Chapter 059: Zhao Xinting’s Resolve
“Master, please don’t worry. It was just a minor accident,” Zhao Xinting said with a nonchalant smile. “I’ll recover in just a few days.”
“I’m asking you what exactly happened? What specific accident occurred? Tell Master everything, in detail,” Qin Gou took a deep breath, his gaze scrutinizing, and his tone extremely serious as he asked.
Zhao Xinting was bewildered, not understanding why Qin Gou was suddenly making such a fuss. However, he truthfully replied, “Actually, Qiao’er insisted on me carrying her while running earlier. Cough… I’ve spoiled her too much. But at the time, that silly girl didn’t revert to her true form, and she happened to transform into a woman with a rather voluptuous figure. I wasn’t paying attention and sprained my ankle. This matter is truly too ridiculous. Now that I’ve undergone mortal transformation, such minor ailments are truly unavoidable.”
“Is this true?” Qin Gou said meaningfully, “You’re not deliberately deceiving Master? Zhao Xinting, Master is absolutely not joking with you right now.”
Zhao Xinting let out a wry laugh. “Although this matter is a bit embarrassing to say, I wouldn’t lie to Master about this, would I?”
For a moment, seeing Zhao Xinting’s expression, Qin Gou felt reassured. He nodded and asked, “Have you felt any physical discomfort these past few days? Did you take the precious pill Master gave you earlier?” A few days prior, Qin Gou, worried that Zhao Xinting couldn’t withstand the Law/Rule Power of the Hidden Female Country, had given him a Youth Preserving Pill, specifically instructing him to take it immediately if any abnormality occurred.
Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible surprise flashed in Zhao Xinting’s eyes. With his smile unchanged, he replied, “I took that pill that very day. And for some reason, I felt like I suddenly became much younger.”
Radiant complexion? This was indeed one of the effects of the Youth Preserving Pill.
“Good, you’re becoming more and more obedient to Master. Master’s teachings during this period have not been in vain.”
That’s good.
Qin Gou was completely relieved. Since he had taken the Youth Preserving Pill early on, there was no room for error.
Zhao Xinting nodded and smiled, then said, “Master, now that you’ve beheaded Wenkong, even overthrowing the entire rule of the Female Country would be a piece of cake. May I ask if you could, without revealing my master-disciple relationship with you, remove my status as a menial laborer in the Female Country? This would allow me to act more conveniently.”
Qin Gou asked with confusion, “Why go through so much trouble? Master can simply arrange for someone to safely escort you out of the Hidden Female Country.”
“No, what I mean is, I wish to stay in this Hidden Female Country for a while longer,” Zhao Xinting said, calmly looking at Qin Gou. “My only goal now is to gather enough Power of faith to break through the last barrier of the Dharma Aspect Realm. There are also quite a few mortals here in the Hidden Female Country who can be used, and it’s much safer than outside, making it quite suitable for me.”
“That does hold some truth,” Qin Gou nodded slightly, but then a different concern came to mind. He immediately said, “However, Master has heard that quite a few female cultivators here in the Hidden Female Country have their eyes on you, boy. Are you really sure it’s safer to stay here than outside?”
Zhao Xinting said with unshakeable confidence and a smile, “Master, I’ve figured it out. Wouldn’t this be even better? When someone so beloved by everyone suddenly falls due to a certain event, people will naturally remember and mourn him in various ways, thus naturally generating the Power of faith that I need. It’s just like before in Red Seal City. Although that time was due to an accidental Beast Tide, it led to a fortunate turn of events for me, and I discovered this shortcut.”
Qin Gou glared at the guy exasperatedly. “You’re planning to fake your death again? You’re truly quite a scoundrel.”
Zhao Xinting couldn’t help but be stunned.
“Quite a scoundrel?”
Such words, for the Purple Extreme Demon Lord who acted with impunity, decisively, and brutally, regardless of the insults, curses, and demonization from the Cultivation World, seemed too gentle, as if merely reprimanding a foolish child who had made a mistake.
Why was he like this? He had never stopped showing kindness and affection towards Xinting.
Perhaps, in this world, only in the eyes of Master and Qiao’er did someone like him, covered in blood debts and rotten to the core, appear even remotely cute.
Zhao Xinting immediately said, “Master, please rest assured. Even if I fake my death this time, I will, just like before, first accomplish something beneficial and meaningful for everyone. I will not simply deceive others’ Power of faith for nothing.”
“Then you still have some conscience.” Qin Gou nodded with a look of relief. “If that’s the case, Master agrees to this matter.” After all, with the protection of the Youth Preserving Pill, he no longer had to worry about this boy suddenly mutating. He could stay as long as he wanted.
“Thank you for fulfilling my request, Master!” Zhao Xinting bowed respectfully.
“Lord Qin, Princess Yue Lu requests your presence.”
At this moment, a female cultivator approached the group. While reporting, she couldn’t help but cast a few extra glances at Zhao Xinting. The Purple Extreme Demon Lord’s charm was always universally appealing. After all, it wasn’t just men who liked beautiful girls; women did too.
“Alright, I’ll be right there.” Qin Gou casually instructed everyone and then left with the female cultivator.
After exchanging pleasantries with Li Yuanzhen and Ao Banwei, Zhao Xinting took his leave on the pretext that Yan Qiaoyun needed care.
Halfway there, Zhao Xinting suddenly reached into his chest and pulled out a small, round pill.
It was the Youth Preserving Pill that Qin Gou had very insistently handed him a few days ago, and just moments ago, he had patted his chest assuring Qin Gou that he had already taken it.
“Although its appearance has changed significantly, I can still tell that this is indeed a Youth Preserving Pill. Master, although you have never taught me pharmacology or alchemy, as your disciple, I have always subconsciously learned about the things you love over these many years. Even now, I’m nowhere near your level, but developing a discerning eye through accumulation is not difficult.”
Zhao Xinting’s eyes flickered, his thoughts racing.
“But why did Master deceive me into taking this Youth Preserving Pill? Of course, I believe Master has no ill intentions. If I were to honestly follow Master’s arrangements, I might be able to avert disaster or even gain many unexpected benefits. But I absolutely cannot take spirit medicines like the Youth Preserving Pill…”
“No matter how painful the price, I will not take it!”
For a moment, Zhao Xinting stopped in his tracks, looking down at the Youth Preserving Pill in his palm. His eyes, as clear and moving as a thousand miles of glazed glass, held a hint of determination and a trace of melancholy.
So many people admired this peerless, soul-capturing beauty, yet he had always longed for old age.
From a certain day onward, he would live a different life.
