Comprehending Myriad Techniques as Woodcutter

Chapter 202: Chapter 173: Like?

Xie Yuan’s mouth twitched as he heard this, and he shook his head repeatedly.

"No, no, that’s not what happened at all."

’Pledging our lives to each other? That sounds way too absurd.’

Situ Qin let out an "oh," staring at him.

"Are you sure? A young man and woman, pursued by a powerful enemy, find themselves in a desperate plight. They support one another, vowing to never part and to face life and death together. They might even bow to heaven and earth in a cave, enter the bridal... well, bow to heaven and earth, that sort of thing. There are tons of stories like that!"

Xie Yuan managed an awkward yet polite smile.

"Miss Qin, the novels you read are so outdated. What kind of third-rate author writes that stuff?"

Situ Qin’s study had quite a few such novels. It was a little hobby of hers for passing the time.

Situ Qin scoffed. She sized Xie Yuan up, and seeing that he didn’t seem to be lying, she let out a silent sigh of relief. A wry smile played on her lips as she teased,

"It seems you and Miss Mu are both quite reserved, then!"

Seeing Xie Yuan sweating bullets and looking completely stressed out, Situ Qin stopped her teasing. Her expression turned serious as she said,

"If you and she were to make your feelings for each other clear, then I wouldn’t be able to hang around with you anymore."

"Huh?"

Xie Yuan’s mouth fell slightly agape as he stared at Situ Qin.

’Her words... they seem to hold a deeper meaning.’

Her cheeks flushed under his gaze, and she quickly explained,

"What I mean is, our friendship is obviously completely innocent and above-board. But if you were to commit to another woman, we’d have to keep our distance. After all, there are proprieties between men and women. It’s just good etiquette."

"Oh, I see... You have a point, Miss Qin."

Xie Yuan snapped out of it and quickly agreed.

’So that’s what she meant. Situ Qin is lively and magnanimous, but she’s always been sensible. She might seem carefree, but deep down, she still abides by the etiquette expected of a lady from a noble family.’

But when she saw how readily he nodded, Situ Qin felt a strange twinge of unhappiness. She pouted and said,

"It seems you don’t care much about having me as a friend, do you, Master Xie."

Xie Yuan froze. Seeing the displeased look on her face, he hurriedly said,

"How could you say that! You’re a friend I cherish dearly, Miss Qin. I truly mean that."

Hearing this, her spirits lifted, and a smile returned to her face.

"That’s more like it! Even after you became a wanted man, you remembered to send me a letter explaining everything, without even worrying about exposing your location. Since you trust me that much, I suppose you really do see me as a friend. So, I’ll believe you! Hmph! Otherwise, I wouldn’t have bothered coming to see you! Oh, right..."

She turned to her large pile of luggage, rummaged through it for a moment, and yanked out a large axe—it was the Moon-Cutting Axe.

Situ Qin held the Moon-Cutting Axe out to Xie Yuan and chided,

"Master Xie, do you have some problem with my gift? You left it lying on the ground again!"

She shoved it into Xie Yuan’s hands and huffed,

"Next time, I’ll be genuinely angry! Now, hold it!"

Looking at the Moon-Cutting Axe, which radiated a biting cold, Xie Yuan suddenly understood. So, Situ Qin had been the one to pick it up.

He cupped his hands and said,

"So you had it, Miss Qin! I was just saying how I went back and searched for three days and three nights. I dug three feet deep, scoured all of Cloudlight, and still couldn’t find it anywhere. I was so heartbroken when I got back..."

"Stop exaggerating! Hee hee..."

His over-the-top story made Situ Qin laugh out loud. She pursed her lips and said,

"Oh, fine. I wasn’t really angry. I know it’s inconvenient for you to carry this around. Hmm... since you’re here in the Sword Sect under a false name, it’s probably not a good idea to be seen with it, right?"

Situ Qin mused.

Xie Yuan waved a hand dismissively.

"It’s fine. I have a place to keep things down in Cloud Mountain Town. I’ll just store it there later."

"Look at you, all prepared. Anyone who didn’t know better would think you were a spy with a plot against the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect!"

Situ Qin smiled sweetly.

Xie Yuan maintained his polite smile. ’She’s not entirely wrong,’ he thought.

Situ Qin rummaged through her luggage again, taking out a porcelain vial and handing it to Xie Yuan.

"Here. These are three Blood Dragon Pills. I figured since you have to be so careful here, it must be hard to get resources. So, I brought these for you. They should be enough to last you until you reach the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm."

Xie Yuan stared at the porcelain vial, stunned, and quickly waved his hands in refusal.

"Miss Qin, how can I accept this? I can’t take a reward I haven’t earned, especially not pills this valuable."

The Blood Dragon Pill was extremely famous for its immense effect on nourishing Blood Qi. Even a Fourth Training Martial Artist with insufficient aptitude could use it to attempt a breakthrough to the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm. It was exceptionally precious—a true treasure for any External Training Martial Artist. In fact, its value surpassed that of many Spiritual Medicines meant for the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm.

A vial containing three Blood Dragon Pills was of incalculable value. Out in the world, it would drive countless Martial Artists mad with envy.

Situ Qin curled her lip and waved a hand, looking rather impatient.

"Enough, enough. I know you’re about to launch into one of your scholarly speeches. But we’re not just passing acquaintances anymore. I want to give them to you, so just take them! Hurry up and get stronger so we can go exploring for secrets and upholding justice together! Otherwise, what happens when another random enemy shows up, sends you running, and then I can’t find you again!"

Since she put it that way, Xie Yuan couldn’t refuse. He reached out with a smile and said,

"I wasn’t really planning to refuse. In fact, I was going to ask if you had any more, Miss Qin. I’m afraid three pills will barely be a mouthful."

Situ Qin stared at him, stunned for a second, then shot him a glare.

"In your dreams! Three aren’t enough for you? Blood Dragon Pills aren’t that easy to find, you know. Hmm, I don’t have any more of those, but let me see what else I have..."

When Xie Yuan saw she was actually going to pull something else out, he quickly stopped her with a laugh.

"I was just kidding."

He carefully put the vial away, then cupped his hands in a formal gesture.

"I accept this gift from your heart, Miss Qin. Between friends, few words of thanks are needed. In the future, should you ever need anything, just say the word. I will come, no matter how far."

With his innate physical talent, Xie Yuan could have broken through without the Blood Dragon Pills. The generous sum of silver notes from Deng Wan also allowed him to secretly purchase Spiritual Medicine in town and prepare his own concoctions. Still, these three Blood Dragon Pills would greatly accelerate his training, putting a breakthrough to the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm within his immediate reach.

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