Two days later.
Knock, Knock, Knock!
A soft knock sounded outside the door. Gu He slowly opened his eyes and said, "Come in."
As soon as he spoke, a small head peeked in.
Qing Lin entered the room carrying a basin of water. She glanced at Gu He, who was sitting cross-legged on the bed, and said obediently, "Master Gu, I've come to help you freshen up."
Compared to two days ago, Qing Lin was no longer as timid in front of Gu He. This change was naturally due to Gu He's attitude over the past two days.
In order to put the little girl at ease, Gu He had always spoken to her in a refined and easygoing manner. He had even invited her to dine with him at the same table.
With such treatment, Qing Lin, who had always been shy and fearful, gradually shed her apprehension toward Gu He—even becoming willing to serve him.
Now, as he looked at the well-behaved girl before him, Gu He's eyes filled with satisfaction. He smiled faintly and said, "Alright."
Then, he rose and began washing up.
"Um… Master Gu, the Leader asked me to tell you to come to the conference hall," Qing Lin said softly, standing respectfully to the side after he finished.
"Xiao Ding?" Gu He frowned slightly but quickly regained his composure.
'It's about time I meet him.'
After all, Qing Lin was currently a member of the Desert Iron Mercenary Regiment. Even if he intended to take her away, it was only proper to inform them—both out of courtesy and reason.
With that thought, Gu He smiled at Qing Lin and gently patted her head. "Then lead the way."
"Mm." She nodded meekly and followed him cautiously.
Stepping out of the room, the morning sun bathed them in warmth. Though the desert was usually scorching, the early hours brought a pleasant, mild heat.
As they walked through the mercenary camp, every member they passed stopped to greet Gu He respectfully—no doubt aware of his status.
However, when their gazes shifted to Qing Lin, their smiles cooled. Some even wore faint expressions of disgust.
Gu He's brow furrowed slightly at their reactions, but there was little he could do.
The mercenaries of the desert harbored an indelible blood feud with the Snake-People. The mere thought of the filthy Snake-People blood flowing within the little girl's veins was enough to evoke their revulsion.
This hatred was deeply ingrained—a product of the long-standing conflict between humans and the Snake-People.
Qing Lin, caught between both races, bore the scorn and loathing from each side. In truth, she was an innocent girl caught in the crossfire.
As they walked, Qing Lin's petite frame trembled slightly under the weight of those disdainful glances. Her delicate face, which should have been adored, was instead shadowed with gloom.
Rounding a corner, Gu He sighed and suddenly halted. He turned to look at Qing Lin, whose face had grown uneasy at his sigh.
After a moment of silence, he spoke softly, "Little girl, don't pay too much attention to the eyes of others. Just remember—you don't live for them. You live for yourself."
With that, he ruffled her hair and continued forward.
Qing Lin stood frozen for a long moment, her delicate face gradually lighting up with an inexplicable radiance. Her small nose twitched slightly as she raised her head. Within her green pupils, three faint emerald dots silently reappeared.
"Thank you, Master Gu…" she whispered.
A newfound confidence bloomed on her face as she hurried after him.
…
The Conference Hall
"I wonder why the two leaders have summoned me today?" Gu He asked calmly, sipping from a cup of fragrant tea.
Seated across from him were Xiao Ding, leader of the Desert Iron Mercenary Regiment, and his younger brother, Xiao Li. Qing Lin stood quietly at Gu He's side.
Xiao Ding smiled warmly. "Xue Lan mentioned that Master Gu is a third-rank alchemist. We invited you here today to request your assistance in refining a pill."
Gu He set down his cup and replied indifferently, "Which pill do you wish to refine?"
Xiao Ding answered promptly, "We hope Master Gu can refine a Purple Jade Pill for us."
"Purple Jade Pill?" Gu He frowned, taking a moment to recall.
'Wasn't that a second-rank pill?'
Noticing his hesitation, Xiao Ding's expression darkened slightly.
'Didn't Xue Lan say he's a third-grade alchemist? Why does he seem hesitant over a second-grade pill?'
Just as doubt crept in, Gu He nodded. "Refining the Purple Jade Pill won't be a problem. However… I have a request of my own. I hope you'll agree."
His tone grew serious as he set down his teacup.
Xiao Ding and Xiao Li tensed, bracing for an exorbitant demand. After a brief pause, Xiao Ding asked cautiously, "And what might that condition be…?"
Instead of answering directly, Gu He turned to Qing Lin and spoke gently, "Qing Lin, I wish to take you as my disciple. Are you willing?"
"???"
The moment those words left his mouth, the Xiao brothers' expressions shifted from confusion to shock.
'What's going on?'
'Master Gu wants to take Qing Lin as his disciple?!'
Gu He's sudden declaration had completely blindsided them. Xiao Li, in particular, was baffled.
When he had first heard Qing Lin's name from the four girls, his heart had skipped a beat. The next day, seeing that she hadn't been expelled, he had assumed—
'Ah, so Master Gu has a taste for this kind…'
But now, the man was proposing to take her as his disciple!
'What in the world is he planning?'
Xiao Li studied Gu He suspiciously, eager for an explanation. However, Gu He's attention remained solely on Qing Lin, leaving no room for interruptions.
Of course, the most stunned of all was Qing Lin herself.
She stared blankly at the man before her, his gentle smile unwavering.
'Master Gu… wants to accept me as his disciple?'
…
Enjoying the story? Get early access to 20+ advanced chapters.
👉 Join me on Patreon: patreon.com/DarkLord621