Chapter 0, 76. The Kings of the Past
It is said that to understand a person, one must first visit their study.
In Wang Xuan’s study, Qin Gou familiarized himself with the man’s speech and demeanor through the preserved letters and jade slips.
The summary could be condensed into a single word: “arrogance.”
His talent was flawed, and his realm insufficient. Yet, with his Natal Spirit Tool, the “Dao-Peeking Eyes,” a single occasional piece of advice could benefit others immensely. He frequently became a honored guest of major sects, possessing extensive connections and deep respect. However, his actions were dictated solely by his mood, and he never showed deference to anyone. He once tore up a cultivation technique and secret manual presented by a Dharma Aspect True Person, shouting that it was “useless trash to him.”
He was arrogant towards everyone, treating all impartially, never showing favoritism. He was an uninhibited scoundrel through and through.
This led to countless people wanting to use him or leverage his influence, but he had very few true friends.
However, the moment Qin Gou closed the last jade slip, a strange phenomenon occurred.
On the desk before Qin Gou, lines of text, like iron strokes and silver hooks, suddenly appeared. This was a chained spirit art, and the prerequisite for its activation seemed to be reading those letters. Only those who genuinely wished to understand the trivial details of Wang Xuan’s life could see these words.
“I swear never to bow my head in my life; even if I die today, I will not yield.”
“My body decays, but may my name live forever. To those who live for me, I bequeath my Dao-Peeking Eyes!” – Wang Xuan
“The Dao-Peeking Eyes are miraculous but have drawbacks. Progress halts, and lifespan drastically reduces. Those who come after, remember! Remember!” – ‘Second Wang Xuan’, Dong Kai
“A mere twelve years, my legend known throughout the land. This life is enough.” – ‘Third Wang Xuan’, Wei Li
“Guests, please make yourselves at home. No one will serve you tea.” – ‘Fourth Wang Xuan’, Ren Xiaosheng
At the same time, due to the effect of the spirit art, Qin Gou naturally felt a premonition. If he were to make a spirit oath on the spot, he could successfully inherit Wang Xuan’s “Dao-Peeking Eyes” spirit tool.
“This Wang Xuan is truly someone!”
Qin Gou suddenly realized and felt a surge of emotion.
Wang Xuan lived a life of solitary pride, but ultimately, his lifespan was nearing its end, unable to defy fate. Unable to bear the thought of “Wang Xuan” disappearing from the world, he paid with his own Dao-Peeking Eyes, allowing others to live for him, deceiving everyone, and even himself.
“I can allow your name to live on in the world, but I don’t need your eyes.” With a wave of his hand, Qin Gou collected all the jade slips and the desk into his Nas Ring. The strange premonition, which had been instilling or even forcing him to make a spirit oath, vanished along with it.
He didn’t know if Wang Xuan’s ability to allow others to inherit his “Dao-Peeking Eyes” was his own power or some other obscure method. But for Qin Gou, inheriting this spirit tool was a loss that outweighed any gain.
However, this did not prevent Qin Gou from taking them, waiting for the opportune moment and the right person to help Wang Xuan create a series of… superficial Wang Xuans (Qin Gou’s disguises).
…
The Linjiang Immortal Nunnery, Dark Holy Land, and Fusheng Nunnery formed an alliance and were currently in a small town at the border of Chu Zhou and Das.
By the time Qin Gou and his companions arrived, the town was already filled with cultivators, and not a single mortal remained.
“Supervisor Qiu!”
“Greetings, Supervisor.”
Cultivators from Fusheng Nunnery greeted Qiu Lingyun with respect.
Under Qin Gou’s peculiar gaze, Qiu Lingyun lightly nodded her head, smiling kindly as she responded to each fellow disciple, skillfully giving them the middle finger.
“Oh, our Supervisor is too humble; we cannot accept such a gesture, cannot accept it!” Seeing this, the disciples of Fusheng Nunnery flushed with excitement and said emotionally.
Some who were unaware asked, “What does this gesture from the Supervisor of Fusheng Nunnery mean? Why are those who see it so excited?”
“This is Supervisor Qiu’s special hand seal, meaning ‘thank you and your entire family.’ Every time someone pays respects, Supervisor Qiu returns the gesture, showing no pretense at all. Only we from Fusheng Nunnery can understand Supervisor Qiu’s thoughtful intention.”
“So that’s how it is. This Supervisor is truly approachable and commendable. I have learned much!”
At this moment, three people arrived, flying through the air.
“Xuan Master!”
Qin Gou, who had already assumed Wang Xuan’s appearance, looked up. He only knew that the nun in the plain robes was Abbess Tang Simin of Fusheng Nunnery, known as ‘Miaoyin.’
As for the man in brown and the veiled figure in black who spoke, he had never met them.
“Who are you?” Qin Gou remained composed, glancing at the man in brown and asked calmly. This was indeed in line with the demeanor of every generation of Wang Xuan, as Wang Xuan himself had always been arrogant.
The man in brown was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter. “Hahaha, Xuan Master, you truly have a bad memory. I am Zheng Xiangbai from Linjiang Immortal Nunnery. I had met Xuan Master a few times before.”
“Dark Holy Land, Shen Zhen.” The black-clothed person spoke in a minimalist manner.
Qin Gou nodded slightly. “I will remember.”
“Hmm.” Zheng Xiangbai looked at Li Yuanzhen beside him and said, “If my memory serves me correctly, isn’t this young friend Li Yuanzhen from Evil Slaying Peak of the Sword Questioning Sect?”
“Li Yuanzhen?”
“The Righteous Valor Fairy!”
The gazes of the surrounding cultivators instantly converged on Li Yuanzhen. They could not interact with important figures like Xuan Master, but the name of the Righteous Valor Fairy, a model of the righteous path among the younger generation of Das, was thunderous.
“Indeed.” Li Yuanzhen’s eyes were clear and cold. “But this humble Daoist came with Lingyun’s sister, not on behalf of the Sword Questioning Sect.”
Zheng Xiangbai smiled meaningfully. “That is excellent.”
“Lingyun, you’ve had a long journey. Take your friends to rest first.” Abbess Tang Simin of Fusheng Nunnery looked at Qiu Lingyun with a smile, then turned to Qin Gou and said, “Xuan Master, Lingyun is too careless with her tasks. I suspect you have many questions in your heart right now, so please come with me.”
“You know me best, Miaoyin.” Qin Gou smiled and nodded.
At one moment, Qiu Lingyun led Li Yuanzhen and Ao Banwei to rest, while Qin Gou followed Tang Simin alone.
Shen Zhen, who remained, spoke with a hint of confusion. “How is Chan Master Miaoyin so familiar with Xuan Master?”
Zheng Xiangbai sneered. “Does my Pious younger brother Shen not know? This Wang Xuan knew Miaoyin before he became famous. At this very moment, perhaps old lovers are meeting to reminisce…”
“Why do you, Senior Zheng, falsely accuse Chan Master Miaoyin?” Shen Zhen asked displeasedly.
“Haha, if my Pious younger brother Chen doesn’t believe me, then recall who it was that first proposed inviting Wang Xuan to emerge at the beginning!” Zheng Xiangbai said playfully. “For this alliance, Fusheng Nunnery even sent their Abbess, Miaoyin, personally. This forced you and me to agree to the conditions. I fear the intention is not what it seems!”
A moment later, in a hall.
Tang Simin clasped her hands together, looking at Qin Gou calmly. Suddenly, she could no longer hold back, her kind smile blooming like a summer flower.
“Brother Xuan, I am truly happy that you could come out.”
