The Aloof Leng Qingqiu Who Has Always Been Peeping at Gu Yan

Gu Yan's impassioned words struck deep into Leng Qingqiu's heart.

For a moment, she felt utterly moved.

What...? The reason Gu Yan had been working so hard... was all for me?

No wonder he’d been so busy before. So it was because of this...?

Leng Qingqiu’s heart ached as if cut by a knife. She hadn’t realized she’d put Gu Yan in such a difficult position.

She took a light breath, forcing herself to appear composed. "You don’t have to go this far. I... my sister isn’t the same person she used to be anymore."

That was right. In every sense, Leng Qingqiu knew she was no longer her former self.

Yet, hearing this, Gu Yan only grew more resolute. "No. To me, Qingqiu will always be that perfect woman."

"And I will make sure I become someone worthy of her."

"Sis, on this point, I absolutely won’t back down."

The more Leng Qingqiu listened, the more moved she became.

She sighed. "You... sigh..."

"Honestly, all you need to do is stay devoted to my sister and think only of her."

"Better yet, fill your mind with nothing but her—so much so that you can’t live without her."

[The other me... stop this...]

Gu Yan blinked in confusion but nodded obediently. "Okay."

"By the way, sis, why are you here?"

At his question, Leng Qingqiu chuckled lightly. "The Forbidden Land has emerged. Naturally, I’ll be going too."

"As for you... just stay close behind me."

"I’ll protect you."

Gu Yan waved a hand dismissively. "No need. I’ve got a bodyguard."

He glanced at Old Gao beside him.

Oddly enough, the man had been standing quietly the whole time, seemingly oblivious to their conversation.

"Old Gao?"

Gu Yan called out to him, but the man gave no response.

"Don’t bother. Only you can see me."

Leng Qingqiu curled her lips into a pleased smile. "The moment I approached you, your consciousness left the physical world and entered my domain."

"In other words, you’re speaking to me right now as a spiritual entity."

????????

Huh?

Gu Yan’s mind flooded with question marks.

First of all, this is a low-martial world. Second of all, this is a low-martial world. And third of all... this is a low-martial world... right?

Where did you even learn a move like this?

Wait, more importantly—can Leng Bingning do this too????

No, the original novel didn’t mention it. After all, Leng Bingning never got to show her full strength before Leng Qingqiu absorbed her as fuel.

"This..."

Just as Gu Yan was about to speak, Leng Qingqiu’s expression suddenly darkened. She frowned and muttered under her breath, "Tch... interrupting again..."

Then she turned back to Gu Yan. "Anyway, if you’re going to the Forbidden Land, as my sister’s lover, I’ll ensure your safety."

"Don’t misunderstand. I just don’t want my sister to grieve."

With that, her figure dissolved into mist before his eyes and vanished.

Gu Yan was stunned.

What... what kind of move was that???

The next second—

"Gu Yan, do you understand the general plan for the operation?"

Bai Jun’s voice came from beside him.

Gu Yan turned to see Bai Jun approaching with Lin Yinyin in tow.

He then glanced back at the spot where Leng Qingqiu had just been standing.

Finally, with a twitching eyebrow, he looked back at Bai Jun. "Ah, of course. To summarize in one sentence—be prepared to die for the nation, right?"

Internally, however, he was screaming in frustration.

What the hell?! Since when is Leng Qingqiu this strong? She can merge illusion and reality seamlessly now?!

At this rate, I’d believe she could rival the Night King!

Bai Jun frowned at Gu Yan’s oversimplification. "Don’t make it sound so dire."

"All four major factions are sending elite forces this time. The Peace Faction will have me and my master joining the expedition."

"There will certainly be risks, but it’s not quite a ‘die for the nation’ situation..."

Lin Yinyin nodded cheerfully. "That’s right, Little Gu! As your superior, I’ll protect you."

Little Gu?

That nickname was enough to spike his blood pressure.

Gu Yan gave her a strained smile. "Thanks, boss. By the way... where’s your lollipop? Did you finish it already?"

At the mention of it, Lin Yinyin pouted indignantly. "Bai Jun won’t let me eat them anymore. Says it ‘ruins the dignity of a grandmaster.’"

Gu Yan burst out laughing, then pulled out another lollipop and handed it to her. He turned to Bai Jun with a teasing grin. "Bai Jun, you’re being way too uptight."

"What’s wrong with a lollipop? Who dares say a word against our boss?"

He clenched his fist, putting on a fierce expression.

Bai Jun sighed in exasperation. "Gu Yan... it’s complicated. Never mind..."

He’d already tried hinting at the issue, but Gu Yan didn’t seem to grasp it.

In front of his master, he couldn’t outright say that the Peace Faction, from top to bottom, was dissatisfied with Lin Yinyin’s leadership and wanted a replacement.

Sometimes, he couldn’t understand it. At a time when unity should matter most, internal power struggles still took priority.

It was exhausting.

"Ehehe~ Little Gu, you’re the best! I’ll promote you to my deputy!"

Lin Yinyin happily licked her lollipop.

It was hard to believe... this little girl had lived for nearly a century.

"Oh? That generous?"

"Wait, does this count as bribing my way into the position with a lollipop?"

Gu Yan glanced between Lin Yinyin and Bai Jun.

The latter took a deep breath and said sternly, "Master, appointing a deputy requires extensive procedures. You can’t just promote someone on a whim."

"Besides, merit is required. Gu Yan hasn’t accumulated enough achievements. The higher-ups would never approve."

Lin Yinyin’s expression fell, as though the lollipop in her hand had suddenly grown heavy. She looked at Gu Yan with a conflicted, apologetic expression. "Um... I’ll put in a good word for you... to make you my deputy."

Bai Jun was at his limit. He shot Gu Yan a pleading look, silently begging him to drop the subject.

Gu Yan had only been joking, anyway. He wasn’t cut out to be a deputy. He crouched down and patted Lin Yinyin’s head gently. "Nah, I’ve known since I was a kid—I’m not deputy material. Don’t bother asking for me."

"Oh!"

Instantly, Lin Yinyin brightened up again. "Hehe, don’t worry, Little Gu! Even if you’re not officially my deputy, in my heart, you’re just as important as Bai Jun!"

"Is that so? Well, thanks for the vote of confidence, boss. You’d better protect me—ahem—us on this expedition, then."

Gu Yan had only meant to say "I," but suddenly, it felt as though someone had clenched their fist around his heart.

For some reason, he broke into a cold sweat again. "Wait... Leng Bingning, you’re still here?"

No way... Was Leng Bingning seriously planning to keep watching him like this?!!