Chapter 0: 81. Xinting’s Probe
At the core of the invisible grand array that silently enveloped the entire Abyss Palace.
“Qishuang, you’re here.”
“Eldest Senior Brother, you mentioned before that the Death’s Halt Demon Lord was coming and wanted to enter the Abyss Palace. Has this matter been properly resolved?”
Zhao Xinting nodded with a smile and said, “Indeed, it’s just as Master predicted. Once Fellow Daoist Jia Ren personally intervened, the matter was easily settled. By the way, when you arrived, you should have already met my Profound Realm Spirit Puppet? I had it take over from Fellow Daoist Jia Ren. After all, it would be too troublesome if Fellow Daoist Jia Ren had to keep going back and forth if any more Abyss cultivators were to arrive.”
“Yes, I have met the spirit puppet. Thank you, Senior Brother, for your thoughtfulness in considering Qishuang so much,” Ye Qishuang’s voice was filled with gratitude.
“Hmm?”
“I understand. Senior Brother, part of the reason you did this was also because if Senior Jia Ren accidentally entered the cave again… Master has a powerful state of mind and might still be able to remain composed, but Qishuang would definitely feel so embarrassed that she wouldn’t know where to hide!” Thinking about such private matters between Dao companions being seen by others, Ye Qishuang’s face couldn’t help but blush even at the thought.
“Cough.” Hearing this, Zhao Xinting chuckled and touched his nose, “As your elder brother, I was worried that Xiao Shuang’er would feel shy, so I deliberately spoke in a roundabout way.”
Ye Qishuang smiled and said, “But what is there to worry about with her Eldest Senior Brother whom Qishuang respects the most? As the saying goes, learn from your mistakes. Qishuang absolutely cannot repeat the past and hide in the Tunhai Shell because of her own wild thoughts. Thinking back now, it was so foolish. Eldest Senior Brother has always understood me very well.”
“I like to hear you say that!”
For a moment, Zhao Xinting smiled knowingly, “Qishuang has always been understanding and knows that no matter what, I am ultimately on your side! Unlike that silly Qiao’er, who used to listen to my opinions on everything. Now, I don’t know what she’s learned from somewhere, but she occasionally completely ignores what I say.”
“Eldest Senior Brother ah,” Ye Qishuang immediately gave a wry smile, “Master’s summary before was truly accurate. You really can twist anything and everything to bring it back to Qiao’er now.”
Zhao Xinting immediately looked a little embarrassed, “Isn’t this just me speaking from the heart? Your ‘eldest daughter’s’ knot has been untied, can’t I help your second daughter consider her situation?”
Ye Qishuang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, “Alright then, tell me specifically, what’s wrong with Qiao’er? I’ve always thought that Wench Qiao’er is quite sensible and understanding. Is there something that Eldest Senior Brother has misunderstood?”
“No, let me put it this way. Xiao Shuang’er, you should also know that a female cultivator like Qiao’er, who has achieved such a realm at such a young age, is bound to have many admirers around her. Originally, I thought that as long as this girl wasn’t deceived by scoundrels, I wouldn’t interfere. But later, I gradually realized that her way of handling these matters was truly beyond expectation.”
Zhao Xinting showed a helpless expression like an old father and sighed, “Regardless of whether they are scoundrels or good people, as long as they show even a hint of romantic affection, the first thing that girl thinks of is to fight with them! And it’s not some kind of test, but truly fierce battles without reservation! Even if she loses herself, she won’t come to me to complain. But when those male cultivators come again, she will challenge them again. Although her spellcasting battle experience has improved by leaps and bounds because of this, what is all this for?”
“I told her that if she doesn’t like those boys, she can just say it directly. Why must she use such a strange method? If she keeps acting this way, even if some male cultivators gradually give up, it will only be because they think this girl’s brain is probably a bit unusual, right? Unfortunately, Qiao’er doesn’t listen to advice at all.”
After listening, Ye Qishuang pondered for a moment and then said, “Eldest Senior Brother, have you ever considered that the reason Qiao’er is so forceful towards some of her suitors might be because a large part of them are actually not coming for Qiao’er, but their real target is you, Eldest Senior Brother!”
“You mean, young people nowadays are so good at seeking death?” Little Zhao asked with a sincere expression.
