The Guide Always Wants to Run (GL) - Chapter 53

The moment Yan Ningjin returned to Capital Star, Bai Xuan, Feng Ming, and others were already waiting for her at the transfer platform. Judging by their hurried expressions, it was clear something important needed to be discussed.

Qin Xiao quickly called out, “Wait.”

Yan Ningjin turned, puzzled by her guide’s sudden interjection, and then belatedly realized, “Feng Ming, take two people with you and escort Xiao Xiao home.”

“Yes, General!” Feng Ming responded.

Qin Xiao rolled her eyes in secret. Turning to Bai Xuan, she began giving instructions. “Yan Yan sustained serious injuries earlier. You all need to take good care of her. Don’t dump everything on her. Particularly when it comes to mech battles and duels, do not allow her to enter the field. If she feels unwell at all, I will hold you personally responsible.”

Bai Xuan gave Yan Ningjin a strange look. Yan Ningjin stood motionless, her expression tight. Though she said nothing, Bai Xuan couldn’t help but catch a flicker of joy at the corners of her eyes.

Bai Xuan teased playfully, “Madam, what if the General doesn’t listen to our advice?”

Qin Xiao’s brows lifted slightly. “If she refuses to listen when it comes to resting, then come get me. I’ll talk to her myself.”

Yan Ningjin stared helplessly at her guide.

Bai Xuan immediately straightened. “Yes, Madam General.”

Qin Xiao disliked Bai Xuan’s mischievous expression but held back from saying more. She turned to Yan Ningjin. “I’m going to Aige Street. Come home early. Don’t stay out all night. Otherwise, I will come to the military headquarters and drag you back myself.”

Yan Ningjin nodded blankly. “Alright.”

Only then did Qin Xiao turn and leave. She had not intended for Feng Ming to follow her, but the memory of being kidnapped last time reminded her of her vulnerability. She said nothing.

Yan Ningjin watched her until the petite figure disappeared from view. Only then did she come back to her senses. “Let’s go.”

Bai Xuan stepped in close, giving her a once-over. “That trip of yours didn’t go smoothly, did it? Where did you get hurt?”

Yan Ningjin shot her a cold glance and walked on.

Bai Xuan called out several times from behind. “No, really, Boss. Madam spoke so seriously just now. Are you sure you’re fine? I still think we should get Madam back here—”

Yan Ningjin stopped abruptly and gave Bai Xuan a warning look. “I’m fine. Let’s get down to business.”

Bai Xuan had no choice but to begin reporting what she had prepared.

Meanwhile, Qin Xiao had walked quite a distance. She turned to Feng Ming. “You’ve been with Yan Yan for quite a while, haven’t you?”

Feng Ming was briefly caught off guard, then answered calmly. “Eight years, Madam.”

Eight years…

That wasn’t a short span.

Qin Xiao thought for a moment. “You’ve been at Yan Yan’s side for eight years. Then you must know her likes and dislikes.”

Feng Ming wasn’t sure she had heard right. “The General’s preferences?”

That was too broad. Qin Xiao herself had a range of hobbies such as playing the flute, treasure hunting, and stirring up trouble among so-called righteous sects. She mused aloud, “Is there anything Yan Yan particularly likes? Or a dream she hasn’t fulfilled yet? Anything at all.”

Feng Ming looked troubled. In her mind, Yan Ningjin was an indomitable warrior, someone who would bleed rather than shed tears. She had never seen the General display interest in anything. The most she could offer was, “Madam, would mechs count?”

Qin Xiao shook her head. “That doesn’t count. Yan Yan already has Aiwei’er.”

That endlessly chatty Aiwei’er was said to be one of the Empire’s top-tier intelligent mechs. Finding something better seemed impossible.

It was also uncertain whether Yan Yan would even want another one.

“Is there anything else she enjoys?”

“Well…” Feng Ming hesitated, then asked boldly, “Is Madam preparing a gift for the General?”

