Chapter 40: Chapter 42 God Makes a Move Chapter 40: Chapter 42 God Makes a Move “Master, is this master deliberately swindling us? Look at her demands; they seem as if she’s out to have fun,” Ying Nan muttered behind Qi Qian.
Qi Qian turned around, his face expressionless as he looked at him.
Ying Nan felt a thump in his heart, sweat beading on his forehead under that gaze: “Master, Mas…Master…”
“That Master Buqiu did say something true. If one doesn’t guard their words, sooner or later it will bring trouble upon this very tongue. You’ve been presumptuous and disrespectful,” Qi Qian said indifferently. “If you were to cause trouble with your words while following me on a case, I, as your master, would only be dragged down and held back because of you.”
Ying Nan kneeled down abruptly: “Master, I was wrong.”
“After we return, you’ll stay in Hawk Hall for a while. When you’ve learned to be more composed, you can come back and serve by my side,” Qi Qian said from above, looking down at him.
Ying Nan turned pale, kneeling and begging for mercy: “Master, please spare me this once. I won’t dare to do it again.”
“I thought after last night’s experience in Wanhuai Forest, you would have become more cautious. Could Master Buqiu really be as harmless as she appears on the surface, leading us there effortlessly? But after last night’s events, you still speak recklessly today. If Master Buqiu doesn’t even take this hefty sum of money to heart, wouldn’t our trip here be in vain?”
Ying Nan’s face was ashen; he dared not plead any further and prostrated on the ground: “I admit my mistake. I almost ruined your affairs, Master. I should indeed be punished.”
“Get up, and arrange everything as the master has requested.”
Ying Nan bowed and retreated.
After he left, Huo Lang said: “Master, Ying Nan is just young and impetuous, provoked by that person. To be honest, even I find it hard to keep my temper at bay.”
“When one needs help, even if you’re dying of rage, you have to endure it. Otherwise, without the demeanor of asking for help, who would pay attention to you?”
“But Master, you have a noble status, not something these Daoists and laymen can reach,” Huo Lang still felt indignant for his master.
Qi Qian spoke coldly: “As long as she can help my grandmother to be well and comfortable, I am willing to withstand this anger. Besides, I’ve endured much bigger tantrums than this.”
Huo Lang seemed to recall something; his expression shifted, and he immediately fell silent.
Qi Qian stood in front of the window, watching the hustle and bustle on the street, his gaze landing on a particular spot.
“Mr. Qin, so are we heading to Ningzhou?” Chen Pi, walking beside Qin Liuxi, asked cheerfully: “Sister didn’t say so, but I was sure to follow Mr. Qin anyway.”
“The journey to Ningzhou is long; you’re not tired?”
“With Mr. Qin, how can there be any fatigue?” Chen Pi smiled and said: “Besides, I can protect Mr. Qin.”
Qin Liuxi paused briefly, turned his head to look at him, flicked his forehead, a smile curling at the corner of his lips as he walked into Changsheng Hall.
“Shopkeeper Lai, have you kept the Phoenix Spirit Flower for me?”
Seeing her, Shopkeeper Lai set aside what he was doing and greeted her: “Of course, it is kept aside. But Mr. Qin, my boss mentioned that the Phoenix Spirit Flower is hard to come by…”
Qin Liuxi frowned, saying: “What now, is that Black Merchant Feng trying to bait and switch me? To raise the price!”
“Please don’t misunderstand, absolutely not,” Shopkeeper Lai hurriedly replied, wringing his hands: “The boss merely thought that Mr. Qin has not been active lately, perhaps too busy with noble matters, and thus sent me to remind Mr. Qin, to practice processing the Jade Skin Flower, lest you lose your touch one day.”
Qin Liuxi snorted: “All said and done, it’s just Feng trying to exploit me.”
“Not at all, the boss said if Mr. Qin personally processes the Jade Skin Flower, we will offer the Phoenix Spirit Flower for free,” Shopkeeper Lai revealed a masterstroke.
Qin Liuxi’s eyes lit up, and he coughed, saying: “Your boss is quite considerate. This craftsmanship, it’s like a knife, it becomes blunt if not honed. Where’s the Jade Skin Flower?”