The Guide Always Wants to Run (GL) - Chapter 60

Mmm…

Qin Xiao blinked, slipping into deep thought almost miraculously. Just as Yan Ningjin began to suspect that her little Guide had fallen asleep, she heard something that made her heart leap in joy.

“Actually… I kind of like you too.”

Qin Xiao began counting Yan Ningjin’s virtues on her fingers. “You’re not prejudiced against other species. You keep your promises and even risk your life to save others. Anyway, you’re easily one of the best people I’ve ever met…”

But also, one of the silliest.

If she had even a single bad intention, someone as straightforward as Yan Ningjin would have died at her hands by now.

The more Qin Xiao thought about it, the more convinced she became. She could not help reaching out to pat the other woman’s shoulder. “I’ll protect you.”

Yan Ningjin looked like she was torn between laughter and tears. She helplessly stared at her adorable little Guide’s cowlick and comforted herself internally. Xiao Xiao is still young. It’s okay if she doesn’t understand. I can teach her, little by little, until she figures it out.

They rested well through the night. The next morning, just after their first sip of nutrient paste, Bai Xuan burst in.

“General, something’s wrong. There’s a group of civilians surrounding the military headquarters.”

Qin Xiao and Yan Ningjin exchanged glances and followed Bai Xuan out. What they saw resembled the chaos at the Qin residence that had occurred before. Many people were carrying wooden boards, and if nothing else, those boards most likely held Sentinels in a manic state.

Yan Ningjin said quietly, “Disable the protective barrier.”

Bai Xuan obeyed immediately.

Soon, the sounds of shouting, crying, and arguing echoed from the distance, filling the air with rare and chaotic clamor.

Qin Xiao clicked her tongue twice. “Someone must be instigating them. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be so unified.”

It was as if this group believed that simply surrounding the headquarters would force the military to respond.

Yan Ningjin watched coldly for a while before suddenly turning around. “Xiao Xiao, you still have to treat at least eight patients today, right?”

Qin Xiao paused. “I think so. I’ll leave this to you. I need to get to work.”

Yan Ningjin immediately grabbed her arm. “Bai Xuan, pass down the order. No one in the military headquarters is allowed to leave without permission these next few days. As for the people outside, try persuading them to leave. If they refuse, ignore them. I want you to handle this personally. Only then can I rest assured.”

Bai Xuan looked startled. “General, aren’t you going to handle it yourself?”

Yan Ningjin’s reason was solid. “I need to protect Xiao Xiao.”

And with that, she left Bai Xuan stunned and speechless.

When the two arrived at the treatment room, they found Yu Jing slouched and listless, but no sign of Xia Han. Qin Xiao checked the time.

“Didn’t we agree on this time yesterday? Don’t tell me Xia Han doesn’t know.”

Yan Ningjin calmly dialed Bai Xuan, and a holographic projection appeared. When Bai Xuan was asked about Xia Han’s whereabouts, she looked equally puzzled.

“Please wait a moment, General. I’ll contact the Guide Academy.”

Situations like this had happened before. It was not uncommon for Guides to be temporarily transferred. However, due to their value, strict safety protocols and tedious documentation were usually required.

Fortunately, Bai Xuan was highly reliable. Within a few minutes, she managed to reach Xia Han herself.

“…Huh? Blocked outside?”

Qin Xiao and Yan Ningjin exchanged another glance. Qin Xiao quickly said, “Wait. If she’s already mixed in with that group, maybe we should just let her leave. I think my consciousness cloud has recovered well enough. If it’s only eight Sentinels, I should be able to manage.”

Yan Ningjin disagreed. “Your consciousness cloud is still unstable. It’s too risky.”

Everyone knew that if a Guide’s consciousness cloud collapsed, it would destroy them entirely. This was not a matter to be taken lightly.

Qin Xiao grabbed Yan Ningjin’s hand and used her mental tendrils to slip into her consciousness cloud, letting her experience it directly. Facing each other with Yu Jing watching, they started dual cultivation on the spot.

Moments later, they parted.

“Yan Yan, trust me. If it doesn’t work out, you can help me dual cultivate again tonight to restore it.”

“…Alright.”

