NOVEL WEB chapter 48
48. The Young Couple
The young lady’s cloak covered her long hair, and her face was veiled, making it hard to discern her true appearance. However, Lin Nuo could tell at a glance who it was. After all, that icy, regal queen’s gait was her unique trait, and he had seen her in such a disguise when he played the villain.
Second Senior Sister, Qin Shili.
Truly a lineage of teachers, learning to wear a veil and play mysterious like Han Xianzi. But she herself was indeed mysterious enough, aloof and reticent, her thoughts inscrutable.
She did look much better wearing the veil than Han Xianzi, perhaps a natural beauty. No matter how she concealed her stunning beauty and graceful figure, her noble aura still inadvertently shone through. Just looking at those enchanting eyes could make one fantasize about the beautiful face hidden beneath the veil.
Second Senior Sister Qin Shili was the highest in cultivation and the strongest among Lin Nuo’s peers, endowed with great expectations by the elders of Xuan Yun Sect, destined to become the new force supporting the sect.
Moreover, she had made significant achievements in exterminating demons and evil, a true paragon of virtue.
But now, she was here buying books of dark arts.
Oh ho, this was an earth-shattering discovery.
The stunningly talented Qin Shili purchasing forbidden books of dark arts from a black trafficker—if this news were to spread, it would dominate headlines, and not only would Qin Shili’s reputation be ruined, but she might also be hunted and persecuted by various sects, doomed forever. If she were to defect to organizations like the Demonic Cult or the Dark Alliance, she would have to endure internal strife and covert battles. If she couldn’t outwit others, her life would be over.
Why did he know this so clearly?
Because this was the path he had walked!
However, he was a reborn individual. According to the plot, Qin Shili was not supposed to fall into darkness; she remained a disciple renowned across the seas, which meant she hadn’t mastered the dark arts. Perhaps she bought the books of dark arts only to know her enemy, not to practice them.
Regardless, the fact that she bought forbidden books of dark arts techniques was something Lin Nuo couldn’t ignore.
What to do? Threaten her? Say, ‘I know you bought forbidden books, I can keep silent if you want, but in return, you must submit to me, help me with XX’?
That’s too low and sleazy. Besides, villains of that sort don’t survive three episodes in the script. He was, after all, a world-ending super villain; he needed to maintain a certain standard, to do something extraordinary.
Lin Nuo had some ideas, but he still needed to further investigate the purpose of Qin Shili’s purchase of the forbidden books. Whatever her intentions, he had to find a way to lead her down the path of darkness.
The universally admired ice beauty Qin Shili falling into dark arts, becoming an unrivaled female demon lord, bringing calamity to all living beings—it was an exhilarating thought.
Excellent! First, jot it down in the little notebook, take out Su Kexin, then guide Qin Shili to become the female demon lord. In the future, the whole world’s attention would be on Qin Shili, while he quietly and sleazily grew stronger.
Perfect!
“To thank you for the information, I’ve decided to give you two more copper coins.”
“…Brother, keep the two copper coins for some steamed buns…”
Wang Duofei was truly indignant but dared not speak out. Two copper coins, are you shooing away a beggar?
“Brother, what’s your relationship with that lady?” Wang Duofei asked curiously.
“No relationship.”
“No relationship? Then why ask about her?”
“I want to woo her, just like that.”
Lin Nuo lied, tossed a copper coin, and turned to leave.
Wang Duofei looked down at the copper coin.
Damn it, we agreed on two, why is there only one now?
This kid, coming to my black market shop to pick up girls, no wonder he asked what the lady wanted to buy. This is called catering to her interests. How can I, Old Wang, who has roamed the love scene, not see through what this kid is up to?
He must have been a loyal follower for quite some time now.
Wang Duofei pocketed the copper coin and resumed business as usual. Before long, the girl in a light blue cloak and veiled face returned.
Wang Duofei puzzled: “Miss?”
“What did that man just buy?”
“Which one?”
“The man who just came.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, miss, that’s the customer’s privacy…”
Before Wang Duofei could finish, the girl slammed ten gold coins on the table.
Wang Duofei’s eyes bulged at the sight of the ten gold coins. Such a wealthy and imposing lady, to slam down the money just like that.
He quickly changed his tune: “Oh, he bought a piece of black scale stone.”
“Black scale stone? What did he buy it for?”
“I’m not sure, he didn’t say, and I didn’t ask.”
“Then never mind.”
“Wait, miss, may I ask what’s your relationship with him?” Wang Duofei asked curiously.
“No relationship.”
The girl responded coldly, then turned and left, leaving behind a graceful silhouette.
“…”
Both of you come asking, playing this game.
And the same answer, “No relationship.”
It feels like these two are a couple. One is the master of the house, wealthy and generous, while the other is stingy, clearly a henpecked husband with no status at home, his finances tightly controlled, only able to sneak out and spend some pocket money.
And the wife has found out, secretly coming over to inquire, and learns that he bought the expensive black scale stone.
Oh ho, am I going to kneel and scrub the washboard when I get back?
Good, you little rascal, you’ve had it coming.
Wait, does that mean the kid actually has a beautiful, wealthy patroness?
Damn.