Labels That Stood on Their Own

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Meng Qingying's gaze at Qin Yi became increasingly intriguing.

Prior to this, neither of them knew each other well, and their impressions of each other were based on labels: a Witch treated human life as worthless, and a man with a chivalrous heart and a bit of cleverness.

At this moment, Qin Yi's impression of Meng Qingying remained unchanged, but Qin Yi in Meng Qingying's eyes had clearly become more three-dimensional.

His concept, or rather, his "way," is... well, it's rarely seen even in the Righteous Path. For example, Minghe clearly doesn't hold this concept, and from the perspective of the demonic path, it's an incomprehensible and bizarre way of thinking.

Of course, Meng Qingying had no interest in discussing Dao with him; she just found it quite amusing. After thinking for a moment, she said, "You said that our past was merely a personal feud, and I agree with that. But have you considered that once you became involved in the affairs of the Great Qian Dynasty, our relationship ceased to be a personal feud?"

Qin Yi said, "My involvement in the affairs of the Great Qian Dynasty is on behalf of the Ten Thousand Dao Immortal Palace. Therefore, this is a matter between the Myriad Phenomena Asura Sect and the Ten Thousand Dao Immortal Palace, not between you and me, Qin Yi. If you insist on making a fuss about my personal relationships, I can simply return to the palace immediately. To put it bluntly, what does this matter have to do with me? At that time, you will naturally be facing other fellow disciples of the Ten Thousand Dao Immortal Palace, or even my Senior Sister in person... Perhaps you would prefer that?"

Meng Qingying sighed, "But what can I do? You're on the roster. What can I do if I don't keep an eye on you?"

Qin Yi said, "If the Great Joy Temple urgently needed this list, and you were asking for it on their behalf, I could understand. But you clearly aren't asking for it on their behalf; you want it for yourself, and I'm afraid I don't know why. Let's put it this way: if you can clear up my confusion, we can discuss the deal."

Meng Qingying smiled and said, "I knew it. When you entered the palace earlier, you were already dissatisfied with the people of Daqian and were unwilling to work for them. You and I can cooperate."

Qin Yi said unhappily, "If that's the case, why do you have to provoke me? Don't you feel comfortable unless you're being scolded?"

"A sore spot?" Meng Qingying shook her head and smiled, "I just didn't expect that an ordinary threat, which should have been a bargaining chip in the deal, would actually become a sore spot that could cause the deal to collapse, an untouchable taboo."

At this point, she stretched lazily, turned to look at Qin Yi, and said with a meaningful look in her eyes, "Let me apologize to you first. After all, I never even imagined what it would feel like for someone to treat me like a sore spot. I never thought it would come to this."

Although he apologized while stretching, which seemed a bit perfunctory, Qin Yi was quite surprised.

This Witch actually apologized for something like this?

This registration deal is probably very important to her; she doesn't want things to fall apart completely.

Or perhaps, one doesn't truly understand this Witch, but has simply stereotyped her...

No matter how sincere the apology was, it always made the atmosphere much more peaceful. Qin Yi's expression softened, and he sighed, "Tell me about the roster. I have no idea what you're trying to do."

Meng Qingying leaned against the windowsill, staring at the ceiling for a long time before speaking in a low voice, "What I want is not the value of the roster itself. Who is recorded in it is meaningless to me, and I have no interest in cleaning up the mess for Great Joy Temple. It's normal that you don't understand."

Qin Yi said, "That's exactly right."

"I'm just using this as an opening to find some weaknesses in them and seize control of this cooperation..." Meng Qingying paused and sighed, "It probably doesn't sound so good. It's more accurate to say that I'm just trying to strengthen my voice and increase my bargaining power for self-protection."

While the first sentence was somewhat expected by Qin Yi, he truly hadn't anticipated the second half, finding it utterly unbelievable. "Seriously? You need this little gadget to strengthen your self-defense capabilities during your cooperation? Are you cooperating or are you enemies?"

Meng Qingying smiled faintly, "Qin Yi, you were originally Rogue Cultivator, and then you joined a unique sect like the Ten Thousand Dao Immortal Palace. Perhaps you don't know how cruel the struggle for interests is in our Demonic Path Sect. If you don't fight for yourself and fall even slightly behind others, you'll be torn to pieces and thrown to wild dogs without anyone pitying you."

He paused, then continued, "You can see the current situation. This register is practically useless to you now, and you're unwilling to put in the effort for this emperor, right? In that case, give me the item, and you can name your price in exchange."

Qin Yi stared at her for a while, but Meng Qingying's expression remained calm, revealing nothing.

To be honest, if that's really the case, giving her this register wouldn't be a big deal. Indeed, as she said, she had no intention of helping Da Qian at all. The greatest value of this register to her was that it could cause trouble for Great Joy Temple, so she might as well give it to her. That way, she could cause trouble for Great Joy Temple just the same, and she could also gain the Witch's favor.

However, this Witch may not always tell the truth. If you are fooled into giving her your gifts after a few words, you will become a naive and innocent person.

So he asked, "Could you elaborate on the details of this collaboration?"

Meng Qingying laughed, "Do you think this is something that can be casually told to anyone? Qin Yi, although the roster has some value to me, it's not something I'm guaranteed to get. I'm only making this deal with you politely because we have some history. Don't think I'm afraid of you, and don't push your luck."

It wasn't really about those few past grievances; they were enemies. It was already a favor if they didn't kill you, let alone try to be nice. The real reason, of course, was that Qin Yi's progress had exceeded her expectations, and a real fight would bring all sorts of consequences, so she patiently made the deal.

Strength is the prerequisite for equal dialogue, Qin Yi knew this perfectly well, but he didn't expose her. He simply said, "This is a deal. You resolve my confusion, and I'll give you the list immediately. I'm a man of my word, and I will never renege on my promise."

Meng Qingying was somewhat surprised. "You want this? Since you no longer want to help Daqian, what's the point of resolving your confusion?"

Qin Yi smiled and said, "Why talk about profit in everything? I like it; aren't those three words the greatest value?"

Meng Qingying was taken aback; this seemingly ordinary answer was clearly unexpected.

Those who follow the demonic path don't have such nonchalance. They're lucky if they don't drain your bones and marrow; the more extreme ones will go straight for your body. Where would Qin Yi's carefree attitude come from...

Perhaps this is a true immortal family, truly different from the demonic path. In the past, when I encountered Righteous Path cultivators, we mostly ended up fighting, and I've never had a proper exchange with them. I wonder if other Righteous Path are similar to Qin Yi.

She hesitated for a moment, her beautiful eyes glancing at Humble Origins, who was listening intently behind the counter, and suddenly smiled, "Come with me, there are some things that are not convenient for others to overhear."

Damn it, they wouldn't let me hear the most crucial part! That's outrageous! The Humble Origins angrily slammed the table. "Get out! And don't come back!"