“Lin Daque…”
That tacky nickname pulled Lin Que’s memories back to several years ago….back to when he first met the white-haired dragon girl before him, and how that nickname came to be.
– Thank you, brave hero, for drawing your sword to help. This humble girl is named Ao Xinyu. May I ask your esteemed name? Lin Que… what a lovely name.
– Young hero Lin Que…
– Young Master Lin…
– Lin Que…
– Lin Daque!
…
Yes, the white-haired dragon girl before him was named Ao Xinyu, a pure-blooded member of the dragon race.
Lin Que had met Ao Xinyu during a training excursion, where he witnessed a group of bandits hijacking a floating treasure boat. He casually dispatched the bandits and, while at it, looted the contents of their storage rings.
As it turned out, the owner of that treasure boat was none other than Ao Xinyu.
At the time, Lin Que had not yet become the Eastern Region’s champion, and Ao Xinyu had only just settled in Wanbao City, in the early stages of establishing the Glazed Pavilion. She had been struggling to recruit cultivators of high ability.
Coincidentally, Lin Que’s cultivation path of battle required an enormous amount of resources to progress.
The saying “scholars are poor, warriors are rich” applied in the cultivation world too. The Path of Battle demanded far more heavenly materials and earthly treasures than the Path of Enlightenment, so whenever Lin Que went out to train, he would seek out evil cultivators and scoundrels to kill and loot.
The cultivation world did have laws; the righteous sects were at least outwardly forbidden from killing each other. The same did not apply to evil cultivators and criminals. With luck, taking down a wanted fugitive could even earn you a bounty.
After that, the two hit it off right away. Lin Que served as her personal guard for a time, while Ao Xinyu provided him with all the resources he needed for cultivation.
With Ao Xinyu’s immense supply of resources backing him, Lin Que’s cultivation level kept rising steadily. His foundation became far more solid than others at the same stage, and thanks to the Dragon-Elephant Body Refining Art that Ao Xinyu secretly passed on to him, Lin Que’s physique became exceptionally powerful.
Looking back now, if he hadn’t practiced the body refining art Ao Xinyu had given him, he probably would have died in that disaster at the Evil Cultivators’ Fortress several years ago.
As for the tacky nickname “Daque” (Big Que), Lin Que had asked her about it once, and Ao Xinyu gave a simple and blunt explanation.
“Big means good! Expensive means good!”
In Ao Xinyu’s eyes, calling him “Lin Daque” was actually high praise. It was a way of treating him like one of her own.
Whether that mindset was unique to her as a dragon or common among the entire dragon race, Lin Que had no idea. In any case, he had no strength to complain and just let her be.
As the memories resurfaced, a gentle smile appeared on Lin Que’s face. “It’s been a while, Xinyu.”
Hearing Lin Que call her by name, Ao Xinyu stood up, patted her chest, and gave a theatrical sigh of relief.
“With that distant look on your face just now, I thought you’d forgotten me! Good thing you used my name. If you’d dared to call me ‘Pavilion Master Ao’, I would’ve cried on the spot!”
Ao Xinyu skipped happily over to Lin Que’s side, teasing him with a bright smile.
She had genuinely felt a chill earlier. Because she had noticed a trace of distance in Lin Que’s expression. Ao Xinyu had been afraid that, after just a few short years apart, an unbearable wall had formed between them.
Fortunately, that wasn’t the case.
“Of course I wouldn’t call you that,” Lin Que replied with a smile.
Seeing him like that, Ao Xinyu finally crossed her arms and lifted her chin proudly, putting on the airs of a pavilion master.
“Speak, what business do you have with this Pavilion Master?”
She knew Lin Que’s style. He was always direct. If he started following formalities, it would only feel like he was being distant.
“I’m looking to purchase some medicinal herbs. Here’s the list.”
Lin Que pulled out a prepared list from his sleeve and handed it to Ao Xinyu.
“Mmhm, let me see… These are mostly wound-healing medicines and herbs for the Foundation Establishment stage. Did Wang Moqing get injured again? But why would you need Foundation Establishment-level herbs… Don’t tell me you’re planning to start over?”
Ao Xinyu spoke quickly, as if trying to make up for all the conversation they hadn’t had over the past few years.
In the blink of an eye, her gaze turned wistful, and she said with a hint of envy, “Haah… I’m really jealous of Wang Moqing. Having such a good partner like you. Getting injured and still having you personally buy herbs and refine medicine. Unlike me… I’ve been all alone all these years.”
She still thought of Lin Que’s relationships as they were a few years ago…back when he was with Jiang Moqing.
“My senior sister and I… are no longer together.”
“Eh? What happened… I thought you two would be together forever.”
Ao Xinyu’s surprise was genuine. She truly hadn’t expected Jiang Moqing to be willing to let go of someone as valuable as Lin Que.
