Xuan Qing's Nemesis

After the group arrived at the imperial palace, Xuan Qing sat directly at the outermost edge of the VIP seating area.

He couldn't be bothered with etiquette or rules and started eating immediately; the imperial chefs' craftsmanship was quite impressive.

The others were stunned to witness his terrifying appetite, as more than half the dishes on the table ended up in his stomach.

Furthermore, he ate very quickly, yet his movements were not crude; he actually looked quite elegant.

Xue Qinghe watched, dumbfounded, and couldn't help but ask Dugu Bo.

"Mr. Dugu, is Brother Xuan Qing always this capable of eating? This appetite is equal to ten grown men."

Xuan Qing didn't even lift his head, answering while he ate.

"That's only because the energy in the food isn't enough. Did you think the monstrous physical constitution of a dragon-type soul master just appeared out of thin air?"

"Uh..."

Xue Qinghe was choked by the response; there was truly no fault in that logic. Very few dragon-type soul masters were light eaters; they were all bottomless pits.

Xuan Qing couldn't be bothered to pay him any more mind and continued to bury his head in his meal.

Seeing that he had eaten his fill, Xue Qinghe leaned in again and asked tentatively.

"Brother Xuan Qing, I wonder if you could teach that Self-Created Soul Skill of yours to the soul masters under my command? Of course, I will provide compensation; I won't have you teaching for nothing."

Xuan Qing set down his chopsticks and shook his head.

"It really isn't that I'm stingy. You saw it yourself; the form of my technique is a Water Dragon. Even to imitate it with seventy percent similarity, one needs to have control over the water attribute that is as fluid as moving one's own arm."

"Those girls from Skywater Academy couldn't manage it, so the soul masters under you, I suspect..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Xue Qinghe already understood.

It wasn't that Xuan Qing refused to teach; it was the same principle as trying to write an essay when one doesn't even know how to write characters.

"Fine, I understand. Let's not dwell on it any further. When you have time, come to the palace to sit for a while; I still have many questions I wish to consult you on."

"That's fine, but you have to provide the food, and you have to ensure I'm full. Otherwise, I won't come; it's uncomfortable to be hungry."

Xue Qinghe laughed.

"Rest assured, you'll be full. Eat as much as you like; the imperial kitchen can afford it."

As the two were speaking, Ning Rongrong walked over with Zhu Zhuqing.

Ning Rongrong's expression was somewhat awkward, and she wasn't as lively as usual.

"Xuan Qing, thank you."

Her voice was very small and very soft.

Xuan Qing was taken aback.

"Thank me for what? I don't believe I've helped you with anything."

Ning Rongrong's face flushed red.

"Thank you for reminding me to leave Shrek. If it weren't for you, I would probably still be wasting my time there."

Xuan Qing waved his hand dismissively.

"I said it back then; that was only out of respect for the meal money provided by the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Don't take it to heart; it was just a small favor."

"However, as for you..."

He looked at Zhu Zhuqing with a playful glint in his eyes.

"Have you been awakened by my scolding?"

Zhu Zhuqing nodded with a serious expression.

"Yes, your words woke me up. I didn't escape the Zhu Family just to waste my life at Shrek, and certainly not to entangle myself with Dai Mubai."

She took a deep breath.

"Can I... follow you?"

Xuan Qing revealed a slightly sarcastic expression.

"Oh? Why? Because I'm strong enough? Or do you want to use me to help you break free from the Zhu Family? To break free from the Star Luo Imperial Family?"

"If that's all it is, you could just join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect; the Sect Master would certainly welcome you."

Zhu Zhuqing shook her head.

"You once said that people climb to higher places and water flows to lower ones. You are the most talented person I have ever met. Birds of a feather flock together; I understand that principle."

"Even if I am just a maid by your side, I can learn many things that cannot be found elsewhere."

"Besides, I believe you are not the type of person to discard someone after they have served their purpose."

