The Guide Always Wants to Run (GL) - Chapter 61

Yu Jing’s beautiful fish-like eyes kept darting back and forth, following the motion of the orb inside that necklace. It only took a moment before she began to feel dizzy. Through the swinging pendant, she saw the person approaching. It was Xia Han, whom she had met a few times. Two others followed behind her, glancing around anxiously as they moved, clearly up to no good.

Still, this kind of mild dizziness was nothing for a fish who constantly dreamed of leaping through the dragon gate. It was child’s play.

Her gaze was fixed on a single point. For a moment, she seemed to lose herself.

What are these weirdos trying to do? Is everyone at the Guide Academy this nuts? Should I pretend to be someone else?

Xia Han had always been successful in delivering subconscious suggestions. The key was the necklace, now swaying in front of Yu Jing. She had won it as the top prize in a competition at the Guide Academy. It was said to be a relic from a famous hypnotist on ancient Earth. According to old records, some psychologists on Earth had indeed used similar tools to hypnotize others. Once in Xia Han’s possession, she began combining her Guide’s suggestion abilities with it, achieving twice the result with half the effort. Since then, the necklace had never left her.

“Xia Han, does this girl really know how that wild brat pulled it off?”

“She is the only one who stayed by the Madam General’s side the entire time.” Not even the General had witnessed the entire event from start to finish. That was why Xia Han believed that if anyone in the world knew how Qin Xiao had healed the berserk Sentinel, it had to be this ordinary-looking girl before her.

“That’s true. She’s always been at the Cloud Pavilion. That first successful treatment happened there, too.”

Yu Jing was speechless.

So these lunatics are after Qin Xiao.

Xia Han stepped closer. “Yu Jing, recall everything that happened in the military treatment room. Tell me, step by step.”

Yu Jing’s once-pretty fish-like eyes now looked utterly lifeless. She kept repeating to herself, Where am I? Why am I talking to these lunatics… A moment later, she asked in a low, dazed voice, “Who are you?”

Everyone froze in awkward silence.

Yu Jing was racking her brain, trying to find a way to deal with these three. If only Guides weren’t so rare… she would have waved them off already and told them to crawl back to wherever they came from.

But that brat’s method for healing Sentinels was completely unreplicable. Who else had a Quantum beast entirely cloaked in fire, and even under a steady stream of water, managed to stay perfectly still, its flames not even flickering?

Yu Jing was deeply conflicted.

Urged on by the other two, Xia Han finally said something that made Yu Jing’s soul want to escape her body. “I’m your sister. Your brother-in-law is a Sentinel. He used the latest suppressant on himself and went berserk. If he doesn’t get help soon, he’ll die. Do you know how to save him?”

Yu Jing responded, “Find Qin Xiao. Only Qin Xiao can save him.”

Xia Han leaned in, coaxing her, “I need to save him. Do you know what to use? Or during the process, is there anything important that I should know? Maybe fire? Think carefully and tell me.”

Yu Jing fell silent. She really didn’t want to hurt anyone. If fire was misused to treat someone’s damaged mental strength, it might burn them or kill them outright. That was a life at stake.

Yu Jing repeated firmly, “Find Qin Xiao. Only Qin Xiao can save him.”

Silence.

“Is that all she can say?”

“Could her mind be messed up?”

“No way…”

Even Xia Han was unsure now. Giving suggestions to ordinary people and to Sentinels was a whole different story. Sentinels had mental strength several times greater than that of regular folks. Yu Jing’s reaction had her feeling uneasy.

“Tell me what happened in the military treatment room.”

Yu Jing replied once more, “Find Qin Xiao. Only Qin Xiao can save him.”

“Did she use fire? Why was there a scorched area in the treatment room? What exactly did she use?”

Yu Jing remained unmoved. “Find Qin Xiao. Only Qin Xiao can save him.”

Yu Jing had made up her mind. She would stick to that sentence. These lunatics wouldn’t stick around all night.

