Chapter 0: Being a Role Model
The spirit boat sped along.
“Li Yuanzhen, get me a glass of water.”
“Li Yuanzhen, give my shoulders a rub.”
“Rub my legs for me.”
“Li Yuanzhen…”
Ao Banwei covered her mouth, looking at Mu Man’er, who was busy running errands, with surprise bordering on panic. Had she been switched out? How could her usually sharp-tongued and beloved Sister Li Yuanzhen become so obedient and well-behaved?
Qin Gou’s expression was as usual, as if he were accustomed to it and enjoying everything, but inwardly he was chuckling with mischief.
Even Mu Man’er herself was not usually so well-behaved and obedient. Now, in order to play Li Yuanzhen well, she had become so submissive and sensible. She probably thought her acting skills were perfect and exquisite.
After a period of busyness, Mu Man’er returned to her room to meditate and cultivate.
Qin Gou glanced thoughtfully at Mu Man’er’s door and waved his hand, summoning his dream soul spirit tool and entering the dreamscape.
“Mu Man’er!”
At his call, Mu Man’er’s small and cute true form instantly appeared before Qin Gou.
“Master! It’s been a long time, Man’er misses you very much.” Mu Man’er clasped her hands behind her back, tilted her fair and tender little face up, and displayed a professional sweet smile like a filial daughter.
Qin Gou smiled warmly and gently patted Mu Man’er’s cheek, saying, “Where did you run off to, you wench? Are you still in Das? I’ve been looking for you.”
“Is there anything Master needs help with? Although Man’er is in Das, she has already reached the entrance to the secret realm and cannot spare a moment for her clone.” Mu Man’er said with a clear and sweet voice.
Qin Gou smiled slightly and continued to probe, “Then forget it. But Man’er, what kind of secret realm are you planning to explore this time?”
“It’s a Legacy Secret Realm left behind by Dharma Aspect True Person ‘Qing Rui’ before his fall. The reason why Man’er wants to enter this secret realm to try her luck is that it is said that this Senior Qing Rui, like Man’er, also possesses the Jade Maiden Profound Body, but has a way to remove its drawbacks and possess normal physical features!” As she spoke, pure starlight lit up in Mu Man’er’s clear eyes.
Upon hearing this, Qin Gou pondered for a moment.
He understood Mu Man’er’s personality. If there was truly a way to restore her normal appearance, this wench would spare no effort to obtain it. Otherwise, she would not have intentionally disguised herself as a young girl all year round.
Afterward, Qin Gou asked Mu Man’er for every detail about the Qingrui Secret Realm. Unexpectedly, when this wench started talking, she answered fluently and endlessly, giving Qin Gou an illusion of being present.
Then there were only two possibilities left.
Either this wench had found some mysterious method of playing two roles at once, truly went to the Qingrui Secret Realm, and left a trusted subordinate or puppet by her side to stir up trouble.
Or, she had indeed been to the Qingrui Secret Realm, and her impersonation of Li Yuanzhen had been meticulously planned and calculated for a long time, with ready-made, foolproof answers to deal with him.
But no matter which possibility it was, Qin Gou was fully confident that he could easily handle it!
After all, although Mu Man’er was mischievous, naughty, and boldly foolish, she only ever played tricks on outsiders. She had always been respectful of her esteemed master. If Qin Gou told her to lift her butt, she would never dare to do a somersault… This time, it was probably like when she robbed the Tian Kun Dynasty’s birthday tribute, she impulsively got into some trouble and needed the Celestial Master to sort it out, but didn’t dare to ask directly.
…
Xinghu City was the location of Heaven’s Substitution Academy.
As soon as he entered the city, Qin Gou had a sense of déjà vu, but he couldn’t recall the origin of this feeling until he saw a group of lifelike stone sculptures in the very center of the city that were watched by a large crowd every day.
More than a dozen faceless stone sculptures in various costumes and postures were depicted in a state of panicked flight.
Only one ethereal sword hero, with an imposing gaze from his twin pupils, had half his mask pulled down. He stepped onto a unique, nine deaths, one survival path against the current, as if facing death without fear.
