Chapter 25

When Qin Mian returned to the cave, Song Shu had been waiting for a long time.

Huang Lihua's words that Qin Mian would abandon him in the future kept echoing in Song Shu's mind. He stubbornly refused to believe it, but because Qin Mian rejected his request to be his Taoist partner last time, Song Shu's heart was somewhat shaken.

When he saw Qin Mian coming back, he immediately jumped up from the rattan chair and trotted to Qin Mian.

It had been a long time since Qin Mian had felt such a warm welcome from Song Shu. He raised his eyebrows slightly and chuckled, "But is there anything you want?"

"No!"

Song Shu frowned, his dark eyes fixed on Qin Mian, and asked seriously, "Qin Mian, I'll ask you again, are you willing to be my Taoist partner?"

Why bring this up again?

Qin Mian wanted to continue to perfunctorily pass it over, but seeing the stubbornness in Song Shu's eyes and eyebrows, he was slightly startled, and his expression became more serious. After hesitating for a moment, he tentatively asked: "Do you know what a Taoist companion is?"

"Of course I know!"

Giving Qin Mian a look that said "you underestimate me," Song Shu put his hands behind his back, raised his head and chest, and said seriously:

"A Taoist companion is... is..."

Ah Hua and Ah Huang's words surfaced in his mind. What the cat and the weasel said was unclear. Song Shu was stunned for a moment before reluctantly summing up: "A Taoist couple is two people who live together all the time, protecting each other and can't hide any secrets from each other!"

Song Shu has decided that if Qin Mian is willing to be his Taoist partner, he will tell Qin Mian about the Rat Sect and not hide it from him.

Unexpectedly, the little squirrel actually had some opinions about Taoist couples. Qin Mian chuckled and said to him, "You know you are partly right. As Taoist couples, you two should really accompany each other in the future. You can't abandon each other casually."

Song Shu nodded in agreement: You can't abandon each other!

Qin Mian abandoned Shu, so Shu beat Qin Mian severely!

Looking down at Song Shu, Qin Mian's usually gentle face showed a hint of seriousness. He said in a deep voice: "Besides this, being a Taoist couple requires mutual understanding and joy when seeing each other. If this is not possible, being a Taoist couple will only lead to torture each other."

Telepathy?

Song Shu's eyes were confused. When he used the prototype, although Qin Mian didn't understand what he said, he could guess 70% of it correctly. Is this considered a telepathic connection?

As for the feeling of joy, Shu was very happy to see Qin Mian. Could it be that Qin Mian was not happy to see Shu?

Seeing Song Shu frowning and then suddenly realizing something, Qin Mian knew that this little squirrel from Lingshan didn't understand what love was at all.

Feeling slightly disappointed, Qin Mian stroked his sleeves and covered it up, saying, "Alright, let's talk about the Taoist partner later."

"No!"

Pressing down Qin Mian's hand that was caressing his sleeve, Song Shu asked unhappily, "We clearly have a mutual understanding. Could it be that you were unhappy when you saw me, so you don't want to be my Taoist partner?"

Qin Mian looked strange and asked, "When have we ever been in sync?"

"When I was in my original form, you could guess what I said. Doesn't that count as a mutual understanding?" Song Shu asked back.

Suddenly speechless, Qin Mian took a moment to calm down before saying, "This is not what I mean by empathy."

"What do you mean by that?" Song Shu said dissatisfiedly, "Explain it to me. If it doesn't work, you can teach me. I learn things quickly!"

Rat learns sword and boxing techniques very quickly!

The boy's round face was full of dissatisfaction, his dark eyes were fixed on Qin Mian, his lips were rosy with a hint of water, as if tempting people to bite and pick them.

Qin Mian lowered his head slightly, watching as his thin lips were about to touch Song Shu's rosy lips, but Song Shu didn't dodge, still blinking his big eyes. Qin Mian paused suddenly, then straightened up, with an inexplicable disappointment in his tone:

"You are not yet ready to understand. I will teach you later."

If Song Shu really liked him, how could she not feel shy at all?

However, Qin Mian was not disappointed. He knew that it was too late for the little squirrel to understand the things of the world. Just as Song Shu said, he would slowly teach Song Shu about love in the future.

"Why does it take so long?" Song Shu asked curiously, "Is it difficult?"

Qin Mian was unable to answer. After a pause, he only said, "Not really. But you need to grow up to slowly understand it."

With eyes wide open, Song Shu argued, "But I'm not a kid anymore!"

The mouse has survived three winters!

Seeing Qin Mian remained silent, Song Shu pulled his wrist again and said dissatisfiedly, "But if you don't become my Taoist partner, can we still mate in the future? Are you planning to drive me away in the future?"