Ye Qishuang chuckled and said, “I mean, they probably have their eyes on the prestigious status of Cult Master Zhao’s son-in-law!”
“That’s even more like seeking death! Isn’t that just bullying and toying with Qiao’er’s feelings?” Zhao Xinting’s eyes flashed with a stern look.
“Yes, if this is true, Eldest Senior Brother would definitely be furious. So I was thinking, even so, perhaps Qiao’er still feels that those juniors don’t deserve death just because of a momentary wicked thought, which is why she didn’t explain it to you in detail, Eldest Senior Brother? She just wants to solve it in her own way, just to put them in their place?”
“It’s really not impossible!” Zhao Xinting suddenly realized, “Qishuang, you truly live up to being a woman for so many years. Your analysis of Qiao’er’s mindset, as a girl herself, is far better than mine!”
“What do you mean, ‘I’ve been a woman for so many years’? Eldest Senior Brother, are you complimenting me?! Whether one is a man or a woman is born that way. Can anyone change halfway?” The Ye girl retorted indignantly.
“Uh, your elder brother…”
“Forget it, let’s talk about Qiao’er. After all, there’s another possibility: perhaps Qiao’er already has someone in her heart, but for various reasons, it’s not convenient to say it outright? Has Eldest Senior Brother asked Qiao’er about this?”
Zhao Xinting thought for a moment, “Qiao’er did tell me the type of cultivator she admires.”
“Tell me about it?”
“First, Qiao’er prefers someone older than herself. Her appearance shouldn’t be too fierce and domineering; she finds a gentler demeanor more approachable. She likes someone decisive, persistent, with courage, and clear principles. Most importantly, they should be gentle and considerate towards children, and ideally, someone from our Zi Ji Lineage!”
Upon hearing this, Ye Qishuang’s expression changed slightly, “Eldest Senior Brother, are you joking?”
“What’s so funny about that?”
“But, with this description, aren’t you clearly displaying ‘Zhao Xinting’ on your face?” Ye Qishuang spread her small hands, “Aren’t you exactly that kind of person, Eldest Senior Brother? This is clearly describing you!”
“How is that possible?” Zhao Xinting exclaimed in disbelief, “I’m talking about romantic feelings here. Whoever Qiao’er likes, it couldn’t possibly be me, right? If that’s the case, do you mean that Qiao’er is actually like Fourth Junior Sister, and compared to male cultivators, she actually prefers to admire women?”
Wench Qishuang was completely confused upon hearing this, “But Eldest Senior Brother, aren’t you an extremely outstanding male cultivator?”
“I…”
Did she really have to say it directly? Ever since she received A Yuan’s letter a few days ago and was helped by Master to break some kind of ‘seal’, she had come to understand so much more about herself?
Zhao Xinting habitually touched his nose and chuckled dryly, “Qishuang, do you think someone like me can really be considered a male cultivator? I know that, in reality, many people have always treated me as a woman internally, and that’s fine, because…”
“Eldest Senior Brother, what stimulus have you received?”
At this moment, although Zhao Xinting wanted to probe gradually, from Ye Yatou’s perspective, it was as if she had heard the most terrifying words in the world, shocking her into speechlessness. “Before, you hated it the most when others joked about your appearance, but now… hearing these words from you makes me feel very uncomfortable, Senior Sister!”
Zhao Xinting’s heart warmed, and his voice was gentle, “Qishuang, I want to tell you something important right now. For this, I’ve done a lot of psychological preparation. Can you patiently listen to me finish first?”
“Yes, but no matter what, Qishuang will say this first.”
For a moment, the Ye girl’s eyes were sincere, and her voice was filled with comfort and support, “No matter who it is, or what their cultivation is, if I find out that anyone dares to mockingly say that Eldest Senior Brother is a woman, I, This Palace, will personally cut them down!”
“But what if, Eldest Senior Brother, I am indeed a woman?” Zhao Xinting said very seriously.
“You, please don’t scare me. Qishuang’s heart hurts right now. Such a joke makes me breathless!” As she spoke, Ye Qishuang was so frightened that she even showed an expression of asking, ‘Brother, should I applaud and laugh right now?’
“What woman? What pain? Why are you breathless?! What are you two talking about? Junior Sister just arrived, can I listen too!”
Suddenly, a clear lotus bloomed, and the ‘Debt Girl’ with sparkling eyes instantly appeared.
