Chapter 583 - 254: Luo Shuqing
Chapter 583: Chapter 254: Luo Shuqing
"You’re so set on returning to Qingxiao Pavilion. Don’t you want to appear before your father as a powerful Jianghu Heroine and save him from this crisis?"
"...I do."
Luo Shuqing stood up:
"I do have that idea. I... I actually want to ask him why he was so dead set against me practicing Martial Arts.
"If he had allowed me to practice Martial Arts from the beginning, or even taught me himself, my face... wouldn’t have been left with such an ugly scar."
She was a woman, after all, and would always care about her appearance.
Fang Shuwen shook his head and chuckled.
Luo Shuqing looked at Fang Shuwen:
"You’re not surprised at all... When did you figure it out?"
"Figure what out?"
Fang Shuwen said with a half-smile:
"That you’re not what you seem, or that your Inner Strength is profound?"
"...Is there a difference?"
"Of course there is."
Fang Shuwen said:
"The part about you not being what you seem? I noticed that the first time I met you."
"How is that possible?"
Luo Shuqing was in complete disbelief:
"We barely even exchanged a few words back then."
"But the situation back then was highly emotional."
Fang Shuwen said with a smile:
"It’s probably because my Martial Arts are too advanced, and my hearing is far better than you could have anticipated.
"When a person gets emotional, their blood flow and heart rate both increase.
"But when you were supposedly desperate, everything was perfectly calm.
"That proves... your desperation, your panic, and your fear were all fake.
"You looked like you were trembling with fear, but in reality, you weren’t flustered at all."
"..."
Luo Shuqing stared at Fang Shuwen in disbelief:
"You... you’re not even human."
"We’re just having a chat, no need for name-calling."
Fang Shuwen shot her a glare:
"Keep that loose tongue of yours, and even if you are my employer, I’ll still teach you a lesson."
Luo Shuqing gave Fang Shuwen a strange look:
"Since you knew all along that I was hiding something from you, why didn’t you refuse?"
"Did I have a reason to refuse?"
Fang Shuwen asked in return:
"My employer, the person I’m supposed to protect, is perfectly capable of defending herself. Isn’t that a good thing?"
Luo Shuqing thought about it for a moment and realized it was indeed a good thing.
But something still felt off.
She hesitated for a moment before asking:
"So you don’t blame me?"
"Why would I blame you?"
Fang Shuwen smiled:
"It’s just like how I never cared whether your so-called Profound Celestial Iron Mirror actually exists or not.
"What kind of person you are, what secrets you’re hiding—what does any of that have to do with me?
"Besides, didn’t you tell me from the very beginning? That once you returned to Qingxiao Pavilion, you had a way to set things right.
"Unless you possessed overwhelming Martial Arts, I really couldn’t imagine what other method you could have to defeat your brother..."
Luo Shuqing bit her lip and subconsciously took a step back, her eyes now filled with a hint of wariness as she looked at Fang Shuwen.
Fang Shuwen wore that same half-smile:
"Not going to continue with your little game of seduction?"
"...Who was trying to seduce you."
Luo Shuqing’s expression darkened.
Previously, her displays of affection toward Fang Shuwen had been mostly deliberate.
Playing the part of a downtrodden, innocent maiden had its advantages. Developing a complicated, ambiguous relationship with her own guard could make her feel safer.
She had her own ambitions, and even for someone like Fang Shuwen, a Human World Demon God, she wouldn’t be so quick to throw herself into his arms.
But as it turned out, Fang Shuwen had seen through her completely... ’He was probably laughing at me in secret, too.’
But she was no ordinary girl. After taking a deep breath, she gave a slight nod:
"So what now?
"I’ve told you pretty much everything I should. What are you going to do with me?"
"That’s a strange question."
Fang Shuwen looked a little puzzled:
"Does this mean you no longer want my protection?"
"Of course not!"
Luo Shuqing said:
"I’m well aware of my own limitations.
"Against an expert from the Eight Forbidden Areas of the East Sea or one of the Four Saints of the East Sea, I might be able to put up a fight. But if that whole group wanted to deal with me, as I am now, it would be certain death."
"If that’s the case, then let’s just carry on as before."
Fang Shuwen waved his hand dismissively:
"You can keep up your harmless, innocent act, continue pretending to be a pushover, or you can just reveal your true personality and temper.
"Whatever you want... It makes no difference to me.
"For today, we’ll rest here for the night in Tingtiao Pavilion. We’ll set off for Qingxiao Pavilion first thing tomorrow morning.
"Don’t forget, we have to reach Qingxiao Pavilion within two months.
"Otherwise, we’ll miss that grand show your brother is single-handedly directing."
Hearing this, a complex mix of emotions flickered across Luo Shuqing’s face.
Finally, she nodded and said:
"Then it’s a deal. Once we get to Qingxiao Pavilion, and after I’ve quelled the unrest there...
"...you can choose anything you want from Qingxiao Pavilion’s treasure vault... no limit."
"So generous?"
Fang Shuwen was a little surprised.
But Luo Shuqing had already turned and lain down on the bed:
"Go meditate... Wait!"
As she said this, she suddenly remembered something. She sat up abruptly, a wide smile on her face as she looked at Fang Shuwen:
"Do you think Suhe Lan will come looking for you tonight?"
"Reason?"
"A backer, of course."
Luo Shuqing said with a laugh:
"She’s all alone now. Do you think it’s easy to support such a large Sect by herself?
"Her Martial Arts may be far beyond those of her peers, but it’s not nearly enough to establish herself in the Jianghu... If you, the Human World Demon God, could become her pillar of support, wouldn’t the legacy of Tingtiao Pavilion be secured?
"To be honest, if you’re interested, this is a golden opportunity. You could definitely have her wrapped around your finger... OW!"
Fang Shuwen reached out and flicked her on the forehead:
"Nonsense."