If the Future

In Meng Qingying's guest room, Meng Qingying stood by the window, looking at the lotus pond outside, remaining silent for a long time.

Qin Yi stood behind him, slightly reserved. He wasn't being a scumbag enough; a truly scumbag would have simply hugged him and whispered sweet nothings. But at this moment, Qin Yi was genuinely too embarrassed to do it.

He also knew that Meng Qingying must have some important business to discuss with him, and that she wasn't there to ask for Cauldron.

After a long silence, Meng Qingying spoke softly, "The question I raised yesterday, even the Feathered People couldn't answer: Why do they separate the two sides?"

Qin Yi nodded. "Yes, Yu Shang doesn't know either."

"It's clear that the Winged Human Race aren't their trusted confidants at all; they might just be pawns. If you go, no one can predict what you'll encounter... You must be careful."

Qin Yi was moved and whispered, "I know."

"Don't be so moved..." Meng Qingying said softly, "I was just thinking, if one day you still want to kill me... maybe you won't be so ruthless."

Qin Yi was taken aback. "Why are you bringing this up again?"

Meng Qingying smiled, "The integration of the Netherworld isn't like playing a game or putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Right now, we're just building bridges to connect the various fragments. Have you thought about how to fuse them into one?"

Qin Yi said, "Your master must have his own way, right?"

"While Master possesses this ability, it's impossible for him to do it out of thin air." Meng Qingying suddenly turned around and looked at him earnestly. "If... just if, something like a blood sacrifice of ten thousand people were required to aid this forging, what would you think?"

Qin Yi felt a chill run down his spine.

Outsiders are unaware of the details, Meng Qingying has been personally handling this matter for over seven years. It's perfectly normal for her to have guessed what's going on, and her words are by no means unfounded.

Meng Qingying smiled slightly and said calmly, "It's not that time yet; it's just a small-scale skirmish. The powerful beings of Wuxiang each have their own ideas and won't make any decisions easily for the time being. But once it comes to the point where a choice must be made, the situation will force people to take action. Which side will you be on then?"

After hesitating for a long time, Qin Yi finally said, "If the foundation is laid, and we are only one step away from integrating the refining method, I believe there are other ways, and we don't necessarily have to make that choice."

Meng Qingying asked in surprise, "This kind of fusion of realms is almost on par with the creation of the world. Where do you get the confidence to find a method of this level?"

The Liusu tilted its head back inside the ring and snorted.

The dog was squatting to one side, glancing at it sideways, muttering something unintelligible.

Liusu glanced over, and the dog immediately shut up.

"Alright." Seeing that Qin Yi didn't answer, Meng Qingying didn't press him further, but simply smiled and said, "You've always had many secrets, and this matter may not be as I suspect. Let's not think about it for now."

Qin Yi asked, "Why are you suddenly telling me this? The old you would have just done it calmly, wouldn't you?"

Meng Qingying paused for a moment, then turned to look out the window, avoiding his gaze.

Qin Yi finally wrapped his arms around her from behind, gently holding her in his embrace, without asking any further questions.

After a long while, Meng Qingying said calmly, "Don't think that I've changed my mind for you. I just wanted to lay the groundwork for you so that you wouldn't be caught off guard if things turned out to be bad."

Qin Yi didn't reply, but simply kissed her cheek lightly.

Meng Qingying blinked and said, "Actually, there are things even further ahead. I don't know if you haven't thought about them or if you're intentionally avoiding them."

Qin Yi mumbled, "You tell me."

"Even if the fusion and refining process isn't what I suspected, or if there are other ways to resolve it... have you ever considered that once we unify the Netherworld, my Myriad Manifestations Myriad Images of the Universe will be invincible, and might just ignite a war to unify the entire land?"

"Well..."

"Whether your Ten Thousand Dao Immortal Palace cares about this or not, you're definitely going to clash with the Celestial Pivot Divine Palace. When Minghe and I fight again, whose side will you take?"

Meng Qingying's question was insidious, because she knew Minghe was definitely eavesdropping... That brooding Little Daoist Nun, she said she was nonchalant, that it "had nothing to do with her"... But with Meng Qingying and Qin Yi hiding in the house, it would be a miracle if Minghe didn't "accidentally" pass by the door...

If Qin Yi thought he was just talking to her privately and deliberately said nice things, he would have offended Minghe terribly.

To everyone's surprise, Qin Yi laughed and said, "Why should I be bothered by this?"

"Huh?" Meng Qingying was stunned for a moment.

But Qin Yi continued, "I'm just a Huiyang... What right do I have to interfere in the battle between Myriad Images of the Universe and Celestial Pivot Divine Palace? I can only say that no matter who wins or loses, I will secretly rescue the poor loser. I'm confident I can do that."

Meng Qingying smiled enigmatically, "When her family is destroyed and she's dead, what do you plan to do with her after you rescue her? Make her your maid? Or avenge her?"

Qin Yi wouldn't seriously answer such a fatal hypothetical question of who to save first if someone falls into the water. He tightened his arms around her waist and said, "If you save her, she can be used as Cauldron for the Young Master."

"Pfft..." Minghe's chuckle came from outside the door. Realizing her whereabouts had been exposed, she covered her mouth and quickly ran away.

Inside Meng Qingying struggled, her face flushed red. "Let go! Who said I'd be the one to lose!"

"You've only done half of your work in the underworld, yet you've already thought two or three steps ahead, and every step you take considers how I'll choose..." Qin Yi's voice grew gentler as he whispered, "Qing Ying, no matter how things unfold in the future, I've taken sides on the matter you're currently in charge of, and I won't let anyone cause you trouble."

Meng Qingying said, "Even if there are things you don't want to see in the future?"

"I'm just an ordinary person, without great talent or ambition, without far-sighted plans. I only know that you are in my arms right now. If I don't even cherish the person in front of me, what kind of foresight can I talk about?"

Meng Qingying's struggles gradually weakened, and she soon went limp in his arms, murmuring, "You just know how to say sweet things to coax me."

Qin Yi said in a low voice, "I'm not just good at talking..."

In fact, judging from the interactions between Meng Qingying and Qin Yi, they are closer and more in sync than Yu Shang, who is already married. They are more like an old married couple, not to mention Minghe, who has known Qin Yi for a very long time but has not spent much time together.

Minghe could also see that Meng Qingying had indeed changed her personality somewhat because of Qin Yi. At least Meng Qingying was clearly worried that if there were any acts of slaughter, she would drift further and further away from Qin Yi, and might even turn against him. So she was being cautious and had prepared in advance.

This already creates a strong bond.

Minghe knew she hadn't reached that point yet, and she was also afraid of falling into it.

From her childhood understanding, this was something that went against Immortal Dao way of immortality.

Minghe unexpectedly found herself in a state of observation, much like when she had hovered above Southern Li, watching the joys and sorrows of the two nations. Although she had fallen afterward... she had indeed gained something at the time, using it to soar through the clouds.

Looking at them now... hmm, will they also fail?

What else can you plant? It's all the same anyway. Minghe curled her lip, thinking it was better to observe more; maybe she could gain something from it.

If Liusu and Gouzi knew what she was thinking, they would definitely praise her: You have found the true joy of the world, Little Daoist Nun!

Just as I was thinking this, I saw Yu Shang hurriedly return from outside the door and enter the outer corridor of the Guest Courtyard.

Minghe's eyes lit up instantly.