After Leng Qingqiu finished refuting, she pondered for a moment in her mind.
Then she made a decision.
Regarding the sudden changes at the ancient ruins this time, she decided she would step forward herself!
Of course, not as Leng Qingqiu, but as... the Night King!
As if understanding her intentions, Xiao Leng remarked—
[Finally remembered your identity, huh?]
"Tsk... I’ve always remembered! I was just held up by other matters!"
Leng Qingqiu stubbornly defended herself.
[If you say so...]
[But... other me, have you considered what you’ll do if the fake Night King also shows up there?]
"What should I do?"
Leng Qingqiu’s heart surged with killing intent at the question: "Then I’ll slaughter him."
She hadn’t forgotten how that impostor Night King had injured Gu Yan before.
[...I’d advise against that...]
"Why?"
[Because right now, the fake Night King serves as a perfect lightning rod for us. With such a conspicuous decoy in place, why not make use of him?]
Hearing this, Leng Qingqiu found it somewhat reasonable.
Yet, coming from Xiao Leng, the words left a bitter taste in her mouth.
She couldn’t help but ask, "Xiao Leng, what’s gotten into you? Didn’t you say before that if it were up to you, you’d never let that fake Night King roam freely under our name?"
[...Like I said, that was then.]
Xiao Leng felt exhausted. Why did her other self have to showcase her lack of intelligence here of all places? It seemed her brain wasn’t completely love-addled after all...
Could there still be hope for her?
"No. While that might be a viable strategy, since that scum hurt Gu Yan, he must die!"
[Other me, for the sake of the plan...]
"No!"
"I’ve made up my mind. If Gu Yan goes to the ancient ruins, I’ll follow in secret to protect him."
[What if Gu Yan doesn’t go?]
"Even better. If Gu Yan isn’t there, I’ll have no reservations left."
"Every single martial artist at the ruins—I’ll annihilate them all!"
Leng Qingqiu clenched her fist in the air, her expression filled with chilling determination, as if she had finally remembered what she was truly meant to do.
Xiao Leng watched helplessly.
*I’ve already said too much about Gu Yan. Any more and I’ll give myself away.*
But for the sake of that so-called plan of yours, I can’t let my other self act recklessly.
So...
Xiao Leng decided to offer one last piece of advice...
[I think there’s another way. Judging from my speculation, that fake Night King won’t pass up the chance to explore the ancient ruins.]
[So he’ll definitely show up. Wait until he takes care of our old enemies, then step in to 'rescue' them. That way, you’ll both exact revenge and gain a legitimate reason to infiltrate the enemy’s ranks.]
[If you can kill the fake Night King in the process, great. If not, no matter—at least you’ll earn the trust of the Martial Arts Department.]
[What do you think, other me?]
Leng Qingqiu listened carefully, considering the idea. It didn’t sound entirely unreasonable.
She nodded. "Xiao Leng... you might have a point."
"So I’ve decided!"
[You’ve decided?]
"Exactly!"
"I’ll head to the Martial Arts Department right now... to see what their plans really are!"
"And while I’m at it, I’ll check if anyone’s bullying Gu Yan!"
"I know for a fact that Gu Yan got in through connections. Plenty of people must see him as a thorn in their side!"
With that—*Hum!*
A wisp of black energy enveloped her, and in an instant, her appearance transformed into...
The guise she had taken during the banquet at the Hall of the Underworld—the one Gu Yan had mistaken for her supposed older sister, Leng Bingning.
"Tsk, that fool actually thinks I have an older sister named Leng Bingning."
"Now everything’s foolproof!"
Her voice, too, had been altered, adopting a mature, elegant tone befitting a refined lady.
Xiao Leng: [...]
......
......
Martial Arts Department.
Front entrance.
"Tsk tsk, as expected of the Martial Arts Department—even the guards are martial artists."
Gu Yan noticed that, compared to yesterday, the security presence had increased significantly.
The entire first floor of the martial arts building was now encircled by guards.
And every one of them was a martial artist, each at least a second-rate practitioner.
Old Gao nodded in agreement. "Though, realistically, the higher-ups here probably don’t need protection from these guards."
The white-uniformed martial artists’ lips twitched slightly at the remark.
They glanced at Gu Yan, thinking to themselves:
*Looks like another troublemaker from the Martial Arts Department. But that old man’s aura is formidable... Is he this guy’s guardian?*
Their vehicle had to stop outside, where martial artists approached and carefully inspected it using a glowing crystalline device.
Only after confirming no threats were present did they allow Gu Yan and Old Gao to proceed to the next checkpoint.
After presenting their credentials and undergoing a series of checks,
Gu Yan and Old Gao were escorted into a private elevator.
