"Uh…" Upon hearing Gu He's words, Xiao Ding opened his mouth to speak but suddenly froze.
Looking at the faint smile on Gu He's face, Xiao Ding couldn't decipher its meaning.
One thing was clear—this Master Gu had no intention of engaging with them.
Initially, he had been curious when he learned that Xue Lan's team had encountered the Snake-People and were rescued by a mysterious friend. Who could this friend be?
Upon discovering that this friend's surname was Gu, Xiao Ding was certain that neither he nor his brothers knew this man.
Yet, he couldn't help but wonder—why would this Master Gu help their Desert Iron Mercenary Regiment?
That was why Xiao Ding had been so enthusiastic upon meeting Gu He.
But now, Gu He repeatedly brushed off his curiosity, leaving Xiao Ding at a loss.
He wanted to flare up in anger, but remembering that this man had saved his brothers, he suppressed his irritation and forced a smile. "It seems Master Gu is truly exhausted."
Then, he turned to the burly man beside him and barked, "Didn't you hear? Prepare a clean room for Master Gu so he can rest properly."
The man immediately stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Master Gu, please follow me."
"Much obliged." Gu He gave a slight nod before following the man out.
…
"Brother, isn't this Master Gu's attitude a bit too strange?" Once Gu He was gone, Xiao Li couldn't help but voice his dissatisfaction, his face darkening.
Clearly, Gu He's repeated dismissals had irked him.
Xiao Ding frowned slightly but remained silent.
Noticing their expressions, Xue Lan guessed their thoughts and revealed what she knew—Gu He's identity as an alchemist.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li's expressions shifted instantly.
"Master Gu is a third-grade alchemist?!"
Xiao Ding inwardly sighed in relief. 'Luckily, I didn't lose my temper earlier. Offending a third-grade alchemist would have been disastrous.'
After a moment's thought, he turned to Xiao Li. "Second Brother, send a few more maids to Master Gu's room."
Unconsciously, even Xiao Ding's way to address Gu He had changed.
Xiao Li glanced at his brother.
The two exchanged a knowing smile before Xiao Li left to carry out the task.
…
Half an hour later…
Gu He stared at the four young girls who had just entered his room and couldn't help but chuckle bitterly.
'What kind of person do the Xiao brothers take me for?'
He frowned, about to shoo them away, when a thought struck him.
'What if Qing Lin is among them?'
With that in mind, he scanned the four and suddenly asked, "Which of you is Qing Lin?"
To his disappointment, all four timidly shook their heads.
Sighing, Gu He waved them off.
He wasn't in a hurry.
Now that he was with the Desert Iron Mercenary Regiment, finding Qing Lin was only a matter of time.
Stripping off his outer robe, he sprawled comfortably on the bed and stretched lazily.
Since leaving the Misty Cloud Sect, he had been sleeping rough—except for that time in the cave with Yun Yun, of course.
The soft mattress lulled him into a deep, dreamless slumber.
…
"He sent them all away?" In the courtyard near Gu He's quarters, Xiao Li frowned at the four dismissed maids, baffled.
'Just what is this Master Gu's deal?'
Unbeknownst to him, a golden bird perched on the roof eaves above Gu He's room, its sharp eyes vigilantly scanning the surroundings.
The next morning…when Gu He awoke, daylight already streamed through the windows.
He sat up, stretching with satisfaction.
'It's been so long since I've slept this well.'
Just then, his gaze sharpened as he turned toward the door.
Creak
The door opened softly, and a delicate figure tiptoed in.
Upon seeing Gu He already awake, she froze momentarily before hurriedly bowing.
"G-Greetings, Master Gu…" Her voice was barely above a whisper. "H-have you rested well?"
Gu He raised an eyebrow. 'Didn't I say I didn't need maids?'
But since they meant well, he didn't press the issue.
Forcing a gentle smile, he replied, "I just woke up."
The girl blinked in surprise at his smile before scurrying to fetch the basin of water by the door.
"Master Gu…" she murmured timidly. "The h-head asked me to assist you with your morning ablutions."
"Xiao Ding sent you?"
"Wait—"
A thought struck Gu He. He studied the girl closely.
"What's your name?"
The girl hesitated before answering in a small voice, "Qing… Qing Lin."
The moment the name left her lips, Gu He's heart skipped a beat.
'Found her!'
At last, he had found her—the very reason for his journey into the Tagore Desert.
Qing Lin. His future third disciple.
A warm smile spread across his face as he regarded her fondly.
"How old are you, little one?"
Now that he looked properly, Qing Lin appeared a year or two younger than Little Fairy Doctor.
Dressed in simple yet elegant light-green robes, she was petite, her youthful features delicate as porcelain.
Her oval face, framed by soft strands of hair, gave her the air of a timid rabbit—adorable yet fragile, evoking an instinctive urge to protect her.
'What an endearing child,' Gu He mused.
"F-fourteen, Master Gu…" Qing Lin stammered, placing the basin on the bedside stand. "Sh-shall I help you wash up?"
Gu He chuckled. "No need. Such a trivial matter, I can manage myself."
With that, he rose, splashed water on his face, and wiped it dry with a towel.
By the time he finished, Qing Lin had already grabbed the basin and was scurrying toward the door.
Watching her retreating figure, Gu He's lips curled into a satisfied smile.
'My third disciple… finally, she's within reach.'
…
Enjoying the story? Get early access to 20+ advanced chapters.
👉 Join me on Patreon: patreon.com/DarkLord621