Chapter 49: This Merit is Like a Balloon
When Jiang Qingwan walked to the entrance of the purification hall, she saw a scene of harmonious interaction between the A-class Sentinels and Xie Qiang.
She stared blankly at the girl surrounded by Sentinels. The girl’s figure seemed to grow, her fluffy white hair turning into smooth black tresses, and her exquisite young face blurring before becoming mature and gentle.
Under the spotlight of everyone’s attention, the girl had a cold, distant smile on her lips as she expertly handled the adoration of the high-level Sentinels.
That was the “her” from before.
But Jiang Qingwan didn’t miss those days. What she missed was herself—the version of her that could solve the mania issues of low-level Sentinels on the battlefield.
But fortunately, this young S-class Guide, under her persistent persuasion, had gradually stopped hating Sentinels and was now willing to be used by her.
Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, Jiang Qingwan stepped into the hall, a proper smile on her lips as she walked toward Xie Qiang. “Imperial Daughter, how many Sentinels have you purified?”
Xie Qiang had just finished a session. Hearing her voice, she turned. “Twenty.”
“So many?” Jiang Qingwan was slightly stunned. Before, she could only purify ten A-class Sentinels a day.
Clenching her palms slightly, a relieved smile appeared on her face. “It seems persuading you to come and purify the Sentinels was the right choice.”
The surrounding Sentinels suddenly cast surprised glances.
What’s the deal? The one who got the Imperial Daughter to purify them was Jiang Qingwan?
Xie Qiang’s eyelashes fluttered. She looked up at Jiang Qingwan.
Jiang Qingwan’s smile remained gentle and kind. “Imperial Daughter, you must be exhausted after working all day. Let Sentinel Mo Yin take you to get some rest.”
Xie Qiang didn’t speak. She just kept her bright, clear eyes fixed on Jiang Qingwan. There was no interrogation in her gaze, yet Jiang Qingwan felt a sense of shame, as if she were being stripped bare.
She heatedly looked away, not daring to meet Xie Qiang’s eyes, and turned to Mo Yin instead. “Sentinel Mo Yin, take the Imperial Daughter to rest.”
Mo Yin didn’t move an inch.
Xie Qiang, who had been silent, suddenly smiled. Her almond eyes curved into beautiful crescents. “Sure, let’s go then.”
Seeing the two leave, Jiang Qingwan breathed a sigh of relief. Clenching her fist slightly, she turned to the other Sentinels, an apologetic look on her face. “It’s hard on you guys to endure a bit longer. I’ll make sure the Imperial Daughter comes earlier tomorrow.”
The Sentinels gathered around, shocked. “We were wondering why the Imperial Daughter was suddenly willing to purify us. It turns out Guide Jiang was working behind the scenes!”
Jiang Qingwan smiled, saying absentmindedly, “It’s what I should do.”
“How did Guide Jiang do it?” The Sentinels were curious. “It must have taken a lot of effort, right?”
“Not really. Perhaps the Imperial Daughter came to her senses. After all, her training as an heir is almost over, and if she wants to ascend the throne smoothly…”
Realizing she had “slipped up,” Jiang Qingwan immediately covered her mouth. “Ah, please forget what I just said. Otherwise, if the Imperial Daughter finds out, I’m finished.”
The stubborn Sentinels wouldn’t let it go. “Wait, what do you mean ‘heir training’?”
“Guide Jiang, tell us! We promise not to leak it!”
“Yeah, yeah!”
Unable to resist the persistent Sentinels, Jiang Qingwan slowly explained. “Actually, I accidentally learned that the Imperial Daughter came to the Third War Zone because of a three-year agreement with His Majesty. As long as she can get the support of the A-class Sentinels upon her return, she can defeat the Prince and inherit the throne.”
She sighed softly. “The three-year deadline is almost here…”
She didn’t need to say more; the Sentinels understood instantly.
“I knew it! Why would she suddenly become ‘good’? She’s afraid of the Prince taking the throne, so she’s using us as stepping stones!”
“Then once she ascends, won’t we be the first batch of Sentinels she settles scores with?”
“Given her hatred for Sentinels, isn’t that inevitable!”
The Sentinels glared in anger. “D*mn, we’ve been played!”
Not far away, Shu Fenghua watched all this with cold eyes. She looked down and sent the recording Xie Qiang had just asked for.
Shu Fenghua: [Imperial Daughter, did you hear that?]
Xie Qiang: [(>^ω^<)]
Shu Fenghua: [Stop sending cat heads! Aren’t you angry!]
Shu Fenghua was nearly dying of rage. She never expected Jiang Qingwan to steal all the credit with just a few words while simultaneously blackening Xie Qiang’s name, saying her purification was self-serving.
So what if it was self-serving? These Sentinels were getting “thorough purifications” that they would never get in any other war zone!
Xie Qiang comforted the temperamental Guide sister: [Don’t be angry, don’t be angry. If you get sick from anger, no one can replace your health.]
Xie Qiang: [It’s just a little bit of reputation. Let her have it.]
Shu Fenghua: [Your Highness! You can’t be so easygoing! People will bully you!]
Shu Fenghua: [I really can’t stop being angry! I want to hit her! Can I really not go up and slap her?]
Shu Fenghua: [Your Highness! Your Highness, reply to me! Is it because I’m too violent and you don’t like me anymore? Don’t ignore me TAT]
Xie Qiang stopped typing and pursed her lips.
The female lead wouldn’t turn bad without reason. There must be some force infiltrating, forcing the lead to feel that following the other side had better “cost-effectiveness.”
Perhaps now was the time to warn the lead and let her see the true nature of the Sentinels.
Xie Qiang lowered her head and typed word by word: [Don’t worry, Sister Shu. She won’t be able to swallow this credit.]
After all, this merit was like a balloon. The more you blew into it, the easier it was to—
BANG!
“Bang bang bang! Bang bang bang!”
Jiang Qingwan was startled awake from her sleep by urgent knocking. She checked her wrist and saw it was 3:30 AM.
Who would come looking for her at this hour?
She got up, rubbed her temples, and opened the door, only to see a bright-eyed Xie Qiang smiling up at her. “Guide Jiang, sorry to disturb you. It’s time to go purify the Sentinels.”
“What?” Jiang Qingwan was stunned. “Now?”
“Yes.” The girl stood with her hands behind her back, her eyes curved into crescents as she smiled. “There are still many Sentinels suffering because they are on the brink of mania. I’m sure Guide Jiang wouldn’t have the heart to let them suffer a minute longer, right?”
She tilted her head, her expression perfectly innocent. “Otherwise, should I not go?”
Jiang Qingwan snapped out of it and hurriedly said, “No, let’s go now.”
“Let’s go then.” Xie Qiang turned around and walked briskly toward the purification hall.
The Sentinels didn’t expect the two to show up at this time. They stood up in surprise. “Why are you here so early?”
Xie Qiang scanned them with an arrogant look, then let out a light snort. “Guide Jiang felt sorry for you and couldn’t bear to let you stay in pain, so she woke me up at three in the morning to come and purify you.”
She turned her head and glanced at Jiang Qingwan. “Right, Guide Jiang?”
Jiang Qingwan was stunned for a moment, then reacted. “Ah, yes.”
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