Chapter 076: The Human Emperor Gifts Treasure
“What?” Qin Yuan was dumbfounded. She swore it was the first time in her life she had heard such a preposterous remark.
Sensing the flicker of flustered resistance in Qin Yuan’s eyes, Lin Boyuan’s confidence grew. With a knowing smile, he said, “Little friend Gu Yuan, you are Qin Gou’s Dao Companion now, aren’t you?”
“I…”
For a moment, Qin Yuan’s thoughts raced. Although she didn’t know why Lin Boyuan had misunderstood, she had to admit that it was difficult for ordinary people to consider the situation. Because she often needed to bring Old Gu, and with their Natal Spirit Tools sharing the same origin, they had to cooperate to explore various secret realms and improve their cultivation faster. Normally, Qin Gou and Gu Feiyan should have been inseparable, but in reality, they were often separated.
The real Dao Companion was not with Old Qin at all! Moreover, since this Human Emperor intended to interfere with her mother’s relationship, she, A’Yuan, naturally could not ignore it.
“No, I beg the Human Emperor not to misunderstand. This humble girl is not Qin Gou’s Dao Companion at all. You can rest assured, I never have been, and never will be!” Qin Yuan spoke the truth, but her expression subtly flickered towards the Five Wisdom Beads in Nian Zhong’s hand. At the same time, she put on a sad and wronged expression, making people feel sympathetic.
Then, she added, like a resentful wife, “Even if I consider myself one of the women who admires him the most in this world.”
She didn’t know where she learned these devious tactics.
Suddenly, she solidified her identity as Qin Gou’s Dao Companion in the minds of Lin Boyuan and Nian Zhong. After all, if there wasn’t something going on between them, why would this girl get so agitated and desperately tried to deny that title in front of them, as if she had suffered a great injustice?
“Ahem, Little friend Gu Yuan, please don’t be so wronged. What I said earlier was not a command. Things can still be discussed. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have brought out the Five Wisdom Beads,” Lin Boyuan felt a little embarrassed. He was the dignified ruler of a nation, and he had driven a young girl to such distress for no good reason. If this were to spread, it would surely make him a laughingstock in the world.
Hearing this, Qin Yuan fell silent and glanced at the Five Wisdom Beads again. This time, it was open and undisguised, her clear eyes filled with a yearning and a hint of sorrow. “But I truly don’t know what the Human Emperor wants me to do?”
Seeing this, Lin Boyuan’s lips curved slightly. It seemed his grand gesture had worked. He said calmly, “It’s very simple. I’m not asking you to stay away from Qin Gou by force. You just need to make a Spirit Oath, willingly give it up, and never be Qin Gou’s legal wife in this lifetime.”
“I suppose I have no right to refuse?” Qin Yuan gave a bitter smile.
“I haven’t said anything,” Lin Boyuan deliberately remained noncommittal.
“But you are the Son of Heaven, and your word is a pledge. So, as long as I make the Spirit Oath, I definitely won’t have to leave him… No! Even if the Human Emperor commands me, I will never leave him!” Qin Yuan seemed to be rambling, gritting her teeth. “And, this pair of Five Wisdom Beads should naturally come as a pair, right?”
“Clever.” Lin Boyuan’s smile deepened. “It’s a pity I only have one left. But once you make the Spirit Oath, I will immediately order someone to go out and find another one for you.”
“No need, I only want one Five Wisdom Bead!” Qin Yuan took a deep breath, her voice trembling. “For the other one, please exchange it for… an Emperor Weapon long sword and a Treasure Robe with a hundred flowers skirt! I have other uses for it.”
“Granted.” Seeing this, Lin Boyuan smiled with satisfaction. According to his plan, he wasn’t afraid of the other party being greedy; rather, he was afraid that Gu Yuan would not ask for anything and would be too perfect, leaving no room for error.
Before long, under the witness of Lin Boyuan and Nian Zhong, Qin Yuan meticulously made a Spirit Oath that was inherently reasonable and righteous… Never be Qin Gou’s legal wife in this lifetime? Wasn’t that self-evident? Who was his legal wife? His own mother! Even the reckless and uninhibited Mu Tangchun wouldn’t dare to do that!
After receiving the Five Wisdom Beads and the other two treasures, Qin Yuan, feigning dejection and crestfallen, requested permission to withdraw from Lin Boyuan and the others, leaving as if she had lost her soul.
However, once she was far from the main hall, she immediately shouted in her heart, “I’m rich!” Her steps became light as she hurried towards Qin Gou’s location, eagerly wanting to claim credit and present her treasures.
“Your Majesty, why didn’t you directly ask Gu Yuan to stay away from Master Qin from now on? And for such a small request, haven’t we paid too much?” Nian Zhong asked with a bitter smile, puzzled.
Lin Boyuan waved his hand with a serene expression, holding the wisdom bead in his hand. “Forcing her directly might not have been so smooth, and it would have been too overbearing, easily provoking resistance and dislike. But by doing it this way, it’s just a subtle way to help my virtuous brother see right from wrong…”
“After all, a woman who would sell her love for some precious treasures and wealth, is she truly suitable to walk hand in hand with him for a lifetime? I believe that now, my virtuous brother will easily make a judgment!”
“As expected of His Majesty the Human Emperor!” Nian Zhong was enlightened and clapped his hands, laughing heartily. “This plan is truly wicked and cunning. Your Majesty has not changed at all! Back then, we secretly broke the precious horn of Old Master’s beloved spirit deer to taste it, and after being discovered, you were just as glib-tongued…”
“Hmm?” Lin Boyuan’s face twitched, and he glared fiercely at Nian Zhong.
In an instant, Nian Zhong, the chief manager, turned pale and promptly fell backward, feigning unconsciousness with practiced skill.
Lin Boyuan couldn’t help but feel a mix of amusement and exasperation. “Alright, I don’t have time to fool around with you, old man. If you keep pretending to be dead, do you believe I’ll kick you?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Nian Zhong sprang up like a carp leaping out of water, standing at attention and rubbing his hands with a fawning smile.
“But Your Majesty, this old servant privately believes that even if this plan succeeds, the Five Wisdom Beads are truly rare and hard-to-find treasures! You were too generous before, offering them up immediately. Back then, Prime Minister Cao also pleaded with you for a long time for this treasure.”
However, Lin Boyuan seemed not to mind at all, smiling as usual. “To say something like that indicates you still don’t understand my virtuous brother Qin enough!”
“Oh?”
“My virtuous brother is, after all, on the Saint Immortal Ranking, and he is the only one in existence who has undergone Fusheng. For someone with such a righteous and noble reputation, the louder his fame, the more he cares about face in matters of great importance!”
At this moment, Lin Boyuan looked towards the window, as if he could see through everything. With a confident and triumphant smile, he said, “Therefore, if nothing unexpected happens, once my virtuous brother learns the truth, for the sake of his reputation as a gentleman and to preserve the face of a generation of Chu Zhou Celestial Master, he will definitely personally return the Five Wisdom Beads, which were obtained improperly and unrighteously. At that time, I will casually decline a couple of times, half-heartedly accept them, and it will be accomplished without a single soldier or brick!”
At this moment, he still didn’t quite understand that today was actually his last glimpse of the precious Five Wisdom Beads.