Sure enough, Xia Han asked all sorts of questions. But Yu Jing, with the stubborn obsession of a fangirl, kept repeating the same line. If there’s a problem, find Qin Xiao.

Xia Han was so frustrated she nearly coughed up bl00d. The three exchanged helpless glances.

One of them whispered, “Maybe her mental strength really is scrambled. She might not recover even after waking up. Xia Han, let’s just leave.”

Xia Han looked close to tears. She had waited half the night just to get close to the girl, hoping to finally learn the method to heal berserk Sentinels. Instead, all she heard was that exact repeated phrase.

“What’s so great about Qin Xiao anyway?”

Yu Jing blinked. “Better than you.”

Silence.

The three suddenly looked hopeful, thinking there was still a chance. Even when they tried again, Yu Jing returned to her original line. If there’s a problem, find Qin Xiao.

…

After watching the trio leave, Yu Jing’s lifeless fish-like eyes slowly turned back to normal. She murmured to herself, “Idiots.”

Ever since Qin Xiao had accidentally placed her under a subconscious suggestion, she had learned to guard herself. It had worked wonders. Trying to hypnotize her again? Forget it.

Qin Xiao had stayed behind in the treatment room, playing with Hunqiu.

Ever since the little ball had finally grown a small paw, it no longer enjoyed rolling around as much. It preferred walking instead, though its body was too large and its paw too small. Halfway through walking, it would stumble and roll anyway.

Qin Xiao burst into loud laughter every time, which made the little ball squeal angrily.

“Xiao Xiao.”

“Hm? Done talking?”

Yan Ningjin saw her sitting on the ground and quickly pulled her up, brushing the dust off her pants. “I heard from Bai Xuan that you healed the rest of the Sentinels today.”

Qin Xiao didn’t dare take credit. She pointed to the little ball, which was still doing a one-legged pose. “It was little Hunqiu.”

Yan Ningjin’s eyes flickered with surprise. “That—”

The little ball was still playing its handstand game, paws pointed at the sky, completely unable to flip over.

Qin Xiao covered her face. “It just grew one paw. The other one might take a few more days.”

She had a feeling that the paw-growing thing was related to the recent Sentinel breakdowns, but she had not yet figured out how.

Yan Ningjin was so shocked she couldn’t speak. Even Tuan Tuan, sitting quietly by her ankle, looked stunned. The expressions of human and beast were perfectly synchronized.

“That’s… a paw?”

Qin Xiao quickly righted the little ball. “Looks more normal now, right?”

As it flipped over, the paw twitched like a little flag, quivering now and then as if afraid no one would notice it was real.

Tuan Tuan rubbed anxiously against Qin Xiao’s leg. His once-lustrous golden fur had thinned noticeably after losing so much to Hunqiu. The majestic lion-tiger beast now looked a little… scruffy.

These days, Yan Ningjin wouldn’t let Tuan Tuan play with Hunqiu anymore. His fur was already thin. If it all burned off from Hunqiu’s heat, he’d be a walking joke.

Qin Xiao crouched down to hug Tuan Tuan and rubbed her face against his. She even cupped his big head and gave him a kiss to comfort him.

Yan Ningjin glanced around, her ears turning a light red.

Qin Xiao looked up and narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Why is your face so red?”

Yan Ningjin turned her face away. “His Majesty has promised that if we resolve the suppressant crisis on Capital Star, he’ll reward you with a small planet.”

“Really!”

Qin Xiao jumped up in excitement. She had been dreaming about owning a planet but never found a way to get one. It was said that buying a planet cost an astronomical number of credit points. All the ones she earned from running Cloud Pavilion barely covered rent to Yan Ningjin.

“Will the planet have energy crystals?”

Yan Ningjin hesitated. “Xiao Xiao, that depends on luck.”

Qin Xiao had always relied on luck. When it came to treasure hunting, her luck was unbeatable. That was how she got the nickname Golden Bracelet. “I have great luck. Can I choose the planet myself?”

