Did Bai Shou anger the mysterious Sect or please them? Or was it just Yang Pao trying to get a job done? The truth was, the duo hadn't brought up the topic of forming another poison vow after the issue with the brothers Bai Shou dealt with. It left them open to betrayal, but the lack of the poison vow granted them massive flexibility.
If things went south, Yang Pao had his history and treasures as the City Mayor to fall upon. Meanwhile, Bai Shou also knew her advantages, something the poison vow might restrict. She even expected Yang Pao to become slightly more paranoid after her audacious act of breaking into the city's treasury… but nothing came of it. It left Bai Shou wondering if Yang Pao already contacted his superiors to reinforce the treasury. After all, most of what was stored didn't belong to Yang Pao alone. Like thousands of other settlements, Yuan Yang City continued to pay yearly taxes to the Sects behind them. So, it was natural that the Sect would want to deal with any weak points Bai Shou might have exploited.
'And they want to observe how I did it…'
She sighed softly.
Her task was to locate a group of traveling demonic Gu Masters. They weren't Blood Path Gu Masters but boasted a relatively rare Gu Worm—Rank 5 Hidden Box.
The Rank 5 Hidden Box was a storage-type Gu Worm and a Gu House. Like the Steed Gu, it was another classification of the Gu related to the ability to house Gu Masters. In Bai Shou's earlier years, she had once witnessed the Rank 3 Three Star Cave created by the Jia Clan's caravan in Gu Yue Village. Similarly, the Rank 5 Hidden Box hid all the treasures the brothers robbed.
What was outstanding about these demons was their Killer Move utilizing the Rank 5 Gu Worm.
The youngest brother was the sole Rank 5 Initial Stage Gu Master.
The middle brother was a Rank 4 Middle Stage Gu Master.
The eldest brother was a Rank 3 Peak Stage Gu Master. They were fortunate enough to encounter an inheritance and had since then used their Killer Move to wreak havoc upon small-sized sects, boldly charging into their target's territory and snatching what they liked. Those who stood up against the trio were brutally massacred.
Now, Bai Shou's task was not to kill or maim the brothers.
No.
The Sect wanted Bai Shou to capture the brothers and the Rank 5 Hidden Box Gu Worm without letting them self-destruct all the treasures.
Within the trio's loot was a rare Rank 5 material for a Healing Gu Worm. However, constantly being on the move to avoid such a fate from a stronger sect, the Brothers were challenging to locate.
'As if they cannot just buy said material,' Bai Shou exhaled. The task was deliberately made more challenging. The act of capturing the trio was already a difficult mission, much less robbing from the thieves. The Theft Path sounded too sweet at times like these… but again, where would Bai Shou even begin collecting the materials?
The Sect wanted to observe if Bai Shou had any unique or extinct Gu that dealt with the formations around secured treasuries. The Eldest of the Brothers, though a Rank 3 Gu Master, was a rare Formation Path Gu Master—the mind behind the Killer Move used by the trio.
The Rank 4 middle brother was an Earth Path Gu Master.
And the Rank 5 youngest brother was a Poison Path Gu Master.
Their Gu Worms were stolen and snatched from their victims.
However, Bai Shou wasn't in a hurry. She moved through the forest day and night at a regular human pace, barely putting any distance between herself and Yuan Yang City. There were still many dirt roads leading to the City, often utilized by traveling merchants.
The more developed land entailed less use for collective Caravans and more personal business trips. Bai Shou encountered several merchants who would promptly bow to her due to her cultivation.
During the second night, after preparing a stew using the materials she'd collected before her departure, Bai Shou quietly retraced her steps and located a pond she didn't recall crossing. Smiling, the woman crouched near the pond that radiated a Rank 3 Gu Worm's aura, tapping its surface with her long index finger.
A ripple spread out, suddenly changing the pond's surface from still water to a blue-colored roof with a circular door in the middle.
"Who goes there?!"
A cold voice snapped as the pond seemingly disappeared, followed by a swift, skull-sized globule of a viscous blue liquid barely touching Bai Shou—aimed at the latter's face had she not tilted her head slightly.
*Splat*
The globule had a short range, but it landed on the ground. Instead of corroding the ground as expected, the viscous pool of liquid glowed a soft blue before evaporating at a pace visible to the naked eye, leaving a small, curved dent into the ground, in the center of which lay a glimmering stone.
