RPDPHW Chapter 48

“Leader!” As Zhong Shujin stepped out, Qiu Chengye hurried forward and said sternly, “How could you be so reckless this time? You knew full well that you hadn’t broken through the fifth level of the Heaven Demon Blade Technique, yet you still dared to use it without permission!”

Earlier, there were too many idle onlookers outside, making it inconvenient for him to speak. Now that only their sect members remained, he finally dared to reprimand her. “Don’t forget—last time, and the time before that—each time you used this technique, you nearly lost your life! How could you still be so fearless of death this time?”

That night, when they escaped from Tangmen, Zhong Shujin hadn’t dared to use the technique precisely because, at her current level, the backlash from it was too severe.

Zhong Shujin pouted and mumbled, “It’s fine. See? I’m perfectly fine, aren’t I?”

Li Ziming followed up, “Leader, don’t blame Uncle Qiu. Over the past two years, your martial progress has been stagnant, and we’re all worried—especially since your Heaven Demon Blade Technique has remained stuck at the fifth level. Not only that, but every time you use them, you suffer severe backlash, leaving yourself half-dead. And yet, you did it again this time! How can we ever stop worrying about you?”

Tonight’s situation was very dire. If she hadn’t executed a desperate counterattack with the technique, waiting for reinforcements from Feiyun Manor would have been too late—Gu Qingyin would have been injured again.

Zhong Shujin couldn’t bear that thought. So, even knowing the backlash would strike, she used the technique anyway.

Understanding their concern, Zhong Shujin felt a little guilty and said, “I actually think my control over the technique was much better this time than before. See? I’m still standing, right? Come on, stop worrying. Maybe this is my opportunity to finally break through to the fifth level!”

She was frustrated, too. For the past two years, her martial progress had been stagnant. In fact, after returning from Gu Qingyin’s side, not only had she failed to improve, but her abilities had even declined.

Ever since she parted ways with Gu Qingyin and returned to the sect, every time she tried to train seriously, Gu Qingyin’s image would surface in her mind—causing her to lose focus and fail in her cultivation.

Master once said that this was her inner demon.

If she could not vanquish it, her martial progress would remain stagnant.

But to truly erase this inner demon—how could she bear to do so?

She had never dared to let others know about this, lest they be disappointed or worried.

Regardless of everything, she had already resigned herself to fate, no longer holding much hope for her own martial progress.

Since that was the case, perhaps letting this inner demon linger a little longer… wouldn’t be a big deal, right?

Hearing Zhong Shujin’s words, Leng Shaoying quickly retracted the strange look in her eyes, which had been lingering on the scar on Zhong Shujin’s neck. She then offered a word of comfort: “Alright, alright, you two shouldn’t worry so much. I think the leader is indeed much better this time than the last two times. The fact that she’s standing here proves the backlash wasn’t too severe this time. Right, Leader?”

Zhong Shujin nodded repeatedly. “Sister Ying is right!”

She could stand properly because she was going to find Qingqing!

Switching the topic, Leng Shaoying continued, “But, I heard from Rong’er that you want us to part ways with the Feiyun Manor people tomorrow. Is that true?”

Thinking about that annoying pair of siblings from Feiyun Manor, Zhong Shujin couldn’t help but huff in frustration. “Yes! We’re parting ways!”

“But Leader, there are only a few of us, and we haven’t even left Shu yet—we’re still within Tangmen’s territory. We’re at a disadvantage. If we traveled with the people from Feiyun Manor, Tangmen wouldn’t dare to set traps for us. Splitting up now doesn’t seem very wise, does it?”

Ju Yuze, who had been unusually quiet for a while, finally spoke up to offer some advice.

“What, do you all want to travel with them?” Zhong Shujin swept a cold glance over the group and said icily, “If that’s the case, then fine. You can go with them—I’ll go alone.”

That single glance carried an indescribable chill, sending shivers down everyone’s spines. Instinctively, they cupped their fists and declared in unison, “We vow to follow the Leader to the death!”

“Since that’s settled, it’s decided. Now, go back and rest early.” Satisfied, Zhong Shujin finally allowed a smile to surface. Her gaze then landed on the obediently waiting Jing Rong. “Take me to Qingqing’s room.”

Thankfully, she hadn’t been delayed too long by these people. Soon, she could go see Qingqing!

However, just as her mood had improved, Zhong Shujin’s face instantly darkened upon hearing what Jing Rong told her on the way.

Her good mood? Gone.

“Say that again!”

