Second Week, I’m Really Not A Villain

Chapter 43: Mother and Daughter

"I'll ask Qin Qingyue myself... Actually, forget it," Qin Luo muttered, dismissing the thought.

With Qin Qingyue's icy personality, even if he asked, he would only be met with humiliation and embarrassment. It was clear that the favor Xiao Meiying used the Heavenly Evolution Art to repay was of great significance. Qin Luo silently noted the sacrifice his older sister made for him.

"I've only heard of Xiao Meiying's reputation, but I've never met her. What kind of person is she?" Qin Luo turned to Fulun with another question.

He was telling the truth. He really didn't know Xiao Meiying. In fact, he hadn't even seen her face in the original game. When Qin Luo led various forces to attack Fengtian City, Xiao Meiying had long since disappeared. The information about her possessing a volume of the Heavenly Evolution Art came from other NPCs.

Although he hadn't met Xiao Meiying, Qin Luo had a chance encounter with her daughter, Tian Wenjing, and left a deep impression on him.

"Although the relationship between the National Teacher and the Lord is not harmonious, it is not terrible either. She is extremely trustworthy and since she is repaying Miss's favor, you can completely trust her in practicing the Heavenly Evolution Art," Fulun explained.

Qin Luo understood the underlying meaning. The relationship between Xiao Meiying and Qin Wude was neither harmonious nor terrible; it was somewhere in between.

This aligns with the original plot. In the final stage of the game, Qin Wude was defeated and Fengtian City was captured. Xiao Meiying didn't offer any assistance to Qin Wude and instead fled with her daughter, Tian Wenjing.

"Didn't Qin Wude eliminate all dissidents in the court? If Xiao Meiying and Qin Wude have a strained relationship, how can she still hold the position of National Teacher and possess a volume of the Heavenly Evolution Art? It seems that she is quite capable," Qin Luo confidently analyzed.

Fulun hesitated and said, "Young Master, I must remind you that the National Teacher is not like the Lord and Miss. When you interact with her, you must be more restrained in your words and actions."

Qin Luo sneered, "I'm not a fool. I know how to speak appropriately to different people. I have a sense of measure."

Fulun felt relieved. After witnessing Qin Luo's cleverness and how he ultimately defeated Qin Qingyue three days ago, he understood that Qin Luo had a deep understanding of human nature. He was no longer the prodigal son who only knew how to indulge himself.

That kidnapping incident really helped the young master grow a lot. Madam, you can rest in peace...

"By the way, Fulun, how much do you know about the Heavenly Evolution Art?" Qin Luo interrupted Fulun's sigh and tried to gauge his knowledge.

"The martial world reveres the Heavenly Evolution Art as something extraordinary. It is said that by collecting all seven volumes of the Heavenly Evolution Art, one can become an immortal. But whether this is true or not, and where the Heavenly Evolution Art originated from, is unknown," Fulun replied calmly.

"As for whether collecting all seven volumes of the Heavenly Evolution Art can lead to immortality, this claim has never been verified throughout history because no one has ever collected all seven volumes," Fulun continued.

Qin Luo felt disappointed upon hearing this. He had thought that Fulun, as the oldest follower of Qin Wude, would know some secrets, but it seemed that he was equally clueless about the Heavenly Evolution Art.

He was a little unwilling to give up and thought for a moment before asking, "Qin Wude has held power in the court for so many years. Hasn't he ever collected the Heavenly Evolution Art? I feel that the Heavenly Thunder Technique that Qin Qingyue gave me is quite powerful. Could it be one volume of the Heavenly Evolution Art?"

福临's body was tense, and he forced a dry smile at the corners of his mouth.

"Young master, don't think too much... Miss's cultivation technique is just an ordinary Heavenly Rank technique," he chuckled, "If young master has doubts, you can ask Miss herself for confirmation."

"And ask Qin Qingyue again," Qin Luo frowned, "You've been following Qin Wude for so long, yet you know less than I do. Every time I ask, you know nothing!"

福临 lowered his head apologetically, "I'm sorry, my lord."

...

The Prime Minister's Mansion was not far from the palace. Qin Luo chatted casually with 福临 for a while, and the carriage had already arrived at the entrance of the south gate of the palace.

福临 showed the national master's token to the guards at the south gate and was allowed to pass smoothly.

This was Qin Luo's first time in the palace, so he couldn't help but be curious. He opened the curtain and looked around. He saw magnificent palaces and buildings everywhere, far surpassing the Prime Minister's Mansion of Qin Wude in grandeur.

Qin Luo couldn't get any useful information from 福临's mouth, so he didn't bother talking to him anymore. He didn't say a word since entering the palace, letting him drive the carriage around.

Before long, a grand palace appeared in Qin Luo's sight. The plaque on the palace was engraved with the three characters "Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion."

"Stop!"

A crisp and sweet voice stopped the carriage.

Qin Luo stuck his head out of the window and saw a fair and beautiful girl standing in front. She was wearing a Daoist robe, with a black ponytail tied behind her head. Her almond-shaped eyes stared at 福临 with vigilance and arrogance.

"Just as your name suggests, it's really you, Tian Wenjing."

Qin Luo sighed inwardly, thinking of the image of Tian Wenjing in the original game.

Although Tian Wenjing's name was Wen Jing, she was not at all gentle. On the contrary, she was quite violent. Qin Luo had only met her once in the first playthrough, but in that encounter, he almost got killed by Tian Wenjing.

Since her mother, Xiao Meiying, was the current national master, Tian Wenjing grew up in the palace. She was childhood friends with the young emperor and had been engaged to him since they were young. She had always wanted to marry the young emperor and become the empress.

However, what Tian Wenjing didn't know was that the young emperor couldn't marry her.

Just like her, the young emperor was also a girl. Even Qin Wude, who supported her ascension to the throne, didn't know this secret.

In the middle of the game's storyline, the young emperor didn't want to be a puppet controlled by Qin Wude. She escaped from Fengtian City on her own and coincidentally met Qin Luo and Liu Chengyin, who were adventuring in the martial world. After a series of hardships, the young emperor gradually fell in love with Qin Luo and eventually became one of the female leads.

Since the young emperor ran away, Tian Wenjing had been searching for her whereabouts. When she found out that the young emperor had fallen into Qin Luo's hands, she was furious and immediately went to kill her. At that time, Qin Luo's level hadn't risen yet, so she was no match for Tian Wenjing. She almost got killed, but luckily Liu Chengyin saved her in time and drove away this unfortunate girl who liked to talk about nonsense.

...

"Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion is the national master's residence, and no one is allowed to trespass. Go back where you came from!" Tian Wenjing crossed her arms and looked down at 福临 with disdain, driving them away without any politeness.

(End of this chapter)