Chapter 2712 - The Kindhearted Qin Suqing

The chains manifested out of mist wrapped around Su Yi, but just as the old man’s claws were about to reach his heart, the old man froze, then retreated explosively.

Boom!

A streak of lightning sword qi swept past the place the old man had been standing in just moments prior, cleaving open time and space.

Had the old man in black failed to dodge in time, that strike would have cleaved him open!

Meanwhile, a verdant lotus leaf appeared beside Su Yi. A beautiful woman in a hibiscus-patterned skirt stood beneath it, using the leaf as an umbrella.

She said to Su Yi, “You sure are lucky you ran into us! Stay there and don’t move.”

She flipped her left hand, and an exquisite, thin bone dagger appeared. She drew it across Su Yi’s body, slicing through the chains of mist, which vanished without a trace.

Then, as nonchalantly as if she’d done something perfectly ordinary, she turned and gazed into the distance.

It turned out that as she cut through the chains, a tall, valiant-looking old man drew his sword and attacked the mousy old man in black.

His every strike was like a waterfall of lightning. Sword qi arced through the void, tyrannical beyond measure.

Within just a few blinks of an eye, the old man in the black cap had been cut down on the spot, transforming into surging, baleful mist before dissipating completely.

When the woman saw this, she visibly sighed in relief, then murmured, “Uncle Luan, your Astral Sword Lightning is increasingly masterful. If I’m not mistaken, you’ll soon break through your bottleneck and enter the Silent Realm!”

“You exaggerate, Young Mistress,” said the tall, valiant-looking old man with a smile. He was modest and respectful, and he addressed her like a servant.

Then, the old man’s eyes flashed like lightning. He looked at Su Yi and teased, “My young friend, the young mistress just saved your life. Why just stand there? Don’t tell me you’ve been scared out of your wits?”

𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Su Yi sighed to himself. He couldn’t help but find this a pity.

It might have seemed like he’d submitted to his fate, but in truth, he was using himself as bait in a bid to capture the old man in the black cap alive. He wanted to see whether he could get any useful information out of him.

That obviously wouldn’t be possible now.

Still, no matter what, he admired the young woman and her elderly attendant’s decision to “save” his life. After all, they were no more than passersby to each other, and this was a dangerous place. That they’d step forth on his behalf under the circumstances was rare and impressive.

As for the old man’s mockery? Su Yi didn’t take it to heart at all.

But before he could express his gratitude, the young woman holding the lotus leaf shook her head. “Uncle Luan, we didn’t save him, hoping for gratitude. If we use our kindness as leverage, it’ll become something else entirely, something unpleasant.”

Su Yi couldn’t help but take another look at the young woman.

There was no denying it; the woman holding the lotus leaf was a vibrant beauty with exquisite features and snowy skin. More than that, she was well-mannered and poised.

She looked around, glowing with indescribable charm.

The old man scratched his head and laughed. “You’re right to chastise me, Young Mistress. This old man understands.”

With that, he turned to look at Su Yi, then clasped his fist.

“My young friend, I spoke carelessly. Please don’t take offense.”

Su Yi laughed and returned the gesture. “It’s only right that I thank you two for stepping in.”

People spoke of heroes saving a damsel in distress, but now, the roles had been reversed.

Even rarer, both the attendant and his young mistress had extraordinary comportment. Su Yi found them both quite pleasant.

“We hail from the Great Qin Empire of the Eternal Heavens Domain’s Blue Peak Continent. Might I ask your honorable name and surname, my young friend, and who your master is?” asked the tall, valiant old man.

The Great Qin Empire? The Blue Peak Continent?

Su Yi paused, then said, “My name is Su Xuanjun, and I only recently proved my Dao and achieved Eternity. I’ve never been to the River of Destiny before.”

Su Yi chose to use a pseudonym to avoid unnecessary trouble. He was certain that the old-timers of the River of Destiny were already on the hunt for him. It even seemed highly likely that the River of Destiny’s top factions had already investigated him thoroughly.

Under the circumstances, it would be reckless to use his true name. It might not have too much of an effect on him, but it would likely bring unnecessary trouble upon other people.

“You only just proved your Dao...” The young woman in the hibiscus-patterned skirt froze, stunned, then seemed to realize something. Her eyes suddenly filled with sympathy. “You must have been carelessly bumped into the inauspicious spirits here while crossing the Eternal Barrier. You must have no idea what’s going on. Is that right?”

Su Yi nodded. After all, she wasn’t wrong.

The tall, valiant-looking old man said nothing. This was their first meeting; there was no way he’d trust a stranger so easily.

That said, as an experienced Divine Wandering Realm expert, this young man with a vibrant air of youthfulness didn’t seem particularly strong to him.

Still, he wouldn’t let his guard down lightly. After all, caution led to longevity. It was important to be careful.

But the old man wouldn’t say all that out loud. He just buried his words deep within his heart.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Su Yi learned the pair’s names.

The girl was called Qin Suqing, and she was from Profound Heavens Court, the greatest faction in the Great Qin.

The old man was called Luan Yunzhong, and he was her Dao Protector, a peak Spirit Wandering Realm sword cultivator.