"Rank 4 Solvent Gu," Bai Shou hummed. It was a Refinement Path Offensive Gu that could either leave a hole in a Gu Master or be used to prepare materials for refining a Gu Worm. Furthermore, such a Gu Worm could decently counter most defensive Gu, including Bai Shou's former Golden Bell Shield Gu, making dodging the attack a wiser choice.
As for the 'pond' that disappeared?
It was the Rank 3 Reflective Pond House Gu.
"S-Senior Chained Wanderer?" Qin Juan gasped before clearing her throat. "Such a strange coincidence we met here."
Bai Shou thinned her lips.
A part of her began believing that Qin Juan was acting… she had to be. This is a Peak Stage Rank 4 Gu Master! Was this her…
'Is it her first mission?'
Bai Shou restrained the urge to sigh explosively.
"Hmm, a coincidence indeed, Junior Qin. I prepared stew. Would you like some?"
Qin Juan stalled and gazed at the bowl in Bai Shou's hands.
"Stew?"
"Yes, Junior. We eat it."
The girl instantly grew guarded. The act almost made Bai Shou slightly tearful—not from sadness but joy. Finally, some normal reaction!
Indeed. Qin Juan must be wondering if the stew was laced with—
"I'm afraid I cannot share meals with women at such late nights, Senior Chained. I… I can't return your intentions. Please find someone else—someone better. I'm sure it would be an effortless task for you." Qin Juan bit her bottom lip and looked away. She shifted where she stood, grabbing the hems of her loose robes, indicating how she quickly threw something on before attacking the sudden 'invader.'
She was a beautiful young woman with lustrous black hair and smooth skin. Her eyes were watery and filled with momentary guilt.
The corner of Bai Shou's lips twitched.
'Dafuq?'
'Someone must be following her…' Bai Shou repeated in her mind. 'Don't lose your cool. She must be a bait. Just… ignore her stupidity. Yes. Roll with it.'
Bai Shou wished she could claim it took every fiber of her being not to laugh at Qin Juan. However, she was a tolerant individual by default and more sensible than many other so-called righteous heroes.
"Junior Qin," Bai Shou smiled with a tone that left no room for refusal. The additional touch of her torrential Rank 5 aura persuaded the woman to grow out of her stupidity. "Adjust your clothes, and let's eat. You can eat whatever you packed if you fear I poisoned the stew. I will be waiting here."
Qin Juan's lips parted before she quickly recovered and looked down. Her robes were parted from the center, revealing her cream-colored dudou and a small, skirt-like undergarment hiding her private bits.
Crimson with shame, the Rank 4 Gu Master hurried away and only returned after a few minutes, noticing how Bai Shou had already started a campfire.
Swallowing a nervous lump, Qin Juan sat across from her senior and retrieved some bland bread to consume. Bai Shou smiled wordlessly and began feasting on the warm stew.
"Weren't you going to stay in Yuan Yang City, Junior?" Bai Shou began as they ate.
"Hmm? Oh!" Qin Juan blinked. "I only visited the city to purchase some materials. Still, I heard rumors about a Refinement Path Master invited by the City Mayor and wished to learn from you myself."
"Learn, huh," Bai Shou exhaled. "Challenging someone superior to you in terms of skills and experience is indeed a good method to learn. However, you must understand it only works when the other party is barely any better, Junior."
Qin Juan bristled at that but held her tongue. The crackling flames reflected in her pupils as she muttered softly.
"Are you claiming you are more experienced in skills just because you are a Rank 5 Gu Master, Senior?"
"I only recently advanced," Bai Shou chuckled. "But you might have a point. I've been more dismissive of you due to my higher rank. Perhaps you are more skilled in Refinement than me."
Qin Juan glanced at Bai Shou before looking down.
"I'm Bai Shou."
Qin Juan's face snapped up, noticing the other woman smiling at her. "Chained Wanderer is just a… reminder to me—of what I'm not yet—and what I wish to be. But you may call me Bai Shou. It's hard to meet a Refinement Path Gu Master, a young one at that."
Bai Shou then laughed warmly, allowing slight mischief in her voice. "You ARE young, right? Or did you use some unorthodox method to adopt such a cute face?"
