The Guide Always Wants to Run (GL) - Chapter 40

Eva looked at Qin Xiao with a warm gaze as her fingers gently stroked her shoulder-length hair. “Aya, you look healthier than before. I feel so relieved. Has she been treating you well?”

Qin Xiao genuinely paused to consider whether Yan Ningjin had been good to her. To be honest, aside from the trial marriage, Yan Ningjin had been incredibly accommodating, indulging her every request. Yet she quickly brushed away the strange thoughts. “Mom, don’t change the subject. We were talking about you. Lady Luo already told us everything. Please, no more hiding.”

The smile slowly faded from Eva’s face, giving way to a trace of worried anger. She gripped Qin Xiao’s arm tightly. “Listen, Aya. This matter is extremely dangerous. You shouldn’t be involved.”

Qin Xiao studied her for a moment. “I thought I was already deeply involved.”

Eva froze, her expression faltering. “I just want you to be safe, Aya.”

Qin Xiao frowned slightly in frustration. “Mom, you need to understand something. Being safe isn’t just about staying away from danger or playing it safe. Sometimes, danger is right beside you even when you think you’re safe.”

Eva tightened her grip on her wrist. “Aya, did you find something out?”

Qin Xiao’s expression remained unchanged. She absently rubbed her two fingers together. “Lady Luo said when she first met you, you were traveling everywhere with me in your arms, seeking help without ever giving up. Now, for your sake, I don’t want to give up either.”

Under Qin Xiao’s persistent questioning, Eva finally let out a sigh. “Aya, this toxin is incredibly aggressive. It constantly erodes the mind cloud, making people feel muddled. At worst, it disrupts one’s very consciousness. It’s even more terrifying than mania. I often feel mentally drained. Sometimes my mind cloud goes out of control. I named this poison ‘Duannian.’”

To break one’s thoughts and destroy their life.

Qin Xiao thought the name was painfully fitting. For someone to poison her so soon after she was born, wasn’t that meant to ensure she would suffer for the rest of her life?

“Mom, you’ve studied this for so many years. Is there anything you can tell me about it?”

At this point, Eva no longer held back. She brought Qin Xiao into the potion lab and picked up a few vials of medication. “Aya, the poison Duannian has three stages. Back then I traveled far and wide to find suppressants. I documented all of them. If you want to see them, I’ll give them all to you once I’ve sorted them.”

Her words felt like a farewell. Qin Xiao’s eyes swept over her, one part at a time. “Mom, you’re already in the second stage.”

Eva’s hand trembled slightly. “Aya, don’t overthink. I’ll stay with you and make sure you live a happy life.”

Qin Xiao refused to be brushed off so easily. Since Eva wouldn’t tell her more, she pulled Yan Ningjin along to find Lady Luo.

Lady Luo was lounging in a striking long black robe, seated directly on the ground with one slender, pale leg stretched across the doorway. It was impossible to ignore.

“Lady Luo.”

“You’re getting bolder.” Lady Luo shot Qin Xiao a sharp look. Her eyes were a little red. She retracted her leg and gave a mocking smirk as Yan Ningjin quickly reached over and covered Qin Xiao’s eyes.

Qin Xiao had been ready to appreciate the view but immediately pulled Yan Ningjin’s hand away. Lady Luo had already stood up, and the brief flash of allure had vanished.

Lady Luo casually tossed something their way. Yan Ningjin caught it. It was a bottle of liquor.

“Ran into a wall?”

“Eva’s like that. She keeps everything bottled up.”

“So you understand.” Qin Xiao, or more accurately, Aya, knew the taste of despair too well. She had suffered it firsthand, though she was young then, without an awakened guide or sentinel. Eva’s condition was clearly different. “I asked her. She wouldn’t say. Just tell me how I can save Eva.”

Lady Luo looked at her in surprise. “You’ve experienced it yourself. You should know… it’s not easy.”

Yan Ningjin gave her little guide a concerned glance.

Qin Xiao hated this cryptic way of doing things. “I remember Mom used to go out with you often. She’d come back covered in wounds or clutching life-saving medicine. What were you doing then?”

Lady Luo chuckled softly. “Naturally, we were looking for medicine. For you.”

Qin Xiao’s eyes widened. “So you know how to treat the poison in my mom’s body?”

Lady Luo took a deep swig. “Only two people in this world might know. Eva was even willing to test poisons on herself. That tells you she never found a cure for you. If she had, she wouldn’t have risked herself. Don’t you think?”

Qin Xiao quickly asked, “Who are those two people?”

Lady Luo gave her a meaningful look. “You don’t know?”