They’d come here to participate in a secret operation, but both were tight-lipped about the details.

Over the course of their conversation, Qin Suwing and Luan Yunzhong confirmed that the young stranger really knew nothing at all. He didn’t even know anything about “inauspicious zones” despite the fact that he was standing in one.

And when they spoke of the Eternal Heavens Domain, he lit up with curiosity and asked the most shallow and basic of questions imaginable, like “Where is the Eternal Heavens Domain?” and “Where in the Eternal Heavens Domain is the Blue Peak Continent?” and “How big is the Great Qin Empire?”

The girl and her attendant didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but all the same time, they found it reassuring.

Too much was on the line in this operation. They weren’t the only ones participating; prominent experts of three other factions were involved, too.

Furthermore, they were close to the lair of a ruler among inauspicious spirits. Even though they’d saved Su Yi, they still had to be on guard.

Fortunately, their conversation proved that this... really was a newcomer to the Eternal Heavens Domain. He knew nothing at all!

Suddenly, Qin Suqing said, “Uncle Luan, this is Ol’ Devil Golden Spirit’s territory. Without someone to guide him, I’m afraid Fellow Daoist Su won’t be able to leave safely.”

Luan Yunzhong furrowed his brow, then laughed bitterly. “Young Mistress, I just about understand what you’re getting at, but if we bring Fellow Daoist Su with us and something happens, we’ll do more harm than good.”

Qin Suqing’s eyes landed on Su Yi, and she asked directly, “Fellow Daoist Su, you have a choice.

“You can leave on your own. If you do, I’ll prepare a map for you. With it, so long as you manage to escape this inauspicious zone alive, you should be able to reach the River of Destiny’s ‘Port of Ushering.’

“Alternatively, you can come with us to Ol’ Devil Golden Spirit’s territory. If you do, it’ll be dangerous. You might even die.

“Think it over for yourself and make a decision.”

Su Yi sighed to himself.

What a truly kind person! She didn’t just save my life; she’s even given me a way out. Cultivators so warm-hearted and considerate are rare indeed!

After all, they’d just happened to cross paths. They were neither family nor friends, and they’d already “saved” his life. They’d have been well within their rights to just live.

This was a positive karmic connection to begin with.

But Qin Suqing didn’t simply send him on his way. She’d considered far more than that.

Su Yi could tell that she wasn’t after anything; she was just looking out for him, the way she might a junior. All of it came straight from the heart.

That was what Su Yi appreciated and admired the most.

The pursuit of the Grand Dao was rife with bloodshed and slaughter. Another’s kindness was far rarer than encountering good fortune.

“Miss Qin, to tell the truth, I’d be interested to have a look around Ol’ Devil Golden Spirit’s territory,” said Su Yi.

“You want to ‘have a look around?’” Luan Yunzhong frowned in displeasure. “Fellow Daoist Su, this isn’t a vacation. This is a dangerous operation! We might die! With an attitude like that, I’m afraid you’ll die without even realizing what hit you.”

Su Yi didn’t get angry. After their conversation, Su Yi realized that although the old sword cultivator looked steady, he was actually temperamental and direct.

Su Yi clasped his fist and said solemnly, “Senior, whatever else you might say about me, I’m still an Eternal. I won’t act recklessly, nor will I drag you down.”

“Very well. Life and death are up to fate. If you aren’t afraid, we’ll take you with us,” said Luan Yunzhong, his gaze suddenly sharp. “But first, you must promise me this. On the road ahead, you are not to act without my orders, and if you ruin our plans...”

Before he could finish, Qin Suqing said gently, “Enough. Aren’t you always saying that everyone capable of achieving Eternity has extraordinary qualities? Seems to me that while Fellow Daoist Su’s cultivation might be a bit weak, he’s no fool.”

She smiled at Su Yi, her eyes shining and bright.

Luan Yunzhong clapped Su Yi on the shoulder. “Kid, I’ll consider this operation a test. Impress me, and when we leave this inauspicious zone, I’ll invite you back to the Great Qin Empire as a guest. When the time comes, if you...”

Here, he shook his head. “We’ll talk about that later. In any event, don’t disappoint me. Don’t make us regret saving you!”

He was direct, even blunt, but Su Yi just nodded.

Qin Suqing took out a jade slip and passed it to Su Yi.

“This contains some information regarding Ol’ Devil Golden Spirit. Have a look. Once you’re done reading, I’ll tell you about our expedition.”

“Alright.” Su Yi straightforwardly agreed and accepted the jade slip.

Luan Yunzhong wanted to say something, but hesitated. He’d wanted to say that this was entirely unnecessary, and that there was no need for “Su Xuanjun” to know these details. It was enough that the young stranger did as he was told.

But Luan Yunzhong knew that this was just how his young mistress was. When someone caught her eye, she’d do her best to help them.

Suddenly, Luan Yunzhong took out a black compass. The needle spun, and wisps of cloud rose from its surface.

He examined it briefly, then said with a laugh, “Young Mistress, the experts of all three factions have arrived. It’s time to go to Ol’ Devil Golden Spirit’s wedding banquet!”