Yan Ningjin gently patted her head. “Probably not.”

Qin Xiao slumped, disappointed. Then Yan Ningjin leaned close and whispered, “But you can ask around ahead of time.”

Is that even allowed?

Still, Qin Xiao didn’t quite understand why the royal family would offer her an entire planet. “Yan Yan, didn’t you say your rewards were for military merit? Isn’t this a bit over the top?”

Yan Ningjin held her hand and guided her out of the room. “You probably don’t realize how critical suppressants are for Sentinels. A failure in the supply caused many to go berserk. What appears to be a minor incident may have serious implications. For the royal family, the noble families, and the military, if this issue isn’t contained quickly, it could trigger a major upheaval.”

Instability would be fatal to Capital Star.

For years, the military, the noble houses, and the royal family had maintained a delicate balance among themselves. If the Qin family, long known for making suppressants, were replaced, that balance might collapse.

Everyone present today understood that clearly. So when His Majesty granted such an extravagant reward, no one objected.

Qin Xiao’s head was spinning. “So fixing this mess is as valuable as earning military honors?”

Yan Ningjin chuckled. “You could say that.”

Qin Xiao pouted, not too impressed. She didn’t care about these people. All she wanted was for Hunqiu to get fully fed, and her cultivation to break through to the next stage. Still thinking about the royal family, she sneaked a look at Yan Ningjin and asked deliberately, “So where are we going next to treat Sentinels?”

Yan Ningjin paused. “We rest tonight. Tomorrow, we head to the royal palace.”

Qin Xiao’s apricot eyes sparkled, but she tried not to look too happy. “Oh.”

The night passed quietly.

She was about to meet Ah Qin.

After a good night’s rest, Qin Xiao stood in front of the mirror, fussing over herself. She tried to make herself look more refreshed. The face in the mirror still looked unfamiliar to her. She had not quite gotten used to it, though thanks to the nourishment from the energy crystal, her once-withered complexion now looked rosy. She no longer looked like the malnourished, scrappy girl she used to be.

“Xiao Xiao, your hair has grown.”

Yan Ningjin suddenly stepped close and brushed a hand through her hair. As her hair fell back into place, it made her face appear even smaller. Her round apricot eyes looked wide and bright, adding an unexpected touch of cuteness. “If you grow it out a little longer, it would probably look really good.”

Qin Xiao didn’t care much about that. Short or long, either style suited her. Through the mirror, she could see Yan Ningjin’s focused expression and felt a sudden pang of guilt. Why exactly, she didn’t know.

Yan Ningjin and her team piloted a small shuttle that arrived early at the royal family’s landing zone. A team was already waiting. As soon as they spotted Yan Ningjin, they came forward.

“General. Madam. His Majesty has instructed us to escort you to the side hall for some rest.”

This was not Qin Xiao’s first time visiting the royal palace. She had come once before with Madam Qin, though at the time she had been focused on acting the weak, pitiful type and had paid little attention to her surroundings. Now she finally had the chance to truly observe the royal grounds.

Yan Ningjin, like a large wolfhound, kept a close eye on her petite Guide. When she noticed where her gaze landed, she followed instinctively. “Xiao Xiao, what are you looking at?”

Qin Xiao blinked. “Just looking around.”

She was only curious about the place Ah Qin had grown up. The royal palace was grand and expansive. Ah Qin had been the only princess. No, wait. That child from before seemed to also be part of the royal bloodline. “Yan Yan.”

“Hm?”

Qin Xiao stole a glance at the people walking ahead. She erected a temporary Guide shield between the two of them and whispered, “Wasn’t there news on the Star Network about a new little prince joining the royal family? Is he His Majesty’s illegitimate child?”

Yan Ningjin quickly covered her mouth. “Xiao Xiao, be careful. Words can get you into trouble.”

Qin Xiao’s cheeks puffed up like a pufferfish. Her curiosity was impossible to hide. She stood on tiptoe to whisper in Yan Ningjin’s ear, arms resting naturally on her shoulders. The gesture was intimate.

