Summon Little Chair

“Don’t panic. I’m fine,” Ye Qishuang said softly, gently pushing Ling Cuiyan aside. Pressing her pale fingers to her forehead, she let out a faint laugh. “The Nine Hells Old Ghost’s pathetic poison is nothing to me. A short rest, and I’ll be fine.”

She wasn’t lying. With her immense strength, what would be a fatal poison to others was merely an inconvenience to her, something that could be neutralized with a brief nap. However, the unexpected joy of Ling Cuiyan’s return to the Mystic Maiden Palace had left Ye Qishuang in an unusually excited state, causing her to linger longer than she should have. This was why she felt dizzy and unsteady.

Turning her gaze to Qin Gou, Ye Qishuang’s expression grew serious. “You’ve done well, Qin Yue. I’ll remember this. The Seed Demon Holy Sect is truly fortunate to have you.”

With that, she stepped lightly into the air, her graceful figure disappearing into the distance.

What she didn’t say aloud was, And this fortune now belongs to my Mystic Maiden Palace. After all, I am a very bad woman.

—

“What just happened?” Qin Gou asked as he approached Chi Yuchao.

Chi Yuchao shrugged, feigning innocence. “How should I know? Ever since the Lone Shadow Saintess spoke to the Palace Master, she’s been acting strange. And that damn Ling Cuiyan! She had no reason to expose my disguise in front of the Palace Master. If I ever get my hands on her, I’ll—”

“Wait! What did you just say? Yi Chengying spoke to the Palace Master? What did she say?” Qin Gou interrupted, his sharp instincts catching onto the crucial detail.

Chi Yuchao furrowed his brow, recalling the moment. “She said something about Ling Cuiyan returning and being the only one in the palace with an eye-type spiritual tool.”

“An eye-type spiritual tool,” Qin Gou murmured, his breath catching. A wicked smile spread across his face.

Good thing I’m not stupid. I used my Faceless Hermit ability to save ‘Qin Yue’s’ appearance in the mirror days ago. Otherwise, I might’ve fallen into their trap.

“That little chair is really testing my patience,” Qin Gou muttered to himself. He approached Fu Yan, who had grown quite friendly with him recently, and smiled. “Fu Yan, you’re one of the Lone Shadow Saintess’s disciples, aren’t you?”

Fu Yan nodded with a smile. “That’s right.”

“Then could you do me a favor? Go tell Little Chair to come see me immediately. Tell her I’m waiting in my cave. If she doesn’t show up within the time it takes for one incense stick to burn, she’ll regret it.” Qin Gou gave a polite bow before walking away.

Chi Yuchao quickly followed, leaving Fu Yan standing there, dumbfounded. Isn’t this a bit too bold? Everyone knows Sister Chengying has a soft spot for Qin Yue, but this guy doesn’t even try to be subtle!

“Even Sister Chengying has to deal with this,” Fu Yan muttered, feeling a mix of schadenfreude and pity. She slapped her cheeks to snap herself out of it and hurried off to deliver the message.

—

Catching up to Qin Gou, Chi Yuchao asked, “Brother Qin, why are you so eager to see the Lone Shadow Saintess? You’re not planning something inappropriate, are you?”

“Exactly,” Qin Gou replied without thinking, venting his frustration. “It’s exactly what you’re imagining.”

“Oh? Then can I join? I’d like to play too,” Chi Yuchao said with a cheeky grin.

Qin Gou shot him a confused look. “Do you even know what I’m planning to do with Yi Chengying?”

“Didn’t you just say it’s what I’m thinking? Playing cards or chess? If it’s cards, we can invite Fatty Chen to make a full table. But does he even have spirit stones to bet with? That guy’s so stingy,” Chi Yuchao said seriously.

Cough, cough. Qin Gou nearly choked on his own laughter. “Brother Chi, I finally understand. A person’s body—or hormones—really can influence their thoughts. What kind of man hears what I said and thinks of playing cards? Or chess? Why not embroidery while we’re at it?”

“Shut up!” Chi Yuchao’s face turned red with embarrassment. “I’m a gentleman, you hear me? Don’t you dare misinterpret my words, or I’ll… I’ll come after you!”

“My bad, my bad,” Qin Gou said quickly, raising his hands in mock surrender.

—

“Fatty, go grab something to eat from the dining hall. Bring me something too. Little Chair will be here soon, and things are going to get… intense. I don’t think you’ll want to stick around,” Qin Gou said, sipping tea in his cave.

“What? Little Chair? You mean the Lone Shadow Saintess? Brother Qin, you work fast!” Chen Keshua said, giving him a thumbs-up with a look of admiration.

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Qin Gou asked, bewildered. He was planning to give Yi Chengying a proper scolding, not whatever Chen Keshua was imagining.

Chen Keshua grinned knowingly. “The last time you brought someone to your cave and didn’t let me watch, well, we both know how that turned out.”

Pfft! Qin Gou spat out his tea, utterly exasperated. “Do you think I’m some kind of womanizing maniac?”

“Brother Qin, don’t sell yourself short. You’re a master of the art! Look at you—since coming to the Mystic Maiden Palace, you’ve had the Lone Shadow Saintess and the Cherished Flower Saintess fighting over you. But as your brother, I have to warn you: don’t mess with the Palace Master. She’s the real deal—she’ll chew you up and spit you out.”

“Get lost… No, wait. Let me set the record straight. I have nothing to do with Gu Caihe or Yi Chengying. They’re not in love with me. It’s all just a game—we’re each using the other,” Qin Gou said, rubbing his temples.

“Really?”

“Why would I lie?”

—

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Sir, Lord Qin? Guess who’s here! It’s your most obedient, most understanding Little Chair! Look, the incense stick hasn’t even burned out yet, and I’m already here!”

“Hello? Is anyone home? Lord Qin, are you angry with me? If you are, I’ll kneel and massage your legs until you forgive me. Please don’t be mad!”

Chen Keshua’s face twitched as he turned to Qin Gou. “I get it now, Brother Qin. You’re not in a romantic relationship with the Lone Shadow Saintess. This is a full-blown superior-subordinate dynamic. I didn’t know this was even a thing! I’m impressed—truly impressed.”