Lin Wanqiu had already suffered greatly; she didn't know how many more times she'd have to hear this phrase. It felt as if she had just escaped a pack of wolves only to fall into the jaws of a tiger once again, leaving her on the verge of collapsing.
Yet, coming from Gu Jianlin's deadpan mouth, this phrase wasn't particularly repulsive. His tone lacked any warmth or earthly desire, creating an odd intensity that inexplicably quickened her heartbeat, casting herself as a delicate beauty subjected to the control of a cold and strikingly forceful youth.
Though unwilling, she found herself gradually succumbing.
In a fleeting moment, dozens of unspeakable scenarios bloomed in her mind, each one leaving her flustered and breathless.
"Shut up. Stop overreacting."
Gu Jianlin moved his hand away from her lips, which still bore the faint imprint of lipstick.
He had been lurking in the shadows for a few minutes and had a general grasp of the situation now.
This wasn't just about the crisis with the Sea Demon.
It was his crisis too.
The Sea Demon had met with the Qilin Venerable, and if her secret were uncovered, it would trigger a ripple effect.
If her secret spilled, Gu Jianlin's hidden truth wouldn't stand a chance either.
"Li Yijie and Wang Jingchuan being placed in this group was no coincidence—it was orchestrated by the teacher. Could it be that the teacher knows about the Sea Demon's identity? Wait, the existence of Butcher and Scholar, he knew about them too. And Youzhu's secret? He's probably fully aware of that as well." At this thought, Gu Jianlin couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath.
He was starting to suspect something terrifying.
Did the teacher know that he was the second-generation Qilin Venerable?
The thought was chilling.
Rather than living in constant fear, perhaps it would be better just to lay all the cards on the table.
Obviously, now wasn't the time to dwell on this, because Lin Wanqiu was looking at him in a way that changed completely.
The soft curves of her body were already pressing closely against him.
"What are you doing?"
Gu Jianlin almost flinched reflexively, immediately pulling out the Desert Eagle and pressing it against her smooth forehead. "Don't look at me like that. Keep a safe distance from me, or I'll expose your secret right away."
Lin Wanqiu spiraled into deep self-doubt.
When others threatened her, it was usually because they coveted her beauty.
This young man's way of threatening her was simply telling her to back off.
She took a deep breath and composed herself.
"You must be sent by that person, right? Otherwise, there's no reason for you to save me."
Tears welled up in her beautiful eyes as she bit her lip. "We're all on the same side."
"I'm not on your side."
Gu Jianlin would never admit anything to her face. Right now, he decided to play the role of a villain instead, coldly replying, "You'd better figure out your own situation and focus on what you should be doing."
Lin Wanqiu froze for a moment, biting her lips timidly and saying, "As long as you don't reveal my secret, I'll do anything you want. I'm really obedient and useful."
Gu Jianlin glanced at the two corpses on the ground and then at her pitiful appearance.
Without another word, he pulled out a dagger and tore open her camouflage uniform.
The fabric was shredded, revealing delicate, snow-white skin.
Lin Wanqiu was shocked, thinking: Maybe he doesn't like initiators but prefers taking control?
The images she had just drawn in her imagination resurfaced, making her face flush red and her body tremble slightly.
In the blink of an eye, however, a garment was draped over her shoulders.
"You're going to say that these two tried to assault you, and I killed them."
Gu Jianlin shot her another glance and couldn't help but add, "I suggest you take a good look at yourself now and quit wearing that over-the-top hormonal expression."
Lin Wanqiu instantly snapped out of it. She was a rather shrewd woman and knew he wasn't interested in her.
"Will the others believe it?"
She couldn't help but ask.
Gu Jianlin shook his head. "Whether they believe it or not doesn't matter. It's just providing a reason."
For now, the Sea Demon was highly valuable to him.
She was also a Cheater.
And this wasn't her first time in the Qilin Immortal Palace.
"Listen, I don't care who you work for, but I need you to confirm something right now."
Gu Jianlin asked calmly, "You are a descendant of the Lin Family. You're here because of Lin Lan, right?"
A fleeting look of deep seriousness and fear passed through Lin Wanqiu's eyes before she quickly returned to her usual coquettish smile, pretending to be innocent and clueless. "I don't understand what you're talking about."
Gu Jianlin's face remained impassive as he replied, "You don't need to understand. Just know this—I know Lin Lan is still alive. My purpose in finding him is to have him testify and resolve Uncle Mu's case. In this sense, our interests align. And I'm the only one who can help you."
He paused. "You'll have to trust me, because on your own, you can't accomplish anything."
At that moment, Lin Wanqiu's expression changed completely.
Lu Qingqing counted the time, furrowing her brows. "Why aren't they back yet?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yiming suddenly opened his eyes, slung the Sword Box onto his back, and stood on alert.
Chen Qing glanced at them. "They're back."
Gu Jianlin emerged from the dark cave, wearing a fresh long coat and exuding a calm demeanor.
Lin Wanqiu followed behind him, draped in his clothing, her hair disheveled, and her eyes red and swollen.
Her appearance carried a subtle but undeniable hint of disarray.
The group froze, and anyone with sharp insight could figure out what likely transpired moments ago.