Chapter Nineteen: Why Don’t You Become a Double Agent?

After Lin Qingyun finished speaking, he considered his duty to old classmates fulfilled and had no intention of saying anything more to Chu Qing. His gaze shifted to Nangong Lingyue.

He took out a healing pill potent enough to cure severe injuries at the Heart of the Zither stage and used it on Nangong Lingyue for her minor wounds. Her eyes and lips were now completely healed; apart from some dust and debris still on her body, she was fully recovered.

“Remember our agreement. This is a Spirit Gathering Pill. Once you’re out and your strength is restored, fulfill our agreement,” Lin Qingyun said, raising his hand and pointing into the air. The Seven-Star Finger burst forth, instantly dispelling Nangong Lingyue’s seal.

Of course, even after the seal was lifted, Nangong Lingyue would find it difficult to recover fully right away, so Lin Qingyun gave her an extra Spirit Gathering Pill.

“Hmph!” Nangong Lingyue snorted. With her strength restored, she immediately activated her clothing, regaining her cool, regal princess demeanor from when she first entered. She took the pill and swallowed it without hesitation.

“Lin Qingyun, you’re right. If you get beaten, you should stand at attention; if you make a mistake, you should own up to it. Today, I was at fault, and I accept it. But I’ll remember today’s debt—it’s separate from what happened before. We’ll settle it slowly in the future.”

Nangong Lingyue didn’t want to stay here a moment longer. Though she still wanted to teach Lin Qingyun a lesson, today was not the day. She had already agreed to cooperate with him, and given the situation, there was no way to make a move. In truth, she hadn’t gone all out; otherwise, she could have used her artifacts, spiritual tools, or even the life-saving measures her father had left her.

Even in her anger, she knew that Lin Qingyun’s parents were her father’s benefactors and the two families had a special relationship. Especially after Lin Qingyun exposed her impulsiveness, making her a pawn, she felt even less able to stay; after speaking, she left directly.

“Whoosh, whoosh…” As Nangong Lingyue departed, the beads and magical artifacts she’d placed around the room flew back to her.

If not for these protections during the recent clash, the room would have been destroyed, possibly taking out all the nearby private chambers as well. The commotion would have been enormous.

“She might not be the sharpest, but she’s not truly bad. See, she even protected your spots and the dining table. Come, let’s not waste this—let’s keep eating,” Lin Qingyun said, looking at the table. Most of it remained intact, except for the area where he had been sitting, which was slightly damaged but didn’t affect their meal.

Chu Qing bit her lip and hesitated. “You two go ahead and eat… I’ll be leaving now.”

“Don’t waste the meal—eat before you go,” Lin Qingyun called after Chu Qing. Seeing her embarrassed and conflicted, he smiled. “There’s still something to discuss—wait until we finish.”

Though she felt awkward about staying, Chu Qing sat back down when Lin Qingyun said there was more to say.

“Chu Qing, when you go back, tell Zhang Baole you convinced me to enroll in college. I’ll also let Professor Qian Shanmeng know, and by collaborating with him, I’ll join Haicheng University. That way, you can benefit from him.”

“Ah…” Chu Qing stared at Lin Qingyun in disbelief, quickly shaking her head. “No… there’s no need. You were right earlier—the problem isn’t unsolvable.”

Lin Qingyun took a bite and raised his hand to stop her from refusing further. “Listen: if you’d done this without my knowledge, it would have been a scheme against me. But now that I know, we’re teaming up to trick Zhang Baole.”

“That guy took a loss from me before, but this time he’s backed by my second aunt and her people. There’s plenty of profit to be had—no reason not to take advantage.”

“Besides, after this, if he tries to use you to get close to me or anything else, I’ll know ahead of time. So you’ll be helping me gather information, and you won’t have to feel guilty. How about that?”

Chu Qing was truly bewildered this time. Just now… after Lin Qingyun had left and come back, he started negotiating with Nangong Lingyue, and now he was negotiating with her.

She had thought he wouldn’t pay her any further heed after exposing her motives, and she’d been regretting it ever since. With Nangong Lingyue, he’d finished things after the fight. What happened after he left?

She instinctively looked at Brother Chao, who had followed him out and returned within seconds. Could Brother Chao have persuaded Lin Qingyun?

Brother Chao was feasting, and noticed Chu Qing’s confused and shocked gaze. With his mouth full, he said, “Don’t look at me—I didn’t persuade him.”

