Well Said

“Look around. Aside from you and me, no one else dares to stand upright. Judging by your appearance and cultivation, you’re quite young. I, on the other hand, am your senior both in realm and in years,” Ye Qishuang said, her smile radiant. “Even Gu Jinghong of the Seed Demon Holy Sect addresses me as ‘Night Ancestor’ with the utmost respect. So, I’m truly curious—where does your courage come from, Qin Yue, to not bow before me?”

Qin Gou chuckled. “The reason is simple. I live by one principle: Heaven, Earth, parents, and teachers—these are the only entities I kneel to. I owe no one else, so I bow to no one else. Even Sect Master Gu understands this quirk of mine and has never forced me. After all, cultivation is about the heart. If the heart is burdened, the path forward is destroyed. I hope the Palace Master can understand.”

His simple words sent a ripple through Ye Qishuang’s usually calm heart. For a moment, the image of this seemingly insignificant cultivator overlapped with that of a figure in her memories—a man holding a feathered fan, smiling carelessly, a figure she revered more than the heavens themselves.

—

“Well said,” Ye Qishuang blurted out.

—

The surrounding Mystic Maiden Palace disciples were dumbfounded. They couldn’t believe that a mere Hidden Artifact Realm cultivator, a being as insignificant as an ant, could spout such audacious words and still earn the Palace Master’s praise.

—

“The Palace Master is truly magnanimous,” Qin Gou said, cupping his hands.

But before he could relax, Ye Qishuang’s hand shot out like lightning, brushing against his face before quickly retracting.

—

“What…?”

“Don’t worry,” Ye Qishuang said, her gaze piercing. “There was a night insect. I brushed it off for you.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Palace Master,” Qin Gou replied, though a flicker of doubt crossed his eyes.

—

Ye Qishuang didn’t address him further. Instead, she turned to the other disciples and said, “I’ve forbidden Gu Caihe from troubling Qin Yue, but that restriction doesn’t apply to the rest of you. As per tradition, starting tomorrow, you are free to challenge these male disciples. For every male disciple you defeat, you’ll earn time in the Rebirth Tower—a place many of you can only dream of entering even once a year. Are you willing to let them take what’s yours?”

—

“No way!”

“Palace Master, those men are no match for us!”

“Good.”

—

With that, Ye Qishuang didn’t spare Qin Gou another glance. She leapt into the air, crossing the distance effortlessly with her physical prowess, and disappeared from sight.

Yi Chengying followed closely behind, while Gu Caihe, her face flushed with embarrassment and anger, shot Qin Gou a venomous glare before hurrying away.

—

Back at Qin Gou’s cave.

Chen Keshua and Chi Yu were waiting anxiously. The moment Qin Gou returned, they rushed to him.

“Brother Qin, are you alright? We heard everything! We wanted to come find you, but the Palace guards wouldn’t let us leave at night,” Chen Keshua said, his concern evident.

Chi Yu patted Qin Gou on the shoulder. “I always thought you were just a flirt, but I didn’t expect you to be so principled. You even dared to reject the Saintess’s favor and made such a public scene. I’m impressed—truly impressed.”

—

“Not bad, huh? I got lucky. The Palace Master showed up and helped me out. She’s forbidden Gu Caihe from targeting me again,” Qin Gou said with a shrug and a smile.

—

“What? The Palace Master? Why? How could she be so understanding? Or is it just me she’s cold to? Does she have something against me?” Chen Keshua lamented, his face full of frustration.

Chi Yu rolled her eyes. “Maybe she just doesn’t like fatties.”

“That’s nonsense! I’ve lost weight recently—I’m only 200 pounds now!” Chen Keshua fumed.

“Sure, keep at it,” Chi Yu said dismissively before turning to Qin Gou. “At least nothing serious happened. But you’ve definitely made a name for yourself in the Mystic Maiden Palace. By tomorrow morning, everyone will know about your ‘heroics.’ Honestly, I worry about you sometimes. You’re one of the few people here who knows my secret. If something happens to me, you’re the only one I can rely on.”

—

Hearing this, Qin Gou raised an eyebrow. “Are you saying you’re in trouble?”

“You know me well, Qin,” Chi Yu said with a self-deprecating laugh. She pointed to herself and added, “Have you noticed? I seem shorter than I was this morning. My hair’s longer, and my features are less rugged—more delicate.”

—

“Are you crazy? Why would I notice something like that? Do you think I’m into men?” Qin Gou snapped, glaring at her.

“Idiot! You know I’m actually a girl. I’ve just had the worst luck being stuck in my brother’s body,” Chi Yu said, stomping her foot in frustration.

Honestly, her reaction did resemble a shy girl’s, but combined with her current appearance, it was more unsettling than endearing.

“Fine, I’ll get to the point. I am getting shorter, my hair is growing, and this is a sign that my brother is about to take over. Happy now?” Chi Yu said, pouting.

“Happy? Why would I be happy? Who knows what your brother’s intentions are toward me? I’m terrified!”

“Whatever. I can’t control it, and I won’t try. Just know that soon, I’ll fall into a deep sleep, and my brother will take over. But if the Mystic Maiden Palace finds out I’ve suddenly turned into a girl, things could get messy. Didn’t you say you could disguise people? I’ll need your help when the time comes,” Chi Yu said earnestly.

“Fine,” Qin Gou agreed without hesitation.

—

Meanwhile, Chen Keshua stood frozen, his mouth agape. His lips trembled as he stammered, “Brother Qin, what… what are you two talking about? Chi Yu… is actually a woman? Tell me this isn’t true!”