WBICDPH Chapter 57

Chapter 57 — A Seductive Glance Through Smoke

When Lin Jin asked that question, Zhe Yu felt Xiao Lanqi shift slightly inside his sleeve.

Without drawing attention, Zhe Yu lightly pressed a fingertip against the tip of his ear before replying, “What makes you ask that?”

Lin Jin shrugged and began listing things carefully. “Well… there have actually been plenty of strange things before, but I never thought too hard about them. Now that everything’s happened, I put the pieces together and realized something was off. For example, everyone says green-eyed hounds are the lowest-ranked spirit beasts—but Qiuqiu is special. He’s strong, and he can breathe fire. Honestly, during the entrance trial, those seven thousand points I got were basically his doing. He burned all the monsters that came into the cave. For a green-eyed hound—especially a puppy—he shouldn’t have that kind of power. But at the time, all the elders said he was just a green-eyed hound, and nobody thought anything was strange, so I didn’t question it either.

“And he’s been with me almost a year now, but he hasn’t grown at all. That doesn’t seem normal for a spirit beast, right?”

The strangest part was that the Twelve Torch Guards had specifically targeted his little dog—but Lin Jin had already hidden that detail from his teachers, so he couldn’t mention it now.

“You were the one who helped me form the contract with Qiuqiu,” Lin Jin continued. “You’re incredibly knowledgeable and even examined our soul blood. I figured you probably already know his real identity. Or… is there some kind of beast that looks like a green-eyed hound but is actually much stronger?”

Zhe Yu didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he smiled faintly. “Let me ask you something first. If your little dog really had another identity—say, he was some terrifying demon or carried a fearsome reputation—what would you do? Would you be afraid? Would you break the contract? Would you regret protecting him from those demonic cultivators?”

Lin Jin pursed his lips. He had never really thought about that.

But even if he knew… what could he do? Abandon him?

“I’ve already done what I’ve done. I wouldn’t regret it. And I wouldn’t break the contract—unless he wanted to leave. As for being some terrifying monster… I doubt it. He’s got a bad temper and he’s hard to deal with, but he’s not evil. I only want to know how I should treat him. If he’s actually very strong and I keep trying to protect him like his master, wouldn’t that make me arrogant and foolish?”

“I see,” Zhe Yu said with a nod.

He glanced down at Xiao Lanqi, hidden in his sleeve and deliberately said, “Since you’ve asked so directly, I suppose I shouldn’t keep hiding it. Your little dog isn’t an ordinary green-eyed hound. He is—”

Before he could finish, Xiao Lanqi bit down hard on his hand through the fabric.

Zhe Yu’s smile didn’t change.

After a brief pause, he continued seriously, “He’s an extremely rare mutated bloodline among green-eyed hounds. Such mutations are powerful but nearly impossible to pass on, so very few people know about them. In fact, none like him have appeared in the cultivation world for thousands of years. That’s why he’s stronger and smarter than ordinary hounds. Because of the mutation, he may never grow bigger—he might stay palm-sized forever.

“Because he’s so rare, people with bad intentions might want to use him—for poison crafting, artifact forging… his flesh and blood would be valuable materials.”

Inside the sleeve, Xiao Lanqi silently released his bite.

Sure. Keep making things up.

What kind of ridiculous rumor is that? Anyone who believed it would be a complete fool.

And yet—Lin Jin believed every word.

Oh… that explained why the Twelve Torch Guards wanted to steal Qiuqiu!

He nodded thoughtfully. “So in a way, he’s kind of like me? My Sacred Jade Physique makes villains want to use me as a furnace, and since he’s a mutated green-eyed hound, they want to use his blood and flesh?”

Zhe Yu gave him an approving look.

Encouraged, Lin Jin’s eyes lit up. “So I was overthinking it—Qiuqiu really is just a little dog? Just a very special one? No secret identity, no huge conspiracy—just another poor little dog like me, targeted by bad people?”

Zhe Yu raised his brows slightly but didn’t answer. He couldn’t say yes, and he couldn’t say no.

For once, he felt a hint of guilt. Deceiving such an innocent kid really was a sin.

After finishing his tea and thanking him, Lin Jin left happily. Once he was gone, Xiao Lanqi emerged from Zhe Yu’s sleeve, shook out his fur, turned back into human form, and sat in Lin Jin’s former seat.

“You really are a master liar.”

“What else was I supposed to do?” Zhe Yu replied. “With the way you reacted, I was afraid you’d bite my hand off if I said another word.”

He pointed to the bloody tooth marks still on his hand.

Xiao Lanqi scoffed. “You could’ve told him I’m not an ordinary dog and don’t need his protection. Then next time he wouldn’t throw himself in front of danger and end up full of holes like he is now.”

“Maybe,” Zhe Yu said. “But if I did, he might not treat you the same way anymore.”

He studied Xiao Lanqi’s expression. “Don’t you like this? Not having to think about anything—just being a carefree little dog, doted on and protected?”

Xiao Lanqi leaned back and looked away, touching his small fang with his tongue before snorting. “…As if I care.”

Lin Jin’s injury caused quite a stir. As the only direct disciple of two elders—and practically the senior brother of the sect—visitors came nonstop. His small courtyard was nearly trampled flat, and his storage ring filled with piles of healing pills. He lay in bed like a zoo exhibit, smiling and greeting visitors all day.

He couldn’t refuse their kindness—until Liu Xun happened to visit and found a crowd of disciples there. Furious, she banned anyone from disturbing Lin Jin until he recovered, finally giving him some peace.

But lying in bed all day grew boring. He had Han Ao bring him storybooks from the mortal world, but his low laugh threshold made things worse—every time he laughed, the wound on his abdomen hurt terribly.

So he gave up reading and looked for something else to do.

Eventually, his gaze landed on Qiuqiu.

Since everyone always said green-eyed hounds were worse than stray dogs, Lin Jin had never expected much from him. But now Zhe Yu said Qiuqiu was stronger and smarter than normal, so Lin Jin decided to try training him.

He prepared roasted chicken—Qiuqiu’s favorite—and set up a training session on a sunny afternoon.

“Give me your paw!” Lin Jin said seriously.

Xiao Lanqi was furious. Who did this human think he was?!

He ignored him completely.

After many failed attempts and a nearly empty bowl of meat, Lin Jin finally gave up in defeat.

Just then, Han Ao burst into the room, chatting excitedly and suggesting Lin Jin get a smarter dog instead—maybe a wind hound puppy.

At that, Xiao Lanqi’s ears perked up.

Lin Jin chuckled but had no intention of replacing Qiuqiu. Just as he was about to refuse, Qiuqiu suddenly walked over, sat down, turned his head in resignation, and raised his paw.

Lin Jin was overjoyed. “He learned! He learned! Look—Qiuqiu can give his paw!”

Overwhelmed with pride, Lin Jin picked him up and kissed him on the head—accidentally landing right on his right ear.

Xiao Lanqi froze in shock.

He slapped Lin Jin’s face with a paw and struggled free, ears trembling furiously.

You idiot—where do you think you’re touching?!

He bared his teeth in outrage.

Forget the paw—go raise your windhound instead!!!