Chapter 0 77. Red Candles Swaying
“Is what Xinting said true? You two truly had a heart-to-heart talk inside the Tunhai Shell?” Qin Gou hurriedly looked at Qishuang, who was wiping away tears, and asked.
Ye Qishuang nodded truthfully.
“Why didn’t you, you wench, explain clearly at first? Crying so sadly all by yourself, making me, Master, mistakenly believe you had suffered some grievous wrong inside the Tunhai Shell,” Qin Gou gritted his teeth and said.
“Because…” Ye Yatou tried hard to suppress her sobs and explained, “Eldest Senior Brother said he would speak to Master on my behalf properly first, but I didn’t expect Master, you, would not even let Eldest Senior Brother speak.”
“Wasn’t I just too heartbroken for you?”
“Yes, so just now, upon hearing Master’s concerned words, Qishuang couldn’t help but cry even more intensely.”
“One trick after another!” Old Qin’s eyes glazed over in dismay.
At this moment, Zhao Xinting suddenly cupped his fists and said, “Master, if there’s nothing more for me here, I’ll take my leave. I also plan to go check on Fellow Daoist Jia Ren and Junior Sister Kong.”
“What?” Qin Gou quickly grabbed Little Zhao. “You’re leaving just like that?”
“Otherwise? Am I supposed to stay with you as well?” Zhao Xinting’s eyes widened. As expected of the Purple Extreme Demon, he truly thought of strange things in an instant.
“Get lost!” Old Qin’s nose was almost crooked with anger. “Does Master mean *that* pervert’s intentions?” As expected of Master, he could synchronize his thoughts with his own disciple in an instant.
Zhao Xinting’s eyes narrowed in embarrassment. He cupped his fists again and said, “Then, Master, what are your instructions?”
“You come with me first.”
As he spoke, Qin Gou was about to leave the cave abode with Zhao Xinting. He turned back to instruct Ye Qishuang, “Qishuang, you wait here for a moment. Master and Xinting need to discuss something. We’ll be back shortly, in less than the duration of one incense stick burning.”
Seeing this, although Ye Yatou was confused, she quickly nodded.
…
Leaving the cave abode, Zhao Xinting said as they walked, “Master, I’ve already fully understood Qishuang’s thoughts. Her feelings for you are truly…”
“Stop! You don’t need to repeat what Master just said and what I already understand very well. I didn’t call you out to talk about this.” Qin Gou shook his head with a chuckle. “It’s mainly because I can’t use my spiritual power right now, so I need you to do me a small favor and get something for me again!”
“Oh? What do you need, Master? Please tell me.”
Not long after.
Qin Gou returned to the cave abode alone.
By this time, Ye Qishuang had already dried her tears. She looked at Qin Gou, who now had a somewhat mysterious smile on his face, and couldn’t help but curiously ask, “Master, where exactly did you and Eldest Senior Brother go just now? Oh, right, and earlier when you were talking with Eldest Senior Brother inside the Tunhai Shell, he analyzed for me that the reason you were hesitant was likely because you’ve entered the mortal transformation stage now, and your realm is too far from mine. You were worried it might shake the seal of the mortal transformation stage. But actually, with Qishuang’s ‘Heart Monkey Qitian Body,’ it’s definitely impossible to harm the other party in dual cultivation!”
She paused, and Ye Yatou’s voice couldn’t help but lower slightly. After all, saying these things so directly was still a bit shy. “And although… Qishuang herself has never had any experience to truly prove this, the Heart Monkey Qitian Body is, after all, known as the special constitution most suitable for cultivators in dual cultivation, completely different from that domineering cultivation by absorbing essence. And just like cultivators have absolute understanding of their Natal Spirit Tools, Qishuang also has a hundred percent understanding of her own special constitution, which is why she proposed this to Master.”
“Qishuang, I did indeed think along those lines before. But just like your Eldest Senior Brother said, because of the misunderstanding earlier and the burst of anger I had, I’ve already convinced myself. Of course, with Qishuang’s explanation now, I naturally feel even more confident. As for your Eldest Senior Brother and I going out earlier, it was for me to get something from her. However…”
At this moment, Qin Gou looked into Ye Qishuang’s clear eyes and asked in a calm voice, “Qishuang, I have a question for you now. You must answer truthfully… In this world, are Qin Gou and Ye Qishuang truly in a relationship as Dao Companions? Why is it that in these past few days, I’ve interacted with many fellow daoists, yet very few know about this? Generally, those who do know are cultivators connected to our Arc-Moon Mountain line.”
“That’s because this matter was never intentionally spread out,” Ye Qishuang didn’t know why Qin Gou was suddenly asking this, and her expression became a little flustered. “But becoming Dao Companions was indeed something Master personally agreed to.”
Upon hearing this, Qin Gou’s brows gradually furrowed. “Agreed? It was actually just verbal consent, nothing more? Master had thought…”
Seeing this, Ye Qishuang’s little face became even more nervous, and she continued to explain, “Because, many Dao Companions in this Cultivation World are also like this. They no longer care about those complicated rituals. As long as they mutually recognize each other, they can be considered officially married and legitimate Dao Companions. Moreover… Qishuang also doesn’t want to waste Master’s time.”
Qin Gou sighed deeply. “Qishuang, if Master were to consider even this a waste of time, wouldn’t that make me a damned sc?”
“Of course not! How could Master defame himself like that? Becoming Dao Companions was something Qishuang herself actively requested… Moreover, Qishuang is a bit confused. Why is Master bringing up such past matters now? During your promotion, your state of mind must not be occupied by too many trivial matters; you should be as calm as possible.” Ye Yatou thought for a moment, then abruptly changed the subject to a lighter tone. “By the way, you haven’t told Qishuang what Master asked Eldest Senior Brother for just now? I didn’t see you bring anything back either?”
“Just a small item.”
As he spoke, Qin Gou walked towards the round table beside him.
“I want the sky to descend into night, with only the clear moon hanging high.”
As soon as the words fell.
As if a decree was proclaimed, the brightness outside the window suddenly plunged into darkness. The bright moonlight fell, scattering like frost on the ground.
“Ye Yatou just said that many Dao Companions in this Cultivation World don’t care about those seemingly old-fashioned rituals, but she didn’t say she herself doesn’t care either?” At this moment, Qin Gou, with his back to Ye Qishuang, reached into his embrace, seemingly to take something out.
“Master, this is…?”
Under the moonlight, Ye Qishuang covered her small mouth, her shoulders trembling slightly. In her warm, beautiful eyes, there was disbelief.
“Silly girl, don’t cry again. Master has seen too many of your tears today. I really can’t take any more.”
Qin Gou chuckled lightly. A ball of light suddenly appeared before him. When he turned and moved aside, a pair of red candles were arranged on the round table. Qin Gou had already lit them with a fire starter. A pair of candles with moving wicks, their shadows swaying in the breeze.
“Look, the red candles are shining bright, but it seems something is still missing. However, I know Qishuang, you must have brought wine with you? Take out a pot and two cups.”
“Enough for a celebratory cup of wine will do.”
