Chapter 91: Both Brother and Father

“Is this still the refined, peerless Dragon King we once knew?”
“Is this still the humble, low-key, and amiable foster father?”
“Why does he suddenly seem no different from those idle loafers on the street?”
Mo Qingqiu suddenly felt her faith collapsing.

After bickering for half the day, Long Qianqiu finally realized Mo Qingqiu was present. He hurriedly coughed a few times to cover his embarrassment and swiftly changed the subject.

“Junior, how is Master’s health these days?” Long Qianqiu instantly reverted to his usual demeanor.

Qin Chuan didn’t expose his second senior brother’s clumsy attempt at a diversion. He simply followed along: “With his robust constitution, he can play cards all night with Widow Sun and her friends without even taking a smoke break, and still go up the mountain to gather herbs the next day.”

Long Qianqiu’s mouth twitched. He suspected his junior was driving at something unspeakable, but lacked evidence. Still, he was long accustomed to Qin Chuan’s manner of speech and knew this meant their master was healthy enough. He couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Ever since Long Qianqiu left the mountain to join the army, his extraordinary cultivation had earned him countless military honors. In just three short years, he became a dominant force in the special forces, commanding the Dragon Fang Commando Unit, revered by the soldiers as the Dragon King.

Yet, because Dragon Fang was a highly secretive division, often deployed on classified missions, Long Qianqiu severed ties with his past. It wasn’t that he lacked opportunities to contact Qin Chuan and the others; he simply didn’t want to bring unnecessary trouble upon his sect. His power was vast, but he made many enemies, including several high-ranking officers who opposed him. Thus, Long Qianqiu chose to cut off his old connections.

“More than ten years have passed in a blink, and you’ve grown so much. Tell me, junior, do you have a girlfriend yet?” Long Qianqiu asked with a smile.

As time went by, Long Qianqiu’s health had improved, and his voice was stronger than before.

At his words, Mo Qingqiu’s face flushed red. She feared Qin Chuan would bring up their earlier agreement, so she tried to quietly slip out of the room. Yet, she had only taken two steps before Qin Chuan grabbed her arm.

“Second senior brother, that reminds me—I need to tell you something. We made a bet: if I cured you, she’d have to be my bed-warmer. Now that you’re awake, you can decide for her!” Qin Chuan said with a playful smile.

Long Qianqiu, after a brief moment of surprise, couldn’t help but laugh aloud. “Ha! You little rascal, your eye for beauty is sharp. Xiao Qiu is the prettiest girl among all four special forces teams. But this isn’t for me to decide—you must have her consent. Otherwise, even you can’t force her!”

Long Qianqiu, having spent his life in the military with no children of his own, had long regarded Mo Qingqiu as his daughter. In truth, if his junior and Mo Qingqiu could become a couple, Long Qianqiu would wholeheartedly bless them.

But he knew Qin Chuan’s character all too well. Though years had passed, nature rarely changes. Qin Chuan was never one to settle down. In the words of the internet: “Junior paddles without oars, his whole life powered by waves.”

“My dear niece, we agreed on this before—you can’t go back on your word, right?” Qin Chuan shook Mo Qingqiu’s arm, seeking confirmation.

Three black lines appeared on Long Qianqiu’s forehead—the family ties were getting confusing.

Mo Qingqiu’s pretty face was crimson, her head lowered nearly to her chest. For a moment, she was at a loss, especially after the closeness she had shared with Qin Chuan. She felt a strange affection for him welling up inside, and every time she thought of it, her heart raced.

“Junior, I hear you have several engagement contracts. Have all those girls been dealt with?” Long Qianqiu said deliberately, reminding Mo Qingqiu to think carefully.

Mo Qingqiu was stunned. She hadn’t expected Qin Chuan to have so many fiancées. In that instant, a vague sense of betrayal rose within her, leaving her at a loss for words.

Qin Chuan could easily guess Long Qianqiu’s intent. He grinned and replied, “Second senior brother, you’re overthinking it. When I said Qingqiu would be my bed-warmer, I was joking. I just want her to help protect someone for me.”

“Protect whom? One of your fiancées?”

Long Qianqiu asked with a frown.

Mo Qingqiu’s emotions were all over the place. Knowing Qin Chuan was only joking, she felt an inexplicable disappointment. The thought of being transferred to protect his fiancée made her feel a strong surge of jealousy and anger, though she herself couldn’t understand why.

Qin Chuan’s voice grew solemn. “My sister.”

“Sister? Wait, junior, does this mean you’ve discovered your true background?” Long Qianqiu exclaimed in surprise.

When Qin Chuan trained on the mountain, he always pretended to have lost his memory. Even when Long Qianqiu left the mountain, Qin Chuan never revealed his origins. But now, he decided not to hide it any longer and explained his background briefly.

After hearing Qin Chuan’s story, Long Qianqiu was furious. “Unbelievable! Have you found out who was behind it? With me here, I guarantee the mastermind will not escape justice.”

There were five brothers in the sect, but Long Qianqiu was closest to Qin Chuan. It was Long Qianqiu who cared for him and even taught him martial arts when their master was absent. To Qin Chuan, Long Qianqiu was both brother and father.

“Second senior brother, I’m not telling you this for revenge. I just didn’t want to hide it from you anymore. Also, before the mastermind fully exposes themselves, I don’t want to reveal the connection between me and Youyou. Even if Qingqiu is transferred, I hope you can provide a reasonable cover.” Qin Chuan said quietly.

Long Qianqiu was extremely clever and immediately understood Qin Chuan’s intentions. Without hesitation, he agreed, “Don’t worry, junior. I can handle this. Xiao Qiu, in all these years, I’ve never forced you to do anything. But protecting Youyou is a duty only you can perform. You are the one I trust most.”

Mo Qingqiu answered at once, “Alright!”

In truth, as Qin Chuan explained his origins, Mo Qingqiu felt deeply connected. She was an orphan herself, and if not for a stroke of luck and Long Qianqiu’s rescue, followed by years of guidance and care, she likely wouldn’t have survived to adulthood.

“Second senior brother, I also don’t want to expose our relationship. You should understand the reasons,” Qin Chuan added.

Long Qianqiu sighed deeply. His identity as Dragon King was illustrious, but it was also a restraint and a shackle.

“Very well, I’ll do as you ask.”

He paused, then shifted the topic: “But junior, if you ever face something you cannot resolve, remember that your senior brother will always be your strongest shield.”

“Alright.”

Qin Chuan was deeply moved. Had he not controlled himself, he might have shed tears. He quickly added, “There’s one more thing I need your cooperation with.”