Chapter 5 Mission Arrives

Since Shen Qingqiu woke up from that inexplicable high fever, Yue Qingyuan had visited him several times during his "recuperation" period. As the leader of the number one immortal cultivation sect in the world, Yue Qingyuan had an incredibly heavy workload, yet he still cared so much about his junior brother. Shen Qingqiu was almost moved by his kindness.

The fact that someone like that could turn on you so easily and attack you so readily shows just how despicable he is.

Yue Qingyuan held up the snow-white porcelain teacup offered from his bamboo hut, his eyes filled with deep concern: "Junior Brother, you've been recuperating for these past few days, are you feeling any better?"

Shen Qingqiu gently waved his folding fan, blending perfectly into the atmosphere of brotherly affection among fellow disciples: "Qingqiu has long since forgotten about it, thank you for your concern, Senior Brother."

Yue Qingyuan: "Then it seems it's about time for Junior Brother to descend the mountain. Is there anything you need?"

Shen Qingqiu's hand, which was waving a fan, froze: "Go down the mountain?"

Yue Qingyuan asked in surprise, "Junior brother, you've been sick, have you forgotten? Didn't you tell me before that you were to handle the matter in Shuanghu City as a training opportunity for the disciples?"

It turns out that the trouble came from the original product.

Shen Qingqiu was just trying to find an excuse to get out of it. He couldn't yet control his spiritual power and martial arts skills, so how could he take his disciples down the mountain for training!

But before he could even muster the nerve to admit that he was still feeling unwell, an alarm sounded in his ear, and the system's cold, surround sound began:

[Beginner-stage quest issued. Location: Twin Lakes City. Quest: Complete the training. Please click to accept.]

So this is the initial stage mission! Looks like I have no choice but to go. Just as Shen Qingqiu was about to ask how to accept it, a floating mission description popped up in front of him, with two options below: "Accept" on the left and "Reject" on the right.

His gaze lingered on the "Accept" option for a moment. The option turned green, and a "ding" sounded, indicating a system notification: [Task accepted successfully. Please read the case file carefully and prepare accordingly. Best of luck!]

Shen Qingqiu snapped out of his reverie and smiled at Yue Qingyuan, "Of course I remember, but I've been too lazy to take care of myself these past few days and almost forgot about it. I'll be setting off soon."

Yue Qingyuan nodded and said, "If there are still any inconveniences, there is no need to force yourself. There is no rush to train the disciples, and you don't actually need to do the task of eliminating the scourge yourself."

Shen Qingqiu smiled and agreed, but inwardly he thought: Senior brother, do you know that you are exactly the same as an NPC who issues quests?

As mentioned in the original novel, Shen Qingqiu entrusted all his big and small chores to his trusted confidant, Mingfan. Whenever the main character was not involved, this boy would be incredibly efficient and intelligent, and Shen Qingqiu would be able to set off the next day.

Before leaving Qingjing Peak, Shen Qingqiu checked his appearance. Dressed in a plain white robe, with a loose sash, a sword hanging at his left waist and a fan in his right, he exuded an air of elegance and refinement.

Absolutely no OOC, perfect!

Below the long, hundred-step white stone staircase, beside the mountain gate, was the carriage prepared for Shen Qingqiu, as well as horses for several accompanying disciples.

Shen Qingqiu: "System, are you kidding me? This is supposed to be a cultivation setting, so why don't you fly on a sword when you travel?"

The system replied coolly: "Even in a Harry Potter-style magical world, not every wizard rides a broomstick. That's too flashy."

Shen Qingqiu: "You seem to know a lot, don't you? Did you work in the Harry Potter department before?"

The system displayed a large, empty string of "...".

In all the years since it was put into operation, Shen Qingqiu is the first person to have the leisure to chat and try to get close to the system.

However, upon further reflection, it makes sense. This trip down the mountain is for training. Most of these disciples are young and inexperienced, and haven't yet found their own "sword." According to the Cangqiong Mountain Sect's tradition, when disciples reach a certain stage of cultivation, they can go to Wanjian Peak, one of the twelve peaks, to choose a suitable "sword."

It's said that people choose swords, but in reality, it's the swords choosing people. If someone has no talent whatsoever, yet insists on wielding a top-quality sword that embodies the essence of heaven and earth, it's like a beautiful woman with an ugly man, or a lovely flower stuck in cow dung. You can imagine, the sword wouldn't even agree to that.

Luo Binghe's cheat ability was activated when he found his own unique sword, "Heart Demon".

Shen Qingqiu entered the carriage. The carriage was grand but not ornate on the outside, and spacious and comfortable inside, with a small incense burner burning softly. After settling in, he paused, feeling that something was amiss. Suddenly, he extended his folding fan and lifted the curtain, looking outside.

No wonder that figure bustling around the carriage seemed familiar; it turns out that the errand boy being ordered around by everyone was Luo Binghe!

Just then, Luo Binghe loaded the last item onto the carriage—the white jade chessboard that Shen Qingqiu always used on his trips. Looking up, he saw Shen Qingqiu scrutinizing him with a complicated expression. He paused for a moment, then respectfully greeted, "Master."