The elevator’s interior walls were lined with silver metal panels engraved with intricate totems and runes—said to suppress demonic energy, according to their guide.
Perhaps there had been incidents of demons disguising themselves as humans before, as the entire Martial Arts Department was filled with structures infused with silver qi.
As the elevator ascended, Gu Yan felt an inexplicable pressure gradually intensify.
This wasn’t ordinary physical pressure, but an oppressive aura radiating from the powerful figures at the upper levels of the Martial Arts Department.
Their energies intertwined, forming an almost tangible presence, each one scrutinizing Gu Yan to ensure he posed no threat.
*Thud!*
The elevator finally reached the top floor, its doors sliding open to reveal a vast, brightly lit space.
Outside the grand conference room stood two young-looking martial artists clad in white, their expressions stern as they guarded the entrance.
Upon spotting Gu Yan and Old Gao, the two raised pistol-shaped scanners and performed a quick sweep.
[Safe] [Safe]
Only once the devices confirmed their status did the final round of checks conclude.
At that moment—
"Gu Yan, you’re finally here."
"And greetings to Elder Gao."
Bai Jun strode forward, visibly relieved to see Gu Yan arrive.
Beside him stood a silver-haired little girl who barely reached his waist. She held a fan made of some peculiar, shimmering silver material.
Despite her youthful appearance, her gaze as she studied Gu Yan was brimming with unmistakable interest.
Gu Yan glanced at the little girl beside Bai Jun and, without skipping a beat, shrugged casually.
Smiling lightly at Bai Jun, he said, "Well, when the team leader calls, of course I’d come."
"And also..."
His eyes shifted curiously to the silver-haired girl still sizing him up. "Whose kid is this?"
The moment those words left his mouth—
Bai Jun was startled. He glanced at the little girl beside him and, seeing her expression unchanged, swallowed hard before hurriedly explaining to Gu Yan, "Gu Yan, don’t talk nonsense! This is my teacher! Also, she’s the head of the Peace Faction—Minister Lin!"
"This war council was convened under Minister Lin’s leadership!"
Gu Yan feigned surprise. "No way. This little brat is the leader of the Peace Faction? You’re joking, Bai Jun."
Bai Jun gulped, about to say something, but was interrupted by the sudden raising of a folding fan. Gu Yan and the others turned to look.
The little girl was staring at Gu Yan with keen interest, the corners of her lips curling upward as she spoke in a melodious, childlike voice: "Hehehe, you really are as interesting as Bai Jun said."
"This old one is named Lin Yinyin. Just as Bai Jun said, I am indeed the head of the Peace Faction."
"From now on, you’ll be under my command. You should respect your superiors, and you should especially revere your elders."
"As for you calling me a brat earlier… considering it’s your first offense, just call me ‘Minister Lin,’ and I’ll forgive you."
After saying this, Lin Yinyin tilted her head up, watching Gu Yan with amusement.
Bai Jun was also staring at Gu Yan nervously, his eyes pleading.
But then—
Gu Yan shook his head disdainfully. "No."
"Eh…?"
Lin Yinyin froze, as if she hadn’t processed his refusal. She blinked at him in confusion. "Why… not?"
"Do I even need to say it? The leader of the Peace Faction is just a little brat."
"I’ve decided—I’m quitting the Peace Faction."
Gu Yan grinned at her, his expression deliberately mocking.
"Quit…?" Lin Yinyin muttered, her body beginning to tremble.
"Gu Yan… don’t be like this… apologize now…" Bai Jun glanced at Lin Yinyin, then at the growing crowd in the large conference room. A sense of impending doom settled over him.
"I won’t apologize."
"Kids should act like kids. If you’re the head, then I’m the Night King."
Gu Yan crouched down, placing his hand on Lin Yinyin’s head and roughly ruffling her hair. "See? See? Is this how a minister behaves? Letting me mess with you like this?"
"Ah… ah…"
As Gu Yan spoke, Lin Yinyin’s trembling intensified.
Her lips quivered, her eyes reddened.
Then, with a loud wail, she burst into tears: "WAAAAHHHH!!!"
Tears streamed down Lin Yinyin’s face as she struggled free from Gu Yan’s grip and clung to Bai Jun’s leg, looking up at him with watery eyes.
She sobbed, "Bai Jun, he bullied me!!! Hit him! Hit him right now! I’ll let you be the minister! Just hit him!!"
Bai Jun watched the crowd gathering around them and covered his face, knowing it was over.
As for Gu Yan, he gazed meaningfully at the weeping Lin Yinyin.
Hmm… one of Xiao Lin’s future harem members—the legal loli Lin Yinyin.
Just as described in the original story—
An ancient monster who had lived for countless years but retained the appearance and mentality of a child.
Who would’ve thought he’d meet her here~~ Kehkehkehkehke~~