Chapter 0: 44. My Young Master’s Beloved
Upon hearing this, Qin Gou explained with great earnestness, “Xiao Yan, you’ve truly misunderstood me. Think about it, ever since we switched to this route, haven’t we avoided any major troubles?”
“There haven’t been any major troubles, but there have been endless minor ones. These mountain bandits and river pirates are like annoying flies, pestering us ceaselessly and disturbing our peace,” Gu Feiyan said with displeasure.
“Having mountain bandits is exactly right. I deliberately chose such a perfect route!” Qin Gou declared with utmost confidence.
“What did you say?” Gu Feiyan wondered if she had misheard him.
Qin Gou smiled enigmatically, “You must understand that most of these bandits and pirates are mortals who haven’t cultivated. Even if there are a few cultivators among them, their cultivation won’t be too high. After all, how many truly powerful cultivators would choose to become outlaws? So, what do those who live by the blade, engaging in this dangerous profession, fear the most? Naturally, it’s accidentally blocking a mighty cultivator they absolutely cannot afford to offend!”
“Therefore, when it comes to the supreme skill of ‘avoiding major trouble,’ it’s the bandits and pirates themselves who are the true experts.”
“So you intentionally led us to the vicinity of these mountain bandits’ and pirates’ lairs?” Gu Feiyan smiled helplessly and shook her head, “How come I feel like you’ve almost convinced me.”
“Because what I’m saying makes sense,” Qin Gou said, spreading his hands.
“That’s a crooked argument,” Gu Feiyan couldn’t help but laugh.
“A crooked argument is still an argument.”
At this moment, someone outside the carriage shouted again, “Which rascal was it that said ‘stay put’? Where are you now? Mountain bandits aren’t people, don’t we want our dignity? If you dawdle any longer and don’t hand over the silver, don’t blame us for leaving no survivors.”
“See? My guests are getting impatient. I’ll be back shortly, and then we can chat more slowly,” Qin Gou said with a gentle smile.
“Go, go. If it weren’t for being unable to see, it would seem like I’m particularly eager to chat with you,” Gu Feiyan waved him off with a look of disdain.
Half an hour later, Qin Gou not only dealt with the mountain bandits who had blocked their way for a robbery but even pursued them to their lair and thoroughly ransacked it. After gaining another 200 merit points, he returned to the carriage, thoroughly satisfied.
“Ding. The host currently possesses 1050 merit points, fulfilling the conditions to break through to the Hidden Weapon Realm. Upon advancing to the Hidden Weapon Realm, the host’s Natal Spirit Tool Prototype, the ‘green water bead,’ will naturally evolve into the complete form of the Natal Spirit Tool.”
Returning to the carriage, Qin Gou immediately said to Gu Feiyan, “I feel like I’m on the verge of a breakthrough and will soon possess the strength of the Hidden Weapon Realm.”
Gu Feiyan’s tone became serious, “Do not break through here; the variables are too great. Head to the nearest mortal city immediately and find a quiet room for all of us to guard you wholeheartedly.”
Qin Gou agreed. Although breaking through his realm with merit points was a matter of a moment for him, the process of a Spirit Tool Prototype evolving into a Natal Spirit Tool after a successful breakthrough varied in length for each individual, taking more or less time.
…
Half a day later, outside Luomu City. Qin Gou and his companions could not reveal their identities, so they humbly joined the ordinary people, queuing up to enter the city slowly.
Hu Le rushed to the front of the line to scout and returned with an angry expression, saying to everyone, “It’s no exception here either. The guards at the entrance are comparing everyone against Senior Sister Gu’s wanted poster issued by the Dynasty’s hyenas. Young Master did go too far this time.”
Qin Gou remained poised, “This desolate city was carefully chosen by me. There are very few cultivators within, and the guards at the entrance should be mere mortals. They are just going through the motions and won’t be able to discern our disguises.”
Hu Le nodded, his voice muffled, “I just can’t stand it.”
Gu Feiyan, still with her eyes closed, said faintly, “We’ll note this down for now. Our primary mission is to ensure Qin Gou’s breakthrough goes smoothly. Put all other personal grievances aside for now.” Hu Le, Liu Ying, and the others were unaware, but Gu Feiyan knew that as the Sacred Cult’s top seed, there could be no mistakes in Qin Gou’s breakthrough.
Soon, the carriage reached the front of the line.
An old guard with a missing front tooth, holding Gu Feiyan’s portrait, casually glanced at Qin Gou and his companions, asking, “What are you here for?”
“Swish.”
Qin Gou waved his folding fan, curled his lips, and with an arrogant, dissolute demeanor, shouted loudly, “Are you blind? Who do you think this grand display I’ve made is for?”
The old guard with the missing tooth looked up at the ‘Little Qin Money House’ banner hanging from the carriage and scoffed, “Never heard of it, what’s there to be arrogant about? Are you entering the city or not? If you want to enter, answer my questions honestly.”
“Spit it out if you have something to say,” Qin Gou said dismissively, fanning himself.
The old guard glared at Qin Gou angrily and pointed at Liu Ying and Gu Feiyan, “What are these two women here for?”
“Them? Naturally, they are my young master’s beloved,” Qin Gou said with a sly smile, “Just two concubines accompanying me.”
At this moment, Liu Ying cooperatively blushed, wriggled her body, and said coquettishly, “Young Master, you’re so wicked.”
The old guard snorted, “Concubines? I suspect one of them is disguised. She’s Gu Feiyan, the demoness of the Demonic Path!”
“Hahaha,” Qin Gou almost laughed until tears streamed down his face, “Brother, what joke are you telling? If it were really Gu Feiyan here, would you still be babbling with this young master for so long? You’d probably have your neck broken and be torn apart and swallowed alive by that demoness by now! Ouch…”
As he spoke, Qin Gou clearly felt someone pinching him hard on the waist.
“If you don’t believe me, then prove it to me! Prove they are indeed your concubines,” the old guard with the missing tooth suddenly grinned mischievously, his true intention revealed.
“Prove it?” Qin Gou was bewildered, “How do I prove it? Do you expect this young master to put on a public display of lust for you? You old geezer have quite the imagination!”
“I didn’t say that. As for how to prove it, it depends on your performance. If you’re not satisfied, you can choose not to enter Luomu City. However, you should think carefully… our Luomu City is famously a desolate city, with no other cities for hundreds of miles!” The old guard, seizing the advantage, spoke smugly.
“You!” Qin Gou gritted his teeth in anger, quickly contemplating how to proceed.
Just then, Liu Ying beside him, like a lazy cat, wound herself around Qin Gou’s neck, gently and charmingly kissed his face, and then, as if not satisfied, licked her lips, looking enchantingly ready to be plucked, “Young Master, how much longer until we enter the city? I can’t wait.”
Qin Gou was instantly refreshed, deeply moved in his heart, and shouted, “Well? Old geezer, what else do you have to say?”
The old guard watched, dumbfounded and greatly intrigued, then pointed a large hand at Gu Feiyan and said, “Then what about this one!”
