The Guide Always Wants to Run (GL) - Chapter 39

“Left wing attack!”

“Fire the particle cannon now.”

“She’ll definitely use Aiwei’er’s right wing to block, aim for the left!” Qin Xiao nearly lunged for the control panel, itching to fire the cannon herself and blast that mech across the void.

Lady Luo’s expression darkened. “Shut up.”

Qin Xiao’s ship had taken a direct hit from Aiwei’er’s particle cannon and spun in place, its tail wing blasted off. The craft was wobbling on the edge of catastrophe. If it got any worse, they’d be forced to jump ship or flee via the escape pods.

But she knew Yan Ningjin’s relentless nature all too well. There was no way the woman would let them go so easily.

How did she even find us?

Lady Luo’s deep, piercing eyes scanned the cabin before settling on the now-muted Qin Xiao. “It was you. You left a signal trail for Yan Ningjin.”

Qin Xiao shoved Lady Luo aside from the console and launched the last particle cannon at Aiwei’er’s left wing. A direct hit. She spread her hands with a smirk. “See? I told you the left wing was the weak point. But no, you insisted on the right.”

After the hit, Aiwei’er ceased its attacks.

Suddenly, an unknown command flashed across Qin Xiao’s interface. Without hesitation, she accepted it. A video feed appeared, revealing Yan Ningjin’s ever-stoic, ascetic face.

Aiwei’er’s sweet, synthetic voice whined from the other end. “Which idiot dares to attack one of the Empire’s most intelligent mechs? Aiwei’er, no less…”

It babbled on until its lenses locked onto Qin Xiao. “Oh, Madam. I knew it had to be you.”

Yan Ningjin’s taut expression eased the moment she saw her little Guide. Then her gaze shifted behind Qin Xiao.

“So, this is your true face.”

She was speaking to Lady Luo.

Lady Luo gave a knowing smile. “Since you’ve caught up, what are you offering in exchange for your precious little Guide?”

Qin Xiao nearly fainted from rage. She thought she was shameless enough, but Lady Luo was in a league of her own. Bold as daylight robbery, robbing with empty hands. Unbelievable.

Yan Ningjin’s gaze remained fixed on Qin Xiao, especially that adorably furious face. “If you’re talking about betrothal gifts, I’ve already prepared them. But it must be her family who comes to receive them. Are you counted among them?”

Lady Luo let out a cold, dismissive chuckle. She wasn’t really considered part of Aya’s family, and she knew it. Still, she quickly recovered. “General, since you’re ready, come aboard. Let’s talk.”

Yan Ningjin agreed without hesitation.

Qin Xiao watched Lady Luo with narrowed eyes. The woman shrugged, helpless. “Aya, don’t glare at me like that. I’m not dumb enough to kill your ex-lover right now. As for the cooperation you just mentioned, I accept.”

Qin Xiao couldn’t tell whether to breathe a sigh of relief or stay mad.

When Yan Ningjin boarded the ship, both Amy and the sentinel who had previously held Qin Xiao captive grew visibly tense, as if they would frisk her before allowing her through. Lady Luo, on the other hand, appeared completely at ease. “I’ve long heard tales. Meeting you here was truly unexpected.”

Yan Ningjin instinctively moved to Qin Xiao’s side. Only when she confirmed that her Guide looked merely drained, not crippled like the rumors claimed, did she relax. “You surprised me, too.”

Tuan Tuan stared at the blue-patterned serpent nearby with feral menace, ready to lunge and shred it to pieces.

From the tension between the two Quantum beasts, Qin Xiao could sense the truth. These women were all smiles, but underneath, they were ready to kill each other.

Great. That leaves me stuck in the middle.

She owed Aya. That meant she would have to settle the debt, perhaps with Eva.

Grabbing Yan Ningjin’s hand, she made the introductions first. “Yan Yan, this is Lady Luo. She’s been planning to send me back to Capital Star.”

Lady Luo crossed her arms, watching Qin Xiao with a half-smile. “Is that so, Aya?”

Yan Ningjin held her Guide’s hand gently, wordlessly soothing her.

Lady Luo’s eyes narrowed at the intimacy between them. “Regardless, you left home for the General. You owe Eva an explanation. Until she gives her blessing and agreement, this engagement—”

If she didn’t know better, Qin Xiao might have been fooled by Lady Luo’s solemn face.

“I want to stay on Capital Star.”

