Chapter 326: Chapter 194: Substitution by a Decoy (Part 2)
[Commission: Execution Order!]
[Current Progress: Zero.]
[Mission Reward: Choose one from the available Martial Arts Treasure Chest.]
[Currently Available Chest: None.]
"No upgrade card..."
Chu Qing rubbed his nose, but when he saw the line above (eliminate the invading enemies of the Celestial Evil Cult), he still smiled.
It seems this task has potential.
The Prince surely has many subordinates... the treasure chest I can earn will be abundant.
Although I don’t lack Inner Strength right now.
But human desires are insatiable, always hoping for more.
He said softly:
"No need for such courtesy, the Celestial Evil Cult should be exterminated by all.
"I can refrain from meddling in the disputes between Blazing Hall and Iron Blood Hall... but when it involves the Celestial Evil Cult, I cannot shirk my duty!"
"Good!"
Tie Lingyun and Beitang Zun have come to secure Chu Qing’s promise after all.
Having achieved their goal, the two no longer spoke and directly stood to take their leave.
However, Cao Qiupu and Miss Ling Fei stayed behind.
After those two left, Cao Qiupu looked worriedly at Chu Qing’s leg:
"Third Brother, your leg... what should we do?
"How about this, I’ll visit Yin Yang Forest and invite the Yin Yang Hermit to have a look?"
Seeing his genuine concern, Chu Qing smiled and said:
"Brother Cao, no need to worry. I have Inner Breath circulating within multiple acupoints of my legs, which need thorough analysis and transformation.
"The legs can’t be used for now, but it won’t impact anything. Rest assured."
Only then did Cao Qiupu feel at ease, thinking for a moment before saying:
"I don’t know what Secret Technique the Third Brother has learned, but all Martial Arts are fundamentally the same; they all converge at the peak.
"I have created the [Five Elements Returning to the Origin Skill] in the art of Qi Absorption, quite unique.
"I could offer the Qi Absorption Chapter to the Third Brother to aid your recovery..."
Chu Qing quickly stopped him; his leg injury was fake, but Cao Qiupu’s loyalty was genuine.
He grabbed Cao Qiupu’s arm and said:
"Brother Cao, don’t be like this. My legs will recover soon, and your Secret Technique should never be divulged."
"Martial Arts are created for use, and Third Brother has helped me much, with life-saving grace. It’s not divulging when given as a gift."
After saying this, seeing that Chu Qing was resolute in refusing, Cao Qiupu could only sigh:
"If that’s the case, then let it go. I hope Third Brother will recover soon."
Chu Qing nodded repeatedly:
"Certainly, I’ll recover soon."
Miss Ling Fei, being thoughtful, glanced at Chu Qing and smiled:
"We’ll head off now, you rest well."
Chu Qing waved his hand, and the two left the room.
Once they completely disappeared into the courtyard, Chu Qing sighed with relief, wiping sweat off his forehead:
"Almost tricked Cao Qiupu out of his Inner Power Heart Method; honestly, lying to such honest people makes me uneasy."
Gentle nodded:
"He truly trusts you."
Chu Qing was about to nod when he felt something odd about the remark, looking at Gentle:
"Did you sense something?"
"Mm."
Gentle nodded:
"He trusts you deeply."
"..."
Chu Qing touched his chin, wondering if its a misconception, as he felt this girl’s potential was developing faster than expected.
She once mentioned that discerning someone’s true nature requires time.
Yet, Cao Qiupu had been with them merely a few days.
She could already notice clues... this is far beyond improvement from before.
Chu Qing pondered slightly:
"Can this ability be temporarily unused?"
Gentle looked at Chu Qing puzzled:
"Can you not use your nose?"
Chu Qing said:
"I can hold it shut."
"It’s uncomfortable..."
Gentle instinctively shrank back.
Seeing her resistance, Chu Qing could only relent:
"Then so be it, keep up with your health and tell me if any problems arise immediately.
"Summon Nianxin and Nian’an, I have instructions for them."
"Got it."
Gentle nodded and dashed out of the room like escaping.
When she returned, both Nianxin and Nian’an were holding drumsticks, their faces greasy from eating.
Chu Qing watched them for a long while, feeling these two had come to him as their elder brother due to lack of options... Once fed, would they secretly run away?
Just looking at their oily twisted faces, Chu Qing almost forgot what he meant to say.
Nianxin and Nian’an exchanged glances, extending their drumsticks towards him:
"Big Brother, eat!"
"...Eat your head!"
Chu Qing scolded, dark-faced.
Nianxin hurriedly shook her head, confidently full of smugness:
"My head is too hard; you can’t chew it."
Nian’an was startled, hiding behind Nianxin:
"Big Brother, if you don’t like drumsticks, I can find you pig feet. Can you not eat me? Pig head works too."
"..."
Chu Qing rubbed his head, thinking he must have gone mad to make deals with these two.
He took a deep breath:
"I’ll assign you a task; can you fulfill it?"
Both sisters exchanged glances, and Nian’an emerged from behind Nianxin, responding together:
"We can!"
They spoke, each patting their chest in assurance.
Chu Qing waved his hand:
"Stop patting; there’s none anyway..."
The sisters glanced at each other, then suddenly gestured at Chu Qing, laughing:
"Big Brother, you don’t have any either!"
Chu Qing tilted his head, mental question marks bubbling out, realizing he couldn’t reason with these two.
Sighing, he said:
"Alright, from dusk tonight, keep watch at my door.
"I will be in seclusion... not to be disturbed by anyone!"
After hearing his words, the sisters dashed away.
Chu Qing was taken aback:
"Wait, where are you going?"
"Going to sleep!"
Both said simultaneously:
"We need a good day’s sleep to stay awake at night guarding. Otherwise, should we sleep at the door?"
That’s logical! I can’t refute it!
Chu Qing nodded repeatedly:
"Eat well before sleeping! If not enough, ask Tie Chuming for more!"
"Understood, Big Brother."
The sisters quickly left, returning to their room, seemingly headed for bed.
Soon the door opened, and Nian’an hurried out, returning after about one tea’s time, hugging an oiled paper package of various cooked foods.
They obeyed well... Chu Qing suggested they eat well before sleeping, and they truly planned to feast.
Rubbing his facial muscles, Chu Qing found them somewhat exasperating, hoping these two remain reliable come nightfall.
He hoped they wouldn’t oversleep when the time came.
With a flick of his sleeve, the door closed, and Chu Qing looked at Gentle:
"Come."
Gentle came over and sat opposite Chu Qing.
Chu Qing took out some bottles, pouring a liquid onto his hand, then rubbing it on Gentle’s cheeks. Moments later, he lifted a Human Skin Mask from her face.
Then he prepared the disguise meticulously, completing after a long while.
Compared to the real Chu Qing, the disguise looked identical, though slightly abstract.
They weren’t rushed, seeking Tie Lingyun once more, with Chu Qing instructing Gentle to hide.
When Tie Lingyun asked about her, he said Gentle went seeking medical help for his leg.
After rejecting Tie Lingyun’s proposal to send assistance, and exchanging seemingly important but futile words, he saw Tie Lingyun away.
This move was to cover for Gentle’s ’absence.’
As night fell, Gentle was in new attire, and Chu Qing placed the mask on her face.
From the Copper Mirror reflection, it was identical, without the slightest flaw.
The original flaw was height... but now Gentle sat in a chair, merely covering with a blanket concealed it completely.
"Tomorrow morning, I’ll front the offering. By then, we’ll meet in the hall."
