Come along, little Ah Qing. Elder Brother is going to take you to do something really big. As the Captain talked, he kept looking around furtively.
Xu Qing shook his head. Im not going.
Huh? Why? The Captain looked very anxious.
You stirred up trouble in the Dark Serenity Sect, Xu Qing replied, and now you want to drag me into it too. You think being around me will keep you safe.
He thought back to how the Captain had looked with such longing at the demon snakes tooth back when they went into the Dark Serenity Sects pocket realm together. Then he thought about how the Captain and Wu Jianwu had been meeting up recently. Clearly, Wu Jianwu had foolishly let himself be duped by the Captain, who ended up making a clean getaway.
The Captain cleared his throat as he tried to think of what to do. He knew full well that he had pushed things too far, and was worried that if he didnt get Xu Qing involved, he might get slapped to death by Arch-Immortal Plumdark. However, if he could get Xu Qing on his side before Arch-Immortal Plumdark showed up... then Xu Qings presence would be the Captains key to staying safe.
Slapping himself on the chest to make himself seem like the spitting image of sincerity, the Captain glanced at Xu Qing and said, Little Junior Brother, you really need to trust your Eldest Brother! Dont worry, I have a really amazing plan ready to go. You need to work on your heavenly palaces, right? If you come with me, youll complete multiple palaces!
Then he grabbed an egg and started peeling it.
Xu Qings expression was the same as ever as he continued to sip his broth. Off to the side, Yanyan had a curious look on her face as she looked at the Captain. However, she didnt forget about the egg she was peeling. After it was done, she put it in Xu Qings bowl and flashed a sweet smile.
The Captain wasnt very happy to see that. Looking down at the egg in his own hands, he thought about how great it would be to have someone peel his eggs for him. Little Ah Qing, sometimes I wonder if youre even human.
Xu Qing sipped some more soup. Captain, people from the Dark Serenity Sect are going to show up soon, dont you think?
The Captains eyebrows shot up. Theres no human who looks like you. Not one. Havent you noticed? The older you get, the more demonic you look. I remember hearing about some mysterious species thats like that. Id say its highly likely youre actually a lost member of that species. As it turns out, little Ah Qing, Im actually a bit of an expert on that species. Want to hear more about them?
No. Xu Qing finished his soup and ate another egg. He actually felt great at the moment, and wasnt affected at all by the Captains nonsense.
The Captain was getting very anxious by now. Given how stubborn Xu Qing was being, he decided to resort to a trump card. Deputy Director Xu, you owe me 2,000,000 spirit stones!
Actually, Elder Brother, I have a few jade slips here that are probably worth that much. With that, he took out a jade slip that had images of the Captain dressed as Third Princess.
Yanyan, the Captain said, I really dont think you should join Seven Blood Eyes. You listen to me. Join the Dark Serenity Sect. Based on what I know of little Ah Qing, he has deep feelings for that place.
Yanyans eyes glittered.
Meanwhile, Xu Qing sighed inside. It was becoming obvious that the Captains guilty conscience was troubling him so deeply that he would stop at nothing to get Xu Qings help.
Looking profoundly wronged, the Captain said, I know youve grown up, little Ah Qing, but have you really forgotten about everything your Elder Brother has done for you? Im your superior officer! Im your Eldest Brother. For your sake, I angrily rebuked Master! I even told you about Masters weaknesses! Ive spilled blood for you! Ive been your fall guy! I visited your hometown! Weve bathed together! Weve hung out together. Weve....
As the Captain went on and on, Yanyans eyes went wide, and she looked dubiously back and forth between him and Xu Qing.
Finally, Xu Qing reached into his robe and took out an apple which he handed to the Captain.
As the Captains eyebrows shot up, Xu Qing took out a discount card for the immortal hot spring and slid it over.
The Captain hesitated.
Thirty percent off! Xu Qing said, looking at the Captain.
The Captain looked at the card but didnt take it. Are you coming or not?
Xu Qing sighed. He really didnt want to go with the Captain, but given all the arguments he had made... Xu Qing finally nodded.
A smile broke out on the Captains face. Quickly taking the apple and the discount card, he lowered his voice and said, Good decision, Junior Brother. Now, this time Im being completely serious. I have a major plan. Yanyan, youre coming with us. Follow the latest novels n/velbin(.)com
Yanyans eyes lit up and she nodded.
Come on, lets get out of here. If it gets too late, we wont have a chance. Well take your dharmaship, little Ah Qing. Rising, the Captain urged them out of the vendor stall.
Xu Qing produced his dharmaship, and the Captain immediately jumped onto the deck. Xu Qing joined him. Yanyan was about to follow when Xu Qing looked back at her.
Yanyan immediately pointed at the Captain. He said for me to come along.
We need Yanyan, the Captain explained. She understands women, and that will make this big plan go a lot smoother.
Xu Qing frowned but didnt say anything. Yanyan jumped onto the dharmaship. With the Captain urging him, Xu Qing performed an incantation gesture that caused the dharmaship to rumble to life. Then they shot out of Seven Blood Eyes.
About thirty breaths of time after they left, Arch-Immortal Plumdark appeared in midair, her expression cold. She took a step in the direction of the vanishing dharmaship, but then stopped and thought back to how morose Xu Qing had been acting lately.
If you need to blow off some steam, fine. In any case, the little punk might be gone, but the old codger is still around! Arch-Immortal Plumdark let out a cold harrumph and then stormed into the Seven Blood Eyes headquarters.