Brother Chao was curious too. After they’d stepped out, Lin Qingyun had spotted an advertisement at the door, muttered something to himself, then turned around and came back. Then, out of nowhere, he changed his approach—but Brother Chao hadn’t pressed him for answers.

Having heard this, and seeing Lin Qingyun’s unusual approach with Nangong Lingyue, Chu Qing finally nodded gratefully but somewhat lost.

“Right. If Zhang Baole asks about your side, just respond however you see fit. As for Nangong Lingyue, wait to see what she says, then coordinate your answer to Zhang Baole.”

“There’s no rush. Your persuasion needs to seem like a process. In three days, I’ll have Professor Qian Shanmeng arrange my enrollment—which means you’ll be close to me for those three days, always persuading me.”

“And remember—don’t follow their tempo. Put simply, you need to make demands. Understand that this is a family feud for control of a business empire. If they don’t pay, why should you help them?”

“Tell them you took care of me while I was injured, and that you’ll need to make sacrifices to succeed. Ask them to help you break through to the Heart of the Zither stage and become a pill refiner—you’re just short of some resources. Normally, it would take months or even a year at university, but with their help it’ll be easier.”

“Ah…” Hearing Lin Qingyun teach her how to trick Zhang Baole, Chu Qing opened her mouth wider, unable to adapt to this sudden shift—how did things end up like this?

The change in tone was so abrupt, Chu Qing felt a bit lost.

“Yes, exactly…” Lin Qingyun continued, organizing his thoughts as he spoke. “Don’t be afraid to ask for more—even if you’re refused once or twice, it doesn’t matter. If they need you, they’ll give you enough benefits.”

“Don’t worry about asking for too much. Right now, they’re afraid I’ll contend for control of the Lin Medical Group—a commercial empire worth billions. Later, more might get involved.”

Brother Chao understood at last. He still didn’t know why Lin Qingyun had suddenly changed, but he approved.

“That’s right. They want you to betray your old classmate and spy for them—so you should turn the tables and spy for us. Earn their trust, and maybe you’ll redeem yourself and even help the boss in the future.”

“Mm, mm…” Chu Qing nodded repeatedly. Redemption was exactly what she hoped for.

Lin Qingyun nodded with satisfaction. “Don’t just listen—eat while you talk. You need to immerse yourself fully. Understand their intentions. Become a woman who greedily seeks benefits.”

“Start out wanting to help your family, then realize their true purpose and demand more. Ask for everything you need for cultivation—these things mean little to them but are of great use to you.”

“No… you can have everything I get…” Chu Qing said hurriedly.

Lin Qingyun laughed. “These are your rightful rewards. No need to give them to me—I don’t need them. If you help me, I’ll make sure you benefit as well.”

After he finished, Brother Chao suddenly threw his arm around Chu Qing. “Chu Qing, we’re family now. You can act like a villain in front of them, but always remember how you got here.”

“To be honest, in these matters, deaths are commonplace, even annihilation of entire families isn’t rare. Now you have an opportunity, so you must be clear about which side you stand on.”

Lin Qingyun didn’t stop Brother Chao from warning Chu Qing. Even if it was a blunt good cop, bad cop routine, it was better to be clear.

His initial plan had been to expose Chu Qing and avoid further involvement, which was why he didn’t want to say much. But after returning with new ideas and plans, he needed her cooperation, so everything had to be clarified.

From her anxious persuasion, to the pain of being exposed, to now—Chu Qing had never experienced a day like this.

But she wasn’t stupid. Once she calmed down, she understood what she was getting into. As Lin Qingyun and Brother Chao had said, this wasn’t child’s play.

“I understand. I, Chu Qing, swear: everything I say or do in contact with Zhang Baole or any outsiders is only to help Lin Qingyun. If I ever harbor thoughts of harming him, let me suffer endless calamity, let the heavenly tribulation turn me to ashes.”

Chu Qing’s expression suddenly became solemn as she raised her finger and took an oath.

Now that spiritual energy was revived, cultivators could soar and vanish at will, and heart tribulations, heavenly tribulations, and inner demons had all begun to manifest. Oaths, once trivial for ordinary people, now carried real weight for cultivators.

Neither Lin Qingyun nor Brother Chao stopped her. Though for Lin Qingyun this was just a casual move—no matter what happened, he was confident in achieving his goals—for Chu Qing it was different.

Once she truly understood what she was getting involved in, she realized this was a battle for the ownership of a business empire, every bit as fierce as a royal succession struggle.

“Cheers,” Lin Qingyun said, not stopping her. After Chu Qing finished, he raised his glass to toast with Chu Qing and Brother Chao.