Lady Luo’s face darkened. “Even if Eva fell ill because of you?”

Qin Xiao’s glare turned sharp.

Yan Ningjin interjected with surprising lightness. “Lady Luo is right, Xiao Xiao. I’d like to meet your mother. It’s only proper to give her an explanation for our engagement.”

Realizing Lady Luo would not back down, Qin Xiao gave in. “Fine. If she’s sick, I should at least go see her.”

Qin Xiao dragged Yan Ningjin into a room and quickly raised a small, tight Guide barrier that enclosed just the two of them.

“Yan Yan, why did you agree to go back with Lady Luo? It’s dangerous.”

Seeing her this anxious made Yan Ningjin feel warm inside. “You’re worried about me.”

Qin Xiao nodded without hesitation. “Of course. I don’t want you clashing with them. They’re… well—”

Truthfully, she didn’t know much about the organization. Aya was just a child, and Lady Luo had always kept them at arm’s length when handling business. Most of her memories were fragmented at best.

“You’re part of the organization.”

“…”

Qin Xiao didn’t want to shoulder that blame for Aya. But since she and Lady Luo had just agreed to a mutually beneficial deal, she hesitated, looking conflicted. “Yan Yan, will this affect our engagement?”

Yan Ningjin was thoroughly charmed by her pout. She suddenly pulled her into an embrace. “You should’ve told me sooner.”

Qin Xiao: …

She had honestly forgotten. If Lady Luo hadn’t barged back into her life, she might’ve left Eva and the rest far behind.

“I didn’t mean to hide it. But you, how did you even find me?”

If Yan Ningjin hadn’t come, she had planned to make her own escape. But now that she was deep in Lady Luo’s territory, she wasn’t sure the woman would honor her promises. After all, one Guide against a roomful of Sentinels… she wouldn’t stand a chance.

Yan Ningjin gently pinched her earlobe. “Xiao Xiao, did you forget? We already established a temporary bond. I can sense you. Including that moment you fought off multiple Sentinels at the last stop. Are you still in pain?”

Qin Xiao’s expression shifted. Her ear was burning. Maybe the stories were true. Once a bond formed, dependence followed.

Seeing Yan Ningjin made her want to pour her heart out.

Leaning lazily against her shoulder, she felt so at ease being wrapped up in those arms.

“It was awful. That feeling of my mental strength being completely drained terrified me. My mind blanked out. My body stopped obeying.”

Yan Ningjin soothed her gently, warm energy seeping into her. “But it worked. The chaos you caused made them lower their guard. That’s how Miss Mo was rescued.”

She’d already heard the details from Bai Xuan. Mo Hui had been sobbing ever since, barely able to give coherent answers during questioning.

“Still, Xiao Xiao, promise me. Don’t do anything that dangerous again. Just wait. I will always come for you.”

Qin Xiao gave a faint snort. As if I need saving.

Even if Yan Ningjin hadn’t come, she’d have escaped eventually. But… she had to admit, having someone come for her felt different. It wasn’t the same as fighting alone.

She pushed her away. “I need rest. Stay with me.”

Yan Ningjin was more than happy to.

They lay together on the small bed, limbs entwined. Yan Ningjin boldly wrapped an arm around Qin Xiao’s waist, her fingers roaming idly. She kissed the crown of her head.

Qin Xiao only squirmed twice before giving up. Whatever she was doing, it felt unexpectedly soothing.

Tuan Tuan, squatting by the bed, watched the two with growing discontent. He let out a disgruntled huff.

Qin Xiao pulled a little toy ball from her pocket and tossed it at him. The beast sprang into motion, snatching it mid-air, holding it atop his head like a precious treasure.

Yan Ningjin sensed his displeasure but kept gently massaging her Guide. “Rest. I’m here.”

After being hounded by Lady Luo’s blue-patterned snake for so many nights, Qin Xiao had barely slept. Now, with Yan Ningjin and the big golden beast beside her, she felt utterly safe. Before long, she had drifted off.

The journey didn’t take long. As Yan Ningjin had predicted, their final stop was Lion Star. Lady Luo had a base of operations there. Clearly, the gamble had paid off.

Once inside, Lady Luo led the pair straight to the hibernation pod.

Eva lay within, eyes closed, her face peaceful. She looked like she was merely asleep. Streams of silver liquid pulsed around her slowly.

“Every time Eva wakes up, she asks if you’ve come back. You should know, Aya is her everything. She gave birth for that child, and she would die for her.”

