**Chapter 0: 24. All Soldiers, Listen Up**
Mu Man’er immediately paled with fright, her body leaning back as she clutched her small hands to her chest and shook her head repeatedly. “No, Master, my injuries haven’t healed yet today! Just pretend I said something foolish, or… let me owe you a few days.”
Qin Gou shot a glare at the little rascal and said impatiently, “Actually, I do have a special method that can temporarily satisfy your wish, and it guarantees that no eye-type spirit tool will be able to discern it.”
“Really?” A spark of joy flickered in Mu Man’er’s autumn-like eyes, and she exclaimed, “Please teach me, Master!”
“Give me your hand, completely relax, and let our spiritual energies connect naturally.” As he spoke, Qin Gou discreetly activated the Hand of Life Measurement, gently pulling her arm, which twisted like a noodle, making Mu Man’er’s slender little arm appear exactly like what one would expect for her real age.
“Master, this!”
“Now switch to the other hand, and then…” Qin Gou’s gaze swept downwards as he casually said, “Take off your skirt so I can be more thorough.”
“Huh? Master, isn’t that a bit inappropriate?” Mu Man’er blinked her beautiful eyes in embarrassment.
Qin Gou was baffled. “What’s the matter? Aren’t you used to wearing those loose clothes that split into two pieces? It’s no different from a typical outer garment.”
“But today is a bit different! I prepared it specifically to surprise you after you took the Precious Pill…” As she spoke, Mu Man’er was already blushing a deep red.
Qin Gou chuckled, “Well, what’s there to say? Didn’t you intend for me to see it?”
“That’s true,” Mu Man’er paused, her expression in a daze.
“Take it off!”
“Just so we’re clear, Master, you can’t make fun of me!” With that, Mu Man’er obediently slipped out of her dress, revealing a pair of slender and straight legs.
She kicked her legs in the air playfully and blinked her beautiful eyes shyly, pursing her lips. “How about it, Master? I hope I didn’t scare you!”
Qin Gou examined her from head to toe, his expression unchanged without a hint of surprise. “Isn’t this quite normal?”
“What?” Mu Man’er replied in disbelief. “But this is the most revealing undergarment from all the stores in Xinghu City! I was shocked when I first saw it!”
“That only shows that the shopkeepers in Xinghu City haven’t experienced anything worthwhile themselves and can only deceive silly girls like you.” Qin Gou playfully tapped her little head.
Though Mu Man’er’s outfit revealed her pale arms and beautiful legs, it still covered the necessary parts well, retaining a degree of modesty. However, Qin Gou had already seen the notorious ‘man-slaying battle gear’ worn by the fairy Li Yuanzhen in Das. That sheer, almost transparent black fabric was able to envelop Little Gambler from head to toe, making it seem more alluring than if it were entirely exposed—likely something Little Gambler designed herself, far surpassing the aesthetics of her contemporaries.
Inside the room, Qin Gou began a comprehensive transformation of Mu Man’er from top to bottom. Fortunately, not many people were passing by during this time. Otherwise, the strange phrases like “too big,” “too thick,” “smaller and slower,” and so forth that echoed from within would undoubtedly lead to a series of misunderstandings.
Half an hour later.
In front of him, Mu Man’er had astonishingly transformed from a slender little brat into a blossoming sixteen-year-old with a charming and youthful face.
With excitement, Mu Man’er held a small mirror and inspected herself from every angle.
Qin Gou smiled slightly and said, “So, how does this method of mine seem? It can last for at least a few months.”
“Thank you, Master!” Mu Man’er joyfully kissed Qin Gou on the cheek. This kind of gesture was not unusual for their Master-disciple relationship, and usually required Qin Gou to bend down first, but now that this lass had grown so much, it felt a bit awkward for him.
“Hehe, if only you could help me make my face look a bit more mature and enchanting! I’ve always envied those older girls!” she said with a grin.
“That’s impossible.” Qin Gou laughed and shrugged, “My method is only to make your figure appear more grown-up. But you, my dear, lack any enchanting aura from top to bottom. Can I conjure that out of thin air? By the way, remember not to get reckless. The true method to rid yourself of the disadvantages of the Jade Maiden Profound Body must be pursued gradually. I won’t give you the Youth Preserving Pill, and you aren’t allowed to seek it out either.”
“Master, you can rest assured about that!” Mu Man’er cheerfully ran behind Qin Gou, adorably massaging his shoulders and back, her eyes brimming with heartfelt gratitude and joy. “I’m still not quite perfect in my own eyes; there’s no way I would foolishly freeze my appearance at this moment!”
“Mm, as long as you understand.”
“Hehe, Master, are you tired? Let me give your legs a massage! If you’re not tired, I can make you something delicious!” With a cheerful giggle, the spark of gratitude and excitement radiated from her lively eyes.
“What a silly girl!” Qin Gou nodded with a smile.
…
“How strange, why is the Spiritual Beast Garden closed today?”
Little Black Dog’s eyes flickered with suspicion, but it didn’t faze her. First, she glanced around to ensure no one was nearby, then secretly activated her spiritual power, causing the entrance to the Spiritual Beast Garden to swing open as she dashed inside like a shadow.
“All soldiers, take your positions!”
As she scampered towards the enclosure of the Wind-Walking Rabbits, she shouted in bestial language, which even moderately cultivated spiritual beasts could mostly understand, “Today, everyone must help this Wolf King with a big task! If we don’t succeed, we’ll meet an untimely end!”
Instantly, all the Wind-Walking Rabbits stared back with their crimson eyes, fixated on Little Black Dog.
Counting the number of rabbits in her mind, Little Black Dog said gravely, “Today, we will spare no effort to create great chaos in Heaven’s Substitution Academy, fulfilling Lord Jingle’s expectations… Damn it! ‘Big Tooth,’ stop riding on ‘Little Short Legs,’ and understand the situation properly!”
“Now listen carefully, ‘Clueless’ and ‘Grumpy,’ you both take a few brothers each and split into two small teams to simultaneously attack the accommodations of both the men and women at the academy. Don’t get caught up in battle; the more chaotic it is, the better, and try to draw as much fire as possible. As for ‘One-Eared,’ your mission is to take a few followers and lie in wait to ambush that disguised woman, Ao Banwei. You must injure her and get her blood as proof. Then I’ll personally intervene, act cute and roll around to comfort her, tenderly lick her cheek, and if luck is on my side, I’ll secure the remaining two pieces of proof in one fell swoop!”
Even if they failed, a little empathetic dog wouldn’t raise too many suspicions.
Having explained the plan, Little Black Dog reiterated firmly, “This scheme is of utmost importance and must not fail. Did you all hear that clearly?”
With no response, all she could see was the increasingly crazed crimson eyes of the rabbits and their labored breathing.
“How bold! Why are you all looking at me like that? It’s as if you want to eat me alive!”
