Chapter 27: Qingque: How Do You Want To Die?

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Su Jinyan remained perfectly still, attempting to feign death.

Qingque wrapped their arm around Su Jinyan's neck and whispered into his ear, "A-Yan, enjoying the forums?"

"Speak up, I won't harm you."

"At most, I might just grind your bones into Imperial Jade Stronghold tiles for daily play."

"Look at me, A-Yan!"

Qingque forcefully turned Su Jinyan's face to meet her gaze in what she deemed a "passionate stare."

"How did you find out, Qingque? At least let me understand before I die," Su Jinyan calmly asked.

Qingque's smile grew menacing as she waved her phone at him. "I was reading casually when a notification popped up, and out of curiosity, I clicked on it."

"To my surprise, the poster's name matched mine—what a coincidence, wouldn't you say?"

Su Jinyan feigned indignation, exclaiming, "Oh, how coincidental! Truly remarkable!"

"For someone to dare impersonate my best friend, Qingque, is unforgivable!"

Qingque clenched her fists tightly, causing her knuckles to crack audibly. "Now isn't this just perfect."

"Certainly, many people will think I'm your admirer, some might even believe I secretly have a crush on you."

"On this day next year, it'll be your death anniversary. So tell me, how do you wish to die?"

"Umm... pleasure overload?" Su Jinyan ventured hesitantly.

Qingque's beautiful eyes sparkled. "Excellent choice!" she exclaimed.

"Well then, I'll arrange for a dozen voluptuous women to ensure A-Yan dies from sheer ecstasy!"

Su Jinyan stared, dumbfounded. How could Qingque become so vicious?

He desperately shook his head, pleading, "No, that's too cruel; it's not like you."

"If possible, I'd hope Qingque herself would personally torment me."

"Even if it meant dying under little sparrow's touch, I'd willingly accept my fate," Qingque retorted with a flushed face, "Ugh, keep dreaming."

Suddenly, Fu Xuan's icy voice echoed through the library.

"Qingque, A-Yan, haven't you finished your work yet to be fooling around here?!"

Instinctively turning her head, Qingque blurted out, "Grand Diviner, please let me explain—huh?"

Behind her was nothing but empty space; there was no sign of Fu Xuan. It had been a ruse all along.

Cursed! A-Yan tricked her again!

By the time Qingque spun back around, Su Jinyan had already made his swift escape.

Su Jinyan breathed a sigh of relief. Moments ago, he mimicked Fu Xuan's voice perfectly, instantly bamboozling Qingque. This incident highlighted just how crucial it is to master another language—it can truly save one's life in critical moments.

Qingque stamped her foot, feeling her cheeks burn intensely. "Ugh, so annoying!" The thought of Su Jinyan impersonating her and uttering such embarrassing words left her wishing...wishing she could...

Uh, wishing she could spend three whole days rolling on her bed clutching a pillow.

I want to die, oh, how I want to die...

Upon reflection, Qingque realized that her carefully crafted slacking-off plans had repeatedly failed recently, largely due to A-Yan's interference.

This can't go on; for her future ability to slack off, Qingque knew she had to take action.

If only A-Yan could win over the Grand Diviner—it'd be perfect. Then I could truly indulge in idleness without restraint.

As soon as this wicked thought surfaced, Qingque was startled by her own scheming.

"Qingque, oh Qingque," she chided herself, "the Grand Diviner has treated you well; how could you repay kindness with such deceit?"

"Don't blame me, don't blame me—gentlemen judge actions, not intentions. Grand Diviner, please forgive me..." Qingque clasped her hands together, her muttered plea quite endearing.

Just then, her phone vibrated on the table, signaling a text from Fu Xuan:

[Fu Xuan: Qingque, this venerable one just checked.]

[The work summary report requested last week still hasn't been written!]

[Your penalty is to submit double the usual amount this week, along with a ten-thousand-word self-reflection report. Don't forget.]

Qingque groaned, clutching her head. "Woe, I can't take it anymore! Someone, please rein in Imperial Diviner Fu!"

"A-Yan's a scoundrel too—the absolute worst, worst scoundrel in Luofu, no exceptions."

Knock, knock, knock—

At that moment, someone rapped at the door.

Puzzled, Qingque called out, "Who is it? Please come in."

Qingque was certain that whoever stood outside could not be Su Jinyan. After all, he had just offended her, so if he were to enter, it would have been stealthily.

A pale-skinned man with a somber expression walked in instead. "Qingque, have you seen Sir Su?"

Taken aback, Qingque asked, puzzled, "Shen Hai? What do you want with A-Yan?" Perhaps due to his frequent slacking off, Qingque didn't have a strong impression of Shen Hai and wasn't particularly familiar with him. She only recalled that Shen Hai was a diviner at the Divination Commission and a former friend of A-Yan's.