“It’s a long story. Best not to bring it up.”
Of course, Lin Que had no intention of explaining that the reason they broke up was because Jiang Moqing wanted to lock him in a basement and drain him for life.
He didn’t want to make up any other excuse either, so he simply left it at that.
Upon hearing this, Ao Xinyu unconsciously took two steps closer to Lin Que. The distance between them was now almost nothing. Just a bit more and they would be touching.
“I see… what a shame.”
Though her tone was filled with concern, a different kind of light flickered in Ao Xinyu’s eyes. She reached out, as if to touch Lin Que.
“Then why are you buying so much healing medicine? Are you hurt again? Let me take a look…”
However—
Before she could finish her sentence, Lin Que interrupted her.
“The medicine is for my partner.”
The moment those words left his mouth, Ao Xinyu’s outstretched hand froze in midair, then quickly withdrew and hid behind her back.
“I thought you and Wang Moqing had broken up?”
“We did. She’s not my current partner.”
Hearing that, Ao Xinyu’s expression instantly tensed, and even her fists clenched.
“You’ve already found someone new? Then why didn’t you…”
She didn’t finish the rest. Her clenched fists slowly loosened, and her expression gradually returned to calm.
“Why didn’t you come to me sooner? You know, within a thousand miles, no one can match the quality of the goods at my Glazed Pavilion!”
“That was my oversight.” Lin Que nodded, as if unaware of the subtle emotion in her gestures and words.
“Alright, alright…come with me. The herbs are in the storeroom. You can pick them out yourself.”
Saying that, Ao Xinyu turned and led the way, while the twin shopkeepers silently followed behind, acting as little more than background.
On the way to the storeroom, Ao Xinyu began subtly probing, asking about Lin Que’s current situation and his relationship status.
As Lin Que talked about his relationship with Qin Wanyuan, Ao Xinyu could naturally sense the affection in his eyes whenever he mentioned her.
“How wonderful. If you have the time, be sure to bring that Miss Wanyuan to visit my Glazed Pavilion. As the Pavilion Master, I promise to prepare a grand feast in her honor!”
“If there’s time, definitely.”
As they chatted, the group arrived at the storeroom door. The two shopkeepers remained outside to wait, while only Lin Que and Ao Xinyu stepped inside.
The storeroom was like a hidden world of its own, filled with such dense spiritual energy it was nearly visible as mist. All kinds of rare herbs and treasures were neatly categorized and placed in cabinets, each with its own independent storage space.
And it wasn’t just the treasures. Even the cabinets themselves were clearly powerful artifacts.
It was clear that the wealth of this little dragon heiress showed in every detail.
Lin Que retrieved the herbs listed on his inventory and exited the storeroom with Ao Xinyu. Just as he was about to pay with spirit stones, she waved him off.
“With our relationship, why are you still fussing over payment? Don’t tell me you really see me as an outsider?”
“Even between close brothers, accounts should be clear. Receiving something for nothing just doesn’t sit right with me.”
Lin Que paused for a moment, then turned to ask Ao Xinyu, “By the way, I saw you frowning at your desk earlier….are you dealing with something difficult? Maybe I can help.”
“What kind of trouble could I, the Pavilion Master, possibly have?”
Ao Xinyu gave a playful snort. “My Glazed Pavilion is no longer the fledgling little shop it was a few years ago. Now, it’s a real powerhouse!”
“Is that so…”
Hearing that, Lin Que frowned slightly.
“Don’t worry. Just take the herbs back and take good care of your injured partner,” Ao Xinyu said with a wave of her hand, a charming smile appearing on her delicate face.
After a bit of back-and-forth, Lin Que ultimately purchased the herbs at cost price. He also promised that if Ao Xinyu ever found herself in trouble, he would be there to help.
Ao Xinyu simply replied that it would be enough if he could find time to come visit.
Lin Que left.
The silent female shopkeeper finally stepped forward and asked, “Pavilion Master, is this really okay? Since Chief Lin is willing to help, that would be a great advantage. He might actually be able to help us overcome this crisis.”
At those words, Ao Xinyu’s expression instantly turned cold.
“This matter is not to be brought up again. Especially not in front of him. If you do, don’t blame me for being harsh.”
“I’ve overstepped, Pavilion Master. Please forgive me!”
The shopkeeper immediately lowered her head, trembling as she apologized.
Seeing her like that, Ao Xinyu sighed. “I spoke too harshly just now. Don’t take it to heart.”
“I wouldn’t dare.”
“I know what you said is true. From a business standpoint, asking for his help would be the most rational choice. But… I don’t want him to take any more risks. I don’t want to see him like that again…so broken and helpless.”
Ao Xinyu’s voice was low, as if recalling a painful memory. Then her expression hardened with resolve. “Besides, with my strength now, I may not need anyone. I can face this challenge on my own!”
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