What is this all about?

Why is it bringing up mating again for no reason?

Qin Mian didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and said, "How could I drive you away? As long as you didn't take the initiative to leave, I wouldn't drive you away."

With his head tilted slightly, Song Shu felt more and more dizzy.

Didn't Huang Lihua say that if Qin Mian didn't become his Taoist partner, he would be driven away? But—

He saw the seriousness in Qin Mian's eyes and felt that Qin Mian would not lie to him.

It must be that Huang Lihua was wrong.

Song Shu heaved a sigh of relief and felt happier, so he pulled Qin Mian and asked, "Can we still mate in the future?"

Mating is so comfortable, mice want to mate every day!

Qin Mian: ...

Qin Mian's eyes grew darker, and he gritted his teeth, saying meaningfully, "Let's talk about it next time you're in heat."

One year should be enough to teach Song Shu about love.

Still unaware of the deeper meaning behind Qin Mian's words, Song Shu curled his lips and counted on his fingers how long it would take until the estrus period arrived. After a moment, he said wistfully, "Can we mate every day as Taoist couples?"

Qin Mian twitched his lips and revealed a meaningful smile: "Of course you can."

Song Shu felt even more melancholy. He really wanted to become a Taoist couple with Qin Mian. They wanted to mate!

Silently clenching his fists, Song Shu secretly vowed: Rat must understand what it means to be in tune with each other as soon as possible!

-

Because Qin Mian's words were unclear, Song Shu quickly went to find the disciples of the Rat Sect to ask what telepathy meant.

Ah Huang, who had just returned, waved his paw and said, "I just want to eat big yellow chicken, and you also want to eat big yellow chicken, which means we have a common understanding."

Song Shu thought that since he didn't like eating big yellow chicken, he and Ah Huang must have a different mindset.

Ah Hua licked her paw and said gracefully, "For example, if I want to catch mice and you also want to catch mice, then we have a mutual understanding."

Catching mice?

Song Shu frowned and reminded: "Don't capture the disciples of the Rat Sect!"

Ah Hua yawned and lay down on the stone table.

Huang Lihua, who was more experienced, said, "When two people like each other, it's called a mutual understanding."

Wrinkling his nose, Song Shu felt that he liked Qin Mian, but Qin Mian said that this did not count as mutual understanding.

Because Huang Lihua and Qin Mian's statements were inconsistent, Song Shu didn't really believe them this time.

Seeing the goblins quiet down, the parrot looked around and suddenly sang: "I'm hiding here and listening to the sound through the hole in the wall, and it turns out that the person in the west wing is Li Sitong..."

He was singing lyrics from "Romance of the West Chamber", which was about Cui Yingying eavesdropping on Zhang Sheng playing the piano. Although the two did not speak, Cui Yingying understood the emotions in the sound of Zhang Sheng's piano.

Unfortunately, none of the goblins present could understand the deep meaning.

The cat's eyes sharpened, Ah Hua licked her paws, and said in a dragging voice: "I feel like eating bird."

The parrot suddenly fell silent: ...

He had been in the troupe for a long time and knew best how quickly cats could attack parrots. If one was not careful, a parrot might fall into the cat's stomach.

Finding that none of the disciples of the Rat Sect were reliable, Song Shu held his cheeks with both hands, with a stern face, and sighed heavily.

The rat had to find another way.

At night, Song Shu and Qin Mian meditated together. Because Song Shu was thinking about communicating with Qin Mian's minds, he was unable to enter into a state of meditation.

Qin Mian naturally noticed his strange behavior. In fact, Song Shu's interest had not been high in the past few days, and he had been restless during cultivation. Worried that Song Shu was feeling unwell again, Qin Mian whispered, "But where is it that's bothering you?"

Song Shu glanced at him, then pursed her lips and turned her face away.

Still asking!

If you were willing to be a Taoist partner with a rat, the rat would have been happy a long time ago!

Seeing that Song Shu ignored him, Qin Mian's eyes flashed with helplessness, and he said, "My master and I are going to Lingyun Sect in a few days. We may stay for three days. You must go with me."

Although he asked this, Qin Mian didn't think Song Shu would reject him.

"Lingyun Sect?"

Song Shu blinked. After leaving Lingshan, he had not been to any place other than Xiaoyao Gate.

"Yes." Qin Mian said to him, "The head of Lingyun Sect has some friendship with Master. He recently got a new magical weapon and invited Master to come and see it."

Magical weapon!

Song Shu's interest was piqued. Just as he was about to agree, a huge turtle face flashed through his mind. He was slightly stunned, then shook his head and said, "I won't go."