“Come on. I’m curious. Tell me.”

If the child was of noble birth, then wouldn’t Princess Yuzhu have to yield her place as heir?

Yan Ningjin couldn’t resist her Guide’s persistent curiosity, especially seeing her struggle to balance on her toes. She simply wrapped an arm around her waist and lifted her slightly off the ground. “When did you become so interested in royal affairs?”

Qin Xiao blinked, feigning innocence. “Because it has something to do with me.”

She had ties to that little puffball, to Yuzhu, and to Aya. The time she was hijacked aboard that spaceship had been linked to that boy. She had stumbled into Aya’s body by accident…

It was a tangled mess.

Yan Ningjin recalled the scene from when they first met and remembered how Lady Luo had tried to use the little prince as a bargaining chip. It really was all connected to Qin Xiao. “The royal family has announced that the boy is the son of the late Empress’s sister. Her family perished during a pirate attack. The child was taken in to prevent him from becoming an orphan.”

Qin Xiao immediately caught the shift in Yan Ningjin’s tone. “So someone’s lying.”

Yan Ningjin glanced at the steward guiding them and at Feng Ming, who was trailing at a polite distance.

They had wanted to speak in private, but when they suddenly stopped walking, everyone else thought something serious had happened. Turning back, they saw the two of them in an affectionate embrace. It was a public display of affection that made everyone choke on their own breath.

Yan Ningjin averted her eyes uncomfortably. “Let’s talk about this later.”

Qin Xiao remembered the reason she had come and resumed walking as if nothing had happened. Still, her heart thudded wildly in her chest. She wanted to run away.

The rest of the way was uneventful.

They rested briefly in the side hall, about fifteen minutes, before the Emperor and Empress personally arrived to receive them.

Qin Xiao had met the Emperor before, but this was her first time seeing the Empress. Her features resembled Princess Yuzhu’s so closely that no one would doubt they were mother and daughter, though the Empress looked tired. Her eyes were rimmed red, and dark shadows marked the skin beneath them.

“We meet again, little Guide.”

“Your Majesty. Your Highness.”

“Your Majesty, make sure all heads are counted. Let’s move quickly,” Yan Ningjin said, as decisive as ever.

The Emperor blinked in surprise and replied with several hurried nods.

The Empress, however, looked concerned. “General, I heard that after healing, the Sentinels remain red-faced for several days. Our Yuzhu cares a great deal about her looks. Is there another method we could try?”

Qin Xiao: …

Had the Empress not brought it up, she might have forgotten. The redness on those Sentinels’ faces was likely a side effect from being exposed to Hunqiu’s fire. As for it lasting three to five days, that part seemed exaggerated. So far, it had never taken more than three.

Yan Ningjin glanced at her. Qin Xiao shook her head.

“Your Highness, there is no other method.”

“Ah, but what about her face? Who would want to marry her if it’s ruined?” The Empress clutched her chest, looking utterly distressed.

Qin Xiao barely concealed a frown.

The Emperor’s face darkened. “Her face is important, but Yuzhu is a Sentinel. She has a far greater duty. Even if her face is scarred, she is still the Empire’s princess.”

The Empress looked even more heartbroken after hearing that.

The Emperor tried to comfort her, but the scene left Qin Xiao, Yan Ningjin, and Feng Ming in an awkward silence.

Qin Xiao glanced at Yan Ningjin and thought, If Yan Ningjin ever had to take a suppressant, she definitely wouldn’t care about her face. As for Yuzhu…

Something felt off.

She couldn’t quite say what, but she felt uneasy. Still, she cleared her throat and said, “Your Majesty, let’s head to the treatment room first.”

The Empress immediately wiped away her tears and followed after the Emperor.

Inside the treatment room, the palace doctors were already in position. As soon as they saw the Emperor and Empress enter, they bowed respectfully. The Emperor pointed at Qin Xiao and introduced her, saying, “This is the little Guide who can heal Sentinels. She is General Yan’s betrothed. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can consult her.”