Yan Ningjin had no way of refusing such a proposal. More importantly, Qin Xiao’s condition truly seemed much better than when they returned from the forest. Her energy and mental strength had clearly improved.

Yan Ningjin turned and quickly issued the necessary orders.

Meanwhile, Xia Han stood among the crowd outside the headquarters, speaking to the others with confidence, yet the moment she received Bai Xuan’s video call, her smile froze.

“Why?”

“Miss Xia Han, as you can see, many unidentified individuals have gathered outside the military headquarters. If we open the gates now, it could cause unnecessary chaos. More importantly, you are late.”

“I—” Xia Han had deliberately loitered outside, pretending to check on the Sentinels while spreading suggestive ideas. By the time she realized what was happening, the gates had already gone on lockdown.

“Deputy General Bai, you can’t shut me out just for being a few minutes late. That goes against our agreement.”

Bai Xuan responded with a sigh. “I regret it too, although this was the General’s decision. Once things settle down, I believe we’ll provide your Academy with a proper explanation.”

With that, she coldly ended the projection without a trace of sympathy.

When Yu Jing found herself alone with Qin Xiao, she could not help but whisper, “Qin Xiao, didn’t you say the person you’re looking for is Her Highness Yuzhu? Then how could you dual cultivate with the General?”

Her cheeks turned crimson at the mention of dual cultivation.

Qin Xiao looked at the little fish with confusion. “Why not? Dual cultivation is simply a mutual exchange of needs. Besides, Yan Yan and I agreed not to invade each other’s privacy.”

Yu Jing’s eyes widened. “That’s still not right. Dual cultivation is only for people who are emotionally connected. Only those who truly love each other can do it. Traditionally, they’re either Dao partners or lovers. You, you’re just using the General.”

Qin Xiao: ….

Yu Jing’s twisted logic left her completely speechless. She had to admit that when she first received the dual cultivation manual, it did state that dual cultivation required intimacy and mutual trust.

But Qin Xiao was not the type to admit fault so easily. She shot Yu Jing a fierce glare. “What does a little fish like you know? Dual cultivation is beyond your comprehension. Wait, how do you even know about it?”

Yu Jing jumped, clapping a hand over her mouth.

Qin Xiao narrowed her eyes and took a step forward. Yu Jing stepped back.

“You’re hiding this from the General while still looking for Her Highness. It’s not right. One day, it’ll all come crashing down.”

Qin Xiao replied with complete calm. “Relax. I can swim. If worst comes to worst, I still have you, little fish. This nonsense of yours must have come from that Auntie Kun’s secret stash of books, right?”

Yu Jing was so furious at Qin Xiao’s shamelessness that she could not even form a sentence. She thought to herself, if everything fell apart, she definitely, absolutely would not save someone this outrageous.

Qin Xiao rubbed her fingers together with a mischievous smile.

“You’ve piqued my interest in this Auntie Kun.”

Yu Jing’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Qin Xiao, what are you planning?”

Qin Xiao winked. “Less talking. Time to work.”

After treating the first and second patients, it was time for the third.

Qin Xiao tugged on Yu Jing, who was watering the little round ball. “Xiao Yu, have you noticed… this little ball seems to have grown bigger?”

Yu Jing rolled her eyes. “Hunqiu is your Quantum beast. You should be the one who knows whether it changed. These past two days, I only saw it when its whole body was on fire.”

The sightings were too rare to notice any differences.

Still skeptical, Qin Xiao leaned in close. Predictably, Yu Jing splashed water all over her face. Using her palm, Qin Xiao measured the size and gasped.

“It grew! The little guy is bigger!”

Yu Jing nearly dumped the water on the Sentinel lying on the bed, staring in disbelief.

“…It really did?”

Qin Xiao nodded excitedly. She used to be able to cup Hunqiu in one hand. Now, her palm only covered one side. She needed both hands to wrap around it. That definitely counted as bigger.

Hunqiu rolled around in her hands, squeaking happily.

Qin Xiao could not understand it. She still remembered thinking, Why do other people’s Quantum beasts look fierce and majestic while mine is a dough ball?

“Now that I think about it, Hunqiu also feels harder than before. Could it be about to break out of its shell?”