Unexpectedly, Song Shu would refuse. Qin Mian frowned slightly and asked, "Why?"

"I have something to do."

"Do you happen to have something to do on those days?"

"good!"

The old turtle knows everything about astronomy and geography, so it definitely knows what telepathy is!

Song Shu had already made up his mind. He would take advantage of Qin Mian's absence to quietly return to Lingshan to ask the old turtle what his mind was connected with, and then return to Xiaoyaomen before Qin Mian came back.

By then, he will understand what it means to be in tune with one another, and Qin Mian will be able to become his Taoist partner.

The rat can continue to mate with Qin Mian!

Not knowing what Song Shu was thinking, Qin Mian saw his firm refusal, curled his fingers slightly, tapped his chin and said, "We'll talk about it then."

I thought Song Shu would change his mind after a few days, until the day before departure, Qin Mian asked again: "Are you really not going with me?"

Song Shu shook his head: "No."

Looking at Qin Mian's cold face, Song Shu smiled smugly in his heart.

Humph, after you and I become partners, we can go wherever we want. It won’t take too long.

Qin Mian was silent for a while, then looked at Song Shu and said, "Do you have anything important that you need my help with?"

Worried that Qin Mian wouldn't go either, Song Shu quickly said, "No need for you, I can do it myself!"

Qin Mian felt a little sad when he found out that Song Shu was hiding something from him, but the little squirrel was not his property and he could not keep it imprisoned.

"All right."

After hesitating for a moment, Qin Mian compromised and said, "I will ask Baiquan to send you food and honey water every day..."

"Don't bother."

Song Shu raised his head, squinted his eyes and smiled at him: "I have everything in my storage ring, did you forget? How stupid!"

There are a lot of cakes and pastries in the mouse's storage ring. They will not go bad if kept in it. It is better than the tree hole.

"Really?" Qin Mian pulled his lips hard and said softly, "I've forgotten everything."

After thinking of a solution to his problem, Song Shu became much more talkative. Seeing Qin Mian admit that he had a bad memory, he just laughed at him a little and then said, "It's okay, I just remember it."

On the second day, when Qin Mian left Xiaoyao Gate, Song Shu went to see him off.

Just like when Qin Mian brought Song Shu here, Qin Mian was standing on the sword in white clothes, with cold eyebrows and handsome face, which was very eye-catching.

That's strange.

Why does Shu feel that Qin Mian looks better than before recently?

The mouse was almost fascinated by it.

"Be good in the sect," Qin Mian instructed. "If there's anything you want, go ask your uncle for it. I'll give it back to him when I come back."

Looking straight at Qin Mian's face, Song Shu replied absentmindedly, "Okay."

There wasn't much reluctance to leave in the boy's eyes, but then again, it was only three short days, so what was there to be reluctant about?

After secretly mocking himself for being increasingly stingy recently, Qin Mian turned around and flew after Xuan Hua on his sword, who had already walked some distance away.

As a lone member of Xiaoyao Sect, Xuan Hua put his hands behind his back and said to Qin Mian who was chasing him, "If you are so reluctant to leave, why don't you just go back?"

Qin Mian lowered his brows and said, "Seriously."

"Ahem... I was just joking." Xuan Hua said somewhat embarrassedly, "Lingyun Sect is a big sect. You are the only one we can count on in Xiaoyao Sect right now. If you leave, people will say that we have no real disciples left in Xiaoyao Sect."

Still worried about Song Shu's recent behavior, Qin Mian didn't care about Xuan Hua's explanation.

On the other side, after Song Shu confirmed that Qin Mian had left, he quickly transformed into his original form and went to find Ah Huang. He would be away for three days and had to give an explanation to the disciples of the Rat Sect first.

"You mean you want to leave?" Ah Huang shook his ears and stood up.

"Um."

Carrying Song Jian on his back, Song Shu said seriously, "I'll be back in about three days. Please help me keep an eye on Ah Hua and the others' training during these few days."

Not understanding why Song Shu would leave Xiaoyao Sect and return to that remote corner of Lingshan, Ah Huang wrinkled his nose and asked in confusion, "It's fine to watch you practice, but are you really coming back?"

Song Shu's eyes were firm: "I will definitely come back!"

Shu also wants to become a Taoist couple with Qin Mian!

"All right."

Ah Huang sighed in exasperation: "But do you remember the way back to Lingshan? How do you get back?"

Drawing out the gleaming silver sword behind him, Song Shu gripped the hilt and raised it confidently: "I'll fly back on my sword. I was watching the road the whole time I came to Xiaoyao Gate. I'm sure I'm right!"

