“Chief Lin?”
Upon hearing this title, Qin Qian’er looked puzzled.
If she remembered correctly, Lin Que was supposed to be just an inner sect disciple. While she had suspected he might be hiding something, Chief… in the cultivation world, that term referred to the strongest contender among all the sects.
So he had been hiding such a significant identity?
Compared to Qin Qian’er’s confusion, Qin Wanyuan remained calm. After all, she had personally witnessed Lin Que’s once high-spirited appearance in the dream.
Chief of the Eastern Region. That alone was enough to prove that Lin Que had once stood at the very pinnacle of the new generation of cultivators in the Eastern Region. Or rather, he used to.
Lin Que’s expression stayed composed as he got straight to the point.
“Eight Elder, we’re here today to have Qian’er transferred to another elder’s tutelage.”
“Oh? And why is that?” The Eight Elder’s brows furrowed slightly, and his gaze became subtly wary, as though he was trying to recall what he might’ve done to offend this dangerous man again.
Qin Wanyuan was about to explain with the excuse she had prepared in advance, but Lin Que spoke up first.
“This is a family matter. No need to trouble Elder with concern.”
“…Very well, very well.” Elder Eight seemed relieved, readily agreeing to process the transfer.
Normally, switching mentors without reason would be a clear slight against the Eight Elder’s teaching, practically a slap in the face. Qin Wanyuan had assumed it would take considerable effort to succeed. She hadn’t expected Lin Que to settle it with just a few short sentences.
Had she not seen Lin Que’s past through the memory dream the night before, she would’ve been stunned all over again today.
Looking at the young man’s sharp, defined side profile, Qin Wanyuan couldn’t help but feel that he was like a celestial fruit, wrapped in layer upon layer of disguise. The more layers she peeled away, the sweeter and more enticing the parts revealed became, making it impossible for her to resist digging deeper.
In her past life, Qin Wanyuan hadn’t taken the initiative to explore Lin Que’s past, afraid of uncovering scars he didn’t want to revisit. But now, that layer of restraint was gradually being lifted.
I really want to know more about Lin Lang~
She thought while gazing at Lin Que’s side profile. The corners of her rosy lips curved into a soft smile.
With one matter resolved, the three of them returned to the cave residence. Her younger sister Qin Qian’er went to cultivate in her room, while Lin Que and Qin Wanyuan returned to their own room for some time alone.
Qin Wanyuan slowly removed her outer robe, revealing her graceful figure.
Her body was still wrapped in many bandages, covering most of her skin, but the tight fit and faintly revealed contours added a subtle allure.
Lin Que took out some medicinal salve from his storage ring. He unwrapped the bandages, revealing Qin Wanyuan’s fair tender skin. She had her back to him, arms crossed over her chest to cover her snowy peaks, a faint blush rising to her face.
“The injuries are healing well. As long as you avoid strenuous activity for the next few days, you should recover almost fully,” Lin Que said while applying the medicine, giving her a gentle reminder.
“Strenuous activity…” For some reason, Qin Wanyuan’s mind drifted to the wild indulgence of that night, and her blush deepened. “I-I won’t do that kind of thing these next few days…”
Lin Que nearly choked on her sudden words. He truly hadn’t expected her usually conservative little mind to jump straight to that. “I wasn’t talking about that.”
After a pause, he added, “Though, indeed… it’s better to avoid intimacy for a few days.”
“…Okay.”
Only then did Qin Wanyuan realize just how shocking her earlier words had been. She immediately lowered her head, wishing she could bury herself in the ground.
As for Lin Que, he was considerate enough not to tease her further.
After a brief silence, Qin Wanyuan spoke again.
“Lin Lang, why did the Eight Elder call you Chief just now?”
Although she had learned from the memory dream that Lin Que had once been the champion of the Hundred Sects Tournament in the Eastern Region, this moment provided the perfect excuse to hear more from Lin Que about his past.
She truly wanted to understand Lin Que’s history and to accept everything about him.
“Oh, that… Back then, I had a bit of talent and was still young and reckless, so I joined the Hundred Sects Tournament in the Eastern Region. I got lucky and ended up taking the top spot.”
Lin Que smiled, his tone humble. “But that was many years ago. I haven’t made much progress since then. My old rivals have probably long surpassed me.”
Since Qin Wanyuan seemed eager to hear more, Lin Que made a point of sharing additional stories about the Hundred Sects Tournament. Especially those involving formidable opponents who had left a deep impression on him.
There was the Holy Son of the Divine Sword Sect, a Gu-healing fairy from the Valley of Ten Thousand Blossoms, and the Sword Sect’s Holy Maiden, whose heart was one with her blade.
Qin Wanyuan turned to look at Lin Que, her gaze falling on his handsome face, now tinged with nostalgia. A trace of heartache rose in her chest.
She knew all too well what a radiant and spirited young swordsman he had once been. If not for sacrificing himself to protect the people of that city, he wouldn’t have ended up with his cultivation crippled and his meridians shattered.
Thinking back on it, there was little doubt in her mind that the injuries from that incident were also part of the reason why Lin Que had been unable to break through in his cultivation ever since.
Qin Wanyuan didn’t fully understand what Lin Que must have felt when he sacrificed himself to save an entire city, but she would never mock his actions. Instead, she would try to understand him and one day, walk to his side and stand with him, looking out at the same view.
System, is there a way to heal Lin Lang’s old wounds?
[Of course there is. Among the 100,000-point goals set for the host, there is a method that can help the host’s partner completely remove the root of his injuries.]
The system explained.
I see.
Qin Wanyuan took a deep breath and didn’t continue the conversation with the system. Instead, she opened her eyes and looked at Lin Que who was applying medicine to her wounds.
The medicine was soon applied and the bandages changed. As the warmth of the salve seeped into her skin, Qin Wanyuan gently held Lin Que’s hand.
“By the way, Lin Lang, do you know how Senior Sister’s injuries are?”
“I’m not sure, but they’re probably about the same as yours.”
Lin Que had indeed delivered medicine to her yesterday, but he hadn’t checked her pulse or taken a close look at Jiang Moqing’s condition. He had simply confirmed that it didn’t seem too serious before heading off to the monster forest.
“Then… Lin Lang, could you come with me to visit Senior Sister Jiang’s cave residence later? I’d like to cook something myself to thank her.”
“Well… alright,” Lin Que nodded without refusing.
Qin Wanyuan smiled faintly and took Lin Que’s hand, asking him to accompany her to the kitchen to prepare a spiritual meal.
The meal took some time to make. Qin Wanyuan handled all the cooking herself, while Lin Que provided guidance throughout.
In truth, Qin Wanyuan felt a sincere sense of gratitude toward her senior sister Jiang Moqing. After all, not only had she saved her life in the monster forest, she had also extended a helping hand to Lin Que when he was at his lowest.
No matter how she looked at it, it was only right to express her thanks.
However—
Just as Qin Wanyuan finished preparing the spiritual meal and was about to head out, the system’s voice suddenly rang in her mind.
[Main Quest: Assist Jiang Moqing and Lin Que in sharing a moment of physical intimacy (lasting at least six breaths).]
[Reward: Slight increase in partner’s charm, slight improvement in host’s constitution, Stamina Potion x1.]
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