“Huh?” Qin Xiao looked a bit lost, then nodded with a frown. “I suppose so, but I truly do not know what she likes or might be missing. She seems to already have everything.”

Feng Ming understood immediately and smiled. “Actually, Madam doesn’t need to prepare any gift. You are already the best gift. What the General wants is… a home of her own.”

“A home?”

Qin Xiao thought she had misheard.

Feng Ming nodded, then hesitated as if worried that revealing this would get her into trouble. “Before Madam came, the General always stayed at headquarters. She used to stay at headquarters overnight. But ever since you arrived, she returns home on time every day.”

…

After sending Feng Ming off, Qin Xiao felt out of sorts. If it had been a physical gift such as a treasure or rare item, she would have found a way to get it for Yan Ningjin. But something as intangible as this?

How could she possibly give that?

“Qin Xiao, you’re back!”

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

While Qin Xiao was missing, Yu Jing had been holding down the fort at Cloud Pavilion. Unfortunately, being of the fish kind, she could neither see a Sentinel’s Quantum beast nor touch a Guide’s. The Sentinels and Guides who had come seeking healing soon left, leaving none behind.

Seeing this fish, no, Yu Jing, reminded Qin Xiao of the fierce adventurers from Beast Land, especially the mysterious shamanic beastfolk like Wu Yu. “Yu Jing, how much do you know about your planet’s adventurers?”

“Huh?”

“Don’t ‘huh’ me. I asked you a question. Are those beastfolk treasure hunters part of some kind of organized group?” Qin Xiao grabbed her by the collar, eyes blazing. “Tell me everything you know.”

Yu Jing was so startled by Qin Xiao’s fierce expression that she nearly fell over. She shook her head frantically. “I-I don’t know anything!”

Qin Xiao stared at her in silence.

Yu Jing shrank back like a scared kitten. “W-why are you asking all this? People said you were kidnapped.”

Qin Xiao rubbed her face, trying to clear her mind. “Oh, during the kidnapping, I ran into a bunch of your planet’s people. And they…”

She stopped. She couldn’t bring herself to reveal her treasure-robbing and killing spree. At the time, both she and Yan Yan had worn disguise masks. Those people probably wouldn’t recognize them.

Yu Jing was curious. “They what?”

“While I was gone, did anyone come looking for me?”

“Yes.”

Yu Jing pulled out a thick stack of visitor logs and handed it to her. “These people came for treatment to cure their mania, but since you were away so long, they eventually stopped coming.”

Qin Xiao flipped through the logs, eyes scanning rows of names. She felt like she had watched a mountain of energy crystals vanish before her eyes.

“There’s more.”

“Hm?”

“That Miss Mo Hui who was kidnapped with you has been stopping by every day to ask if you’ve returned.”

“Oh.”

Qin Xiao answered with indifference. She entered the house and found Cloud Pavilion exactly as she had left it. Not a thing had changed. Hunqiu had already leaped into the Guide’s rest room, dragging Dreambringer along into its joyful chaos.

Yu Jing watched the scene unfold. Her face was a picture of disbelief.

Qin Xiao saw her frozen expression and frowned. Is she stunned or terrified? She gave her a look. “You saw nothing. You’re just hallucinating.”

Yu Jing rubbed her eyes. The green flute was hopping like it had feet, bouncing around in glee. “I’m seeing things? Just a hallucination?”

These days, even jade flutes had gained sentience.

After sending Yu Jing away, Qin Xiao focused on Hunqiu and Dreambringer. Hunqiu was still its usual round self, looking like a ball. Its tiny paws, delicate and easy to miss, only appeared when it rolled toward Dreambringer.

Those little paws would extend from the orb only when needed, then vanish back inside.

Qin Xiao watched the two for several rounds. She waited for the right moment and caught the little creature, poking it in her palm. “You’re getting harder again. Hunqiu, let me see those tiny paws of yours.”

The puffball went limp and played dead.

Qin Xiao poked it again.

The puffball squeaked.

