My Lady Always Lacks Ambition

Chapter 1285 - 1207: Ah, That Damn Competitive Streak!

The night was deep.

The moment Qin Liuxi appeared in the Nan County City God Temple, Sha Yuanzi popped out holding a small lamp. Through the dim yellow light he saw her, his eyes lit up, then seeing the dust and exhaustion on her face, he pressed his lips together and slipped back.

"At least you know your place and didn’t start nosing around asking this and that." Qin Liuxi muttered, hopped onto the altar, and leaned against the bronze statue of the City God.

"How bold of you, even the altar you dare jump onto as you please. Why don’t I just give you my seat to sit on...—oh my, this wine, it smells divine!" The South City God caught the scent from the jar Qin Liuxi pulled out; once the mud seal was broken, the mellow fragrance of the liquor wafted out, instantly waking the wine worm in him.

Then he also saw a plate of roast duck, delicate pastries, and Divine Incense.

Forget it. For the sake of these offerings, letting this unfilial brat bounce around on the altar once is no big deal.

Seeing him figuratively turning a blind eye, Qin Liuxi’s lips curved faintly.

Good thing that when she went to beat up Prince Zhao, he happened to be drinking. The good wine hadn’t been opened yet, so she grabbed it; the side dishes were still steaming on the table, so she packed those up too. Otherwise, coming empty-handed would feel a bit unfilial.

Qin Liuxi casually set out the two Glazed Jade Cups she’d swiped, then used the wine pot to pour a pot full of wine and filled a cup for each of them.

The South City God felt something was off. Extravagant, high-handed—didn’t really fit this brat’s usual penny-pinching style.

"Where’d you go rob this time?"

Qin Liuxi downed a cup herself first, then shamelessly slouched against him and said, "Mm, robbed the rich to help the poor. This is Imperial Wine, specially brought for you to taste."

The South City God said, "Heard there was an earthquake in the capital. Don’t tell me you plucked this from the Palace?"

"No, it was from that little bastard of the Palace. None of them are any good."

The South City God gave her a sidelong glance. "The resentment’s a bit deep. Even the emperor managed to offend you?"

"They say no one is more heartless than the imperial family—turns out it’s true. The imperial family is more ruthless and heartless than anyone." Qin Liuxi said with biting sarcasm, "Some people put on an air of killing their wife for the sake of the greater good, but in truth it’s just to satisfy their own selfish desires."

"Human nature is inherently selfish; that’s the most normal thing in the world. If you rage over that, it just means your Cultivation isn’t there yet, and it’s not worth it." The South City God sipped his wine and said, "As for the royal family being heartless, that’s how it’s always been since ancient times. Emperors stand above tens of millions; not one of them doesn’t want to leave behind a glorious reputation for the ages."

He might say that, but the thought still stuck unpleasantly in her chest.

"Unfair things in this world are eight or nine out of ten. Everyone has their own fate. If you insist on taking issue with every single one, you’ll be white-haired while still young," the South City God glanced toward the top of her head, then added, "Might even go bald."

Qin Liuxi: Fine, this wine was a waste of filial piety.

In a fit of pique she grabbed the wine pot and poured it straight into her mouth, then flopped down beside him.

Seeing such fine wine being chugged like water, the South City God’s heart ached. He hid the wine jar behind him, wanting to scold her a few words, but when he caught sight of the dark circles under her eyes, the words were swallowed back down.

Qin Liuxi closed her eyes and said, "Old man, tell me, if someone knows full well that going to die is a stupid move that does them no good, yet still insists on doing it—does that make them extremely stupid?"

"Depends on the reason. There are plenty who truly sacrifice themselves for the greater good. Take a General on the battlefield. Do you think he doesn’t know taking the field is a matter of losing his life? Stupid? Yes, stupid. But he has no choice, because if he retreats, behind him are ordinary, innocent people to be slaughtered at will." The South City God said, "To insist on doing what no one believes in—that is choosing the path of great righteousness."

"Abandon small proprieties, pursue great righteousness." Qin Liuxi’s eyes were half-open, half-closed as she smiled. "You’re right, there are always fools in this world."

