Chapter 74: Why Can’t You Just Look at Me?!

“Thank you, Brother Ye! Your character and resolve are truly admirable. If we were in the same sect… never mind, forget I said that.”

Cheng Qingning had taken the Ping County disappearance mission because it involved mortals, likely a simple bandit case. The officials couldn’t resolve it, and the reward from Wanfa Immortal Sect was meager, making it an unrewarding task.

No one wanted to team up with her except Xu Liangcai, despite his poor reputation in the sect. Several close senior brothers had warned her against teaming with him. But Cheng Qingning didn’t care about his motives—as long as he helped complete the mission and contributed to the world’s peace, that was enough. In this regard, many disciples were worse than Xu Liangcai.

Others urged her to take easier tasks, like hunting tigers in the mountains, which were safer and more profitable. Cheng Qingning sighed—mountain tigers rarely ventured near settlements, and people knew to avoid them, making such tasks trivial. The Ping County case was far graver. Her junior siblings were too utilitarian, never considering that with great power comes great responsibility.

This phrase, from her favorite book, The Chronicles of Sword Immortal Chu, had shaped her. Other beloved reads included How the Sword Immortal Was Forged, 108 Sword Techniques of the Sword Immortal, and The Forbidden Love of the Sword Immortal’s Disciple. Inspired by Chu Huaizhou’s sayings, she felt compelled to take this mission, even alone, to rescue the missing.

To meet the Sword Immortal’s disciple, who shared her ideals, was incredible! Truly worthy of being his disciple.

Cheng Qingning gripped Chu Huaizhou’s hand tighter, expressing her respect. Fearing he might worry, she added, “Rest assured, I have a Void-Breaking Talisman from my master, capable of teleporting five people. If things go south, I’ll activate it to get us out.”

Chu Huaizhou replied, “No need for that. You and I are enough.”

Before he finished, he felt a heavy tug at his waist, almost painful. His heart skipped, and he glanced down to see Xia Baiqian’s slender, pale hand gripping him tightly.

Looking up at her face, his heart sank—her usually lively, cherry-blossom-pink eyes were hollow, unfocused.

Why… why, why, why, why?!
I’m Master’s disciple, so why does he always attract other women? It’s always been like this—wherever he goes, women flock to him, and I have to work so hard to drive them away.
“Why can’t… he just look at me?”

She resolved to craft more gu insects back at the sect—unique ones to fill Master’s mind with her, even render him dependent. The Heartlink Gu was too limited in crowded settings, where she restrained herself for his image.

What if I make one that ensures he feels nothing with other women but a hundredfold with me? His waist… why… why, why, why, why… If he couldn’t leave her, that’d be perfect.

Her gaze locked onto their hands, entwined for over five seconds, her pink lips tense, her small chin taut. Her white-tights-clad legs subtly rubbed together, barely noticeable. A chill shot from Chu Huaizhou’s feet to his crown!

Distracted by her hollow stare, he missed Bai Li’s movements. Having seen enough anime, he recognized the yandere possessiveness flaring and yanked his hand back.

“And… my junior sister!”

His roar, like a tiger’s, swallowed the rest of his words. Fearing it wasn’t enough, he repeated, “You, me, my junior sister, and my spirit beast! Together, we’ll handle this flawlessly!”

Cheng Qingning forced a smile, recalling something, and glanced at Xia Baiqian, who clung to Chu’s arm, offering a slight apology. Xia Baiqian snorted, grabbing Chu’s entangled hand, shielding it from Cheng Qingning’s view, as if stealing her aura.

Chu didn’t resist—he hadn’t found proof Xia Baiqian wasn’t his dao companion. Even if she wasn’t, her yandere tendencies meant letting her hold his hand was safer than her antics during those ten days in the gu’s lid…

Sigh, Xia Baiqian’s too much.

Memories of their cramped room flooded back. With Bai Li, the three endured tight quarters, but Xia Baiqian always found ways to misbehave with her “white chocolate.”
Like sneaking over when Bai Li slept… Or while Bai Li ate at the table, under it… Or chatting with Bai Li in his arms, then reaching…

These days, Chu felt more exhausted than with Leng Qingqiu. He’d subtly probed for evidence Xia Baiqian wasn’t his dao companion, but she answered every private detail, convincing him she was.

Sigh, so tough.

She used to be a cute, lively bunny, radiating warmth like a little sun. Three hundred years ago, she was more endearing than Bai Li or the ditzy Yin Ling, following him with “Master~” and content with head pats—so healing. When he was tired, she’d sneak into his room, tugging his arm. He’d loved her, as a master loves a disciple.

How had she become more fox-like than a nine-tailed fox?

They fell silent, following the group quietly. Chu asked if Cheng Qingning needed help breaking her meridian seal, but she declined, saying she had a way, no need to waste resources.

Soon, the cave widened, filled with noisy voices and clamor. Rounding a bend, they merged with another group of captives herded by gray-robed demonic cultivators.

Cheng Qingning, still flushing her meridians with a secret art, sensed a chilling aura. Looking up, she saw a blood-freezing sight, clenching her teeth.

“Youming Sect… utterly unforgivable!”