Calamity Messenger

Chapter 364: Chapter 297: I’m Afraid I Can’t Hold Myself Back

Yan Qing was taken aback, meeting Shang Xinlei’s determined gaze, realizing she wasn’t joking.

"This training poses no danger to me; even if there is danger, I can handle it on my own. You really don’t need to come along to help."

Shang Xinlei chuckled: "I don’t plan to help anyway. When we run into a fight, I’ll be behind you urging you on."

"Even if you come along, there won’t be any rewards. It’s not that I’m unwilling to share, but my methods are impossible for you to replicate."

"I’m not here for rewards either; anyway, you’ve already prepared Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends for me. Besides the Foundation Establishment Pill, I don’t need any cultivation resources."

The reward this time really is the Foundation Establishment Pill, Yan Qing thought.

If he had a way for everyone to receive the event reward, he would definitely organize a group activity for everyone to go. White Fox, Black Wolf, and Red Snake go without saying, young Qian Gongyu could tag along, Shang Xuanwen might give a spot for the sake of his daughter and Mouse Monk—but aside from him, the local muggles really couldn’t receive the event reward.

"You’re not here to help me, and you’re not here for the rewards, so why are you going? To enjoy the scenery?"

"Yes." Shang Xinlei actually nodded directly: "I’ve been cooped up in Jingxin Small Residence for days, and it’s kind of dull. I was actually planning to go back to Jiangnan City to relax for a few days, but now you’re heading to the Demon Gathering Land for training. I feel it would definitely be more interesting than Jiangnan City."

"I’m not going for fun!"

"Neither am I. Do you really think someone as prestigious as a Third-Turn Messenger would slow you down?"

"But you’re not in Qi Kingdom, so how will you get there?"

"Of course, you’ll take me there." Shang Xinlei glared at him: "Are you saying you can bring Black Wolf from Zhou Kingdom but can’t take me from Liang Kingdom?"

Yan Qing blinked.

He wasn’t surprised that Shang Xinlei could guess [Fairy Journey], since his chat with Pharmacist’s Wish two days ago had revealed a lot. He was even mentally prepared for Shang Xinlei’s inquiries. If Shang Xinlei insisted on joining [Natural Disaster], he would probably tentatively refuse, but if she really insisted, he could only relent.

After all, he had already accepted Pharmacist’s Wish as a permanent member, so giving Shang Xinlei a seat wouldn’t be a big deal. Yan Qing had long considered Shang Xinlei a part of [Natural Disaster], just waiting for the moment she needed support to pull her into the organization.

That’s why when Shang Xinlei said she wanted to go, Yan Qing really couldn’t refuse.

"But my plan was to go solo..."

"Then change the plan!" Shang Xinlei, though sounding arrogant, had a hint of nervousness: "What, Missy wants to come along, are you going to say no?"

Yan Qing’s heart moved.

Right, why refuse? There’s no real danger in the Demon Gathering Land, and taking Shang Xinlei along is hardly different from a trip. Besides, compared to being alone, two people sound way more fun. They can take turns for night watch and sleeping during rest... No matter how you look at it, traveling together is far better than solo.

Seeing Yan Qing’s hesitant look, Shang Xinlei’s heart was also pounding. She wasn’t as calm as she seemed.

She wondered if she was being too bold since the Demon Gathering Land was in Qi Kingdom, an enemy territory thousands of miles away. Even though she was a Third-Turn Messenger and Yan Qing could get her there and back, it’s still a foreign place with the only person to rely on being this bandaged fool she’s known since childhood, a journey never without at least thirty servants... Yet she still wanted to go.

She wasn’t a fan of travel, preferring to stick to her own small domain. Familiar cities and roads provided immense security, making midnight flights over Jiangnan City akin to playing hide-and-seek at home.

She was actually quite shy around strangers and always took a carriage because unfamiliar houses made sleep impossible, like a snake needing its own den... But thinking of the distant Demon Gathering Land, she felt strangely unafraid, as long as she was with this guy, sleep would come easily no matter where they were.

Yan Qing replied, "I refuse."

Shang Xinlei was slightly stunned, "Oh."

That’s fine, she thought. Spending five days in the Secret Realm, what about bathroom breaks? Showering? Sleeping? As the Fourth Miss of the Shang Family, she had never experienced hardships, and there would be no carriage or servants, the only companion a smelly man potentially driven by animal instincts - it was too impulsive to follow him to unknown places for training, better to stay comfortably in Jiangnan City at home...

Despite these thoughts, her eyes betrayed her heart. Her vision blurred, and an acidic sting reached her nose as she lowered her head and softly asked, "Why?"