His injuries from being disciplined by Shen Qingqiu had almost healed; the bruises on his face had completely disappeared. Although he was still young and his features hadn't fully developed, his youthful and handsome appearance was still evident in his eyes. He stood straight, and his movements exuded a natural air of confidence, showing no trace of the years of suppression and torment he had endured on Qingjing Peak.

Although it was rough work of moving things while sitting down, his attitude was meticulous, and his focused and serious appearance was hard not to like.

Especially someone like Shen Qingqiu, who already had some affection for the protagonist. He always had a soft spot for protagonists who were decisive in killing and clear about their grudges.

Shen Qingqiu stared at him for a while, then hummed in response, closed her folding fan, and lowered the curtain.

It has to be said, the protagonist is the protagonist. No wonder, despite his down-on-his-luck state—no background, no future, no parental love—so many women, the first, second, third, and fourth leads, flocked to him. Good looks are the only real advantage!

Of course, this also explains why his fellow disciples always disliked him and wanted to beat him up.

He then thought of something else: Wait a minute. If there were ten disciples on the trip, including Luo Binghe, we only saw nine horses just now. One horse is missing!

Well, even a fool could guess who's behind this.

Sure enough, amidst a burst of snickers, Mingfan's smug voice drifted from outside the carriage: "There's a real shortage of horses, so I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you this time, Junior Brother. Besides, since your foundation is weak, this is a good opportunity for you to get some training."

Horse shortage? Bullshit! The Cangqiong Mountain Sect is the number one sect in the cultivation world in recent years. It's rolling in money, okay? We don't need your horse.

Mingfan, however, was well aware of the art of cannon fodder courting death. He paused for a moment, then said, "What? What's with that expression? Are you dissatisfied?"

Luo Binghe calmly said two words: "I dare not."

Just then, a girl's silvery laughter rang out, as if Ning Yingying had arrived. "Senior brother, what are you talking about?"

Girl, you've come at just the right time!

Shen Qingqiu sighed. Ning Yingying was the catalyst for the falling out between Ming Fan and Luo Binghe. Whenever she appeared, Luo Binghe was bound to suffer.

Shen Qingqiu demurely lifted the carriage curtain slightly and saw Ning Yingying waving excitedly: "A Luo, aren't there enough horses? Come and ride with me!"

...Luo Binghe really knows how to stir up hatred.

Shen Qingqiu could practically picture Ming Fan's jaw dropping to the floor. It's well known that while the plot of a down-on-his-luck protagonist gaining the attention of a beautiful woman is a satisfying element, it's also the easiest way to incite jealousy and resentment. If Luo Binghe were to accept Ning Yingying's suggestion now, his journey would be anything but peaceful.

Shen Qingqiu, sitting in the carriage, said, "Yin'er, stop fooling around. Men and women shouldn't touch each other. Even if you're close to your junior brother, there should be a limit. Mingfan, why are you dawdling for so long? Why aren't we setting off yet?"

Mingfan was overjoyed, thinking that his master and he were indeed on the same side! He immediately urged the team to set off.

Putting the little farce aside for the time being, Shen Qingqiu regained his composure, opened the file next to the small table, and continued to confirm the itinerary.

This trip was not only his first time going down the mountain to follow the storyline, but also a preliminary task that concerned whether he could unfreeze the OOC function, so he had no choice but to take it seriously.

The case file details a series of murders that have recently occurred in a small town dozens of miles away from the Cangqiong Mountain Sect. Nine people have already died.

Each victim shared a common trait: their skin had been meticulously and completely peeled off. From head to toe, the method was so refined that it was as if the skin had never been on the body at all—a truly horrifying sight. Therefore, the murderer was known as the "Skinner."

The government was powerless to stop the killing of nine people, and the people of the city were filled with fear. Some even spread rumors that it was the work of ghosts—otherwise, how could they appear and disappear without a trace?!

Several wealthy families gathered together and finally decided to invite someone to the Cangqiong Mountain Sect to seek help from a master cultivator.

He had seen this information many times before. But seeing it again and again didn't help at all.

What the hell is this "Skinner"?! Never even heard of it! Is this some kind of bonus plot or a hidden plot?! Is it dangerous?! Is he strong?! Can I handle him?! This isn't what we were promised!

When he questioned these things, the system replied: "What's the difference? Before, you were just a reader of a novel. Novels are artistic creations, and artistic creations involve selection and omission. Now that you've become a part of this world, naturally you'll experience everything firsthand, big or small, and you'll also fully experience the plot points omitted from the original work."

Shen Qingqiu was helpless. Knowing that it was unavoidable, he could only intensify his practice before descending the mountain, familiarize himself with his skills as soon as possible, and be able to control them freely, so as not to be killed by some demons and monsters he had never heard of before.

The carriage was fully equipped with everything imaginable, and Shen Qingqiu even pulled out five or six different tea sets, leaving him speechless. In his previous life, he was at least a minor rich kid, and he wasn't this fussy about the rich.