Qin Juan worked her jaw before looking away. "I'm a thousand-year-old demoness, Sister Bai Shou. Indeed, you learned my secret. I snatched such a cute face from someone else."
"Oh, a Demonic Cultivator?" Bai Shou grew quiet. The sudden change in demeanor and the cold look in her eyes sent Qin Juan reeling with panic and shock.
"What? No! I was just joking, Sister Bai Shou. I'm born with such a cute face! I'm young! Young!"
Bai Shou thinned her lips.
"So was I, Sister Qin… but that's quite a boastful mindset."
Qin Juan's expression darkened as Bai Shou continued.
"So? Where are you headed?"
"Ehm," Qin Juan cleared her throat, lying. "I have no fixed destination, Sister Bai Shou. I will seek other challenges and learn more about the Refinement Dao before the convention."
"Oh?" Bai Shou smiled. "Would you mind traveling with me?"
"I…" Qin Juan fell silent. "Why would you invite me? We just met."
"Why not?" Bai Shou smiled. "I'm not afraid of you."
'I'm likely to be afraid of the person who raised a klutz like you…' The Chained Wanderer added internally.
"Then… where are you headed?" Qin Juan inquired hesitatingly.
"Oh," Bai Shou hummed. "I'm performing a task for the City Mayor… but what I truly want is to collect enough materials to refine a Rank 5 Gu Worm."
"Seeing that you are also keen on learning new things, I hoped we could travel together. You said it, remember? You wish to learn. You're sitting in the presence of an individual who would get invited by the Ancient Sects left and right once I reveal my talents."
Qin Juan tried to hide her smirk.
Yeah, right.
Ancient Sects?
Left and right?
"Who's the arrogant one now, Sister Bai?"
"Arrogance?" Bai Shou leaned her head sideways, a slight smirk on her lips. "A Refinement Path Gu Master learns from Heaven and Earth—there are secrets to refining everything in something as small as a grain of sand. Is it arrogance to believe following the Refinement Path will lead me to an understanding of the Dao like no other?"
"Venerables exist," retorted Qin Juan. "Are you saying you would surpass the heroes of humanity?"
"Let me teach you something right now, Sister Qin," Bai Shou leaned forward, setting aside the empty bowl. The campfire reflected a warm glow on her face, and the wavy flames reflecting in her brown eyes appeared no different than the depiction of burning desires fanning with her heart.
"We learn from our betters, not put them on a pedestal. Our lives are too short to revere someone who did not."
Qin Juan remained quiet, her gaze unflinching momentarily as she held Bai Shou's earnest gaze.
"What do you mean?" Qin Juan gulped.
"I mean—it is not a crime to believe in yourself. Who says a Venerable's accomplishments cannot be replicated? There are already ten of them."
"But…"
"But?" Bai Shou snickered. "Just because it's challenging doesn't mean it's impossible. Well, I'm not here to force you or anything. I just wished to be in the company of another similar Refinement Path Gu Master. Sigh, you cannot imagine the kinds of demons I crossed who would defile laws of nature and several innocent lives alike to refine the Gu Worms they desired."
"And…" Qin Juan swallowed. "You are willing to share your insights with me during our travel? Why?"
"I told you," Bai Shou leaned back. "You don't scare me."
<<<>>>
Two figures cut through the slightly dense foliage. One of them boasted a wild flair, scattered brown hair, and a generally languid body language. Meanwhile, the other one was prim and proper. A part of her hair was tied into a bun, and the rest flowed back neatly. Their cultivation was high, deterring any and everyone.
Though possessing the means to move quickly, the duo chose to enjoy each other's presence. Well, it was primarily due to Bai Shou's initiative. Had others experienced the same thing as the Southerner, they would already feel jinxed and believe anyone close to them was destined to die.
It would be… a lie if Bai Shou hadn't felt the exact way several times. However, she didn't believe in such notions. Bad luck paled in comparison to strength and skill. The only thing Bai Shou cursed was her helplessness against an Immortal. After all, the key point in her most recent failure was nothing else but a lack of ascension. Furthermore, she had the misfortune of encountering two stubborn individuals—who didn't change at the world's whims.
