214 – Fetters
In Xue Qilin"s impression, since the Shadow Gate is a den of a.s.sa.s.sins, they should not be afraid of taking risks, doing whatever it takes to achieve their goals. However, this impression was now overthrown by Qi Qiqi.
“It"s hard to imagine…”
“Really, don"t interrupt me!”
Xue Qilin"s murmur prompted Qi Qiqi to roll her eyes.
With an “uh…”, Xue Qilin raised her hand like a child during cla.s.s, sour.
“Okay okay, go ahead.”
“Since they wanted to use minimum combat power to complete the task, they can only take risks. Because even if they failed or encountered any accidents, the Shadow Gate would lose a late-stage Heaven Realm master and an Earth Realm expert, who was in charge of the kidnapping, at most. This way, the sect"s vitality would not be sapped.”
With that, Qi Qiqi broke the chopsticks in her hand apart, probably to help Xue Qilin visualize things better.
Xue Qilin silently gazed at the broken chopsticks. Suddenly, she imagined Qi Qiqi break her apart, and she shuddered.
Qi Qiqi didn"t notice this and went on to say, “However, if they sent another Heaven Realm master, in case things went south, they might have lost two Heaven Realm masters. This kind of loss would be hard for even the Shadow Gate to stomach.”
At this time, Xue Qilin suddenly understood.
Since Gong Tianyang is the sole son of the Gong Clan and has been weak since he was little, the Gong Clan must be very strict when it comes to protecting him. On the contrary, Gong Tianqing, stayed in a small building in a corner of the Gong Clan like she was being raised in confinement. She didn"t even have a maid.
However, Gong Tianyang"s life is now tied to Gong Tianqing. After some processing, her blood can not only alleviate Gong Tianyang"s symptoms, but also has a therapeutic effect. It may even be able to cure his congenital debilitation.
If only limited combat power can be used —
“Then, did the Shadow Gate want to save the kingdom in a roundabout way [1]?”
“You hit the nail on the head!”
Qi Qiqi nodded heavily.
Then, she thought of something and cast Xue Qilin a suspicious look.
“Qilin, do you usually just pretend to be stupid?”
Abducting Gong Tianqing is equivalent to severing the possibility of Gong Tianyang"s complete recovery, to holding the Gong Clan"s lifeline. Gong Jing, who is already in an extremely high position, isn"t seeking power, status, or the like. But, despite how he has no aspirations, he cannot turn a blind eye to the fate of his clan.
As the saying goes, clan, country, world — first comes the clan, then the country, and lastly the world. The core of China"s nearly 5,000 years of civilization is ultimately the word “clan”.
For this reason, those born here can never escape the fetters of the “clan”. It is not only the people"s firm backing, but is also fetters they cannot break free from.
On the other hand, although the Shadow Gate"s actions by chance offended the Merak Temple — in fact, Xue Qilin has harbored animosity towards the Shadow Gate even before this. But, the Shadow Gate has been hated and ostracized in the Wulin to begin with. So, it"s not likely that they would be afraid of the Merak Temple.
Another point is that no one knows where the Shadow Gate"s base is located. They hide in the dark and engage in work that doesn"t see the light of day. Consequently, even if the Merak Temple wanted to fight them, they can"t.
“Ah, this is really…”
Finally, Xue Qilin didn"t know how to respond.
— it can only be said that the world is much more complicated than she imagined.
“Unfortunately, it"s Little Qing who"s in trouble…”
Xue Qilin sighed.
She reached out with her chopsticks to pick up some vegetables. But, the restlessness in her heart took away her appet.i.te and prompted her to retract the chopsticks.
“I didn"t expect the situation to be so complicated. No wonder Gong Tianyang didn"t let me get involved. He really appears to be afraid of involving us?”
This is how Xue Qilin interpreted Gong Tianyang"s intention of not letting her interfere.
But, aren"t they already involved? Since the Shadow Gate abducted Gong Tianqing, the Merak Temple was already dragged into this dispute, and gradually sank deeper.
Of course, if they severe all ties with Gong Tianqing, the Merak Temple can avoid being entrapped in this mire. But, putting aside Xue Qilin, Qi Qiqi cannot abandon the la.s.s that always cowers and helps others.
If it was not like this, she would not be Qi Qiqi.
Xue Qilin is convinced that this is the case. Qi Qiqi did indeed answer her expectations.
“No matter how complicated the situation is, the fact that Qing"er is my apprentice won"t change.”
As if making a declaration, Qi Qiqi spoke emotionally.
She certainly won"t give up on Little Qing. Xue Qilin feels the same. She has no doubts about this, for she has already made up her mind. She doesn"t want to lose anyone.
However —
“But, what should we do then? The imperial selection! We cannot foolishly stick our nose into it, right?”
Xue Qilin shrunk her shoulders, looking dispirited.
That"s right, the only thing that bothers her are the words imperial selection.
If she interferes too much, the Merak Temple will be in a precarious situation. The other side has the advantage in terms of status and position. Even if the Merak Temple denounces him for the abduction of Gong Tianqing, the other party can claim that he hasn"t done it, not to mention that Merak Temple has no proof. As a result they won"t have a leg to stand in the court of public opinion.
And even if the Merak Temple manages to save Gong Tianqing, the Second Prince can randomly accuse Gong Tianqing of a crime or something and frame the Merak Temple for rescuing a criminal.