Qin Xiao rolled her eyes. “If you have something to say, say it.”

Lady Luo smiled mysteriously and glanced at Yan Ningjin, who had remained silent until now.

“Just say it already. The whole reason you brought me back from Capital Star wasn’t just because Eva missed me, was it?”

Her eyes suddenly widened as realization struck. “It’s me, isn’t it?”

Yan Ningjin frowned. “Who was the one who poisoned Xiao Xiao in the first place?”

Lady Luo’s lips moved. “The person who can cure this poison… don’t you already know who it is?”

Qin Xiao was speechless, nearly choking on her own frustration. But then, seeing Lady Luo drowning her sorrows in drink, she felt a bit sorry for her. She crossed her legs and sat opposite her, resting her chin in her hands, eyes fixed intensely on her.

Lady Luo’s blue-patterned snake slithered nearby but was watched closely by Tuan Tuan, who stood guard.

The room was filled with an odd tension. After drinking for half an hour, Lady Luo finally said, “Aya, if you want to save Eva, it has to be you. The medicines she once searched for can temporarily suppress the toxin. But if you want a complete cure—”

Qin Xiao got the picture. She had stumbled into something huge. From Aya’s memories alone, she already knew this poison would not be easy to cure. Would she need to reach the Nascent Soul stage and trade all her cultivation to save Eva?

That would be such a loss!

Qin Xiao cursed the person who poisoned her over and over in her mind, wishing she could obliterate their entire ancestral line. She growled, “For now, we can only suppress the symptoms. Later, I’ll research this poison more deeply and try to find a permanent cure.”

She sorely missed her spatial pouch. If she had any of those high-grade pills or treasures from her past life, one might be enough to fix Eva. No need for all this headache.

Yan Ningjin sat beside her in quiet support. “Lady Luo wants us to join an adventure group and search for the ingredients Eva needs, doesn’t she?”

Lady Luo raised a brow. “You’re exaggerating. We never force anyone to join. Besides, as a general, joining us might not be appropriate.”

Qin Xiao grew impatient. “Just say what needs to be said. If I can do it, I will.”

Lady Luo straightened at her words. “Truly?”

Qin Xiao nodded. “Just tell me what I need to do.”

Lady Luo tossed her wine flask aside. “Most of the medicines Eva sought, I still have. Only a few are rare and expensive, but nearly impossible to find. You’ll need to visit other star systems. I can provide locations and information, but there is risk involved.”

Yan Ningjin didn’t hesitate. “I’ll go.”

Qin Xiao clicked her tongue subtly. “Lady Luo, anything else we need to watch out for?”

Lady Luo spread her hands. “I suggest forming a team of five to ten people. You can recruit freely or join another adventure group. Of course, you can refuse. You have time to consider.”

Qin Xiao didn’t need to think. She had been worrying about how to repay the karma tied to Aya. Now it had found her, and it wasn’t going to be easy. “So you can form your own adventure group.”

Yan Ningjin tried to persuade her. “Lady Luo just said it’s risky. Xiao Xiao, let me take some people to look for Eva’s medicine. Or we can search the black market. I’ll figure something out.”

Qin Xiao’s heart ached. “Let’s not talk about this now. First, we need to list all the toxins’ suppressants. Figure out which ones are common and which ones are on the black market.”

She said this through clenched teeth.

Yan Ningjin saw her furious expression and assumed her little guide was in pain. “Xiao Xiao, don’t worry. Eva will be fine.”

Qin Xiao cursed under her breath. “If I ever find that bastard who poisoned me, I’ll tear them into pieces.”

Yan Ningjin blinked. “Hmm?”

Qin Xiao pulled her to sit on the bed. “Yan Yan, time is tight. We need to come up with a plan tonight. Oh, by the way, is it okay for you to be away from the military?”

Yan Ningjin had already contacted Bai Xuan. Besides, she had to be here. “We’ll deal with Eva first. Everything else can wait. Bai Xuan is still at the military.”

Qin Xiao blurted out, “Is she… reliable?”

Yan Ningjin paused, then realized she was referring to Bai Xuan. “She acts flippant most of the time, but when it counts, she’s dependable.”

Qin Xiao still hadn’t forgiven her for scaring her last time, so she said nothing. After a moment of thought, she added, “Curing Mom’s poison will take a long time. This is just the beginning. If you’re too busy, it’s fine. I’ll team up with Lady Luo and search for the ingredients myself.”

Yan Ningjin’s face darkened. “Xiao Xiao!”

Qin Xiao flinched. “What is it?”