Qin Xiao didn’t know how to respond to that.

She was an orphan, raised by no one. She couldn’t fathom the weight of a mother’s love. But she understood one thing clearly. She owed a debt.

“When will she wake up?”

Yan Ningjin glanced at the time displayed on the hibernation pod. “At the earliest, she will wake tomorrow.”

Lady Luo led the two of them into the main hall. “There are things I shouldn’t be saying to you. But if I do not say them now, I may never get the chance.”

Qin Xiao noticed the faint unease in her expression and listened as Lady Luo continued in a solemn tone.

“Aya, you should know your own body. Every so often, the virus in your system will flare up and make life worse than death. In order to save you, Eva extracted a sample of it and injected it into her own body to conduct experiments. What you saw today is the result of what had to be done back then.”

Yan Ningjin’s hand tightened around Qin Xiao’s. “What virus?”

Qin Xiao knew the poison was incredibly potent. It would gradually corrode the neurons. Aya should have died from it. Yet she felt no symptoms now. Perhaps it had something to do with her cultivation being completely stripped.

“My mother injected the virus into herself? When did that happen?”

“Around two years ago.”

“There’s still time.”

“Not much. Eva’s Quantum beast has not appeared in a long time. You are awakened as a Guide now. You should understand what it means when a Guide’s Quantum beast disappears for such a long period.”

No wonder I never saw her Quantum beast before, Qin Xiao thought.

Yan Ningjin’s expression was grave. “What kind of poison could do that to a Guide? Something that makes life unbearable. I want answers.”

Much of what Lady Luo said was meant for Yan Ningjin. She understood that the woman before her was not the original Aya and would not care whether Eva lived or died. But if Yan Ningjin wanted their engagement to be recognized, she would have to do everything in her power to save Eva.

“It is a kind of poison that suppresses the potential for both Sentinels and Guides to awaken. I do not know much more. When I met Eva, she was carrying the tiny Aya in her arms, traveling far and wide in search of a cure that could suppress the deadly toxin.”

She fixed her gaze on Qin Xiao. “You were only three at the time, yet you looked no older than a one-year-old. Tiny and frail. Through all these years and across every star system, Eva never gave up. Everything she did was to save your life.”

“I understand.”

“Lady Luo, what exactly is this poison?”

Lady Luo glanced at Yan Ningjin. “If you wish to know more, General, you will have to ask Eva herself.”

After Lady Luo left, Qin Xiao found herself locked tightly in Yan Ningjin’s arms. She could even hear her grinding her teeth.

“Xiao Xiao, you’ve hidden too much from me.”

Qin Xiao squirmed. “I’ve hidden plenty from you. But is now really the time to throw a tantrum? Let go of me or take your giant golden beast and get out.”

Tuan Tuan, wrongfully implicated, said nothing.

Yan Ningjin loosened her hold, and the little Guide took the chance to slip away. She stood and asked, “Xiao Xiao, what Lady Luo just said, is it true? You were hurt, weren’t you?”

Qin Xiao turned back and pressed her finger to Yan Ningjin’s lips. “Hush. Be quiet.”

Tuan Tuan looked innocently at his slightly cranky master. He raised his big head and knocked the little toy ball off his head, nudging it around with his damp nose.

Qin Xiao was honestly frustrated. How could someone like her, with a wild and rogue awakening, possibly clear the toxin from Eva’s body? It had taken Eva more than a decade to fail at that.

“I am already fine. So focus your attention on Eva. Please.”

Yan Ningjin stepped in close and caged her in with her tall frame. “Are you really fine? Are you sure?”

Qin Xiao rolled her eyes. “Didn’t you hear what Lady Luo said? That poison can stop someone from ever awakening as a Guide or Sentinel. My Guide awakening happened because the toxin was cleared.”

Yan Ningjin wrapped her arms tightly around her. “Thank you, Mama Eva. Thank you for everything you did for her.”

Qin Xiao stomped on her foot, forcing her to release her grip. She glared fiercely. “Bold of you. Who said she was your mother? And stop talking. I want to check on my mother.”

Yan Ningjin hopped on one foot behind her. Tuan Tuan, thoroughly amused, nudged the little toy ball in glee. His amber eyes were too honest. Yan Ningjin mentally added a mark against him.

Qin Xiao stood by the hibernation pod, staring at Eva’s peaceful sleeping face, feeling a tangled mix of emotions. After a long pause, a quiet sigh slipped from her lips.