However, what really constrains Xue Qilin is that since ancient times, the Wulin"s involvement in politics has been taboo. This is an unwritten rule. Moreover, the other party is a royal. She can"t just kill the Second Prince in public like she did before.
After all, she is not alone. There is the Merak Temple behind her.
She can ignore herself, but not the Merak Temple.
Perhaps the Merak Temple has become her fetters to some extent. However, she is being willingly fettered and has nothing to complain about.
Qi Qiqi, who should have understood Xue Qilin"s conundrum, tacitly agreed and showed an expression that is a mixture of unwillingness and disconsolation.
There"s nothing wrong with that.
As the Temple Master, she shoulders the heavy responsibility for the fate of the Merak Temple. She should be more conflicted than anyone else. Both the palm and the back of the hand are made of flesh [2]. With Qi Qiqi"s kindness, she cannot give up any side.
If only she had more power. Xue Qilin suddenly wished she could become extremely strong. If she had that kind of strength, she would not let Qi Qiqi feel sad again, she would be able to dispel all her worries.
However, this may be just an extravagant hope. After all, even is she were a Grandmaster, there are things that would still be beyond her control. Just like Beiming Youyu couldn"t make humans recognize martial demons.
s.h.i.t, the world is really harsh! Feeling gloomy, Xue Qilin doesn"t know what to say. Appearing to be in the same state, Qi Qiqi looked at her bowl of rice in a daze.
This silence should persist for a long time — if there were no accidents.
“– it"s unlike Young Teacher.”
All of a sudden, a voice came from outside.
It was Shui Yun"er"s voice. Xue Qilin and Qi Qiqi turn to look at the door practically at the same time.
Their gazes just fell on the door, when they saw Shui Yun"er push open the door and slowly step into the room. It seems that she is done visiting her old friend and came back.
“Little Yun, you"re back at last!” Xue Qilin smiled at Shui Yun"er, “Are you done visiting your friend?”
Without waiting for Shui Yun"er to speak, Qi Qiqi forcibly picked up her spirits and spoke in a grumbling tone, “Younger Sister Shui, we were going to wait for you to come back and eat together. Although this is a bit disagreeable. But, after waiting for a while… and Qilin said that she was hungry, so we started eating without you.
In full public view, Qi Qiqi lied without batting an eye. Xue Qilin never complained that she was hungry.
Xue Qilin made the bewildered “how could you do this?” face and wanted to protest, but then saw Qi Qiqi put the chopsticks she broke just a while ago into her sleeve, and then take out a pair of new chopsticks and place them on her bowl. Looking at the other party in bewilderment, she wonders whether there is a world hidden in the sleeves of the Merak Temple"s Temple Master.
Qi Qiqi shot her a glance, and then stood up and arranged tableware for Shui Yun"er, saying, “But it"s not too late. The food is still warm, so come eat.
With a light smile on her face, Shui Yun"er walked to a seat and sat down, and then received bowl and chopsticks from Qi Qiqi. But, she didn"t start eating. She just looked at Qi Qiqi and Xue Qilin with a smile on her face.
Puzzled, Xue Qilin and Qi Qiqi looked at each other. Finally, Xue Qilin asked in a loud voice.
“Little Yun, why aren"t you eating?”
“Young Teacher, if you could, would you like to beat the Second Prince up?”
Shui Yun"er suddenly asked this. As a result, Xue Qilin was taken aback for a while.
“Er… why do you suddenly ask me this.”
“I asked a question first.”
She wants Xue Qilin to answer her question first.
“This…” Xue Qilin wrinkled her nose, “If we"re talking about if I would like to, then of course I would! After all, he abducted Little Qing. I hate this sort of villain who only knows how to play dirty tricks the most!”
As she spoke, Xue Qilin ground her peart-white teeth in hatred. If it wasn"t for his ident.i.ty as the Second Prince, maybe Xue Qilin would have killed him already.
Shui Yun"er nodded her head and uttered “mhm mhm” while listening. When Xue Qilin"s words finally stopped, she looked at Xue Qilin with an encouraging color in her eyes.
“– then beat him up!”
Shui Yun"er said softly, as if talking about what to eat for breakfast tomorrow. Xue Qilin issued an “ah”, struck dumb.
Seeing the other party"s expression, Shui Yun"er covered her mouth and laughed into her sleeve.
“I have already taken care of the back end troubles.”
Shui Yun"er restrained her smile and stared Xue Qilin in the eyes with expectation and encouragement.
“So, Young Master, go back to yourself — go back to the you who stormed the Heavenly Sword Gate in a fit of rage?”
Go back to myself? When did I become unlike myself? Perhaps it is the case. Xue Qilin thought. After all, she has the fetters called “Merak Temple” placed on herself.
“Younger Sister Shui, what do you mean by taken care of the back end troubles?”
Instead of Xue Qilin, who is still in a daze, Qi Qiqi asked in an urgent voice.
Shui Yun"er slowly raised her right index finger, pressed it against her lips, closed one eye, and replied mischievously, “– it"s a secret.”
Xue Qilin and Qi Qiqi faced each other, not knowing how to react momentarily.
[1] – save the kingdom in a roundabout way — is a saying that means to do something in a roundabout way to reach the goal
[2] – both the palm and the back of the hand are made of flesh — this is a figurative way to say that both sides are equally important