“Shell? Didn’t you say it was dough?” Yu Jing often heard her complain that Hunqiu was useless and squishy. Now it had a shell?

Qin Xiao had no way to explain it. She alone understood that the little thing should have a hard outer shell. On that abandoned planet, those icy creatures that attacked her had shells as sharp as blades. A single scrape could leave a deep gash. It had hurt.

Thanks to Hunqiu’s help, Yu Jing’s water control had also improved. Her endurance went from thirty minutes to nearly forty. As soon as her time ended, she collapsed on the ground, unwilling to move.

“Time sped up today.”

“…What?”

Yu Jing glanced at the time. “Hunqiu used to need a full hour to treat someone. Now it only takes forty minutes, and I’ve improved from thirty to forty minutes too.”

She had been lazy since arriving at Capital Star, yet with Hunqiu around, she had resumed her training.

Qin Xiao looked at the little guy twirling on the spot with boundless energy. These past days, she had occasionally poked it, and it no longer felt as soft as before. Now it was just the right temperature, and she could cradle it in her hands.

“Mmm, Hunqiu, move faster.”

Otherwise, just treating all the soldiers in Yan Ningjin’s military would take her three days.

I wonder how Her Highness Yuzhu is doing right now.

Ever since the first Sentinel, Guan Dong, was healed by Qin Xiao, everyone’s attention shifted from the Qin residence to Cloud Pavilion. Unfortunately, since that day, Qin Xiao had remained with the Xiao Corps and the clinic had stayed shut.

Public attention had shifted again and again. For the past few days, all eyes were on the Xiao Corps’ every move. The fact that a crowd of elderly, women, and children had gathered outside its gates, making a noisy scene, was seen by many as a deliberate provocation.

The noble families chose to watch in silence. On the first day, another eight Sentinels had reportedly been stabilized and restored to normal. When those families attempted to investigate further, they discovered that due to the blockade, the Xiao Corps had gone into lockdown. No one from inside the military compound was allowed to leave.

Some people were starting to grow anxious.

Yan Ningjin had planned to stay by Qin Xiao’s side, but one video call after another left her overwhelmed. Worse yet, the calls were transferred through Bai Xuan, making them impossible to decline.

Take the Head of the Feng Family, for instance.

“General, I’ll be direct. You have the formula. Name your price.”

“…”

Or the royal sovereign himself.

“General, I’ve heard that the little Guide you’ve taken as your partner is a remarkable healer, someone who once operated a clinic called Cloud Pavilion. Today is a lucky day. Since your engagement, I’ve yet to present you with a wedding gift. Why don’t you bring your little Guide to the palace today? We can sit down and celebrate properly.”

“…”

Even the Qin family’s patriarch called.

“General, I failed to raise my son well and embarrassed myself before you. To make amends, I’ve arranged a banquet in your honor. I hope you’ll accept my apology.”

“…”

Before Yan Ningjin could hang up, a deafening roar shook the sky. The thunderous sound outside the military headquarters was impossible to ignore.

“Apologies, military affairs have been demanding lately, and I truly don’t have the time. Thank you for your kindness. Xiao Xiao and I appreciate the thought.”

She ended the video call and strode outside.

“What’s going on?”

“General, the Third Corps is here.”

Yan Ningjin’s eyes narrowed. “The Third Corps came to us?”

A junior officer she had grabbed on the way nodded frantically. “They flew a ship overhead and dropped two particle bombs. The crowd outside scattered in fear.”

Yan Ningjin’s brows furrowed deeply as she marched toward the entrance. Along the way, she encountered Bai Xuan and Feng Ming, who were also rushing out.

Bai Xuan rubbed her forehead. “General, Fang Da Tou has lost his mind. He claims he’s helping us deal with the trouble.”

Yan Ningjin cursed under her breath. “That lunatic.”

Feng Ming explained honestly. “He heard that Madam can treat manic Sentinels. His younger brother also went mad due to faulty suppressants. Now he’s probably here to take Madam back to the Third Corps to treat him and the rest of their soldiers. General, do you think he’s planning to snatch her away?”