Not far away, a towering stone tablet recorded lines of text.
Heaven’s Substitution Sect ‘Gentleman Sword’ Qin Gou repelled the Purple Extreme Demon here.
The evil demons plagued the world, and the common people withered. Though the Demon Lord was present, I shall go forth, one person is enough!
When the heavens fall, there will always be a man standing tall like a thousand-foot mountain. Moreover, he is so beautiful it harms the world, and so appetizing…
“What is this? Who did this?” Qin Gou stared intently at the group of stone sculptures, his clenched fist trembling slightly.
“Who else could have come up with such a brilliant idea, apart from your most clever and sensible sixth disciple, Sect Leader Mu of Heaven’s Substitution Sect!” Mu Man’er’s eyes were filled with unconcealable pride, and she chuckled, “She even told this humble Daoist earlier that she planned to give you a surprise.”
“Is that so?”
Qin Gou stared intently at the most conspicuous words, ‘Heaven’s Substitution Sect Gentleman Sword’, which were even specially carved in red stone. He had once thought that as long as he attracted less attention in Das in the future and tried not to use the name ‘Gentleman Sword’, with the passage of time, this well-known title would gradually fade from people’s memories. But he had never expected…
What was even more infuriating was that he couldn’t simply destroy these stone sculptures. For such a landmark that, while somewhat famous, was not known by everyone, once it was destroyed or damaged, especially if it was difficult to restore, it would truly become famous throughout the world.
Qin Gou reached out and placed his hand on Mu Man’er’s shoulder, saying with a smiling demeanor, “Man’er, you are truly my good disciple. When I meet her, your master will also give her a huge surprise.”
Upon hearing this, Mu Man’er’s face lit up with joy, and she said with great enthusiasm, “That’s great! You are truly a wise and esteemed master. If I have the chance to meet Sect Leader Mu, I will definitely tell her this good news!”
Before long, the three of them arrived at the entrance of Heaven’s Substitution Academy, where a white-clothed old man happened to be walking out.
Qin Gou cupped his fists and asked, “Is this Daoist a teacher at Heaven’s Substitution Academy?”
The old man glanced at Qin Gou indifferently. Seeing that he was young, he said, “I am Song Xunzu, the Second Dean of Heaven’s Substitution Academy. Little youngster, are you here to study? Unfortunately, Heaven’s Substitution Academy has already filled its quota for disciples this year and is no longer accepting new students. Please come again next year.”
“No, I wish to join Heaven’s Substitution Academy and become a teacher.”
“That’s even more impossible.” Song Xunzu sneered and shook his head, walking away directly.
“Wait, unless you don’t want to live.”
Qin Gou snapped his fingers, and his Natal Spirit Tool, the Myriad Seed, shot out like a sharp sword, instantly pressing against Song Xunzu’s throat.
“Spare me… Are you looking for spirit stones? Or cultivation techniques? We can discuss all that.” Song Xunzu’s eyes widened, and he exclaimed at the swiftness of the Natal Spirit Tool.
Qin Gou sighed deeply, pounded his chest, and lamented with great pain, “Do you think I’m a robber? Do you think I came for spirit stones? A capricious madman openly and publicly threatens the Second Dean of Heaven’s Substitution Academy with despicable sneak attack methods, and you’re going to slander me as a robber? How is that possible? Who do you think you are looking down on! I don’t want any charity. What I want is a job, I want to earn my own living, I want to be a role model!”
“Wh-what?” Song Xunzu was completely stunned.
“If you give me a large sum of spirit stones, it will only solve my immediate urgent needs, and they will be gone someday. But if I become a teacher at Heaven’s Substitution Academy, I will have a steady income every month. Giving a man a fish is not as good as teaching him to fish, understand? Old pedant!” Qin Gou said with a serious expression, “Now, immediately assign me a class and some curious and adorable students, and then, using your position, begin the long and crazy exploitation of my talent and hard work. Otherwise, I will make you vanish into thin air within three breaths!”
“A genius.” Song Xunzu was dumbfounded. He had lived for most of his life and had never heard such a request.