Recently, Shen Hai had taken over a colleague's position and became an interviewer for the Divination Commission. Shortly after this appointment, he recommended A-Yan to Fu Xuan. To avoid any appearance of bias, Fu Xuan promptly dispatched Shen Hai on a mission to Yaoqing, instructing Qingque to conduct Su Jinyan's interview instead.

Upon entering, Shen Hai explained, "I've just returned from my assignment in Yaoqing."

"Hearing that Sir Su successfully joined the Divination Commission made me quite happy, so I wanted to invite him out for a few drinks."

Qingque grew more confused. "Don't you have his contact information?"

Shen Hai tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Isn't meeting face-to-face more sincere?"

"Thank you for your trouble, Miss Qingque. When you see Sir Su, please convey my message to him," Shen Hai requested. "I'd like to meet him at six-thirty tonight in Aurum Alley for a proper drink."

With those words, Shen Hai hastily departed from the Divination Commission's library, as if unwilling to linger even a moment longer.

Qingque looked puzzled. "What a peculiar person, somewhat suspicious indeed."

It wasn't until late afternoon, just before work hours ended, that Su Jinyan returned to his post. He had brought Immortal's Delight tea and sticky rice balls as an apology, hoping Qingque would forgive him.

Qingque wrinkled her small nose. "A-Yan, your friend came looking for you earlier."

Su Jinyan, confused, asked, "Which friend?"

"It was Shen Hai," Qingque explained, "the one who recommended you for the position at the Divination Commission."

"He also invited you to meet up after work at Aurum Alley for drinks."

Realization dawned on Su Jinyan, and he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Ah, Shen Hai... I understand now..."

"I've been wanting to catch up with him for some time; even if he hadn't sought me out, I would have gone to find him myself."

Although Su Jinyan had never met Shen Hai, it didn't hinder his desire to eliminate him. Shen Hai's existence posed a significant risk to him.

Only the leader and the black-robed figure knew about his undercover status. Until their interests and positions clearly conflicted, they would not pose any threat to him; instead, they would go to great lengths to protect his true identity.

However, Shen Hai was different. Su Jinyan understood that from the moment he joined the Divination Commission, it was inevitable that their interests would clash eventually.

Two tigers cannot coexist on the same mountain. If anything, it could only be blamed on his own exceptional talent, which posed a severe threat to Shen Hai's position.

Consider this: before Su Jinyan arrived, Shen Hai was the sole undercover agent within the Divination Commission. With Su Jinyan's entry, there were now two spies.

The question arises: Given that there was already an established mole, why did the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus take such significant risks, even potentially exposing themselves to Fu Xuan, by sending another infiltrator like Su Jinyan?

Su Jinyan surmised that Shen Hai, exploiting his unique status as the original spy, continuously demanded more benefits from the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus. This likely led to dissatisfaction among the organization's higher-ups, prompting them to send Su Jinyan as a second spy to counterbalance Shen Hai's influence.

Of course, achieving balance was never possible for Su Jinyan. Once he found the right opportunity, Shen Hai's fate would inevitably seal in death.

At 6:30 PM, at Aurum Alley, Su Jinyan arrived as agreed.

Inside a private booth of the tavern, a pale-faced man with a somber demeanor raised his glass in greeting.

"Sir Su, or should I say, Mr. Sun."

"Should I call you Sun Xiaochuan or Su Jinyan?"

Su Jinyan's eyes narrowed slightly; revealing his affiliation with the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus right away confirmed this individual's ill intentions.

Seeing Su Jinyan remain silent, Shen Hai continued unperturbed:

"It seems, during my absence..."

"Mr. Sun Xiaochuan has made quite a name for himself within the Divination Commission, no?"

Su Jinyan took a sip of wine. "What do you mean by that? Have something to say?"

Shen Hai hastily waved his hand, a sly expression on his face. "No, no, no, how could I dare have any objections?" He added, "However, it appears you've forgotten your true identity?"

Sighing, Su Jinyan abruptly grabbed the wine jug and forcefully smashed it against Shen Hai's head without warning.

Caught off guard, Shen Hai had no time to dodge.

Crash!

The sound of shattering pottery echoed loudly.

Blood streamed from Shen Hai's head as stars danced before his eyes.

Su Jinyan pulled out a handkerchief and disdainfully wiped away the blood on his hands. "Can we have a proper conversation now?"

Shen Hai touched his bleeding scalp, disbelief etched across his face.

"Did you forget? If I report you to the Ten-Lords Commission, they'll swiftly send a judge to apprehend you for investigation."

"And once your true identity is exposed, you can expect a lifetime imprisonment with no respite."