Song Shu has a very good ability to remember routes, otherwise he would not be able to find good spiritual fruits to bring back to the tree hole every time.

After bidding farewell to Ah Huang, the little squirrel carefully avoided everyone's sight and ran to the cliff of Baiyun Peak. He drew out the small sword behind him, closed his eyes and recited some magic formula, and then the small sword floated in the air.

It hasn't been long since Song Shu learned to fly with a sword, but he is very confident.

Rats are the best at whatever they learn!

The little squirrel in white clothes stepped on the sword and waved its little paw. The sword suddenly rushed out and the small sword quickly disappeared in the endless clouds.

Returning to Lingshan from Xiaoyao Gate, Song Shu flew on his sword for about three hours. He was blown by the cold wind for three hours, and his ear hair was blown into a mess, and his body was a little stiff.

In the spring, Lingshan is covered with lush vegetation, and animals are running freely in the woods. Song Shu saw a few monkeys swinging on the trees from afar.

Instructing Song Jian to land outside the tree hole where he lived before, Song Shu stepped on the ground to stretch his muscles.

After this experience of flying the sword himself, Song Shu decided to stay with Qin Mian in the future. The wind almost blew the mouse away, so he had to ask Qin Mian to block the wind for the mouse. Moreover, he always felt that when Qin Mian took him away, the distance was not so long.

The mouse has been gone for so long, and I don’t know if the tree hole has been occupied by other animals.

Holding on to the tree trunk, Song Shu landed at the entrance of the cave with a light leap. Compared with half a year ago, he is now more agile and can jump higher.

As soon as Song Shu entered the tree hole, he smelled a fishy odor that made mice sick. He wrinkled his nose and was wondering whether to go down and take a look, or just give up the tree hole.

So smelly.

No rat would live in a place like this!

Just as he was about to retreat, a big black snake climbed up the vines. Seeing Song Shu standing at the entrance of the cave, he raised his body, shrank his pupils slightly, and stuck out his tongue.

"Little squirrel, you came at the right time."

The big black snake opened its stinking mouth wide, and with just one bite, it could kill the little squirrel instantly. It grinned and said, "I'm a little hungry. I let you get away by luck before, so this time, just be good and fill my stomach!"

A squirrel can be eaten or not, but the big black snake resents Song Shu for running away every time, and just wants to eat this cunning and agile little squirrel to vent its hatred.

Humph, you’re looking for death!

Song Shu's eyes were fierce, and he held the small sword in his claws without dodging. He said fiercely: "It's just right. I want to seek revenge on you anyway. This time, let's see who dies first!"

"You want to hurt me with that little sword of yours?"

The big black snake was very disdainful, thinking that Song Shu's sword was not even as big as its head.

Song Shu didn't waste any more words with it. He narrowed his eyes slightly, exerted a little force on his horse stance, and then jumped up with the sword in hand and slashed at the big black snake.

As the sword shadow flashed, the big black snake vaguely realized that something was wrong.

Song Shu's sword landed on the snake and blood soon flowed out. The wound caused by the sword was extremely painful. Soon the snake became enraged and opened its mouth to bite Song Shu.

Just a last-ditch effort.

Song Shu looked at the snake with contempt, and jumped around on it lightly. After twisting and turning, the big black snake quickly tied itself into a knot.

Song Shu kicked the big black snake in the chin, then rolled over to stand on top of it. Then, holding the sword, he said coldly, "Today is the day you die!"

If you still want to eat rats, wait for your next life!

The tip of the sword pierced into the seven inches of the big black snake, and the snake under him suddenly fell powerlessly to the bottom of the tree hole. Song Shu grabbed the vines and swung himself back to the cave entrance. There were spots of blood on his snow-white clothes. He held the sword and looked down at the dead big black snake mercilessly.

Shu Haojun's swordsmanship!

Song Shu was very proud that he could kill his former enemy with his own hands. When he returned to Xiaoyao Gate, he would definitely tell Qin Mian about it and let him praise Kua Shu!

The tree hole was completely dirty, and Song Shu didn't want to keep it anymore.

He was originally planning to go find the old turtle, but killing the big black snake gave Song Shu great confidence. Looking at the still bright sky, Song Shu tightened his grip on the sword.

The rat will first take revenge and then go find the old turtle!

In just half a day, Song Shu hung the sable that had bullied him on a tree; he also stepped on Song Jian and flew to the sky to beat up the eagle that had tried to take him away, plucking all of its feathers; and he also beat up some lynxes, foxes, and monkeys that had wanted to eat him before.