“You are not afraid of death, are you?”

After Eva woke up, her condition was visibly worse than the last time Qin Xiao saw her. Yet the moment she laid eyes on her, she refused to let go. Yan Ningjin had to glance over several times.

“Aya, Aya, my sweet Aya, you—” Eva cupped Qin Xiao’s delicate face and kept stroking it. Then she noticed the faint red mark on her earlobe.

“That is a temporary bond. How could you be so reckless?”

“I am sorry. I was the one who made the mark.” Yan Ningjin stood up abruptly and approached Eva. She stated the facts clearly.

“Aya and I are a perfect match. The situation was urgent. A temporary mark was the best option.”

With her years of experience as a medical Guide, Eva could immediately tell that Yan Ningjin was an exceptional Sentinel. But despite her normally gentle nature, her face turned cold.

“You took advantage of her vulnerability.”

Qin Xiao was never good with overly affectionate gestures. She moved Eva’s hands away. “Mom, Yan Yan didn’t take advantage of me. She saved my life.”

Eva looked unconvinced. “Aya, Lady Luo told me you left because of her.”

Strictly speaking, Lady Luo made up a story about her eloping for love. But she did go to Capital Star to find someone. It was just that meeting Yan Ningjin happened along the way.

“Mom, I… yes, I did go to find Yan Yan. I had something important to tell her. And then… everything spiraled out of control after I awakened as a Guide.”

Qin Xiao sighed. It was truly out of her hands.

Eva’s attitude toward Yan Ningjin did not soften. She dragged Qin Xiao to her room.

“Aya, be honest with me. When did you meet her? Was what Lady Luo said true?”

Qin Xiao hesitated only a moment. “Mom, after my escape pod crash-landed on that remote planet, it was Yan Yan who saved me. She didn’t even mind my… my ugly appearance. She brought me away. She took care of me.”

Eva immediately understood. Aya’s beast form was terrifying enough to scare children. Ever since an incident when she was young, she would hide every five years during the days when she transformed. And during that hijacking, it had happened to be the time of transformation.

“Not ugly. Never. You are always beautiful in my eyes.”

“…”

Qin Xiao struggled for words. “She fed me. Let me sleep in her bed. Took me with her. Treated my injuries…”

Eva gently stroked her daughter’s hair. “So our Aya likes her very much, doesn’t she?”

Qin Xiao gave a reluctant hum. The truth was, Yan Ningjin tied her up and tried to roast her over a fire. Later, she only gave her food because Qin Xiao pretended to work for it. Sleeping in the same bed happened because she sneakily stole the spot. No one would have let her otherwise.

Thinking about it, the emotional debt was painfully clear.

Eva sighed. “Why didn’t you tell me any of this after you came back?”

Back then, when she overheard they were planning to relocate to some distant mercury planet for over a decade, her only thought was to escape.

As for Yan Ningjin, well, she owed her energy crystals.

Qin Xiao fumbled for words. Her face turned red.

Eva saw it clearly and, as someone with experience, understood immediately.

“Aya, can you show me your Quantum beast?”

Qin Xiao looked puzzled. “Mom, what Lady Luo said, was it true? Did you really inject yourself with that poison for me? Is that why your mental cloud is so unstable?”

Eva carefully took the little ball from her hand. The creature stayed perfectly still, allowing Eva to stroke it as it played dead.

“Aya, this is your Quantum beast?”

Qin Xiao gave a small nod and pressed. “Mom, I’ve never seen your Quantum beast. Can I see it?”

Eva’s expression froze slightly. She stroked the little ball affectionately and then placed it back in Qin Xiao’s palm.

“Aya, your companion beast is your most precious partner. Never abandon it. Protect it well.”

Qin Xiao pinched the tiny orb between her fingers. It rolled in her palm a few times before leaping back into her pocket.

“I know. Yan Yan already told me how important Quantum beasts are. I will take good care of it. I will not let it be harmed. But Mom, I am not a child anymore. I opened a shop on Capital Star, helping Sentinels stabilize their berserk tendencies. I want to know what this toxin is that has haunted us for so many years. I want the power to end it, so it cannot harm anyone else.”

Eva looked at her daughter with awe and pride. She gently stroked her long dark hair.

“My Aya has truly grown up. That is wonderful.”

Qin Xiao grabbed her hand, overcome with emotion. “Mom, tell me everything. Please. I want to know.”