Shortly thereafter, the enraged voice of Master Seventh echoed out from the mountain.
Chen Erniu! You think youre hot stuff? Dont show your face back here again! If you do, Ill break your legs!
His voice was so loud that, despite being so far away, Xu Qing heard him. He looked over at the Captain.
The Captain was looking very pleased with himself, but when Xu Qing looked at him, he cleared his throat. The old man is secretly telling me to stay away for a while. Ai. Master really does love me.
He seems pretty serious this time, Xu Qing replied. Looking down at his transmission jade slip, he realized there was a voice message.
It was Master Seventh, and it sounded like he was grinding his teeth as he said, Is your Eldest Brother with you? That little brat used a treasure I gave him as a gift to split himself up into two clones and do something really bad! Hes got a lot of nerve doing what he did. And then he actually turned off his jade slip so I couldnt send him messages! You tell your Eldest Brother that the patriarch is so pissed off that he suggested your Eldest Brothers legs be broken. And I fully support the idea!
The Captain couldnt hear the message, as it was sent directly into Xu Qings mind.
Smiling proudly, the Captain said, You dont understand. The person who really cares about me isnt Master. Its the patriarch. Worst case scenario, I just go plead my case with him. Its something you just couldnt pull off, little Ah Qing. Only I, the patriarchs most cherished junior apprentice, could do so. But I wouldnt worry about it. Theres nothing you can do anyway. I simply know how to please the old-timers more than you do. You see, they like my energetic spirit.
Xu Qing put away the jade slip and decided not to convey the message to the Captain.
As the dharmaship flew onward, the Captain started to explain his plan. Were going to pull off something really big this time! Glancing back one more time in the direction of the sect, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. Our destination this time is the Three-Spirits Dao-Suppressing Mountain!
Xu Qings expression turned serious, and he prepared to turn the dharmaship around. The last thing he wanted to do was go on a suicide mission.
Hey, stop! the Captain said. This plan will go off without a hitch, I guarantee it. I have good information this time. Our mark is the third of the Three Spirits. August Spirit Nethersprite. Remember the clothes she was wearing last time we saw her? She was acting all high and mighty, but what I was focused on were those precious garments of mine.
Most important of all is that I got an intelligence report indicating the Swordsage Court is going to target the Three Spirits. Theyll take action soon, so what were going to do is sneak in ahead of time. Then, when the Swordsage Court finally makes their move, well take advantage of the chaos to get ahold of my precious garments.
Every one of those pieces of clothing is a precious treasure. Little Ah Qing, all you have to do is absorb some of that treasure, and youll be able to complete multiple heavenly palaces! The Captain was almost breathless with excitement. Clearly he had been thinking about that clothing for a long time. [1]
Besides, why do you think I went to all the trouble of getting that snake tooth from the Dark Serenity Sect? Because it can cut clothing! Without the tooth, it would have been too hard. But with the tooth, itll be a breeze.
When Yanyan heard this absolutely crazy plan, even she couldnt hold back from gasping. She was a bit insane herself, being sometimes compelled to suck her own blood, but that didnt mean she was tired of living. The Captain seemed absolutely crazy to her. After all, he was talking about targeting a cultivator as powerful as Yanyans own grandmother.
.
And he was planning to steal her clothes.... It was obviously going to be an incredibly daring operation, and getting caught would equate to instant death. After all, they would be dealing with three Void Returning experts, not just one.
Even if the swordsages really did launch an assault, the whole thing would still be extremely dangerous. Yanyan did understand women, and she knew that they often loved their own clothing more than anything else. Touching a womans clothing could truly enrage her.
But then Yanyan noticed the thoughtful look on Xu Qings face, and she blinked a few times and held her tongue.
After some thought and analysis, Xu Qing decided that it wasnt a bad idea. However, he still had some reservations, so he said, Im willing to give it a shot. But those clothes looked like some sort of battle getup. If August Spirit Nethersprite is out fighting, wont she be wearing that same clothing?
A disdainful look appeared in the Captains eyes. No matter what else she is, shes still a woman! And shes obviously obsessed with looking beautiful. Dont forget that when we saw her last, she checked herself out in a mirror as she flew along.
Xu Qing hesitated.
Seeing that he didnt understand the point, the Captain felt even more superior than before. Clearing his throat, he looked at Yanyan. Yanyan, how many outfits do you have?
Not many... she replied, blinking a few times. Then she added, Only enough to fill a single mountain. But anybody who touches my clothes will die! Except Big Bro Xu Qing, of course.
Looking down his nose even more arrogantly, the Captain gave Xu Qing a meaningful glance. Understand now? August Spirit Nethersprite doesnt have just one single set of clothes. Who do you think she is? YOU? And even if she does wear that same outfit, who cares? Therell be other similar stuff there for the taking. Heh. A woman doesnt just have one single set of nice clothes. Obviously, little Ah Qing, I know a lot more about women than you do. Therefore, were definitely going to make out like bandits!
Xu Qing didnt say anything.
By the way, the Swordsage Court is going to have their recruiting event soon. After the plan is seen through, we can go over there and check it out. Ive already thought everything through. If we can do something impressive at Three-Spirits Dao-Suppressing Mountain, and make a good impression on the top swordsages, then it might improve our chances of doing well in the recruitment event.
Trust me, little Junior Brother. Everything Im doing is all to make it easier for us to get into the Swordsage Court!
1. August Spirit Nethersprite (and her clothing) appeared in
Novel Bin 