Qin Xiao twitched her lips but didn’t speak. Yan Ningjin quickly stepped in and stated her requirements. The palace doctors exchanged looks. One of them hesitantly asked, “Madam, are you worried we’ll try to copy your methods?”

Qin Xiao pressed her lips together. There really was no easy way to explain this. “Yan Yan, has Yu Jing arrived yet? Can you check?”

Yan Ningjin had sent Bai Xuan to pick her up earlier. She turned to the Emperor. “Your Majesty, we only need the Sentinels who require treatment to remain in the room, along with one assistant. I hope Your Majesty understands and can accommodate our needs.”

The Emperor, who had been watching with interest, heard this and immediately instructed the doctors to withdraw in an orderly fashion.

Yan Ningjin turned to him. “Your Majesty, please.”

The Emperor looked surprised. “I… I can’t stay either?”

Yan Ningjin said nothing but stood her ground, her expression firm.

Left with no choice, the Emperor coughed twice to cover his awkwardness. “Well then, I’ll leave everything to the General and her… lady.”

On her way out, Yan Ningjin happened to run into Bai Xuan, who had just brought Yu Jing in.

“You almost missed the timing. Yu Jing, go on in. Xiao Xiao is waiting for you.”

Bai Xuan opened her mouth as if to explain, but Yan Ningjin cut her off. “I’ll keep watch.”

Bai Xuan: …

After Yan Ningjin entered the treatment room, Bai Xuan muttered a low curse under her breath. “That girl is so strange. Every time she acts like she’s picking a fight. Did I offend her somehow?”

Feng Ming, who had accompanied Yu Jing the day before, stepped up to defend her. “Miss Yu Jing is kind and polite. Maybe the problem is with you?”

Bai Xuan: !!!

Qin Xiao had been propping her chin as she stared at Princess Yuzhu. The Sentinel’s eyes had already turned bl00d-red. Looking at her now, she seemed unfamiliar. The Ah Qin in her memory had always been proud. That expression had never belonged on her face.

Qin Xiao scratched her head, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. Yet she still couldn’t tell exactly what was wrong.

“Xiao Xiao, what are you doing?”

“Ah, nothing.”

Qin Xiao immediately began sending subconscious suggestions toward Princess Yuzhu. She extended a mental tendril into Yuzhu’s consciousness.

But the moment it entered, it was fiercely attacked.

Qin Xiao froze.

Yan Ningjin caught her just in time. “Xiao Xiao!”

Qin Xiao clutched her head, knowing she was in trouble. She didn’t dare meet Yan Ningjin’s gaze and muttered weakly, “I just wanted to check something.”

Yan Ningjin took Hunqiu from her pocket and placed it on Yuzhu’s face. She gently stroked Hunqiu and whispered, “Hunqiu, I’m counting on you.”

Hunqiu began stomping with its tiny paw. “Squeak Squeak.”

Yan Ningjin left Tuan Tuan there to guard them, then turned and pinned Qin Xiao between her arms against the wall, completely ignoring the stunned Yu Jing.

“What were you doing just now?”

“Checking…”

She had intended to use this chance to sneak into Yuzhu’s consciousness and check for any lingering marks she might have left behind. Normally, it would take a bl00d technique and high cultivation to search for it. This was a rare opportunity.

It was admittedly a bit sneaky…

But she hadn’t expected Yuzhu to react so violently to an outside presence. Even under a suggestion, her instincts were strong. The attack had been immediate and unforgiving.

Qin Xiao hung her head and stared at her shoes, then at Yan Ningjin’s straight, uniformed legs. There was something oddly mesmerizing about the way that uniform fit.

Yan Ningjin threaded her fingers between Qin Xiao’s and pressed their foreheads together. Her voice was urgent, determined, and trembling with emotion.

“Xiao Xiao, I regret it. I want to know all your secrets.”