Chapter 41: Teasing Liu Qingyao

Sweeping his gaze over, Qin Lang saw Liu Qingyao, her face veiled, bound hand and foot by the "Immortal-Binding Rope," utterly unable to move. Carrying the roasted meat, Qin Lang approached her step by step, his eyes fixed on her, sweeping over her figure with an appraising look.

After a moment, Qin Lang frowned. This girl’s figure was decent enough, but wasn’t she a bit petite? Still, what about her face? He wondered silently, noticing the cold, steady gaze she leveled at him. Qin Lang paid it no mind, reaching out his right hand and effortlessly lifting her veil.

Before him was a face of delicate features, stunningly beautiful, with an almost childlike softness, a hint of baby fat lending a youthful charm. Though her looks were youthful, there was no denying she possessed a face that would captivate any man.

For an instant, Qin Lang was utterly entranced, his gaze locked onto her, swallowing involuntarily, sighing inwardly at her beauty. Her figure was truly superb, though she lacked certain eye-catching curves; yet her face was so alluring it was impossible to look away.

Even without a full, voluptuous form, her splendid figure paired with that enchanting face was enough to make any man fall to his knees, utterly smitten.

As she saw his hand reach out, clearly intending to touch her face, Liu Qingyao’s anger flared. She opened her mouth, trying to bite him.

Startled by her reaction, Qin Lang hastily pulled back his hand. “Damn, are you a dog or something? Why do you bite everyone you see? Don’t tell me you’re some kind of canine demon.”

Thwarted, Liu Qingyao’s eyes flashed with icy light, a murderous intent burning within. “Try reaching out again, and I’ll make sure there’s nothing left of you.”

“I like a girl with spirit,” Qin Lang replied, unfazed, his gaze once again roaming over her body, admiring every inch as though she were a masterpiece crafted by the heavens.

Anger seethed in Liu Qingyao’s heart as Qin Lang’s eyes brazenly roved over her. If looks could kill, Qin Lang would have died a hundred times over, struck down until not even ashes remained.

“Girls shouldn’t be so hot-tempered. If you keep it up, your chest will stay flat,” Qin Lang teased crudely.

“Want a bite of roast meat? Don’t worry, it’s not poisoned. If you don’t believe me, I’ll eat some first,” he offered.

But Liu Qingyao remained unmoved, glaring at him with ferocious eyes, wishing she could tear him apart to vent her hatred. Yet bound as she was, her energy sealed, she could only endure his presence.

A burst of hearty laughter echoed, and Qin Lang turned away, carrying the roast meat back to the fire.

Once seated, Hua Manlou asked with a puzzled look, “Brother Qin, what exactly happened last night? How did you end up provoking heavenly lightning, and why did it chase after you?”

The memory of last night was still vivid in his mind, especially the sight of Qin Lang being pursued and struck by the thunder. It had terrified them, fearing he would be killed. Fortunately, fate favored him; though he was severely injured, he survived unscathed. Such a strange sight was something they had never witnessed before.

Qin Lang looked helpless and speechless. “It’s embarrassing to say. Last night, when I saw the demon clan approaching, I ran without thinking. But the sky was filled with golden lightning. I couldn’t help cursing, and then the thunder started chasing me down.”

“What?!” Hua Manlou exclaimed in disbelief, staring at Qin Lang. “You cursed at heavenly lightning last night? Brother Qin, you’ve got some guts!”

Heavenly thunder was something even immortals feared, and this guy dared insult it—was he just looking to die? It was only by some miracle the lightning didn’t kill him; perhaps he was just that lucky. Hua Manlou had to admire his courage.

Qin Lang waved a hand, looking resigned. “It wasn’t on purpose. When I was running, a bolt of golden lightning struck nearby and startled me. I pointed at the sky and cursed, and that’s how I ended up provoking it.”

It was a lie, but a harmless one. As long as he could deceive everyone, things would be much easier. In fact, he could use this story to explain how he’d become a cultivator and acquired the memories of Prince Pingnan, Liu An. Even if they doubted him, there was no way to disprove it.

Hua Manlou fell silent.

“Good thing you’re all right, Brother Qin,” Liu Man called from not far off. “Otherwise, we wouldn’t know how to explain things when we got back.”

Looking over, Qin Lang saw Liu Man and Su Momo approaching. Liu Man seemed concerned, but Su Momo regarded him with disdain, a mocking glint in her eyes.

“You had it coming,” she said. “I told you not to wander off, but you disappeared the moment I blinked. Too bad the lightning didn’t blast you to smithereens.”

Qin Lang winced at her words, having nothing to say. She had indeed warned him not to stray too far from her side, but he’d vanished in a heartbeat. Still, it couldn’t be helped—he had to undertake his foundation building in secret.

Shaking his head lightly, Qin Lang turned to Liu Man. “Brother Liu, after being struck by the heavenly lightning last night, I found that I now possess all the memories of Prince Pingnan, including their plans with the demon clan.”

“What?!” Everyone frowned, staring at Qin Lang. Could it be that the lightning had opened his mind and restored his memories?

Seeing their skepticism, Qin Lang continued calmly, “Believe it or not, after being struck by the heavenly lightning last night, I gained all of Prince Pingnan’s memories. Also, I discovered I’ve become a cultivator.”

He had said all he needed to; now, it was up to them whether or not they believed him. Of course, he hoped they would, for only then would he avoid being accused of deceiving the sovereign.

After a moment’s hesitation, Liu Man strode forward and grasped Qin Lang’s left hand, releasing his spiritual sense to examine him.

Suddenly, he noticed that Qin Lang’s meridians were perfectly clear, free of any blockages, and his spiritual roots were flawless—the very image of a true cultivator.

“How strange! How could such an incredible thing happen in this world? Was it really the heavenly lightning last night?”

Hua Manlou, still puzzled, came over to examine him as well. The more he checked, the more shocked he became.

“Damn, Brother Qin, you really are something! You actually got struck into becoming a cultivator!”