Yan Ningjin tried to calm herself, not wanting to frighten her little guide. She spoke gently. “Don’t ever say something like that again. Eva’s problem is my problem. This time and every time after, I won’t let you go into danger alone.”

Qin Xiao felt a pang of guilt, but she quickly buried it. “Alright, then let’s discuss forming the team. But you can’t stop me either. Didn’t you hear Lady Luo? I have to go.”

They talked for a long time and decided to choose a few experienced adventurers to join them. These adventurers not only had more experience but could also gain riches from the journey. A win-win.

The next day, they shared their plan with Lady Luo. She agreed immediately. “I can assign you three seasoned sentinels and one medic. If you feel that’s not enough, you can find more on the Star Network. As long as the bounty is good, many people will join.”

Qin Xiao had no idea this was even an option. Searching on the Star Network was left to Yan Ningjin, while she studied the notes from Eva.

Time flew. Seven days later, their group assembled on Lion Star. Thanks to her relentless efforts, Qin Xiao had memorized about a third of the medicine list. Thankfully, Amy was with them. She had assisted Eva for years and knew the herbs better than Qin Xiao ever could.

Yan Ningjin had recruited two more from the Star Network, a man and a woman who were both sentinels. The man specialized in mech repairs. The woman was very beautiful. The two had arrived together and looked like a couple.

The other three came from Lady Luo’s group, and Qin Xiao knew all of them.

There were eight of them in total, four men and four women, just enough to pair off into rooms.

“Lady Luo said Miss Yan will be in charge during this mission.” The members selected by Lady Luo were sensible. As soon as they boarded the ship, they handed authority to Yan Ningjin. To outsiders, she was now just Miss Yan.

The two new recruits also accepted Yan Ningjin’s leadership.

Both Qin Xiao and Yan Ningjin wore masks from the black market, altering their appearances into something more ordinary. Qin Xiao was still adjusting. Staring at Yan Ningjin’s unfamiliar face felt odd.

“Aya, don’t be reckless out there.”

“Auntie Amy, don’t worry. I won’t be naughty.”

Amy had already seen how mischievous Qin Xiao could be. She was curious about how well Qin Xiao had recovered. A regular guide would never dare launch a mental attack on multiple sentinels at once.

“Aya, how about studying the herbs we’ll be looking for tonight? A few of them grow in very different environments.”

Qin Xiao desperately needed a medic to guide her. At least she could ask questions. It was much better than relying on Yan Ningjin, who knew nothing. “Sure.”

Yan Ningjin watched as she and Amy left. She turned to the two newcomers. The woman was Su Shu, the man was Liu Jiang. They were a couple who loved adventuring and had passed her qualifications.

“Liu Jiang, our ship will make three hyperjumps and may pass through a large space-time tunnel. Check the ship’s energy supply and make sure all the rooms are properly equipped.”

“Got it. I’ll check now.”

“As for you, I made this clear already. Protect Amy. She is a guide and medic. If her strength runs low, you may have to carry her.”

“No problem.”

“Good.”

On this ship, sentinels partnered with sentinels. Only two guides were present, and they were Amy and Qin Xiao. They shared a room, much to Yan Ningjin’s dismay. She would rather tie Qin Xiao to her own bunk.

In the room, Amy frowned at the list. “We might need to enter the dense forest to find this one. When I went there with Eva years ago, we nearly died.”

Memories turned Amy pale.

Qin Xiao was unfazed. To her, this was like a treasure hunt. It reminded her of her previous life. Her eyes sparkled. “Where is this forest?”

The forest was located on a wood-elemental planet. It was home to man-eating beasts, poisons, and precious herbs needed for the suppressant.

Where there was great risk, there was great reward. Many adventurers flocked there, scooping up unknown treasures and selling them on the black market. Some sold for outrageous prices. Others were worthless.

Amy gave her a complicated look. “It’s a place you go once and never want to visit again.”

Qin Xiao blinked at her, then gave her a gentle hug. Sending a guide into such a brutal place was a crime. “Auntie Amy, thank you for coming with me. I’ll protect you.”

Amy sighed with mixed feelings. “It’s extremely dangerous. Not just for guides but even seasoned sentinels may not come back. So Aya, stay within our line of sight. Whatever happens, don’t wander off. Got it?”

Qin Xiao wore her most obedient expression, though she secretly thought, If so many adventurers go there, there must be treasure! And treasure means I can trade it for energy crystals.

She rubbed the little ball in her pocket. “Hey, Hunqiu, we need to seize this chance to hoard some loot.”

The puffball replied, “Squeak squeak.”