My Yan’er

“Outrageous! This is the sect’s official dueling arena! How can such underhanded tactics be tolerated? Steward, I demand a rematch on another day!” Jue Ya pointed at Qin Gou, his voice hoarse with fury.

The crowd erupted into boos. The black-clad steward patted Chen Keshai on the shoulder, motioning for him to stand beside Qin Gou. Then, the steward spoke slowly, “There are no rules prohibiting the use of artifacts in the dueling arena. On the contrary, the sect encourages disciples to use all their abilities in the arena, treating it as a real-life deathmatch where no means are spared.”

“Well said.”

“Jue Ya, you’re really out of touch with the sect’s ways.”

The most excited spectators were the new disciples from Konglan Valley who had come with Qin Gou. Their thoughts were unanimous: *Master Qin truly lives up to his reputation, dominating even outside Konglan Valley with his cunning tactics.*

He was, without a doubt, a born troublemaker—the shining star of the demonic sect!

Qin Gou spread his hands, calming the cheers with a satisfied expression. “I am not alone in my path.”

“Utter nonsense!” Jue Ya roared, his face twisted with rage. Ignoring his injuries, he pulled out a dark green dagger and attempted to reassemble his spiritual tool prototype with his spiritual energy, charging at Qin Gou once more.

The steward’s eyes flashed coldly. With a wave of his hand, several disciples from the steward’s hall appeared, swiftly restraining Jue Ya with sealing techniques and dragging him away.

“What a boring fight. It sullied my eyes,” Gu Feiyan said, standing up to leave.

A female disciple beside her asked, “Senior Sister Gu, what about the duel you arranged between Jue Ya and Sun Yushu?”

“Forget it. Today’s been too disappointing,” Gu Feiyan replied, her expression strangely restrained.

After taking a few steps, she suddenly asked, “What’s the name of that new disciple? The one who’s a fan of… chubby people.”

“I heard the other disciples in Konglan Valley call him… Master Qin,” the female disciple replied after some thought.

“What a strange name.”

Gu Feiyan’s cold demeanor cracked as a beautiful smile spread across her face. Biting her soft, rosy lips playfully, she said, “I hope I see him again the next time I visit the dueling arena.”

The others were left utterly baffled, as if they were monks trying to decipher a riddle.

Wasn’t she just complaining about how disappointing it was? Why would Senior Sister Gu look forward to seeing that shameless guy again?

***

Meanwhile, Chen Keshai was bawling his eyes out, his gratitude toward Qin Gou beyond words.

Cao Yilin nudged Shen Tianyin, gesturing toward Gu Feiyan. “Brother Shen, doesn’t that senior sister look a lot like… her?”

Shen Tianyin turned to look, and with just one glance, his blood surged to his head, his face flushing red. “No, it can’t be wrong. It’s her—it must be her… my Yan’er!”

Shen Tianyin pushed through the crowd, trying to rush forward, but Cao Yilin grabbed him, shaking his head firmly. “Brother Shen, don’t act rashly!”

Noticing their odd behavior, Qin Gou asked, “What’s going on?”

“Master Qin… this has nothing to do with you. It’s a personal matter,” Shen Tianyin said, giving Qin Gou a deep look.

Cao Yilin hesitated before explaining, “That senior sister looks a lot like Brother Shen’s former lover.”

Qin Gou glanced at Gu Feiyan and was immediately taken aback. “You two must be joking. Do you know who that senior sister is? She’s none other than the Sect Master’s biological daughter, Senior Sister Gu Feiyan! Don’t go spouting nonsense about Brother Shen’s former lover.”

“Did you say her name is Gu Feiyan?” Shen Tianyin’s eyes lit up with joy. “It’s her—it has to be her. She’s alive!”

“What? Senior Sister Gu Feiyan?” Cao Yilin’s face turned pale with fear. “Brother Shen, don’t go near her! She can’t possibly be the one you’re thinking of! Remember what Brother Fu told us? In the Seed Demon Holy Sect, it’s better to drink poison than provoke Feiyan!”

“Even if she’s not my Yan’er, so what? Brother Cao, have you forgotten Yan’er’s last words to me? ‘If there’s a next life, if there’s a next life!’ This is heaven’s mercy, sparing me the need to risk my life collecting ten—” Shen Tianyin glanced at Qin Gou, his expression darkening. “Today, no one will stop me. Anyone who tries will be my enemy!”

Seeing this, Cao Yilin sighed, saying nothing more.

Qin Gou, deep in thought, said, “I don’t know the details, but as a fellow disciple, I’ll give you some advice. Senior Sister Gu reportedly despises people who beat around the bush. If you have something to say, be direct and to the point.”

“I know,” Shen Tianyin replied, rushing through the crowd without looking back.

“Wait!”

Gu Feiyan and her group weren’t walking quickly, so Shen Tianyin easily caught up, shouting from behind.

“Senior Sister Gu, I think he’s calling us,” a female disciple said.

Gu Feiyan frowned, turning to see an unfamiliar face.

“Who is this insolent fool, daring to disturb Senior Sister Gu?” one of her followers scolded angrily.

“It’s me, Shen Tianyin,” Shen Tianyin said excitedly, spreading his arms to block their path.

“And?” Gu Feiyan asked, her tone indifferent.

“You… don’t recognize me?” Shen Tianyin’s expression faltered, but he quickly raised his voice. “It’s me, Yan’er! Look closely!”

“What did you call me?” Gu Feiyan’s eyes widened in shock. In the Seed Demon Holy Sect, no one but her father had ever addressed her so intimately.

“Yan’er, don’t you remember me?” Shen Tianyin ran a hand through his hair, looking melancholic.

“What exactly are you trying to say?” Gu Feiyan asked impatiently. Was this man here to mock her? Who gave him the courage?

Blushing furiously, Shen Tianyin finally shouted, “Yan’er… I love you!”

“Oh? I see. Thank you,” Gu Feiyan replied, her flawless face remaining utterly calm. Nodding slightly, she signaled her followers, who immediately pushed Shen Tianyin away.

Shen Tianyin struggled violently, kicking and punching to break free, desperate to approach Gu Feiyan again. “What do you mean, ‘you see’? Why are you pushing me away? Answer me directly!”

Gu Feiyan sighed deeply, her icy eyes reflecting a hint of exasperation. She had seen people courting death before, but never so enthusiastically. As she gracefully removed the whip from her waist, her followers turned away, unable to bear watching what was about to happen.

“I gave you a chance, little dog.”