In recent years, the Third Corps had grown more bandit-like under Fang Da Tou’s leadership.

Fang Da Tou’s name suited him. His head was big and round, noticeable even from afar. His name had become infamous across the starfields.

Yan Ningjin’s glare was cold. “He wouldn’t dare.”

Feng Ming wisely fell silent.

Bai Xuan glanced outside. The two particle bombs had indeed worked. The crowd that had once clogged the gates was gone. “General, the method was extreme, but effective. The area’s been cleared.”

Yan Ningjin saw that the massive tree outside the gates had been blasted down. Her eye twitched. “Charge all damages to Fang Da Tou. Double the cost.”

Just as she finished speaking, the ship above activated its loudspeakers.

“Members of the Xiao Corps, do not be alarmed. I am Hong Xiu, representative of the Third Corps. As a gesture of goodwill, we have removed the people blocking your gates. We now request that General Yan Ningjin lift the lockdown and allow us to meet in good faith.”

Yan Ningjin: …

Bai Xuan: …”

Feng Ming: …

Bai Xuan muttered under her breath. “That bastard.”

Feng Ming added worriedly, “General, do you think this kind of announcement might stir the Emperor’s suspicions? After all—”

If Yan Ningjin had a particle cannon at hand, she might have blasted their ship out of the sky. Her face darkened. “The lockdown stays. Bai Xuan, go negotiate with Hong Xiu. Tell them that we are open to cooperation, but only if Fang Da Tou comes in person. If anyone else from the Third Corps shows up, they’ll be turned away.”

Bai Xuan hesitated. “General, since they’ve already made the first move, maybe we should sit down with everyone and talk things through.”

Yan Ningjin thought for a moment and immediately understood Bai Xuan’s angle. “That works. Saves me from answering all their calls one by one. I’ll leave this to you. I’m going to check on Xiao Xiao.”

Bai Xuan and Feng Ming exchanged helpless glances. This was the difference a Guide made. Their Sentinel leader was becoming increasingly good at disappearing when responsibilities piled up.

“Sigh. When will I ever have a sweet and pretty little Guide like that?”

Feng Ming, recalling the earlier complaints and angry calls, teased Bai Xuan.

“That Xia Han you worked so hard to bring in was cursing you just now. Want to hear it?”

Feng Ming pinched her throat and mimicked Xia Han’s voice with surprising accuracy.

“Advisor? What advisor? That Bai Xuan is absolutely hopeless. Someone like her can forget about ever marrying a Guide from the Academy. It’s outrageous. Unbearable! How could anyone so clueless leave me standing outside for two hours and ignore my calls—”

Bai Xuan stared at the ceiling and clenched her jaw. “That Guide is impossible.”

Feng Ming shook her head sympathetically. “Sis, I heard Xia Han has quite a bit of influence back at the Academy. If she slanders you in front of the other sweet little Guides, you really might never get matched. Maybe you should go apologize.”

Bai Xuan grabbed Feng Ming by the neck and dragged her forward. “Me? Apologize to her? Dream on. Let’s go.”

The moment Qin Xiao heard that everyone was gathering, her eyes lit up. She almost blurted out her terms for negotiation.

Yan Ningjin reached out to gently smooth her hair, the loose strands brushing her shoulders.

“Xiao Xiao, I’ll make sure you get plenty of energy crystals. While I’m away, I’ll have Feng Ming look after you. If you need anything, just ask her.”

Qin Xiao beamed with satisfaction. After Yan Ningjin left, she suddenly smacked her forehead.

“Ah, I forgot to tell Yan Yan.”

Her Quantum beast seemed to be evolving.

Qin Xiao threw herself back into her work. Once the eight originally scheduled Sentinels had been treated, she checked the time. There was still half a day left.

“Hunqiu, do you want to keep going?”

The round beast, whose surface was slowly hardening, let out a string of agonized, incomprehensible cries of Jiri guru %#$@!

Qin Xiao had no idea what it was trying to say, but she had seen this behavior before.

Like that time she tried to examine Hunqiu’s little paws. The round thing had puffed up, heaving with effort, and finally extended one tiny paw. Then, after another long struggle, the second one appeared.

