The door panel of Zuiyunju swayed twice by the night wind, creaking like an old bone groaning. Qin Zhao stepped in with one foot, his boots stained with mud and water from the alley entrance, leaving a gray mark on the threshold. The waiter was still sweeping the floor in place when he came in. His hand trembled and the tip of the broom almost poked his foot.
Guest, sir... didn't you just say... "The waiter stuttered for a moment, remembering that this person didn't even blink when he walked in and threw a spirit stone on the table. He immediately swallowed his words and said," Wine! The strongest! Come right away
Qin Zhao didn't respond and walked straight through the lobby. Several tables were empty, and there was a drunken man lying in the corner, panting and emitting a mixture of alcohol and sweat. He kept walking and headed straight for the small table by the window on the second floor - there was already someone sitting there.
Ji Xue.
She was crossing her legs, holding a celadon wine glass in her hand. Her silver soft armor shone coldly under the dim yellow light, and her lightning bead boots lightly tapped the ground, da, da, da, as if counting her heartbeat. Upon hearing footsteps, she looked up and curled her lips, saying, "Oh, scumbag, I've been waiting for you for a long time
Qin Zhao didn't even lift his eyelids. He pulled open the chair across from him and sat down, his movements swift and decisive, creating a gust of wind. He habitually stroked the dark lines on his left wrist with his left hand, and the mark under his skin was warm, neither too hot nor too cold. The treasure trove was very peaceful. He stared at Ji Xue for three seconds, his eyes as if estimating a shipment.
You came quite early, "he said.
I'm not early, I'm on time. "Ji Xue put down her glass and drew a circle around the rim with her fingertips." You're procrastinating, have you finished arguing with someone on the way
Mmm, "Qin Zhao nodded," I accidentally stepped on the small spider in the Heart Hall
Ji Xue raised her eyebrows and said, "Oh? So you're still clear headed now? Don't be fooled by the human spirit and leak information while speaking
If I really fell for it, I wouldn't be sitting here asking you questions now, "Qin Zhao finally raised his hand, took off the wine jug from his waist, unscrewed the lid, and took a sip. The liquor was spicy and burned down his throat, but his face didn't turn red and he wasn't panting. He only wiped his mouth with his sleeve and said, "I said, why are you approaching me
As soon as the words fell, the tavern suddenly fell silent for half a beat.
Even the drunken man's snoring froze for a moment.
Ji Xue didn't move. She just looked at Qin Zhao like that, without blinking her eyes, and the smile at the corner of her mouth was even more obvious. She slowly put the glass back on the table, her movements so light as if afraid of waking someone up.
With a 'pop' sound, the cup settled down.
Then, the lightning shaped birthmark at the end of her right eye suddenly flashed with a golden light.
Extremely fast, fleeting.
But Qin Zhao suddenly gasped, as if someone had stabbed him in the temple with a cone. His eyes instantly darkened, and a roar exploded in his head. The sea of consciousness seemed to have been torn open, and the strong wind poured in.
He gritted his teeth and held on, his fingers firmly gripping the edge of the table, his knuckles turning white.
Just as his consciousness was about to be pulled away——
In the depths of the sea, a figure emerged.
Tall and stern, draped in flowing light battle robes, holding a thunder spear, standing on the top of the storm. That woman has silver hair like a waterfall, golden eyes like a sun wheel in her right eye, surrounded by electric arcs, and her feet are cracked for thousands of miles. She didn't speak, but a voice came straight into his mind:
To confirm... are you the one who can awaken me
The sound was not loud, but it hit his eardrums like a bell, causing pain in his skull.
Qin Zhao let out a muffled snort, and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead. The pale golden crack on his left eyebrow bone flickered violently, as if it could explode at any moment. He vigorously shook his head, his purple eyes flickered past him, and forcefully pressed down on the Sea of Consciousness, breathing heavily like a cow.
When his vision regained clarity, his first reaction was to reach out and grab onto Ji Xue's wrist.
The force was immense, almost crushing the bones.
Have you confirmed now? "He stared at her, his voice hoarse and his eyes full of fire
Ji Xue didn't earn or hide. She just let him hold it, her wrist warm and soft in his palm, like an unsheathed knife. The golden light in her eyes slowly faded away, returning to her usual innocent appearance. The corners of her mouth curved, and she smiled a bit awkwardly.
Half of it, "she said.
Then she lightly twitched and her wrist slipped out. His fingertips flicked in his palm, as if there was nothing, like feathers sweeping over.
Qin Zhao didn't let go, but he couldn't hold on.
He sat there, his chest heaving and his forehead sweating. The blow just now was not an attack, but more like some instinctive counterattack - like a wild beast being poked at its doorstep and automatically showing its fangs. He knew that the phantom was not an illusion, nor an illusion, but a real thing. It was hidden in Ji Xue's body, sleeping, waiting to be awakened.
And he could be the key.
"Half?" he sneered
Do you want everything? "Ji Xue tilted her head to look at him, her ponytail swaying gently." I'll tell you everything, you have to go crazy now. If you don't believe me, try it. The next thing I say is, 'Actually, I was a Valkyrie from thousands of years ago, reincarnated specifically to marry you.' Do you believe me
I don't believe it, "Qin Zhao immediately said.
What the hell are you nervous about? "She rolled her eyes, took a sip of her glass, and said," Besides, if I really wanted to harm you, that blow just now could have stirred up your sea of consciousness into a paste. Are you still sitting here arguing with me about the 'purpose'? It's already bubbling in the coffin
Qin Zhao remained silent.