Jing Rong trembled in fear, immediately halting his steps and lowering his head timidly. “Doctor Gu is… sharing a room with Hui Tong tonight…”

“Why are they sleeping together?!”

Jing Rong lowered his head even further. “The rooms… weren’t enough…”

Zhong Shujin was so furious that she clenched her teeth and growled in a low voice, “Didn’t I tell you all to take good care of them?! Is this how you treat my savior?!”

“N-no… It’s just that… Doctor Gu… agreed to it herself… So…”

“Explain properly!”

Before Zhong Shujin could lose her temper and lash out, Jing Rong quickly explained the situation at the inn.

It turned out that Feiyun Manor had booked the entire inn in advance. Since it was just a small-town establishment, it was nowhere near as spacious as the large inns in the city. It had just enough rooms to accommodate Feiyun Manor’s group.

A few days ago, when the five members of Bloodflame Sect were added to the party, it was Yun Huitong who made some of Feiyun Manor’s men squeeze together, freeing up three rooms for them.

Now that Zhong Shujin had arrived with four more people, the original rooms were already at full capacity with two people per room. Even after rearranging things as tightly as possible, they could only free up two additional rooms for the newcomers.

Everyone knew that Zhong Shujin disliked being too close to others, so Jing Rong had reserved a room just for her before their group even arrived.

That left Gu Qingyin, Lin Ziyan, and Dan Wenshu sharing one room.

After some discussion, Gu Qingyin had actually suggested that Lin Ziyan and Dan Wenshu should stay together, but before she could decide on her own sleeping arrangements, Yun Huitong had eagerly volunteered to share a room with her.

Jing Rong had repeatedly emphasized that their sect leader disliked sharing space with others, and Yun Huitong—who was eager to catch up with Gu Qingyin—enthusiastically invited her to stay in the same room.

And so, in the end, Gu Qingyin went with Yun Huitong.

After hearing this explanation, Zhong Shujin’s face alternated between pale and dark with fury. In the end, she could only suppress her anger by kicking Jing Rong before snapping, “What are you waiting for? Hurry up and take me there!”

Feeling wronged, Jing Rong didn’t even dare to rub her leg where she had been kicked. She simply ran ahead to lead the way.

She truly didn’t understand—what exactly was the leader so angry about?

When they reached Yun Huitong’s room, Zhong Shujin didn’t even bother knocking—she simply raised her foot and kicked the door open.

Simple. Brutal.

She looked very much like someone barging in to catch a cheating lover.

At that moment, Yun Huitong was sitting at the table, helping Gu Qingyin bandage the wound on her wrist. Startled by the sudden commotion at the door, Yun Huitong turned her head in surprise—her smile still lingering on her face.

Meanwhile, Gu Qingyin’s hand was still tightly held in Yun Huitong’s palm.

“What are you doing here?”

Yun Huitong, clearly displeased by Zhong Shujin’s rude behavior, frowned and spoke with a hint of irritation.

After all, barging in without even knocking was simply too impolite.

But Zhong Shujin didn’t respond immediately. Her gaze was locked onto the pair of hands still intertwined on the table.

Gu Qingyin was momentarily stunned, but upon noticing Zhong Shujin’s intense stare, she let out a soft, helpless chuckle. Without a word, she calmly withdrew her hand from Yun Huitong’s grasp and called toward the door, “Ah Jin, what’s wrong?”

Only then did Zhong Shujin finally rein in her barely contained fury. Replacing her scowl with a bright smile, she strode toward Gu Qingyin and declared, “I’ve come to take you back to your room!”

Before Gu Qingyin could respond, Yun Huitong shot up from her seat, exclaiming in protest, “Take her back? Qingyin-jie is sleeping with me tonight!”

Zhong Shujin merely let out a cold snort, completely ignoring Yun Huitong’s words.

Her eyes swept over the room, quickly landing on the steaming wooden bath and the neatly folded set of clean clothes beside it. At the sight, her expression changed, and she immediately barked out, “Rong’er! Prepare another tub of hot water in my room!”

A sudden sense of relief washed over her.

Thankfully, she hadn’t come too late.

Thankfully, Qingqing hadn’t bathed in this woman’s room yet…

Jing Rong stared blankly for a moment. “Huh?”

Was the Leader planning to have Doctor Gu sleep in her room tonight…?

“Huh what? Go prepare the water!”

Zhong Shujin’s sharp command made Jing Rong flinch. Not daring to ask any more questions, she immediately ran off to arrange for hot water.