"No reason." Yan Qing’s tone was very cold.

"Then let me go."

"No way, it just won’t happen."

"Not going to say it?"

"No."

"Do you think I’ll be a burden? I promise to follow your orders." Shang Xinlei tried to keep her tone calm, "Or is it that you don’t trust me, worried I’ll discover your hidden secrets?"

She knew Yan Qing was always mysterious with countless cards up his sleeve, like the ’Treasure Hunting Order.’ If she were him, she’d also want to keep many secrets, not out of a lack of trust but because fewer people knowing meant more safety.

Furthermore, even between husband and wife there are secrets; they are merely teammates, so Yan Qing keeping things from her is quite normal. Although Shang Xinlei might feel unhappy, she can understand.

She knew that Yan Qing was unlikely to agree to her traveling together, so in order not to make the atmosphere awkward, she proactively found excuses for Yan Qing.

However, Yan Qing didn’t take the opportunity she offered.

"Stop asking, it doesn’t concern you." Yan Qing paused and added, "I’m leaving. Train well and don’t worry about me."

It doesn’t concern you.

Shang Xinlei couldn’t hear anything beyond that, because upon hearing those words, her full sense of grievance turned into burning anger. It felt as though a string in her mind snapped. With a growl, she suddenly lunged forward to grab Yan Qing’s right hand. Her black-silk legs wrapped around Yan Qing’s neck like giant pythons, forming a perfect frontal straddle crucifix hold, pinning Yan Qing to the ground before he could react.

"What are you doing!?"

"Did you plan with Black Wolf to go together?" she asked through gritted teeth.

"No! You know Black Wolf’s situation; she will absolutely not leave the Zhou Kingdom!" Yan Qing sprang up in a kip-up, but Shang Xinlei immediately switched to a back crucifix hold, pressing Yan Qing back down.

"Then you must want to take Jiang Shi, which is why you don’t dare let me join!"

"I told you Jiang Shi isn’t here! Truly, it’s just me alone!"

"If there’s no one else, why can’t I go?" Shang Xinlei sniffed, still unable to suppress her emotions as she said with grievance, "You don’t even have a reason!"

Shang Xinlei wasn’t unable to accept Yan Qing’s rejection. As long as Yan Qing provided a suitable reason, she wouldn’t feel so aggrieved. But what kind of attitude is this from Yan Qing? Does he even understand what it means for a young girl to offer to go with him to an unfamiliar place? Does he know how much courage it took for me to say that?

I’m not even asking about your shared secrets with Black Wolf. I didn’t question why you hugged Black Wolf and let you coax me into reconciliation... But now, I’m truly a bit heartbroken.

The two of them tangled on the ground like crocodiles, constantly trying to escape and suppress each other. In the midst of talking, they went through more than a dozen rounds of offense and defense, the results of their recent training thoroughly integrated within them. However, Shang Xinlei steadily suppressed Yan Qing, who had the advantage in Qi Blood. This was not only due to her initial advantage but also because in her fury, she entered a flow state; each move was perfect, leaving Yan Qing unable to find any gaps to reverse the situation!

"Do you dislike me? Just say it if you do! I’ll give Thief’s House to you and Black Wolf!"

"No!"

"Then why won’t you let me go?"

"Because I don’t want you to go!"

"Why don’t you want me to go? Didn’t you say it’s not dangerous? Or are you lying to me?"

"There is no danger..."

"Then what exactly are you afraid of? Afraid of me?"

"I told you, it doesn’t concern you!"

"Then who does it concern?"

"I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold back—"

The room suddenly fell silent. frёewebnoѵēl.com

Lying on the ground, Yan Qing stopped struggling, and the one pinning him, Shang Xinlei, also didn’t continue to apply force, as if Yan Qing had spoken an incantation, turning them both into stone.

After a while, Shang Xinlei leaned down, her cheek close to Yan Qing’s, with warm breath on Yan Qing’s neck, yet Yan Qing turned his head away, avoiding any eye contact with her, like trying to escape the flirtations of a playful maiden.

"What did you just say?" Shang Xinlei’s eyes glimmered with a strange light: "Afraid you won’t hold back doing what?"

"I didn’t say anything."

"You definitely said something. I heard it."

"You heard wrong."

"Are you afraid you’ll end up making a move on me?" Shang Xinlei prodded Yan Qing’s cheek, speaking with a teasing tone: "Pervert, sleaze, lecher, bandage weirdo."

Yan Qing was fuming with anger: "I’m afraid that when the time comes, I won’t be able to hold back from giving you a beating!"

"If you say so, then it must be true." Shang Xinlei was no longer angry, smiling with amusement.