Qin Xiao said, “You can scream all you want. Even if you call for Tuan Tuan, he won’t come. Show me your paws.”

Dreambringer was still bouncing around like it was mocking the puffball.

The puffball let out a stream of squeaks.

Qin Xiao lost her patience. “If you don’t show them, I’ll have to get rough.”

The round creature rolled back and forth in her palm, then the center dipped inward. She heard faint squeaking, as if it had gathered all its strength to call out.

Soon, a tiny, reddish paw extended from its lower end.

Qin Xiao tickled it with a finger. The paw shrank back.

“There’s another one. Show me both.”

More faint squeaking. The orb trembled, then the surface indented again. The second delicate paw finally peeked out.

“Try standing.”

Squeak.

Qin Xiao helped it to stand, but the creature either had never practiced standing or simply didn’t know how. In seconds, both paws retracted.

The orb rolled about shamelessly, not at all embarrassed. It even seemed proud of itself.

Qin Xiao flipped it around in her palm. “Hunqiu, show me those paws again.”

No matter what she said, Hunqiu remained a ball. Those fleeting little paws were gone. Even chasing after Dreambringer failed to bring them out again.

Is it a nutrition issue?

Yes, that must be it.

Whether it was transforming or advancing, spiritual energy was essential. Qin Xiao leaned her head on her hand, watching the little ball chase Dreambringer’s tail. She was suddenly overcome by guilt, as if she were neglecting a baby beast.

If the little guy were still nestled in that energy-crystal-lined wall, it might have fully transformed by now.

On her way back, Feng Ming reappeared with two guards and waited outside the building.

“Madam, the General ordered us to escort you safely home.”

Qin Xiao blinked. Ever since learning from Feng Ming that Yan Ningjin wanted a home, that single word had stirred something deep in her.

“Where’s Yan Yan?”

Feng Ming replied truthfully, “The General said she had matters at headquarters. Once she’s done, she’ll return.”

Qin Xiao understood. She reined in her curiosity. “Alright, let’s go home.”

She now saw their shared space in a new light. On the way back, she asked openly, “You’ve been with Yan Yan eight years. Have you ever seen anything interesting happen around her? Or does she have a Guide she likes?”

When she first arrived at Capital Star, she had learned from the Star Network that Yan Ningjin was among the most desirable Sentinels. Every Guide dreamed of marrying her.

Feng Ming shrank a little. She felt that if she said the wrong thing, Bai Xuan and the others might use her head for target practice.

Qin Xiao waited, then turned around to find Feng Ming looking like she had surrendered.

“What is it? Not convenient to say? I can always ask someone else. The Star Network is full of stories about your General’s romantic escapades.”

“T-this…” Feng Ming looked miserable. “Madam, you’ve misunderstood the General.”

“Oh?” Qin Xiao kept her expression serious, though she was secretly enjoying herself. “I haven’t misunderstood her. She is, after all, one of the most sought-after Sentinels on Capital Star. The Guides at the Academy dream of marrying her. You’re saying she has no romantic affairs? I met her through the Star Network, you know.”

Feng Ming felt like her brain was short-circuiting under the barrage. She was desperate for help.

Qin Xiao had made up her mind to dig something out of her. “Tell me the truth. I promise I won’t tell anyone, but if you keep quiet, don’t blame me if your life becomes very difficult.”

Feng Ming stammered. “…Make my life difficult…”

Qin Xiao gave a mischievous laugh. She said, “I hold grudges. Even if it takes ten or twenty years, I never forget. So don’t test me.”

Feng Ming felt she had signed up for a thankless task.

Qin Xiao gave her a sidelong glance. “Still not talking? Do you think I can’t find out? Someone will eventually talk. If there is a trail, I will find it.”

Feng Ming clutched her face, silently begging every god and ancestor to protect her boss. “Madam, actually… actually the General is very disciplined. There was just one time—”

Feng Ming cautiously watched her expression.

Qin Xiao said, “Go on.”