The deeper they went, the denser the black mist became, signaling that they were nearing the enemy’s hideout.
Qin Yu used the Eye of Light once again, faintly making out two figures in the distance.
This must be it, Qin Yu thought, and picked up the pace, rushing toward that direction.
The servant was still dragging Shu Liang along when, suddenly, a ball of light hurtled straight toward them. Having previously been injured by Yu Qingya, the servant had no time to dodge and was knocked flat to the ground.
Seeing the sneak attack succeed, Qin Yu dashed forward and grabbed Shu Liang by the hand to run.
Only then did Shu Liang snap back to her senses. Upon realizing it was Qin Yu, she instantly began to struggle.
What on earth are you doing?
Qin Yu felt a wave of impatience, especially since Shu Liang had given her nothing but cold looks back at the sect assembly.
She had come to rescue her upon Yu Qingya’s commission, only for this girl to cause trouble instead.
Why is it you? Why isn’t Senior Sister here to save me? Let go of me right now!
Shu Liang was also heavily injured and, no matter how hard she thrashed, she could not break free from Qin Yu’s restraint.
Your Senior Sister was severely wounded and entrusted me to rescue you. Bringing you back safely fulfills my mission. If you keep this up, I will just knock you out and carry you back.
Already anxious over Yu Qingya’s injuries, Qin Yu was thoroughly agitated, and yet this ungrateful person refused to cooperate.
Thinking that warning her would make her quiet down, Qin Yu was surprised to find Shu Liang struggling even more fiercely.
Without further ado, Qin Yu simply knocked Shu Liang unconscious and hauled her away like a parcel.
Upon returning to the inn, Qin Yu handed Shu Liang over to the disciples of the Qinglian Pavilion before heading straight to check on Yu Qingya. The others wanted to say something, but remembering the jade pendant in Qin Yu’s possession, they prudently swallowed the words at the tip of their tongues.
Pushing open the door, Qin Yu saw Yu Qingya lying on the couch with her eyes closed. Though her complexion was still somewhat pale, she looked much better than before, which finally set Qin Yu’s mind at ease.
Seeing the injuries on her body and recalling Yu Qingya’s stubbornness earlier, Qin Yu felt a sudden surge of frustration and stepped back out of the room. Unable to shake the irritation, she asked the innkeeper to open another room for her.
However, feeling bored alone in the room, she went downstairs to take a look, only to find disciples from both sects gathered and chatting away.
Tell me, what on earth is the relationship between Junior Sister Xiaoyu and our Senior Sister? Why would she even gift her that jade pendant? A Qinglian Pavilion disciple asked quietly while cracking melon seeds.
Is there something special about that pendant? I assume they’re just friends, aren’t they?
The Gushu Sect disciples had never been privy to Qin Yu’s personal affairs, so hearing this question made them feel rather gossipy.
True enough, gossip was human nature, and the Qinglian Pavilion disciple instantly perked up.
You guys don’t know this, do you? I heard that this jade pendant comes in a pair: one is for the sect master, and the other is for the sect master’s romantic partner. Now you tell me, what kind of relationship could they possibly have?
The Qinglian Pavilion disciple said with a wink, wearing a knowing expression.
This completely shocked the Gushu Sect disciples. While same sex Dao companions did exist in the cultivation world, their numbers were extremely rare, let alone one involving the senior sister they saw every single day.
Listening to them drink and make merry, Qin Yu offered a bitter, self-deprecating smile.
Indeed. The original book’s plot had indeed introduced these pendants as a pair, one for the master of the Qinglian Pavilion, and the other for the master’s partner.
What these disciples didn’t know, however, was that when the sect master gave it to Yu Qingya, she knew her eldest disciple was clueless about matters of the heart. She had simply told her that this pendant was a spare, to be given in the future to someone she truly trusted.
That was why she had lost her composure that day, blurting out a question about what kind of relationship they shared. Her long yearned for goddess had been right there within arm’s reach, gifting her such an ambiguous token. In that moment, it felt like she was dreaming, only to be jolted back to cruel reality by a single word: friends.
Indeed. Yu Qingya’s character setting was one of emotional detachment. Did she really expect things to change just because of a minor transmigration intruder like herself? Wasn’t her original goal simply to help Yu Qingya ascend to godhood? Why, the more she interacted with her, did her greed only grow?
Qin Yu found a corner table and asked the innkeeper for a pot of plum wine.
Since the disciples of both sects were entirely absorbed in their gossip, no one noticed a lone person sitting over by the side.
It was late into the night by the time Qin Yu finally went upstairs.
To her surprise, upon pushing open her door, she found a woman sitting right on the bed.
Clad in spotless white robes like a lotus emerging from clear water, who else could it be but Yu Qingya?
Before Qin Yu could say a word, Yu Qingya spoke up: When did you learn how to drink? And why are you coming back so late?
Hearing Yu Qingya’s inquiry only flared up Qin Yu’s irritation even more. She had been given an ambiguous token only to be called a friend, and she had traveled thousands of miles to rescue her, only to be tasked with saving a disciple who treated her with nothing but hostility.
Why are you here? Qin Yu’s voice was cold. Her wine fogged mind made her feel slightly dizzy, and she struggled to maintain her composure.
We haven’t seen each other in three months, and your temper has certainly grown. Sensing the coldness in Qin Yu’s tone, Yu Qingya felt a flicker of vexation as well.
Catching the underlying meaning in Yu Qingya’s words, Qin Yu lowered her gaze. I’ve been too busy lately.
Busy with what?
Busy cultivating.
The two slipped into a routine of questions and answers, until Yu Qingya finally let out a sigh. Xiaoyu, you’re angry.
Qin Yu looked at Yu Qingya without speaking. She didn’t quite know what she was angry about, but she felt profoundly helpless.
Here was someone who was completely her ideal type, cold and distant to everyone else, yet exceptionally kind to her, and yet, they were just friends. Meanwhile, with a heart broad enough to embrace the entire world, perhaps that care would eventually be distributed to everyone.
It felt like a poppy flower, impossible to escape, yet utterly mesmerizing.
I know you were concerned for me, but Shu Liang is an important disciple of the sect. Since I brought them out to deal with evil spirits this time, it is my duty and responsibility to bring them back safely. Thinking Qin Yu was still upset about that incident, Yu Qingya offered an explanation.
Senior Sister, why are you so good to me? Qin Yu couldn’t help but ask.
Yu Qingya was momentarily startled by the question before replying, Because you are my best friend.
Then would you treat your other friends the same way? Qin Yu asked, unwilling to let it go.
Yu Qingya shook her head. Xiaoyu, I have no other friends. I only have you.
What if you make other friends in the future?
I won’t.
Why?
Faced with Qin Yu’s barrage of questions, Yu Qingya looked straight into her eyes. Xiaoyu, I have been in the Qinglian Pavilion since I was born. I have no parents and no friends. In the days of the past, I only had my master, but my master had many other responsibilities to care about. I used to follow the rules so strictly that it felt as though my life had been mapped out along a set route, leaving me devoid of any emotions, just like a puppet. But ever since I met you at the sect assembly, from the very moment you defeated me, it was only by your side that I finally felt like I was alive, living according to my own conscious will.