Chapter 0.5: Adopted Daughter
Realizing she had lost her composure due to her thoughts being revealed so suddenly, Mo Qingxin quickly put on a look of utter bewilderment, chuckling awkwardly, “Fellow Daoist, why would you suddenly think of such a preposterous matter? How could that be possible?”
“I also wish I were overthinking things,” Qin Gou replied with a smile.
*Nonsense, even Xiao Chong, who has been following me and has been well-influenced, has had such crazy thoughts. What’s more, this White-clothed Mo Qingxin, who seems as wicked as the Saint Ancestor Empress when first meeting her.*
To be honest, regardless of whether she actually acted on them, some of Xiao Chong’s ideas were truly incredible. She directly targeted another version of herself, that was quite something. Fortunately, she met A Generation’s Celestial Master, who could at least restrain her somewhat.
“However, Xiao Chong and I are new here, and caution is always best. So, I think it’s best we don’t discuss our experiences separately, as you mentioned earlier,” Qin Gou said, spreading his hands. In his opinion, Xiao Chong’s recovery was indeed not as good as Mo Qingxin’s. If these two rivals with their own agendas were to fall out, and he wasn’t around, Xiao Chong would definitely be at a disadvantage.
Hearing this, Mo Qingxin felt Qin Gou’s firm attitude and noticed the look of deep trust in the eyes of Xiao Chong beside her, who looked exactly like herself. A subtle emotion stirred within her, and she pursed her lips, smiling faintly, “I must say, younger sister, you’ve truly met a good Dao Companion who cherishes you.”
Because she could see that Xiao Chong’s recovery was not as good as hers, and she was likely younger, she began to address her as ‘younger sister.’
“You, what?!”
Xiao Chong immediately tried to explain with amusement, “My relationship with Master Qin is completely different from what you imagine.”
“Really?” Mo Qingxin retorted with a light laugh, “Then why did Fellow Daoist Qin only accompany you to this world?”
“Because…”
Xiao Chong clearly knew her previous explanation was flimsy and didn’t want to lose face in front of the other woman. So, she opted for a different answer, “Master Qin and I are a pair of cultivation partners who deeply trust each other. As for matters of the heart…”
For a moment, Xiao Chong crossed her arms with a show of bravado, her fair face tinged with a hint of pride. She said with a helpless look, “In this regard, I have never had the slightest bit of romantic interest in Master Qin. Perhaps it’s because we are too familiar with each other? What do you think, Master Qin?”
“Same here. Does anyone in this world really like a large coffin?” Qin Gou immediately went along with it, as if they were brothers teasing each other.
“Isn’t that a little excessive?” Xiao Chong’s mouth twitched. “There are people watching, what about my reputation?”
“Oh, oh, then I’ll ‘speak the truth’… Although Xiao Chong thinks that way, I, Qin, sincerely believe that she is the most pure and kind woman I have ever met. Even if she can never have what she desires in this life, I only wish to accompany her forever!”
“Pfft!”
The two Mo Qingxins, facing each other, suddenly moved in unison, their expressions contorted as if they had eaten something foul. They said in unison, “Big Brother, please stop the torment!”
There was no way around it. Although Old Qin could say such things with a straight face, these two were ultimately not skilled enough, or perhaps they were self-aware. They were both so embarrassed they wanted to disappear on the spot.
…
After a while, since the cultivation and dialogue between Xiao Chong and White-clothed Mo Qingxin would not be resolved in a day or two, and they even wanted to thoroughly test if their spiritual powers and cultivation techniques could complement each other, they agreed to return to this place once Qin Gou and Xiao Chong were truly free.
After passing through several Teleportation Arrays connected to the Hidden Female Country, Qin Gou and the others successfully appeared near Senluo Mountain.
“Now we can speak without worrying about being overheard,” Xiao Chong said, looking around and patting her chest with lingering fear. “She actually considered devouring my soul. What a terrifying woman!”
“Aren’t you the same, you little wretch? How dare you say that?” Qin Gou retorted irritably.
“That’s right, I will definitely control my terrifying desires in the future! Also, that…” Suddenly, Xiao Chong’s voice became exceptionally gentle and soft, “The way Master protected me without hesitation and argued fiercely with everyone back then is truly unforgettable.”
“Cough… Xiao Chong, why are you speaking so strangely? Did someone switch you? Be normal, I’m scared!”
“Huh?” Xiao Chong pouted aggrievedly, “Master, is it really because I’m too familiar with you that everyone seems to have forgotten that I am also a delicate young woman?”
Qin Gou’s mouth twitched. “Qingxin, are you really not uncomfortable acting like this right now?”
“Not particularly uncomfortable, just a little nauseous… Waa!” For a moment, Xiao Chong couldn’t hold back, and said with a mix of amusement and exasperation, “I can’t do it anymore. I’ve tried my best, but I’ve been too carefree around you for too long, and my nature has been too liberated. No matter what, I can’t go back to being a gentle and elegant elder sister.”
“I knew you were acting strangely. It’s because of this?” Qin Gou chuckled. “Seeing the Saint Ancestor Empress of this world made you realize how much you’ve changed? But Xiao Chong, don’t misunderstand. You’re definitely more likable just as you are.”
“Really?”
“I can’t guarantee for others, but at least you are likable to me.”
“Then it’s fine.”
Chatting and laughing, Qin Gou and the others had arrived before the Mountain Gate of Senluo Mountain. A beautiful woman in a purple robe, dignified and graceful, and a delicately carved little girl seemed to have been waiting for a long time.
“It’s Master Qin!”
Upon seeing Qin Gou, the little girl exclaimed with joy.
Her exclamation, which sounded like a special greeting from ‘Master Yu’ in a folk crosstalk troupe, made Qin Gou freeze. Wasn’t this how Yan Qiaoyun, the adopted daughter of Little Zhao, always addressed him? But her appearance…
Although this little girl was also extremely cute, Qin Gou didn’t think he was so confused as to forget what Qiao’er looked like. Or perhaps, in this world, the adopted daughter raised by Xinting was not Qiao’er at all?!
“That’s right, it’s me.” Qin Gou leaned down affectionately and placed a hand on the little girl’s shoulder. At that moment, he clearly saw the special Demonic Mark of the Faceless Hermit clan in her eyes, and he suddenly realized with a chuckle, “Qiao’er, you’re still so mischievous. Why are you intentionally pretending to be someone else?”
“Ah?” The little girl looked bewildered.
At the same time, Qin Gou heard another voice.
“Master Qin…!”
The charming woman in the purple robe, who had been silently crying with her hand covering her mouth due to extreme excitement, quickly pointed to her own face.
“She is my adopted daughter Cheng’er! Qiao’er is here!”