Not only did he not fight them, he also had to make these monsters sincerely submit to him and shout "Long live the king" before he reluctantly let them go.

Don’t let any of the rat bullies go!

In less than half a day, the animals quickly spread the news privately: A violent squirrel who can dance with a sword appeared in Lingshan, and even a tiger was knocked down by him with two punches. Remember to stay away from squirrels when you see them recently, and don’t provoke them!

By the time Song Shu had dealt with all the monsters that bullied him, it was almost dark. In the afterglow of the setting sun, Song Shu skillfully stepped on the branches and swung himself to another tree, quickly heading down the mountain.

The old turtle lived at the foot of Lingshan Mountain, with the entire Lingshan Mountain on its shell. When Song Shu found it, the old turtle was staring at the clouds in the distance in a daze.

"Old bastard!"

A "cooing" sound came from his ears. The old turtle was stunned for a moment, then slowly lowered his head, only to see a small squirrel waving its claws at him. The squirrel's back was covered with orange-red fur, while its chest fur was snow-white. It was wearing a dirty white robe and carrying a sword on its back. Its long tail was almost taller than its entire body and was swinging back and forth lively.

"It's you, Song Shu."

Old Turtle still remembers Song Shu. This little squirrel likes to listen to stories and learn to read, but his current outfit looks unusual.

"You went down the mountain?"

Song Shu nodded: "The food I saved for the winter was stolen by a weasel, so I had no choice but to go down the mountain."

The animals in Lingshan all knew that having no food in winter was almost the same as declaring death. The old turtle knew even more clearly that if Song Shu did not go down the mountain, he might not be able to save his life.

The old turtle said kindly on his wrinkled face, "It's time to go down the mountain. I think you'll encounter a good opportunity when you go down the mountain."

The spiritual energy in the little squirrel is much stronger than before. He has already reached the foundation-building stage. The clothes he wears and the sword he carries on his back are also extraordinary.

"Um!"

Song Shu transformed into a human form and said to the old turtle, "I can now transform into a human, old turtle, am I powerful?"

With a smile in his eyes, the old turtle echoed: "It's amazing. I rarely see squirrels that can transform into human bodies."

Rats know it, rats are incredibly powerful!

Unable to conceal his happiness, Song Shu transformed into his original form again. He jumped in front of the old turtle, tugged at his ears and said, "Today I beat up all the animals that bullied me."

The old bastard was very polite: "They bullied you, they deserved to be beaten."

Song Shu: The old bastard is so good at talking!

Before Song Shu could continue to be happy, he heard the old bastard say, "So, why did you come to see me today?"

"You're so smart, you actually knew I had something to talk to you about!"

Song Shu rubbed his paws, jumped around the old turtle and told him everything about his encounter with Qin Mian, and finally told him about his troubles:

"Old bastard, what exactly do you mean by empathy?"

It seemed he hadn't expected that this innocent and romantic little squirrel was actually trapped in love. The old turtle pondered and said, "Were you happy when you met Qin Mian, and were you sad when you left?"

"Of course I'm happy!" But—

Scratching his ears with his claws, Song Shu muttered, "I didn't seem very sad when I left."

Shu has to go back to see Qin Mian anyway, so why should he be sad?

"I mean, what if you stay in Lingshan and never see him again?" The old bastard said gently, "If you never see Qin Mian again, will you feel sad?"

Never see you again...

Just thinking of these four words, Song Shu felt a blockage in his chest and a sour feeling in his heart, as if he had been punched and it was a little painful.

"We can't be separated forever," Song Shu said seriously, "I'm going back to see him in two days!"

Drawing conclusions from Song Shu's words, the old turtle had a gentle smile in his eyes. He tilted his head slightly, and a slight "crackling" sound came from his body. Then a crack appeared in the turtle shell at his neck, and two booklets fell out.

"What's this?"

One booklet has the words "Romance and Love Affairs" written on it, and the other has the words "I Have a Love for Longyang" written on it. The covers of both booklets are ambiguous dark red, and the titles are irregular, revealing a hint of romantic atmosphere.

The old turtle said to Song Shu, "Finish reading these two books. You will soon understand what it means to be in tune with one another."

You actually have to read a book to understand it!

Staring at the two books with a frown, Song Shu nodded solemnly.

Mouse reading!

Before he could run off with the book in his arms, he heard the old turtle say in a subtle voice, "You'd better find a quiet place to read. Don't let other spirits know."

So mysterious?

Song Shu wagged his tail and said seriously, "I understand."

-----------------------

The author has something to say: Song Shu: If Qin Mian doesn’t explain, Shu will go and find out for himself!

Qin Mian: Go home, I’ll tell you when you get home.