The South City God wanted to say something, but didn’t know where to begin, and suddenly the wine didn’t taste so good anymore.

He fell silent, until the soft, even sound of Breathing came from beside him. He turned to look, and the child who’d been talking just moments ago was already fast asleep.

She was curled beside him, one hand pillowed under her head, the other casually resting over her chest. This scene felt oddly familiar, like he’d seen it somewhere before.

A fleeting image flashed through the South City God’s mind and slipped away quickly.

Before he could catch it, he saw Qin Liuxi’s brows knit, and her fingers trembled slightly.

Golden light flashed in the South City God’s divine eyes. He looked to her left index finger, his gaze turning slightly cold, and summoned the City God Seal to press down on that finger.

Qin Liuxi’s tightly furrowed brows smoothed out.

Relieved, the South City God thought for a moment, and whatever came to mind made him press the City God Seal against her spiritual platform. The golden light belonging to the divine seal sank into the depths of her Divine Mansion.

Qin Liuxi seemed to resist a bit, her eyelids twitching as if she wanted to open her eyes.

"The Dao has no form, yet births Heaven and Earth; the Dao is Heartless, yet drives the sun and moon." The South City God’s voice seemed to come from the vault of the sky, guiding her into meditation and enlightenment.

This child was bearing too much.

Dawn was about to break.

Qin Liuxi woke from meditation, sensing that an extra strand of divine light now resided in her Spiritual Platform, while the South City God’s Spiritual Energy had dimmed somewhat. She couldn’t help feeling a little helpless.

"You finally managed to accumulate some Power of Faith, and then gave it to me. This way your Divine Position is even further from becoming big and mighty."

The South City God put on a cold, aloof air. "You think it was for free? If not for these offerings, you think I’d give it to you? Dream on. As for the Divine Position, don’t worry—I’ll be sitting here for a long, long time."

"All right." Qin Liuxi’s eyes curved. "I’ll be watching."

The South City God felt an odd twinge and looked toward the door.

A middle-aged couple, supporting each other, stepped through the morning mist, followed by a servant carrying a basket full of offerings.

Qin Liuxi gave the two of them a look. When they came forward, lit the incense, and bowed three times, she said, "The City God of this place says that as long as the two of you personally give ten thousand winter garments to those in need, then when you hand out the ten-thousandth one, your wish will be fulfilled, and you will be reunited with your child."

The couple, dressed in thick brocade clothing, froze. "You know what we’ve come to ask for?"

They hadn’t even spoken yet, and she was already talking about being reunited with their child?

Seeing their surprise, Qin Liuxi smiled faintly. "This City God is very efficacious. The moment you stepped through the temple gates, he knew what you came to ask for. Once your wish is granted, please offer a golden roast pig and three jars of fine wine in return, to repay and thank the God."

The two exchanged a look, eyes a bit agitated. With trembling hands they tugged the wallet from their waist and tossed it straight into the Merit Box, then bowed to the City God and said, "If we can find our son, we will do exactly as the Immortal has said and kowtow in thanks for the God’s grace."

They also bowed to Qin Liuxi, then set down the offerings and left.

Watching Qin Liuxi finish her Spell, the South City God shook his head slightly. "Those two clearly bear the fate of having no child to send them off in old age. Why must you defy the Heavens to grant them this chance?"

"Listen to how stingy you sound. At the start of a new day, the first person to come pray ought naturally to receive a bit of divine grace." Qin Liuxi said, "As for defying the Heavens—what exactly am I defying? Doesn’t everyone say the Dao counts fifty, but Heaven uses forty-nine to evolve? Can’t blame me. I’m off."

She waved at him, walked to the temple gate, just in time for the sun to rise. The golden light fell on her, wrapping her within it.

"Even if I defy Heaven, it’s because I refuse to accept it." Qin Liuxi paused at the doorway, her voice drifting back. "With dissatisfaction in my heart, I just want to wrestle with it a bit. Ah, this damned desire to win..."

The South City God felt a moment of daze. The brat’s arrogance—so familiar somehow. When he looked up again, the child had already vanished into the golden light.