Chapter 8 Refusing to Listen (Part 1)

  The quiet village is now very harmonious, and the mountain people have long since lost the panic they had when they first arrived. Their faces are filled with happy and satisfied smiles. When they see Qin Yifan, they all smile and greet him: "Master!" This is what Qin Yifan insisted they call him, as before they always respectfully called him "Old Master", which made Qin Yifan very uncomfortable.

  Qin Yifan also returned the courtesy, having just come back from Quan Yin Hu, his clothes were also dried by internal energy, looking very wrinkled, needing to be changed. The inn had its own things, those enthusiastic mountain villagers' wives always quickly washed and dried the clothes he took off, this enthusiasm was hard to refuse, could only accept.

  However, today Qin Yifan stood at the entrance of the inn for a while, but did not go in to change clothes. Instead, he looked towards the direction of the county town on the official road, with a slightly surprised expression. Others didn't know what had happened and were all curiously looking at him.

  Before long, the sound of horseshoes came from the official road on that side. The crowd of mountain people finally realized that the host had heard that there were guests coming. The mountain people who lived in the mountains for many years were also sharp-eared and clear-eyed, but they didn't have Qin Yifan's hearing, which could hear the sound of horseshoes from such a distance.

  The sound of horseshoes was normal, it was a very ordinary post horse. But the sound of horseshoes falling to the ground indicated that there seemed to be nothing on its back, an empty horse, which was quite problematic. Was something wrong with the courier on the way? Qin Yifan's mind was turning, he wanted to go and take a look, but didn't want to reveal his extraordinary martial arts skills, fortunately the direction of the horseshoes was coming this way, and soon he would know the reason.

  The horse appeared quickly at the corner of the official road, with someone on it, and it was a forbidden army. It's not surprising that the forbidden army has such light work, Qin Yifan also put down his heart and stepped into the inn. I guess there must be some important military information to be transmitted on it, so the forbidden army will come out, but this has nothing to do with himself, he wants to live in a shop or have a snack, as long as he doesn't disturb the villagers.

  However, using lightness to save horse power is a good method, but it seems that it's not the right time in this place. I reckon he'll have some bitter lessons later on.

  Lin Qiulü is not angry now, and she looks very calm. Although there are fewer and fewer people on the road, even in the county seat, it's just a small county with only a few thousand people, and she won't take a second glance at it after getting used to the prosperity of the capital. To be honest, the scenery along the way is not bad, with green mountains and clear water, if it weren't for the ominous aura that can already be faintly felt, this place might be considered a blessed land just based on its scenery.

  It's not that she deliberately shows off her skills, but whether it's martial arts or spiritual practice, it all comes down to a consistent and persistent cultivation. Being able to cultivate already implies that success can't be achieved through simple effort; this habit of cultivation has unconsciously permeated into her daily life, whether walking, sitting, or lying down, as long as there is an opportunity, she won't give up the chance to temper herself, purely out of habit.

  It should be here, but General said it was a simple tea shed. Why is this a small village? It looks very new, maybe it's newly built. Lin Qiulü got off her horse and asked a mountain dweller who looked at her: "Excuse me, is there someone named Qin Yifan here?"

  "The owner is inside." The mountain people were very enthusiastic in giving her directions. After thanking them, Lin Qiulü tied up the horse and stepped into the inn.

  Qin Yifan had already heard that the imperial guards who were rushing towards him might have some kind of imperial decree, so he decided to wait in the main hall.

  "Are you Qin Yifan?" Lin Qiulü looked up and down at the young man in front of her, who was wearing a crumpled outfit that seemed to have been worn for a long time, but still looked very spirited. She was quite surprised. Especially with a kitchen knife inserted into his waist, it was really incongruous and made people want to laugh.

  "What's the matter with you looking for me?" Qin Yifan asked calmly and quietly, without any fear of facing the Imperial Guard.

  "His Majesty has something for me to bring to you." He untied the bundle on his back and casually threw it onto the nearby Eight Immortals table: "Also, from now on I am your bodyguard, responsible for protecting your safety."

  His casual movements and tone showed no respect for the Emperor at all. However, Qin Yifan seemed to have no intention of doing so either, using that same nonchalant attitude to casually untie the tightly wrapped package and pull out the rolled-up imperial edict.

  It should be an ordinary official who receives the edict, at least to burn incense and clean his hands, put up the incense case and kneel down to receive the edict, to show respect for the emperor. Qin Yifan did not have any such intention, directly picked it up and opened it.

  As for the contents of the imperial edict, Lin Qiulü had no interest in knowing. Along the way, there were countless opportunities to open it, but she never did. When Qin Yifan checked the edict, she was constantly sizing him up, wanting to carefully observe and see what kind of person this man she would be protecting in the future was.

  It's a pity that Qin Yifan's performance at this moment is no different from an ignorant mountain villager. Fortunately, when he read the imperial edict, he could explain it, which means he can read and write, better than those who are illiterate. As for other things, with a kitchen knife hanging on his waist, tender skin and delicate flesh, there's not a single trace of having been to battlefields, nor does he have the robust physique of a martial artist. Is this really the person whom the great general and His Majesty the Emperor highly esteem?

  It was as if Qin Yifan wasn't someone with whom she had any relationship, despite having to protect him, but it didn't hinder Lin Qiu's initial impression of him. It couldn't be considered good, nor could it be considered bad. The current Lin Qiu had already lost the anger she felt when she first received this order and had accepted this arrangement, instead appearing as if she was open-minded about everything.

  "Are you my guardian?" Qin Yifan put down the imperial edict and looked at Lin Qiulü, who had been veiled in a light gauze: "Alright, you can stay!" Not a hint of politeness, as if it was only natural.

  "You can choose any room you like, just settle down first. If you fancy my room, would you mind putting my stuff in another room?" Qin Yifan's words were not at all unusual, but Lin Qiulü couldn't help but curl her lip slightly: "Who wants a room that a stinky man has lived in."

  "By the way, you just arrived here, I'll give you a piece of advice." Qin Yifan stopped Lin Qiulü who was about to take her things and find her room: "From now on, don't practice randomly here. Even if you need to cultivate your energy, be extremely careful and never show off. If something happens, call me."

  As Lin Qiulü disappeared from his line of sight, Qin Yifan put down the imperial edict and pulled out a silk cord from the package, slowly lifting the object connected to it before his eyes.