The Puppet

In the darkness, Gu Feiyan felt a splitting headache before she completely lost consciousness.

When she opened her eyes again, she was shocked to find herself lying on a simple straw mat in a dilapidated wooden hut. As a woman, her first instinct was to check her clothing—everything was intact, and she hadn’t been violated.

Where is this place? she wondered. The last thing she remembered was trying to save Qin Gou, only to be punished alongside him by Forgotten Self.

—

Stepping outside, she found herself in a lush forest, the air filled with birdsong and the scent of flowers. The clear blue sky and tranquil surroundings suggested this was a hunter’s cabin far removed from civilization.

“Little Qin? Qin Gou!” she called out, but her voice didn’t carry far. Normally, with spiritual energy, her voice could easily echo through the entire forest.

—

Hearing footsteps, Gu Feiyan turned to see Qin Gou approaching, holding a dead rabbit and smiling. His clothes were dirty, and he looked a bit disheveled.

“You’re awake?” Qin Gou wiped the sweat from his forehead. “I just caught a rabbit nearby. You’re in for a treat.”

Gu Feiyan frowned, looking him up and down. “You got that dirty just catching a rabbit?”

Qin Gou chuckled. “Silly Feiyan, haven’t you noticed? In this strange place, our powers are almost completely suppressed. We’re no stronger than ordinary mortals.”

“What?!” Gu Feiyan exclaimed, quickly examining herself.

“I’ve tried everything,” Qin Gou said, waving his hand. “At most, I can use a sliver of spiritual energy to open my spatial ring. I can’t even summon my life-bound spiritual tool.”

Gu Feiyan repeatedly attempted to activate her Piercing Illusion Eyes but failed. Crestfallen, she asked, “Where are we? How did we end up here?”

Qin Gou sighed. “I was in the illusion, fighting that damned heart demon. The next thing I knew, I woke up in a wooden hut, just like you.”

“I see,” Gu Feiyan said, her expression darkening. “We must still be in Forgotten Self’s Mystic Realm. It’s likely because you took too long fighting your heart demon and angered Forgotten Self. He threw you into a pit, and I used my whip to catch you, hoping to plead on your behalf. But Forgotten Self was so decisive that he dragged both of us here.”

Qin Gou’s heart warmed at her words, and he clenched his fists. “I dragged you into this. Now you’ve lost your chance at becoming the sect’s Young Master—”

Gu Feiyan silenced him with a look. Covering her mouth with a yawn, she stretched lazily and smiled. “You risked your life to save me. How could I just stand by and watch you fall into the abyss? But don’t start spouting any sappy nonsense. I’m not about to cry with you in the middle of nowhere.”

Qin Gou scratched his nose. “Actually, I was going to say that since I can’t be the Young Master anymore, maybe you could learn to cook with me. Rabbits are so cute—they’d make the perfect spicy rabbit head dish.”

Gu Feiyan rolled her eyes. “Is there a river nearby? I’d rather have turtle soup than rabbit.”

“Sure, let’s look for one later. Turtles are so cute… Wait, never mind. I don’t think spicy turtle soup is a thing,” Qin Gou said, quickly shutting his mouth under Gu Feiyan’s puzzled gaze.

Outside the hunter’s cabin, the two sat around a fire, eating rabbit meat. To Gu Feiyan’s surprise, Qin Gou suddenly chopped off his white jade prosthetic arm with a knife.

He retrieved his severed arm from his spatial ring, aligned it with the stump, and poured a fragrant spiritual liquid over the wound. Then, with Gu Feiyan’s help, he carefully bandaged it.

“In two or three days, my arm should be as good as new,” Qin Gou said.

Gu Feiyan stared at him in amazement. “If that’s true, this liquid must be incredibly rare. By the way, I’ve never asked—are you from some ancient family?”

Half-joking, Qin Gou replied, “What if I told you I’m actually an old hermit who’s been holed up for a thousand years, which is why I have so many strange treasures? Would you be scared?”

“Not at all,” Gu Feiyan said without hesitation.

Qin Gou laughed. “So decisive?”

Gu Feiyan smiled. “Because my father is exactly the kind of old monster you’re describing.”

“I’ve always thought your antics—like your shameless tricks—remind me of the stories Elder Yuan Zhen told about my father when he was young. If you’re even older than my father, wouldn’t that make you… my grandfather?”

Qin Gou: …

Man’er wasn’t kidding. Gu Feiyan really loves roasting her father. She’d even demote herself just to make fun of him.

Later, Gu Feiyan decided to explore the area alone, leaving Qin Gou to rest in the cabin. Sitting cross-legged, Qin Gou meditated, but his thoughts were interrupted by Gu Feiyan’s cheerful voice outside.

“Little Qin, come look at what I found!”

Pushing open the door, Qin Gou saw Gu Feiyan dragging a humanoid figure toward him.

The figure had a high crown, green robes, a staff-sword… and a face identical to Qin Gou’s, complete with the same vacant, hollow eyes.

“It’s him? The Stone Spirit?” Qin Gou exclaimed.

“Yes. I was startled at first, but it doesn’t seem hostile anymore,” Gu Feiyan said. She grabbed the Stone Spirit by its armpits and shook it like a ragdoll.

There was no mistaking it—it was the same Stone Spirit Qin Gou had destroyed. Yet here it was, fully intact, standing before him. Its eyes were half-open, but it hung limply, like an inflatable doll, showing no signs of aggression.

Amused by Qin Gou’s dumbfounded expression, Gu Feiyan teased, “Little Qin, since we’re stuck here with nothing to do, why don’t you take it inside, strip it down, and see if it’s an exact replica of you?”