Qin Xiao leaned in nervously. “Is it growing paws?”

She even rubbed its smooth surface with her fingers. It did not feel like before. The outer layer was no longer indented. Instead, it radiated warmth like a pocket heater.

She waited patiently. After a while, she heard a soft pop.

A tender little paw finally poked out as if it had overcome countless hardships. It nestled into her palm, delicate and small.

Except… Qin Xiao stared at it for a long time.

It looked like a chicken claw.

Hunqiu was still babbling nonsense, completely unaware that its owner’s mood was swinging between excitement and despair.

It balanced for a moment in a pose like a golden rooster standing on one leg. Then it stumbled and rolled.

Ball-side down. One chicken claw poked up toward the sky. It even trembled a little.

“Squeak.”

Qin Xiao could not bear to look. She covered her face. Hunqiu kept rolling around but could not get upright. It flailed like an overturned turtle.

“Hunqiu, where’s your other paw?”

“Squeak.”

So weak.

Qin Xiao sighed. “You used to be perfectly round. I never knew where your head or your feet were. But now that you’ve grown a single claw… it must be tough balancing like this. Why not just stay that way?”

“Squeak squeak.”

Hunqiu rolled around in protest.

Qin Xiao poked the quivering little claw with her finger. “It’s still early. Should we keep healing people?”

Hunqiu suddenly paused. “Squeak squeak.”

Qin Xiao stepped outside and called out to Feng Ming. “How many more soldiers here went manic from failed suppressants?”

Feng Ming paused before answering. “Eight more.”

Qin Xiao instinctively patted the pouch where Hunqiu was tucked. “There’s still time. Bring them in, one by one. I’ll treat as many as I can.”

Yu Jing, who could not see Hunqiu at the moment, still asked, “Did Hunqiu grow paws? But it’s a round ball. How does it have claws?”

Qin Xiao: …

If only she knew.

“You’ll see when it’s time to extinguish the fire.”

But that form… was hard to look at.

Qin Xiao no longer held out hope for Hunqiu’s appearance. Her own beast form was already hideous. Her Quantum beast’s appearance… was clearly following suit.

She felt a deep sense of injustice.

Still, Hunqiu performed impressively. All eight remaining patients were treated in one go.

The three of them collapsed to the ground, too tired to move. Yu Jing sprawled flat like a boneless jellyfish, waving her hand at Hunqiu.

“How can something be this cute? Hunqiu, come here. Let me pet you.”

A chicken claw. Topped with a ball.

Qin Xiao could not understand what was wrong with this fish’s sense of aesthetics. She nudged Yu Jing with her foot.

“Are you going back today? Why not stay here? Bai Xuan is staying in the compound these days, too.”

At the mention of Bai Xuan, Yu Jing sprang up like a rocket. “No, I’m leaving.”

Qin Xiao called out after her and quickly followed. She gave Feng Ming a quiet order.

“I don’t feel good about letting her go alone. It’s already dark. Feng Ming, can you walk her home for me?”

Feng Ming hesitated. “What about you, Madam?”

Hunqiu had done all the real work. Qin Xiao had only guided and assisted with mental cues. Even after treating sixteen people, she still felt fine.

“I’ll be okay. I’ll go find Yan Yan myself.”

“Understood, Madam.”

Yu Jing knew that Feng Ming worked closely with Bai Xuan. She wanted to ask something but could not find the courage.

All the way home, she wrestled with herself. What if that person noticed? What if she was wrong? What if it changed everything?

She arrived without saying a word.

Feng Ming dropped her off at her rented apartment. “Miss Yu Jing, see you tomorrow.”

Yu Jing nodded distractedly. “Thank you for walking me back. See you tomorrow.”

As she watched Feng Ming leave, she let out a long sigh.

She really was a coward. She could not even manage a single question. It was infuriating.

Next time… maybe next time.

She reached to place her hand on the door’s scanner.

Suddenly, a tap landed on her shoulder.

Yu Jing turned without thinking and found a necklace dangling before her eyes.

The swaying chain glinted softly. A round bead at its center spun hypnotically before her gaze.

Without realizing it, Yu Jing’s eyes began to follow the bead as it turned… and turned…