“Why are you being so mean to Rong’er!” Yun Huitong, unable to tolerate Zhong Shujin’s high-and-mighty attitude, slammed the table and challenged her directly. “And besides, don’t you hate sharing a room with others? Why are you suddenly fighting me for Qingyin-jie? Qingyin-jie already agreed! She’s staying with me tonight! You can leave!”

Zhong Shujin cast a cold sideways glance at Yun Huitong. “She hadn’t even said anything yet. Why are you getting so worked up?”

Then, she turned to Gu Qingyin, softened her tone, and asked with a hint of anticipation, “Come back to my room with me, okay?”

Yun Huitong: “…”

Why was she so harsh towards everyone else but so gentle with Qingyin-jie…?

“But…” Gu Qingyin rested her chin on her hand, smiling as she pretended to hesitate. “I thought you didn’t like being close to others? Wouldn’t sharing a room with me be too much of an intrusion?”” Not at all, not at all!” Zhong Shujin replied without hesitation. “You’re not ‘others’!”

Hearing those words—”You’re not others”—Gu Qingyin felt a subtle warmth bloom in her heart.

She gazed into Zhong Shujin’s eyes, seeing the eagerness and expectation reflected within them. Her smile deepened.

Yet, as the silence stretched, Yun Huitong assumed Gu Qingyin was reluctant to go with Zhong Shujin. Feeling triumphant, she smirked at Zhong Shujin and taunted, “See? Qingyin-jie doesn’t want to go with you! Just go back already and stop interrupting her bath!”

The moment Zhong Shujin thought about Gu Qingyin bathing in this woman’s room, she panicked.

She quickly grabbed Gu Qingyin’s hand, trying to appear calm as she said, “Rong’er has already gone to prepare the water. You can bathe in my room—it’s the same, isn’t it?”

“This…”

Gu Qingyin frowned slightly, as if she was about to refuse.

Seeing this, Zhong Shujin didn’t even let her finish before blurting out, “I got injured today! I might need you to take care of me! Mm… I can even pay you another consultation fee…”

As she mentioned the “consultation fee,” Zhong Shujin bit her lower lip, her face turning slightly red.

That small gesture alone was enough to make Gu Qingyin’s heart waver.

“Charging her a consultation fee?” Yun Huitong immediately seized the chance to compare. “Looks like Qingyin-jie really doesn’t like you! She’s never charged me a single coin for treating me!”

Childish as always, she just couldn’t resist competing.

After all, she had never had to pay for Gu Qingyin’s care!

Which surely meant Qingyin-jie would choose to stay with her tonight.

“A consultation fee?” Gu Qingyin swallowed lightly, raising an eyebrow. “Are you serious?”

The laughter in her eyes had been replaced with something… far more intense.

“This Sect Leader never goes back on her word!” Zhong Shujin had already noticed the heat in Gu Qingyin’s gaze. Blushing slightly, she straightened her back and pressed on, “If not tonight, then you’ll never get the chance again!”

With that, she let go of Gu Qingyin’s hand, standing there expectantly—waiting for her choice.

At the same time, she shot Yun Huitong a smug, challenging smile.

At this moment, both of them were completely convinced that Gu Qingyin would definitely choose to sleep in their room tonight.

“Tongtong.”

No longer teasing Zhong Shujin, Gu Qingyin stood up. When she met Yun Huitong’s expectant gaze, she smiled and said, “It’s getting late. You should rest early. I won’t bother you any longer.”

“What?!” Yun Huitong’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You’re actually going with her? Why?!”

Meanwhile, Zhong Shujin was already buzzing with excitement, hurriedly gathering up the clothes placed beside the bath barrel—along with Gu Qingyin’s travel bag—hugging them tightly in her arms as if they were precious treasures.

“She’s injured.”

“Nooo, Qingyin-jie… I still wanted to talk with you…!”

Gu Qingyin chuckled. “We can talk tomorrow morning.”

Hearing this, Zhong Shujin secretly became even more delighted.

Tomorrow?

Heh, but tomorrow, everyone will be going their separate ways!

Of course, she wasn’t about to tell Gu Qingyin that just yet. Instead, she simply reached out and lightly traced her fingers against Gu Qingyin’s palm, smiling as she asked, “Shall we go?”

That small touch sent an itchy, tingling sensation through Gu Qingyin’s heart.

With a soft “Mhm,” she followed Zhong Shujin without hesitation.

As they left, Zhong Shujin caught sight of Yun Huitong grinding her teeth and stomping her foot in frustration—her heart couldn’t have been more satisfied!