Muddle Through

Chapter 18: Bluffing Through

Entering the stone house, Qing Luan huffily sat down on the stone bed, while Shen Gui, as before, found a stone stool and took a seat.

Looking at Shen Gui's bitter expression, Qing Luan laughed in spite of her anger: "What's that look on your face? Clearly you were the one who came to tease me first, and now you're putting on an act like I'm the one bullying you?"

Shen Gui gave an awkward smile and said, "Fellow Daoist Qing Luan, what words are these? A humble wanderer like me, without the blessing of great figures as you have, does not seek fame on the Great Way, only to cling to life in the Primordial Wilderness—how would I dare to tease you?"

"Cling to life?" Qing Luan curled her lip. "So that's why you're like a turtle... pah, you are a turtle. Is that why your defense is so strong? Don't tell me you've never even thought about how to attack, and put all your effort into defense instead?"

Hearing this, Shen Gui smiled an awkward but polite smile.

To be fair, when it came to offensive methods, he could manage against cultivators weaker than himself, but against peers or stronger opponents, he really didn't have much to offer.

Seeing this, Qing Luan's eyes widened: "Don't tell me I hit the mark?"

Shen Gui put on a pitiful look and complained bitterly: "An existence like Fellow Daoist Qing Luan, sheltered by great figures, naturally wouldn't understand the hardship of a small, helpless person like me trying to survive. The Primordial Wilderness is fraught with danger at every turn. A mere Golden Immortal like me, if I didn't devote myself entirely to the art of defense, might fall to someone's hand at any moment. That's why, when I heard that Great Sage Fuxi and Empress Nuwa had established Heavenly Demon City to shelter countless beings, I felt such admiration—because I fully understand the feelings of those who are protected."

"Back when I hadn't even taken form yet, I ran into a fellow wielding an axe who destroyed my physical body entirely. Only my Primordial Spirit survived by luck. Later, I rebuilt my flesh and finally managed to take shape. It was precisely because of that experience that I understood the importance of defense. As the saying goes, one must not have the heart to harm others, but one must never lack the heart to guard against them. That's why I focused solely on defensive techniques and never studied means of harming others."

"So that's how it was." Hearing Shen Gui's words, a flicker of sympathy passed through Qing Luan's eyes.

She could tell that Shen Gui's words came from the heart, and that was precisely why she felt a touch of pity.

To have his physical body destroyed before even taking form—how tragic was that!

Back then, the Great Tribulation of Dragon-Han had already passed, the Phoenix Race had declined, and she had just been born not long ago, with low cultivation and not yet transformed. She had encountered a demonic cultivator pursuing her, and if not for Empress Nuwa happening to save her, she might have fallen before ever taking form.

Thus, hearing Shen Gui say this now stirred some resonance within her, and without realizing it, her anger toward him dissipated.

But then, reconsidering, Qing Luan looked at Shen Gui with confusion: "No, if that's the case, then why did you specifically ask to join Great Sage Fuxi's ranks, and refuse to serve under Her Majesty? Both Her Majesty and Great Sage Fuxi are people who care for all living beings—why do you hold a prejudice against Her Majesty alone?"

Hearing this question, Shen Gui's heart tightened, knowing the critical moment had arrived.

Qing Luan's tone had clearly softened considerably; his earlier act of playing the victim had worked. Now, if he could just fudge—pah, give a reasonable explanation—this matter would likely be settled.

Weighing his words carefully, Shen Gui put on a hesitant look and said, "There are some things I'm not sure I should say."

Seeing this, Qing Luan frowned: "What's there to say or not say? If you have something to say, just say it. As long as you give me a reasonable explanation, would I make a fuss for no reason?"

Stealing a glance at Qing Luan, Shen Gui said, "Then I'll speak?"

"Speak."

"I've heard people say that Great Sage Fuxi is a true gentleman—though his cultivation is unfathomable, he is humble and gentle in his dealings with others, making one feel like a spring breeze. Empress Nuwa, though kind-hearted and caring for all beings, sometimes can be..."

Hearing this, Qing Luan's expression turned somewhat odd, tinged with awkwardness.

"Who did you hear this from?"

She knew her own affairs well. As Nuwa's mount, Qing Luan naturally understood her mistress.

Sometimes, Nuwa's temper was indeed a bit peculiar, and she would do some rather offbeat things.

Still, she was curious—how had Shen Gui heard about it?

Shen Gui secretly curled his lip. In the legends, Nuwa created humans and mended the heavens, and now she had built Heavenly Demon City alongside Fuxi. Calling her kind-hearted and caring for all beings was only natural.

As for her odd temper...

Women, huh!

Of course, Shen Gui had no wish to die, so he naturally wouldn't say that. Instead, he only said, "Fellow Daoist Qing Luan must know that I've been buying information with Origin Crystals in various cities. I heard this by chance, and that's why I wanted to join Great Sage Fuxi..."

Hearing this, Qing Luan didn't suspect anything.

In her view, it was probably someone who had been teased by Her Majesty who had spread this rumor.

Giving Shen Gui an awkward look, Qing Luan coughed and said, "In that case, I was wrong to blame you earlier."