Free Web NovelChapter 398: Chapter 328: Imagination Runs Wild
Master Yan, exhausted from a day’s work, finally lay down in the hot spring, letting out a soothing sound.
The days were too fulfilling; Yan Qing had mentally prepared himself to experience the mortal world’s spring and autumn, but ended up almost experiencing entertainment spring and autumn. However, as he soaked, he quickly became bored—no phone, no gaming console, just soaking like this was indeed meaningless. The reason he soaked so long last night was because Murong Hui was chattering beside him, and Yan Qing only had one towel; his skin was wrinkled before he couldn’t bear it anymore and drove her away...
But speaking of which, Murong Hui and Ying Rushi had just soaked in this hot spring, and Yan Qing seemed able to smell a faint scent.
Murong Hui’s caramel-colored long legs and Ying Rushi’s smooth, alabaster skin had once been in this hot spring, rippling lightly...
Yan Qing shook his head, thinking that Little Chunan’s imagination was too vivid and not necessarily a good thing. But perhaps it was due to the intense scene he’d just witnessed, Yan Qing’s cerebral cortex had been fully activated, and paired with the heat from the spring, the vigorous Qi Blood of the Third-Turn Messenger seemed to be surging down like a train.
Not right, wrong time, wrong place, cannot take off!
Yan Qing took a deep breath to calm his thoughts, trying to think of other things to distract himself.
Two days without contact, not sure how Pharmacist’s Wish and Shang Xinlei were doing. Without his presence, they probably wouldn’t train together, which Yan Qing found dull; he really didn’t have many strange thoughts, but their ’beyond teammates, less than friends’ relationship seemed not conducive to building a harmonious team.
But thinking of Shang Xinlei, Yan Qing remembered her looking drooping yet enticing after being disciplined, with watery eyes; and thinking of Pharmacist’s Wish, he recalled her domineering yet pliant demeanor, soft to hold...
Ying Rushi had just pushed the door open and saw Yan Qing suddenly slam his hands into the water as if trying to suppress something. He rambled, "Even if I committed a murder, barging in like this is still too impolite!?"
"Hui is focused on puzzles, and I don’t want her to notice," Ying Rushi said. "Besides, aren’t you wearing shorts?"
Shorts just barely covering... helplessly, Yan Qing had to curl up his legs and said annoyedly, "Do you Qi People all have a hobby of watching others bathe? It’s too unfair; it can’t be just me suffering. Next time we’re all soaking together!"
"Learning bad things after knowing Hui for just two days?" Ying Rushi laughed, "I’ve never seen you this cheeky before."
"You never had much interaction with me before either," Yan Qing replied, "Even if there was something, you wouldn’t seek me out."
Ying Rushi was slightly taken aback, falling silent for a moment before suddenly materializing the Heaven-Swaying Sword in her hand, kneeling by the pool to hand it to Yan Qing. Yan Qing stared wide-eyed at her, not right, just a glance, and now you are looking back. Is it necessary to draw swords?
"The kindness of saving lives cannot be repaid; Rushi wishes to gift the Heaven-Swaying Sword to you," Ying Rushi said, "Of course, I know Yellow Dog’s assistance was out of goodwill, and I don’t think a mere Heaven-Swaying Sword can repay such a favor. But currently, it’s the only thank-you I can offer, hoping you’ll accept it."
Yan Qing reached out and touched the hilt of the Heaven-Swaying Sword. As water droplets crossed the side of the hilt, the inscription ’If only I had a Heaven-Swaying Sword, I would stride the sea to slay the long whale’ glowed fiercely as if meeting a red-hot furnace.
Though not as violent as Bingzi Pepper Forest nor as fierce as Dragon and Snake Seven Kills, the mild balance of the Heaven-Swaying Sword has its own profound mysteries: in peaceful times it’s as compassionate as Bodhisattva, in chaotic years like the angry eyes of Vajra, with unrivaled dominance that challenges all, aligning perfectly with Yan Qing’s current system. He’s already proficient in dual wielding swords and blades, if the harmony of Heaven-Covering and Dominance strikes, even when facing Foundation Establishment Zhenren, he would... dare to send a minor avatar to clash head-on.
Yet faced with an easily obtainable legendary relic, Yan Qing’s expression remained calm, even a bit indifferent.
"Ying Rushi, are you arranging affairs for after your death, distributing your assets early?"
"Why say so?" Ying Rushi did not get provoked by his words; she was already mentally prepared before entering, "I am still going to complete the fourth mission with you all, and before that, I will never waste my life."
"So why give me your strongest token? I haven’t heard farmers selling their hoes to pay off debts."
"Here’s the second thing I want to discuss; if possible, I hope you can lend me the Heaven-Swaying Sword for the fourth mission. Without the Heaven-Swaying Sword, it’s difficult for me to assist in Foundation Establishment battles. As a return, you can distribute the Thief Points from the fourth mission."
Ying Rushi spoke with calmness and gentleness,
"Of course, whether you agree or not, the Heaven-Swaying Sword is yours."
"Even if just for me, please don’t refuse. You saved Hui, saved me; the Ying Family Royal Family’s gratitude and resentment are clear. Only by accepting this gratitude can my heart feel a bit better."
Clearly it’s reciprocating, yet she spoke as if Yan Qing were saving her again, suggesting refusal was harmful to her.
No loose ends, impeccable; this is the style of the Thief White Fox, regardless of objection or suggestion, it gives one the feeling of being enlivened by the spring breeze, decisively taking responsibility when necessary.
That’s why Yan Qing values Ying Rushi so much; teaming with her is so effortless, like having a considerate, leadership-endowed big sister. Compared to her, Shang Xinlei can only indulge in favorable circumstances, Pharmacist’s Wish excels in dire situations, only she makes the best choices in any situation.
That’s why Yan Qing feels like his anger is burning through his stomach.
Since Ying Rushi proposed separating, Yan Qing knew what she intended. Funny thing is, although they don’t communicate much, Yan Qing just knew her thoughts; probably because fools who lead such a tragic life are easy to guess.
Yan Qing regretted sending a minor avatar to wreck Qi Kingdom for the first time. Without this, Ying Rushi might not have betrayed Qi Kingdom, nor fallen into this state.
He recalled the ’train track debate’ he’d seen before: one track with five children, another with one child, and Yan Qing thought his method was the coolest—stopping the train altogether. Now, a little girl finds him too cool, and follows him to stop too. But Yan Qing only loses avatars, while this little girl’s planning to sacrifice herself!
If it were just that, it’d be fine, but clearly she knew the one leading the crusade against Ying Le was me, knew I would be on her side, yet never actively sought me out.
Now, she wishes to continue her tragic life, wanting to be a heroic martyr.
Seeing Yan Qing reaching for the Heaven-Swaying Sword, Ying Rushi sighed in relief, but the next second Yan Qing grabbed her hand and forcefully dragged her into the hot spring!