Luo Binghe was still outside, remaining vigilant and watching for any sounds. Laughter occasionally drifted from outside the carriage. Shen Qingqiu glanced outside.

Luo Binghe walked alone at the back of the group, sometimes walking, sometimes running. Every now and then, horses would circle around him, deliberately stirring up dust and making him look covered in dirt.

This is just a book. All the characters are fictional creations. It's all that idiot author's fault. He just tortured the protagonist relentlessly from the beginning. Screw that!

However, it would be unrealistic to say that he was completely unmoved when this character was treated like this right in front of him.

Ning Yingying's attempts to dissuade others were completely useless. In her anxiety, she spurred her horse closer to the carriage and called out, "Master! Look at my senior brothers!"

Shen Qingqiu's heart skipped a beat, but she didn't show it, and said indifferently, "What's wrong with them?"

Her voice was filled with grievance as she protested, "They bully us like this, and you don't even say anything to them. If this continues... what will become of the disciples you've taught, Master!"

This was tantamount to directly complaining, but Mingfan and the others felt no pressure at all. This was because Shen Qingqiu had always tolerated these actions; they believed that the more they bullied Luo Binghe, the happier their master would be, so they had no intention of restraining themselves.

Mingfan was overjoyed. It was indeed Luo Binghe causing trouble in the back mountain that day using some kind of sorcery he had learned from who-knows-where. Today, with his master here, he was completely subdued.

Shen Qingqiu actually said "Oh" and then said, "Luo Binghe, come here."

Luo Binghe remained calm, seemingly used to it, and responded with a "Yes" before approaching.

At first, everyone was gloating, thinking that this was a way to catch Luo Binghe and teach him a lesson. But today, they were destined to be so frightened that their worldviews would be shattered.

Because Shen Qingqiu lifted the curtain with her folding fan, arrogantly raised her chin at Luo Binghe, and glanced into the carriage. Although she didn't speak, the meaning of this gesture couldn't be clearer.

Ning Yingying said happily, "A Luo, hurry up and get in the car! Master wants you to ride with him!"

a bolt from the blue!

If they didn't know that their master had been enlightened for many years, Mingfan and the others would have suspected that Shen Qingqiu was possessed by an evil spirit!

Luo Binghe was also stunned. But he reacted very quickly and replied without hesitation, "Thank you, Master." He boarded the carriage and sat upright in the corner, his hands and feet moving properly, as if afraid that his patched clothes would dirty the carriage.

System: [Warning...]

Shen Qingqiu: "What warning? I didn't go out of character."

System: [Shen Qingqiu would never have done something like this to help Luo Binghe. Judgment: OOC level 100%.]

Shen Qingqiu said, "If it were simply to help Luo Binghe out of his predicament, then of course it wouldn't be possible. But right now, my purpose is to prevent Ning Yingying from being disappointed in me, her master. Just think, how could he bear to disappoint his most beloved little disciple?"

system:【……】

Shen Qingqiu: "So my behavior is completely in line with the logic of the character 'Shen Qingqiu'. You can't deduct points from my score."

Through these days of communication, he has gradually figured out some of the tricks of the trade.

The system has rules, but they are not rigid rules. Since the rules are flexible, there is room for negotiation.

As expected, the system hadn't come up with a solution yet. Shen Qingqiu was overjoyed and couldn't help but laugh.

He was sitting quietly in the carriage, eyes closed, seemingly lost in meditation, when suddenly he laughed out loud, and Luo Binghe couldn't help but look over.

To be honest, it would be a lie to say that Luo Binghe wasn't surprised. Although he had always treated Shen Qingqiu with great respect, he was always aware of how his master viewed him and how he regarded him.

He had assumed that if someone asked him to get in the car, there must be something even more powerful waiting for him, and he was mentally prepared. However, he did not expect that Shen Qingqiu would ignore him and sit down to meditate on her own.

Luo Binghe thought for a moment, realizing that he had never looked at Shen Qingqiu so closely and carefully before.

In terms of appearance, Shen Qingqiu is undeniably handsome. Perhaps not a top-tier beauty, but he is undeniably good-looking and pleasing to the eye. The contours of his profile are like those sculpted by gentle flowing water, easily inspiring a sense of goodwill. Just like his world-renowned sword, which is both refined and elegant.

The moment Shen Qingqiu opened his eyes, he saw Luo Binghe staring at him. The kind of charm that would later be exclusive to male protagonists—"eyes like two cold stars, a gentle smile revealing his teeth, and a warm, inviting demeanor"—was already glimpsed at this moment.

Luo Binghe was caught red-handed and didn't know what to do, but Shen Qingqiu had already smiled at him.

The smile was purely subconscious. Luo Binghe, however, felt as if he had been pricked by a tiny thorn, and quickly looked away, finding it even harder to describe his feelings.

Soon, Shen Qingqiu's smile faded.

System notification: [Violation: OOC. B-level -5. Current B-level: 165.]

Shen Qingqiu: "...You're deducting points for even smiling?"

The system declared righteously: 【OOC is OOC.】