So, Bai Shou wasn't as worried as someone in her shoes should be by finding some entertainment in getting close to Qin Juan.
Their discussion mostly centered around refinement techniques and their experiences with a few challenging materials without explicitly exposing any refinement recipe. Despite traveling together, Bai Shou allowed Qin Juan to maintain some distance for the latter's assurance. It would be weird if the 'Junior' was suddenly open with the recent companion. However, the more they conversed, the less nervous Qin Juan became until she regained her bearings.
"The Pig Triplets?" Qin Juan gasped after Bai Shou finally revealed her target. Indeed, the brothers were named the Pig Triplets.
"Yes," Bai Shou ignited the firewood. "You'd best stay away when I'm dealing with the trio."
"I heard of them," Qin Juan appeared shaken. "Those siblings… they would cannibalize on anyone who dared oppose them. Sister Bai… is it necessary to capture them? These demons should be killed!"
"It's not my place to ask for the Mayor's intentions," Bai Shou replied with a soft smile. "And wouldn't captivity and destroyed aperture be a more fitting punishment for such men and women instead of instantly killing them? You could argue that torturing their souls would also be just as necessary, but… I don't have experience with Soul Path Gu and have never tried something similar."
Qin Juan still appeared sour.
"Life means hope. Even if captured, those three will have a chance to break free due to one fortuitous encounter… I don't know what Lord Yang is thinking."
"Oh?" Bai Shou lifted an eyebrow. "You know about Brother Yang?"
"Just by reputation," Qin Juan nodded with a smile, finally lying without acting nervous.
"Hmm. Brother Yang is known for his meticulousness. But if you'd like, I can kill those three instead of capturing them."
"What?" Qin Juan shook her head. "You shouldn't jeopardize your mission because of my biases, Sister Bai!"
"It's fine," Bai Shou smirked. "There won't be an end to missions. Those moved by wealth will lose their paths and sight of the truth."—claimed the demon who'd briefly terrorized several Righteous Path Gu Masters on San Cha.
"A Rank 5 Gu is valuable…" Qin Juan lowered her head. "You would even require several bundles of materials to account for the natural rate of failure. Please ignore my words, Sister Bai. It's not worth straining your relationship with Lord Yang."
"I'll think about it once I encounter the trio," Bai Shou shrugged. "What would you like to eat?"
Qin Juan blinked before smiling. "Let me cook today, Sister. I feel bad that I only cooked once."
Bai Shou smiled brightly.
"No. That's fine. There's a reason I don't let you cook anymore."
"Hey!"
<<<>>>
Bai Shou's and Qin Juan's travel was briefly interrupted by something nasty. Although they followed slightly traveled and worn routes, the further they moved, the fewer signs of travel they witnessed. Soon, they had firmly entered a stretch of untouched forest filled with insects cricketing and the muffled snarls of the beasts.
They sported different expressions. Bai Shou appeared intrigued. Meanwhile, Qin Juan was pale. A bead of sweat rolled down her cheek as she remained as silent as the night, fearfully observing the distant cloud buzzing a spine-tingling noise.
Ordinary insect groups could never stall the likes of Bai Shou. However, things changed when the cloud of insects belonged to a familiar blood-red sight.
Blood Guillotine.
The duo realized they had accidentally chanced upon a Blood Path Gu Master feeding their Gu…
And… the rank of Blood Guillotine suggested the other party was at least a Rank 4 Gu Master.
***
Alternate Title: Followed; The Companion; Heaven's Will: This Bitch Just Doesn't Learn *Schemes*; Proud Xin Ci and Nina; The Acquired Junior; Qin Juan Has Seen Things; The Gu House; The Mission; Initiative; A Breath of Fresh Air; Chat; Moving Together; Biased; Finally Calm; Bai Shou Fears Not The Klutz, But The One Who Raises Klutz; Love Is In The Air *Buzzing Blood Guillotine*; Junior And Senior; Another Senior Sister in Qin Juan's Life; The Venerable's Worship?; Bai Shou Is Just a Force of Corruption; Bai Shou: Acts Elegantly *Her Opps: Rolling In the Grave*; Seeking Bones; Another Refinement Path Expert; A Guiding Force For the… Older Generation?; Bai Shou Cooks Food and Qin Juan Alike
***
Qin Juan
***
THE MEME
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