Xuan Qing looked at her; this girl truly had some brains. She knew what she wanted and knew how to make the right choice.

"You are honest, at least. But you must think clearly; I do not tolerate any sand in my eyes."

"If you choose to follow me, you must offer absolute loyalty. If you dare to betray me, I will make you wish you were dead. I mean what I say."

Zhu Zhuqing did not hesitate at all.

"I am willing to swear upon my martial soul to follow Xuan Qing in this life and never betray him. Should I break this oath, may my martial soul shatter and my soul be scattered to the winds."

This was the most solemn oath a spirit master could take; once broken, the martial soul would truly shatter, and the person would perish.

Xuan Qing looked toward Zi Ji.

"What do you think? Should I accept her? It seems I really am lacking someone to pour tea and fetch water, though I can do it myself, having someone to serve me would be quite nice."

Zi Ji cast a glance at Zhu Zhuqing.

"If you are interested, Young Master, then just accept her. She is only a little girl; although her talent is average, her temperament and appearance are decent enough. She is certainly better than some crooked melons and cracked dates, so she won't be an embarrassment to bring out."

Xuan Qing felt a bit displeased.

"Are you saying my taste is poor? I haven't accepted anyone before; she is the first."

Zi Ji replied without a blush or a skip in her heartbeat.

"You must have misheard, Young Master. I never said your taste was poor; I only said this girl is passable, barely worthy of serving you."

Xuan Qing curled his lip. Zi Ji had learned to be bad after following him; she used to be so serious, but now she could even crack jokes.

"Fine, then I'll accept her. From now on, you will follow Zi Ji and learn from her. How much you can learn depends on your own ability."

Zhu Zhuqing was overjoyed and hurriedly bowed.

"Zhu Zhuqing greets the Young Master and the senior."

Xuan Qing waved his hand.

"There is no need for kneeling here. Just nod when you see people in the future. I don't like others kneeling to me; it feels like visiting a grave."

Zhu Zhuqing was slightly stunned, then nodded.

"Yes, Young Master."

Just then, a crisp voice rang out.

"Hey! Xuan Qing!"

Xuan Qing turned his head and his face turned green. Why had this grandmother come again?

Shui Yue'er hopped and skipped over, her face full of excitement.

The people around, especially Xue Qinghe, immediately wore expressions of schadenfreude. There was a good show to watch; even this bastard Xuan Qing had his days.

"Little brother Xuan Qing, big sister has been looking for you for ages. Why are you hiding here?"

The corners of Xuan Qing's mouth twitched violently.

"I don't know, Miss Shui Yue'er, what is your business? If you want to eat, there are empty seats over there. If you are looking for trouble, turn left at the door. I won't see you out."

Shui Yue'er chuckled.

"Big sister sees that you are lacking someone to pour tea and fetch water, so why not take me in too?"

"Although my strength isn't as good as this little maid you just accepted, I am pretty, and I can warm the bed. I guarantee to make you feel comfortable."

"Pfft—"

Xue Qinghe sprayed out his drink. This girl was a bit too fierce, wasn't she? Warming the bed?

Xuan Qing's face turned green as he gritted his teeth.

"Shui! Yue! Er! Why must you keep pestering me? Did I provoke you? Tell me, can't I just change?"

Shui Yue'er blinked, looking innocent.

"You won't find a second little brother like you in this world. You're handsome, strong, have a deep background, and you're still young and easy to mold. Do you think I'd let you go?"

"Big sister might be a bit boy-crazy, but I'm not stupid. If I don't seize such a high-potential stock and hold it in my hands now, I'll have nowhere to cry when you grow up and get snatched away by some other vixen."

"So, while you're still young, I'm calling dibs. When you grow up in a few years, I'll marry you. By then, you'll be mine, and no one will be able to snatch you away."

Xuan Qing held his forehead, feeling a headache coming on. This girl's logic was self-consistent and impeccable.

Moreover, what she said actually seemed quite reasonable; he found himself unable to refute it.