appearances can be Deceiving, Li Yuanzhen
Qin Gou’s eyes held a probing gaze. Mu Man’er’s expression remained unchanged, but her heart was in a panic. Did Li Yuanzhen not address her Master as ‘Celestial Master’? Even if not, hadn’t he always readily accepted the title ‘Celestial Master’ when addressed as such, usually with immense joy?
What was going on today? Mu Man’er’s thoughts raced as she tried to adapt. She absolutely could not expose herself so quickly, or she would surely be severely punished by her Master.
Just then, a playful smile curved Qin Gou’s lips. “You’re fooling around with me again, aren’t you? Say ‘Good Daddy’!”
Mu Man’er froze for a moment, then lowered her head slightly, timidly saying, “Good, Good Daddy…”
At that, Mu Man’er’s little face flushed with an unconcealed blush. So, the dignified Evil-Slaying Saintess of the Sword Questioning Sect, Li Yuanzhen, and her Master were actually in *this* kind of relationship? Senior Sister Li looked so proper and chivalrous, yet she enjoyed this kind of game.
Truly, one could not judge a book by its cover; Yuan Zhen was best admired from afar.
“That’s right. Isn’t this how we are in private?” Qin Gou nodded with a satisfied smile.
That’s the way, little imposter.
In fact, Qin Gou hadn’t run into her by chance. He had originally planned to surprise the Little Gambler and Man’er. Using his Freedom Intent, he had shrunk his form and leaped onto the windowsill of Xinjian Hall, only to witness ‘the Little Gambler’ hiding something inside a small rouge box.
Thinking back now, that must have been the real Li Yuanzhen.
“Have you seen Mu Man’er? I have something I’d like to discuss with her,” Qin Gou asked, his expression normal.
“Sect Leader Mu was indeed with this humble Daoist just now, but she has already left. She seemed to be going to explore a secret realm and won’t be back anytime soon,” Mu Man’er replied immediately.
“Is that so? Then never mind,” Qin Gou said with a meaningful smile. “Go prepare yourself. We’ll be leaving the Sword Questioning Sect in the next few days and heading to Heaven’s Substitution Academy together.”
“Heaven’s Substitution Academy?” A barely perceptible flicker of surprise flashed in Mu Man’er’s eyes.
“That’s right, it’s still about that Banwei matter. You can probably guess why, can’t you?” Qin Gou said with a smile.
“Mmm,” Mu Man’er simply nodded.
“Alright then, it’s settled.”
Qin Gou suspected the person before him was most likely that mischievous girl Mu Man’er, but he had no intention of exposing her yet. He wanted to see what this girl was up to. After all, if he nipped her little scheme in the bud, it would at most be a minor infraction of playing pranks. It was better to catch her red-handed for the Celestial Master to administer his ‘crackling’ earnest teachings.
“This humble Daoist will immediately report to the sect,” Mu Man’er said obediently.
Qin Gou couldn’t help but feel a mix of amusement and exasperation. This girl was quite unlucky, being completely fooled by Li Yuanzhen’s reputation and appearance. Her performance now was full of loopholes.
The real Little Gambler always did as she pleased and went wherever she wanted. What nonsense was this reporting to the sect? This was the spirit of a true sword-wielding woman with a pure heart, unbound by trivialities.
“What’s the hurry? Come here for a hug!”
Qin Gou suddenly pulled Mu Man’er into his arms without warning, his deliberate rough action diverting her attention.
Mu Man’er was bear-hugged with a bewildered expression and then vaguely patted on the bottom and urged to leave, feeling completely lost.
Yet, in this brief moment, Qin Gou’s sleeve gained a small rouge box, and Mu Man’er’s arms held nothing but the Myriad Seed clone that resembled a rouge box.
…
After having an attendant disciple arrange a temporary cave abode for him, Qin Gou entered. With the enhancement of several formations, he discreetly removed the restriction on the rouge box. After infusing it with his spiritual power, with a single thought, Li Yuanzhen, her raven hair disheveled and sweetly asleep, appeared on the bed.
Upon careful examination, Qin Gou discovered that Li Yuanzhen was not poisoned but had entered a profound state of dream-cultivation. Any Spirit Pill that could achieve such an effect was incredibly valuable, and his dissatisfaction slightly diminished.
At the same time, Qin Gou’s curious gaze fell upon a small pocket on the side of Li Yuanzhen’s Daoist robe. Just a moment ago, a small booklet had slipped out and fallen to the ground.
This small pocket was likely custom-made by Li Yuanzhen herself. Qin Gou hadn’t seen anyone else in the Sword Questioning Sect whose Daoist robe had such a conspicuous, out-of-place item sewn onto it.
What was most baffling was that this small pocket didn’t seem to be a spatial artifact, yet Li Yuanzhen could always continuously pull out various strange six-sided, eight-sided, or even twenty-sided custom dice, as well as gambling tools like Pai Gow, Mahjong, and cards of celestial generals and soldiers from it…
Since this small booklet was kept in this pocket that Li Yuanzhen cherished so much, could it be another novel gambling tool?
Thinking this, Qin Gou picked up the booklet and instinctively opened it.
“The Peak Master Tang has captured me. Although Ah Qin cannot see me when he breaks through the ice, he will definitely not misunderstand me.”
It was a diary? It started from when the Little Gambler reluctantly left Wang Ji Village?
“I’ve returned to the Sword Questioning Sect. Will Ah Qin come looking for me after he breaks through the ice?”
The Little Gambler’s diary seemed to be a mere account of daily life, but upon turning to the next page, Qin Gou couldn’t help but smile knowingly. Even though that page only had two words, it wasted a lot of space.
“He will.”
Wait, although it was accidental, wasn’t it not very gentlemanly of him to peek at the Little Gambler’s diary like this?
Qin Gou immediately looked at Li Yuanzhen and said sincerely, “Little Gambler, I accidentally saw your diary. You won’t be angry, will you? If you’re angry… then speak! Alright, it’s good that you’re not angry.”
At that moment, Qin Gou sat by Li Yuanzhen’s bedside and began to examine it more closely.
“Sect Master Xia is here again, meddling with matchmaking. Hai Buxing is long gone, yet he still hasn’t given up. I respect the Sect Master, but can’t I have my own say in who I like? This time it’s Jia Pinghu from Linjiang Immortal Nunnery, claiming he has the Frost Sword physique that breaks curses and that we are a perfect match. Not only could he not play rock-paper-scissors, but he also pointed fingers at my travels and training with Ah Qin, slandering me for neglecting my cultivation… If I didn’t want to be well-behaved and wait for Ah Qin to find me recently, I would have chopped him up!”
“Demons! My undergarments suddenly vanished out of thin air, but for some reason, I have a premonition that this matter is definitely related to Ah Qin!”
“Scoundrel Demon Master (crossed out), Qin Dog (crossed out), Ah Qin, when exactly are you coming to find me?”
“Ah Qin, I miss you so much.”
“I want to continue traveling with Ah Qin, seeking justice and helping the needy, in the countryside, on the plains, on the hills, in the abyss… in the lake, in the dense forest, in the closet, in the warm tent… anywhere is fine.”