She's right. Although the blow was painful, it had no killing intent and was more like a warning. Or rather, a test.
He let go of his hand, leaned back in the chair, and touched the word 'scum' on the wine pot. Cold and uncomfortable, reminding him that he is still alive.
So you're here to inspect the goods? "He sneered." Let's see if I'm qualified. Can I be your wake-up switch
Almost. "Ji Xue shrugged," But don't be too proud. What I'm testing is not you, but the Guixu Treasure House
Oh? "Qin Zhao squinted his eyes," Do you know it
Nonsense. "She gave him a disdainful glance." Every time you plunder something, I sense it on my end. On the night of the deadly dagger, I woke up in the middle of the night and thought it was an earthquake. When you sealed the broken dagger inside, the birthmark on my right eye was as hot as a soldering iron
Qin Zhao was stunned for a moment.
He never thought about this. He always thought that the treasure trove was extremely secretive and unknown to anyone. But if Ji Xuezhen is related to the Valkyrie, and the Valkyrie has fought against Guixu before... then she can perceive fluctuations, which seems to make sense.
So you've been eyeing me for a long time? "He asked.
It started from the day you killed the gangsters, "Ji Xue nodded." It's just that you were too weak at that time, and the treasure trove was like a hungry and skinny dog. It was even difficult to chew on a rotten bone. I'm not in a hurry, I'll wait for you to grow up
Emotions are still a vegetable, can I pick them after they are cooked? "Qin Zhao sneered.
Yeah, "she nodded unexpectedly," and I have to cooperate with the performance, pretending to be a flower lover, pretending to be a girl, calling you a scumbag every day just to let you relax your guard and let me sneak a peek near the edge of your sea of knowledge
Qin Zhao stared at her for a while without saying a word.
He suddenly felt a bit absurd. He thought he was in control of the whole situation and had the ability to sweep through the cultivation world, but the girl around him who kept shouting 'scumbag, please treat me to candy' was the real mastermind behind the scenes?
Have you come to a conclusion now? "He asked," Am I qualified
Half done, "she repeated, standing up and tidying up her silver soft armor collar
Qin Zhao frowned and asked, "What do you mean
It means you haven't put it down yet, "Ji Xue looked down at him, her eyes suddenly serious for a moment." Guixu Treasure House is driven by 'Zhi Zhen', and Zhi Zhen must be the thing with the deepest obsession. What you are sealing now are all external objects - daggers, gold cards, spirit stones... But the true Zhi Zhen is human
She paused and tapped the crack in his left eyebrow bone with her fingertips.
For example, a smile. For example, a heartbeat. For example, someone you wouldn't admit to liking
Qin Zhao's pupils contracted.
How did she know he had sealed her smile?
That was the first time he had used an ability beyond the rules of the treasure trove - to seal emotions as a source of power. He thought no one would notice, but now it seems
Ji Xue smiled and turned around to leave.
Wait a minute, "Qin Zhao called out to her.
What's going on? "She turned around, and the shadow of the lamp fell on her face, half bright and half dark.
What if I'm not qualified? "He asked." What if you eventually realize that I'm not even the person you're looking for
Ji Xue remained silent for two seconds.
Then she walked back, leaned down close to his ear, and a warm breath brushed against his earlobe.
Then I'll beat you until you're qualified, "she said, standing up and smiling as she patted his shoulder." After all, my man deserves me
She turned around and went downstairs, her steps light and nimble, her lightning boots clattering.
Qin Zhao sat still, motionless.
He raised his hand and touched the crack on his left eyebrow bone. It was still slightly hot there, as if someone had scalded it with their fingertips.
He lowered his head and looked at the palm of his hand - the line Ji Xue had just drawn when she withdrew her hand, which was still there, shallow like a thin thread.
He suddenly laughed.
Laughing a bit astringent and also a bit tired.
"I'm the one who was caught?" He said to himself, twisting the wine pot and filling it again. "his mother was willing to bite the hook."
The waiter shouted downstairs, 'Sir, please take your time!'
Then came the sound of the door panel closing.
The wind blew in, and the two wine glasses on the table swayed. One of them rolled to the edge of the table and hung for half a second before falling.
Qin Zhao stared at the cup for a few seconds before suddenly reaching out to hold it down.
Then he took out a spirit stone and pressed it against the bottom of the cup.
The account has been settled, "he said.
He stood up, straightened his black golden robe, and gently swayed the nine jade plaques around his waist. The dark lines on the left wrist were slightly warm, and the treasure trove remained quiet as before, as if nothing had happened just now.
But he knows that something has happened.
He is no longer the only one in control of the situation.
He walked up the stairs with steady steps, but did not immediately descend.
He stopped at the corner of the second floor and turned around to take a look at the empty table.
The lamp shadows swayed, and the cups on the table remained untouched, as if Ji Xue was still sitting across from him, laughing and cursing him as a scumbag.
He withdrew his gaze and lifted his foot to walk down.
One step, two steps, three steps.
The sole of the boots stepped on the wooden steps, making a dull sound.
He walked out of the Drunken Cloud Residence, the night breeze blowing in his face, rolling up the corners of his robe.
The street corner ahead is sparsely lit, and the outline of the market in the distance is faintly visible. Vendors have already started setting up their stalls, preparing for morning trading. He knew he had to go there, grab a batch of spirit grass, and prepare for the next thing.
He took a step forward and unconsciously rubbed the word "slag" on the wine pot with his fingers.
The pot body is cold, but his heart is a bit hot.